InaugurationMayor Ratilal Desai will inaugurate the city's 50th garden on Friday, at the New Sama road near Lakshmikunj Society in the Ayyappa temple complex. A Gujarati sugam sangeet programme, by reputed singers Asit Desai and Hema Desai, will also be held after the inauguration.Town hall fundThe Dabhoi Corporation of Vadodara district has sanctioned Rs 25 lakh for construction of a town hall, which will have several modern facilities. To conduct any cultural programme there is only an open theatre. The demand for having such a hall was pending from quite sometime and has been cleared only with the budget of the project being fixed.Shivaji JayantiShivaji Jayanti was celebrated in various parts of the city on Tuesday. A day-long programme was organised by members of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Janmajayanti Utsav, including Sunil Sarve, Jitendra Vichare, Uday Bedade among others.Yoga workshopThe Academy of Human Excellence has organised a 10-day yoga workshop in the city beginning May 5. The sessions, to be conducted in the morning, will include some simple exercises to help maintain physical fitness and manage stress. For details contact the Academy on 313971 or 338131.Exim policyFormer Joint Controller of Imports and Exports, Mumbai and renowned expert on Exim Policy and Procedures Takhat Ram will meet the city's exporters and importers on May 1 to explain the various provisions of the policy and answer queries. The meeting will be held at Hotel Surya Palace, Sayajiganj, from 10 am to 1 pm.Folk literatureAddressing a programme `Kesariya Safo Gharnu Faliu Laine Chaliya' organised recently by Survani, a group for promoting folk literature, District Collector Anil Mukim said that Lagna Geet (folk songs sung during marriages) mirrored Indian culture. The sentiments of the families of both the bride and the groom are woven into the songs by poets, he added. Atul Purohit, Achal Mehta and Falguni Bhesania sang many folk compositions of marriage songs in the programme. Nanak Bhat of Survani said that the organisation, which started only with seven members, today constitutes more than 700 members.Public speakingA three-day workshop on `Self-development and Confidence-building' has been organised by Vision Beyond beginning Friday. The workshop - sponsored by the city's Trimurti Institute of Management Studies, Raopura - is for people interested in learning the art of public speaking and presentation in English. The introductory session will be conducted on Thursday.HonouredDr Firoz Holia, executive committee member of the Baroda Management Association has been given the `Outstanding Personality' award for his achievements and contributions to the society by the Management Studies Promotion Institute (MSPI) governing board of editors. Dr Holia, who has authored eight books on management, is also the youngest regional vice-president and honorary secretary of the Vadodara chapter of NIPM.
