Citygritty 8212; Pune

Ocean drive
What does the ocean mean to children? Waves, sea shells and the beach? Commendably, the kids of today are aware enough to go beyond these obvious and pleasurable sights and think of the ocean in relation to present times. At least this was evident at the painting competition organised by the Rotary Club of Poona Riverside along with the Indian Maritime Foundation, Atur Seth and Vasant Seth Foundation to commemorate the International Year of the Ocean.

With most of the prize-winning entries making an appeal on behalf of the sea-life against pollution of the ocean waters, it is clear that the present generation is a conscientious one, alright. Of the 300 entries, the 70 best drawings are going to be put up for display at the Rabindra Kala Kunj from September 18 to 20. They are also being sent to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, as Indian children8217;s contribution in raising awareness to protect the waters. Certainly more than mere drops in the ocean, these efforts.

Six years later
It was commemoration time for the Express Youth Forum EYF 8211; Crusaders for a Better Pune 8211; which celebrated its sixth anniversary at Hotel Shreyas on the evening of September 16. The evening also marked the induction of the new EYF committee. Past president of the EYF, Neelima Khaire, handed over the reins to Vishal Sharma, president for 1998-99. Rajesh Rane, chairman, EYF, inducted the newly-elected committee. The function ended with a cake-cutting ceremony and dinner. The forum has organised many a youth-related event like Verve8217;, the popular youth festival, and eye and blood donation camps.

Alternate peacenik
Swami Chaitanya Bharati, the Osho dissident whose ambitious venture of setting up a parallel commune and sitting pretty as a guru to several unhappy Indian sannyasins who were upset at the commune8217;s partiality to foreigners, has failed miserably. What has still lasted, though, are his regular 10- to 11-day meditation camps which he organises in some picturesque settings around the country.

However, this time, he has chosen the outskirts of Pune, the bungalow called Mystic Village on the Paud-Mulshi Road, a little ahead of Buninda Da Dhaba. Mystic Village is a familiar name to some western Osho sannyasins who used to have all-night parties here, about three to four years back. And now its revival comes in the form of Swami Bharati8217;s Mystic Meditation Camp8217; between October 1 and 11. Glossy brochures have been circulated in India and abroad, claim the organisers, and at least 150 followers of Osho are expected to attend this camp. The camp, open to 8220;sannyasins, seekers and Osho-lovers8221;, will cost between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 5,000, depending on the kind of accommodation desired. That8217;s going to be some show, promises Swami Bharati!

Going strong
You may be labelled a senior citizen, but for real estate tycoon Kanhaiyalal Talera, life begins at 60. On his birthday, he had more visitors lining up than they do for school admissions, along with swanky cars, swankier guests, classy orchids and the warmth of a huge family. Ask him the most memorable event in his life and he says, 8220;Buying Mohini Mahal, my house. My wife had set her heart on it. And I thought, What was the use of all this money if I couldn8217;t buy her her heart8217;s desire?8217; 8221; He later started renting out the lawns of the house and it is now considered one of the poshest places to get married in Pune. But that8217;s not the laurel he8217;d like to rest on. He is proud of the logistics business his sons and he have initiated. They started out the warehousing business which supplied goods to giants like Telco Kirloskar Oil Engines. He now wants to try his hand at the hospitality and entertainment business. He plans to develop a resort spread over 150 acres near Pune. Move over young tigers, this is oneold man to watch out for!