Human Rights and Labour News

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Talmiz Ahmed Leaving Oman?

What is cooking for Talmiz Ahmed the Indian ambassador to Oman? KM learns that a "special party" is being organised by the ambassador who is back from Iraq.Many people have received the special invitation for the party...a send off party? .Watch this space.

Pravasam

Keralamonitor in the News

Meet Sree Kumar Pai

After a temporary disruption, KM is resuming the Malayalam News section which will facilitate Internet use for many ordinary visitors who are not comfortable with the English language. .Editor

K M Mate of the Week Sameera Reddy will be in Dubai to open Cellucom Shop..More

Dead Soldier's Mother says,
Bush You Killed my Son

Gulf Air Appoints New GM UAE

Manama, Bahrain: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has announced the appointment of Khalifa Al Rayes as General Manager UAE with effect from 1 September this year. More

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Magician Samraj : Failure as a Gulf Malayali Successful as Magician...Watch this space

Radisson SAS hotel kuwait appoints new executive assistant manager

Blood Thirsty Bush

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Kalathilakam Sruthi Bhadran

Sruthi Bhadran

KM Photos Click

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Gadio with the Minister of Communications & IT, Shri Dayanidhi Maran in New Delhi on September 10, 2004.(Friday)

Click to Read KM Special

Pravasam

New Iraqi PM a Longtime CIA Source

New Faces in Leo Burnett

Dubai, UAE, September 7, 2004 - Manning Selvage & Lee, an entity of the Leo Burnett Group of Companies (MENA) and one of the region's fastest growing public relations firms, today announced the appointment of Mazen Hayek as managing director of the Dubai regional office, replacing Sheila Kaur. Full Report

John Stevens Asteco's General Manager Sharjah office and Director of Property Management. More

Doctor of Paintings

Dr.Sreekumar from Sharjah is more a painter than a doctor..His experiments with the paint brush started when he was just 3 years old.He was awarded te Kalaprathibha title for the kerala university youth festival of 1989 and 1990 Full Report

Oommen Chandy Meets Manmohan

KM Exclusive Photographs

KM Reporters

New KM Columnist goes back to September 11

M.P. Bhattathiri, Retied Chief Technical Examiner to the Government of Kerela, Karmana,
Trivandrum More

Introducing Indian Journalists

Madhu Nambiar Prominent Malayali

Baju George is doing anacademic study for his Ph.D thesis under the guidance of Dr.B.Ramesh, School of Social Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala. More

Sruthimol S

Sneha from Sharjah(click)

PO Box 72280 Dubai Media City CNN Building Second Floor HD No 27 UAE Mobile: 009710504618815 Phone: 009714319 4317 Fax: 043914888/89 Email: gulfmonitor@dubaimediacity.net

Jai Sai Krishna son of Chandrashekharan and Gigi Dubai will celebrate his first birthday on August 23 - click for detailed view.

Is Microsoft's Firewall Secure? Some say Win XP SP2 enhancements cause conflicts, don't protect as claimed.

Indian Airlines Does it Again: Flight delayed by Six Hours.

One more Indian Airlines flight from Sharjah to Calicut was delayed by about 6 hours yesterday. The flight which was to take off at 11 pm did not leave. Passengers had to wait till early morning in the airport itself as the airline did not give them accommodation. They could not contact the media or complain to the concerned authorities. They all left the airport. M.P.Abdul Samd Samadani was also one of the passengers.

Media Monitor - Journalism Under Fire, writes Journalist

The job of trying to tell the truth about people whose job it is to hide the truth is almost as complicated and difficult as trying to hide it in the first place. Unless you’re willing to fight and refight the same battles until you go blue in the face, drive the people you work with nuts going over every last detail to make certain you’ve got it right, and then take hit after unfair hit accusing you of “bias,” or, these days, even a point of view, there’s no use even trying.

DestinationOman 2004 Print Edition Launched

MUSCAT Sept 15, 2004. His Excellency Mohsin bin Khamis al Balushi, the Undersecretary of Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, launched the 2004 maiden annual print edition of DestinationOman at function held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on14th September 2004.The 136 page beautifully illustrated book is a visual treat, that has foreword written by the Minister of Tourism Her Excellency Rajiha bint Abdul Amir bin Ali and boasts of principal photography by one of Oman's most celebrated photographers His Excellency Mohammed al Zubair. Full Report

Ras Al Kaimah Residents Remember the Earth Quake Shake

RAS AL KHAIMAH - Residents of the Ras Al Kaimah emirates feel scared when they look at the cracks on the building walls created by a minor earthquake that shook the region two years back. This was the first time that an earthquake happened in the RAK region, which lies geographically close to Iran - a seismically active country. "The earthquake created minor cracks on several buildings in the area. "My shop building had a developed a major crack due to that earthquake. Now I have repaired it," says a Malayali merchant, who resides in the area. The first earthquake happened in the early morning and it was followed by an after shock. More

Chandy takes new lead role in covering up Kovalam Palace Theft

Umman Chandy the state chief minister is playing very safely to serve the private businessmen who has been illegally occupying the Kovalam Palace. While making a cleverly worded statement about the state government acquring Kovalam palace, he remained silent to questions like who owns the property now and will the government give compensation to the Galfar group. This is a continuation of the corruption story started by the Muslim League/Congress ministers who are also part of the syndicate which will own this multicrore hotel deal. While all the records showed that the Kovalam Palace is a state government property, where is the question of taking over from the Galfar group. It is an issue of illegal occupation facilitated through corruption and nepotism. The state government continues to dilly dally on the issue by keeping many details about the deal secret..Watch this space.

KM Marches Ahead with 25 lakh Hits in 5 Months!!!

Kerala Monitor Gets 25 lakh Hits in Five Months 406954 Page views and 123138 visits. We feel proud that the site which was started with a few pages and handful of visitors is reaching such a wide spectrum of readership. Search engines like google, yahoo and msn messengers direct net browsers from different parts of the world to Keralamonitor.com. More than 40 per cent of the viewers have used Windows XP operating system, which indicates the high profile nature of KM readership. Windows XP users accounted for 1017690 hits. view Statistics

 

Annan declares Iraq war illegal and warns of election credibility -- Israel's pipe dream: getting oil from Iraq

Achuthananthan Strikes Again: Umman Chandy is deeply involved in Lottery Scandal

The fireband opposition leader V.S.Achuthananthan has fired another shot against the corrupt UDF government by coming out with new facts about the nexus between the state government and the illegal lottery busuiness in the state. According to Achuthananthan, the sudden removal of K.Sureshkumar, Lottery Director from the post is a desperate move to stall all the ongoing raids and investigations against the multicrore lottery scandal that cause many problems for the state economy. Read Full report

Chalabi falls from Grace when he opposed Israel's Iraqi Gas Pipeline Dream

Why is Israel so interested in building an oil pipeline from Kirkuk to Haifa? The whole idea sounds preposterous, given the likely reaction from the whole Arab world. The not unreasonable perception would be that the attack on Iraq was just to let Israelis steal Iraqi oil. But the idea just won't go away . It appears likely that Chalabi's fall from grace is because he reneged on his agreement with the neocons to give favorable treatment to Israel in its raping of the resources of Iraq. Chalabi reneged on his agreement presumably because the people of Iraq simply wouldn't stand for the idea of a pipeline to Israel. An oil pipeline would be an obvious target of fundamentalist terrorists, both while it was being built and during the entire time it was operational. It is difficult to see how it could ever be economically viable, given the costs of protecting it and the inevitable sabotage attacks. What could Israel be thinking? Full report

Iraq in Pictures - Shots missed by International read American Media

Click image to see 100s of photographs showing American and Iraqi casualties in the bloody neo-colonial war

Milosevic, to Saddam Hussein himself

American Media Cover Up Massacre in Iraq, US Targets Independent Journalists

Every day, US military forces in Iraq are attacking civilian populations in a calculated effort to drown a growing popular insurgency in blood. But one would hardly know the dimensions or brutality of the atrocities being carried out in the name of the American people from the sparse and sanitized coverage provided by the major press and broadcast outlets that purport to disseminate “the news.” More

Government Takes Back Kovalam Palace Illegally Occupied by Galfar

Congress takes back what BJP Donated?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ending one phase of a political drama created by the ulterior move to hand over the Kovalam Palace Hotel to an unholy nexus of NRI businessmen and politicians, the state government today decided to take over the Halcyon Castle and 4.21 hectares of surrounding land in Kovalam, near here. The historically important palace and the adjoining area have been illegally possessed by the Muscat based Galfar group, whose Managing Direct Dr.P.Mohammed Ali has been closely linked to prominent state politicians. It may be recalled that Kerala Monitor has a special reason to feel elated as the issue was first highlighted through this small portal (We proudly reproduce this story which appeared on February 21 2004). More

One more Milestone for KM Reporting

The state government decision to take over Kovalam Palace hotel from the Galfar group is a crucial decision taken in view of the growing public opinion against the dubious deal. While the issue has been highlighted in various media sectors, it was Keralamonitor.com which reported the issue for the first time. When the entire Kerala media was shying away from reporting against the most powerful Galfar group and its politically influential Managing Director Dr.P.Mohammed Ali, KM boldy reported the truth that the Kovalam palace deal was a total fraud. Even when the mainstream media and social organisations rallied behind the mighty NRK Tycoon from Musat, who was bestowed with the best NRI award, KM boldly reported the fact. KM retains no personal enemity to the Galfar cheif AND admire him for his humble beginnings and other good deeds. However, no one will support such unholy deals which included corruption of the highest order. Kerala is not Oman. One may get away with serious crimes in Oman, but Kerala with its strong democratic institutions will never tolerate such deals. We dont believe that the problem is over. The state government decision may be followed by a legal dispute, the public verdict on the issue is crystal clear. KM stand is vindicted in the Kovalam issue too. - Editor KM. More

Media Monitor - Interview with Editor Arabia Newspaper, Dubai

SHARJAH - Sharly Benchamin, editor in charge of Arabyayile Sultan (The Sultan of Arabia), a Malayalam Weekly Newspaper from the UAE, is just back from Kerala after interviewing Omman Chandy, the new state chief minister who is also handling the NRK department. Sharly speaks to KM about the magical formulae that attracted UAE Malayalis to spend their precious time and money for a Friday Newspapaper. At a time prominent Kerala newspapers like Deepika and Malayala Manorama are planning to launch Dubai editions, Arabia magazine is well positioned in the market to lure readers and advertisers. ""Currently we are running a campaign to introduce people's representative for overseas Indians in their parliaments on the basis of proportional representation. Urdu Express, another newspaper published from the same group is campaign for similar representation to Pakistani expatriates in the UAE. Now the campaign has the blessing of Pakistan ambassador in the UAE - Urdu Express readership includes North Indians and Pakistanis. During the recent Onam season, Arabia focused its festival coverage on many labour camps in the UAE, which are neglected by the mainstream media. Almost all labour camps and small informal regional associations have their own Onam programmes. "We encourage small informal associations which represent very close network of people from a particular region or community. They can do something for the people from their own locality," Benchamin added. "Some problems of people from a particular area can be solved more effectively by such associations. These associations can be equated with grass root level associations which can preserve their own culture and traditions. Full Report

KM Special Investigative Story.

Radisson SAS Group official Dupe Deceased Workers Widow, Children by Fraudulently Claiming Insurance Claim due to Workers Families

Muscat -Oman is notorious for many frauds and inhuman way of treating expatriate workers, but a retired Director General of the Royal Oman Police who currently owns a major chain of bakeries and heading a five star hotel in Muscat has allegedly cheated the widow of his farm worker who died in an accident last year. According to KM Sources, the high profile Omani businessman who is member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce committees has fraudulently claimed the group insurance claim from Risk Management Services Company and denied the same to the widow and three children. The widow of the Malayali employe who spend eighteen long years with this Omani businessman is resorting to legal means to recover the insurance claim, fraudulently claimed by the former DIG. This is just a tip of the iceberg as large number of workers compensation are pending settlement and the concerned officials are hand in glove with the corrupt businessmen. How can a company claim money which is due to the worker?.Last year this prominent Omani businessman was bestowed with an award by the Omani government.Do these rich businessman really need to steal from the workers money ? Watch this space.

George Family Leaves Muscat Airport as Sex Trafficking Continues to Threaten Innocent Kerala Girls

MUSCAT - May 11, 2004 Ending a period of harassment lasting one and half years, the three member George family - George, wife and the young daughter - is leaving Muscat by Oman Air Cochin flight to night. The family has been escorted by leading social workers of Muscat. However, established and recognised institutions like the Christian Church, the Indian Social Club Linguistic Wings (Malayalam Wing) and even the local media like the Times of Oman have been keeping a safe distance from the issue. As earlier reported by KM on various occasions, the house arrest and attempts to sexually exploit an young Malayali girl is part of a major international racket which operates from Kerala and the Gulf region. While one more case is exposed due to the vigilence of some people, several other cases go unnoticed.

ChicagoWoman kills cousine for French Fry Worlds Largest Valcano may erupt

UTI MF ties up with Postal Department for Fun Distribution

The Department of Posts (DOP) joined hands with the Unit Trust of India (UTI) in distributing various Mutual Fund Schemes of UTI through its 50 post offices located across the country. To begin with, the DOP has launched five schemes of UTI namely UTI Mastershare Unit Scheme, UTI Unit Linked Insurance Plan, UIT Children’s career Plan, UTI Mahila Unit Scheme and UTI Variable Investment Scheme. More News

New Job Rackets through Internet and Virtual Offices Loots Overseas Job Seekers

by V M Sathish K M Special

DUBAI – THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – A new recruitment syndicate has apparently duped many unemployed youth from Kerala and other parts of the country and the Middle East in a smart way using a virtual office on the Internet and a temporary office in the prestigious Emirates Towers building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. It is learned that a company called Saturnjobs registered an office in the Emirates Towers two months back and hosted a website (http://www.saturnjobs.com) offering lucrative jobs in various categories to qualified and not so qualified candidates. Unlike the normal visa racket, which cheats people by charging one lakh and above for visas, this “virtual” recruiting agent has been taking only 75 pounds equivalent to Indian Rupees Six thousand, 6300 per candidate as recruitment fees. More

Bush to divert Iraq rebuilding cash

The Bush administration plans to shift $3.46 billion from Iraqi reconstruction projects to the areas of security, oil output and the January elections. Administration and congressional officials briefed on the plan said on Tuesday that it cleared the way for President George Bush, who was campaigning in Michigan, to write off 95% of Iraq's prewar debts to the US totalling about $4 billion. Al Jazeera Report

eSys Technologies announces plans for establishing reseller network in Iraq

September 14, 2004 eSys Technologies FZE, the wholly owned Middle East subsidiary of the Singapore based eSys Technologies, has announced plans to establish a reseller partner network in Iraq. The company, which is ranked as the second largest distributor of IT components in the world, will be seeking to short-list potential partners at GITEX Dubai 2004, which is to be held from October 3 to 7, at Dubai International Exhibition Centre. eSys aims to have a fully functional distribution channel in Iraq before the end of 2004. More

Omani dies --Nizwa Indian School Students Severely Injured in Road Mishap

At B'mouz near Nizwaa, fourteen Indian school students who were travelling in a private bus sustained severe injury when their bus collided with another vehicle. The injured students of Indian School Nizwa are admitted to the Nizwa Government Hospital. The accident occurred at 2.25 PM today as the bus collided with a car. Keralites, Bengalis and Omanis are injured in the accident. Many of the injured students are Keralites

Dubai's Multi-million dirham projects set to make the emirate more appealing to international visitors More

Earlier Report - Indian School Student Dies due to Reckless Driving by School Bus Driver

In a tragic school bus accident at the International Indian School, Jeddah (IISJ) last week’s, a 15-year-old Maiyada Naushad Khatib was killed. This is the third time a child has died as a result of alleged carelessness on the part of bus drivers working for IISJ. More

Gulf Air Expands International Route Networks to include Frankfurt

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman and United Arab Emirates is pleased to announce that effective 15 December the airline will increase the frequency of its operations to Frankfurt Am Mein by the addition of four services from Abu Dhabi International Airport to the German city This announcement follows the airline's recent news that its all economy subsidiary, Gulf Traveller, will begin flights between Abu Dhabi and Birmingham in November this year. James Hogan, President and Chief Executive of Gulf Air said the expansion of the airline's international routes is further reinforcement of its commitment to providing the best possible service and travel options to its customers. Full Report and more News

Passengers Complain about Theft of Airlines Luggage in India-Gulf sector- Watch this space.

New Rules Introduced to Deglamourise Indian Air Travel Sector

The entire aviation industry is being made to adapt new rules because the driving paradigm of the aviation market has shifted from status to price. Ten years ago, it mattered less on account of providing quality services by the only existing airlines such as food, delayed flights or conduct of airhostesses. Today it matters a lot because customers have a choice between airlines. And because customers have a choice, a government owned airline also has to go out, market itself, and when need be, change the value of marketing. Three years ago it was convenient to think of air travel as a mode of transport for the elite. A Delhi-hiruvananthapuram - Delhi economy class ticket would make a residents wallet thinner by Rs. 25,000. For that sum, he could go to London and return. In fact, planes would take off with empty seats rather than offer cheap fares and fill them.More News

Microsoft Launches Computer Fingerprint Scanner More

Microsoft Reveals Nine New Ways to Get in Touch With the PC

REDMOND, Wash. -- Sept. 8, 2004 -- Microsoft Corp. today unveiled nine mice and keyboards tailored to today's consumer-computing activities with innovations that set new standards for convenience, comfort, mobility and wireless connectivity. Debuting intuitive and intelligent features -- including the company's first hardware products with fingerprint recognition technology -- these new devices deliver easier and more enjoyable ways to access and share information, whether at home or on the go, revolutionizing how people get in touch with their PC every day. More

Sheikh Ahmed calls for fairer funds allocation at Sportex

Dubai - Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed Hasher Al Maktoum, winner of the UAE’s first Olympic gold medal, said today he would like to defend his men’s double trap shooting title in Beijing, China in 2008 but added his decision depends on the level of official support he receives.Speaking at Sportex Middle East and Gulf Stadia 2004 – the region’s premier sports and leisure show underway at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre - said the UAE’s governing sports bodies could do more to boost individual sports. ‘Now that I have won, I am in a position to talk about the problem with sports leadership. Our governing bodies complain about lack of money but I have seen more funds being allocated to football,” Sheikh Ahmed said.“I have nothing against football but there should be fair allocation to all sports, especially individual sports.” More (Click photo for detailed view)

 

Illiteracy Alarmingly High in Los Angeles

Click to Read KM Special Pages and Special Reports Crime, Social Clubs, Special Investigative Reports, Health Monitor, Workers problems and much more

Emirates to fly 600 flights to India at cheap rate

Emirates Airline will operate about 600 flights to India from November 1 onwards taking advantage of the temporary open sky policy of the Indian Government. The Airline's very cheap rate to India will pose a major challenge to the national carriers which are accused ocharging very high airfare.

Benazir Bhutto lives in Jumeirah Dubai?

DUBAI - Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto is living in Jumeirah Dubai at a posh palace. KM Learns that Mrs.Bhuto who has been facing threat to her live and other harassment including some investigations into her financial affairs, has found a peaceful home in Dubai. Being haunted by the military ruler of Pakistan, she has apparently found a safe home in Dubai. She lives with her mother and children in Jumeirah, very close to the VIP palaces. Recently two people who were taking pictures of the seaside Pakistan residence (Bilawal House) of the Bhuttos"in a suspicious manner" were apprehended and handed over to police, but they were allegedly allowed to go free...Watch this space.

 

Jordan Queen with IBM officials to promote computer education

Chicken Pox infected Security Guards Asked to work

At a labour camp of a leading security firm in Al Qouz the situation is awful, as infected workers have not been granted their much-needed medical leave. "We have about 12 employees suffering from chicken pox. However, they still come in to work," confirmed an employee. This is not an isolated case and in some companies there is a lacuna to help such patients. There are many companies which provide treatment and leave, but there are exceptions as well," said a source at the camp.Full Report

Jeevan TV Muscat Franchisee illtreat workers?

eSys Technologies sets up Middle East's first repair facility for faulty memory modules

Express Highway Project - join Discussion Forum

Development in any segment is a welcome theme but we need to set priorities for the betterment of the society as a whole. In a state like Kerala, there are more demanding issues such as providing clean drinking water, relief to poor desparate farmers, improvement in the healthcare conditions, educational assistance to the poorest but deserving and needy, etc. It is an endless list.Nobody in the modern world is against a highway project but we need to ralize that a project of this magnitude needs substantial amount of money. Private parties may invest but will collect it back with a profit. Ultimately, the common man will have to bear the burden. Initially, let us make him capable of surviving so that he can travel on the fast track. Full Message Join

Tanmia launches "Certified Professional Human Resource " program

September 03, 2004 DUBAI - The National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia)
has launched the region's first "Certified Professional Human Resource and Compensation (CPHRC)" program that aims to provide world-class training to UAE National job seekers to take up employment in the field of Human
Resource Management and Development. Full Report

Gulf based Malayali Goldsmiths being recruited to handle Truck loads of Saddam Gold looted by the US occupation forces. They have reportedly detected huge quantity of gold owned by the former Iraqi President - watch this space

Gulf Air's all economy Subsidiary Expands Network

Gulf Traveller to Commence Daily Direct Flights From Abu Dhabi to Birmingham in 2005

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Kingdom of Bahrain and Sultanate of Oman today announced the expansion of its international network with the introduction of non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Birmingham International Airport, commencing early next year. Full Report and more News

Israeli spy Ring Controls America? Jewish Telecom firm Recorded Clinton-Monica Sex Chat?

The Ken Starr report on Whitewater describes how Bill Clinton informed Monica Lewinsky that their phone sex conversations had been recorded. At the same time, Clinton ordered the FBI to cease the hunt for an Israeli mole known to be operating inside the White House itself! So here we have a foreign nation able to listen in on most phones at will, using taps that cannot be found because they are built into the phone system itself, and willing to use the information gleaned from those calls to blackmail Americans into any desired course of action. This may well be what Ariel Sharon meant when he stated that the Jewish people control America. That the information gleaned from these phone taps is being used to coerce the behavior of key individuals in the US Government and media is illustrated by the manner in which the government and the media have handled this scandal of the largest spy ring ever uncovered inside the United States, and of phone taps on all of our phones. They are downplaying it. Actually, burying it is a better word. Full Report

Thousands of school students face identity theft IBM Recalls 553,000 Laptop Power Units Worldwide

World Oil Prices and the Indian economy

Paranjoy Guha Thakurta*

When international prices of crude oil touched a record high of US $ 49 a barrel on August 20 as violence in Iraq flared up, it sent shock waves through the world. Oil-importing countries like India received the news with considerable trepidation as soaring energy costs were bound to fuel inflationary pressures. So long as the country imports close to three-fourth of its requirements of crude oil, the Indian economy is bound to be vulnerable to oil price shocks.Ful Report

Girl of three left in filth for two years despite her father's pleas

A girl aged three was left for two years to live in "unspeakable filth" and sexually abused when social workers failed to act on repeated calls from her father, school and health workers, a watchdog said yesterday. Full Report

KM Exclusive Photo:

Oomman Chandy is the New Kerala Chief Minister

Thiruvananthapuram - Senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy was tonight elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party, leading his way to become the next state Chief Minister following the unexpected resignation of A K Antony. Chandy, 61, who rose from the ranks to become the third most important Congress leader in the state, will be sworn in tomorrow as the Chief Minister. The dramatic change of guard marked the first break from nearly three decades of Congress leadership alternating between K Karunakaran and Antony. Eight-time MLA from Puthuppally in Kottayam District, Chandy, Convener of Congress-led UDF, emerged as the unanimous choice at the CLP meeting held here in the presence of AICC observers led by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee who later announced his election. Congress High Command representatives Pranabh Mukherjee and AICC General Secretary Margaret Alva held one-to-one meetings with Congress MLAs, senior leaders, KPCC functionaries and leaders of UDF constituents eliciting their views on the new Chief Ministerial candidate. (KM)

5,000 Residents of Marina Bandar Colony face Uncertain Future

DUBAI -25 year old Marina Bandar Colony Near National Park will be demolished as nearly 5,000 residents -Indians, Pakistanis and Arabs --face an uncertain future. The rapid development of the city is unsettling life for many ordinary residents. Dubai Municipality will demolish old buildings and there are many old buildings in the city that have reached the maximum maturity. -Watch this space.

Malayali Lady Rescued from Dubai Prostitution Racket

Dubai Construction Company Provides accommodation to four Indian Workers after Khaleej Times and Gulf Madhyamam Reported their Plight. Read the special report by V.M.Sathish (KT) and Jaleel Pattampi (Gulf Madhymamthat) that prompted the company to take immediate action.More click photo for detailed view.

For over one month they have been living here without any basic facilities like toilets, electricity, or drinking water.The workers who came to Dubai recently in search of their livelihood after paying huge amounts of money to an Indian visa agent have ended up working for the company during the day and sleeping in an open space adjacent to the site, which is located in Deira, the heart of the city. The effect of severe summer heat and humidity is clearly evident on their faces. It is learned that three workers, Jagadish Lal, Madan Lal and Mahendra from Jaipur in Rajasthan state of India have paid Indian Rs80, 000 each to get an employment visa. These mason workers were promised Dh850 as salary and company accommodation. The fourth worker is one Jawahar Ali from Pakistan who came to work for the company, after paying Pakistani Rs1.5 lakh to the visa agent. Since their arrival they have been living in the open space. The company gave them just a bed and asked the workers to live there.More

Onam Memories of Eleena

Going back to September 11 History

September 11th. This day has changed the history of the world .People have seen cruelty in the original form and some have not even recovered from the great mental depression. Let us express our feelings towards the sufferers of the tragedy on September 11, 2001, at New York and share with all some of the feelings of millions of educated on "Terrorism" and about the
difference it has made in our lives, individual and collective. More

“South Asia bound by a shared destiny: PM

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said that the people of South Asia are bound together by a shared destiny. He said the future belongs to the “shared management of our inevitable interdependence”. The Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to multi-sectoral and multi-faceted regional cooperation. “South Asia needs a new vision for the future backed by credible strategies that have the backing of the common people and can reverse the adverse tide of strife and suspicion”, said Dr. Singh, while speaking to a delegation of senior South Asian policy analysts from seven institutions in the region here today. More News

Abu Dhabi's west coast set for tourism development New five-star resort to spearhead region's promotion

(Abu Dhabi, August 2004): With extensive beach and desert sands that have remained undiscovered by overseas visitors, the region around Jebel Dhanna in the Abu Dhabi emirate is set to become the latest Gulf hotspot for tourism, according to industry figures. The opening this autumn of the deluxe 109-room Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna is expected to fuel interest in the undiscovered attractions of the west coast of Abu Dhabi, offering a comfortable and appealing base from where both leisure and incentive travellers can explore farther afield than the traditional UAE tours.Fish, dive and drive safaris are available as well as exclusive tours of the Sir Bani Yas wildlife reserve island, located just 9km off the coast. More

Antony Follows Mahabalis Route by Quitting Chief Ministership Full Report

Salalah Port in US$ 249M Expansion to Meet Demand

30th August 2004 Management at Oman’s Port of Salalah is predicting a boom in the region’s shipping industry over the next decade. Both port management and authority have invested US$ 249 million in two new berths and a 2.5 km breakwater that will be completed early in 2006. In June, the port also won a two year management contract for Jordan’s Red Sea Aqaba Container Terminal.

Agni Test Fired More

Nair, Ezhava and Muslim Onam Celebrations - celebrities demand Rs.1 lakh for participating in NRK Onam Feast

Price Tag of celebrities to take part in Onam feast - Suresh Gopi - Rs.50,000 Ganesh: Rs.1 lakh, Janardhanan Rs.1 lakh

MUSCAT -August 29 2004 "Kanam Vittum Onam Unnanam" is a Malayalam proverb which advises Keralites to sell even their property to celebrate Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala, which recalls an ideal society which is believed to have existed in the past without any discrimination. Even before Karl Marx wrote Das Capital Keralites visualised a classless society and no wonder the state has the reputation of electing the first communist government in the world through ballot (not bullets). However, Onam celebrations in the Gulf where large number of Keralties are working, is proving to be a costly affair as many VIPs from political and entertainment field are becoming too demanding. While Mahabali visualised a society free of caste and creed, our Gulf Malayali associations which are divided on caste and religious grounds are vying with each other to show maximum pomp and vanity by indulging in extravagance and bringing celebrities. In Muscat there are special Onam for Nairs and Ezhavas seperately. Even though the NSS and SNDP are coming together , the Nair and Ezhava friends of Muscat have seperate Onam feasts. While the Indian Social Club Kerala Wing which claims to work according to the principles of Karl Marx is bringing the popular left leaning academician and scholar Dr.K.N.Panicker, its class enemy the NRI Federation representing the SNDP is brining a leading politician as chief guest. It is doubtful how many of the Kerala Wing "comrades" will be free from alchohol. Despite its secular pretentions, the club leaders are very particular about providing special prayer rooms at the Onam feast venue in the star hotel. A few years back when the famous poet Kadambanitta was the chief guest for Onam, the main organisers were fully or partially drunk. Let us see whether Kerala Wing comrades will embarass our historian guest!!! More

KM Editor feels honoured by a special invitation given by Gulf Madhyamam, a leading Malayali Newspaper published from Dubai to contribute an Onam Memory column in Malayalam for its special Onam supplement. We proudly reproduce this Gulf Madhyamam report here. More Halliburton official from Baghdad Exclusive report by V.M.Sathish Halliburton, an American oil and construction giant formerly headed by Dick Cheny, US Vice President, has been in the news for getting multibillion defence and oil-related contracts associated with the British American coalition forces in Iraq. .Full Report

Wataniya Telecom launches new national GSM network Canada is investigating suspected Israeli fugitive involved in a New Zealand spy ring

SSLC Examiners to Gulf Countries Get Wine, Woman Money?

I would like to draw your attention to S.S.L.C examinations conducted in the UAE by Kerala State Government. It is an open secret that teachers who are associated with the Education Ministers party (whether it is LDF or UDF) will be deputed to supervise examinations in Gulf countries. In return, these teachers bring valuable gift items from Gulf for the minister and personnel staff. These teachers in turn adopt a 'make hay while the sun shines' policy and try to derive maximum benefit from their visit. School authorities in the Gulf offer 'whatever' these visiting invigilators ask for. Some people are contend with a few electronic items like DVD, VCR, Handycam etc., while some others are offered wine & women also. This is the secret why the schools in UAE score 100% pass in SSLC examinations. I have noticed that some students (whom I know personally), who are below well average level, has scored more than 60% in their SSLC exams. More

Dubai eGovernment announces IT competitions' winners as DSS draws to a close and More Reports

Cheating, Misleading by Agents Rampant in the Gulf Insurance Sector

MUSCAT -- A semi literate expatriate worker buys a life insurance policy from a foreign insurance company operating in the Sultanate through a local agent who assured him that if he regularly pays the premium of around RO 400 for seven consecutive years, the policy holder would get $50000 at the end! The premium amount was less and by making simple arithmetic the agent made him believe through sweet talks that the insurance policy is the most lucrative investment option. The policyholder was given the idea that he would get back $50000 after seven years. However, the poor policyholder realised only after seven long years that the policy he bought would mature only after 13 years and that he would not be eligible to get back the full amount of money promised by the agent. He or his nominee would have got $50000 only if he met with an accident or death during the policy coverage period. On maturity he would be eligible to get only a small amount! Full Report

US intelligence tortures and abuses Iraqi children

An Army investigation into the Abu Ghraib prison scandal has found that military police dogs were used to frighten detained Iraqi teenagers as part of a sadistic game, one of many details in the forthcoming report that were provoking expressions of concern and disgust among Army officers briefed on the findings.Earlier reports and photographs from the prison have indicated that unmuzzled military police dogs were used to intimidate detainees at Abu Ghraib, something the dog handlers have told investigators was sanctioned by top military intelligence officers there. But the new report, according to Pentagon sources, will show that MPs were using their animals to make juveniles -- as young as 15 years old -- urinate on themselves as part of a competition. Full Report

Dubai Men's College Drives New Concept of 'On-Demand' Learning

India and Kuwait Agrees to Extradite Criminals

The following is the text of the joint press statement issued on the conclusion of the two day Visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs, State of Kuwait H.E. Sheikh (Dr.) Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah here last evening More

N computer worm can wriggle into you bedrooms and secretly hijack webcams to spy on people.

A warning was issued yesterday about a new "peeping Tom" computer virus that can take over computers and invade homes and businesses.The Rbot-GR worm installs itself in users' machines like a normal virus, but then secretly takes control of the webcam and microphone, sending images and sound back to the hacker who dispatched it. The virus enables hackers to see everything another user does in front of their computer and hear everything they say without their knowledge if their webcam is switched on, according to Sophos, an Oxford-based anti-virus firm, the Guardian reported. Full Report

e-TQM College continues accepting registration for 4th term of its Masters programme

DUBAI - August 21, 2004 eTQM College, the Dubai-based electronic college specialising in conducting online programs in Total Quality Management (TQM), has announced that it is continuing to accept registration for the 4th term of its Masters programme in Total Quality and Performance Management.The two-year postgraduate course is the first of its kind in the Middle East, launched in collaboration with the University of Bradford in the UK, ranked the 16th top university in the world. It is the only programme at such an advanced level to offer learners in the region the flexibility of distance learning and e-learning. More

Malayali worker pledges wife to get Visa to Gulf - Watch this space.

Babulal Gaur was today sworn in as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Gaur was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Balram Jakhar at a function at the Raj Bhawan More News

Kuwait Foreign Minister in India to discuss Refugee Issue

Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohd Sabah Salam al-Sabah will arrive here tomorrow for a three-day visit. The ongoing hostage crisis besides bilateral ties is likely to figure in talks Al-Sabah will have with External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh More

DNRD calls on the public to be vigilant against visa confidence tricksters

August 21, 2004

The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) has appealed to the general public to be increasingly vigilant against groups involved in the production and sale of counterfeit visas for entry into the UAE. Recent investigations conducted by Investigation and Control section at Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department, lifted the lid on groups engaged in the production and sale of fake employment and visit visas. The members of these groups befriend individuals and offer them a chance to buy an employment or a visit visa. They then print the details of the person seeking entry into the UAE on a fake blank pink colour visa sheet and sell the fake document at rates between Dhs 3500 to Dhs 5000. Authorities had recently apprehended individuals involved in the racket and recovered 58 fake visas and Dhs 39,900 in cash from them. The counterfeits are easily recognisable because of the inferior quality of the paper and the absence of many embedded security features that form an important part of an authentic visa. More

Jose Chacko, Honorary financial advisor to NRI Federation writes about the implications of taxation of NRI interest income

Air India Does It Again!!! Special Onam Gift to Gulf Malayalis Assiciations silent!

DUBAI - Remembers, quite some time back all these keralite communal organisations in Muscat and other Gulf countries were threatening to boycot our national airlines due to exorbitant fares charged by them to various destinations in Kerala. Their actions were supposed to be for a common good cause and requested every Keralite's help for the success of this boycot drama. Of course, as usual simultaneously there were difference of opinion on this issue, as some of the senior members were stating that these airlines are actually helping the Keralites by extending complimentary tickets to invitees for various programmes being conducted here (actually GSA's) as well for emergency purposes. Then the whole propaganda went off as the supposed to be god fathers thought that such a mass protection will dampen the image of these leaders as they are behind this movement and if anything like this takes place, these so called leaders will loose their image and support from the businessmen, who actually oppose such movements as they are the ultimate beneficiaries of any fare hike. so everything went standstill and nothing is heard about this. It is a shame that for a few complimentary tickets, we called of this boycot plan, which in fact should have been a benefit for the poor people and thereby these airlines should have learnt a lesson. But now what happened, for the Onam they again hiked up the fares knowing well that this is another opportunity they can make money. More and Join Discussion

Talmiz Ahmed: Failure of Diplomacy in Baghdhad?

Halliburton Subsidiary Recruiting Keralites to Work in Iraq

Dubai - Halliburton subsidiary, Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) is one of the world's leading engineering, construction and services companies which has subcontracted work to the Dubai based Prime Projects International (PPI), which recruited many Keralites to work in risky Iraq Kuwait war zone.. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Houston based Halliburton, KBR employs more than 60,000 people in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. V.M.Sathish interviews Halliburton representative in Baghdhad about the death of an Indian engineer employed by PPI. Full Report by V.M.Sathish

Tanmia organises the 1st training in Call Centre operations for National job-seekers

Dubai - August 18, 2004 The National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority (Tanmia) has launched, for the first time, a training course in Call Center operations, to help UAE National job-seekers acquire essential skills needed to take up jobs as Call Center consultants. Full Report and more News

Manmohan Singh says Free Press Vital for Democracy

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has said that free press is vital for improving the functioning of democracy. He was speaking after receiving the copy of the first Delhi edition of the Malayala Manorama, the largest circulated Malayalam newspaper. He quoted Amartya Sen, who often argued that a free press is the best guarantee against the famines which ravaged the country before Independence. Like all cliches, it is true that by voicing the voice of the voiceless, the media becomes a force for good. Full Report and more News

DUBAI’S HEALTH AND FITNESS INDUSTRY REGISTERING 15% GROWTH

Dubai’s health and fitness industry is registering 15% annual growth as mega leisure projects and rapidly growing in-bound tourism create demand, according to Signature, one of the Middle East’s leading fitness and well being equipment suppliers. more News

British Journalist tells of his Basra kidnap ordeal

Kovalam Palace Special - The Galfar group which could purchase the Ashoka Kovalam Hotel and other properties in a dubious manner by "influencing" BJP ministers wanted to convert this icon of Hindu Kingdom of Travancore into another name which will identify it with another religion. Even though there were plans to take over the Kalikkotta palace at Thrippunithura it did not succeed. It is ironical that the BJP Government, which claims to represent resurgent Hindu nationalism, handed over such an icon of nationalism and Hindu monarchy to a business group at throw away price.The saffron party staged a nationwide vendettaa against the minority community and tried to rectify what they claimed was a historic mistake by demolishing the Rama Janmabhoomi temple of Ayodhya. It is their claim that Babri Masjid was a temple converted into a Mosque by the Muslim invading Kings. What is surprising is that how can ministers of a government which upholds such an ideology hand over an icon of Hindu nationalism to a foreign business group? Now the state BJP and its youth wing are engaged in a campaign to "protect" Kovalam Palace. How was O Rajagopal, the state BJP leader and former minister involved in handing over the Hindu palace property to another group! Money is the greatest God and no other force could bridge the religious gap!!!

"I am a regular visitor of your site. Your bold courage in publishing the truth is something unique in this media world.Regarding the subject of Kovalam palace Transfer, I feel,after reading your news of today, Mr. P. Mohammed Ali has been cheated by the Seller whoever might be, by making him to beleive that, Palace is part of the deal."

Criticise, Advise KM like this Messenger from CNN.com?

I just came across this website, I have to say that I only have to laugh, because I was quite confused exploring the site. the information seems to be scattered in many places. also some of the links do not work. You have 1 link to "talents" and another to "dances". they bought have almost identical things. another thing is that the pictures that you have loaded up are of inferior quality. I know you can do a much better job than that, only if you research a little more. Apart from that , you have a km mate section ??. what the hell is that?.. I was shocked to see some dude kissing down a girls neck and ther other "covered" porn pic that you have in your news column about the internet fraud. those pictures are quite dimeaning and should be taken off this instant. I advice you add more pictures, learn php and make use other web building skills, add more ppl to your website crew and get a better page out these. I dont see why arent able to do that since there tons of ppl out there with great ideas, only if they are given a chance, can they prove themselves. I have to say that the website designer needs to go through a lot of learning, before he cam put up a professional page. please take this as an advice rather than an insult and you thank me when you see the number of hits on your website go up!. later brotherz!

16 school children killed, 40 injured in Assam I-Day blast

Gauhati -At least 16 school children, including nine girls, were today killed and 40 others injured when ULFA militants exploded a powerful bomb at the venue of the Independence Day celebration in Assam's Dhemaji district town, around 400 kms from here.The blast, triggered by a remote controlled device, took place around 9 A.M. at the entrance of the Dhemaji college ground where a number of school children had gathered to take part in the I-Day parade, official sources said.Sixteen school children were killed in the blast and 40 others, most of them children, injured. The condition of 15 injured was critical, the sources said The explosion triggered by ULFA, which had given a boycott call for I-day celebrations, set off unrest in the town with people pelting stones at police vehicle to protest the deaths of children.

KM Crime Monitor

Crime Monitor - A 20 year old Pakistani younth has been stabbed to death by his friend, another Pakistani who reside in Safa areaof Dubai. The young boy, Sabir from Peshawar was hit with a sharp knite early morning by his friend turned foe early morning (2 A M)

Malayali Trapped in Several Chque Bouncing, Liquor Trading and Traffic Cases

DUBAI - An young Malayali from Kannur who had handed over his passport to a friend now find himself as the "most wnated man" in many citiy police stations. Apparently his passport has been extensively used to open bank accounts and paying post dated cheques by a Pakistani, who gave him the visa. So be careful with your passport - Watch this space.

Muscat special - OHI Garment Workers in Dire State

Judicial Proble into Kovalam Deal Sought, Transfer all documents to Parliamentary Council

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - August 15 2004 All the legal documents pertaining to the dubious Kovalam Hotel deal should be immediately handed over to a Parliamentary Council followed by a thorough judicial inquiry into all aspects of the deal, demanded the Kovalam Palace Protection Council. More

Terror alert for Pope's pilgrimage to Lourdes Security xperts on standby for symbolic visit

Paris -Unprecedented security measures were being finalised last night around the pilgrimage site of Lourdes as France prepared for the arrival of Pope John Paul II tomorrow amid official recognition the event was a potential terrorist target. Police units specialising in biological, chemical and nuclear attacks were on standby after local officials said they were taking seriously the possibility that Islamist extremists might strike the centre during the Pope's visit. Full Report

Media Monitor

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, with the copy of the first Delhi edition of Malayala Manorama in New Delhi on August 17, 2004 (Tuesday) More

Independence Day Special Meet

DUBAI - Chiranthana Samskarika Vedi, a leading socio cultural association in the UAE and City Man will jointly organise a special independence day evening at the Diera Folara Hotel in which many prominent socio- cultural activists will take part. Puthoor Rahman (Kerala Muslim Cultural Center -KMCC), K. Balakrishnan (IAS), N.M.Shaduli (IOC) V.M.Sathish (Journalist), Sharlie Benjamin (Arabia) P.M.Ahmed Sharief (Indian Media Forum) and Naseem Punnayoor (Kerala Shabhdham) will speak on the occasion. Thirumuttam Award will be given to the winners. (Kairali TV) and Kuzhoor Wilson (Asianet Radio) will be given the Thirumuttam Award, said T.K.Ummar, Chiranthana Samskarika Vedi Chairman in a statement. (KM News)

Independence Day