New rakes are on cards for Ahimsa Express and Jnanaganga/ Azad Hind Express trains as part of a plan to phase out vacuum-brake rakes.Tripathi said. The rakes of all Pune-Mumbai trains were first to be modified under the plan providing the trains better breaking systems and quick pick-up similar to an electric motor unit (EMU) train. Introduction of power-brake rakes eventually would improve on the journey timings, the DTM added.

Strike by DRDO scientific staff
The scientific employees working in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of the Ministry of Defence will go on an indefinite nation wide strike from May 5 to press for implementation of revised pay scales, said a press release issued by the Scientific Workers Association here on Wednesday.

Scientific employees in the DRDO establishments in Pune namely Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Institute of Armament Technology (IAT) and Research and Development Establishment (R&DE) will participate in the strike.

Seminar
Centre for Advanced Strategic Studies (CASS) is organising a seminar on ``Low intensity conflicts - A challenge to India's security'' on April 30 at Shivaji Sabhagriha of the University of Pune.

Lt. Gen. R V Kulkarni, PVSM, UYSM will deliver the inaugural speech. Maj. Gen. (retd) Ashok Krishna will speak on ``Low intensity conflicts in India.'' Tara Kartha will speak on ``Role of small arms in promoting low intensity conflicts in India.'' Air Commodore Jasjit Singh, director IDSA will talk on ``Low intensity conflicts in India - the way ahead.''

NCC notice
Officiating Commanding Officer, 3 Maharashtra Naval Unit NCC, Government Engineering College Pune, has issued a press release informing all Senior Division Naval Wing NCC cadets of local colleges, who have not collected their washing and refreshment allowances for the year 1997-98, to collect the same from their office at Pune on any working day between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.