New taluka
The State government has created a new taluka Umarpada by bifurcating Mangrol taluka. The new taluka will come into existence with immediate effect, said deputy secretary of the revenue department in a statement issued here on Wednesday. The taluka is headquartered in Umarpada.

Girls' hostel
Municipal Commissioner S Jagadeesan inaugurated a hostel for visually impaired girls. The hostel, constructed by the Shriya Devi Bhagirath Memorial Trust, will be run by the Andhjan Shikshan Mandal. Presiding over the function, Rajendra T Vyas said the Mandal looked after six such institutions for the blind. Founder of the institution Dr Hari Kishan Joshi, Ramesh Raval, Anand Chokhawala, Trustee of the girls' hostel Satya Narayan Rahi, professor Hakumat Desai among others were present.

Meeting held
A meeting, to finalise arrangements for the Anu Mallik Musical night, to be held on July 11, was held on Wednesday. All those departments, who have been given targets to achieve, have been directed to submit details by Friday to the collector. The collector and the civic chief have appealed to the public to contribute generously. Heavy police bandobast will be deployed in the indoor stadium, where the event will be held.

Raha new chief
Vadodara: Subir Raha recently joined the Board of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited as Director, Human Resources. Raha, who was earlier Executive Director, Oil Co-ordination Committee, will now concurrently be the director in-charge of Information Technology, Business Development and corporate communications.

Power theft
The gujarat Electricity Board (GEB) has detected power theft to the tune of Rs 1.10 crore between June 15 and 21. Of the 4,354 connections checked in different parts of the State, irregularities were detected in 569 cases. Bills have been issued to the defaulters.

By-pass surgery
Leader of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, H H Pramukh Swami Maharaj, on Tuesday underwent a successful by-pass surgery at the Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, New York, USA.

2-day workshop
The Humanist Movement has organised a workshop for `Personal and Social Change' for those interested in voluntary social work on July 11 and 12. While the workshop will be held at 208, Mangal Deep, Opp Mesonic Hall, Productivity Road from 9 am to 7 pm on July 11, an open meeting will be held on July 12 at T-1, Panchratna Apartments, 3 Vrindavan Park, EME Swati Road from 9 am to 1 pm. For further details contact Madhavi Shah on 322732 or Kavita Jain on 791909.