From dancing to essay competition and from mime to elocution, the evening extended well into the night. It began to a lukewarm response in an almost empty auditorium, but the tempo picked up as the heavy duty music system began to belt out latest Hindi chartbusters.

Western dances, Bharat Natyam and the old hit Aadha Hai Chandrama Raat Aadhi interspersed the sequence of latest hits from Hindi film and pop albums dominating all satellite channels. But at times, the five-minute restriction for every item had the participants in a spot of bother.

So when the rollicking Chamma Chamma the Urmila Matondkar sizzler from the China Gate was being enacted by a particularly enterprising participant, the operator switched it off; abruptly ending the performance.

The public speaking contest was a bit of an anti-climax after the exciting song and dance sequence with participants often left gasping for breath. The topics were routine: ``Where is our younger generation heading?'', ``The impact of television'', ``Importance of English'', ``Women's reservation'' and ``Can't religion and politics be seperated?'' among others.

You don't expect all local VIPs to turn up for a programme organised by an organisation that is just coming out of shell. But from the municipal commissioner to the SGCCI president all turned up.

The winners included: Essay/business letter writing; Smitha Menon (First), Ishrat Shaikh (second) and Vrushali Darkar (third) and Swati Lamba (consolation). Dancing: Pragya Sethia (first), Vaishali Thakar (Second) and Shivani Rana (third).

The winners of the public speaking contest included: Devangi Dharaya (first), Renuka Singh (second) and Vishal Jain (third). Singing; Nisha Pillai (first), Panaklal Helloise (second) and Shiv Prakash (third). Archana Singh pocketed the prize for Mime. Commissioner S Jagadeesan, Surat Citizen's Council Trust I J Desai and NICE honorary director Dr V K Kaul spoke on the occasion. The programme was anchored by Carol Khambata.