Mumbai Notes — Dispenser inaugurated

According to an RBI press release, the machine is easy to operate and will ultimately enable people to obtain coins in small quantities even outside bank hours.

Festival of Gold

The `Festival of Gold’. organised by Danabhai Jewellers & Sons which began a month ago at Navratri, ended on November 9 with the lucky draw being conducted by Sonali Bendre. The first prize was a solid gold Piaget watch worth Rs 8 lakh, the second prize was a 1.5 carat diamond worth Rs 2.50 lakh and the third prize was a 22 carat traditionally designed gold set worth Rs 50,000.

Bal Mela

On the occasion of the late Pandit Nehru’s birth anniversary, Pragati Kendra, Worli, had organised a `bal mela’ on the November 13, 1997 for about 1000 children. The programme was inaugurated by ex-police commissioner J Ribeiro and M R Saraf (BCPT).

Meet at YMCA

A PRESS and public meeting on the recent spate of encounter deaths in Mumbai will be held at the Young Men’s Christian Association, opposite Regal Theatre on Friday, November 21. The speakers include Satish Sahney, ex-Deputy General of Police, P A Sebastian of the Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights and Dilip D’Souza, freelance journalist and human rights activist. The meet is co-ordinated by YMCA, PUCL and India Centre for Human Rights and Law.

KCA elections

The Kerala Catholic Association (KCA) Bombay recently elected office- bearers and executive committee members for 1997-99. Prominent among them are president P J Thomas, vice-presidents A G Johnson and Paul Verghese, general-secretary K P Antony, joint-secretaries Abraham Lukose and K C John, treasurer Jollychen Jacob and joint-treasurer K A John, a press-note said.

Nadahabba

As part of its Nadahabba celebrations the Karnataka Sangha of Dombivili is organising a symposium on "Kannada Journalism" on November 23, 1997. Leading Kannada journalists are expected to participate. Well-known political cartoonist, Padmabhushan and Magsaysay award-winner R K Laxman will be presented the "Tilak-Moharary Gaurav Sanman Award" at the Manjunatha Vidyalaya Hall here a press-note said.