citygritty 8212; Pune

Street SevaThey are the ones who collect empty water bottles on the train, catch a seat in the unreserved compartment for a price, polish...

Street Seva
They are the ones who collect empty water bottles on the train, catch a seat in the unreserved compartment for a price, polish shoes, all before they are 12 years old. Life for street children is not only hard but often harsh. For not just do they have to earn their daily bread, they also put up with abuses, and nastiness from passersby. But thanks to Sarva Seva Sangh SSS, an NGO from Vadgaonsheri, these children can now hope for some support.

Every afternoon, social workers visit platform number two and try to help the kids with their needs. Says Sunita G S, a social worker with the SSS, 8220;Most often, they need medical help. Sometimes, they want to start a small-time business like selling sweets and balloons. Some want a driver8217;s licence, so we have to start by procuring an address for the ration card that they have to produce at the Regional Transport Office RTO.8221; And sometimes, they just want to have fun. So the SSS team, with director Father Felix, organise a party at the station once every few months. That8217;s the time these children of a lesser God get a chance to be what they are8230; children.

The one that went missing
The occasion: The Traffic Consultation Committee Meeting. Time: last week. The meeting was to streamline Pune8217;s congested traffic and the principal players were the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, the Pune Municipal Transport and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Munipal Transport, the RTO, the Maharashtra State Electricity Board, the Pune Telecom and the Public Works Department.

The points that were discussed at the conference hall of the Pune Police Commisssionerate ranged from what the municipal corporations promised to do and should do, to what the two transport authorities must look into and that the MSEB should immediately remove the poles erected in the middle of the road8217;s carriagewidth. This comprehensive discussion is all fine but pray, where was the Traffic Police department? Its name was not mentioned anywhere in the list. Is it a case of all8217;s well with the traffic department and it is the other agencies that hamper smooth traffic?

Rajit, Rajit everywhere8230;
Seems like Rajit Kapur is everywhere. First, one saw him on stage, then in films, followed by TV commercials. Now we8217;ll be seeing him with kids. No, not his, but ours. The man, after having tested a variety of media, will now venture into uncharted waters. He will take acting classes for little kids, and this is being organised by Entre Nous, the event people.

The 12-series workshop, besides having Kapur and the kids, includes the art of gift-wrapping, stencilling, T-shirt painting, pottery, nature-trailing, speech craft and cookery. So besides rubbing shoulders with a celebrity, the children will do the same with pots, pans and paints. Will it be too much for the little ones to handle? Only early August, when the workshop is scheduled to begin, will tell.

The sunset years
Old age 8211; it8217;s that time of life when you need love and support the most. And to help senior citizens help themselves, a Senior Citizens8217; Welfare Association has been set up at Mira Society, Salisbury Park.

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8220;Senior citizens need care and help. This association will extend support to senior citizens who are invalid, semi-invalids or staying by themselves. Primary importance will naturally be given to health and nutrition but cultural programmes and lectures will also be held once a month,8221; says Kusum Gokarn, a key person in getting the association together. The association was inaugurated by Lt Col M G Athavale, president, Kothrud Senior Citizens8217; Association. Life can begin all over again at 60.