<span style="color: #222222;">The Government of India, through the office of its Principal Scientific Adviser, has now officially sanctioned the "Pune Knowledge Cluster" with the goal of connecting organisations with high-level expertise in diverse domains of Science and Technology, Innovation  and Entrepreneurship, in and around Pune. These include Universities and Colleges, research laboratories and R&D establishments at the National and State level that are situated in Pune, and the leading Industries based in Pune.<br />''<br />''This initial project proposal was coordinated and submitted by Professors Ajit Kembhavi and L.S.Shashidhara as principal investigators on behalf of the cluster. The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) has been designated to facilitate the project, and the funding for the cluster from the PSA office will be dealt with by the office of the Director of IUCAA.<br />''<br />''While addressing an online press conference in Pune Premier Director of Pune Cluster Professor Ajit Kembhavi said that this is among the first city-wide clusters that has been approved by the office of the PSA.<br />''<br />''Similar clusters for Hyderabad and Jodhpur were also approved at the same time. Professor Shashidhara from Ashoka University, Director IUCAA Somak Rai Chaudhari, Vice Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University Dr. Nitin Karamalkar, and office bearers of Maratha Chamber of Commerce and Persistent Systems also addressed the press conference. A report on the projects of Pune Knowledge Cluster from our correspondent.<br />''<br />''Among the initial small-scale projects that are to be developed and executed by Pune Knowledge Cluster, along with awareness programmes and outreach activities which are relevant for Pune city, will be Studying and improving the tree cover of Pune,  Study and modelling of last mile connectivity by E-transport, Viral epidemics, vector dynamics and other healthcare issues.<br />''<br />''This knowledge cluster will also take up pilot studies leading to projects on a much larger scale to improve the quality of life in the city.Several larger project proposals have already been developed keeping in mind issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.<br />''<br />''The Pune Knowledge Cluster is also charged with seeking innovative ways for capacity building of students and young professionals for skill development and improving employability, jointly involving the educational and research institutions and industry. </span><br />