German Bakery: Recall of an era

Targeted in the Pune blast, the 'German bakery' now reduced to a rubble, was a prominent landmark in the city's posh Koregaon Park area, a five minute walk from the Osho Ashram and frequented by foreigners.

A small place, situated on the busy North Main road in the Camp area, and built with lots of wood and bamboo, the eatery was set up two decades ago up by a businessman in the city who had stayed in Germany for some years, residents in the area recall.

It was known for palatable breakfast items, evening snacks, sandwiches, green tea, brown bread, cakes and other items made with minimum use of cooking oil. An emphasis on cleanliness was another factor for the preference it enjoyed among the foreigners visiting the Osho (formerly Rajneesh) Commune.

Perhaps, this mix of Indian and continental foodstuff made the place a favourite joint for the then Saffron-robed disciples of Rajneesh, some of whom were also reportedly on the police radar for suspected trading of narcotics in the 70's and 80's, sources said.

Many inmates of the Ashram and a floating population of the foreigners among Osho disciples also used the joint for distress sale of the imported goods to the locals. 

Apparently, its proximity with the now revealed "hard targets" --- Osho Commune and Chhabad House (Jewish Centre)-- in the vicinity, spelled misfortune for the place, shattered to pieces in last night's blast, believed to be triggered by a "backpack" left under a table during peak evening rush.