Mumbai Notes

Akanksha's new project for slum kidsThe Akanksha foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to educating underprivileged children, will beg...

Akanksha8217;s new project for slum kids

The Akanksha foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to educating underprivileged children, will begin on September 1 a new programme of schooling three batches of 60 students in the King George Memorial complex, Mahalaxmi.

Every day, over 600 children are picked up from slums by Akanksha teachers and taken to their centres in a bus. From the basement of Nehru Planetarium to Holy Name school in Colaba, these centres are located in schools or colleges which lend their space for a couple of hours each afternoon. Each centre has a group of 60 children.

Children integrated into the formal school system continue to attend Akansha each afternoon. Over 60 per cent of Akansha children are girls. Teenage girls are counselled on issues like family planning. The children are taken on outings and attend special workshops. They are also involved in art, tailoring and dance classes. For details, call 2040350.

Elocution contest for colleges

The Mumbai GandhiSmarak Nidhi has organised an elocution competition for junior and senior college students as part of the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations. The competition will be held in English, Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati at Mani Bhavan. Besides individual prizes and merit certificates, the college scoring the highest total marks in all the competitions will be awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Rotating Trophy. Those interested in participating can contact the Mumbai Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, 19, Laburnum Road, Gamdevi, Mumbai-400 007; or call on 3803332.

Health sector project launched

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations FIEO will launch an EDI pilot project for the healthcare sector, involving manufacturers, vendors, distributors, end users and EID service providers. Dr N Janardhan, regional advisor on Trade Facilitation, UNESCAP, Bangkok will be the resource person at the workshop, to be held on August 11 at Sunflower II, 30th floor, World Trade Centre.