TFI Pune Alumni Chapter

PAC has always been more than a network. It is a collective of people coming together to strengthen communities, amplify voices, and respond to the realities impacting children and our city.

At its core, PAC-CC is built on the belief that leadership is not vested in a few individuals but shared across a community. Every member of PAC-CC has believed in creating spaces where people can meaningfully contribute, take ownership, and lead together. Over the past year, this belief has come alive through countless moments of connection, collaboration, and community-building across Pune.

What stands out most about this year is how Alumni increasingly stepped forward not just as participants, but as creators and hosts of community experiences. From the Pune Durbar that brought together over 30 Alumni across 13 cohorts, fellows, staff, and student Alumni under one roof, to city-wide efforts to bring everyone together through a single Pune Alumni group, PAC-CC continued to strengthen the sense of belonging that extends far beyond the fellowship experience.

The year was marked by initiatives that celebrated culture, relationships, and shared interests. Alumni-led experiences such as the Ganesh Utsav Heritage Walk, Durga Puja Pandal Hopping, and cluster-based Diwali House Parties created opportunities for people to reconnect with the city and with one another. Weekly interest-based communities around board games, cricket, badminton, and music flourished, creating informal yet meaningful spaces where relationships deepened and leadership emerged organically. The Djembe Circle, community gatherings, and social events demonstrated that strong communities are built not only through formal programmes, but also through moments of joy, celebration, and shared experiences.

PAC-CC also remained intentional about reaching those who may have drifted away from the network. Through structured Alumni outreach efforts, every Community Council member committed to building connections with Alumni who had not been actively engaging, ensuring that relationships remained at the centre of the network's work.

Alongside community-building, PAC-CC celebrated the journeys and impact of Alumni through initiatives such as Beyond the Fellowship and InspirED Pune, which highlighted the contributions, leadership, and influence of Alumni across the region. Teacher's Day celebrations brought together student Alumni voices from across geographies to honour educators who continue to shape lives, while the Pune Badminton Tournament brought together 35 players, including Alumni who travelled from other cities, showcasing the strength of the community's connections.

These milestones reflect something deeper than events and participation numbers. They demonstrate the power of a community that continues to choose connection, collective action, and shared leadership long after formal programmes end. They remind us that Alumni networks are not sustained by structures alone, but by people who invest their time, energy, creativity, and care into building spaces where others feel they belong.

As you go through this website, we invite you to look beyond the activities and achievements and see the people behind them: the Alumni, fellows, students, and partners who continue to strengthen the fabric of this community. Their commitment is what makes PAC-CC not just a network, but a living example of collective leadership in action.

Year at a glance, 2025–26

Pune Durbar: bringing the community together

The year began with Pune Durbar, a celebration of the strength and diversity of the Pune Alumni community. Bringing together Alumni, fellows, staff, and student Alumni from across 13 cohorts, the gathering created a rare opportunity for people from different generations of the fellowship to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate their collective journey. With performances, conversations, and moments of reflection, Pune Durbar reaffirmed the power of community and the relationships that continue to thrive long after the fellowship experience ends.

One Pune, one group

As the Alumni community continued to grow, PAC-CC took intentional steps to create stronger connections across cohorts and experiences. The launch of a unified Pune Alumni group became an important milestone in fostering a sense of belonging and accessibility within the community. Beyond coordination and communication, the group became a space for conversations, support, collaboration, and the everyday interactions that strengthen the Alumni movement.

Ganesh Utsav Heritage Walk

Led by Alum Dhruv and supported by PAC-CC, the Ganesh Utsav Heritage Walk brought together community members to experience one of Pune's most celebrated cultural traditions. More than a city tour, the walk created an opportunity for Alumni and fellows to explore the city's history, connect through shared experiences, and take in the zest of Ganesh pandal hopping.

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Teacher's Day video

To celebrate the educators who continue to shape lives, PAC-CC coordinated a special Teacher's Day video featuring messages from student Alumni across geographies. In just five days, a team of volunteers connected with Alumni across two countries to collect stories, gratitude, and reflections. The resulting video became a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of teachers and the lasting relationships that continue to inspire generations of students.

Djembe Circle

The Djembe Circle created a unique space for community members to connect through rhythm, creativity, and collective expression.

Interest-based communities

One of the most exciting developments this year was the emergence of alumni-led interest groups across the city. From board games and cricket to badminton and other shared hobbies, these communities created regular opportunities for connection outside of professional networks. Hosted and sustained by Alumni themselves, these groups became powerful examples of community ownership and leadership, fostering friendships and strengthening engagement across the network.

Reaching Alumni, one call at a time

Recognising that meaningful communities are built through relationships, PAC-CC launched a structured outreach effort to reconnect with Alumni who had become less engaged over time. Each Chapter Committee member committed to reaching out to a set of Alumni over the course of the quarter, creating opportunities for conversation, listening, and reconnection. This initiative reinforced the belief that every member matters and that sustaining community requires intentional care and effort.

Durga Puja pandal hopping

What began as a simple invitation from PAC-CC evolved into an opportunity for Alumni to rediscover the city's vibrant Durga Puja festive spirit together. As community members explored Durga Puja celebrations across Pune, many unexpectedly crossed paths with fellow Alumni, creating moments of connection and belonging. The initiative highlighted how shared cultural experiences can strengthen community bonds while encouraging Alumni to engage more deeply with the city around them.

Cluster-wise Diwali house parties

During Diwali, Alumni opened their homes and hearts to fellow community members through cluster-based Diwali gatherings. Featuring diya painting, board games, music, food, and conversations, these intimate celebrations created spaces for deeper relationships and meaningful connection. Hosted by Alumni and facilitated by PAC-CC members, the gatherings embodied the spirit of community, hospitality, and collective celebration.

Pune Badminton Tournament

The Pune Badminton Tournament emerged as one of the largest community-led sporting events of the year. Bringing together 35 players across 25 matches, including Alumni who travelled from other cities to participate, the tournament showcased the enthusiasm and commitment of the community. Beyond competition, the event created opportunities for camaraderie, connection, and healthy engagement, demonstrating how shared interests continue to strengthen the Alumni network.

Beyond the Fellowship

Beyond the Fellowship was launched to celebrate the journeys, achievements, and leadership of Alumni beyond their fellowship years. Through stories and spotlights, the initiative highlighted the many ways Alumni continue to contribute to classrooms, communities, organisations, and broader systems. It served as a reminder that the impact of the fellowship extends far beyond its duration and continues to be carried forward through the work and leadership of Alumni.

Pune Cricket Tournament

The Pune Cricket Tournament brought together community members through a shared love for the sport. What began as an informal space for Alumni to connect evolved into a larger platform for teamwork, camaraderie, and healthy competition. The tournament saw enthusiastic participation from Alumni across cohorts, creating opportunities for new connections while strengthening existing relationships. More than the matches themselves, the tournament reflected the community's ability to create spaces where people come together around shared passions, reinforcing PAC-CC's vision of building belonging beyond professional and fellowship identities.

InspirED Pune

InspirED Pune brought together members of the community to celebrate the collective impact being created across the region. The initiative highlighted stories of leadership, innovation, and commitment from Alumni working across diverse sectors and communities. By creating a platform to recognise and learn from one another's journeys, InspirED Pune strengthened a shared sense of purpose and reinforced the power of collective impact.

Reports archive

2026–27, in progress