Besna of Rajmata: The Besna of Rajmata Shantadevi Gaekwad, who passed away on 22nd May, will be held at the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara on Monday, 27th May, between 4.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.

Twelve Secondary Schools Approved: The Gujarat State Secondary Education Board (GSEB) has approved 12 more secondary schools in Vadodara district: five in the city and seven in the rural areas, four in English medium and eight in Gujarati. The new English medium schools: Shri Atman Vidyalaya (Rajlakshmi Society, Alkapuri), Shri Yansi High School (Makarpura Main Road), Ankur Vidyalaya (Dashrath village) and Bright Day School (Bhayali village). The new Gujarati medium schools: C.A. Patel Learning Institute (Shinor taluka), Adarsh Secondary School (Morkhala village), Shree Zen School (Padra), Bright Day Gujarati School (Bhayali), Sharda Memorial High School (Makarpura Main Road) and Swami Vivekanand Vidyalaya (Waghodia Road).

NIFD Centre At Baroda: The National Institute of Fashion Design (NIFD) has launched its centre in Baroda; it was recently inaugurated by Shruti Sharma, the current Femina Miss India World. NIFD offers a range of courses in fashion designing, interior designing and textile designing. NIFD has 12 centres in Gujarat. For more details contact the centre at 356493.

Heritage Exhibition: The Heritage Trust, Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery and Friends of Museum Society have organised an exhibition documenting 120 heritage monuments and structures of Pavagadh-Champaner at the museum’s exhibition hall. The exhibition will be on till June 10 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Stress management: The Ambalal Sarabhai Foundation will organise a Stress Management Workshop for students from May 31 to June 4. Those interested should contact the foundation office at Bombay Shopping Centre (First Floor), R.C. Dutt Road.

National Metallurgists’ Day: The 40th National Metallurgists’ Day (NMD) and the 56th Annual Technical Meeting (ATM) of Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) will be conducted in Baroda from 14th to 17th November 2002 at MS University and Hotel Surya Palace. This event is being organised by the Baroda and Mumbai chapters of IIM and supported by the Metallurgical Engineering Department of MSU’s Faculty of Technology & Engineering. An international symposium on ‘Metals and Alloys for Chemical Industries’ will be conducted on 15th November while the ATM will be held on 16th and 17th. A technical exhibition will also be organised during the conference. Those who want further details should contact Dr. K. Baba Pai <kbapai_iim@hotmail.com>

Contemporary Textile Arts Workshop: Artist Shruti Nelson will conduct a workshop on Natural Dyes at the Vadodara Centre for Contemporary Fiber/Textile Arts from June 15 to 22. Having trained under textile artist Tansukh Mahicha, Shruti has further worked on several techniques of natural dyeing on cloth to suit various purposes.

24-05-02

HSC Results Through Email: The HSC (Science) stream results, including that of the exams held in Ahmedabad and Vadodara cities from April 18, will be declared on May 28. The results will also be available on www.gseb.org and www.gnfconline.net from 10 a.m. onwards on May 28. Students who register their e-mail addresses and exam seat numbers with the websites before noon on May 27 will be sent their results and marksheets by email.

23-05-02

Rajmata Shantadevi Gaekwad Passes Away: Rajmata Shantadevi Gaekwad, the matriarch of the Gaekwad family, passed away at 6.20 a.m. on Wednesday 22nd May at the Maharani Shantadevi Hospital, Baroda. She was 88 and had been recently hospitalised as she had not been keeping well. Relatives, friends and many ordinary citizens rushed to the Darbar Hall to pay their last respects to the departed Maharani. The funeral procession will start on Thursday at 9 a.m. from Laxmi Vilas Palace and move from Shantadevi Nursing Home to the Kothi Collectorate Office through SSG Hospital to the Kirti Mandir which houses the royal crematorium of the Gaekwads. Hailing from the Kolhapur royal family, she was married to Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad (grandson of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad) in January 1929. She is survived by two sons – Ranjitsinh Gaekwad and Sangramsinh Gaekwad – and five daughters. Her eldest son Fatehsinh Gaekwad expired 10 years ago. MS University Chancellor Mrunalini Devi Puar is her eldest daughter.

21-05-02

Curfew Lifted Entirely: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew has been lifted totally from 20th May.

Alternative Medicine Centre: Ambalal Sarabhai Foundation is starting an alternative medicine consultation centre from May 24. The centre will be managed by Dr. A.S. Menon. The timings: 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Courses For Women: Regional Vocational Training Institute for Women (RVTIW) is conducting short-term courses in fashion designing, pattern-making layout, garment making and elementary electronics from June to September. The classes will be held twice a day, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Interested candidates may contact the RCTIW, ITI campus, Tarsali, or phone 642678.

New MSU Courses: MS University’s Centre for Continuing/Adult Education & Community Services will introduce two courses from the next academic year: Certificate Course in Early Childhood Care & Education (one year, Rs. 4500, for HSC pass or SSC with experience); Certificate Course in Export & Import Management (6 months, Rs. 2500, for graduates). The centre has also announced short-term courses starting from the first week of June: English Improvement, Personality Development, TV & Stage Announcements, Photography, Vastu Shashtra, Soft Toys, Dress Making, etc. Further details can be obtained between 12 noon and 4 p.m.

20-05-02

GSFC To Promote Seaweed Farming: The Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. (GSFC), Baroda, plans to promote the cultivation of Salicornia, a special salt water or wasteland plant that has export potential and yields several value added products. Gujarat with its 1,600-km long coastline has vast potential for such farming. Besides, the plant is environment friendly. Salicornia provides value-added products: its seeds yield edible oil that is low in cholesterol and contains antioxidants; its succulent tips are used widely in Europe and USA in green salad dressings; the plant itself can be excellent fodder. Research has revealed the potential of its biomass, too. The green biomass can be used as fodder for cattle. This fodder has increased milk yield by 15 per cent in addition to making it protein rich. The dry biomass is used to prepare particleboard (for use in furniture). The 1,600-km coastal stretch can yield an area of 2,500 sq. km for salt-water farming. Growing the plant involves creating salt-water farms. Those involved in shrimp farming too can grow Salicornia. The seawater can be collected in fish ponds used for shrimp farming. Once the fish are harvested and removed, Salicornia can be grown in the same water, which is rich in nutrients after the fish have harvested here leaving behind excreta. The plant helps in the absorption of carbon dioxide and reduces global warming and helps in controlling the greenhouse effect.

New Art Gallery: Some artists and art historians have launched an art and culture group called Lokayat in order to provide a platform to young artists and performers to organise art exhibitions, theatre workshops, camps, lectures, demonstrations and seminars. They have established Setu Art Gallery in the Alankar Cinema complex. The first show opened on May 14 and features Sarang Fadnis and Chirayu Sinha (paintings), Krishna Padiya and Prafull Singh (sculptures), Rutvij Mistry (pottery) and Sunil Darji (prints).

Friends of Museum Society: The ‘Friends of Museum Society’ will be formally inaugurated on May 24 by Ranjitsinh Gaekwad with an exhibition, Our Glorious Past, displaying the detailed historical and architectural documentation of heritage monuments at Pavagadh-Champaner. The exhibition will be held at the Exhibition Hall of the Baroda Museum and will be on till June 10. It has been put together by Heritage Trust, Baroda.

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 5.00 a.m. to midnight on 20th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers was lifted from 19th May.

17-05-02

Museum Releases CD-Rom: The Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery (BMPG) has released a CD-Rom of the paintings of its European arts section for the general public. The CD is available at the museum for Rs. 450. This is the first step in the process of complete digitalisation of all the galleries of the museum. The CD-Rom with 222 paintings takes one through a guided tour of the gallery.

Mask Making & Glass Painting: Disha will conduct art classes on Mask Making & Glass Painting from 20th to 31st May. Those interested can contact Disha (320, Race Course Towers, Gotri Road, Ph: 325250 or 300059) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Funds generated by the workshop will be utilised for buying teaching aids for children with autism and learning disabilities. Prabha Mehta <dishatrust@icenet.net>

Curfew Hours: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. on 17th May. In some specified localities in these areas the relaxation is up to midnight. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 10.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m.

16-05-02

Rs. 900 Million Vishwamitri ‘Restoration’ Project: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has proposed a Rs. 900 million project to ‘revive’ the Vishwamitri river through a process of cleaning and beautification. The 21.5 km long river passes through the centre of the city and once upon a time it had more than just its present mythological importance. Though it is now a long dumping ground for chemical and sewage waste and a breeding ground for mosquitoes, it was in better times long past a water system which sustained a lot of economic and social activity.

Shankaracharya To Visit Gujarat: Puri Shankaracharya Nischalanand Maharaj is likely to pay a four-day visit to Gujarat to promote communal harmony and peace in the last week of May. He will visit Godhra, Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

Dora Dies At Sayaji Zoo: Dora, a 16-year-old tiger at the Sayaji Zoo, died this week. The reasons for its death were not clear and the body was sent to the veterinary hospital in Anand for a postmortem. Born in Nandanvan Zoo in Orissa in 1986, Dora was brought to the zoo in Vadodara a couple of years ago and was a major attraction for children. The Sayaji Zoo now has only one tiger left.

Workshop on Practical Astronomy: The Amateur Astronomers’ Association of Vadodara and Sardar Patel Planetarium have organised a workshop on Practical Astronomy from June 1 to 5. Interested students studying in Std. 5 to 12 can register before May 31 (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.) at the planetarium.

Coin Conservation Workshop: The Baroda Museum will organise a one-day conservation workshop for coin collectors on May 25. The workshop will cover various scientific and practical methods of coin conservation and also the history of coin collection. For more information, ring 793801.

Curfew Relaxed Further: Since there has been an overall improvement in the situation in Vadodara, the curfew hours have been relaxed further in some areas on 16th May. In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. In some specified localities in these areas the relaxation is up to midnight.

Sanskari Nagari Contest Results: The three best suggestions for the Sanskari Nagari Contest organised by Flavor Restaurant were submitted by:

1. K.P. Remesh & A.K. Mandal
2. Nisha Shah
3. Uday Nanavaty

15-05-02

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. on 15th May.

14-05-02

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. on 14th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 10.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m. till 15th May.

13-05-02

Rahul Gajjar To Exhibit In Dubai: Baroda-based digital printmaker Rahul Gajjar will be showing a collection of his ‘Prints in New Media’ at the Derby Art Gallery (Al Ghurair City Mall, Deria), Dubai, from May 21 to 31 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Titled ‘Anahata Dhwani’ or ‘Sound Without Vibrations’, the collection of prints had been exhibited in Paris, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo and San Francisco in 2001. The show is expected to go to Vietnam, Paris and the UK from September to December this year and the Boston Science Museum in February 2003. http://www.vadodara.com/co/rahulgajjar.htm

Grant For Archaeological Study: MS University’s Department of Archaeological & Ancient History has received a Rs. 2.95 million grant from India’s University Grants Commission to determine, by studying sites on the Sabarmati basin in Gujarat, how prehistoric man evolved from the ancient Paleolithic period (150,000 BC to 38,000 BC). The study should be able to throw light on how ancient man explored resources and developed them for technological change. The Sabarmati basin covers a large distance from Sabarkantha in Ahmedabad to various areas along the Sabarmati towards the sea.

Hansa Mehta Library Newsletter: The Hansa Mehta Library of MS University has introduced a monthly newsletter featuring the latest addition of books, journals and periodicals to the library. The newsletter also contains selective abstracts and information on the library portals that can be accessed on the web. Copies of the newsletter are currently circulated to department heads of all the faculties.

Summer Workshop On Terracotta: This unique summer programme (for children between 8 and 12 years, 27th May to 5th June 2002, 12.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.) has been organised by Baroda Museum, WWF and Friends of Museum Society at the Baroda Museum premises under the guidance of experts from respective fields. The participants will receive demonstration on terracotta modeling by various techniques. They will be taught the techniques of clay making and other techniques such as pinch work, slip work, coil work, slab work; kiln making and firing. They will also be shown the ceramic collection in the Baroda Museum. The workshop will be restricted to 50 participants. Registration forms are available at the WWF office (Indumati Mahal, Opposite Laxmi Vilas Palace, Ph. 43661) and Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery (Sayajibaug, Ph. 793801) from 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Postgraduate Management Courses: Forms are now available for the postgraduate diploma in Business Management and the postgraduate diploma in Sales & Advertising Management conducted by MSU’s Faculty of Commerce. Both courses are of one-year duration (two semesters, evening classes, 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.) and the eligibility is graduation with a minimum of 50 % marks. The fees per semester are Rs. 2000.

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 5.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. on 13th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 10.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m. till 15th May.

12-05-02

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. on 12th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. till 15th May.

11-05-02

Police Notification: The Baroda City Police Commissioner has issued a notification making it mandatory for STD-PCO operators to maintain a list of ISD calls made from their booths. The operators are supposed to maintain a register in which the details of calls, caller and his postal address have to be registered. The notification has been issued as a security measure.

Apollo Plant At Baroda: Tyre manufacturer Apollo Tyres Ltd., with an eye on the truck and bus radial market in the commercial tyre segment, is planning to put up a new truck and bus radial manufacturing unit at Vadodara with an investment of Rs. 1,100 million. The new facility is likely to go on stream in April 2004. It is being set up in technical collaboration with Continental AG.

Banyan City Exhibition Extended: The Banyan City exhibition at Nazar Art Gallery has been extended till May 15. The exhibition features the work of 55 local artists expressing their reactions to living in Baroda over the last many years.

New PG Course: Gujarat Safety Council in association with the Gujarat Environment Management Institute has started a postgraduate diploma in Industrial Environment Management. The one-year course is a part-time programme to enable working persons to take it up. The eligibility for the course is M.Sc. (Chemistry) or a degree in Civil Engineering with one year’s experience or B.Sc. (Chemistry/Microbiology) with three years’ experience in industry. Forms are available at the council’s office (103, Shivani Complex, Subhanpura).

Puppet Workshop: A workshop on Puppet-making will begin at Hobby Centre on May 15 and continue for 10 days. Participants will be taught to make Rajasthani-style puppets, with paper pulp heads and cloth accessories.

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. on 11th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. till 15th May.

10-05-02

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on 10th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. till 15th May.

09-05-02

Rs. 4.25 Million Grant for MSU Environment Course: The University Grants Commission has approved a grant of Rs. 4.25 million to MS University’s Faculty of Science to start a full-time Environment Science degree course in the Department of Geography. The grant will also help to set up a laboratory with equipment to measure air, water and soil pollution. Students from both the science and general streams can apply for the course after completion of their higher secondary studies. The duration of the course is three years, with two semesters in each year.

Board Re-examination In June: The Gujarat State Education Board (GSEB) has announced that it will conduct the SSC and HSC re-examination in the first week of June. The detailed schedule and the exact date of the examination will be declared after 15th May. The re-examination will be conducted at six centres – Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Bhavnagar and Gandhinagar. Though students across the state can opt for the re-examination, they will be allowed to appear only at these centres.

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on 9th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers is still in force from 7.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.

08-05-02

WFYI Children’s Camp: Bal Bhavan, Vadodara has received an invitation from WFYI (World Federation Youth Interaction) and Shanghai Youth Amusement & Cultural Centre to participate in an International Children’s Camp – Interactival 2002 – to be held from July 5 to 14. Children’s delegations from across the world will attend the camp in order to build friendship through participation in creative activities, cultural exchange, sports and environmental activities. Talented children in the age group of 9 to 18 years with a valid passport can contact Bal Bhavan at Sayajibaug before May 11 (except on Wednesdays).

Let The Dog Walk Alone: A 62-year-old man recently spent a night in the lock-up for walking his pet dog in the Kharivav area of the city during curfew hours. His wife was able to get the dog back from the police station the same day, but the man was released on bail only the next day.

Adventure Camp: The Adventure club and the Gujarat government have organised an Adventure Camp for children in the age group of 8 to 13 at Mount Abu. For those in the age group of 14 to 25, a basic camp will be organised during the same time. For more details contact Hasmukh Pathak on +91-265-789613.

Summer Camp: Bal Bhavan is organising a summer camp for children from May 11 where their creative skills will be honed. Parents of interested children may contact Bal Bhavan between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Sayajibaug, except on Wednesday.

Music Course: Arul Music Academy is conducting a twenty-day course in Western classical music form May 6 to May 26 at the Rosary Social Service Centre, Pratapgunj. The course content will include western notation, scales and how to play some instruments like the guitar, keyboard, mandolin and violin. Those interested can ring up +91-265-713071/340202/356117.

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on 8th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 7.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. till 9th May

07-05-02

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on 7th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 7.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.

06-05-02

Heat Wave: Though the temperature dropped by 3 degrees Celsius on Sunday (from the high of 46 on Saturday), the heat wave conditions persist with the humidity touching 76 %. The best place to be in during the day is inside the home or office.

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on 6th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 7.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.

05-05-02

Cruel Summer: On Saturday, 4th May, the mercury touched 46 degrees Celsius in Vadodara. Temperatures are high elsewhere in Gujarat too: Kandla (47), Bhuj (45), Rajkot (44.4), Ahmedabad (46.3).

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 8.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on 5th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force from 7.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.

04-05-02

Hottest Day: Friday, 3rd May, was the hottest day this summer – 45.6 degrees Celsius. To the extent possible people remained indoors, especially in the afternoon.

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 8.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on 4th May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers continues.

03-05-02

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura, Karelibaug, Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on 3rd May. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will continue till 4th May.

02-05-02

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura and Karelibaug police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 7.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on 2nd May. In the Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force till 4th May.

01-05-02

Curfew Timings: In the Navapura, Raopura and Karelibaug police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. on 1st May. In the Wadi, City and Panigate police station areas the curfew will be relaxed for all persons from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. The ban on pillion riding on two-wheelers will be in force till 4th May.