Citygritty 8212; Pune

Nabbing via the network
Gold chain-snatchers, house-breaks and cases of duping regularly take up space in the crime column of newspapers. And yet are how aware are citizens about safeguarding themselves against such crimes? 8220;The incidence of such crime can be brought down if citizens take certain precautions,8221; says Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 1 Ajit Patil. The police have come up with the idea of a short video clipping containing a dramatised version which will show the usual modus operandi of such crimes. This film clip will be shown on the local cable network in a month8217;s time. Says Patil, 8220;The modus operandi followed by them is usually similar. Two of them astride a motorcycle approach the victim, one of them pretends to ask for an address and snatches away the chain. We have found that the areas of Sahakarnagar, Swargate, Kothrud, Chatuhshrungi and Pimpri are the areas where most chain-snatching cases have been reported from.8221; Created on the lines of the television serial India8217;s Most Wanted, this five-minute clippingwill also include computer sketches of suspected criminals. One such clipping has already been produced with the help of film maker Pawan Kumar and will be shown in a month8217;s time. Forewarned forearmed, right?

Flying free
Here8217;s one way to spread your wings. Pune-based organisation United India Para-gliding Association will hold a three-day para-gliding camp at Hadapsar from May 28. 8220;Our main aim is to spread the sport of para-gliding among the young adventurous people of India through the flying familiarisation and information camp,8221; says Eric Menezes, general secretary of the organisation. The camp, which will consist of a two-hour session every day, is open to those above 15 years of age who weigh between 40 and 82 kilogrammes. Those interested in registering their names for the camp can do so at B-11/9 Salunke Vihar, Kondhwa.

Just eschew it!
Smoking is injurious to health 8211; that is a statutory warning that most people are familiar with and yet how effective is it in stopping people from a puff? On the occasion of International Anti-Tobacco day on May 31, the Cancer Patients8217; Aid Association plans to hold a three-day cancer detection camp. The first such camp was held at its office premises 8211; 8, Uttam Towers, Nagar Road on May 26 and two more are scheduled to be held on May 28 and 31. Says Dolly Rizvi, director-in-charge, 8220;It is necessary to spread the message that tobacco can cause oral cancer and we would like to create awareness about the hazards of such habits like smoking and chewing tobacco. Around 150 police personnel have already registered for the detection after we found that many of them indulged in this habit.8221; There will also be talk on the hazards of consumption of tobacco by Dr. C.B. Koppikar, head of the cancer unit, Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital and by Dr. Ulhas Luktuke on stress and addictions at 6 p.m. on May 31 at the LimcaJogging Park near Bund Garden.