Citygritty 8212; Pune

Eight of the best
The Pune ki Asha project felicitates eight outstanding young men and women on February 7 at the Balgandharva Rangmandir. These deserving young people have done Pune proud and put the city on the international map with their extraordinary achievements, according to the Asha Foundation, which has been keeping track of their records. Chandrakant Kudale, trustee of the foundation, instituted this award since he was guided by industrialist Shantanurao Kirloskar in his youth and feels it necessary to carry forward the tradition.

Sanjeev Abhyankar classical singer, Radhika Tulpule tennis player, Sonali Kulkarni actress, Hrishikesh Kanitkar cricketer, Surendra Chavan first Maharashtrian to scale Mount Everest, Sanjay Nahar founder of Vandemataram organisation, Sharad Kapuskar sculptor, Sulajja Motwani-Firodia joint managing director, Kinetic Engineering are the awardees. Each will get a memento and cash prize of Rs 5,000.

Painting profits
City-based painter Fatima Ahmed has just added another feather to her cap. Sixty-two paintings by the best women artists in the country were displayed at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, at a show organised by the Women8217;s Institute for Social Education, from January 16 to 20. On January 21, an auction by Christie8217;s took place at the Taj Hotel ballroom. Ahmed made a killing as her painting, Blue Profile, a hazy image of a lady8217;s profile painted in muted blues and greens, was snapped up for Rs 60,000 by a London-based NRI. Ahmed was the only representative from Pune at the prestigious show.