Maharashtra Specialisation

The Maharashtra Specialisation offers a comprehensive exploration of one of India’s most dynamic and influential regions — a confluence of commerce, culture, and creativity. Over six days, participants travel across four cities that reflect Maharashtra’s distinctive identity: from the financial and cinematic energy of Mumbai, to the spiritual and agricultural rhythm of Nashik, the civilisational depth of Ellora, and the intellectual vitality of Pune.

This immersion combines academic inquiry with field-based engagement. Learners interact with entrepreneurs, policy leaders, educators, and artists who exemplify the state’s legacy of innovation and reform. Through guided site visits, seminars, and reflective discussions, the program examines how Maharashtra’s economic modernity and cultural heritage continue to shape India’s evolution as a nation.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 — Mumbai: India’s Urban Imagination
Begin in Mumbai, India’s financial and cultural capital. Explore the Fort heritage precinct, the Marine Drive seafront, and Bandra’s creative quarter to understand the city’s layered identities. Evening seminar: Cinema and the Idea of India — a dialogue with filmmakers and cultural historians.

Day 2 — Mumbai: Finance, Industry & Culture
Engage with start-up founders, impact investors, and media professionals. A seminar at a leading innovation hub explores Maharashtra’s role in shaping India’s economic and entrepreneurial landscape. Conclude with an evening cultural event celebrating Mumbai’s culinary and musical traditions.

Day 3 — Nashik: Faith, Agriculture & Enterprise
Travel to Nashik, a centre of pilgrimage and viticulture. Field study at a vineyard examines agricultural innovation and sustainability in the local economy. A heritage walk along the Godavari ghats provides insight into the coexistence of faith, trade, and craftsmanship.

Day 4 — Ellora: Heritage and the Sacred Imagination
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ellora, where Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments embody India’s pluralism and architectural excellence. Mentored session on heritage management and cultural preservation practices.

Day 5 — Pune: Education and Social Reform
Arrive in Pune, the “Oxford of the East.” Participate in dialogues at a university and a civic innovation lab. Engage with educators and social entrepreneurs on Maharashtra’s reform movements and their relevance to contemporary governance and education.

Day 6 — Pune: Reflection and Synthesis
Conclude with a writing and reflection workshop. Participants present short essays linking Maharashtra’s economic dynamism with its cultural depth. The immersion ends with a closing dialogue and certificate ceremony.

Note: The itinerary is indicative and subject to change based on local availability, partnerships, and scheduling conditions.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a multidimensional understanding of Maharashtra’s economy, culture, and social systems.

• Study how enterprise and identity intersect in India’s western region.

• Strengthen analytical, field-based, and reflective learning skills.

• Engage with leading practitioners across business, heritage, and academia.

• Produce a short written synthesis connecting field experience to conceptual frameworks.