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Journalism of Courage
On the waterfront
The deep blue oceans, an intrinsic part of planet Earth, unfortunately take a backseat when it comes to world attention. It was primarily for this reason that the United Nations General Assembly dedicated 1998 to the oceans, declaring it as the International Year of the Ocean.
As the year draws rapidly to a close, the Pune-based Indian Maritime Foundation IMF looks again at the significant year, which they utilised to 8220;raise awareness of our seas and rekindle maritime consciousness and pride8221; in Pune.
To this end, this year, the IMF has been busy charting out new programmes to create awareness. A maritime exhibition, an art competition to highlight the issue and now on October 14 and 15, a Naval Band Concert has been organised in the evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hall, once again dedicated to the Year of the Ocean. Western music, martial music and light orchestral Indian music will be played by Mumbai8217;s Western Naval Command Band.
Worthy cause
It was the last straw for the mother of Nilesh Shete, a Std VIII student from Pune. Some years ago, she lost her husband and subsequently, her life savings were filched by her relatives. Her other son is blind and goes to a school in Bhosari. Now, it was discovered that Nilesh suffers from a heart disorder and had to be admitted in the Sion Hospital, Mumbai.
In stepped Mahesh Tilekar, script writer and director of stage shows and serials, who decided to put up charity shows to raise money for the family. In this endeavour, he is supported by entertainers Guddi Maruti, Junior Dev Anand, Dinesh Hingoo, Sudhir Dalvi, Utkarsha Naik, Manorama Wagle, Jayaram Kulkarni and the in-the-news Swapna Awasthi, singer of the popular Chainyya Chainyya, who will stage a variety show, Tasty Misal, which was also presented at Navratri Mahotsav last month. Songs and dances, mimicry and mime are some of the fun items on the agenda, scheduled for October 12 at the Balgandharva Rangmandir at 9.30 p.m.
Cracker of a time
Diwali break8217;s round the corner and for all those nervous parents who are flummoxed as to how they are going to entertain their kids during the vacations, here8217;s good news. A Diwali vacation camp is on the agenda, organised by those who are now known as the creators of Marney, the dancing dinosaur. Jack and wife Jill have outlined a plethora of activities for kids between five and 15 years. This includes dancing, singing and colouring competitions, public-speaking programmes, nature watch and personality development camps, slide shows, sight-seeing trips and, of course, active interaction with the lovable Marney.
With gifts and prizes thrown in for good measure, the couple insist that their vacation camp, that will take children in two batches 8211; from October 12 to 18 and October 20 to 25 8211; is going to be a fun-filled and educative experience for the kiddos. Or should that be light entertainment of a different kind this Diwali?
