But this is just one of the many quirks that characterise this quaint little colony tucked away in Pune's Quarter Gate area, next to the YMCA. A colony popularly known as Mini Punjab, courtesy the fact that about 90 out of the 100 families living here are Sikh. And they don't just live here, they have actually managed to recreate the ambience of Punjab in the heart of this typically Maharashtrian city.

``You wake up to the aroma of stuffed parathas, then rajma or chole by lunch and tandoori chicken by nightfall,'' grins another resident, succinctly summarising Punjabi culture through the one trait the community is known for - a taste for good food.

The tell-tale aroma apart, there are a plethora of features that reiterate the colony's Punjabi flavour. Like the long conversations carried on from one balcony to another or then the regular visits of the lady selling Punjabi suit materials to the colony, which usually translates into informal meetings for the women. ``I sell about 30 suit materials at one go,'' says the lady. ``And I don't even move from house to house. The ladies just drop in at whosoever's house I am and make their purchases amidst the tea and snacks provided by the lady of the house.''

But why the name `Cycle Society?' It transpires that the five to six people who originally came together to form the society were cycle merchants. One of them being Harbans Singh Maini, owner, Harbans Cycle Mart, and the secretary of the society for the last 30 years.

``The society came into being in 1968, at the initiative of Haveli Ram Anand and the five of us, all cycle dealers. We then got together others who bought the plots and the society was constructed. It's a plot-owner society, not a flat-owner one, with two flats built over each plot. So there are 100 flats owned by 50 families,'' explains Maini (71).

Most of the Sikh families living here belong to Punjab. ``I came to Pune from Ludhiana after my marriage 19 years ago. And coming to live in a place like this was so comforting,'' smiles Usha Grover. ``There was hardly any cultural shock. It was almost like living in Punjab. This place is so much like the North, everything is available at your doorstep - fruits, vegetables, brooms, grocery.''

Then there is Darshan Bindra, who has spent 27 years in the society and has warm memories of the festivals and marriages that took place here with typical Punjabi gusto. ``A new bride's or child's first Lori is very significant and every house in the locality joins in the celebrations. We celebrate Baisakhi, Lori and have frequent Akhand Paaths. Also, every year, Ganpati is installed, even though no Maharashtrian lives in the colony. Marriages are also grand affairs, with the festivities lasting almost a week,'' she reveals.

On the flip side, there are also vivid memories of 1984 and the distressing aftermath following the assassination of Indira Gandhi. ``Though nothing happened in Pune, it was a scary period for the Sikh community. We had asked for police protection, which was provided. For about three to four days, the men here did not go out to work. We would keep awake even during the nights, but to the credit of the city and our other neighbours, there was no problem nor was there any change in their attitude towards us,'' adds Asha Grover.

Starting off as cycle dealers or doing some small-time business, most residents have progressed to owning transport businesses or dealing with auto spares. ``The second and third generations branched off into different fields. Only a handful of the original cycle dealers remain today,'' adds Maini.

Prosperity, in fact, is another trait that binds these residents (even if it is not too evident by the general upkeep of the place - a fact silently rued by many residents). ``There is something about this area that breeds prosperity,'' states 75-year-old Balwant Rana or Biji as she is fondly called. ``Before the society came into being, there used to be a garden here where the devout would come for bhajan-kirtan. Perhaps that is why the place has proved lucky for anyone who came and settled here.'' Rana's family came here in 1948 following the Partition and set up their family business - supplying the army and police with instruments for their bands. Today, they own the well-known The Musical Mart in Camp.

Maini is especially proud of the social bond between all the members. ``In the past 30 years, not one member has come to me with a complaint,'' reveals the secretary. So have there been no instances of familiarity breeding irritability? ``Actually, living with members of the same community can become quite claustrophobic at times. Many of us feel that an inter-caste community is healthier,'' opine some residents.

The sentiment could well be attributed to the game of one-upmanship that inevitably crops up. Be it with regard to clothes, jewellery or cars. With Baisakhi around the corner, the rush is on to see which of the women will have the best and most unique white-and-blue combination salwar kameez set amongst them, when they visit the Hollywood Gurudwara on that day!

By and large, however, camaraderie and cohesiveness triumphs and that is the distinguishing feature of the place. Especially in the face of adversity. ``When my two-year-old son had an accident outside the society gates, he was taken to the hospital even before I heard about the mishap,'' adds Usha Grover. ``There may be petty quarrels, but when the need arises, the entire society comes together to lend a helping hand. And that's what matters.''

Familiarity envelopes the residents like a warm blanket. A much-needed succour when one has made a home miles away from one's original home.