Such schools as this one in rural India will benefit from the Tampa Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser set June 28.

Approximately 350 people are anticipated to attend "Yadoon Ki Baraat," an Ekal Charity Musical Concert Saturday, June 28 at India Cultural Center (5511 Lynn Road) in Tampa. Ekal Vidyalaya looks to raise nearly $120,000 at the 6:30 p.m. event.

Providing entertainment will be the Pandya Group, which will sing ghazals, bhajans and old/new Bollywood hits. Tickets for the fundraiser are $25 each with dinner included.

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	Dignitaries at the 2006 WAVES conference in Houston.

More than 300 scholars, students, professors and other participants will meet June 27-29 at the University of Central Florida (Student Union Building) in Orlando to sort out clues from ancient Indian wisdom for the coming generations in the modern context of social, economic, environmental, and political upheavals throughout the world.

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About 1,500 people are expected to participate in the annual Rath Yatra (The Festival of Chariots) Saturday, July 5 in Al Lopez Park (4900 N. Himes Ave.) in Tampa. The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In India, the holy town of Puri, Orissa, home of the Lord of the Universe, Jagannath, celebrates this festival. The temple of Jagannath, also known as Krishna, in Puri is one of India's major pilgrimage sites. The Festival of Chariots signifies Lord Jagannath's journey from the forest into the hearts of people.

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	Vinod Vasudeva

It wasn't too long after Orlando-based "Manoranjan" hit the radio waves 17 years ago that we visited the studio as a guest of the host Vinod Vasudeva. Who would have thought that the popular show, which began on a weekly basis, can now be heard daily by listeners all over world (thank you, Internet!)? The show is simulcast on 1440 AM or visit www.wprd.com from 7:05 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6:05 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

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	Toyota Camry

Small cars and hybrids may be the craze but there is nothing like the good ole' sedan - the heart and soul of the U.S. car market. For example, the Toyota Camry is the second-most selling vehicle in the United States after the Ford F-150 pickup.

Check out the pick of top sedans

EDITOR'S NOTE: He's back! The Scribbler. We have been urging him, though it may sound like begging, to write another column since the last time he contributed for us was in August 2007. Do e-mail us your opinion about the column at [email protected]

* Guess congratulations are in order to Tata Motors. India's largest and oldest conglomerate is now the proud owner of Jaguar and Land Rover, luxury brands for which Ford Motor Co. paid $5.2 billion. The price for Tata? A mere $1.7 billion. Great bargain, sure, but can Tata revive the nearly-dying Jaguar and Land Rover names? Going back to the company's century-old history, we would count on it!
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Opening a new store or restaurant? Expanding or relocating? Has your business won an award or a mention in your local newspaper? We want to hear from you as Khaas Baat kicks off yet another new column to meet the rising needs of businesses and our readers. Call Nitish S. Rele at (813) 758-1786 or e-mail us at [email protected]

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