Citygritty 8212; Pune

Sharing experiences
8220;An alcoholic may have problems, but alcoholism is a family disease,8221; says the spokesperson of the support group for Alcoholics Anonymous, The Radiant Way Al-Anon Family Group. The support group holds an awareness meeting every year without fail to share experiences of people in a like predicament to solve a common problem. The Open Meeting this year is being held at Gulati Hall, next to St Vincent8217;s School. The guest speaker will be Mukta Puntambekar, clinical psychologist, Muktangan De-addiction Centre. The meetings try to provide an opportunity for guests to become familiar with the Al-Anon programme. The group meets every Wednesday from 1 to 2.30 p.m and every Saturday, 5.30 to 7 p.m. Interested persons may contact Alcoholics Anonymous on 647265.

Fund-raising fundas
The Searching and Service in Unity, SSU, a youth organisation will stage a play called The Ballad of Nestor and Cecy for its annual fund-raiser on October 6 at the Nehru memorial Hall. The play is written and directed by Fr Cyril Desbraulais. The play is based on a true love story in Bolivia in the 19708217;s. The story revolves around the military oppression and the lives of Nestor and his wife Cecy. Donation passes will be available at the venue.

Ticket to life Rashtriya Life Saving Society will organise an intensive six-day programme on life-saving techniques starting on October 7. The programme, to be held under the aegis of the Indian Maritime Foundation alongwith the PMC, will be conducted at the Balgandharva Municipal swimming pool, Jungli Maharaj Road. The IMF8217;s special invitee for the programme, Tom Ballantyne, an expert instructor from the Royal Life Saving Society, Australia, will conduct 48 extensive training hours over six days. 8220;Life-saving is a professional science which can be pursued effectively as a career,8221; says a press release of the IMF. The course is free and swimmers, pool guards of hotels, colleges and schools are expected to take advantage of the course. Participants will qualify for the International Life Saving certificate. For registration one can contact Y S Khaire, superintendent, parks and gardens department, PMC on 5532514 or Abhay Dadhe, officer-in-charge at 4339494.