Citygritty 8212; Pune

Silent protest
While most Punekars are quite happy that their city is finally making it on the glamour scene by being host to the Femina Miss India contest scheduled to be held on January 16, there are some who feel otherwise. For even before it8217;s begun, Stree Shakti Jagran Sanghatana has already announced a silent morcha to protest against it. The morcha will start from Alaka Talkies at 4 p.m. and conclude at Shaniwar Wada on January 12. The sanghatana is resorting to a protest because they feel that beauty contests are unfair to women.

Harmony in unity
For most of us the New Year is the time to pause and think of what has passed and what will be. And to help us along the way comes a New Year card from Vishwanath Karad, President, World Peace Centre, Alandi and MAEER8217;s MIT college, Pune which, true to the philosophy followed by the two institutions of uniting the twin branches of philosophy and religion to further the cause of peace, cites verses from the Atharva Veda. The thought-provoking card exhorts the world community to sink their differences for a commonly shared goal 8211; 8220;We must learn to progress together or miserably perish together. For a person can live individually but can only survive collectively.8221; If only a world torn by strife would keep those words in mind.

Courage under fire
Duty. Honour. Courage. That8217;s what 2nd Lieutenant Rishi Malhotra lived his life by, and that8217;s what his unit and parents would like people to remember of this young officer, now that he is no more. As they send out their best wishes for the New Year, the greeting card is a mark of respect for his ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Inscribed inside is a short passage that tells of 2 Lt. Malhotra8217;s commissioning into the 8 Maratha LI on Dec 11, 1993 and the search and destroy mission that he embarked on the next year in Doda district 8211; a mission he carried out successfully, but from which he did not return. This is their way of paying tribute to the youngster who did not let his calling down, brought honours in the form of a Kirti Chakra to his unit, and gave up his life for all of that.

A potent sangam
The Osho celebrations from January 15 to 19 have one special guest to perform for them. Hema Malini and daughter Esha Deol will present The Alchemy of Dance on January 18, 9.30 p.m, at the Gautama the Buddha auditorium. The programme starts with scintillating solo performances by Hema Malini in Bharat Natyam and Esha in Odissi, culminating in an enchanting blend of both dance forms. A must-see for enthusiasts of traditional dance forms.