Mumbai notes

Report cruelty to snakesSeveral snakes will be brought into Mumbai on the occasion of Naag Panchami August 16. It is a common misconcep...

August 13, 1999 12:00 AM IST

3 min read

Report cruelty to snakes

Several snakes will be brought into Mumbai on the occasion of Naag Panchami August 16. It is a common misconception that snakes are fond of milk, but the reverse is true. Milk can cause a snake severe dehydration and allergic reactions, but because of the cruel conditions in which they are kept, snakes generally eat whatever is offered to them and could even die of dysentery.

Another misconception is snakes sway to music, but this is untrue because snakes are deaf, and they actually spread their hoods and sway in tandem to the movements of the snake charmer, an action they are made to repeat ever so often to please devotees, and which causes them intense fatigue and exhaustion. More often than not, snakes 8216;fangs are pulled out and a hot needle is pierced through the venom duct, causes venom accumulation and bursting of glands. Snake charmers also sew up and burn the snake8217;s mouth to prevent them from biting, so that they starve to death. Snakes are instrumental inkeeping pests like rats under control. However, because of the growing number of trapped snakes, there has been a marked increase in the rat population, resulting in the destruction of food grains.

Incidents of cruelty to snakes should be reported to Dinesh Vinherkar Shivaji Park, on 4376120; Vithal Zore Vile Parle on 6191461, and Bombay SPCA Parel on 4135285.

Workshop on relationships

Aavishkar Clinic has organised a weekend workshop for men and women on enriching relationships, to be conducted by psychiatrist Dr Nirmala S Rao. The workshop will focus upon understanding the various factors that influence and affect human relationships, the stresses and conflicts that arise and means and ways of maintaining healthy and satisfying relations. The workshop will be conducted on August 21 and 22 at Matheran. For further details, call on 4227515 or 5690039.

Essay contest on Mahatma Gandhi

An inter-university essay competition is being organised by Basant Bihari Jai Rani Foundation forPeace Studies. Students of graduate and post-graduate studies can send an essay written in English or Hindi on the topic My life is my message 8211; Gandhiji8217; to reach the foundation latest by August 30. The three best essays will be awarded cash prizes of Rs 1,500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 500. Other well-written essays will get a merit certificate and a book on M K Gandhi8217;s thoughts. Entries can be sent to Dr J S Mathur, director, Basant Bihar Jai Rani Foundation for Peace Studies, Matri Aanchal, 3, Bank Road, Allahabad 8211; 211002.

Polio diagnostic camp

The Lions Club of Churchgate conducts rehabilitation of polio patients through regular detection camps and surgery post operative care for patients on a no cost basis. These camps, surgeries and continued care plus rehabilitation of patients are conducted by Dr Rajesh Chauhan, who has been specialising in reconstructive orthopedic surgery through the Ilizarov external fixator method. A diagnostic camp will be held at St Elizabeth8217;s hospital at Malabar Hill onAugust 15 from 8 am to 12 pm.

Bhavan8217;s Journal gets a new look

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As part of its diamond jubilee celebrations, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan will relaunch its Bhavan8217;s Journal, which is in its 46th year of publication. The new look will be introduced from Annual Number 99 and Independence Day Number of the journal. The issue will be available on the stands from August 15.

8212; Newsline reports

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