Date:12/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/12/stories/2006051213640400.htm

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar birthday celebrations

NEW DELHI: To mark the 50th birthday of the Art of Living Foundation founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, its Delhi Chapter will celebrate "Anand Swarn Utsav" at Talkatora Garden here on Saturday.

According to Art of Living release, a nationwide movement will be launched through the Sri Sri Sanskara Kendras for children aged between seven and 12 years starting from the Capital and National Capital Region. Divine "satsang" will be organised at the venue.

The Kendras aim to foster moral values in society in conformity with traditional values based on scientific reasoning.

WESAK-2006

NEW DELHI: Maitreey Preksha Seva Mission, a spiritual and charitable society, will celebrate "WESAK-2006" festival at Indian Society of International Law auditorium here on Saturday.

A world festival of spiritual unity, initiations and universal faith, WESAK is celebrated annually with a view to imbibe a feeling of love, peace, harmony and charity among people.

The Mission's founder president Shyama Raj devotes her times to many charitable causes including taking care of lepers, abandoned and neglected senior citizens and street children.

Quota demand in legislatures

NEW DELHI: President of the All India Federation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, Maharishi V.N. Kaushik on Thursday demanded that 27 per cent seats in local bodies, State Assemblies and Parliament be reserved for the Other Backward Classes (OBC). Mr. Kauhik said uplifting and advancement of the OBC would not be possible without reservation in the legislatures and Parliament.

Summer workshops

for children

NEW DELHI: The New Delhi Municipal Council is organising summer workshops for children in its three schools for a month beginning May 15. The workshops will be held at Navyug Senior Secondary Schools in Sarojini Nagar and Lodhi Road and NP Bengali Girls Senior Secondary School in Gole Market. Children can opt for training in painting, drama, Kathak and Kuchipudi. After completion of the workshop, an exhibition of their paintings will be organised. Children will also be presented certificates for their participation.

Court decision welcomed

NEW DELHI: Delhi Abhibhavak Mahasangh has welcomed the Delhi High Court decision to ban interviews during admissions to nursery classes. In a statement, Mahasangh president Vijender Gupta said rampant corruption was prevalent in public schools at the time of admissions and interviews cannot assess the talent of children.