Mumbai Beat — Christmas message

MUMBAI, December 24: Archbishop of Mumbai Ivan Dias has extended his Christmas greetings to the people of this metropolis. In his message h...

MUMBAI, December 24: Archbishop of Mumbai Ivan Dias has extended his Christmas greetings to the people of this metropolis. In his message he said, “ Christmas gives us the opportunity to enter deep down into hidden labyrinth of our minds and hearts, memories and conscience which is the echo of God’s voice in each of us. It is time to think and judge what is lacking in us and rectify it.” Greeting the people of the state, the Governor of Maharashtra Dr P C Alexander and his wife Ackamma Alexander in their message said, “Christmas is an occasion which reminds us of the message of peace, love and universal brotherhood. My wife and I convey to the people of Maharashtra our heartiest greetings and good wishes on this happy occasion of celebrating the birth of the prince of peace. May the spirit of love and compassion epitomised in the life of Jesus Christ continue to inspire humanity.”

BJP sings a new tune
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minority cell is organising a public meeting and qawwali programme to celebrate the 71st birthday of its prime ministerial candidate Atal Behari Vajpayee on Thursday.
The programme at the Darbi Maidan, near Sandhurst Road in South Mumbai will be attended by the Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, Minister for State for Housing Raj Purohit, city BJP unit president Kirit Somaiya and other senior party leaders.

Concerts by Pankaj Udhas
In a major promotional effort for his latest album Humnasheen, ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas would give live concerts in 14 cities in the country. He would commence his concert tour from Pune on January three and give a concluding performance in Mumbai on February 14. He would also perform in Kolhapur, Nagpur, Noida, Delhi, Jallandhar, Chandigarh, Indore, Jaipur, Calcutta, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. The album comprising eight ghazals was launched here last night by Polygram India Ltd. Ghazal maestro Anup Jalota was the chief guest.

East West to revive operations
The East West Airlines which had discontinued its operations since July 1996 will resume its operations in the first quarter of next year. According to a company release here, to start the revival process the company will be opening its travel division East West Travel and Trade Links Ltd. from Thursday, the birth anniversary of its slain managing director Thakiyudeen A Wahid.
The company was clearing the pending dues of the Airport Authority of India (AAI). Before its closure, the airline was operating its air services with a fleet of seven leased 737-200 aircraft.