Keeping track of this week's snakes and ladder score:UpSafety during diwali, with the city fire brigade gearing up for the festival of lights and any possible mishaps. Nearly 450 personnel will work round the clock and 14 tenders, two rescue vans, one snorkel, three water tankers, two jeeps and six ambulances will be pressed into service, according to chief fire officer L.N. Raut.The Pune Municipal Transport (PMT) and Pune Municipal Corporation School Board Employees, with Chief Minister Manohar Joshi signing the orders that grant them the ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2,750, putting to rest the controversy that had dogged the PMC for a fortnight. Goddess Lakshmi has finally smiled.Rural women's education and empowerment, with the launch of a three-year Indo-Japanese project to be implemented in 12 villages. A joint effort between Ashita No Kai (a Japanese NGO) and the KEM Hospital Research Centre, the aim of the project is to promote literacy, health, nutrition, sanitation and vocational training among rural women.Entertainment, with the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation standing committee approving an ambitious adventure park project on 17 acres of land at the quarry site near Chinchwad. To be equipped with a swimming pool complex, aquarium, jogging part, and a tropical forest cover amongst other highlights, here's to a good time!The visually impaired, as Sparshgandha - the first ever Diwali issue in Braille - is released for publication.Efforts towards ocean preservation, with the Indian Maritime Foundation organising a two-day concert of the Naval Central Band in the city. The two performances were dedicated to 1998 - the International Year of the Ocean as declared by the UN General Assembly. The cause gets waves of support.DownTraffic movement in the city, following the closure of the seven-decade-old Sangam Bridge for repairing the major cracks that developed on the bridge. What aggravates the chaotic traffic scene around the Maldhakka Chowk, the Raja Bahadur Road, Juna Bazaar and Station Road are the heavy showers that leave the roads all clogged up and the commuters not just wet but exasperated too.
