Extracurricular Activities at Pune University

A long, closed-loop walking track was laid near the main entrance gate of the Pune University as a part of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 1999, which now attracts a huge number of students (joggers and walkers)

The Pune University campus is sprawled over 411 acres providing necessary facilities for the all-round development of its students. It has basketball courts, four auditoriums, an amphitheater, volleyball courts, cricket grounds, football grounds, a gymnasium, and even a huge sports complex. The Sports Complex has a large and open ground for outdoor Indian and European team games as well as athletics. In addition to this, facilities are available for indoor games with an accommodation of 80 sportspersons (male and female). An Olympic size pool is also being constructed for the students. 

Besides this, a long, closed-loop walking track was laid near the main entrance gate of the university as a part of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 1999, which now attracts a huge number of students (joggers and walkers). Also, there are huge fields and lawns laid for sports activities and sprawling parks and gardens are there for students’ recreational facilities. 

Importance of Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are activities in which the students participate voluntarily because they have a personal interest or want to develop specific skills or talents. These activities could be anything including dancing, painting, sports, theatre, etc. which not only help students build their social skills but also improve their academic performances. Scientific studies have proven that these activities increase confidence in students and they become more expressive by joining clubs or teams of their interest. Not only this, but the student’s participation in such activities also provides knowledge of their personality to the recruiters in the future. It helps them realise that the student has the ability to take initiative, possesses social skills and also that he/ she is open-minded and adaptable to various cultures and environments. 

Benefits of Extracurricular Activities

• Development of various soft skills required in every sphere of life such as communication skills, leadership skills, management skills, teamwork, etc. 
• Opportunity to grow your network stronger which is of vital benefit in this era of networking. 
• Participating in activities related to the student’s academic interest can also provide opportunities for deeper learning and understanding of the same.
• Extracurricular activities help in the holistic development of the students thereby making them more social, tolerant, disciplined and committed which will also help them in their future pursuits. 
• Participating in different kinds of activities, just other than academic tasks can also provide opportunities for personal growth and development of the students. 
• These activities help the students to learn to multitask and become more efficient and productive in their day-to-day tasks. Studies have also shown that students who participate in these activities had less absenteeism. 

Popular events at Pune University

The Savitribai Phule Pune University takes care of the student’s all-round development and takes all necessary steps to help them enjoy their hobbies on the university campus. There are various events organised by different clubs or even at the university or state level in which the students can participate and showcase their talent. Some of the popular events are:

• Robowar, Roborace, lathewar, drone making for the students of engineering are held every year. 
• WINGYAAN- Girls Education and Employability Promotion Program, an initiative for awareness
• All India Inter University Wrestling Free Style (Women) Championship (held almost every year)
• All India Inter University Baseball Tournaments (Men and Mixed)
• Yoga Workshops held for students and faculty on campus
• Clean India Campaign
• National Level Project Competition

Besides this, Pune holds an International Film Festival every year in January for which students get a concession pass, thereby allowing them to experience world cinema. There are a lot of events and activities that help students gain an awareness of their surroundings as well as contribute to development in their personal realm. 

Clubs Prevalent at Pune University

Numerous clubs are run by students and faculty at Savitribai Phule Pune University providing opportunities for students to develop communication, leadership, organisation and social skills. Besides this, each club has a significance of its own, which helps students take out the best in them in their area of interest. Here is a list of some of the prevalent clubs at Pune University related to different fields:

• Engineering and Technology: Baja SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), Robocon, Code Club, engineers connect, etc.
• Sports: Poona Club, Deccan Gymkhana Club and other professional clubs for different sports
• Theatre: Purushottam Karandak, Firodia Karandak
• Films: Aashay film club, Koregaon film club, National Film Archives of India
• Social Service and Leadership: Rotaract Club, Junior Jaycees, National Service Scheme
• Science: Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Bhaskaracharya Pratisthana
• Public Speaking: Speak, Toastmasters Club
• Internships: Intern frapp Club
• Politics: Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, National Students Union of India

The clubs are not limited to the above list; there are numerous other clubs carrying out different activities in different areas of interest for the students. 

About the Author

I am Tanieya, a juggler of words and works. I am a graduate in ELL from St. Xavier's College, Ranchi, and currently training as a teacher. Being a student, intern and freelance writer all at once I have found enough time to follow my passion for writing poetry.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha.