Society scenes

It's a child's playChirantan Natya Sanstha, a theatre organisation, celebrated its foundation day on June 22. It was 16 years back that Devd...

It8217;s a child8217;s play
Chirantan Natya Sanstha, a theatre organisation, celebrated its foundation day on June 22. It was 16 years back that Devdatta Pathak and his friends got together to fill the need for an organised establishment to cater to the needs of the students interested in theatre. Having done his Masters in dramatics from the Nation School of Drama he got down to sharing his experience and nurturing amateur artists. He rejected offers to join the commercial theatre circuit and participated in numerous competitions and workshops which were soon recognised for their presentations. This success prodded him to start a project called Kumar Rangbhoomi Prakalp on June 22, 1983. The aim of the organisation was to make school kids participate actively in theatre. They welcomed school students and used the art in the overall development of the child. Therefore the topics chosen dealt with family ties, studies and schooling and the commitment of the students to society.

Their programme starts with a residential workshop for about 12-15 days in the month of April. In the second stage the students meet every Sunday for about two hours. During Diwali they undergo voice and speech training and workshops conducted in the ambience of an outdoor environment. This entire routine helps them perform four to five productions in a year which is presented at the annual Kumar Natya Mahaotsav in January for public viewing.

As the kids were having problems committing themselves to theatre completely, Devdatta decided to rope in the teachers and conduct workshops for them too, which got an overwhelming response. The UNICEF was so impressed by their activities that they decided to fund the institute, which is being used to conduct a pilot project for the teachers in the district of Chandrapur. In world of stiff competition, where children are the biggest casualties, this helps them retain quite a bit of their precious childhood.

Body and style
The Rotarians are at it now! We have had them all 8211; Beauty contests, May Queen Balls and Mr Pune has done his stuff. So the Rotarians of Poona North decided to launch their very own Body Beautiful8217; contest held on June 18 at the convocation hall on the University of Pune campus, restricted exclusively to the Rotarians. And they paraded their stuff in style! Of course all this was for the overall development of the Rotarians who believe that to be leaders in their professions they have to mentally and physically fit. The increasing pollution and a fast-track lifestyle necessitates a greater attention to health. The contest was judged by Mumbai-based Rajesh Sawant and Ganesh. The highlight of the contest was that it had a number of ex-Mr Pune not of the recent Mr Pune contest but the body building kinds and other body building enthusiasts who had achieved fame earlier.

Colours of culture
The Maheshwari Pragati Mandali held their annual day function on Maheshnavami June 22. With the Maheshwari community coming together from all over India, Pune saw the local mandali putting up a colourful variety programme, with the kids putting up plays and classical dance performances and a host of mimicry shows. The prizes for the sports competitions held earlier were also distributed on that day. Minister of State Jai Prakash Mundad was the chief guest and additional magistrate Ashok G Soni was the special invitee.

Innerwheel installation
Innerwheel clubs of Riverside, Downtown, Poona, Khadki, Metro and Central will jointly have the installation ceremony of their presidents and committees on Saturday, June 27 at YMCA at 4.00 pm. District chairperson Roshan Chindy will preside over the function while district chairperson-elect Mohini Rathi will be the chief guest.

In the arms race
At last a dissenting voice of caution among the general euphoria that followed the nuclear tests undertaken by India. The YWCA, which held a talk on the subject on June 19 with Dr Anand Phadke, founder member of the Lok Vigyan Sanghatana. According to him nuclear deterrence does not add to the security of the nation and he proposed that India and Pakistan should enter into an agreement that would allow them to keep an eye on each other8217;s Atomic Energy Plants. Keeping an eye on each other8217;s nuclear capabilities, he said, would help the region remain stable and ensure that the two countries would not go in for weaponisation. In the same strain the YWCA has exhorted the people to voice their opinion as a people8217;s movement was the only solution to the dangerous arms race in the Indian sub-continent.

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Stress busting for crime busters
The crime-busters went in for some stress-busting with a little help of the local ISKCON temple. At a programme held on Tuesday June 23, at the Police commissioner8217;s office, 200 police officers attended a satsang-cum-workshop for stress management. Using the non-sectarian method of mantra meditation the police officers were given instruction on how to deal with their everyday stress. ISKCON has invited organisations interested in similar workshops to contact Radhesham Das at the temple or call at 667259. The workshops will be conducted free of cost.