Speaking about the event one of the spokespersons for the event says, “The objective behind organising the event is that the state and the central government should look into the rights of backward Pune and grant them 10 per cent reservation in government offices and also in education institutions.” The event was a discussion platform wherein representatives of various political parties discussed what more needs to be done by the government and the political parties in this matter as various committees instituted by the government have already given their consensus to the cause. The event was held at the Azam Campus Ground, in Pune Camp.

Chunauti academy to honour martyrs
The Chunauti Cultural academy will be honouring the police officers and army personnel who laid down their lives in the recent terror attacks in Mumbai, on March 4.Speaking more about the event Ratnaprabha Katariya, president of the academy says, “The proceeds of cultural programme will go for the benefit of the families of the police officers who died last November in the terror attacks. The programme will take place at Yeshwantrao Chavan Cultural Hall and will include a variety of shows pertain to music, dance, flute rendition, and plays.” Those who will be present for the occasion include Mohan Dhariya, former union minister, Harshvardhan Patil, cultural minister, Rajlakshmi Bhosale, mayor, Ankush Kakde, president MHADA and others.

Mahashivratri celebrated
4 The festival of Mahashivratri was celebrated at the Shree Hari Hara Bhajana Samajam temple in Rastapeth in two parts the first part beginning on February 23 from 4.30 am in the morning till 11.00 pm wherein the mahanyasa ekadasani rudraabhishekam along with 11 different types of abhishek was performed. In the second part, which began late night at 11.30 and went on till the wee hours of the next day the Laghunyasa Abhishekam, the different poojas and archanas were held.

4 The Shri Sai Baba Palkhi Solha Samiti celebrated the festival of Mahashivratri at the Shri Sai Baba Palkhi Bhavan in Kasba Pune. Speaking about the event Mandar Shahane executive president of the Samiti says, “The Mahashivratri Pooja that was done at the Bhavan was special because we had 11 women perform the maha-abhishek pooja for Lord Shiva. The maha-abhishek and aarti was done by women.”

He added, “Close to two to three thousand faithful devotees had gathered at the venue for the pooja.”

Artistes honoured
The Bharat Mitra Mandal recently honoured 31 senior stage artistes at the hands of Satish Desai and Ankush Kakde. The event was held in collaboration with the Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Natya Parishad at the Ramanbaug High School. The event saw behind the stage technicians along with the stage actors being felicitated for their work. Upendra Bhat who is a student of pandit Bhimsen Joshi performed a classical music programme entitled Santavani for the occasion.