Citygritty 8212; Pune

Aid around the cornerThe Poona Women's Council's family counselling centre has recently become operational full-time. We try to help me...

Aid around the corner
The Poona Women8217;s Council8217;s family counselling centre has recently become operational full-time. 8220;We try to help men and women who may have problems with their family relationships by calling the two parties involved for a counselling session, separately. We have also been approached by the disabled aged to help them cope with their problems,8221; says Sajal Khaladkar, a social worker with the organisation.

The centre also provides employment to women depending on their job experience and age. Their aid is not limited to counselling alone but also includes legal aid provided by Advocate Rohini Gadgil. 8220;When it is legal problems such as separation from the spouse or ill-treatment, then we try to help by providing legal guidance,8221; says Khaladkar. The counselling centre also holds seminars regularly, with one on consumer protection being slated for next month.

Kids on song
You think your child can sing well enough to be heard beyond birthday parties and private dos? If not, here8217;s that chance you8217;ve been waiting for. SAMPARC Social Action for Manpower Creation, an NGO, is conducting a pre-event audition.

The lucky child, aged between seven and 14 years, who will be selected after an audition held on May 5 and 6 at a city hotel, will be able to take part in Little Wonders, the all-child orchestra promoted by music director Kalyanji, on May 19 at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch. There will be a workshop prior to the show conducted by singers Sadhana Sargam and Sonali Bajpai as well as Kalyanji. This is a fund-raising drive for SAMPARC, which is working towards a better quality of life for destitute children. May 4 is the last day to submit entries at SAMPARC, 8/9, Sakal Nagar, Baner Road.

Rally round the cup
And in part 61 of the World Cup 1999 saga8230; Hero Honda Motors Ltd. wants to make concrete its own association with cricket and, naturally, the World Cup. The Win the Cup India Utsav8217; is to be an all-India affair and Pune, with its very large number of two-wheelers on the road, is not to be left out of the fun.

Setting the tone is a two-day rally beginning at 8 a.m. on May 1 from the Hero Honda Motors Ltd. office at Wakdewadi. The rally will meander along all over the city and finally end up on M.G. Road at 7 p.m. On May 2, beginning at 10 a.m., the rally will start from the Wakdewadi office, going all the way up to Salunkhe Vihar and back to the University Circle. All along the first day, there will be informal games and a pop hungama.8217; But hey, if this is what it8217;ll take to win the World Cup, then why not?