Malls still feel incredibly out of place in Pune, where most of the stores are on the street. But we read in the local paper that number of malls is expected to grow considerably in the next several years. And it's easy to understand why. In the mall you are sheltered from the noise and pollution of the street. It's clean. It's air conditioned. There is an ample selection of a wide range of items: electronics, appliances, clothing, shoes, and groceries. There's free wifi and a food court. And it's a place people can come to hang out.
Many of the people there are young and dressed in jeans and tshirts. They carry cell phones and guys and girls hang out together. You can see India changing before your eyes. They want a part of the capitalist, consumerist, Western dream and the IT sector has made it available to them.
When we visited today, there was a thumping sound system outside with a DJ playing. It looked like they were setting up for a band to play next. Pune Central is the place to be!
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