Several bridges, old and new crisscross over the rivers Mula and Mutha in Pune. Some of them are old and stately like the Lakdi Pul built over 250 years ago or the beautiful Shivaji Pul, while there are low ones like the Baba Bhide Bridge, which routinely gets submerged in the monsoons.
I try to walk across these bridges on most evenings.
As a photographer, the river interests me, but more so, the people. Especially people walking on the bridges. Not all of them stop to watch the river, but many do. School-children, college friends, families, men with friends, men alone. Women, on the other hand, seldom stand against the bridge-railing and peer down. On the streets and bridges of a city, women are always in a hurry.
People who look at the river do not throw garbage in it. They don’t fold their hands and throw in a coin either.
I do not know what they think as they look at the river. I do not even know if they watch the river or are lost in their thoughts. There are hardly any spaces left in the crowded city to get lost in one’s thoughts. It is special that in the midst of constant traffic, loud honking and hurrying pedestrians, people find a moment to themselves with the river.
I cannot help but think that if the rivers below are healthy and flowing, these people might feel better in their solitude. As they return to their worlds, their thoughts might be a shade brighter.
All Photos and Text: Abhay Kanvinde abhaykanvinde@gmail.com, https://www.instagram.com/abhaykanvinde/
SANDRP 
झकास… खूपच छान आहेत फोटो… एवढी भरलेली नदी… पुलावरून उत्सुकतेने पहाणारे लोक आणि एका पुलावरून दिसणारे दोन तीन पूल… सगळंच छान जमलं आहे…
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उत्तमच
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Fantastic images! And such a lovely little write-up as well! Excellent work, Abhay
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Great photos!
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Blessed to be part of pune city & its wonderful bridge
No of images i hold it
from sunrise to sunset to sunrise.
Its not a photo but a journey also
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Brilliant photos, and thanks for spreading the awareness to maintain the beautiful place
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Flowing river is a peace. In the hustle and bustle of city no one hears you but river will hear and it will encourage you
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Lovely Photos of our great Pune city rivers 👍, it’s become more interesting with the images of common Punekars watching the river. Wondering what each Punekars thought must be on the state of our rivers. Are they thinking of the pollution that is spoiling the rivers? or are they in a nostalgic journey in the past when the size & quality of the water flow was hugely different?. Very interesting subject chosen, thanks for sharing these great photos of our city’s pride👍
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Nice article 👍👍 not everyone notices simple and trivial things around… very well written.
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Wonderful photos. I like the one where the parent is holding the child.
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Thanks, Geri Lawhon.
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