SFI Wins college union elections Malayali killed in Oman, Join the discussion forum Transparency in Religious Institutions, ChurchIndia, Israel Vow to fight Global Terrorism Abhayankar shunted to Brussels.Send Onam Greetings click link Sixty three per cent increase in traffic to kerala monitor 4,10140 file request per month/ The School Issue is Far From Over, Now Police Investigation also?Malayali Lady, Found Dead, Possibly a suicide Case Covert Operation: The Act of A single NRI or a gang of tycoons, diplomats , politicians and their stooges in GulfONGC Helicopter Crash Kills 2, 24 missing ISM Principal School Board Chairman, members, SMC Members, Principals, Teachers, Students join KM Discussion ForumTuition Racket Resurfaces in Indian Schools - Teachers deliberately compel students, parents to take tutions. Special teachers handle only elite students. Watch this space.Airlines Ditch Keralite passengers Once Again Oman Air reduces airfare to Kerala by RO 20.K **Sex Scandal Hits British Schools as students are filmed nude in dormitory ** Discussion Forum Heating UP Kerala Monitor News Portal Discussion forum goes live with debate on Private Vs Community schools **. Share your valuable views with our readers at the new discussion forum A cyber platform to express your views ** Keep your identity confidential and participate in live cyber discussions on any topics of interest to the community. Take your nick name and start lively debate.***

HEALTH MONITOR

Envoys present redentials to President More

Thousands targeted in £350 million investment scams in UK

Hundreds of thousands of people have been targeted with offers to invest money in art, wine, jewellery, worthless shares and even
property for development. 'Unsolicited approaches are accompanied by exaggerated claims about the likely returns. In fact the goods turn out to have little or no real investment potential, or may be sold at such an inflated price, a loss is almost guaranteed.

Government clarifies on Fake Government Bond Scam More Indian News Kuwait Education Ministry under fire over issue of schoolgirls hijab More News

Spread Of HIV/AIDS Could Take Economic Toll On Middle East, North Africa

Washington, Nov 20: Left unchecked, the HIV/AIDS epidemic could cost the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region approximately one-third of today's GDP by 2025 according to a recently published World Bank report. HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa: The Costs of Inaction urges policymakers to take action while overall HIV prevalence is low, to stem the epidemic and avoid human suffering and economic decline. More

Kerala among states chosen for C'wealth Local Govt. scheme More News

Internet Use Growing In Developing World

Nov 20: A U.N. report released today shows growing Internet use but uneven growth of e-commerce in developing countries.The E-commerce and Development Report 2003, by the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development, shows that developing countries account for 32 percent of the world's 591 million Internet users, up from 28 percent in 2002.More News

KM Discussion forum active

SFI Emerges victorious in CMS Campus Election, Sweeps MG University Election

 

KOTTAYAM - The college unions in Kottyam are dominated by the Student Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of CPI (M). In all the college union elections held today, the SFI emerged victorious. In the Basallius college, ABVP, the students wing of the BJP and KSU, student wing of the Congress won two seats.

 

Following the recent victory in the Ernakulam Lok Sabha constitutency, the left parties continue to retain favourable public opinion in the state - thanks to the infighting in the Congress.

There are clear symptoms that the red wave is still powerful in the most literate state. Open war between A K Antoney and K Karunakaran is becoming a boon to the marxists More.

Kairali Gulf Pageantry Canceled? Watch this space

Sixteen districts selected for IT Training

Sixteen distinct initiatives are proposed to be taken under the National Programme for Human Resource Development in Information Technology. Each initiative has a specific objective and a definite plan of action. These were considered indepth at the recently concluded conference of State education secretaries (Technical) in New Delhi More News

No plan to reduce cap on FII, NRI investment in Banks

Responding to reports appearing in a section of the Press that the Government is planning to reduce cap on Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) holdings in private banks, from 49 percent to 26 percent, it is clarified that at the current moment no such decision has been taken by the Government of India in this regard. Neither has any official communication been issued in the matter More News

Federal Bank, SBI Officials join hands with NRI to Cheat Depositor

NRI who cheated a Delhi Businessman of Rs.67 crore imprisoned

New Delhi, 18th Nov: CBI has arrested an NRI, Antony Joe Kingslay Fernandez on charges of cheating a rich old man of Delhi and his son, a British citizen of nearly Rs. 67 Crore. Fernandez was produced before the CMM, Delhi and was sent to Judicial Custody for 14 days. CBI registered a case against Fernandez following a complaint made to the Investigating Agency by a Delhi- based businessman, Anand Kumar. The businessman's two sons are settled in Britain since more than 20 years and they together own 12 departmental stores in England and Ireland. In early 90s, his younger son Mukesh Kumar decided to invest money in India because of higher interest rates More News

Psychology Exhibition organized by Kerala University College New method to detect leaky steam generator at atomic station developed Organising Committee for 2010 Games More News

Brazil Leans Away From Microsoft, adopts Linux software

American woman soldier was gang raped in Service during Operation Desert Storm

Sharon Mixon is one of dozens of American women soldiers who’ve spoken to the Denver Post about being sexually assaulted in the military.As part of the Guard, Mixon served as a combat medic during Operation Desert Storm. Dealing with blood and death was part of her job, she says, but nothing prepared her for the nightmare of being gang raped by fellow American soldiers. Sharon Mixon is one of dozens of women who’ve spoken to the Denver Post about being sexually assaulted in the military.As part of the Guard, Mixon served as a combat medic during Operation Desert Storm, says the report. Dealing with blood and death was part of her job, she told the paper, but nothing prepared her for the nightmare of being gang raped by fellow American soldiers, says an exclusive report in More

9 held for raping Filipina in Kuwait

Kuwait City: Police have arrested nine Kuwaitis for allegedly raping a Filipina at a camp off the Seventh Ring Road, reports Al-Anba daily. Records indicate, four of the suspects allegedly kidnapped the victim and drove her to the camp, where they had sex with her. Later, they invited five of their friends who also said to have raped the woman. More News

Migration Conference Focuses On Impact Of Globalization

Nov 18: The International Organization for Migration opened its 86th council session in Geneva today, with participants focusing on the impact of global liberalization on migration. Approximately 175 million people currently reside outside their home country, IOM said.

Discussion forum Activated by Debate on Student Behaviour, Tutions

Teachers walking out from class is a common thing in ISM, which shows the teachers lack of interest, abusing the child and disocuarging them is also very common in ISM, if the student is not capable of grasping something it is upto the teacher to take a little more effort and time and make sure that child gets good attention sans the tuition. Arent you paid to ensure you are doing a good job Principal has to stop teachers from thriving on the business they call tuition, unless it is absolutely necessary there is no need for a student to take tuition and waste his or her precious time More

  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE TO COME UP IN FOUR REGIONS

The government proposes to set up National Institutes of Science (NIS) in the four regions of the country, in a bid to give a greater boost to research and development activities in these parts. To cover the Western region there will be one NIS located in Pune, for the Eastern region it will be based in Utkal, the southern in Chennai and the Northern region will have it in Allahabad. More News

Dr Joshi for strong steps to check exploitation by private engineering colleges

Concern for quality tech education prevails at State Education Secretaries' Conference

Nov 15: Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi today appealed to all-India regulatory bodies and state governments to devise ways to check exploitation of students seeking technical education by private educational institutions. Addressing the conference of state secretaries of education, the Minister emphasised that the government is all for participation of the private sector but not commercialisation of education. The Minister said that the exploitation of students by private educational institutes starting with selling admission forms at exhorbitant rates, administering their own admission tests at different places, charging huge fees and asking for donations on various pretexts must end soon. The regulatory authorities, viz the UGC and the AICTE along with state departments of higher / technical education must evolve a workable solution to this menace which is resulting in enormous mental and financial burden to the aspirants and their families, Dr Joshi said More

Indian School Students liberally use Four Letter Words

" I was there for the sports day and was so embarassed by some of the high school boys using the word 'f' (****) at least 20 times until i had to move away. My child is in a smaller class and I have decided not to let him be in ISM when he reaches middle school, it scares me to think my son could be standing behind someone and saying the same words. This is a language we never use in our homes. Probably this is the language the boy is taught at home or school, i have no clue," writes a concerned parent of Indian School Muscat. DISCUSSION FORUM

Careless Parents blamed for Indian School Students indulging in sex in school premises

By blaming the School only for all what is happening in the Indian Schools is not justifiable. We the parents are responsible for such atrocities. We have no time to look after our children, we do not want to teach them basic courtesies, we do not want our children to behave in a cultured manner. It is some kind of escapism. I feel that mothers are more accountable and responsible for the absolutely bad behavious of their children. Of course, husbands are also to be blamed, because they are henpecked and they are scared to tell their spouse what is wrong and what is right. Now there is a general tendency that these idiots belive whatever their wives say is correct and the result is you bring up your children giving all freedom to wander here and their and provide them with sufficient money to enjoy their life without evening bothering to see their academic performance and displine in the life. Children are provided PC's with Internet connections at their bedrooms so they get private to visit any site to their choice. This way they don't disturb parents wanting their favourite serials / movies etc. To make their children like broiler chicken they feed them with high rich foods so that they find it difficult to control their sexual desires and school is the only place for such activities because so many belong to such categories.

Poor Service by Filling Stations in Muscat?

The service rendered by filling stations is very poor.Recently Shell inaguarated a new filling station saying that they hoped to exceed expectations!What a hearty laugh,leave alone exceed,they do not meet even the basic requirements. Look at the appalling state of the toilets.some of them are permanently locked or located far off from the convenient stores. Even the attendants hardly take trouble to clean the windshields of the car.I suggest that Shell should go to UAE to witness the service of Emarat or EPPCO or ENOC.They are more concerned with profitability at the expense of customers.

Indian School Students Smuggle in Drugs, Pornography and Crackers to class rooms!

e-TQM College to launch the first e-learning based Masters program in the Middle East

Dubai -November 8, 2003 e-TQM College, the Dubai-based institution specialising in conducting online programs in total quality management, is launching a Masters program in Total Quality and Performance Management. The program is the first of its kind in the Middle East, in conjunction with Bradford School of Management and the European Centre for Total Quality Management (ECTQM). More News

Dubai eGovernment and Zayed University sign MOU More News

Indian School kicks out pregnant teacher

MUSCAT --Managemet -read the Principal - of one of the Indian Schools in Muscat has kicked out a pregnant Keralite lady teacher, after appointing her as a permanent teacher for two years.For a married lady, becoming pregnant from her own husband is a natural development and a joyous occasion, but the school principal acted hurriedly in a barbarian manner and kicked out the teacher from the school just to save a few hundred Rials for the management. The principal canceled the original appointment letter and issued a new anointment letter, Her fault -- becoming a mother from her legitimately married husband. Harassment of teachers without any reasoning continues and the Indian Schools are going back to the good old days --stone ages! Watch this space.

KM Discussion - Control Sex near Church, Temple locality?

Do you realise that the church parking lots in Ruwi and Ghala is used by some local people for sexual activities in cars? This happens in afternoons and late nights. You can see cars with dark tinted glasses parked with their engine running and the air-con at full blast. You should keep caretakers to monitor all vehicles parked in your compound. Instead they are all over the place, laughing and joking with the public. Read more about the frank and fearless remark by a participant in the Discussin forum.

Discuss -Anglo American Colonial Domination continues in PCO?

We ...are amazed,that these American-British Church still hold onto colonial mentalities and that there are still Indians there who accept this attitude !!!Wake-up guys, this is 2003 and not the 1900s!! Everybody has the right to question/comment on the money spent by them !!! Committees are appointed to do a better job than the previous committees!!! Not just to enjoy their term in office. After discussing the matter of the PCO with a large section of the Protestant community, I found out that their denominations are well managed financially and every member of their congregation keeps questioning the expenses and also helps in controlling waste of money. Money from any religion should be used for propagation of their faith and for social and constructive purposes.More

Ruwi High Street..porn high street! Discuss

Localisation has been doing good to the people of Oman in some segments.
But in another segment, it seems it is eroding the cuture of the people. The Ruwi High Street is nowadays the scene of street hawkers selling pirated video and audi CDs, DVDs and cassettes. There are some 43 hawkers and a host of conduits selling these stuff during evening house. Once the clandestinely sold porn video CDs and DVDs are now available openly for a throwaway price of RO2.000
More

Visit only the Affluent, not the poor and Needy?

It is interesting to know that the pastors or elders or the so called council members only visit the affluent and dont even know people who are the simple and less fortunate ones, a mere hand shake in the church is not what Christ wanted. Are you listening out there. Christ wanted us to practise what we preached and not just preach because one gets paid for it. How many sick people does the church visit or is the pastor aware of?More

KM Discussion Forum

PCO pastors are seen enjoying dinner, or clubs and generally having a good life like any other secular person and there is nothing christian about them. If the church committee consists of people who are not capable then you need to appoint apt people to handle things esp a church. Christianity means to sacrifice and here we see people earning well, living a good life with their well paid jobs and facilities

It is a well known fact that the American - British will always try to monopolise the countries and people as they feel they are superior in everything and people let go all the time, but in todays world where people are moving forward , it is time we opened are eyes and not let people cheat us of what we deserve and what is ours. Stealing or making money in the name of the religion is not the done thing. What about the fixed deposit assets PCO has ( rental money ) we do have the figures and waiting for PCO to come clean. If you are keeping the Fixed deposit funds and still asking people to contribute that shows your greed and not need. More

Action on to bail out Visa Racket Agent

Visit Visa Racket involving Airline Officials

MUSCAT - While a large number of unemployed Keralite and Andhra youths have been duped smartly by the Gulf-Kerala visa racket, the higher ups involved in the racket are in action once again to bail out the real culprits. A group of Keralite/Andhra youth who were brought to Muscat and other parts of Oman after taking as high as Rs.1 lakh each faced a unique situation for them. Media reports about the racket caused panic among the Keralite agents and their counterparts in Muscat who undertook a special operation to get rid of the people brought on express visas. The Muscat agents, mainly some travel agents from Calicut, forced these people to take alcohol. Those who refused to consume alcohol were manhandled and some of them were treated very badly. After forcing them to drink whisky and brandy, the goons forcefully made some injury marks on their body using sharp weapons. Then the agents themselves called the local police and informed that these people were quarreling and drinking! Naturally police will take them into custody and file petty case. The local agents will have a peaceful life . However, the Royal Oman Police realized the game plan and based on a complaint from the victims took the main agent into custody. Later on the agents forced the victims to withdraw the case and efforts are on to bail out the culprit. Meanwhile some of the youths who were cheated have returned to Muscat and are absconding as they want to make some money by working here and there as illegal workers. The cycle is on and till the next visa cheating case is reported, everything will be quite...KM Special.

BSA honours 16 software dealers in Oman More


JM Mutual To Start Scheme For NRIs

DUBAI, OCT 24: JM Mutual Fund, which currently manages assets of around Rs 4,000 crore, will launch a long-term low-risk investment scheme for middle and low income NRIs in the Gulf. More

Panasonic's new GIGA range of Projection TVs offer 'Ultimate Home Cinema Experience'

Prostitution in beauty parlour; one woman arrested

New Delhi Nov 2: Delhi Police arrested a woman in relation to a beauty parlour racket in East Delhi, who carried on prostitution in the parlour. Ritu Chauhan who was running the parlour was arrested in Madhu Vihar area of I P Extension on the complaint of an employee that she had tried to force her into prostitution on the first day of her job. More News

17 U.S. Troops Die In Second-Deadliest Day In Iraq

Nov 3: Insurgents in Iraq shot down a Chinook helicopter near Fallujah yesterday, killing 16 U.S. troops and injuring another 20 on the second-bloodiest day for U.S. forces since the war began March 20 More News

e-Learning offers ideal solution to overcome the disadvantages of classroom learning: e-TQM College

e-Learning is gaining popularity worldwide because of its ability to overcome the disadvantages of conventional classroom learning. The focus on theoretical rather than practical learning in the classroom and the ability to obtain a degree without any practical experience can restrict individuals in society today, said Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Director of e-TQM College.More Dubai News

Iraq: Release two Iranian journalists

Nov 3: The Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq has today ordered the
release of two Iranian journalists, Soheil Karimi and Saeed Abutaleb. The two men were arrested by US forces in July for filming at a military checkpoint. More News

Obasanjo sacks head of Nigerian state oil company

ABUJA, 3 November (IRIN) - The head of the state company which oversees
Nigeria?s oil industry was on Monday relieved of his job by President
Olusegun Obasanjo. No reason was given for the dismissal, which was
announced in a terse government statement. More News

Malayalam Film Actor Narendra Prasad no more Full

Dont Worry, We will handle him properly

"I will take care of the Journalist who writes about our bank accounts. You dont worry about it. I will handle him", assures Malayali MD of the Construction Company to his senior executives in a special meeting organised to discuss KM report on CBO inquiry. - Watch this space.

Indian Shaikhs trying to fabricate false case against Indian Scribe, approach police

A Winner of lat years Pravasi Bharathi Award has approached the law enforcement agencies against an Indian scribe working for an english daily in Muscat and to stop him from writing critical reports . The prominent NRI businessman were exposed for their fradulent means of controlling two Indian community schools illegally as their private property, and charging exhorbitant fees to squeeze parents and some other cases. The scribe has been receiving anonymous threatening calls in the past for reporting the Indian school issue. While they like the media to treat them as heroes for receiving numerous awards and honours, these Shaikhs beccame restless when some accurate critical reports appeared for the first time in their corporate history - More

Recent Reports on School School News

Founder Promoter Allegedly took 10 percent Cut for Every deal including Royalty paid to Singapore Hotel Chain More

    Investigation against major Indian business tycoons

At least four members of an Indian business family settled in a Gulf country (Oman) are facing high level investigation for allegedly cheating some influential people. According to reliable sources, four members of a north Indian business family who have the citizenship of the host country are under the custody of investigative agencies for allegedly cheating and money swindling from major projects, including a hotel project. More

Sexual Harassment of US Women Prisoners

 

"Cross-gender pat searches -- which according to a state training video, involve guards touching intimate parts of the inmate's body -- are inherently degrading and inconsistent with international standards and constitute a form of violence against women" Amnesty International said. Amnesty International's action was prompted by news that Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW), the state's largest women's prison, has recently reinstated the practice after banning it for several years. The new policy introduced this year allows male guards to conduct unsupervised searches of female prisoners which involve touching the breast and crotch areas -- a procedure that was banned in VSPW in 1998 after years of complaints by prisoners of groping and other sexual abuse by male guards. More

And the Winner of Miss All Saints 2003 is--Pauline Tina (left) and the runner up is Hasna (right)

College Beauties Online (click pix)

 

 

Malayali Youth Dies in Bus Accident

MUSCAT -Rohan, a 15 year old Malayali youth is one of the passengers who succumbed to serious injuries in the ONTC bus accident that killed at least five people and injured more than 20 passengers. Rohan, the son of a Keralite lady doctor in the Ministry of Health, Oman and a chartered Accountant from Thiruvalla, was returning to Buraimi in the ONTC Bus which overturned due to tyre burst. It is a tragedy for the Keralite family to lose a brilliant and talented boy. "Rohan came to Muscat to attend Music classes and was returning to Buraimi where his father is running a business," said family friends.

Malayali stabbed at Walja Mucat. Watch this space

Saudi Arabia: Arrest of Protesters Belies Reform Pledges

(New York, October 29, 2003) -- Saudi Arabia's arrest of hundreds
of peaceful protesters in a series of demonstrations and its
continued denial of freedom of expression and assembly make a
mockery of the kingdom's pledges of political reform
Full Story

Govt Sanskrit college is totally neglected by the Government, Local Media say Union Members

Special report by R.S.Priya

Thiruvananthapuram Oct 31: The Government Sanskrit college situated in the central point of the city is one of the most neglected government colleges in the state. As most of the students in the college are not economically well off, no one is coming forward to tap the talented students or give them any kind of encouragement.When the Antony Government and the UDF constituents are going out of their way to promote private engineering and medical colleges and fully commercialise the education sector, the pathetic situation of government colleges in the sate is self revealing. Full Report

ONTC BUS OVERTURNS AT SOHAR-BURAIMI ROUTE DUE TO TYRE BURST

 

Mercy Abraham among the dead

 

 

SOHAR - Major Bus accident : ONTC Bus from Muscat to Buraimi overturned to a nearby wadi in betwen Oman Mining Center and the Buraimi boarder, causing the death of at least five people, believed to be mainly Omani students who were returning to Ajman after their weekend. Between 35 to 40 people wre believed to be in the Daewoo Deluxe bus which left Muscat ONTC station by 1.30 pm for Buraimi-Dubai in the UAE. The accident took place at around 4.30 and unconfirmed reports said 15 passengers died. "The bus overturned 3 times and the fire force and emergency squad had to cut the vehcle to take out the dead bodies. The deadbodies are in the Sohar hospital and Burimi. The Sohar hospital was in an emergency situation as some of the staff were recalled for duty. Unconfirmed reports say there were Indian passengers in the bus. The official announcement put a lesser casualty --Watch this space.

Intervention package on sex education field-tested

Oct 31: An intervention package on sex education has been jointly developed and field-tested by India and the United States. This is to create a change in adolescence level of knowledge and attitude towards sexuality and reproductive health. An effort was also made to create an awareness among the existing sources of sex education vide parents, teachers and school administrators, regarding their role and responsibility in shaping adolescents knowledge and attitude towards human sexuality. Full Story More News

Food Standards Agency issues warning about spoiled smoked mackerel in the UK

Oct 31: The Agency is advising people against eating spoiled smoked mackerel which has been on sale in a chain of supermarkets in the North-Westof England. Eating the fish, which has not been properly smoked, could result in food poisoning. The fish has been on sale in the Booths chain of supermarkets across the North-West of England.Full Story More News

Lithuania Says Russian Oil Plan Threatens UNESCO Site

Harrington- Bin Zayed Group hosts meeting with key business and government leaders in the Middle East

"The UAE economy is currently undergoing a transformation due to rapid diversification in various sectors like IT, education, tourism and
health services. In light of this, it is essential for countries across the
Middle East region to also capitalise on the opportunities available, to lead the region's transition to a new Economy", stated Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan, Chairman of the Bin Zayed Group
Full Story

Open Source Software- One day workshop inKerala/ Kerala Day celebrations and Malayalam Film Festival in Delhi Raksha Mantri addresses the Naval Senior Officers' ConferenceFull Story/ more Kerala/Indian News

Bosch initiates to expand car service and automotive parts centres in the Gulf

 Bosch president, Dr. Eugen Konrad, visits UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to oversee operations

DUBAI -Bosch, one of the leading global innovators and suppliers of automotive parts, has embarked on an expansion drive in the Middle East, by opening more car service centres and automotive parts stores across the region.

Automonitor

ADB Study of Guarantee Mechanisms to Support Asian Bond Market InitiativeFull Story

Two More U.S. Soldiers Killed In Iraq

Oct 29: Attacks against U.S.-led coalition troops continued in Iraq last night, with two U.S. soldiers reported killed when their battle tank was struck by a land mine or roadside bomb near Balad, 45 miles north of Baghdad.A third tank crewman was evacuated to a U.S. hospital in Germany (Slobodan Lekic, Associated Press/Yahoo! News, Oct. 29). More News

World Bank To Underwrite Trans-Caucasus Oil Pipeline

Oct 29: According to a leaked document, the World Bank is set to approve a $250 million loan to build an oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea to Turkey, despite considerable opposition from activists.  More

Kuwait Airways Stop Muscat- Kuwait-Kerala Air Service - Watch this space.

India calls for gender parity in basic education Country Paper presented at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Meet

Oct 29: India has called upon the Commonwealth nations to evolve a joint strategy for achieving gender parity in basic education. Empowerment of women is the most critical pre-condition for participation of the girls and women in education in the commonwealth communityMore

More News

Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry launches first live english translation of Prayers from TV studos in Makkah

Dubai, 29/10/2003: The Saudi Ministry For Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Dawa and Guidance has launched the first ever live English translation of Ramadan “Taraweeh” prayers from TV studios at the Sacred Mosque in Makkah. The project was launched under the directives of the Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs H.E. Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdel Aziz Al Sheikh More

India, Bangladesh Renewal of trade agreement soon More

30 Senior expatriate bank employees in Muscat served termination notice

Bank Muscat, the leading commercial bank inOman has terminated the services of several senior expatriate staff as partof the Omanisation drive. The banking system has been successfully implementing the localisation drive.

Explosion near ATM MachineWatch this space.

M.Mukundan Given Vayalar Award 2003 for Keshavente Vilapangal

Thiruvananthapuram Oct 27: In a grand ceremony held at the Tagore Centenary Hall here today, popular novelist M.Mukundan was presented with the prestigious Vayalar Award 2003 for his novel 'Kesavante Vilapangal'. The function was attended by prominent literary personalities which included O.N.V.Kurup, Dr.V.Madhusoodanan Nair and M.K.Sanu. In his welcome speech, O.N.V said that M.Mukundan portrayed the life on the banks of 'Mayyazhi puzha' through his novels and his award winning work 'Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theerathu is one such book which spoke of Mayyazhi Puzha. More

UAE Air Force & Defence Institute delegation visits Dubai eGovernment to study advanced solutions IFPI's regional committee meeting in Dubai joins local music industry to step up anti-piracy efforts

Bombing Spree Kills At Least 39 In Baghdad More

Indo-Australian scientific ties to look up

Oct 27: The scientific and technological cooperation between India and Australia to look up, after a gap of five years. This follows talks between the visiting Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr. Brendan Nelson and the Minister for Human Resource Development and Science & Technology, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi alongwith their delegations, over the week-endMore

KM report on Church Finances Was Totally True, says 20 year experienced Pious Christian

PCO is Still under the Colonial rule of English Speaking Pritests?

"Being PCO Service Members for almost a quarter of a century, we are ashamed to see these allegations that have gone out of PCO boundaries and beyond ovr the net (Keralamonitor.com) It is a disgrace to our PCO and the entire Christian community," writes a senior pious Christian in Muscat. As published in PCO's Friday Bulletin of October 17 for the first time about the Internet Article (www.keralamonitor.com) which was toolate and the Church Council's statement therein was totally incorrect and baseless, he writes. By simply dismissing the allegations as untrue and slanderous which were endorsed by the Acting Senior Paster, the matter cannot be concluded as solved that easily...The council should have called in for the suggestions, concerns and queries immediately in September when the article was first appeared on the Keralamonitor.com site. The PCO news on keralamonitor.com was true and correct to the best of our knowledge. First of all, as rightly reported by KM, other denominations which are under PCO's leadership sponsorship are having step motherly treatment whilsts their funds collections and income are not accounted in PCO accounts at all. Why those denominations are not taken into account for all PCO activities. During the recent visit of Bishop to PCO (Which is very rare and irregular) we understand, other denominations and leaders were not included in the audiences not even in Pastor's Monday meeting. more direct interactivity between all the PCO groups, pastors and bishops is badly needed. For Pators Weekly Meetings not all the leaders are invited or participate. Even for the recent attempt for a senior pastor candidate a recruitment interview none of the other denomination leaders were informed or invited inspite of the fact that the proposed senior pastor is not only for the PCO English speaking congregation but also for the entire PCO leaders and denominations. During the recent years we see lesser number of preachers are being sponsored by PCO when compared to the PCO's more and more personal/family members visits. The practice of excessive pay-outs, misuse of utilities, overheads, other resources and related funds by PCO must be brought down to zero. More

Dear PCO member, Even an Idiot will seal up the leak!

There is a very good reason behind using a pen-name. In fact, I am not a regular attendee.What is important is not my real name !!! The fact here is to verify if these accusations are true or not. All expenses made by the PCO should be JUSTIFIED so that the income can be maintained and increased!!!When a water tank leaks even slightly, the solution is not to pour much more water that what drips out !!! Even an utter idiot will seal up the leaks !!!!All expenses must be carefully observed and JUSTIFIED. When you can employ people of the same caliber and efficiency for a much lesser pay and benefits, why not replace the existing ones, or ask them to work under the new terms and conditions, or leave. More

Distance Education Offers Affordable Way to Boost Post-Secondary Enrollment
By Graham Dwyer

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (27 October 2003) - Every year, one quarter of Sri Lanka's secondary school graduates qualify for university, but only 3% of these gain admission. For the economy to become globally competitive, the number has to double over the next 10 years. Traditionally, education supply has been narrowly focused on a few professions, concentrating on the public sector.More

Saudi Arabia: Crackdown on demonstrators deals another blow to human rights

LONDON - "The Saudi Arabian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all people held solely for the non-violent expression of their conscientiously held beliefs," said Amnesty International. Saudi Arabian authorities arrested over 250 people during a protest demonstration held in al-U'laya district in Riyadh on 14 October 2003 which called for political reform and the release of political prisoners. Um Sa'ud, one of three women arrested with the group and held in al-Malaz prison in Riyadh, was reportedly beaten and ill-treated during her arrest by security forces.Full Report

IBM and ITG to Install E-learning platformin over 3,000 schools in the Middle East

CBO Examines bank's exposure to Construction Group' headed by NRK Tycoon

DUBAI - The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) which regulates the banking sector in Oman has advised all leading commercial banks to report their total credit exposure to a diversified Construction Company with operations in Oman, Qatar, Brunai, India and other Gulf countries. The company is headed by a prominent Non Resident Keralaite businessman with strong political contacts . The CBO advise came as a precaution to prevent the recurrance of earlier bank frauds precipitated by the Ali Redha Group, a trading company which dupedvarious banks to the tune of 50 million Rials. Some cheques issued by the Construction group bounced and the apex bank started a due diligence procedure to prevent the reurrance of Ali Redha episode. The gropup which employs nearly 4,000 workers in various prestigious building projects has been facing sever liquidity problem, as the payment for completed projects is delayed and banks almost stopped Overdraft facility. The concerned authorities are examining whether the Overdraft facility given to finance individual projects was misused in any way. Corporate world is keenly watching whether the Malayali Managing Director who has been busy building up a mighty business empire back home by acquiring star hotels and properties has lost interest in the local business. The mute question is whether the huge bank liability will fall on the local Arab sponsors, who are anyway not happy with the Malabari. The tycoon was one of the parties behind the premature transfer of the former Indian Ambassador K M Meena using money power and political clout. Thanks to the timely intervention of the CBO and Omani Government, another banking crisis may be averted. The CBO monitoring is on and a clear picture will be evident soon. "The group has lot of money outstanding for the completed projects. It is not a case like Ali Redha, but the CBO move is a matter of concern," says a top banker.

More Reports on Corruption and Fraud

     Kerala Mini Games 2003 - to start on 26th November
      by R . S. Priya
      Gulf based Indian Schools Urged to Participate: Winners to get grace market for Medicine, Engineering Examinations More

Hire the Editor to Fire Reporter!

Two Indian business tycoons, (one mentioned above and another who was caught in a financial crime) recently came out with a unique plan to get a journalist sacked from a local newspaper. The duo approached a European editor and promised to give "Sponsorship" worth RO 16,000 (Nearly 1.8 million Indian Rupees) as a reward for sacking a journalist who caused much embarassment to them. The tycoon's displeasure was caused by some reports about corruption in educational institutios illegally controlled by the two groups. The journalist who received anonymous threatening calls and letters in the past had reported the same to the higher authorities. However, instead of shielding the man who stoood for a public cause, the "editor " appeared to be more keen to consider the sponsorship-sacking-deal! In addition to get the journalist sacked, the duo also wanted to "Plant" their own mercenary writer in his place! A newly appointed senior diplomat brought in, sorry flown in, his own man as the replacement. People who fear media criticism would go to the extent of planting their own editors and reporters! Great march towards media freedom and democracy!

United Nations or United Notions? Special Feature on UN Day

Iran: Detained Professor Should Be Freed

(New York, October 25, 2003) -- Dariush Zahedi, an Iranian- American academic held without charge by Iranian authorities since July, should be released immediately and unconditionally. Zahedi traveled to Iran in June to visit his family. In early July, the 37-year-old professor was attending a meeting at his brother's office in Tehran when it was raided by the authorities More News

Iraq: Donors Should Insist on Rights Monitoring
Mechanisms Needed to Ensure Accountability for Abuses

       
       Australia to Monitor Unregistered Educational Institutions from India
       
      M.P. P Kumar - K M corresponden
       
      NEW DELHI - Australia has agreed to look into its unregistered educational institutions operating from India. These institutions run by elements from Australia in connivance with elements in India have been a source of irritant and an hurdle in the way of better educational collaboration between the two sides. More News

Construction Group's Bank Accounts Monitored, Bad Loans under Scrutiny

Bank Account of a leading Construction Group headed by a prominent Non Resident Indian (NRI) is being monitored by the concerned authorities. Some of the cheques issued by the number one construction group with diversified interest have bounced. KM sources said the bank account has been either frozen or put under scrutiny. Suppliers of construction materials have been delayed payment for several months. All the corporate loans sanctioned from a bank which incured several hundred croresof loss due to bad loans are also under scrutiny. The prominent NRI who has been managing the company is having serious differences of opinion with the new generation of sponsors. Another leading business house continues to face problems related to bad loans from the same bank. Their movement outside the country is still monitored. Banks have lost a few million Rials in another fraud case involving a major livestock company, which allegedly produced fake documents to obtain loans. Transparency, strong auditing procedures and media reporting have made life uncomfortable for business tycoons, who are doing everything possible to escape from the mess. Illegitimate pregnancy cannot be hidden from the public eye for long...

Pakistan: Children let down by justice system

Around 4,500 children are currently in detention in Pakistan. More than 3,000 of them have not been convicted of any offence; their trials have either still yet to start or have not yet been completed. more

Huge Reconstruction Business in Iraq

In assessing Iraq's needs, the donor countries will be guided by the Joint Iraq Needs Assessment (JINA), which contains a macroeconomic analysis of reconstruction and rehabilitation needs, and the most urgent requirements, in 14 key sectors in Iraq. The assessment calls for resources amounting to US$36 billion in the medium term, of which US$9 billion are needed for 2004. Known pledges, however, amount to only about $5 billion to $6 billion at the moment. more

      India-Oman plans joint Pharmaceutical Project
       
      NEW DELHI - India and Oman have emphasized the need to accelerate all measures for closer trade and economic relations between the two countries. Both countries are also examining the possibility of entering into a strategic trade alliance. Citing Pharmaceuticals as an important area in commercial cooperation, Shri Mookherjee said that it was possible to invest jointly in production of antibiotic, vaccines and other life-saving formulations. In this regard he urged upon the Omani government to offer similar treatment to Indian drugs and pharmaceuticals companies as they are currently getting from Saudi Arabia. He also proposed joint investment in the production of medicines and cooperation in IT sector. More
       
      Groupism intensifies in ISC Linguistic Wing
       
      Back to Square One? Infighting is intensified once again in the Indian Social Club linguistic Wing. A new controversy is about the termination of a club member in what is said to be a totalitarian way. There is simmering discontent among members about the manner in which memberhip is terminated. C.V.Muralidharan and his wife Kala Murali are the two members who are suspended without following the proper procedures. While the membership is terminated, the affected member was not properly informed about the punitive action, which was following a dispute between the member and a lady judge who was invited for the Onam Competitions. The controversy once again raises the issue of transparency in community organisations in this part of the world. The member is not asked to give an explanation about the dispute-Watch this space.
       
      Sexual harassment of Indian Women Intense in Kuwait
       
      Sexual Harassment and Exploitation of Indian Woman Workers Intense in Kuwait. A number of Keralite woman are trapped by their employers to work as sex objects by denying them salary for several months. In a number of cleaning companies, the senior Malayali employees trap the newly recruited Keralite ladies into a dependency situation and forcing them to live with the male workers. Recently some cleaning companies decided to distribute the monthly salary through credit card. Some Keralites working in the health ministry exploit nurses also by demanding huge amount as bribe for getting job in the Ministries. This practice is common in all the Gulf countries. Watch this space.
       
      Saudi Arabia to Build Largest Medical College in the Middle East More Campus News Indian Central School Open Day celebrated Competition for New Indian School Bahrain students
       
      Malayali Talent -Airborne to Chairborne
      M.P. Anil Kumar , a former Air Force Piolot writes with his mouth about a traumatic experience in life and how he is recovering . Even though he was partially paralised, Anil uses his mouth, a stick and the keyboard to write. Read the column written in this unique way-- Full Reort   
       
      Element K partners with Microsoft to deliver official Microsoft Learning Products
       
      DUBAI - Element K, the leading global e-learning provider, has formed a strategic alliance with Microsoft Corporation. The agreement has major significance for the Middle East, as Element K is already involved in various projects to provide its acclaimed online learning IT courses in the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, and is working with other government bodies to expand operations to the whole region. Full Report
       
      Al Jazeera, Al Majaz launch Mobile News Service in Association with Etisalat

Breaking news now available for GSM subscribers in the UAE

Dubai, 22/10/2003: ALJAZEERA. NET, the e-news arm of ALJAZEERA CHANNEL that gave the Arab world its first world class all-news 24 hour satellite channel has tied up with Al Majaz Telecommunications to provide the latest news alerts and developments for GSM subscribers in the UAE through the AlJazeera Mobile.More

Relief Measures for the Plantation Sector

A package of relief measures to mitigate the problems facing growers in the plantation sector-tea, coffee and natural rubber- owing to fall in the global and domestic prices is being worked out in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indian Bank More

      India and Czech Republic Sign Defence Agreement
       
      India and the Czech Republic have signed an agreement on Defence Cooperation. The agreement was signed by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes and his Czech counterpart Miroslav Kostelka in Prague on Monday. More

Press Freedom - United States and Israel singled out for actions beyond their borders

Oman Saudi Kuwait Qatar Bahrain among countries least respecting Freedom of Press

To compile this ranking, Reporters Without Borders asked journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists to fill out a questionnaire evaluating respect for press freedom in a particular country. A total of 166 countries are included in the ranking (as against 139 last year). The other countries were left out because of a lack of reliable, well-supported data. The 50 countries that respect press freedom least include such rich nations as Bahrain (117th) and Singapore (144th). Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Gulf countries among countries which give least press freedom Kuwait (102nd) replaced Lebanon (106th) as the Arab world's leader as regards respect for freedom of expression because of cases of censorship in Lebanon, together with abusive judicial proceedings and an attack on the television station Futur TV. Saudi Arabia (156th), Syria (155th), Libya (153rd) and Oman (152nd) used all the means at their disposal to prevent the emergence of a free and independent press. More

 Sheikh Mohammed visits Dubai e-Government offices

Dubai - October 21, 2003 His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin ashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, visited Dubai eGovernment at its offices in the Emirates Towers yesterday (Monday October 20, 2003). The visit marked the second anniversary of Dubai eGovernment, which was launched by His Highness in October 2001.More

Reporters Without Borders Releases Global Press Index

Oct 21: North Korea is the worst state oppressor of journalists, followed closely by a handful of other Asian nations, former Soviet states and post-revolutionary countries, according to a world press index released yesterday by international watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). More

Fallujah Continues Slow Boil As U.S. Casualties Mount In Iraq

Oct 21: Unrest continued in central Iraq today as U.S. troops in the holy city of Karbala tried to quell a riot that erupted after a woman objected to a search by a sniffer dog. More

Former Indian School Muscat and Indian School Abdu Dhabi head All Saints College Union

Human Rights Watch Counts 94 Civilian Deaths

A report released today by Human Rights Watch says at least 94 civilians have been killed in Baghdad since U.S. President George W. Bush declared the formal end of hostilities in Iraq on May 1.Human Rights Watch said it made its tally through Iraqi police records, reports by other human rights groups and Western news reports that named the dead.More

ChevronTexaco Announces Double Success in Deep Water Block OPL 249 in Nigeria More

Annan Envoy To Middle East To Step Down More

UK Defence Secretary visits southern Iraq Electronic media in the service of Distance Education More News

Oman Air Thiruvananthapuram -Muscat Flight delayed by 10 Hours due to Technical Snag

      Indian School Muscat Principal, Vice Principle Accused of helping Plagiarism
       
      MUSCAT - An Indian School Muscat (ISM) parent has accused the Principal and Vice Principal of helping plagiarism and denying due recognition to a student who put in lot of time and energy to develop an innovative project. Parents of Rohith Nair, a 12th Standard student of the ISM who has just left for higher studies to Sri Lanka claimed that an innovative science project submitted by him to the ISM was presented in Doha, Qatar and the prize is given to another student. More
       
      'Kerala Panorama 2003' organized by Chitrakalamandalam Showcase Great Paintings
       
      1.3 billion Financial Harbour Project in Bahrain Unveiled
       
      Dubai, 20/10/2003: Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH), the $1.3 billion development set to consolidate Bahrain’s status as the leading financial centre of the Middle East, will be previewed in London tomorrow at WaterfrontExpo. The BFH Chairman, Esam Janahi, and the lead project architect, Ahmed Janahi, will unveil the visionary project during the conference at the Excel Conference Centre in London Docklands. More News
       
      Panasonic achieves over 1.1 billion dollars sales target in the Middle East
      Nigeria: Debunking Misconceptions on Stoning Case.

Israeli Nukes Submarine fleet to target Iranian nuclear sites

Secretly Sailing towards Gulf Waters, Gulf of Oman

Washington -American-made Harpoon missiles, armed with nuclear warheads, are now aimed by Israel’s fleet of Dolphin-class submarines against Iran’s nuclear facilities.Following September’s exclusive report in American Free Press about Israel’s submarine nuclear attack capability, over 100 Harpoon cruise missiles have been secretly airlifted to the remote island of Diego Garcia, a joint UK-U.S. base in the Indian Ocean, reported Gordon Thomas, a senior investigative journalist in the American Free Press. "The three Israeli submarines that arrived at the base early this month were each loaded with 24 Harpoon missiles.They then set sail for the Gulf of Oman—bringing Iran’s nuclear facilities all within range of the submarines’ payloads," he said in his investigative report. More

Adobe launches the Creative Suite Platform for the Design and Publishing industry at Gitex 2003 . More News

Arab World Prone to  H-pylori Infection, New Preventive Diagnostic Technology Developed

Dubai -October 20, 2003 People living in the Arab region have high level of Helicobacter - pylori infection - the root cause for stomach cancer and peptic ulcer. According to surveys conducted by some doctors, the infection level is as high as 80 per cent in Iran. "Over half of the global population is infected by H-pylori -approximately 3 billion people. In half of the infected people, the gastritis develops over the years into atrophic gastritis - inflammation and atrophy of the moucosa of the stomach. H-pylori infection and gastritis are the main reasons for gastric cancer and peptic ulcer," he said during a recent visit to the Gulf Region. More

LG Enters Competitive Mid East Tablet Market Centrino Based Tablet Features 5.41 Hour Battery Life

Special Report on Mother Theresa by R S Priya

Government departments to demonstrate diversified online services under Dubai eGovernment umbrella at GITEX Dubai 2003Drivers warned to expect heavy traffic on M4 and M25 for last flight of Concorde Coinciding with GITEX 2003, Sakhr launches the first Arabic solution aimed at the National Defense & Security organizations UNDP, World Bank Say Iraq Needs $36 Billion To Rebuild

Self lighting train on Konkan Railway

The Konkan Railway has introduced self lighting train, wherein three footboard lights have been provided on both the sides of coach, which automatically light up when the train halts at a station and switch off automatically when the train leaves the platform. The self lighting train offers great relief to the passengers, who get sufficient surface illumination where they alight. This also provides safety to the passengers in the event of stopping of a train on out of course like inside a tunnel or a bridge. More News

      Cusba Police Killed my son, alleges George

" They were taken to the Cusba Police station and from there the ones who were under the influence of alcohol were taken to the hospital for medical verification of having taken alcohol. My elder son and the friend were release next day and they made enquires, which led them nowhere. They contacted the local politicians and some influential police officers. After preliminary enquiries we were given to understand that my son was beaten to death by the Cusba police officers. After having committed the heinous crime they took the body and dumped it in the backwaters near the boat jetty. .," read the Full Message from George Mathirappilly House Karuthedom More

RO 40,000 Robbery from Bank of Baroda, Muscat - Watch this space

Dubai e-Government plans new services to complement existing 600 online services

BY KM Correspondent, Dubai reports "mDubai, new contact center AskDubai and eJob to take center-stage at GITEX Dubai"

DUBAI - The new offerings, announced at a pre-GITEX press conference, include mDubai, a new channel that has been developed to deliver messages through mobile phones and PDAs; e4all, a community IT literacy solution; eLibrary, the online library service; eJob, the online recruiting service; and
AskDubai, the state-of-the-art contact centre. "mDubai is an example of how Dubai eGovernment is leveraging cutting edge technology to launch new channels to allow delivery of information anytime, anywhere and while on the move," said Khalifa Al Khalafi, Director General of the Land Department. "We have started using mDubai to deliver SMS messages to our customers and we are delighted to report that the service has been well accepted. mDubai opens an innovative new channel that allows government departments to convey instant messaging to our customers."
More and Full Report

AlJazeera Channel and Al Majaz Telecommunications company launch AlJazeera Mobile News Service

KM Correspondent reports: "Qtel is the first mobile operator in the Middle East to offer this service"

Doha - October 15, 2003 AlJazeera News Channel, in cooperation with Al-Majaz Telecommunications and Qtel, has announced the launch of Al Jazeera Mobile News Service which will provide the people of Qatar with the latest breaking and political news by SMS message to their mobile phone whenever and wherever there is GSM coverage.Full Report and More News

India, New Zealand to foster greater cooperation in Education

Agreed minutes of India-New Zealand JTC signed

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 India and New Zealand have agreed to foster greater cooperation in the education sector through an Educational Exchange Programme (EEP). Both countries have welcomed in-principle the concept of EEP and decided that discussions would be encouraged between counterpart agencies on this subject. In the food processing sector, India has stated that it would examine whether apple imports could be facilitated during off-season, especially in south Indian markets, in response to request from New Zealand side for the reduction in tariff on apples Full Report and More News

Tighter visa regimes in UK to improve border control

Indians in UK face new hurdles

LONDON - Visa regimes are being tightened to help ensure the integrity of the UK's borders, the Home Office announced today. From midnight tonight, nationals of Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, India, Lebanon and Pakistan will need visas to travel through the UK. Previously, people from these countries have required visas to visit the UK, but have been able to travel without one if they pass through on their way to a third country. The tightening of the rules is in response to attempts by some of these nationals to circumvent the
UK's immigration system. More

Prime Minister calls for wild life protection

Specialized cell to be set up to curb International Trade in Wild Life products from India

NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 The Prime Minister has called for 'people-centered conservation approaches' for protecting the wild life in the country. Addressing the first meeting of the National Board for Wild Life here today, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee stressed the need for the participation of all stake holders in decision making ", Shri Vajpayee saidFull Report and More News

Global cooperation must to ensure security in Aviation Sector - Rajiv Pratap Rudy Business Software Alliance (BSA) launches Public Awareness Campaign at GITEX Computer Shopper 2003

Jesuss' escaped from death on the cross and travelled to India, Settled in Kashmir?

The main thesis expounded in a new translated book is Jesus' escape from an ignominious death on the Cross and his subsequent journey to India in quest of the lost tribes of Israel whom he had to gather into his fold as mentioned in the New Testament. Abundant evidence has been furnished from Christian as well as Muslim Scriptures, old medical books and books of history, including ancient Buddhistic records, to illustrate the theme. Starting upon his journey from Jerusalem and passing from thence through Nasibus and Iran, Jesus is shown to have reached Afghanistan, where he met the Jews who had settled there after their deliverance from the bondage of Nebuchadnezzar. From Afghanistan Jesus went to Kashmir, where some Israelite tribes had also settled. He made this place his home and here he died. His tomb has been traced and found in Khanyar Street, Srinagar. Read the Full Report

Saudi Human Rights Conference Started

Malaysia: Migrant Rights Advocate Should Be Acquitted

(New York, October 13, 2003)-Malaysian human rights advocate Irene
Fernandez should be cleared of all charges of maliciously publishing
false news in a report that exposed abusive conditions in the
country's immigration detention camps, Human Rights Watch said today.
Full Report

Malayali Dies in Interior following quarrel with Omani

Naushad, from Karunagapally, Kollam was in the shop when three Omani customers approached him for cold beverages. While the Omanis left, one of them without paying, the shop owner tried to prevent them from leaving. In the subsequent quarrel, one Omani pushed Naushad strongly against the wall, causing serious injury on head. While he was lying in a pool of blood, the Omanis left and there was no eyewitness. One Pakistani customer who came afterwards saw the deadbody and reported it to the police. The three Omanis are said to be in police custody.

Naushad has been running a supermarket in DiyaFollowing a quarrel, a Malayali shop owner has been killed by an Arab national who allegedly entered the shop to purchase a bottle of Tanuf mineral water. The customer picked up a quarrel with the Keralite from Kollam on some issues . In the physical assault, the Omani forcefully pulled the shop owner, whose head hit against the wall. The Malayali died on the spot as his head was banged against the shop wall. said KM sources. The murder took place in a place called Diyam in Kathara, Oman. Earlier Crime Reports

Dhalia Real Estate signs exclusive agreement with Asteco Malta properties to be marketed to UAE residents

"If only the members of the church council / committee were found out for stealing, you gan take legal action on them and make them pay back to the PCO. This is worse. Money spent foolishly will never return and will never have the desired effect.

It is time you laymen started realizing that you ought to know how your offerings and tithes are being utilized. There is no point mentioning about shortages of incomes of the PCO and encouraging the laymen to pay up their offerings and tithes. Anybody knows that the only way to keep a check on ones finances is to monitor and control / restrict the expenses. Ask any housewife !!!!

Basically all auditors are instructed not only to merely audit the accounts books, but to find out if the incomes and expenses are justified. Its their job to make sure that the accounts are not only correct, but JUSTIFIED !!!! There are so many ways of generation incomes for the PCO, and what is required is that a questionnaire be sent out to the other denominations as well and seek suggestions and constructive critizisms

It is high time, you people made sure that your money is put to good use and that too, in the best possible way !!! Isn’t it so?? May God grant all of us the wisdom to understand these allegations and take positive steps ASAP -- Watch this space.

KM Discussion forum PCO Not responsible for church denomationations functioning

Oman Air Appointed Travel Agent Selling Visit Visas worth RO 7 @ Rs. 1 lakh in Kerala, victims end up as illegal workers!

Some of the Kerala based officials of Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, are allegedly engaged in a visa racket there in collaboration with a Calicut based travel agent with the name Muscat Travel attached to it. Hundreds of business and tourist visit visas ostensibly issued to businessmen and industrialists are sold to ordinary unemployed youth and labourers from the state, by agents promising lucrative job in the Gulf. Multiple entry visit visas worth RO 7 in Muscat are sold by a travel agent in Kerala for Indian Rs. 1 lakh! Nearly 300 Keralites who are duped recently came to Oman with the multiple entry visit visas introduced by the Tourism department to boost tourism. Various NRK associations have made formal complaints to the concerned authorities in India about the racket, in which many poor people are trapped. The Indian Social Club and the NRI Federation have taken up the issue with the higher authorities in India. This is the latest form of visa racket, in which several thousand people are already trapped. Those who buy such visit visas thought that they are getting employment visa, without realizing that the its validity is just a few weeks. Oncethe candidates reach the Muscat Airport, the local partners will snatch away the passport and return ticket from them and vanish in thin air. Then the workers get stranded in the Gulf country, without any source of income or support. Immigration officials will capture them and they will not be able to go back to India without paying RO 10 per day fine for overstaying! Another amnesty is planned and these people will have to wait till then? More

Oman Air, Air India, Akbar Travels facing Consolidation Controversy in Kerala -Earlier Report on

What is happening to K M Meena in New Delhi? Is he Gone for Ever? Watch this space.MyTravelChannel.com and DNATA announce winner of joint promotion "We will return to India after a rewarding visit to Bali and Thailand.More News

Wataniya Telecom Consortium AwardedIraq Northern Region GSM License "Lack of Venture Capitalists in MENA region may impede growth plans for IT sector" say industry experts

Four Years After Coup, Rights Abuses Abound in Pakistan

LONDON The Pakitan military agencies have frequently tortured and harassed political opponents, critical journalists, and former government officials. The past four years have also seen a rise in activity by extremist religious groups and an increase in sectarian killings in Pakistan, in part due to the Musharraf government's policy of marginalizing mainstream opposition political groups. Opposition legislators have been beaten, harassed and subjected to blackmail for opposing Musharraf's policies.Full Report

Dubai the Switzerland of Arab World in Terrorism Financing, alleges Columnist

Indian, Russian mafia dominate financial crime syndicate of Hawala to finance terror

Contraband of all kinds moves through Duabi— liquor, cigarettes, precious gems, you name it," a leading columnist quoted Larry Johnson, a former counterterrorism official with the Central Intelligence Agency and the State Department. "Dubai is going to emerge as one of the battlegrounds in terrorist financing. It's a real, real problem and I don't know anyone who has a handle on what's going on there." wrote the leading Columnist. Describing the United Arab Emirates as a clandestine rendezvous for planners of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, the officials say half of the plotters' money — about $250,000 — was wired from banks here to operatives of Al Qaeda in the United States. In addition, American intelligence agencies have tied Qaeda money in banks here to the American Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. Dubai's conduits for terrorist money, experts say, include thriving Russian and Indian organized crime syndicates as well as the emirates' many free trade zones, which allow the commingling of legal and illegal commerce. But the most significant, elusive conduit is the informal international money-transfer network known as hawala. Read the Full Report from the New York Times

SFI Emerges Victorious in Trivandrum College Unions

by Priya R S KM correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: In the not so hot college Union elections held today in some colleges where the student political party system still prevails, SFI seems to have strengthened its hold. In the election, majority of students voted for candidates belonging to the Student Federation of India, the students wing of the communist party of India (Marxist). More from the Campus More

Up to 45 million blind people globally - and growing

BUT 80% OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT CAN BE AVOIDED OR CURED

Geneva - Today, World Sight Day, VISION 2020 is giving governments
around the world tools to help prevent and treat millions of cases of
blindness. Globally, an estimated 40 to 45 million people are blind and 135
million have low vision. But 80 per cent of visual loss can be prevented or
cured, say the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), which jointly support VISION 2020: The Right to Sight. Full Report

One party system of Red Radicals in Trivandrum Arts College

Arts College Union members speak to KM

Vipinlal, Vipin Kumar, Arun and Suchithra all from the SFI dominated Arts College Union

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -Oct 10, 2003 In a brief chat with KM Correspondent Priya R S , the newly elected Union members of Government Arts college who are preparing to govern a college of around 565 students, expressed their views on the college elections and on their political background. The Arts College in the capital city has a unique one-party system and during elections no parties fight for votes. The one and only party, which rules the college is the SFI and the students of the college seem to be supporting this trend. More from College Monitor

Nobel Peace Prize for Iranian Woman: Important recognition of human rights defenders

Amnesty International today welcomed the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Shirin Ebadi for her outstanding contribution to human rights."By honouring Shirin the Norwegian Nobel Committee has recognized the critical importance of human rights and the individuals who defend them around the world," Amnesty International said. More News

College Union Elections to take place on Oct 10

Thiruvananthapuram: The College Union Elections scheduled for Oct 10 would take place on that day itself, following the court giving permission for the elections. Earlier the principals of different colleges had filed a case at the High Court to stop elections due to the increasing politicisation in campus elections More News

End Government Intimidation of News Website

The government began investigating the popular online news outlet for
posting a letter to the editor on January 9 that criticized government
policies Full Report

Free Trade Agreement signed by India and Thailand

Bangkok: India and Thailand today signed five accords, including a free trade agreement that will eliminate all tariffs on trade between the two countries by 2010. An assurance has been given by Bangkok that it will not allow its territory to be misused by terrorist groups for anti-India activities.The assurance is of great importance in the wake of recent incidents of reported violence in Bangkok involving Mumbai underworld dons having terrorist links. Full Report

Dubai-Aptec Gulf introduces a new Components Division to cater to the fast-growing PC assembly market in the Middle East and Africa. Panasonic launches the world's first smallest MPEG2 SD video camera in credit card size Wataniya 'Red Balloon Bonanza' Attracts H uge Crowds at Marina Mall IBM Takes "Vision to Reality" on the Road Satellite Based Connectivity Underpins Internet Access in Iraq IBM Integrates Instant Messaging Tools Into New Lotus Notes and Domino, Blending Two of the Industry's Most Popular Collaboration Solutions PWC Logistics' MicroClear to be showcased at World Customs Organisation (WCO) IFPI delegation meets Ministry of Information officials to discuss music piracy issues

New Fraud in Indian Airports to Dupe NRI Passengers?

Dubai - A new well-organised conspiracy syndicate of Indian Immigration, Police, Customs and Air India staff with networking at all the Indian International Airports is reported. NRIs who travel by Indian airports should be careful when they give their passport to Immigration/ Customs/Air India staff. They should ensure that the passport is not tampered with and invite trouble. Some corrupt officials have found an easy way of making money from NRIs.--Full Message posted by an NRI Viewer from Saudi Arabia

IndianS chool Senior Students engage in violent Street figth, End up in Gulf Lock Up?- Watch this space.

Canara bank's Exchange Company Winds up?

Three year old Ruwi Exchange Company directly managed by Canara Bank Winds up Operation as Gulf partner refuses to renew agreement. The steep appreciation of Indian rupee and the weakening position of exchange companies in the Gulf is reflected in the collapseof Ruwi Exchange Company. After making a huge investment running to several crore Indian rupees, the Arab sponsor could not make any profit from the venture. Apparently the bank is looking for a new parnter or wind up operation. Watch this space.

SBI Faces huge Reconciliation problem

SBI faces huge reconciliation problem in settling draft issued by Overseas Exchange Companies, Reduce the number of branches with remittance facility to 250 from 3000. SBI has cancelled thousands of DDA branch arrangements - watch this space.

Afghanistan: No justice and security for women "Wonder Drug" for Kala-Azar and Systemic Mycosis More News Thanjavur airfield in another 2-3 years says Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal A K Trikha More Indian News Mysterious Death of African haunts Saudi Police

Amicable Settlement for Marad massacre issues

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government finally reached a settlement in the Marad issue through a second round of discussions with the representatives of Hindu and Muslim organizations on 5th. The Government has decided to consider the demand for a partial CBI probe into the Marad massacre paving the way for a peaceful rehabilitation of the 400-odd minority community families in the affected region. Full Report

National Auto Fuel Policy announced Full Report

All countries must resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms - says Advani

The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani today called on all nations of the world to resolve for combating terrorism in all its form. He said, come what may, no country should help a country which is aiding and abetting terrorism. Advani said that the September 11 attack on World Trade Centre has proved that distance can not provide immunity. Full Report and More News

       

Oman's leading bank's Credit Rating may be downgraded due to deteriorating Asset quality

Moodies Mood Change: LONDON -Moody's Investors Service said it had placed on review for possible downgrade the D strength rating of National Bank of Oman (NBO). This action does not affect NBO's Baa3/Prime-3 ratings for foreign currency deposits, said a statement. Moody's action stems from NBO's worsening financial position, particularly its extremely weak asset quality and elevated provisioning requirements. Full Report

Iran: Stop Punishing Student Activists

London - University disciplinary committees (komiteh enzebati) throughout Iran are reportedly holding hearings of students allegedly involved in pro-reform protests over the last year. The committees have suspended some students for one semester and expelled others. "The punishment and intimidation of students for joining peaceful protests is a serious violation of academic freedom," said Joe Stork, acting executive director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa division. "Students are being given a clear message: remain silent, or risk being kicked out of school." Full Report and more News

Middle East Television Goes Off the Air

Dubai based Middle East Television (Malayalam Channel) Winds Up Operations. The channel was unable to find an investor who could meet the growing expenses of maintaining a channel in a highly competitive market. Is it a new trend in the Malayalam TV channel world that witnessed the emergence of a number of new players IndaVision, Jeevan TV, METV, Kairali.?- Watch this space.

Account of SBI Managed Exchange Company in the UAE Frozen by the Central Bank

KM Exclusive

Sponsor uses exchange money for speculative deals; maintains interim account to divert funds DUBAI -The State Bank of India, the leading public sector bank in India, has been facing a major set back in its overseas operations as one of its local affiliate sponsoring a leading money exchange company in the UAE is facing investigation for allegedly violating the Central bank rules in both the Gulf country as well as India. Full Report

Growing preference for IT outsourcing to be highlighted at META Group workshop in Dubai 40,000 applications for 80 jobs in Saudi Arabia Al-Jazeera Buckles Under US Pressure

Saudi Arabia House Maid Killed in Bid to Escape

JEDDAH, 3October 2003 — An expatriate housemaid died while another was seriously injured in separate attempts to escape from their Saudi sponsors in Makkah, reported the Arab News. The unfortrunate maid died l while she was trying to escape from her sponsor’s locked fourth floor apartment. She attempted to abseil from the window by tying several bedsheets together while the sponsor and his wife were away.Full Report

The means to find peace is through tolerance says shri. A.K Anthony

Thiruvananthapuram: The state chief minister A.K.Anthony inaugurated this year's Gandhi Jayanthi week celebrations of the Information and Public relations departments at 11.am at V.J.T Hall here. In his inaugural speech, he spoke of the importance of peace in the country and said that only if we have peace in our country, would there be peace among our neighbours too. We won't have peace even if we have power or position. How will we find peace is what we have to think on this auspicious day. The unification power that world saw has been Gandhiji." "The means to find peace is through tolerance and this is what Gandhiji too advocated More

Foundation stone of OMIFCO project laid in Oman

SUR -Foundation stone of the fertilizer plan of Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO), a joint venture promoted by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative Ltd. (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Co-operative Ltd. (KRIBHCO) and Oman Oil Company, was laid today by Mr. Syyid Talal bin Al Said, a prominent Member of the Royal family of Oman in the presence of Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa at Sur, Oman.More

Blood Donation and Aids Prevention Drive: Special Programme held in Kerala

R S Priya

Thiruvananthapuram: Inaugurating the National Blood Donation Day celebrations at the state level, Minister for Electricity shri. Kadavoor Shivadasan said that blood donation is the utmost expressions of humanitarianism. It is a day to show kindness to your fellow beings. There is nothing to replace blood and the state Government is vigilant about AIDS and blood transfusion. More

The Gandhi Peace Prize goes to Shri Vaclav Havel for upholding human rights

Prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2003 will be awarded to Shri Vaclav Havel former President of Czech Republic for his outstanding contribution towards world peace and upholding human rights in most difficult situations following Gandhian means.Full Report

Futures trading in gold and silver from October 3 World Disabled Day - Welfare of older persons Special Report Inauguration of the building of the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur Eklavaya to become round the clock technology channel from tomorrow The Gandhi Peace Prize goes to Shri Vaclav Havel for upholding human rights

Natural Gas Pipeline Policy Announced

7000 km National Gas Grid proposed at Rs. 18,000 crore investment

In a major initiative, Shri Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas released the draft Natural Gas Pipeline Policy for the development of natural gas sector and optimum utilisation of the gas available from various sources in the country. In accordance with the draft Policy, transportation of all gas is envisaged to be done through a network of pipelines laid with the authorisation granted by the Regulator through a transparent mechanism. Shri Ram Naik informed that the draft Policy has been placed on the Website of Ministry (www.petroleum.nic.in) for soliciting suggestions from various stake holders, interested organizations and public latest by 31st October 2003. More News

    Migrant Workers in Dubai, Gulf countries treated as bonded Labour

     

"The World Bank knows that migrants are key to economic development, but they're not paying attention to the dark side of that issue," said Rory Mungoven, global advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. "The bank should be leading the way in international efforts to protect them from exploitation and abuse." Nearly ten million foreigners, most of them unskilled or semi-skilled migrants, work in Gulf states. Migrants comprise some 90 percent of the 1.7 million workers in the United Arab Emirates, where the World Bank will hold its meetings. Despite their value to both their home countries and the societies in which they work, many migrant workers suffer from discrimination, exploitation and abuse. Migrants, including large numbers of women employed as domestic servants, face intimidation and violence, including sexual assault, at the hands of employers, supervisors, sponsors and police and security forces. Read the Full Report and More News

New Approaches to Asylum in the U.K. Must Respect Rights More News

Kuwait Police arrest gunman; Postal authorities find 18 ‘pistols’

KUWAIT CITY: Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh police Tuesday arrested a Kuwaiti youth, identified only as A.S., 24 hours after he allegedly pumped 20 bullets from a Kalashnikov rifle into the vehicle of his brother, a police officer with the rank of a colonel, reports Al-Anba daily.During interrogation, the youth admitted to the charge, reported Arab Times More News from Kuwait

Mystery of Missing Indian Baby in Kuwait

The disappearance of a new-born baby from the Maternity Hospital earlier this week is hounting Kuwait policy. The baby, of an Indian mother and a Kenyan father, was taken from the hospital soon after its birth and authorities have failed to locate the missing child More

Petronet LNG Signs Agreements with Rasgas, Qatar

Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has said that the era of gas shortages would soon witness the commencement of significant reduction. At present the availability of gas is only to the extent of about half of the llocation of gas made to users. Speaking at the signing of seven documents/agreements including finalisation of gas pricing mechanism, Naik described the event as historic which would lead to a new era of industrial development when the Gas starts arriving in January 2004. In all, seven Documents/Agreements were signed today between RasGas of Qatar, Petronet LNG Limited and its promoters Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Gail (India) Limited (GAIL). Full Report

Iraq will be a cemetery for America, Arab Times

Many of Iraq's mosques, whether Sunni or Shi'ite, hold special prayers to end the occupation and some hail guerrilla attacks against the occupiers. Ordinary Iraqis are turning increasingly to clerics for advice on a whole host of social, ethical and political issues - some predictable postwar matters, others suspended civil affairs dealt with previously by Saddam's now defunct administration Full Report

Israel May Hit Iran's Nuclear Weapons Facilities

For the first time, Israel's military has raised the prospect of an operation to destroy Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program. Quoting Senior government and military officials, who are reportedly alarmed by the failure of the international community to move against Iran, media reports said clear warnings are issued to the effect that Israel would consider unilateral action to stop Teheran's development of nuclear weapons. It may be recalled that Israel had smashed alleged Iraqi nuclear plants sometimes back..The Islamic bomb is once again under attack..read more from the Israeli media.

Call for journalist sentenced to death to be taken to hospital

Reporters Without Borders called today for the immediate transfer to hospital of Rehmat Shah Afridi, former editor of the Punjab daily papers Frontier Post and Maidan, who is in jail awaiting execution. Full Report

Discussion Forum - Editorial Freedom Vs Editor's Freedom

A reputed Malayalam magazine recently reported that the ghost written editorials in Times of Oman is the handiwork of a Keralite journalist who finds sadistic pleasure in running down his mother land.The writer pointed out that he must be doing this at the behest of anti Indian outfits for
a price or a visa to one of his relatives.Wht do you think?--Asks one patriot Indian who posted this message in the discussion forum. Journalists who write the truth have been at the receiving end of bad publicity and concerted campaign. Journalists get scolding from Editors for writing even very good front page reports, which may be liked by the readers, but not the big advertisers. A leading journalist in Muscat was facing harassment and threat from a group of people for silly reasons. This new discussion topic will discuss the topic of editorial freedom in the Gulf media. Editors and journalists are those who misuse their pen for private benefits or those who write for public interest
Post Your Comments

PEC Cuts Crude Oil Production by 900,000 barrels per day

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cut crude oil production by 900,000 barrels per day to 24.5 million barrels per day following re-entry of Iraq into the oil cartel. Oil prices shot higher in London, with benchmark Brent North Sea crude oil for November delivery showing a gain of 83 cents a barrel to 26.35 dollars within minutes of the news. The surge could heavily impact countries like India, which are 70 per cent import dependent to meet its crude requirement. In 2002-03, New Delhi spend over 16 billion dollars on importing 82 million tonnes of crude.More

Rogue employers caught with £13m of unpaid wages

LONDON -New figures published today show that over £3.5million in unpaid
wages from employers flouting the minimum wage was uncovered last
year. It brings the total to almost £13million since the minimum wage
was introduced in 1999. More

Comprehensive National Media Policy on the anvil

The Government of India would soon formulate a Comprehensive Media Policy after having wide ranging consultations with the media stakeholders like the editors, media houses, broadcasters, working journalists, media critics, small and medium newspaper representatives, non-government organizations and State Governments. More

Construction of modern cold storages  - MOU signed between India and  Canada 

K V Thomas -Sharon meeting

Why Opppose Sharon's India visit and follow double standards? Why no one oppose the visit of Musharaff, the alleged killer of 1000S of Indians.

D i s c u s s

"Palestine, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Oman and many Muslim countries have diplomatic relations with Israel. Others have indirect relationship & agreed in principle that all will try to have better relationship with both Palestine & Israel....Of course during retaliations children also will get killed. We should oppose this extremist 'Chaver' killers, instead of opposing self defending Israel. The age of extremism is over, era of peaceful co-existence has come. As a country they are fighting for their survival. They are fighting extremists killer Hamas elements only. They are UN member where we also sit together. We have recognized them. During Sharon's visit to India also innocent children n women n innocents were brutally murdered in 2 places in Israel by suicidal attack by the killer group HAMAS. Sharon cut short his visit n rushed back to protect his country. More by a Keralite from Kuwait Post Your Comments

Islamic Militants Killed in Gunbattle

JEDDAH, 24 September 2003 — At least one Saudi policeman and three militants, including a wanted terror suspect, were killed in a shootout at a hospital compound in Jizan in the south of the Kingdom yesterday. An Interior Ministry statement read out on Saudi television said five militants were involved in the incident, in which four other policemen were slightly wounded. Full Report from the Arab News.

Annan Criticizes Policy Of Pre-emptive Strike

Secretary General Kofi Annan said the United Nations "is prepared to play its full part in working for a satisfactory outcome in Iraq … pulling together on the basis of a sound and viable policy," but did not say what he thought the U.N. role should be. "If it takes extra time and patience to forge a policy that is collective, coherent and workable, then I for one would regard that time as well spent." Full Report and more News

Bhubaneswar,Monday, September 22, 2003: Dara Singh alias Ravindra Kumar Pal was today sentenced to death by the trial court which awarded life imprisonment to the rest of the 12 convicts in the Graham Stuart Staines triple murder case More

Cancun Conference showed close cooperation between India & African countries : Jaitley More News India blocks yahoo site for carrying anti-national news KINFRA Food-processing park at Malappuram to be submitted to the country by President on 25th More News Largest Athappookkalam being exhibited in Thiruvanathapuram

355 blacklisted Sikh NRIs cleared for visits to India

New Delhi,Thursday, September 18, 2003: As many as 355 names of Sikh NRIs, who were allegedly black-listed due to adverse activities following 1984 Golden Temple episode and denied visas to visit India, have been cleared after the intervention by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). More News

No evidence' that Saddam was involved in 9/11: Bush SC judgement not to affect privatisation of airports: Roy Paul More News

Saudi-Russia agreement to stabilize crude markets cooperate in oil and gas industries.

The visit by the Saudi crown prince, the de facto ruler of the desert monarchy since his half-brother King Fahd suffered a stroke in 1995, marks a thaw in relations between the countries. Although the Soviet Union was the first nation to recognize Saudi Arabia in 1926, the two countries had no diplomatic relations between 1938 and 1990.More from Moscow Times.

    Cheney: Halliburton salary has nothing to do with $2 billion military contracts
     
    Christians Under Attack in Israel
     
    So-called "leaders" of the Christian evangelical movement have agreed to give up spreading the Gospel of Christ in the Holy Land in order to avoid being jailed under a proposed Israeli law aimed at stamping out Christian missionary work in Israel. Anti-Christian forces led by a wide-ranging group of high-ranking Israeli officials won a major victory on March 30. Representatives of 50 different international Christian evangelical groups entered into what was described as an "unprecedented" joint statement promising not to carry out Christian missionary work in Israel Full Report
     
    Riyadh prison fire may have been arson; Al Qaeda followers possibly among dead
     
    Albawaba repoted that a significant number of those who died in Monday's Al-Hair prison fire, if not the majority of them, are followers of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden that have been arrested in the Kingdom in recent months.The paper said that Saudi Interior Ministry officials are not saying whether the fire was a result of an accident or if it had been deliberately set. It said quoting undisclosed sources that according to initial findings, there is reason to suspect the fire was intentionally ignited. Full Report

Modern voting methods extended to European elections CM to inaugurate the biography of shri. Mannathu Padmanabhan More News

KM Discussion forum

PCO Not responsible for church denomationations functioning

As far as I understand that the information given about PCO fundings is not true. PCO is working as an unbrella organization and under PCO, various church denominations are functioning. Tithes and offerings of those church denominations do not go to PCO. Those funds are managed by concerned church denominations. PCO is getting income from rental of thechurch buildings. They always maintain their account records. More Post Your Comments, Reply

    Auditors are not Moral Policemen to monitor drunkards
     
    An auditor will not bother to check if a staff drinks, or if such drunkard really works for the money paid. Auditor checks if the transaction is well documented. It is true that the offerings of devotees in the Church are misused by Priests, and devotees are not kept away from looking at how money is spent. All that the church (of all denominations) do is ask for donations.What we hear is only tip of the iceberg, so you priests, live simle and righful life, dont bring shame to lay community..More Post Your Comments, Reply to the Senior Patron.
     

Sur Malayalis' Onam Celebration concludes with a call for unity and Harmony among Keralites Special report by Madhu Nambiar Read More and View Pictures

     
    Auditors and Lawyers are a Corrupt Lot! Writes Young Christian lady
     
    Auditors like lawyers are also a curropt lot and they can mislead you with their conclusions. What should be noted here is that when the incomes of the church are getting lower every year, the PCO should seek out more ways of cost-cutting and budgetting effectively. I am so happy that someone has complained about the PCO finances. It is high time the salaries and benefits of the PCO staff is fully revised and replaced if necessary. Send me your email address, Rev Steve, and I will email in full detail People shouls always be open for constructine critisms and suggestionsMore Post Your Comments, Reply
     
    Indian School-Embassy Discussion
     
    Indian Embassy officials only lick influetial and so called powerful people, for the simple man you have to stand in line and beg of them to help you, take token numbers etc.... WAKE UP INDIAN EMBASSY More
     
    Amanpour: CNN practiced self-censorship

    CNN's top war correspondent, Christiane Amanpour, says that the press muzzled itself during the Iraq war. And, she says CNN "was intimidated" by the Bush administration and Fox News, which "put a climate of fear and self-censorship." Full Report from USA Today
     
    Billion dollar pro-US ad campaign a flop!!!
     
    WASHINGTON — The Bush administration spends $1 billion a year trying to polish the United States' image around the world, yet polls show anti-Americanism rising to record levels, especially in Muslim and Arab nations where the government is concentrating its efforts, another exclusive report in USA Today says
     
    Church Finances Are Audited by professionals, Claims Senior PCO Pastor.

"Our finances are audited by independent professional auditors. This report is open to any member of our church. Please quote your sources and be careful about slandering organizations before you have an accurate understanding," writes Rev Steve Rheingans. Senior Pastor, PCO. "Bearing false witness against your neighbor is not pleasing to God. The chairman of the PCO Council is ready to hear concerns. It would have made more sense to have spoken with him before posting it on the internet," he added. - Rev Steve Rheingans. Senior Pastor, PCO...More Post Your Comments, Reply to the Senior Patron.

Editor replies - KM Discussion forum is an open cyber platform to raise serious issues affecting community life. Some one has posted the message, which can be replied by the relevant parties. KM may not share the views expressed by the member of the church who posted the message. As a gesture of decency, we have not published the names of caretakers or the secretary who have been allegedly involved in what the messenger claims. In fact the messenger has made stronger allegations against PCO/Bible Society, which are edited and removed by KM editorial team.

KM Starts a New Series - Celebrity Chat

Cant people realise that Dr. K J Yesudas is an old man now? Asks Manu Rameshan, son of Ramesh Nair

 "Todays malayalam film industry is totally gone. The same thing is happening with Malayalam music. Malayalis now depend on Tamil or Hindi for hit songs The worst thing in a Malayali is that they never accept changes. Everybody wants Dasettan's Song (ellavarkkum dasettan padiyaale paattu paataavu?). Cant they realise that he (Dr. K J Yesudas) is an old man now," asks Manu Rameshan, an upcoming Malayalam Music talent in a friendly chat with our Trivandrum correspondent R.S.Priya.--Watch this space.
"Good son of a Good Father
 
Manu Rameshan with father Ramesh Nair. His Album "Nilaavinte Kayyoppu" made him popular on his own

America's hidden battlefield toll mounts

New figures reveal the true number of Americans wounded in Iraq

The true scale of American casualties in Iraq is revealed today by new figures obtained by The Observer, which show that more than 6,000 American servicemen have been evacuated for medical reasons since the beginning of the war, including more than 1,500 American soldiers who have been wounded, many seriously. Read the Full Report from London Observer

Chechnyan Rebels Kill 2, ijures 40 in New Attack on Russian Military VHP Ultimatum to government on Ram Temple Sabotaged Iraqi pipelines burning so hard they can be seen from space New allelgations of Sexual Assault against Christian Priest Say Goodbye To Your Mouse, Keyboard And Phone Number - Voice Control Is Finally Taking Over

IIT to set shop abroad with Overseas Campuses

The Government proposes to set up Campuses of IITs abroad. This follows growing demand from developing nations including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius and countries of West Asia and South East Asia. This is considered one of the main initiatives to promote Indian education abroad. More News

Alleged Mishandling of funds at the PCO (Protestant Church of Oman) Complete mishandling of the Bible Society too?

Do you realize how your offerings and tithes and other financial contributions are utilizes by the Church? The sad part is that 99% of worshippers are not bothered about it at all thinking that the finances of the PCO are in safe hands !!!Well, its time to re-think !!! There are 2 caretakers in the Ruwi church and one each in Ghala and Sohar and even one in Salalah. These caretkers are there to see to it that the church and its surroundings are well maintained and looked after, plus the fact that they are around at all times to make sure that the church is ready for all activities of the various congregations at various times ofthe week But have you noticed the utter lack of maintenance of the church compounds in Ruwi and Ghala? A proper Secretary cum accountant of any average company does at least 5 times the work of --.(name withheld) and her assistant and they are paid about 150 – 250 rials a month with bachelor status and an annual ticket home and back Do you have any idea how much ...earns ?? 400 – 600 rials plus school allowances for her kids, 2-bedroom flat (fully-furnished) and a new car !!! Please note that there was a caretaker in Ghala church who died ... He was a very heavy alcoholic, used the portacabin behind the church for gambling and storing and selling alcohol and even kept a mistress with him. He returned home from leave and went on a drinking spree and fainted in the shower and died in Royal hospital in the ICU How much expenses did the PCO spend on this? When you elect new Church members to the committee, all thet do is ignore these things and just continue with these mistakes. How can people who are qualified accountants and financial controllers of major companies be in the church committee and IGNORE these truths-- These are some insights into functioning of some churches. These facts are brought to KM by a section of the Church members themselves who said they have no other platform to raise such issues. While the topic and issues raised by this section of members are quite sensitive , KM would like to maintain a healthy and decent discussion...More Post Your Comments, Reply to these Members strong arguements.

K R Gowri inaugurates NRI Federation Onam Celebrations in Muscat

   

K R Gowri inaugurates the Chadayam Celebrations of SNDP Gulf Wing in Muscat in the presence of V T Saileswaran, Overseas Coordinator and others Click here for more pictures

Supreme Court Criticises Gujarat Govt for not punishing rioters

New Delhi,Friday, September 12, 2003: In a scathing attack on the Gujarat Government for filing an "eye wash" of an appeal in the Best Bakery riot case, the Supreme Court today doubted the state government's intentions on punishing the guilty. In an unprecedented observation, the Supreme Counrt observed that the state government should quit if it cannot punish the rioters. More News

India, Israel Vow to fight Global Terrorism

Meanwhile, India and Israel vowed to cooperate in the fight against global terrorism. New Delhi emphasised the need for lasting peace in West Asia. The matter was discussed when External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha called on visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon here this afternoon. At the 75-minute meeting, the two countries also deliberated on the West Asia Peace Process. Bilateral issues, including economic cooperation and commercial trade, was also discussed.More

Indo-Israeli co-operation in agriculture

India and Israel have decided to work on a Memorandum of Understanding to increase cooperation in various fields of agriculture. The decision was taken at a meeting between Agriculture Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh and the visiting Israeli Agriculture Minister, Shri Yisrael Katz here today. More

Ministry of  Youth Affairs  and sports gives  Rs. 13.79 lakhs as assistance to Anju Bobby George

Ms. Anju Bobby George, who won a bronze in World Athletic Championship by jumping 6.70 metres, and who has recently been conferred Arjuna Award for the year 2002 has become the first Indian athlete to win a medal at the World Athletic Championships. More

US. objects to Israel's Arrow deal with India

The American defense establishment has advised Prime Minister Ariel Sharon not to propose selling the Arrow anti-missile missile system to India during his visit there this week. The Israeli media reported that preliminary talks between Israel and India on the sale of the Arrow missile system have been suspended following opposition from the U.S. " More News

IIT intake up by 10,000 in five years

The student intake in IITs has gone up by nearly 10,000 in the last five years. From 14,906 in 1997-98, it has increased to 24,828 in 2002-03. The substantial increase has taken place in post-graduate education and research, said the Minister of Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi while chairing a meeting of the Council of IITs here More News

President launches Portal of Digital Library

The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today launched the Portal of Digital Library of India. The Portal will have about 27,000 books in a digitised form. Speaking on the occasion, the President called upon the people to bridge digital divide. He said that it will contribute to economic upliftment of the people. Lauding the project, Dr. Kalam said efforts should be made to digitise our traditional knowledge.More News

Sex slavery thriving in Holy Land

Christina, an 18-year-old university student from Moldova, has been bought and sold so many times she has lost count.Christina, who declined to give her real name, studied classics and anthropology and played basketball as a hobby before she was lured from a rural town in one of Europe's poorest countries to sex slavery in Israel.She is not alone.Full Report

'Smugglers' target US forces' alcohol, Says BBC Report British Government Update on Iraq Statement by the British Foreign Secretary RT Hon Jack Straw MP Monday 8 September 2003 - Iraq and the Middle east and More News

Iraq: UN Security Council Must Ensure Justice

(New York, September 8, 2003) - The United Nations Security
Council must ensure that justice for Saddam Hussein's victims is
part of Iraq's political transition, Human Rights Watch said
today. The Council is currently debating a new resolution on
Iraq. More

Protect Gujarat Activists Now

(New York, Sept. 8, 2003) - The Indian government must protect three
activists harassed and intimidated for their efforts to protect
witnesses to last year's massacres in Gujarat, Human Rights Watch
wrote in a letter to the Indian government. ..Teesta Setalvad, Rais Khan Azeezkhan Pathan and Suhel Tirmizi have received anonymous telephone calls threatening their lives if they continue their work. On August 29, Pathan was threatened by a group of Hindu nationalists as he escorted witnesses to an official inquiry into the massacres. More

New UK Micro-satellites to revolutionize Disaster Monitoring International Literacy Day to be celebrated on 8TH September

Onam Special Breaking News

Abhayankar Shunted to Brussels, Senior Embassy Officials in Muscat listening?

New Delhi R.M. Abhayankar (RMA) Secretary East in the Mininstry of External Affairs is being shunted out to Brussels. An aspirant for the Foreign Secretary position, his chances are said to have gone with the wind mainly because of his controversial and partisan role in the Indian School matters in Oman which resulted in the pre-mature transfer of the former envoy K M Meena from Muscat last July. It may be recalled that Mr. Abhayankar, a senior IFS official has been taking personal interest in transfering K M Meena, the former Indian Ambassador to Oman from Muscat and favour two business tycoons by appointing a pro business friendly diplomat as the new ambassador. KM Meena is understood to have written the higher authorities in India about RMA's unwarranted interference in KMM's school related functions in Muscat. KMM is further believed to have petitioned the President of India against RMA for his(RMA's) responsibility in this regard and for blocking KMM's promotion to the next grade in the IFS. After returning to Delhi, the former envoy to Muscat has redoubled his efforts to seek justice. This has obviously resulted in weakening RMA's aspirations to the top job in the IFS. According to KM sources, the new ambassador has reached a secret understanding with the business tycoons to revoke the cancellation of the school MoUs. --Watch this space.

K R Gowri visits Muscat to participate in NRI Federation Onam Celebrations
 K R Gowri, the Honorable Agriculture Minister of Kerala is visiting Oman and the UAE to participate in the Onam Celebrations organised by the NRI Federation. She will be announcing a new package for small and medium sized NRK Investors in the state farming sector. The project is the result of continued efforts by the NRI Federation and its chairman V T Saileswaran.

K R Gowri, Revolutionary woman power of Kerala 
 NRI Federation website http://www.nrifederation.com will also be inaugurated by the minister, who will spend a few days studying the Gulf Malayali life. She will also meet Oman's Minister of Agriculture and other senior officials. NRI Federation Website is designed and developed by V.M.Sathish, a Muscat based journalist.

President asks policy makers to ensure due respect and importance to teachers More news

FOUR NEW REGIONAL ADVANCED CENTRES FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & EDUCATION

NEW DELHI- September The government has proposed to set up four new Advanced Centres for Science, Technology and Education, on regional basis. However, at the apex level in research, massive national and international centres of excellence and facilities will continue to be created, besides the existing ones including the Nuclear Science Centre. More News

Boat capsized in Bihar; 50 feared drowned Typhoon in South China: 23 killed, 59 injured and More

Geoff Hoon welcomes Hawk Selection for Indian Air Force

LONDON - The Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, today welcomed the news that the Indian government has selected the BAE SYSTEMS Hawk as the new Advanced Jet Trainer for the Indian Air Force. The deal, for the supply of 66 aircraft, support equipment, spares and long term in-country support services, is important for the UK/India defence and trade relationships, and will provide jobs in both India and the UK. Once the deal is finalised, the contract would result in the majority of the aircraft being manufactured in India, and would allow for a long term joint production agreement between BAE SYSTEMS and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Read KM Special Report and more News

Virtual tour of prison through Prisononline

Members of the public will be able to take virtual tours of prisons at the click of a button. 'Prisons Online', officially launched tomorrow, takes the viewer on a journey from arrival in prison, through daily life and right up to release. he website uses pictures, sound and text to guide viewers through the physical environment of the prison and tries to answer the most likely questions of those facing a prison sentence or their family. More News

British Embassy in Tehran Attacked More Gulf/World News

Saudi Women Make Up 20% of AIDS Cases

RIYADH, 3 September 2003 —Saudi women make up some 20 percent of the 800 AIDS cases reported in Saudi Arabia this year, a senior official at the Ministry of Health here has announced More News

Special Report on the Terrorist Attacks haunting American British soldiers in Iraq

The plot to assassinate Ayatollah Mohammed Baqr al-Hakim... was undoubtedly planned by the US and implemented by local mercenaries under US control.As far as local US mercenaries are concerned, one should not forget the role of the Monafeqin [hypocrites, pejorative reference to the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organisation]... More

British Foreign Secretary Welcomes New Team of Ministers in Iraq

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination(II), 2003 More News

Operation Annapoorna: Vigilance Raid revealed corruption in Taluk offices

Thiruvananthapuram: In a massive raid conducted on Monday by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Taluk offices, cash worth of Rs.75000 was seized and around 21 officials were found responsible. The raids entitled as "Operation Annapoorna"were carried out on 14 selected Taluk offices in the state. It began in the afternoon at 12.30 and lasted till 3.30 in the evening More News

I was not sacked from Indian School Moladah, claims former Vice Principal

I was never sacked from my position of Vice Principal of the school.As a matter of fact I had put down my resignation in protest against the Indian Ambassadors order, demoting me to the position the Head of the Social science department from Vice Principal. More

CBI questioned Mayawati in connection with Taj Corridor case

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Intelligence(CBI) , on Monday questioned Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati in connection with the controversial multi-crore Taj Heritage Corridor. A Lucknow report quoting sources said that the five-member CBI team led by DIG Neeraj Nayan questioned Mayawati for over two hours at her 13, Mall Avenue residence. More News

Gulf Malayali main suspect in Bombay Blast

Bombay - C.A.M. Basheer of Kaprissery near Aluva, who has been living in a Gulf country is suspected in he recent Mumbai bomb blasts that killed over 50 people. According to reports, Basheer, a former student of the Aluva UG College and national President of the banned Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), Baheer (43) is said to be currently in the Gulf. More

India's first-ever medal at athletics world championships bagged by Anju Bobby George

Paris: Anju Bobby George became the pride of India and a chapter in the history of Athletics by bagging a bronze medal with a leap of 6.70m which surpassed her season best of 6.65m. winning India's first-ever medal at 9th World Athletics championships on Saturday. She recorded a jump of 6.70 metres for the third place behind Eunice Barber with 6.99, host country's first gold medal of these world championships, and silver medalist European champion Kotova with 6.74 meters.

State Government to issue 57.91 crores power bond

Thiruvananthapuram:The Kerala government has decided to issue power bonds worth Rs. 57,91,26,000, which will carry an 8.5% interest. The bond will mature on October 1, 2008 and the annual interest will be paid every year on October 1st and April 1st. The face value of each bond is Rs 1000. In the first phase, four institutions in the field of energy production are permitted to invest in the bond.  The permission to invest in the bond is given to N.D.P.C for Rs. 50,12, 00, 000,   P.G.C.I.L for Rs. 1,20,55,000, N.L.C for Rs. 6,36,17,000 and to N.P.C.I.L for Rs. 22,54,000, said a government notification.  

Riyadh Market Fire Guts 115 Shops

JEDDAH, 30 August 2003 — A massive fire at Ibn Qasim Market in south Riyadh left some 115 shops in ruins amid complaints from traders about the authorities’ hands-off approach toward the disorganized market. The fire did not cause any casualties. The blaze, the fifth in nearly five months, broke out at 11.50 p.m.Wednesday night and raged until 5.00 a.m. the next morning causing losses worth more than SR1.5 million, Al-Watan reported.More

Forty Washed away in BusTragedy

At least forty people are feared dead in a bus accident involving a Punjab Roadways Bus. According to reports, the bus was washed away in to Sirsa River in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh  More

Albert Einstein was a Plagiarist?

Einstein's E=MC2 'Was Italian's Idea'

The mathematical equation that ushered in the atomic age was discovered by an unknown Italian dilettante two years before Albert Einstein used it in developing the theory of relativity, it was claimed yesterday. Olinto De Pretto, an industrialist from Vicenza, published the equation E=mc2 in a scientific magazine, Atte, in 1903, said Umberto Bartocci, a mathematical historian. Full Report

Explosives detected at New Delhi Railway station 

New Delhi: During routine patrolling, Delhi Police today detected a huge quantity of explosives from the busy New Delhi Railway Station at about 1145 hours. More

Albert Einstein A Plagiarist?

November 21, 2003
Mind you Heart
Dr.Benny Panakkal
Dubai Woman
Campus Monitor
SFI CONTINUES TO DOMINATE MG UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
 
University College of Psychology
Saudi Malayali Online Click
 

Jobs Online

Smart Child Contest

Every month, KM will conduct a smart child conest and announce the winner.. Send your son/daughters picture to editor@keralamonitor.com Age 5 to 15 years. The participants should have some talents in arts, sports, education or any other field
 Cute Baby Contest

Every month, KM will conduct a Cute Baby conest and announce the winner. Send your son/daughters picture to editor@keralamonitor.com Age new born to 5 years.

Kochi - Gulf based Export Firm Looking for Executives

Shashank appointed Foreign Secretary

Nov 18: Shri Shashank, IFS of 1966 Batch has been appointed as the new Foreign Secretary. He will succeed Shri Kanwal Sibal, IFS (1966) who is retiring on November 30, 2003. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment today.

Kidsonline


Discussion Forum

Abu Dhabi Police raids three companies for using pirated software

BSA honours 16 softwre dealers in Oman More

World's largest home textiles fair seeks greater participation from the Middle East
Neville Taraporewalla appointed Country Manager of Yahoo! India More
Ramadan Kareem
My Car
KM Starts New section
 Chennai Malayali Online
Jayadeep B M.BA.LLB
NewKM Reporter in ChennaiMore
 
Everybody neglects Sanskrit College
 
From left- Sajeev,Shibu,reji, Rajiv,Vinod,Santhosh, Ramkumar,Sharath and Chitra Govt Sanskrit College, Thiruvananthapuram Union Members -KM Photo by R S Priya.(keralamonitor.com) More
 
Loay Musthafa, Marketing Manager, Sultan Center, Qurum
KM in Malaysia
Fahmey Yusuf, KM Representative in Malaysia
Young Achievers
College Monitor Special
Inauguration of All Saints College Union and Arts Club

Actor Indrajith, Celebrity Soorya Krishnamoorthy, Actress Praveena and union members More

KM Mate -
KM Photo Corner
Campus Monitor CMS College
Prominent Malayali of the Week
 
M.Mukundan receiving the Award
KM Photo Corner
 
Manumon K S Young KM Photographer
Fahmey Yusuf Malayasia who likes to travel frequently to Kerala. He starts a new Photo corner for KM.
Mini Games 2003
Campus Monitor CMS College
Prominent Malayali of the Week
Rajendran Nair President Kerala Engineers Association, Muscat
Shilpa Narayanan, Winner of First prize, Quiz Competition..More
Contact us editor@keralamonitor.com
EPSON distributors honored at 'EPSON Gala 2003 Awards' night
 
Malaysian Malayali
Writers Forum
C.P.Monai, Writer and publisher speaks to KM about his devotion to write Christian spiritual books. Watch this space.
e-Shaikh Mohammed More
All Saints Thiruvananthapuram union Leaders speak to Priya of KM
Special Report by R S Priya
Mother of all Seasons Remembered
 
Sami Abdul Aziz Jaffer, Managing Director of National Pharmacy (middle) with Janne Koskimies, Manager and Marko Salonen, Export Manager of Biohit PLC, a Finland based healthcare group. More
 
Gulf Malayali Engineer on Effective Time Management
T Shaji Nair, Doha presenting his theory on time management More.
 
Malayalis Reach everywhere including the dark cntinent. Shaji and friends from Africa.More
 
Woman of the Week
Painter Shobhana from Thiruvananthapuram..click.photo
 
Malayali Murdered
Nowshad 26, from Ochira killed in a quarrel with three Arab Nationals in an interior location in Oman. The young Keralite was working in his uncle's shop when the murder happened. Unfortunately the leading TV channel reported it as a normal death.
 
Hallo Kerala
Nayeem, Sakkeer, Haris and others in a Mobile Phone Shop in Muscat.More
Woman of the Week
Sapna George, Journalist from Doha, Qatar joins Kerala Monitor-Watch this space for expanded coverage of Gulf News from Qatar.
 
Sand Mining is Banned in Kerala, but see the ban in action!
Picture by Manumon S
 
BUSINESS OFFER DIGITAL PRE-PRESS UNIT FOR SALE
 
Tazkia Ali as the winner of the online promotion of myTravelChannel.com and DN ATA Holidays-More
 
 
Mr. Nair, General Manager, Corporation Bank in Gulf tour-
 
Travel and Tourism
 
KM Couples Online
Shameer Muscat, Joint Secretaryof Kerala Muslim Cultural Center, KMCC Central Committee and wife Safeera.
Happy Birthday to Abhilash, Sur
 
Newsmakers
Muscat Art Lovers
Special Documentary on Pravasi Onam in Asianet Global based on the Onam Celebrations in Gulf countries. Onam is the second biggest festival in the Gulf after Eid. Gulf time 1 p m on Friday 10 October. Directed by Manoj Perumbavoor. Mohammed Ali also participates. Story by Haridas Menon, Muscat.
 
KM Photo Corner
.A lorry passing through a weak bridge in Kerala.Picture by Manumon S, a First Year B A Student of CMS College Kottayam. More
 
Man of the Week
Recent Reports Gulf News Links
Gulf countries Gulf Job
ONAM Special Greetings
Wataniya Telecom CEO David Murray
IFPI delegates lauds UAE anti piracy campaign
National Heaters Industries Co., Oman invests in ACCPAC Platform
Redington Gulf FZE Surpasses US$ 100 Million in online transactions With HP
Mr. Syed Mansoor Ahmed, General Manager, Business Operations, Middle East, Wipro Infotech
 
Haifa Construction completes one more project, what is the fate of the workers?
 
 
 

License of Madurai Urban Co-operative bank cancelled 

Madurai: Following the reports of large scale  financial irregularities, the Reserve Bank of India cancelled the license of Madurai Urban Co-operative bank. The investors were shocked at the RBI’s action cancelling the licence of the bank. The cancellation will also render over 200 staff of the bank unemployed. It is learnt that the bank had lent 35 crore rupees to several people and of this 12 crore rupees is to be recovered from chronic defaulters. More

Gazi Baba killed in police encounter, JeM Disputes BSF Claim  
 
Saudi Arabia to deport AIDS Patient

 Click for Important Links

 
Left to right – Anthony Ishak, Executive Chef, Nestlé Middle East, Gavino A.Montoya, Chef de Cuisine, Teatro and J.K. Nair, Production Manager, Albert Abela Co. (Sharjah).(click Photo)
Karim back as KMCC Secretary
Tarun to come out with Tehelka-the People's paper"
August 30, 2003
New Website Launched
 
K J Baby-Kanavu in Muscat
KJ Baby in Muscat with Abdul Gafoor, Mohsin, Mohan Kalarikkal, organisers of Friendsof Gopi
K.J. Baby the playwright , novelist and activist will
receieve a Special Award from Friends of Gopi, an informal associatin trying to develop an alternative development culture among Gulf Keralites Contact for details: 9371605
9315034 - Watch this space
 
Independence Day Greetings
Pravasi Bandhu UAE
 
Recent Reports on School
Muscat News
Kuwait Indian School
Iran Indian Schools
Recent KM Reports
 
 
 
Jacek Siwinski, General Manager, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Middle East Office, Dubai.
Online Health
 
 
Patrick Hayati, Regional Director of Network Associates in the Middle East.
 
Ibrahim Kurdi, Managing Director of FFP Group."
Gulf Malayali of the Week
George, Hotelier Muscat
 
New NRK Website launched
 
Saileswaran, NRI Federation Chairman
 
Contact - editor@keralamonitor.com
 
Education Portal Launched
 
Discussion Forum
Dear Readers, the forum is an open place for healthy debate on serious issues affecting the Indian community life in the gulf. Please note that it is not a forum for mud slinging or write nasty messages about the personal life of respected individuals. Those who post such messages will be debarred from the forum. - Editor
 
Photo Section
Suresh, Muscat
 
Gulf News Links
 
 
Are you a good photographer? Do you have any unique pictures which you would like to be published here? Send us your photo contributions to editor@keralamonitor.com
Good ones will be prominently published in KM.
 
 
 
IBM TotalStorage Experts Rack up New IBM Certifications
 
NRK From Switzerland Acting with
Kunjacko Boban in in the new film Swapnakoodu directed by Kamal. Rojan, a Male Nurse in Switzerland is from Muttuchira in Kottayam, Kerala. Watch this space.
 
Special Section on Kelly Murder
 
Gulf Malayali of the Week
 
Mr. Kutty, Muscat
 
KM Mates of the Week
 
Departing notes - watch out
 
Cool Send Off parties for Meena
Mega Welcome Party for New Ambassador?
 
 
 
Abdul Hameed K
Mudhafar Al Siyabi Trad LLC
 
Gopika Menon Kidsonline
 
{]hmkw {]bmkw
 
KM Mates
 
 
Gulf Business Monitor
Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah visits Dubai e-Government office
 
Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah tours Dubai eGovernment offices and commends their achievements
Adrian Horne, IBM PCD EMEA spokesperson and Product Specialist,
 
Click for Al Farsi Shopping Page
Gulf Malayali of the Week
Shamsudeen, Dubai is known for his
Pravasi Bandhu programme to educate ordinary NRKS
to save and spend wisely. Enriched with
experience spanning 3 decades in the UAE
Shamsudeen is more a philanthropist and a
social activist than a financial expert working for a
leading brokerage firm in the UAE. Watch this space.
 
 
 
 
 
km mate
M.M. Joshi Resigns due to pressure from SMC
 
ISM Principal M.M.Joshi
Sacked or Retired
Weblokam Challenges Century Old Monopoly of Newspaper Houses in Kerala
Dubai Monitor
 

 

 Execution of Jamal Darwish Fatayer by the Jordanian authorities Condemned Coco cola godown attacked, bottles destroyed in Kochi, Mulayam Sworn in as UP Chief Minister Enforcement Squads formed to inspect cashew factories Combined Medical Services Examination on 18th January, 2004 Vajpayee chariperson for 2-day inter-state council meeting More News

Egypt: Government Contempt for Basic Political Rights

(New York, August 28, 2003) -- The Egyptian government's decision to charge five anti-war activists under emergency legislation shows its contempt for the most elemental right to peaceful dissent, Human Rights Watch said Full Report

Revised guidelines for uplinking of news and current affairs TV channels from India More News

Now forgotten by most of the few people who ever knew about it, was the Lavon Affair that once rocked Israel to the very core.

Water Bill to soar in UK

Maurice Terry, WaterVoice Chairman, said "Customers will be shocked
to learn that average water bills could rise by nearly one-third over
five years, excluding inflation. For individual companies increases
could be lower or higher, up to £175 over five years. Customers will
also be surprised because the Government, Environment Agency and
Drinking Water Inspectorate tell us that river, bathing water and
drinking water quality are the highest ever. Unfortunately unpaid
water bills are also at their highest level ever".More News

 39 Killed and 170 injured in Stampede in Nasik

Nasik, India - The collapse of a barricade set off a stampede of thousands of people at a Hindu religious festival Wednesday in western India, killing at least 39 people and injuring 125 more, an official said. When the stampede  took place  more than a million Hindu devotees were assembled for a religious bathing festival in the Godavari River outside the town of Nasik, about 110 miles northeast of Bombay. The injured were brought to Nasik hospitals in ambulances, cars and police vehicles.More News

Osama bin Laden may be hiding  in PAK tribal belt

International Education News       

Keralites are obsessed with Overseas Jobs? So What?

" Indeed, I am told that as part of dowry, some men are demanding free visa in certain parts of India! I was very sad when I hear this because I believe that this is a sure recipe for disaster...I can tell you that there is in the state of Kerala a near obsession to come abroad. And people feel that any route — illegal, extra legal, non-legal, legal — to come abroad is better than not coming. This is particularly true in Kerala; it is not so true in other states — if it is possible for Indians to lead a normal, sensible, decent life at home within the framework of what is there, I would like to believe that this is also true for Kerala. But I do believe that the dynamics in that state is slightly different and as a result people are much too anxious to come abroad," Talmiz Ahmed, the new Indian ambassador says. Discuss this topic. Why Keralites are obsessed with overseas jobs? Out of 5 lakh Indians here, majority happened to be Keralites. Is it not because they are more competent, educated and experienced that Keralites dominate Gulf job market? Do you agree with the honourable ambassadors esteemed ambassador's views expressed in an interview with the leading Malayali journalist Adarsh Madhavan of Times of Oman. . Express your views.More

Contracting company delay salary by C.M.Malhothra mctco@omantel.net.om On this subject I have the following to say.

The ******* who has written this article is “Son of a ****** and he is a younak who is hiding behind Keyboard writing nonsense about our company. If he has any think to say let him come forward and talk to me in front. We have not recruit anybody from kerala for the last two years except one sales person who came on visit visa and found unsuitable and we have send him back. We are paying salaries for our employees every month as per our company policy and Company Manging Director and his wife are in full picture about what is happening in the company We do not understand why this Son of a ***** talking about our company matter when there is no complaint from our employees for their salaries. Do not creep in communistic keralite views against Panjabi soldiers; otherwise they will take you to the ******* grave. Therefore shutup and take apology otherwise we will sort you out, if not hear back in India. Major. C.M.MALHOTRA (retired)

42 killed , 150 injured in two blasts in Mumbai

Mumbai,Monday, August 25, 2003: Two powerful bomb blasts in crowded areas of the city today killed at least 42 people and injured over 150, officials said Security forces were put on high alert in Maharashtra and neighbouring Gujarat. According to the Police explosives concealed in two taxis went off in quick succession in the vicinity of Mumbadevi near the crowded Zaweri bazaar and Gateway of India. More

Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC) Muscat New office bearers.

Public Interest Suit Against the Ministry of External Affairs officials, Indian Embassy Muscat Staff

NEW DELHI -A public interest suit has been filed in the Delhi High Court against certain officials of Indian Embassy Muscat and the Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi with the support the pravasi community. Since the concerns raised in the suit pertain to events in Muscat relating to Indian community issues, certain parties from Muscat will soon join the suit. A section of senior officials in the Indian Embassy are going out of their way to help a few private parties in certain areas. The suit is centered around the premature transfer of K. M.Meena, the former Indian Ambassador in Muscat and a covert campaign to malign his public image. The private business lobby in collaboration with some diplomatic staff have been circumventing local rules through bribery and corruption. They have also allegedly used money power and political influence in India by bribing politicians and bureacrats. - Watch this space

Brazilian Space Rocket disaster: 19 killed and about 20 injured 

Brazil: Nineteen people were killed and about 20 injured following the explosion of a Brazilian Space Rocket at 1:30 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m.EDT/1630 GMT). Brazilian defense minister Jose Viegas said that  explosion caused when one of the rocket's four engines ignited by mistake. The blast was heard dozens of kilometres away in the town of Sao Luis. More

Kerala Rally,2003 starts on Aug 29 Rain Water Harvesting to be made compulsory in Kerala A freeze on the assets of Hamas announced by Bush EDUSAT to be launched in 14 months

Bahrain illtreats prisoners, accused Amnesty Report

More than 200 common law prisoners have been on hunger strike for about 10 days in Jaw prison in south Bahrain in the second week of August The prisoners were protesting about their ill-treatment and lack of access to lawyers and human rights organizations. More

Rail Project in J&K by Konkan Railway Use of Satellite phones by passengers more news  Synthetic Rutile plant in Kerala ADB Loan from to Railways Carrier scheme being revised oriented education BJP forced to shelve attempts to introduce cow slaughter bill

SUPPORT FREE, FAIR AND FEARLESS MEDIA, URGES TARUN TEJPAL
Tarun J Tejpal In the last two years tehelka has seen everything. Overwhelming goodwill, great fame, and global accolades. It has also faced relentless victimization at the hands of a powerful establishment following its defence expose. In two years tehelka’s staff has gone from 120 people to three; its office has been vacated; its staffers arrested and harassed;and its debts have spiraled.
Yet its supporthas grown, as has its resolve We will be back in October. Wiser and stronger for all our struggles.. Read More

Bangladesh: Brutality Fueling HIV/AIDS

(New York, August 20, 2003) - Bangladesh is stoking an emerging AIDS epidemic with violent police abuse of sex workers, injection drug users and men who havesex with men, Human Rights Watch charged in a new report released today. "We sex workers working in hotels are raped frequently by police, for example whenever the manager's bribe is due, or when the police stay at the hotelovernight. The police say nasty things to me. One year ago, when a policeman was about to rape me, I tried to get him to use a condom. The policeman said, "Why should I use a condom with you, you magi [whore]? You are not my wife. I don't care about your children." Full Report

Highly explosive bomb found in a KSRTC bus

Kozhikkode: In a KSRTC town-to-town bus highly explosive gelatin bombs were found at around 1.a.m on Friday. The bomb was found during the cleaning of the bus. Police and bomb squad arrived at the spot immediately and the bombs were diffused. 

Noted writer of wit Veloor Krishnankutty passed away

Multipurpose national identity project

A project is ready to prepare a Population Register, a National Register of Indian Citizens, providing a unique National Identity Number to each citizen and also a Multi-purpose Residency Card to non-citizens.The graphic presentation while mentioning the output said the scheme will provide a credible individual identification system and speed up transactions between the individual and the service provider with greater efficiency. The MNIC will also function as a necessary instrument for e-governance. It will be user friendly interface between the citizen and the government and will function as a deterrent for future illegal immigration Full Report and more news

K M Meena's CAT Hearing soon. Opt for voluntary Retirement in protest against denying promotion

Former Indian Ambassador in Oman K M Meena is awaiting the final judgment on his case againsta senior Ministry of External Affairs official's denial of a due promotion. Being a sincere diplomat who has taken crucial decisions for the welfare of ordinary Non Resident Indians, a strong lobby including some of his superiors tried to spoil his diplomatic career.In his case before the Central Administrative Tribunal, Meena had offered to take voluntary retirement if he is denied a due promotion. There is no substance in the news published by some internet sites and the Gulf News, number one English daily in the gulf. He is still in the Indian foreign Service and a final decision on his voluntary retirement will come from the CAT. Apparently Meena is determined to continue the fight in a different style. Watch this space.

Al Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Blackout, Al Hayat Report says.

The English version of Arab newspaper Dar Al Hayat says a communique has been received from Al Qaeda (the Abu Fahes Al Masri Brigade) claiming responsibility for last week's power outage in the U.S. According to the report, the communiqué attributed to Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the power blackout that happened in the U.S. last Thursday, saying that the brigades of Abu Fahes Al Masri had hit two main power plants supplying the East of the U.S., as well as major industrial cities in the U.S. and Canada, "its ally in the war against Islam (New York and Toronto) and their neighbors." Full Report

Khaleej Times report links Consulate Workers Death to Indian Advocate

Dubai - The 24-year-old daughter of Sashi Sinha, an employee of the Ministry of External Affairs posted at the Indian Consulate in Dubai whose body was found in a brutally mutilated state in Ghaziabad on August 11, while on vacation in India, has alleged that a Ghaziabad-based advocate was the main suspect behind the murder, the Khalej Times report said. Sashi Sinha, 49, who worked for the Labour section at the Indian consulate, had been posted in Dubai for the last two years. She got the job on compassionate grounds a few years ago when her husband, also an employee in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, died in a road accident while he was on vacation in India from a foreign posting. In Dubai, Sashi Sinha stayed with her four children, the eldest among whom, Shruti, was about to get married in Dubai, read the full report