The Bombay Autorickshawmen's Union will hold a dharna in front of the Income Tax Office at Bandra on May 25 in protest the introduction of a professional tax on them. The decision to impose a tax of Rs 500 had been imposed on autorickshaw drivers by the government in the recently concluded assembly session. In a press release the general secretary of the union Sankar Salvi claimed that the imposition of the tax amounted exploitation.

Sahyog award for skating

Shrutika Chandwani (7) has bagged a special award instituted by the Sahyog Foundation for breaking the Limca Book of World Records in limbo skating. The award will be presented by Chief Minister Narayan Rane on May 27 at the 11th annual function of the Sahyog Foundation.

Another special award this year goes to the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) for promotion of Hindi language, stated a Sahyog press release.

Essay contest on ageing

The Indian Association of Retired Persons will hold anessay writing question for individuals above 18 years of age. This year the essay will be on ``Active Ageing Makes a Difference''. The essay can be written in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English and should not exceed 2,000 words.The last date for receiving the essay is June 25 by 7 pm. For further details, contact the association at Gohil House, next to New Citylight Cinema, Lady Jamshedji Road, Mahim, Mumbai 16 between 5.30 pm and 7 pm on weekdays, or call Ram Agashe, vice president on 4463732 from 9 am to 11 am on weekdays only.

Debate on NATO'S role

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is organising a public debate on ``External Military Intervention to Address Human Rights Violations'' on May 25 from 5.45 pm to 8 pm at the Bombay YMCA, N Parekh Marg, Colaba. The speakers on the occasion are Haung Quan Heng, Chinese consul-general, Michael Bates, British Deputy High Commissioner and Achin Vanaik, noted political scientist from Delhi. For further details contact: Bhaskar on 2020079 andDilipkumar Bhaskaran on 3790699.

Poster contest for school children

The World Wide Fund for Nature-India will organise a on the spot poster competition for school children. The competition will be held in two batches - one for children between 8 and 12 and for teenagers between 13 and 16. The competition will be followed by a slide show. Children can contact the office between Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm on 2075142, 2071970 or 2078105.

Upanaynam at Chembur

The Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust will conduct a group upanayanam, the 68th in the Series, on June 4 at Bal Vikhas Sangh Hall, Gandhi Maidan, Chembur. Those interested can contact S Pattairaman (5282246), S Vaidyanathan (5576536), R Ramamurthy (4024307) or T A Vaidyanathan (6210227). Concessions will be given to deserving cases.

Training course for architects

Tangent Software, developers of a software TAD Designer Lite for architects, will conduct a three day training course for architects. The training will be ofthree hours each, and will be held every Monday and Thursday.

Architects can call on 7901031/2/3 or fax on 7632021.