Help for teen angstThe teens are turbulent times. On the threshold of adulthood, the years are roller-coaster rides for many. Marked with change and extraordinary stress, today's teens need to cope with peer pressure, make career decisions and adjustments. They also face an identity crisis as the glue that binds them to their parents wears thin. For scores of youngsters, it is the make or break point. Research shows that the youngsters may often feel frustrated, insecure and get into impulsive behaviour. But help is at hand. The Innerwheel Club of Pune Riverside and The Care Programme is launching a free Teenhelp Centre and confidential counselling for distressed teens. The volunteer counsellors have been trained by experts.The centre is open every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at 322, Sterling Centre, Moledina Road. Troubled teens can walk in or call 632397. Help is round the corner.Alms and the childFew remain unmoved by the sight of beggar children pleading the cause of empty stomachs, notwithstanding the debate about whether it's right to give them money or not. And they seem to abound in the area around Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Chowk, near Sancheti Hospital. Many of them make a beeline for the motorists who stop when the signal turns red. Of late, however, more than sympathy it's irritation, even anger that's the dominant reaction amongst the motorists.For, rather than moving on in case of being refused money, these children simply put their hands inside the window to bang on the wheel, fiddle with the things on the dash board, blow the horn and generally make a nuisance of themselves till the light turns green or the driver puts up the window pane. Some kids dangerously move in front of the vehicle and in some cases scratch the cars.With both hands on the wheel and the foot on the brake, the driver is usually unable to do anything other than shout down these kids at the crowded traffic junction. Sure, it's pitiable to see little children pushed on by impoverished parents to eke out their own living by begging, but it's decidedly worse to see them turn into little scoundrels on being refused money and harass the motorists. A deed that could turn out to be potentially dangerous in our already chaotic traffic conditions.A Flowery Weekend!All you Puneites, here's a chance to spend your weekend amidst flowers. An opportunity to compete and educate yourself. Two flower shows coming up on the 18th and 19th of this month will add some colour and fragrance to your life. The Pune Women's Council is organising it's 34th annual flower and vegetable show, The Monsoon Flower Show, at the Pune University Ground. There are 20 categories ranging from cut flower arrangements to garden lawn and tree arrangement. Also, The Hirwal Sanstha is organising The Dahlia Show at the Botany Department of Fergusson College. This competition invites not only professionals but amateurs as well. You can participate under broad categories like rangoli, bouquets, face-toons and flower arrangements. Apart from this, the revenue through the entry fees of Rs 4 will be donated to The Kargil Soldier's Fund.
