The theme of the Hi-Tech Pune Conference is "Where IT Meets BT" it will be held at the Le Meridian.

The design of our Pune can be changed dramatically if the tree plantation pattern of Singapore is followed, and if the style of Road design is changed.

1. Tree Plantation - Singapore has beautifully planned tree plantation. They use one or two rows of palm trees that act as road divider, and one row of palm trees each on each side of the road which may also be on the pavement. This simple rule can drammatically change our city.
2. Road Design: Our road should cover full surface area available. Usually, our road ends 3 feet short of the fullest margin on each sides which creates dirt tracks and our roads never look like western roads.
3. A White Lane must always be present at the lateral terminal margin in all roads may it be an alley or a big road.
4. Aesthetic street lights
5. Lane marking on all roads
6. American Style Road Signals: The road signals must be of American style rather than British style that we follow.
7. Road Direction Indicator boards:The road direction indicator boards must be of American style and not like today where they are hefty iron structures with advertisings.
8. Bus Stations As Part of Commerical Complex: The ST stations of Pune must be a part of a huge modern commercial complex which houses not only state ST's but also all private bus operators must run their buses from that place. One area will be designated for each private company in a very huge modern computorized bus cum commercial complex with multiplexes, restaurants, etc.

Our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family of Shri Anil Kekre. He is survived by father Shambhunath, wife Jyoti and daughters Shireen Borkar and Geeta Kekre.

Prior to Zensar, Kekre was managing director, Satyam Computers-Europe, and its executive vice-president. He was responsible for setting up a base for Satyam in Pune in 1996-97,when he first came to the city from Bangalore. An alumnus of Stanford Business School, US, Kekre is not only credited for opening the European market for Satyam, but one of the two principles he added to the 'value system' of Satyam is of high value to IT professionals anywhere who need to take risks constantly to develop new technology. In a career spanning three decades,Kekre played a variety of roles in companies like Tata-IMB, HCL-HP sister concern, DCM Data products. He led the R&D design of "OO" case tool and enterprise resource planning suit "MAMIS" at Mastek.

• "A very warm and people-oriented person and a skilled manager," was how Anand Khandekar, chairman of Pace Soft Silicon, remembered him.
• "Because of his strong R&D background, he combined development skills and technical know-how with high levels of energy - both intellectual and physical. That made him a salesman par excellence. He was innovative in terms of the kind of solutions he offered to the clients. It is a big loss to Pune," said Ravi Pandit, chairman of KPIT Cummins and chairman of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA).

You have worked hard for Pune city and I extend my wishes for your elections.

I was wondering if there is any comprehensive database available with old pictures of Pune which narrates the story of this town in pictures from 1700s to present... The preservation of old sites such as Vishrambagwada is one part having Raja Kelakar. Other having a dedicated memorial celebrating Pune is completely different idea.

Hope you reflect on this proposal from a long distance Punekar.

All the best

Regards,
Jay
PhD student.