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.

The Indian Express   13.08.2012

Single-window clearance proposed for Ramlilas

To ensure that organising Ramlilas in the Capital is a smooth process, the North Municipal Corporation has proposed a single-window clearance to organise the function. As of now, organisers have to seek no-objection certificates (NOC) from various departments.

In a proposal to be tabled in the House on Monday, the corporation has proposed to authorise the Deputy Commissioner of the area to grant all clearances to Ramlila organising committees.

“As Ramlila committees manage the function purely for religious purposes and their members have no personal interests, financial or otherwise, we propose to give the parks free of cost to these committees,” said Mahendra Nagpal, leader of the House, North Municipal Corporation. The erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi used to charge these committees for booking of parks for Ramlila.

“This time we propose to provide services like proper lighting and assign DEMS employees to maintain cleanliness for free. Horticulture department will take care of the plants and grass in the parks,” said Yogendra Chandolia, Standing Committee Chairperson, North corporation.