Amidst tight bandobast, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) today demolished 600 illegal stalls at Chembur. Around 100 police overlooked the demolition of the stalls on N C Acharya Marg below Tembe bridge, D K Sandu Marg and Acharya Garden. Seeing the big convoy of municipal vans this morning, most stall-owners began emptying their belongings and other materials, civic officials informed.

Human chain by college students

Thousands of college students from nearly 80 city colleges affiliated to the University of Mumbai formed a human chain this afternoon to express solidarity with the jawans fighting on the Kargil front. They expressed gratitude to the jawans.

The solidarity chain started from the Rajabai Towers, Fort and ended at the army's divisional headquarters at Colaba. Students were asking the officers about careers in the army. The students expressed their appreciation for the jawans who they said are braving heaviest of odds, adverse weatherconditions, great heights and passing difficult roads.

Strike by degree college teachers

The Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisations (MFUCTO) will observe a token strike on Wednesday to protest the non-implentation of the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations by the state government. The teachers will court arrest at Azad Maidan early tomorrow. Unless their demands are met, the MFUCTO has also threatened to hold an indefinite strike from July 21.

VISPA course on public speaking

VIRA Speakers' Academy (VISPA) is organising a certificate course on personality development and public speaking with video recording at V C Gurukul High School, Ghatkopar (E), for college students and working people, five Saturdays, 4 pm starting July 10.

It covers speech planning-delivery, microphone etiquette, impromptu debates, leadership and personality building. For details contact: 5113529, 5113596, 5125096.

Diploma courses in Sanskrit

The University of Mumbaioffers part-time certificate and diploma courses in Sanskrit and post-graduate diploma course in comparative mythology at the University Department of Sanskrit. Classes will commence from August 7.

Application forms are available at the University Department of Sanskrit, Ground Floor, Ranade Bhavan, Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai-400 098. Last date for submitting forms is July 31.

Certificate course in English speech

National Institute of Competitive Exams (NICE) is organising a certificate course in English speaking at Mira Road and Mumbai Central for non-English medium students and working people from July 12 at 7 am and 6 pm. The course has been designed scientifically to enhance fluency in English language, overcoming shyness, group discussion, etiquette and letter writing. For more details call 8110690.