News for the month of June Obituary for the month of June My Voice Section Hitting the High Notes: Palanpur Rocks holds Karaoke Night - A Karaoke Night organized by Palanpur Rocks at Dio's, Tardeo, Mumbai on June 20, saw enthusiastic participation from the members, including the more talented performers as well as the amateur 'bathroom' singers. Mrs. Neelam Kothari Patel awarded PhD from SNDT University - Musician-scholar Mrs. Neelam Kothari Patel has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Music by the S.N.D.T. University, Mumbai for her thesis on the "Changing Form of Thumri with Special Reference to the Changes in the Style of Presentation since Mid-19th Century". Sonam Mehta wins acclaim for her fashion collections - Sonam Mehta, 22 year-old fashion designer, has been winning acclaim for the creativity and style of her new collections. Her first show, where she launched her Autumn Winter 2009 line was at the Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW) held in Mumbai in March. New historical play by Dineshbhai Mody staged in Mumbai - A new historical drama, "Vastupal Tejpal", written by Mr. Dineshbhai Mody, Chairman, Jain Adhyaatm Study Circles Federation is now being staged at different theatres in Mumbai and other cities across the country. Aditya Mehta is ranked India No. 3 in Snooker - Aditya Mehta, currently India No. 3 in Snooker, will be representing the country at a number of forthcoming international tournaments this year including the Six Ball Professional Tournament that begins in Bangkok in the last week of June. SBPJA, Chennai conducts health and relief camps - Shree Banaskantha Palanpur Jain Association, Chennai conducted a number of medical, eye and general relief camps over the last two months in and around the city. Kirtilal's crafts diamond crown for Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati - A magnificent diamond studded crown, specially crafted by Kirtilal's, a leading Indian jeweller, was presented last week to Lord Venkateswara at the holy town of Tirupati by Karnataka's Tourism and Infrastructure Minster, Sri. Gali Janardana Reddy. Mr. Mehul Shah appeals for votes in WIAA elections - Mr. Mehul Shah of Star Brillian has appealed to all members of the Palanpuri community to extend their support to him in the forthcoming elections to the Managing Committee of the Malabar Hill (WIAA) Club. Palanpuri Industrialist sells Chemical Business to a German Company - The chemicals and windmill business of Gwalior Chemical Industries Ltd (GCIL), owned by Palanpuri industrialist Ashwin Kothari, has been acquired by Germany's specialty chemicals group Lanxess AG. This is the first acquisition made by the chemicals giant in India. Apeksha Mehta Volunteers for Rural Project with Piramal Foundation - Apeksha Mehta, daughter of Swati and Ajit Mehta of Antwerp, has been based at a village in Rajasthan for the last three months helping train the local youth in basic business and entrepreneurial skills. The graduate in Theoretical Physics from Imperial College, London has been there as a volunteer with the Grassroot Development Laboratory (GDL), a rural project being run by the Piramal Foundation in Bagar village in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. Vidyamandir students shine again in SSC/HSC exams - Students of schools run by the Vidyamandir Trust shone once again at the HSC and SSC Board exams, securing first ranks in Banaskantha district at both levels and also securing a number of other spots in the District Top Ten. Jormalbhai Mulchandbhai Bhansali (age 81) passed away in Mumbai on 20 Jun 2009 Motiben Kantibhai Shah (age 90) passed away in Mumbai on 14 Jun 2009 Pravinbhai Dahyalal Sheth (age 70) passed away in Mumbai on 07 Jun 2009 A place for happy potatoes - By Ashish Kothari - Ashish Kothari is with Kalpavriksh - Environmental Action Group. He is the son of Late Hansaben and Prof Rajni Kothari. Singing away the blues - By Pankti Mehta - Pankti Mehta is the daughter of Sangeen and Milan Rajnikant Mehta. She has just completed the Bachelor of Mass Media course from Jai Hind College, Mumbai and will be joining City University, London for further studies. Are we our own enemy? - By Apeksha Mehta - Apeksha Mehta, daughter of Swati and Ajit Mehta of Antwerp, has been based at a village in Rajasthan for the last three months helping train the local youth in basic business and entrepreneurial skills. The Changing Form of Thumri - By Mrs. Neelam Kothari Patel - Mrs. Neelam Kothari Patel is a Houston-based musician-scholar who has recently been awarded a PhD in Music by SNDT University, Mumbai. She is the daughter of late Mr. Prasenjit and Mrs. Pushpaben Kothari. a Vidyamandir Trust, Palanpur initiative 11 Kala Bhavan, 3 Mathew Road, Opera House, Mumbai 400 004, India Tel: +91-22-2368 5344 Fax: +91-22-2368 5458 Email: info@palanpuronline.com Website: www.palanpuronline.com