The Mata Amritanandamayi math has provided emergency relief during natural disasters and implemented long-term rehabilitation programmes during the earthquakes in Gujarat and Jammu&Kashmir and the tsunami in southern India.

In 2007, the math set aside Rs 200 crore for various schemes related to rehabilitation of the affected families and prevention of further suicides among farmers, to be implemented across India, especially in severely affected areas like Vidarbha. Under this scheme, Vidyamritam, a scholarship programme for 30,000 students, has been launched.

Also, under the scheme Amrita Sree, more than 5,000 women self-help groups are being formed with a view to make the women financially self-reliant.

‘Bharatiyam 2008’ at BVU college

Bharatiyam 2008, a national level technical and cultural event, will be held from March 13-15 at the BVU College of Engineering on the occasion of their 25th year. Eminent personalities from the industry will attend the functions.

Companies such as TCS, Infosys, Bajaj Auto Tech, Mahindra, Cognizant and Bharat Forge are supporting the festival.

Shivajirao Kadam, vice-chancellor, BVU will be the chairperson at the inaugural function on March 13. Vishwajeet Kadam, secretary, Bharatiya Vidyapeeth and Anand Deshpande, CEO of Persistent Systems Ltd will be the guests of honour at the prize distribution ceremony on March 15.

Seminar in service sector

Progressive Education Society’s Modern college of Engineering, Department of Business Management (MBA), had organised a two-day seminar on ‘Winning Strategies in service sector’ recently. The programme was arranged under the Quality Improvement Programme of University of Pune. The seminar emphasised on HR in service industry in the days of ‘Chak-De-India and 20-20 in context of regional and global perspectives. It also covered the concept of medical tourism as the upcoming area in health industry.

Gopal Tiwari to be honoured in Delhi

India International Friendship Society (IIFS), New Delhi will felicitate Gopal Tiwari, member of the All India Congress Committee and a former councillor at the Pune Municipal Corporation, with the ‘Bharat Jyoti Award’ in the national capital on March 26.

Tiwari has made outstanding contribution to society and politics. This award is conferred to distinguished people from assorted fields like culture, science, arts, sports, society and politics every year. Along with Gopal, 35 others will be awarded.