The Cycle Merchant’s Housing Society, a name that once captured its residents’ livelihood, now houses over 500 people whose businesses span various industries in Pune’s Rasta Peth. The transformation of the place from a refuge in the years following India’s Partition to a thriving multicultural community tells a story about resilience and adaptation.Baljeet Singh Kochhar still remembers the era of bicycles, though it has been decades since its attraction faded. He is one of the few remaining links to the society’s founding tale that begins not in Pune’s bustling markets, but in the displacement of 1947.“Our previous generations used to live in Rawalpindi, currently in the Punjab province of Pakistan,” Kochhar recalls. “With India’s Partition, almost three-fourths of the area of Punjab went to Pakistan, and we had to come to our side.”The stories his elders told him paint a picture of unimaginable hardship: families torn apart, businesses abandoned, and the desperate search for safety. “Our elders used to tell us that there was a lot of suffering then, with security issues, lack of jobs, overcrowded health facilities, so they decided to shift to Pune in search of a livelihood.”The predominantly Sikh families who settled in the Rasta Peth area did not just survive, they thrived by reading the market perfectly. “Our community members had the necessary skills to start and run a business,” Kochhar says. “The early families which settled in this locality started a cycle merchant business, and so the name of this society was kept as Cycle Merchants Housing Society. In those days, societies were named based on the businesses that the residents did.” Early families that settled in this locality started a cycle merchant business, hence the society was named Cycle Merchants Housing Society. (Express Photo)Bicycle, a symbol of independenceIn the 1960s and 70s, bicycles were the most preferred mode of transportation. For middle-class families, students and workers, a good bicycle meant independence, and members of the Cycle Society became their facilitator.But India was changing rapidly. The economic liberalisation of the 1990s brought affordable motorcycles within the reach of the common man. Public transport expanded. And the bicycle, once the king of Indian roads, began losing its crown.Story continues below this ad“With affordable motorised two-wheeler options entering the market, the demand for cycles has reduced, particularly the old models,” Kochhar says. “And even the subsequent generations were not interested in carrying on the business.”The community embraced the change. “Gradually, the society members diversified into different businesses such as running sweet shops, textiles, and shipping, among others,” he adds.Now a symphony of languages, traditionsToday, the society tells a different story. What began as a home for around 50 Sikh families has evolved into a vibrant community of over 500 residents from diverse cultural backgrounds.“It has become a melting pot, where individuals from different cultures live peacefully,” says Chopsy Oberoi, another resident. “Inclusivity has been maintained in the society with the celebration of different festivals like Ganeshotsav, Christmas, Holi, Guru Nanak Jayanti, and others. Every individual gets involved in them enthusiastically,” Oberoi adds.Story continues below this adAs the original Sikh families prospered and some moved to other parts of Pune or abroad, they welcomed new residents regardless of religion or background, creating a symphony of languages and traditions.The evolution of businesses continues. Oberoi runs a textile company, while another society member operates a shipping firm from Dubai. Others have ventured into motor garages, restaurants, and even vintage scooter restoration, a tribute to their two-wheeler heritage.“Though our society’s name has remained the same, we have evolved and adapted with changing times,” Oberoi says, “but our history has kept us intact.”This evolution is more visible during Ganeshotsav, when the entire society transforms into a carnival of devotion and joy. For 10 days, the society premises resonate with Ganesh aarti and devotional songs, with the involvement of all communities.Story continues below this ad“For all 10 days we gather and enjoy the festival, as from whichever part we have come from, our duty is to respect and imbibe the local culture and promote diversity,” Oberoi adds.Promoting cultural integration, the same families who once fled religious violence now lead interfaith celebrations, proving that the country’s greatest strength lies not in uniformity but in its ability to weave different threads into a stronger fabric.Shubham Kurale is an intern with The Indian Express.