Society Scenes 8212; Pune

Ray of lightProject Drishti promises hope for some 420 adolescent girls across the country. Said to be the first sight restoration effort...

Ray of light
Project Drishti promises hope for some 420 adolescent girls across the country. Said to be the first sight restoration effort undertaken by a corporate body, Project Drishti, which has been undertaken by Proctor and Gamble Ltd. in association with the National Association for the Blind, will attempt to restore sight through corneal transplants. The project is supported by the brand Whisper. From April to June 1999, for every pack of Whisper sold, Rs 1 will go to the Project Drishti fund. The project kicked off on March 10 in Mumbai. It was then launched in Pune on March 30. Police commissioner K.K. Kashyap was the chief guest at the function.

A song in her honour
A semi-classical and classical music concert was organised in memory of Leelatai Gharpure. Her disciple Arati Thakur performed at the function. Accompanying her were Yogesh Avalskar on the tabla and Sharvari Sohoni on the tambora. Arati has also trained under Sanjeev Shende and Padmashree Prabha Atre. The function was held at Bedekar Ganpati Hall on April 3.

Cured8230; naturally
The National Institute of Naturopathy has arranged a three-day group therapy programme on arthritis and its management, beginning from April 20. The programme will be conducted by senior nature cure physicians and other experts. The programme will be from 10.30 a.m to 5 p.m. Participants can register for Rs 50.

Leader 2000
The new millennium needs new leaders 8211; people who can cope with burgeoning information, population and information systems. Therefore, the Rotary Club of Pune Riverside has organised a workshop whose theme focuses on Leadership for the New Millennium. This is to be held at the Tata Management Training Centre on April 17 and 18. Workshop participants will get to interact with people like George Judah, Cora Menezes, Anand Khandekar, Abhay Nalavade, Sangeeta Jethmalani, Jayesh Goel and Viney Kripal. They will be able to explore practical, easy-to-implement perspectives in leadership in day-to-day working that will make a difference. Some of the highlights will be the psychology of leadership, transactional analysis and a focus on communication skills. The workshop will be on a first-come-first-serve basis and will accommodate 40 participants.

Wheeze no more
The Bulchand Charitable Trust Free Clinic has organised asthma camps free of cost. The camp will be conducted by Dr Ramesh Chandra Maheshwari, an asthma chest allergy and immuno-therapy specialist. These camps will offer nature cures and yogic breathing as treatment for those suffering from asthma. These camps will be held on Mondays and Fridays between 1.30 and 2.30 p.m at the Bulchand Charitable Trust Free Clinic behind Nehru Memorial Hall.

Panguni Uthiram celebrated
Panguni Uthiram was celebrated by the Shree Shanmukhanda Sabha at the Kartikeya temple atop Parvati Hill. The celebrations included abhishekam, puja, alankaram and deeparadhana which was performed for the many devotees who were present. The Sabha also offered them prasadam after the mahaarti.

Catch 8217;em young
In order to get the best out of people, you need to encourage them from a young age. The Monish Endowment Trust has made its selection of young journalists to receive the Monish memorial Awards. These will be awarded on April 10 at 6.30 pm at Patrakar Bhavan. Anand Agashe, editor, Loksatta will be the chief guest.

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Shiny new armour
Lord Anjeneya of the Untade Maruti Mandir wore a new silver kavacham for Hanuman Jayanti this year 8211; the gift of T.S. Raghavan, chairman and managing director of Indian Bank, Chennai. An arti was performed and mantras chanted. Also present at the celebration were R.D. Tayade, charity commissioner, Pune region, R.D. Durve, advocate and Anilseth Gadwe of Kaka Halwai. The three-day celebration was coordinated by K.P. Kulkarni and V. Mahadevan.

Malayalam anyone?
Anyone above ten years of age and a yen to learn Malayalam has a chance once more, as the Kerela Samajam, Khadki, will begin their second batch of Malayalam classes every Sunday between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dr K.P. Govindan, Lt. Co.l T.S. Abdulla, M. Gangadharan and Kannara Vijaykumar will be conducting the classes. These will be held at the office of the Samajam.

The big sell
Tata Honeywell Ltd seeks to reward its employees by making them members of the Winners Club.8217; They select outstanding employees from around the region and recognise their achievements. This year, Vimal Kapur, Head HPI IBU, will be joining the others in the club as the Sales Manager of the Year for Asia-Pacific for 1998.

Sacred Space
The Vedacharya Ghaisas Guruji Vedpathshala in Kothrud, recently held a three-day programme on the temple premises. The occasion was to commemorate a year of the installation of the Siddhivinayak idol in the temple on the Vedpathshala premises. Parishsintokta Grahayadnya was held on April 7, the inaugural day and followed by Siddhivinayak abhiskhekh. On the concluding day a mahapuja was held. The construction of the temple has been completed while work on the second phase, which is to include a sabhamandap, dhyanmandap and kalas is still in progress.

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Electrifying old-age
Radhakrishna Gandhdhara Gyan Prasarita Sanstha feel that all the problems of old-age can be approached a little differently. They believe that in old age, tension comes with a physically weaker body. The Sanstha has devised yantras that are said to settle body electricity which allow for an an energetic old-age. The Sanstha will give free healing demonstrations. A book in Hindi is available on the subject called Sukhi Budhapana.