Besides, 17 illegal shops and gallas were also removed by officials of the East (Varachha) Zone. About 1500 square metres of land was made open for road construction, SMC officials said.

Hottest day
The city experience the hottest day of the season on Monday with the mercury shooting up to 42.8 degrees C. This is the first time that the 42 degree mark has been crossed. The city has been reeling under extremely hot conditions for the past two days. The streets wore a deserted look in the afternoon with people preferring to remain indoors to escape the heat.

Singing contest
The South Gujarat Youth Development and Recreation Club has organised a `Best Singer of Gujarat' contest on May 24 and 25. To be conducted in two rounds, i.e the semi final and final rounds, youth between the ages of 14 and 20 are eligible to take part in the contest. The final round will be held at the Gandhi Smruti hall on May 25. Those interested should register their names at the club office in Zampa bazaar area of the city.

Animal workshop
VADODARA: The Vadodara Centre For Animal Rescue and Emergency (VCARE) has organised a two-week workshop on animal welfare beginning May 11. The workshop for children between four and 13 will be held at Hotel Welcomgroup. Those interested should contact on 354825 from 10 am to 5.30 pm.

Peace award
Dada J P Vaswani of the Vadodara-based Sadhu Vaswani Mission was awarded the U Thant Peace Award at a function in New York recently for his spiritual activities. The award has been named after the late secretary-general of the United Nations. The award, which included a citation, was presented by Chinmoy of the Peace Meditation at the UN, according to a press release by the Mission. Former Soviet Union premier Mikhail Gorbachev, South African leader Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa are its former recipients.

Appointed
A meeting of the Bharatiya Telephone Employees' Union Class III, which was held recently in presence of Vadodara Telecom General Manager Rakesh Babu and chaired by veteran journalist Kirit Bhatt, unanimously appointed I F Desai as the union president with V S Kulkarni and K R Parmar as vice-presidents.

Jivan Yatra
The `Jivan Raksha Yatra', which was flagged off on Friday, travelled through several villages of Dabhoi and Shinor talukas. Additional District Health Officer Sabnis, health officers of the Chandod and Shinor Primary health centres presided over functions held in these villages. The yatris, after a night halt in Chandod, visited Thuvavi, Kayavarohan, Kundhela, Pisai, Shanor, Santhod, Varai and Vadaj villages of Dabhoi taluka.