Says Shiela Christian who was one of the organizers, ``People do not have a clue about the various forms available for their use. For instance if one has shifted residence from Aundh to Salisbury Park what does one do to delete their name from the rolls at Aundh? how does one register at Salisbury Park? '' People also wanted to know till when could they register, what was the code of conduct for the contesting parties, where could they complain about bogus names being included and so on. Gautam made what till now seem a lot of bureaucratic red tape, crystal clear.

For example people can register themselves till the nominations are formally announced by the Election Commission. He gave the details of the various forms for various categories and emphasized the importance of casting one's vote.

The NSCC, in fact, is now planning to start a 24-hour help-line for people on queries about the elections. With inputs from Gautam, of course.

Time for some laughs
English plays are the happening events this month. This Saturday Event Poona brings It's A Man's World, a comedy written by Derek Benfiled and adapted by Stagecraft. The comedy will be staged at the Holiday inn at 7 p.m. The play revolves around a 37-year-old `young' man who lives only in his youth. Tony, the philanderer, who despite being happily married, is addicted to beautiful women. Both his wife and his best friend are quite used to Tony's romantic interludes. One day Tony discloses that he intends to divorce his wife Shiela and marry Julie, his latest heart-throb. Only hitch here is that Julie does not know that he is already married. The comedy arises out of the resulting situations. Deepak Morris, Shikha Tikku, Ketaki Pimpalkhare, Jean Pereira, Prashant Dua, Ashish Saldanha and Bruce MacFarland make up the cast. Will they make a good job of it? Find out yourself or watch this space.

People power
Seems like this millennium will end with a focus on people empowerment. The Christian community of Pune has organised a seminar called Freedom '99, The Challenges to face on Good Governance on August 14 at 5.30 p.m. at Nehru Hall. Arun Bhatia may have lost out on Pune, but that does not mean that people will lose out on their right to good governance. The man will address this meeting and discuss the challenges that lie before us and how to tackle them. With Bhatia who was in the eye of the storm a few months back, this sure promises to be an educating experience. The seminar is open to all.

Treating them right
High medical costs are often the reason most people ignore minor ailments, till they become too big. Free treatment may change the picture. At the ongoing free medical camp at N.M. Wadia Hospital, Shukrawar Peth, 580 people turned up on the first day itself. Two hundred children were attended to by paediatricians while 300 had eye check-ups conducted. Says an official of Wadia hospital ``Most wanted to have their eyes checked for myopia, cataract and other minor infections.''

All check-ups till August 14 will be free and medication if available will be also free. Those medications that have to be purchased will be discounted at 50 percent. Services offered are in the areas of gynaecology, paediatrics, opthalmology, ent, general medicine and even psychiatry.

That dreaded number
It's Friday the Thirteenth so can horror be far behind? Not if the eventwalas can help it. Like the last solar eclipse, this is going to be the last Friday the Thirteenth of the millennium so its the perfect excuse to have a fright time at TDS.

Besides walking under ladders and having a horrific time this Coca Cola sponsored event also has model from Mumbai Fleur Xavier who will host interactive games for horror lovers. Are you getting the shivers already?