Society Scenes

Upliftment of womenThe Poona Women's Council reached another milestone on July 4 as it completed 74 years of existence. To commemorate the e...

Upliftment of women
The Poona Women8217;s Council reached another milestone on July 4 as it completed 74 years of existence. To commemorate the event the council came up with an open forum discussion with a number of prominent ladies present at the forum. Eminent entrepreneur Anu Aga, former mayor Vandana Chavan and director of social welfare of Maharashtra, Shobhana Ranade were there to share their views on women8217;s upliftment.

Anu Aga spoke on the hurdles that a woman faced to achieve her full professional potential and the burden of guilt she has to carry in the face of persistent social pressure defining her expected role. Vandana Chavan advocated the case of the 33 per cent reservation for women in polity-making as a means of asserting their rightful place in society. According to her women8217;s empowerment could make all the difference for a better life for all.

Change, she said, comes only through active participation and not by withdrawal. Shobhana Ranade cited statistics from the 1991 census, according to which the population of Indian women was just 48.6 per cent and it was declining at an alarming rate. By 2001 there would be a further reduction that would be extremely harmful to society. According to her, the birth of the girl child should be celebrated which would help to assert their birthright. As Rukhsana Anklesaria, president of the council, pointed out, the council aimed to work towards the upliftment of women and children as it had for the past 74 years and though old in terms of age, it was young, energetic, vibrant and always ready to climb further heights.

Gita on tape
The audio cassette division of Abee Printer Ribbons has come out with an audio version of the Bhagwad Gita on a set of seven audio cassettes. At a function held on July 6, the cassettes were released at the hands of Acharya Kishorji Vyas. Balasaheb Barade was the chief guest at the function and Vijay Kuvalekar, chief editor of Sakal was the chairman. The cassettes have been designed in such a manner that it is easy to comprehend and appeals to all sections of the public and more important, to all the age groups. This is an effort to popularise the Bhagwad Gita among the youth. Priced at Rs 280 this could be a worthy investment.

Understanding happiness
A week-long function organised by the Jeevan Vidya Mission had Sadguru Vaman Rao Pai addressing people on Sukhi Jeevanachi Gurukilli the master key to happiness. According to the Sadguru, there is fine balance between the material world and the spiritual world, happiness is possible in both and therefore both have to be understood rather well. The function was held from July 2 to 9 with the discourses by the Sadguru and his disciple Shivaji Rao Palav.

On July 7 four couples were married in a unique ceremony at the same venue by invoking the Lord8217;s name to the accompaniment of bhajans. A special function was organised on the last day, July 9, on the occasion of Guru Poornima.

Helping the needy
It was theatre time again, but with a difference. St Patrick8217;s Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul organised a Konkani play Padri at the Nehru Memorial on July 9 at 5.00 pm. The society has been actively involved with aiding schools with books, uniforms and assistance to needy families for house repairs, settling their medical bills and financial assistance in times of a death in the family. In the same spirit, it has been decided that the proceeds of the play will be utilised to fund charitable activities for the needy residents of Ramnagar, Wanowrie and Ramtekdi.

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Breather for asthma patients
Those with asthma can take a breather with a free medical checkup camp planned for them by the Bharatiya Acupuncture Bhavan on July 11 and 12. The Bhavan which also conducts advanced courses in Acupuncture, Acupressure and Naturopathy. Those keen on the camp are requested to call up at 360080/ 360081 for further details.

Poonawalla installed
With the Rotary clubs in Pune going through their changes, the Rotary club of Poona Airport had a change of guard. Zubair Poonawalla was installed as the president of the club for the year 1998-99 on July 2. The other directors on his board are Vijay Nanda president elect, Raj Gulati director club services, Rajesh Khetrapal hon secretary, Akil Allanband jt secretary and Kumar Kriplani treasurer.