Pune is the city where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & Lokmanya Tilak commenced their efforts. They were followed by Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar. With these great leaders for inspiration, it has always been Mr. Kalmadi's dream to change the face of Pune and put it on the global map and turn it into a global destination.

PUNE FESTIVAL
Mr. Kalmadi is the Chairman of the Pune Festival Committee, which is a festival revolving around Culture, Dance, Music, Art and Sports. Mr. Kalmadi was inspired by the 'Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav' of Lokmanya Tilak who started the Ganeshotsav festival as a medium thru which he infused and inculcated the spirit of freedom in the minds of the people. Mr. Kalmadi initiated the Pune Festival in 1989 with Pt. Bhimsen Joshi as the President. Click here to read in Detail

PUNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Pune is on the film fest map, courtesy the Pune International Film Festival, the driving force behind which is Mr. Suresh Kalmadi. In its second edition the monies from the sale of delegate passes far outreached the sponsors original amount, so much so that PIFF might become self-sustaining if the trend continues.

The idea of the Pune International Film Festival 2002 (PIFF) evolved during last year’s Pune Destination 2005 Seminar that was organised by the Pune Vyaspeeth. Several ideas were discussed about making Pune a tourist destination for international travellers. Amongst these was the brilliant suggestion by filmmaker Jabbar Patel that Pune should host an international film festival. With the support of Suresh Kalmadi, this idea began to take shape.

It is slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with. In the second edition movies poured in from far and wide, and the spectrum of languages was as varied as Marathi & Spanish, Bulgarian & Hindi, Polish & Chinese, making it a true celebration of movies. The films were chosen imaginatively so as to present delegates with a wide genre in concepts, storylines, histrionics, costumes, ideas, and technical know-how. Screening about 110 films from about 26 countries, P.I.F.F. also showcased works of Indian masters like Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt, and Vijay Anand.

Now in its second year, P.I.F.F. honoured two all-time greats of Indian cinema - Dev Anand and Lata Mangeshkar. The veterans were presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the hands of Sharad Pawar. Also present on the dais were P.I.F.F. President Suresh Kalmadi, P.I.F.F. Director Dr. Jabbar Patel, P.I.F.F. Chairperson Sabina Sanghvi, actor Sanjay Dutt and Kiran Shantaram.

SHANIWARWADA DANCE FESTIVAL
Mr. Kalmadi is the Chairman of the Shaniwarwada Dance Festival Committee. For threeyears now the Shaniwarwada Dance Festival has witnessed the best dance performances of the country.

The seat of the Peshwas, the historical Shaniwarwada, is the backdrop of a two-day dance festival where noted classical dancers from the city perform. It is a moving spiritual odyssey, courtsey of the Pune Festival Committee, which reiterates Pune as the cultural capital of the State.

The magnificent Sound & Light show or "Son-et-Lumier" at Shaniwarwada is a unique show which depicts the sages personified by the Sahyadri mountain ranges, bringing alive the glory of the greatest Maratha Empire.

ELEPHANTA FESTIVAL
Started during period of Chairmanship of MTDC - Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

MTDC CHAIRMANSHIP
Mr. Kalmadi was the Chairman of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) during 1988-1989. During his tenure tourism in Maharashtra got a major boost. The budget allocation for tourism from the Maharashtra government was very small compared to the needs, and Mr. Kalmadi successfully convinced the Central Governmentt to help bridge the shortfall in the required funds.

Mr. Kalmadi also did a lot to attract tourists to Maharashtra, which included starting Adventure Sports (like water sports, rock climbing, paragliding, and trekking. Central assistance for purchasing trekking equipment to the tune of Rs 5 lakh was secured, while central assistance to the tune of Rs 20 lakh was obtained for the development of water sports and purchasing equipment for the same.

A very popular program has been the tent facilities at Kikim and other sea-front places. Steps were taken to start Jungle Safaris at Navegaon, Nagzira, Melghat, etc.

Various Dak Bunglows were converted into Tourist hotels. An Art & Crafts Village was established. The Planning and the Kokand survey were started, and steps taken to prepare the Master plan for the beaches. It was also during his tenure that the Ajanta & Ellora Development was started in collaboration with the Japanese Government.

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