Among Shri Suresh Kalmadi’s many pioneering initiatives, the inception of the Pune Festival in 1989 stands out as a beacon of his cultural commitment. At the time, Shri Kalmadi served both as a Member of Parliament and as Chairman of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. Inspired by the fervent nationalism of Lokmanya Tilak, whose public Ganesh Festival movement galvanized the nation, Shri Kalmadi envisioned the Pune Festival as a cultural offering during the ten-day Ganesh Utsav.

For 37 consecutive years, this festival has been a magnificent celebration of arts, culture, and tradition. Organized jointly by the citizens of Pune, the Pune Festival Committee, the Department of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, this festival has earned national and international acclaim.

I feel an immense sense of pride in having served as the Vice President of this prestigious cultural event for several years. I wish to specially acknowledge the invaluable support extended by the Maharashtra Tourism Department and our esteemed private sponsors, without whom the festival’s grandeur would not have been possible. Notably, all cultural and sporting events under the festival umbrella are offered completely free of charge.