Mumbai notes

Dental students' one-day stirPost-graduate students and interns of Government Dental College and Hospital, near CST station, observed a o...

Dental students8217; one-day stir
Post-graduate students and interns of Government Dental College and Hospital, near CST station, observed a one-day token strike on Friday in support of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors MARD. MARD will be going on an indefinite strike from November 22, demanding better pay scales and living conditions. According to Sunil Kumar Kothawar, general secretary of the Government Dental College Students8217; Association, 161 interns as well as 30 post-graduate students went on strike today. Students from other government dental colleges have also expressed their solidarity with MARD, and they will also be joining the indefinite strike from November 22, Dr Kothawar said. Dental college students are also demanding stipends on par with those of Central Government institutions. There are three government dental colleges in the state, with one in Mumbai.

Alternative education fair
Comet Media Foundation and Bal Bhavan are organising Bal Vividha 8217;99, a faircelebrating alternative education to reach out to those looking for options to enhance the learning experiences of their children.

The fair will take place from November 24 and 27 from 10 am to 6 pm at Bal Bhavan, Marine Drive, Near Charni Road Station West Mumbai. Some 25 experimental learning workshops aimed at teachers and others involved in education will be held. Registration for the workshops can be done on 3869052 or 3826674.

Dockyard8217;s anniversary
Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, the premier ship repair yard of the Indian Navy is celebrating its 264th anniversary today. Painting competition for children of Naval Dockyard employees, film shows, blood donation camps, dramatics and a sports competition will be organised. A day-long seminar is also being held on Human resource strategies for the New Millennium8217;. Delegates from all three commands are participating in this seminar. The Naval Dockyard, established in 1735 as Bombay Dock8217;, with limited facilities of only carpentry and smithy shops,has now grown into an ultra modern ship refit and repair organisation in the country. The yard has a strength of about 300 officers and an industrial work force of 14,000 civilian personnel distributed over 101 work centres.

Campaign for Orissa
The Bombay Catholic Sabha has decided to launch a Mumbai for Orissa campaign to collect contributions in clothes and cash. The sabha units will garner support from sections of society. Those interested can call on 4463853. The Church8217;s Auxillary for Social Action CASA, a national level relief and development organisation, is also providing 20,000 relief kits, including dhoti, sarees, blankets and aluminium utensil sets to Orissa. It is also giving 20,000 dry ration kits and 15,000 tarpaulins. CASA8217;s total relief intervention, including medical assistance, in the region of Rs 2.66 crore. A social organisation called Udayabhanu has appealed to young volunteers to join the relief work for the cyclone-affected persons in Orissa. For those interested,contact: 216 2220, 8694514 and 564 8904.

Adventure camp for kids
The Bombay YMCA8217;s camping department is organising an outstation adventure camp at Panchgani for children between 10 and 15 years. The camp dates are between November 11 and 15. Forms are available at all the YMCA branches in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Call the camp director for more details on 7572241.