Society Scenes 8212; Pune

Talk-a-bookCall it the talk of the year! Because it is all about talking' or rather the famous guppa. For a year now the guppa session i...

Talk-a-book
Call it the talk of the year! Because it is all about talking8217; or rather the famous guppa. For a year now the guppa session is being successfully conducted in Pune. Conceived by Malathi Kalmadi, under the auspices of the Karnataka Language Sanghatana, this is a gathering of like-minded people who meet once a month to discuss or conduct reading sessions of a book. The most recent book to be discussed was Lewis Caroll8217;s ice in Wonderland. The session was conducted by V. Ghosh. In the discussion the writer8217;s analytical prowess and the behaviour of the various characters was discussed in detail. With more such sessions planned in the coming months, Pune8217;s cultural landscape can only get richer.

Dancing in step
The Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha organised a inter-collegiate open group dance competition recently. Twenty-five groups participated in the competition. The first prize was won by the Ratnakar Shelke dance group and the Fast Forward group was adjudged second. A consolation prize was given to the New Natraj group. The prizes were given away by former MP, Anna Joshi.

Eye camp held
Pandit Aparnath Tara Devi Public Charitable Trust organised a free eye camp recently, in coordination with the Armed Forces Medical College at Shiva Farms near Uruli Kanchan. This the fourth eye camp organised by the Trust. Till now the Trust has distributed 1000 spectacles free of cost and 250 people have been operated for cataract. The expenses of the operation and the lenses were borne by the Trust. The Trust is also running a a free dispensary for the last three years for the people residing in nearby villages and slums. The Trust has also opened a old age home at Shiva Farms. Those interested can contact J.R. Sharma at 816291.

Seminar on Osteoporosis
As a part of the ongoing silver jubilee celebrations by the Hardikar Hospital, a couple of lectures and panel discussions were held along with the Pune Obstetrics amp; Gynaecology Society POGS on March 14 at Hardikar Hospital. The focus was on Osteoporosis. Dr. S.S. Mehandale gave a lecture on the obstetrician8217;s perspective about osteoporosis, while Dr. S.M. Hardikar imparted his lecture on the orthopaedician8217;s view. The lectures were followed by a panel discussion in which leading orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Vilas Jog and Dr. Anand Kelkar participated, along with gynaecologists Dr. D.S. Kamat and Dr. Unni. All aspects leading to the disease were analysed. The session ended with a vote of thanks from Dr. Madan Hardikar. Dr. Satishchandra Gore compered the programme and was the man who conceived and conducted the lecture and discussion.

Spicerian8217;s half century
With the campus reporting of the Spicerian of Spicer College getting to its golden jubilee it is party time. The Spicerian, the college magazine, has made it through 50 years and become an institution in itself. The Spicerian initially started by the Secretarial Science department, was later, taken over by the English department. Now in the hands of the Journalism department, it is a coloured and glossy issue that hit the stands as a part of its golden jubilee celebrations. The dream to start a college newspaper was fulfilled when the first Spicerian was released under the guidance of G.J Christo on October 21, 1948. Caleb Paul was its first editor.

Silver Kanchanam
T.S. Raghavan, chairman and managing director of India Bank, Chennai will adorn silver kavacham to the idol of Lord Hanuman of Shree Untade Maruti Mandir, Sarva Vyadhira Sri Hanuman located near KEM Hospital in Rasta Peth. This 300-year-old temple dates back to Peshwa times and attracts devotees from all over the world.