New FGI Office-Bearers: The Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI) has a new team of office-bearers for 2009-11. Shivinder Singh Chawla, managing director of Baroda Polyform Pvt. Ltd., has taken over as president from Ashok Patel. Chawla was president of FGI between 2001 and 2003. The new senior vice-president is Geeta Goradia, managing director of Jewel Consumer Care Pvt. Ltd., and the new vice-president is Amit Patel, partner of Danke Products. The honorary treasurer is Manohar Chawla, Director of Ashwin Vanaspati Industries Pvt. Ltd.

MSU Anniversary: The 'Alumni of Baroda University', Silver Spring, MD, USA, has sent a press note regarding 'Celebration of 60th Anniversary of MSU'. The press note states: Alumni of All colleges of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda will get together in Washington DC to celebrate the 60th anniversary of MSU on May 24, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend). For more information, please visit www.msuabu.org or e-mail msuabu@yahoo.com <mailto:msuabu@yahoo.com>.

Gujarati Play: 'Maa-Baap Ne Bhulso Nahi', at Gandhi Nagargruh, April 16, 9.30 p.m. Ph: 9825120583, 9825192597.

Gujarati Play: 'Lage Raho Gujjubhai', at Gandhi Nagargruh, April 20, 9.30 p.m. Ph: 9428305957.

Musical Night: By playback singer Anvar & Hetal Munshi, at Gandhi Nagargruh, April 24, 9.30 p.m. Ph: 9824042911, 9429100765.

Painting Exhibition: 6-Man Show, at Red Earth Gallery, ABS Tower, Old Padra Road, till April 18, 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Basketball Coaching Camp: At Gujarat Krida Mandal, near Kirti Stambh, 14th April to 14th May, 6.30 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. For more information contact Gujarat Krida Mandal between 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Child Yoga Classes: For 7 to 14 years. First batch from 13th April, second batch from 7th May. By Life Spring, Ph: 2343347, 9328273197.

Salsa, Hip Hop, Waltz: Dance classes by Spin Academy. Age group 3 to 60 yrs. From 15th April. At 'Only Paratha's', Jetalpur Road. Also late evening corporate batches. Ph: 9825419007, 9898592432.

Bengali Food Festival: 12th to 19th April, Lunch & Dinner. At Machu Picchu, Alkapuri. Ph: 2356376, 9624252887.

Jaipuri Cotton Exhibition: By Riddhi Siddhi. Kurties, bandhani suit, dress material, patiyala salwar, bedsheets, leggies, nighties. April 13 to 15, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Trisha Gallery, Vishwas Colony, Opposite Swagat Restaurant, Jetalpur Road.

Aagney Fashion Studio Exhibition: Kurtis, designer dresses, tunics, brocade blouses, shrugs, designer sarees. April 13 to 15, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Trisha Gallery, Vishwas Colony, Opposite Swagat Restaurant, Jetalpur Road. Ph: 9727379809, 9879628827.

03-04-09

Hot Spell: Baroda seems to have been hit by a heat wave. On Thursday (2nd April) the temperature touched 42 degrees Celsius, the highest for 2nd April in the last ten years. Normally, the temperature is between 35 degrees and 40 degrees Celsius in this period. The possible reasons for the hot spell: low moisture content in the underground soil due to poor rainfall, increase in vehicular pollution, and the depleting green cover due to the growing urbanisation.

New Areva Plant At Kotambi: Areva T&D India, the transmissionand distribution division of French engineering group Areva SA, has started a large manufacturing plant at Kotambi village on the Vadodara-Halol highway. The company will employ 1,000 workers. Areva has invested Rs. 6 billion in the facility which will produce power and distribution transformers and other power equipment.

Honour For MSU VC: MS University vice-chancellor Dr. Ramesh Goyal has been appointed as director of academic affairs on the board of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences (IACS) in Winnipeg, Canada. He already is a fellow with IACS. There are several members on its board who are of Indian origin or Indians working abroad, but no one from India has been appointed so far. Goyal was also appointed as member of editorial board in the National Academy of Sciences at Allahabad as well as member of accreditation committee on Indian Association of Management and Technical Institution in New Delhi.

Special Police Teams: The Baroda police department will set up police control reserve (PCR) teams, special groups of trained commandos. Ahmedabad has a similar unit. The PCR teams will be provided with automatic weapons, gas guns, bullet-proof jackets, ropes, search lights, walkie-talkies, fire extinguishers and first aid boxes. During an emergency PCR teams will be issued instructions directly from the police control room or from any police station in the city.

Help For Exploited Children: A Bal Crisis Intervention Centre (BCIC) has been started at the women's police station in Baroda to provide counselling, recreation and rehabilitation facilities to child labourers and other children who are exploited mentally and sexually. Such centres are also in Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Surat.

Gujarati Play: 'Rock On Faiba', at Gandhi Nagargruh, April 3, 4, 5, 9.30 p.m. Booking: 9825450997.

Summer Collection: Exhibition by Rapunzel Boutique, at Trisha Gallery, Jetalpur Road, April 3-4, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Summer Vacation Activity Workshops For Children: For children 5 to 16 years, during April and May 2009. In Creative Arts, Clay modelling, Fun with Science, Music, Dance, Library, Calligraphy, Dramatics, Personality Development and Language Development, Aeromodelling. Enrollments have started. Please contact Bal Bhavan, Behind Sayajibaug, Karelibaug, Baroda.

Sports Coaching Camps For Children: For children 5 to 16 years, during April and May 2009. Squash, Tennis, Cricket, Athletics, Karate, Skating, Basketball, Chess, Table Tennis and Badminton. Enrollments have started. Please contact Bal Bhavan, Behind Sayajibaug, Karelibaug, Baroda.

Kiddies Camp For Children: For children 3 to 5 years. Enrollments have started. Please contact Bal Bhavan, Behind Sayajibaug, Karelibaug, Baroda.

Thai Food Festival: At Sayaji Hotel, Kalaghoda Restaurant, April 3 to 12, 2009, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Gas Pipeline Network: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) wants to increase the piped gas network in the city and adjoining rural areas. The plan is to give about 500,000 new gas connections. Vadodara was the first city in India to set up a network of gas pipelines 35 years ago.

Handicrafts & Handloom Expo: Till April 6, 10.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. At Parsi Agiyari Ground, Sayajigunj.

18-03-09

Course In Bio-Statistics: The Department of Statistics at MS University will introduce a master's programme in bio-statistics next year. This programme will be for graduates from life sciences and mathematical sciences. The two-year self-financed course will cover biology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology, statistical modelling and regression analysis. The employment opportunities are in clinical research organisations, pharmaceutical companies and medical research institutes.

Ceramics And The Pandits: Exhibition, March 21 to 23, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Exhibition Hall, Faculty of Fine Arts, MS University.

Sarees & Suit Pieces: By AAkriti (Pune). March 18 and 19, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Trisha Gallery, Vishwas Colony, Jetalpur Road.

SSC/HSC Exams Begin: Gujarat Board school examinations began on March 17, 2009. Over 700,000 students are appearing for the SSC examination, 365,000 students for the HSC General Stream and 90,000 for the HSC Science Stream. The SSC exams are being conducted at 690 centres, while the HSC exams are being held at 360 centres.

Science Park: The civic authorities in Baroda plan to set up a science park at Kamatibaug. The park, a smaller version of the one in Ahmedabad, will come in some of the areas that will be vacated as and when the zoo is shifted to Ajwa. In addition to the zoo and sprawling garden, Kamatibaug has a planetarium, a museum, a health museum and an aquarium.

End-of-Season Sale: At Seasons, till March 21, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aryamann Complex, Near Masonic Hall, Jetalpur Road, Ph: 6622527.

16-03-09

Kangaroo Mother Care: Kashiben Gordhandas Patel Children Hospital (KGP) at Baroda has started a Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) unit for premature and underweight babies at its Karelibaug unit. A similar facility unit exits at SSG Hospital's department of paediatrics. This simple and inexpensive technique whereby mothers are trained to give skin-to-skin care to their babies reduces dependence on an incubator. If the mother is not physically fit then a father or another family member can be trained to give KMC to the baby. KMC increases duration and frequency of breast feeding, prevents infection and strengthens parental bonding. Babies on KMC are discharged earlier from hospital.

MSU's Herbal Garden: The arboretum-cum-medicinal plant garden at MS University has over 300 varieties of herbs. M Sanjappa, an MSU alumnus and currently director of the Botanical Survey of India, has suggested that this facility is suited to be the 'lead garden' of the state. A 'lead garden' is eligible to get financial assistance under the botanical garden scheme. MSU's garden is being developed on a six-acre plot of land.

14-03-09

New Airport Terminal: India's civil aviation ministry has announced that Baroda's Harni Airport may be able to host international flights by September 2010. The new integrated terminal building will also be ready by the same time. It is also proposed to start cargo services from the airport. in the future. The new terminal building will be spread over 18,000 sq mts and will be able to handle 700 passengers. The centrally-air-conditioned building will be equipped with escalators and cost about Rs. 1.3 billion. The apron services will be extended for parking seven aircraft. There is a proposal to rename the airport as Sir Sayajiro Gaekwad Airport.

Expressway Expansion: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering a proposal to widen the 95-km stretch of the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway to six lanes. A six-lane road already being made between Vadodara and Surat.

ITT Facility At Savli: American engineering firm ITT Corporation has opened a production facility at Savli near Baroda to manufacture pumps and valves. The total investment: Rs. 400 million in the first phase and Rs. 600 million in the second. ITT is a large supplier of pumps and systems to transport, treat and control water and other fluids. The company is a supplier of shock absorbers to Indian Railways.

Self-Financed Universities: Three educational institutions in Gujarat have received approval in principle to set up three self-financed universities in the state. The Ahmedabad Education Society, which runs five self-financed colleges affiliated to Gujarat University, will now be amalgamate into a new entity - Ahmedabad University. It will run courses in engineering, biotechnology, life science, marine science, non-conventional energy, media communication and environment science. The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI) will set up ICFAI University at Ahmedabad to offer a four-year integrated B.Ed programme, MCA, B.Tech, MS (Finance), MBA and Diploma in Port Management. Baroda's Navrachana Education Society (NES) has got approval to set up Navrachana University. The university will start with courses in education studies offering a four-year integrated degree in teachers training. NES plans to offer courses in the field of science and applied engineering in future. NES is already running Navrachana B.Ed College at Sama, affiliated to SNDT, Mumbai.

60 Years Of MSU: On May 1, 2009, MS University of Baroda will complete 60 years of its foundation. MSU alumni in USA will be organising a two-day celebration in Washington DC. MSU has thus far made no significant announcement regarding any special celebration in Baroda.

13-03-09

Change Of Name At Anyonya: Baroda's Anyonya Co-operative Bank has stumbled upon hard times and may soon have to take on the name of the bank with which it may be merged - Saraswat Co-operative Bank. Over 120 years old, Anyonya introduced the concept of co-operative banking to Asia. It was started in 1889 by economist K.L. Kavthekar with help from Sayajirao Gaekwad. The bank once had over 100,000 depositors.

International Campus At Jambusar: US-based Virginia Tech University is in talks with Baroda based Sterling Group to set up an international campus in the city at Sterling SEZ at Jambusar in Bharuch district. The group plans to offer courses in engineering, biological sciences and business management, possibly masters and PhD programmes. Virginia Tech University has activities in Switzerland, Egypt and Dominican Republic also.

Award For Suneel Vanikar: MS University graduate (civil engineering) Suneel Vanikar, in USA since 1964, has been chosen for the Henry C. Turner Medal by the American Concrete Institute (ACI), a non-profit technical and educational society founded in 1904. He works for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Suneel's father Nilkanth Vanikar was from the last batch of ICS and was collector and commissioner of Vadodara. He is an expert in highway design and bridge construction.

Shooting Competition: Over 220 persons participated in Baroda Rifle Club's seventh Ramdas Halwai District Shooting Competition recently. Shooters from Godhra, Kalol and Bharuch also took part. The winners will participate in the Gujarat State Rifle Shooting Competition in September 2009. The contest was held at the NCC Firing Range in MS University's Pavilion Ground. The club is affiliated to National Rifle Association of India and Gujarat State Rifle Association.

Baroda Dairy's Ketchup: Baroda Dairy is toying with the idea of manufacturing tomato ketchup. According to the project report the possible site for the Rs. 70-million plant is at Bodeli in Central Gujarat. Bodeli's surrounding areas -Chhota Udepur, Pavijetpur and Sankeda - grow tomatoes on a large scale. Also on the drawing board are plans to make bottled mineral water.

Jewellery Show: By ArtKarat, Till March 15, Trisha Gallery, Vishwas Colony, Jetalpur Road. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cuisine of Rampur: Food Festival till March 22, at Azure Restaurant, Hotel Surya Palace, Sayajigunj. 7.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.

04-03-09

NISV Authorised By IBO: The IB Primary Years Program (Nursery to Grade 5) offered by Navrachana International School Vadodara has been authorised by International Baccalaureate Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland and the school has received the Authorisation Certificate. Visiting the school as part of the authorisation team were Ms. Kathy Derrick, PYP Associate Regional Manager, Asia Pacific and Ms. Premila Sen, Member Authorisation Team and PYP Co-ordinator Indus International School, Pune. An extensive interaction with the PYP co-ordinators and teachers followed wherein the implementation of PYP program in the school was evaluated. The team members also met some parents to see if the pedagogy of the program was understood. This is a major achievement for NISV as it is the third school in India to have authorisation for all three programs - PYP, MYP, DP. International Baccalaureate Organisation of Geneva, Switzerland with its presence all over the world offers three programs viz. PYP Primary Years Program from Nursery to Grade 5, Middle Years Program from Grade 6 to 10 and Diploma Program Grade 11 & 12. For any school to offer any of the programs, it is imperative to be authorised by IBO. NISV offering all three programs from Nursery to Grade 12 is now fully authorised by IBO for the same. This is a very big achievement for the school. SEE CERTIFICATE

28-02-09

L&T's Engineering Hub At Waghodia: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) recently inaugurated an engineering campus at Waghodia on the outskirts of Vadodara. This campus will serve as the headquarters of three out of the 18 operating companies in the L&T group - L&T Power, L&T Hydrocarbon and E-engineering. The campus will have 12,000 engineers by 2020. L&T plans to start an engineering college for its employees.

New Town Hall: Baroda will soon have a modern centrally air-conditioned town hall with a seating capacity of 1,000. Being built in Akota, it will be equipped with the latest music system and a hi-tech illumination system. It is expected to be functional by the middle of this year. Bank of Baroda has sponsored the entire project. The existing town hall - Mahatma Gandhi Nagargruh - seats 1,000 persons.

Award For Police Commissioner: Vadodara Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana was awarded the President's Police Medal on the eve of the 60th Republic Day. The award was in recognition of his distinguished service and commendable work in the Ahmedabad blasts case, Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarmati Express carnage in Godhra and his work at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

ART Centre: An Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) centre has been started at the SSG Hospital in Vadodara. This single-window HIV treatment and counselling facility has been set up with the help of the Gujarat State Aids Control Society (GSACS) and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). The ART team has a doctor, a laboratory technician, a data manager, a nurse, a counsellor and a nodal officer. Treatment at the centre is free.

Emergency Medicine Course: The Health Ministry in Gujarat has approved the proposal of Baroda Medical College (BMC) to start a two-year postgraduate degree course in Emergency Medicine in collaboration with South Florida University (SFU). The course will include a very brief training programme at SFU.

Plastic Surgery Course: The Baroda Medical College (BMC) superspecialty course in plastic surgery has now been recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The three-year course in Plastic Surgery was started in 1988. It can be taken after completing the master’s degree in surgery. Only two students are taken each year.

24-01-09

BITA Show 2009: January 24 to 26, 2009. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. At Akota Stadium. Organised by Baroda IT Association.

Trade Fair 2009: Exhibition & Sale of home appliances and office equipment. Till January 26, 2009, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. At Parsi Agiyari Ground, Sayajigunj. Organised by Aashirwad Marketing

VCCI 2009 Exhibition: 6th Mega Industrial Exhibition, February 12 to 16, 2009. At Navlakhi Ground, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Raj Mahal Road. Organised by Vadodara Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Children's Fair: January 24 to 27, 2009, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. At Sayaji Garden.Organised by Vadodara Municipal Corporation. Also, free entry to museum and aquarium and free show at planetarium.

Punjabi Food Festival: At Havmor Restaurant, Sayajigunj.

Awadh Food Festival: Till January 25, 2009, 7.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. at Azure Restaurant, Hotel Surya Palace.

Hyderabadi Food Festival: Hotel Express Towers, R.C. Dutt Road, 7.30 p.m. onwards, at 24 Carats.

Annual Athletic Meet: At Navrachana International School, January 25, 2009, 4.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

22-01-09

Sports Week At Navrachana: Navrachana International School Vadodara started off the new year with the 'Sports Week'. The athletic and track events were held from 19th to 21st January, 2009. Students from Grade 2 to 12 participated in a variety of events. The winners were awarded prizes on 22nd January; cricketer Irfan Pathan was invited for the prize distribution. ... More >>

Baroda's Historical Gates: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) will receive technical help from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to renovate the city's four historical gates that were built by the erstwhile state of Baroda. The gates - Champaner Darwaja, Gendigate, Panigate and Lehripura Darwaja - were built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad. A budget of Rs. 4.5 million has sanctioned for the project.

Baroda Museum Renovation: The 114-year-old Baroda Museum is due to go through a major restoration exercise. The state government's museum department's museums department has sanctioned Rs. 32 million for the work. The Baroda Museum is India's fifth largest museum. The three-year project will be carried out in three phases.

New GIDC Estates: The Gujarat government plans to set up four new GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation) estates in four tribal talukas of Vadodara - Jetpur Pavi, Sankheda, Panvad of Kanvat taluka and Dandhora in Chhotaudepur taluka. These estates will come up in the eastern part of Vadodara district. The GIDC estates that are presently functioning are in Makarpura, Nandesari, Waghodia, Por and Savli talukas of the district.

Workshop On Film-Making: Organised at Faculty of Fine Arts, MS University, in association with Institute of Moving Images. 45 days, bi-weekly, evening course, starts January 9, 2009. For registration, phone 9825471730.

Book Fair: Organised By National Book Trust in collaboration with the District Administration of Vadodara. Till January 4, 2009. At Polo Ground. 11a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sarees & Dress Material: Exhibition and sale by Jaipur Saree Kendra. Also chaniya-choli in bandhej work, hand-block printed and traditional embroidery. At Trisha Gallery, Jetalpur Road, January 2 & 3, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Co-ordinator: Anuradha Gupta (phone 9898216271).

Pumps, Valves & Systems Expo: January 2, 3, 4. At Parsi Agiari Ground, Sayajigunj.

27-12-08

Celebrate Togetherness: 'Mantranaad' has arranged a programme on January 1 (at 6.30 p.m.) during which the citizens of Baroda can come and light a candle to celebrate our togetherness. The programme seeks to allow citizens to express solidarity in these tense and trying times. The venue is the Donors' Plaza Ground, Opposite MS University Office, Fatehgunj. 'Mantranaad' is an initiative of the Art of Living Foundation. Ph: 2253197, 9925225789.

All-Women Police Station: Did you know that Baroda now has an all-women police station. Located near SSG Hospital, it was started in November 2008. The idea is to get a better grip on the increasing number of crimes against women by setting up a one-stop counter for all such crimes in the city. The station has 37 women police personnel, including a police inspector, three assistant sub-inspectors, nine head constables and 24 constables.

Rosary High Hero: Dishant Shah, 17, a class XI student of Rosary High School, is presently a member of a 12-member men's national basketball representing India in Hong Kong in a seven-day invitation meet. He has a record of sorts in Indian basketball history: the only player to represent India in the Under-16, Under-19 and men's team in a span of only six months. Dishant is six feet 10 inches tall.

Hand Work & Fusion Embroidery: Sarees, skirts, fabrics, kurtis, dupattas, salwar suits, gents wear, trousers. By Manju Jalota, December 19-20, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Trisha Gallery, Vishwas Colony, Jetalpur Road. Ph: 9898016271.

Designer Candles: December 19-20, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Shreem Shalini Mall, R.C. Dutt Road.

18-12-08

Gujarati Play: 'Lage Raho Gujjubhai', actor-director Siddharth Randeria, December 20, 9.30 p.m., at Gandhi Nagargruh, for tickets contact 9825060871.

Sale Of Sarees & Dupattas: Also stoles and kurta sets, at Tejal, 54, Vishwas Colony, Behind Khushboo Corner. Ph: 6535382. December 18 to 24, 10.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Sunday Closed).

16-12-08

VMC Wins Energy Conservation Award: The Union Ministry of
Power has given an award to Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) in recognition of the civic body's energy saving efforts. VMC's use of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) to monitor and control electricity consumption has helped to save Rs. 15 million annually over the last three years. Over 90 Indian cities participated in the exercise.

Jagannath Temple In Baroda: Baroda may get its own Jagannath temple, and it may be the biggest in Gujarat (the state has three small shrines, in Jamnagar, Bharuch and Ahmedabad). It is being planned on a plot of 18,600 sq ft at Bhayali. Attempts are being made to create a smaller replica of the famous Jagannath temple of Puri. The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs. 25 million. For details: www.jagannathtemplebaroda.org.

Honour For MSU Professor: Prof. K. Baba Pai, head of MS University's department of metallurgy and materials in the Faculty of Engineering & Technology, has won the 2008 Hindustan Zinc Gold Medal awarded by the Indian Institute of Metals. He was given the award at the 46th National Metallurgists Day celebrations last month. Having joined MSU as a reader in 1983, he has done substantial research non-ferrous metals.

Exhibition Of Pichoy Paintings: December 15 & 16, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. At Trisha Gallery, Vishwas Colony, Jetalpur Road. Ph: 9898016271.

Claymodelling, Terracotta & Wall Hangings Workshop: For children (7 to 14 years), every Saturday and Sunday in January 2009. Contact Bal Bhavan, behind Sayajibaug, Karelibaug, between 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on weekdays (except on Wednesdays). Ph: 2792718.

Tabla Classes: For children (6 to 14 years), from January 2009, every Saturday and Sunday. Contact Bal Bhavan, behind Sayajibaug, Karelibaug, between 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on weekdays (except on Wednesdays). Ph: 2792718.

Karate Coaching Classes: For adults, in the early morning hours. Contact Bal Bhavan, behind Sayajibaug, Karelibaug, between 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on weekdays (except on Wednesdays). Ph: 2792718.

13-12-08

Board Examinations: The secondary and higher secondary board examinations in Gujarat will start on March 17, 2009. Nearly 770, 000 students will appear for the Class X examinations and 325,000 for the Class XII. The examination will be completed in a fortnight. The final schedule will be announced in the second week of January.

Italian Food Festival: At Havmor Restaurant, Sayajigunj, till December 22.

Handloom Exhibition: At Red Stone Gallery, Near HSBC Bank, Race Course Circle, till December 14, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cane and bamboo products, furniture, woven murals, partitions.

MSU Youth Festival: MS University's Students Union (MSUSU) will hold its annual youth festival 'Spark 09' from January 3 to 12, 2009.

Art & Craft Festival: Till December 16, 2008, 10.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. At Parsi Agiari Ground, Sayajigunj.

08-12-08

Award For City Bus Service: Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has received a special award for running its city bus service and Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has won two awards - one for the best initiative in urban transport project and another for the most intelligent transportation system project. VMC has received the national award in urban mobility after a private operator, Bhavnagar based Vitcos Transportation Private Ltd., began its buses in the city in May 2008.

Navrachana School: Navrachana School, Sama, has decided to add a new section each in Navrachana Nursery, Std. I, II, III, IV, V & VI. Form Availability & Submission: 13th & 20th December 2008. 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Contact: 2791643, 2783766.

Petrol Price Cut: Petrol now costs Rs. 48.18 per litre in Baroda (old price Rs. 53.68); diesel costs have been reduces from Rs. 38.83 per litre to Rs. 36.63. The approximate daily consumption of petrol in Gujarat is 80 million litres and of diesel it is 250 million litres.

Designer Sarees & Suits: An exhibition and sale by Kusum Collection. December 9 to 11, at Trisha Gallery, Opposite Swagat Restaurant Jetalpur Road. Ph: 9377711357.

Apparel Exhibition: Aalamwar textiles from Hyderabad, at Trisha Gallery, Opposite Swagat Restaurant, Jetalpur Road. December 8-9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Craft Products: Exhibition of craft products awarded the seal of excellence by UNESCO & Crafts Council of India. December 8 to 21, 10.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. At Bodhi, 6-7, Abhishek, Akshar Chowk, Old Padra Road. Ph: 2324268.

Purva School Programme: Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Purva School of Bharatanatyam: seminar, workshop, dance ballet, at C.C. Mehta Auditorium, December 13, 7.30 p.m. Ph: 2486759 / 2321179.

05-12-08

New Police Station: A new police station, the city's 14th, has started functioning at Kishanwadi. Covering some of the areas that were earlier in the existing City and Panigate police stations, the new police station falls under South Zone of the city police in the A division. The city now has seven police stations in the South Zone. The new station will have one police inspector (PI), five sub-inspectors, 17 assistant sub-inspectors, 15 head constables and 65 constables.

Objective Type Question Papers: The MS University Commerce Faculty plans to introduce objective type multiple choice questions in the internal tests for undergraduate students. The objective type question paper will be optional this year, but it will be made compulsory thereafter. Over 14,000 undergraduate students in the faculty may find this system more convenient. Roughly 70 per cent of these students are from schools where the medium of communication is not English.

Best Research Paper: A research paper by Professor N.N. Mishra of the Pharmacy Department at MS University has been recognised to be the best by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. His paper was on medicines taken through the nose. His paper suggested that doses of migraine medicine administered through the nose can be more effective as the brain is directly joined to the nasal area. The dose can thus be reduced.

Handicraft Fair: At Village Craft, Productivity Road, till December 14, 11 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.

04-12-08

Bird's-Eye View Of Vishwamitri: To get an accurate view of the 28.5-km course of the Vishwamitri river flowing through the city, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation recently did a round of aerial photography using an aircraft of the Gujarat Flying Club. The exercise will be useful in resectioning of the river, relocation of the slums along its banks, and making a contour map. The existing images in Google Earth cannot serve this purpose adequately as the images are often old and the image quality is not good enough.

Voters' Photographs: The Vadodara District Collectorate has started a door-to-door campaign to collect photographs of voters to prepare Elector's Photo Identity Cards (EPICs). About 650,000 voters from the 2.8 million voters of Vadodara city and district have not yet submitted their photographs to the authorities.

Effective Conversation Programme: Sterling Hoffman Software Consultants Pvt. Ltd. have organised a one-day training session on 'Art Of Effective Conversation' on 21st December 2008 (Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. The programme will provide some insights into the effective communication skills that can help a person in personal and professional life. The basic qualities of effective communication and strategies for carrying out the same will be discussed in detail. The fee for the programme will be Rs. 350. Participants will be given certificates at the end of the programme. Please register before December 17, at Sterling Hoffman Software Consultants Pvt. Ltd., 301, Glacier Complex, Beside Pizza In, Jetalpur Road, Baroda. Ph: Tel: 0265-2357356, 2357603 (Monday to Friday). Website: www.sterlinghoffman.com

Book Fair: At Marble Arch, Race Course Circle, Opposite Pizza Hut. Till December 22, 2008. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Organised by Ashish Book Centre

Avadhi Food Festival: Till December 21, At Revival Hotel, Sayajigunj. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Times Edufest 2008: An education exhibition, December 6 & 7, at The Gateway Hotel (Taj Residency), 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Free entry.

19-11-08

Education UK Exhibition: The British Council has arranged 'Education UK Exhibition' on November 25, 2008 (12 noon to 7 p.m.) at The Gateway Hotel (formerly Taj Residency), Akota Gardens, Vadodara. The exhibition will feature over 30 academics from 25 leading UK institutions The academics will help students decide on courses and provide advice on admission procedures, entry requirements, credit transfers, scholarships, etc. Students will get the latest information on the range of academic and professional courses offered in the UK. Entry is free. For more details: www.educationuk-in.org. The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.

Large Order For Jyoti Ltd.: Baroda's Jyoti Limited has received a very large order to supply irrigation pumps, worth Rs. 5.41 billion, to Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) for the Upper Bhadra Lift Irrigation Project. The project seeks to irrigate over 100,000 hectares of land and provide drinking water to Tumkur and Kolar districts. This is supposed to be the largest pump order in India, and the largest for Jyoti too. The water lifted by the pumps will be more than five times the total water requirement of Vadodara city. The company's turnover last year was Rs. 2.08 billion. This project will be completed in three years. The Upper Bhadra Lift Irrigation Project will pump water from Bhadra reservoir to two separate reservoirs located 35 kms from the original spot. The pumps, 28 in all and each as big as a large apartment, will be indigenously manufactured, except for some of the ball bearings.

Bombardier's New Unit At Savli: Bombardier Transportation's coach factory at Savli (near Baroda) is expected to begin operations from November 13. The company will manufacture and assemble coaches for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Spread over an area of 140,000 square feet, the company has an order worth Rs. 25 billion to supply the metro coaches between November 2008 and March 2009. The company has invested 25 million Euros in the facility to manufacture coach shells and bogies and make propulsion equipment for metro coaches, each coach costing Rs. 73.5 million. It will supply 424 coaches.

Leprosy Hospital Now An SSGH Unit: The Gujarat government has decided that the Ansuiya Leprosy Hospital will now be administered as a unit of Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital. The formal approval is now awaited from the state's Health Commissioner. The medical staff of the leprosy hospital will be transferred to the SSG Hospital.

Free Screening Camp: Organised by Baroda Heart Institute & Research Centre on the occasion of World Heart Day. On September 28, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. For persons over 35 years. At 44, Haribhakti Colony, Old Padra Road, Vadodara 390 007. Phone: 2322021, 2325444. Email: info@bhirc.com

Trends & Traditions: Sale of chania cholis, sarees, corsets, tunics, shirts and kurtas, created from fabrics from Rajasthan and Gujarat. September 23 and 24, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Trisha Gallery, Jetalpur Road.

20-09-08

Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway: The land acquisition work for extension of the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway up to Mumbai via Surat will be taken up shortly by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The alignment of the expressway is presently being finalised by the consultants. The stretch between Vadodara and Mumbai via Surat is planned to be completed by 2011.

Book Lunch: By Rashmi Bansal of her book 'Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish' (a story of 25 IIM-Ahmedabad graduates who choose to tread a path of their own making). On September 21, at 11 a.m., at Crossword, Alkapuri. Ph: 2333338.

Chaniya-Choli & Kurta Exhibition: At Redstone Gallery, Near HSBC Bank, Inox Road, Ph: 9276811990, 9879473161. Till September 21.

Garba Programme: Ratri Before Navratri, organised by Vadodara Central, at Shivam Party Plot, Sama-Savli Road, 7:30 p.m. onwards on September 29.

City Artists Felicitated: The Gujarat government has appreciated the contribution of eight artists who have played a significant role in drawing international attention to the Baroda School of Fine Arts and giving a strong foundation to MS University's Faculty of Fine Arts. The artists have been recognised with the Gujarat Rajya Gaurav Puraskar. The artists are: Jeram Patel, Kumud Patel, Ramesh Pandya, Kanti Rana, Jayant Parikh, Girish Khatri, Dhruv Mistry and Suresh Parekh.

Hanuman Langurs At Reliance:Hanuman Langurs throng RIL petrochemical complex: Over 200 Hanuman Langurs are quite a nuisance at the 1263-acre Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) petrochemical complex at Baroda. They have attacked three employees working and can cause very serious harm if they manage to damage the elevated pipelines which carry highly explosive petrochemical products like benzene and acrylonitrile. The Gujarat forest department has been roped in to try and capture and then relocate them. The Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) is mainly found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Nepal, Pakistan and India.

Ethnic Navratri Creations: By students of INIFD (International Institute of Fashion Design), September 18 to 20, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at B/901-902, Alkapuri Arcade, Opposite WelcomHotel, R.C. Dutt Road. Ph: 2337951, 2356493. Chaniya choli, male kurta-pyjama, salwar-kameez, tops and accessories, home accessories and paintings.

Irresistible Dosas: Food festival at Cambay Pavilion, WelcomHotel Vadodara, till September 24. Ph: 6677044.

Pandya Elected Chairman Of Institution Of Engineers: Mr. Il Pandya, reader at MSU Techo's Applied Mechanics & Structural Engineering Department, has been elected the chairman of Institution of Engineers (Vadodara). He will hold the post for two years. He is also president of Baroda University Teachers Association and an elected member of the MS University syndicate and senate.

Grant For Solid-Waste Disposal: Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has received a grant of Rs. 470 million from the Gujarat government for solid-waste disposal. The grant has to be used to buy super suction machinery, JCBs and hydraulic trippers for disposal of solid waste.

Soccer Tournament: Navrachana International School, Vadodara, has organised the first International Inter School Soccer Tournament from 18th to 21st September at the school's Bhayli campus. Eight teams will take part. Pool 'A': Symbiosis International School, Pune (SISP); Podar International School, Mumbai (PISM); Mahatma Gandhi International School, Ahmedabad (MGISA); Navrachana International School, Vadodara (NISV). Pool 'B': B.D. Somani International School, Mumbai (BDSISM); Shri Ram School, Gurgaon (TSRSG); Ahmedabad International School, Ahmedabad (AISA); Calorx School, Ahmedabad (TCSA). See Match Schedule

Brahmi As Memory Aid: It seems that the ayurvedic herb Brahmi can be used to treat depression and improve memory and attention spans, specially for older persons. This is indicated in a study on ageing and mental health problems by the Food & Nutrition Department (FND) of MS University's Faculty of Family & Community Sciences. The geriatric research team consisted of Pallavi Mehta, Komal Chauhan and Tejal Vaishnav.

Red Ribbon Express: The Red Ribbon Express, a special railway train to spread AIDS awareness, is at the Baroda railway station for a three-day (September 17 to 20) exhibition. The seven coaches in the train provide information on HIV/AIDS through exhibition and cultural events. Counselling, testing and medical facilities are also provided. Six cultural groups travel on the train and perform skits and plays in nearby villages; each group covers four villages in a day.

Parental Workshop: At Billabong High International School, September 20, 10 a.m. onwards. For registration contact Ms. Sejal (0265-2633398, 0265-2630800).

Blossoms Boutique Sale: Sarees, chaniya-cholis, tunics, salwar kurtas. September 17 and 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Trisha Gallery, Jetalpur Road.

13-09-08

Biometric Attendance Systems: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) plans to install 'Biometric Attendance Systems' in all the schools run by the civic body. The idea is to improve the deteriorating attendance of teachers, working staff and students. The city's 115 municipal schools have a staff of over 1,900 people, including 1,300 teachers.

Grants To Civic Bodies: The Gujarat government has allocated Rs. 250 million to each of six municipal corporations to develop specific infrastructure. The grant is in lieu of octroi abolition by the municipal corporations. Some of the projects:
Ahmedabad: To build a four-lane railway overbridge and a new building for LG Hospital.
Vadodara: To build new overhead tanks at Kalali and Bapod and an indoor complex.
Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar & Junagadh: To create basic civic amenities and other infrastructure facilities.

'Raid De Himalaya': Three Barodians - cardiologist Parvinder Singh, radiologist Jayesh Shah and orthopaedic spine surgeon Yogendra Pundir - will participate in 'Raid de Himalaya' which will start from Shimla on October 2. The 'Maruti Suzuki Raid de Himalaya' is a car rally with a lower level of competition, stress and difficulty; but which allows the adventurous to enjoy the real Himalayas in a stock car, without the expensive modifications that rally cars are compulsorily subject to. This will be a rally open to cars and SUVs and will run as a Regularity Rally as per international norms. The cars will be in a separate group since they are handicapped somewhat in ground clearance when compared to the SUVs on the same event.

Mexican Food Festival: At Kala Ghoda Restaurant, Sayaji Hotel, September 12 to 21, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Ph; 2363030.

Great Maratha Cuisine: Food Festival at Azure, Hotel Surya Palace, Sayajigunj, Ph: 2363366. September 15 to 28, 7.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Shaadi Festival: Organised by Manubhai Zaveri, September 12 to 14, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Hotel Surya Palace. Jewellers, designers, gift articles, wedding planners, etc.

Wedding Collection: Sarees and salwars, bedcovers, bedsheets, kurtas. September 12 to 14, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Trisha Gallery, Vishwas Colony, Jetalpur Road, Organised by Anuradha Gupta (9898016271).

Big Buy Bonanza: Furniture, furnishings, accessories, lighting, flooring, kitchens. Till September 28. At @home, Centre Square Mall, Near Sarabhai Circle. Ph: 3926662/63/64.

Sale At Big Bazaar: At 7 SEAS Mall, Fatehgunj, Ph: 3926902. September 13 to 21.

Freight Train Corridor: To make way for the dedicated freight rail track between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai, and Dadri, New Delhi, the Vadodara district collector will acquire 750 hectare of land from 27 villages in three talukas. The 550-km double railway track will pass will pass through 12 districts and need 5,000 hectares of land. The project will cost Rs. 72 billion. Staring from Mumbai, the line will go through Valsad, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Patan and Banaskantha and then go to Rajasthan. The project includes the construction of a train yard at Makarpura station.

Anti-Retroviral Therapy Centre: Baroda will soon have a main anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centre at SSG Hospital for HIV/AIDS patients so that they will not have to travel all the way to Ahmedabad or Surat for first-line treatment. The centre will have a five-member team - a post-graduate doctor, a laboratory technician, a staff nurse, a counselor and a data manager. Gujarat has five such main centres, in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Mehsana and Bhavnagar. The main centres offer free counseling, medication, clinical advice and basic investigations. Besides these there are link ART centres that provides ART drugs to those patients who have already started their treatment through a main ART centre. There are five link centres in Gujarat, at Himmatnagar, Junagadh, Bhuj, Deesa and Godhra.

04-09-08

Voters' List For Vadodara District: The Vadodara District collectorate has released the final list of voters with photo identity cards in the 13 Assembly constituencies of Vadodara city and district. The list of 2.708 million voters is based on the new Assembly demarcations.

Flexible Fibre Optic Bronchoscope: A Flexible Fibre Optic Bronchoscope is now operational at the Kashiba Gordhandas Patel (KGP) Children's Hospital in Karelibaug. The instrument helps prevent infant deaths caused by abnormalities in the airway (infants often die due to the choking of the air pipe). This bronchoscope, a 3.5 mm thick cord, can easily operate in the 4 mm thin air track of a newborn.

Concessions On Bus Fares: The Vallabhipur Transportation Cooperative Society Pvt. Ltd (ViTCOS) has now decided to give 20 per cent concession in the fares to differently-abled persons using the city bus service. Students get a 50 per cent concession, and daily commuters get 20 per cent. Under state government guidelines, differently-abled persons get 100 per cent concession in state-run buses.

Tsunami Database: MS University has taken up a project for Hyderabad based Indian National Centre For Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to prepare a database of tsunamis in Western India. The project is a precautionary measure to prevent tsunamigenic earthquakes in Gujarat. MSU has the necessary expertise in quaternary geology. The last tsunami to hit Gujarat was in November 1945, at the Makrana Coast in Kutch.

Mental Health Course: Following a memorandum of understanding between MS University's Faculty of Education & Psychology and Roehampton University (UK), MSU will offer a short-term self-financed certificate course in Mental Health. The course will begin in November 2008 with a batch of 30 students.

03-09-08

Facelift For Baroda Museum: The heritage building which houses the 108-year-old Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery is about to be given a facelift. The Gujarat government has signed up Mumbai based Structwell Designers and Consultants for the assignment at a cost of Rs. 32.2 million. The museum is built of bricks which have been fitted in wooden columns, a fairly unique structure. The consultant is also restoring the Victoria Terminus Station in Mumbai. The museum has over 300,000 visitors annually, and about 60,000 of them are students.

German Firms Set Up Unit In City: Haver IBAU India (HIN), an Indian subsidiary of two German manufacturers - Haver & Boecker and IBAU - will set up a Rs. 200-million cement and building materials manufacturing unit near Baroda. city. The company may begin assembly at the unit by October 2008. Turnover in the first phase will be Rs. 500 million. It will hire 100 persons. The plant will make high-speed machinery and complete storing, packing and shipping lines for bagged cement.

Reema Mehta Tops In CS: Women from Baroda have secured all-India ranks in the final and intermediate examinations of Company Secretaries held in June. Reema Mehta, a CS final student, was eleventh in India and first in the city, with 544 out of 900 marks. She had earlier stood twelfth in CS foundation as well as intermediate examination. Around 30 students from Baroda appeared for the final examination, and three of them passed.

National Award For Teachers: The Principal of Navrachana School, Bijoya Bakshi, has won the National Award for Teachers for the year 2007. The President of India will give her the award on the eve of Teacher's Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She will share the honour with another teacher from Jaipur.

New Post For City Mayor: Baroda mayor Balkrishna Shukla was appointed the vice-president and treasurer of the All India Council of Mayors at a meeting of the council held at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on 23rd August.

Exhibition Of Artefacts: By SAHAJ an organisation for women's development. Beaded jewelry, garments with beadwork, bamboo basketry, lamps, bags, etc. Till September 10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Trisha Gallery, Jetalpur Road.

Sale At Crossword: Till September 14. At 2/1, Arunodaya Society, Alkapuri. Ph: 233338, 2339484.

Theatrical & Debating Competitions: Students from Vasad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Technology (SVIT) will organise a state-level event on September 13 featuring theatrical and debating competitions. The organisers expect over 700 participants from MS University alone. The event will be held at the C.C. Mehta Auditorium in the MSU campus.

16-07-08

Milk May Cost More: Milk prices are going up again in Baroda. The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the body that markets Amul, is likely to raise the price of Amul Gold, Amul Shakti, Amul Taaza and Amul Slim by Re. 1 per litre. This is the sixth raise since March 2006 and the second this year.

One More Delhi Flight: With Air India again starting the morning Delhi flight, there are now five daily flights to Delhi (Air India also runs an evening flight). Jet Airways runs a morning and an evening flight, and Indigo runs a morning flight. The city has four flights to Mumbai and one to Bangalore.

Sale At GreenFibre: Till July 13. Shirts, T-Shirts, Trousers, Denims. Siddharth Complex, Vadodara Central.

Sale At Lord's: Till July 14. Footwear for men, women and children. Niharika II, R.C. Dutt Road.

Linked Libraries: The Hansa Mehta Library of MS University is among the 22 libraries linked by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to create a networking pool named 'Inter Library Loan' (ILL). Thanks to this pool students with access to any one of these libraries can also access, online, journals and articles in all the other libraries. Among the other participating universities are Annamalai University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jadavpur University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Delhi University and Pune University. MSU students will gain access to over 8000 journals and 385 publications.

Counting Cable Connections: The Baroda district collectorate feels that the city's cable operators are not revealing the exact number of cable connections in order to avoid the payment of entertainment tax. A team of officials has been asked to conduct door-to-door checking of cable connections on a random basis.

Garden For Rare Herbs: MS University's Botany Department has been given Rs. 1.1 million by the National Plants Board to set up a medicinal plants garden. Over 200 medicinal plants from various areas have been included in the garden.

City Lab Gets NABL Accreditation: The Baroda based Food and Drugs Laboratory of the Gujarat government has now received accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Laboratories (NABL). This is the first government laboratory in India to obtain this accreditation. This accreditation will enable the laboratory to do 44 tests related to drugs and 14 tests related to food.

SEZ Management Course: The Royale Business School (RBS) in Baroda has started a postgraduate diploma course with specialisation in port and SEZ management. Presently, the Gujarat University offers a PGDM port management course. The two-year course will start from July and admit 120 students It has been approved by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). Among the course topics: port management, financial issues, logistics and marketing, how to set up an SEZ, laws applicable, permission procedures, etc.

Big Bazaar Launched: Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd. has opened its ninth hypermarket, Big Bazaar, in Gujarat in the 'Seven Seas Mall' at Fatehgunj in Baroda. Another hypermarket is planned at the Dev Star Mall that is being built near the Kalali crossing near Old Padra Road. The hypermarket at Seven Seas Mall is the company's 89th in India.

81st Marriage Anniversary: A couple in Baroda recently celebrated their 81st marriage anniversary and won their way into the Limca book of Records as India's oldest living married couple. In 1927, at the age of 9, Banwarilal married Phoolvati Devi, then 6, in Karnal, Haryana. The couple is now in Baroda with their son.

Table-Tennis Tournament: The first Open Baroda Major Ranking table-tennis tournament will be held at Hind Vijay Gymkhana (near MS University's Faculty of Technology) from July 3 to 6. The tournament has been organised by Table Tennis Association of Baroda, Hind Vijay Gymkhana and Gujarat Bridge Association.

Baroda Football Club: The Baroda Football Club (BFC) and Thailand's Arsenal Academy have got together to give good training to young footballers in Gujarat. A 27-strong squad recently made a week-long trip to Thailand.

One More Sewage Plant: Vadodara is likely to get one more sewage disposal plant, at a cost of Rs. 280 million. To be developed on 40,000 sq metres of land at Kapurai, it will be one of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) projects. For the entire upgradation of the drainage system of Vadodara, JNNURM has allocated over Rs. 1 billion. The sewage plant capacity will be 43 million litres per day.

Tiffin Service For Patient's Relatives: Ahmedabad's Sadlok Kalyan Charitable Trust (SKCT) has started a free tiffin service for the relatives of pregnant ladies admitted to the SSG Hospital in Baroda. This will be of great help for people who come from the distant tribal areas of Vadodara and the neighbouring districts. The trust already delivers such tiffins to the relatives of poor patients admitted to the emergency ward of the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and the Bhuj Hospital.

Wet Lab For Ophthalmologists: Baroda will soon have a modern wet laboratory to train ophthalmologists to conduct eye operations. The laboratory is being set up by the Dr. Thakorbhai V. Patel Eye Institute, the same organisation that also manages the Sheth M.L. Vaduwala Eye Hospital. The facility will help young doctors to learn how to minimise errors and complications while conducting cataract surgeries. In Gujarat, such laboratories are already operational at Ahmedabad and Rajkot.

Salsa Classes: By Spin Academy. Starting June 25. Contact Akash Karnatki (9825419007, 9898592432).

Sarees, Salwars, Bedcovers: Sale, June 23 to 25, at Trisha Gallery, Vishwas Colony, Opposite Swagat Restaurant, Jetalpur Road.

HSC General Stream Results: In the General Stream of the Gujarat Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, the first four rankers are girls and 12 of the 21 students in the top-10 list are girls. The pass percentage for girls was 92.87, and for boys it was 82.30. 80,749 students had opted for the science stream, compared to 302,182 students for the general stream. Out of the 302,182 students, 285,837 took the examination in Gujarati medium. Their pass percentage was 87.18. Only 13,374 students opted for English medium. Their pass percentage was 88.41. In Baroda, the top-ten list has girls only, with Disha Patwa ranked at No. 1.

HSC General Stream Results (Baroda Schools)
Rank	Name	School
1	Disha Patwa 8th in Gujarat	Maharani Kanya Vidyalaya
2	Rutu Pancholi 10th in Gujarat	Sardar Vallabhbhai Vidyalaya
3	Saptati Pandya	Alembic Vidyalaya
4	Jigisha Thakkar	Shri Vidya Vikas Vidyalaya
5	Lata Hingorani	Shivam Vidyalaya
6	Shashwati Pawar	The M.C. High School
7	Rinal Shah	Maharani Kanya Vidyalaya
8	Divya Chauhan	Heaven Vidyalaya
8	Monika Rajpal	Hari Seva H.S. Girls Vidyalaya
9	Heta Dave	Utkarsh Vidyalaya
10	Kesha Gadesha	Utkarsh Vidyalaya

23-05-08

New MSU Vice-Chancellor: Dr. Ramesh Goyal, a professor of pharmacology at LM Pharmacy College of Gujarat University, took charge as the 15th vice-chancellor of MS University of Baroda on May 22. Originally from Bharatpur in Rajasthan, he got his BSc (Zoology) and MSc (Medicine) degrees from MSU. Dr. Goyal has over 24 years of experience in teaching and research, including 17 years in the field of cardiovascular changes associated with diabetes mellitus. He has written nine books, 123 research papers and 170 abstracts in various journals. He has guided over 100 postgraduate and doctoral students in pharmacology. He was a post-doctoral fellow (1984-85) and a visiting scientist at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and also a visiting professor at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada. He has received 39 awards from various professional bodies for his research. He is the former president of Indian Pharmacological Society and Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences.