The Indian Express   13.08.2012

Eco-friendly celebrations

Pune Municipal Corporation’s Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Katraj had organised a Rakshabandhan and plantation programme in its campus on August 7. Fifty one students from std IX of Kanya Prashala, Dhankawadi planted saplings on the campus and tied rakhis on trees to disseminate the message of protecting trees from all sorts of dangers. The function was inaugurated by Shivajirao Tambare, Senior Police Inspector, Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station, who planted a sapling and also tied a rakhi on a branch of a tree. “It’s everybody’s duty to protect trees and saving our mother Earth,” says Ashwini Shitole, Zoo Educational Officer, who coordinated the programme.

Bringing new hope

Hope for the Children Foundation (HFCF) has announced the commencement of its new project titled 'Shiksha ki Asha'. This project will identify and support a batch of school-going children from vulnerable households supported by single mothers. These children will be provided with a suitable environment to study in where they will be helped with homework and taught life skills. Basic training in computer skills along with other interests as dance, meditation, art and more will also be provided for the children. The classes will be held at the HFCF centre in Wadgaonsheri, and the children who will be the beneficiaries hail from the communities in and around the area.

Book Handi

Snehankit Association For The Non Seeing Friends and National Association For The Welfare Of Physically Challenged organised a 'Book Handi' festival for the visually and physically challenged kids in their campus. The children hurdled up and climbed to the top to break the handi that contained books and cds. Cash prizes were given out to the winners of the handi ceremony and books and audio cds were distributed to the children.