Meet the son of healthcare workers who just became a Pune corporator

In a stirring victory in the Pune civic polls, 34-year-old Mahesh Awale has become a businessman with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), where his parents work as conservancy staff.

“It’s amazing that I have been elected as a corporator. My parents work as conservancy staff in the PMC, and we live in the Sane Guruji Nagar civic quarter. It’s all because of the opportunity given to me by my mentor and city BJP chief Dheeraj Ghate,” said an excited Awale. He was elected from Navi Peth-Parvati constituency in a seat reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC).

He said his parents raised him and his two sisters on the salary they received as conservation staff. “I grew up in the civic colony where the family lives. Ghate groomed me from my childhood and guided me throughout my life,” said Awale, a qualified engineer. He now runs his own business after a brief period as an employee at a private company.

“I will work for the sustainable development of the city while ensuring the progress of all. I will focus on basic health facilities for the citizens of the district I represent and regularly organize medical camps for women and senior citizens in the area,” he said.

Awale said his list of priorities also includes improving the quality of education in civic schools and providing guidance to poor students to help them develop professional careers. Students from low-income families need proper guidance to make their careers. “I have seen the sufferings of talented young people who could not succeed in their careers due to lack of someone to guide them,” he said.

Vilas Awale, father of Mahesh, says it was a proud moment for them when his son was elected corporator in PMC, where his parents have worked as conservancy staff for the last 20 years. “Our initial life in Pune They had been in slums, but then things got better with employment. However, we will continue with our work,” he stated.

Awale, after starting his own business, also improved the family’s financial situation and owns an apartment in Lokmanya Nagar and an agricultural plot in Bhor.

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Awale is among the 119 BJP corporators elected to the PMC on January 16. The elected body of the PMC for the next five years will now hold elections for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor. The elected representatives will also be appointed members of various civic committees to take decisions related to the civic body.

Ajay Jadhav is assistant editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With more than 22 years of industry experience, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance and sustainability. Professional Experience Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune office, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He has a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Shocking reports: You are credited with articles based on research on conservation staff (waste workers) who influenced national policy to improve working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-level infrastructure (such as helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic services such as schools in his home districts. Personal Interests: An avid hiker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in outdoor activities often influences his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Your reports at the end of 2025 have been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 civic polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city’s infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) “Not friendly, but a bitter fight looms between BJP and NCP over PMC, PCMC” (22) December 2025): A detailed look at Intense rivalry between Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. “Pune civic polls: Big blow for NCP and NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP” (December 20, 2025): Report on poaching and high-profile party changes ahead of elections. “Ajit Pawar’s NCP continues dominance in Pune, wins 10 out of 17 local bodies” (December 21, 2025): Analysis of local self-governing bodies’ election results as precursors to major civic polls. 2. Infrastructure and Urban Development “Looking ahead in 2026: Pune will see inauguration of long-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route” (December 22, 2025) – An “insights” article on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to be completed by March 2026. “Pune construction: PMC to build double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha river” (18 December 2025) 2025): details a major project aimed at facilitating traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. “Condition of Pune-Kolhapur road to improve in a year: Gadkari” (December 4, 2025): Report on Union Minister’s assurance regarding one of the most critical transport corridors in the state. 3. Civic Governance and Environment “Install sensors and LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC for builders” (December 16, 2025) – A continuation of the “Breathless Pune” series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real time. “Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters” (December 16, 2025): Tracking administrative efforts to clean up voter lists ahead of 2026 elections. Signature style Ajay Jadhav is known for his accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level politics and the ‘ground zero’ reality of Pune residents. It is particularly focused on sustainable development, ensuring that as Pune becomes a “Bharat Mandapam”-style destination (referring to its report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape …Read more

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