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 Joshi to continue as 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.KM Salutes Sultan Qaboos on the occasion of Oman's 33rd Renaissance day We wish him good health, happiness and progress Oman Air takes Kerala passengers for a Ride? Muscat bound Malayali PassengerDies in Mysterious Circumstances Fire in Malayali House British Government AlertsCitizens about possible Chemical, Biological Weapons Attack in Oman Kerala Monitor in News Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah tours Dubai eGovernment offices and commends their achievements School News Jerry Thomas Sacked Indian School Tehran becomes Principal in India; For recent stories click Recent KM report onrighthand side --M M Joshi resigns Founder Promoter Allegedly took 10 percent Cut for Every deal including Royalty paid to Singapore Hotel ChainTake Loans from Banks without the authorisation of local partners; Obtain Soft Loans from the Ministry and Fund diversion; Public shareholders incur loss, chairman accumulate wealth!Exclusive Investigation against major Indian business tycoonsK.M.Meena takes initiative to Construct Indian Embassy Building in Muscat **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.***

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

Woman gets divorced on her wedding night.

A woman was divorced because her husband did not like the bride’s brother taking pictures of the couple, so he started a fight and ended it by divorcing his wife, reports Arab News

Vatican told bishops to cover up sex abuse, Observer

The Vatican instructed Catholic bishops around the world to cover up cases of sexual abuse or risk being thrown out of the Church, reported the Observer. The London Observer which obtained a 40-year-old confidential document from the secret Vatican archive which lawyers are calling a 'blueprint for deception and concealment'. One British lawyer acting for Church child abuse victims has described it as 'explosive', the report said. Full Report

Discussion Forum

Let us all like-minded parents put the power of our pen before the new ambassador and make him accept the decision of majority of indians agnst a few dis-interested , selfish, vindictive,vicious-minded and oppressors of humanity.
why should such people hold offices? they should be asked to step down or else the law of the jungle will prevail and destroy all goodness!!
waiting for more parents ,teachers,students,some smc members who have a part of morality left in them,some members of dissolved BOD---lets unite for a better cause as indians and dont allow these people to take the better of us!

CM launches Japan-aided water scheme Core group to amend Copyright Act More News Government sets up Inquiry Committee on Safety and Security aspects of ONGC's offshore operations More News

The School Issue is Far From Over, Now Police Investigation also?

Who Disapproved 10 Respected Members of Indian School Board? The new Ambassador? The Minister of Education? Is there any law under which an entire Board can be removed? asked Monjuula S. Sooresh, the former chairperson in a letter to the new ambassador. More

Let us all like-minded parents put the power of our pen before the new ambassador and make him accept the decision of majority of indians agnst a few dis-interested , selfish, vindictive,vicious-minded and oppressors of humanity. why should such people hold offices? they should be asked to step down or else the law of the jungle will prevail and destroy all goodness!! waiting for more parents ,teachers,students,some smc members who have a part of morality left in them,some members of dissolved BOD---lets unite for a better cause as indians and dont allow these people to take the better of us! More

Indian School Moladha Prsident also resigns? - Watch out

Discussion Forum - Joshi Sacking Saga

SMC of indian school ,Muscat has denied renewal of labour card (expiry this week)of PRINCIPAL JOSHI. its obvious that the SMC isnt in favour of principal joshi to continue as principal. The recent move (undersigned by first secretary of Indian embassy in oman)to dissolve the BOD was a sure move in alliance with business lobby (smc) to dissuade JOSHI to continue as principal. this is called killing two with one stone! very tricky ,undiplomatic,sly,business-political move by the highest offices of India in Oman. we wonder whose interests are they dealing with---the common man of india or the business lobby(indians)???

Dear Mr.Joshi. we are hopeful that the indian embassy in oman will take the decision in your favour and you will bring the school standard back. our best wishes are with you. god bless you and your family.
the righteous shall win----there could be delay in god's final decision but you will get justice from the highest court of order ,law and justice.
sir, why shdn't you take your grievance to the labour court stating that why should you be asked to leave when all other principals are more than even 60?? may god help you .

Bengali Passenger Disguised as Woman in Parudha Arrested

A Bangladeshi national has been arrested for duping the airport police and the emmigration department by wearing a woman's dress. The Bengali Muslim who is working in Salalah brought his "wife" to join him in Oman. However, the Bengali actually brought his brother, who was in search of a job, in disguise wearing a Muslim woman's long gown and face cover. The police or emmigration officials ddid not suspect any foul play or lifted the black gown to verify whether the passenger was alady. The Bengali man in disguise easily got out of the airpot, through proper channel, submitting all the papers of a lady passenger, wife of theBengali waiting outside to receive him (her?). After coming out of the airpot, the duo took a taxi and were on their way to Salalah. The "lady in Parudah" was exposed to the Arabian heat for the first time lifted her dress to wipe out the sweat on her face. However, the Omani taxi driver who noticed the lady passenger with a "mostache" alerted the police. The Bengali man and his "wife" /brother are now in police custody. It is learnedthat the disguised man in woman's attire is one of the several tricks employed to dupe the law enforcement authorities. The event exposes another dimension of the visa racket thriving in various Gulf countries.

Wataniya Telecom Launches Kuwait's First Multimedia Messaging Photography Competition

Indian Mission to Moon announced

The Chandrayan-1 mission, India’s first spacecraft to moon, announced by the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee yesterday during his Independence Day address, is expected to be ready for launch by 2008, said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today Full Report more News

Why did K M Meena Resign from IFS? What is Next?-Watch

Idi Amin Dada Oumee is dead More News

Jiddah: Idi Amin Dada Oumee, whose eight years as President of Uganda was a period of terror, died today, a hospital official said. Amin was 80, Ugandan officials said, though other sources had him born in 1925, according to media reports. He has been the Ugandan Field Marshal and politician, who proclaimed himself- "Lord of All Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular". By the time of Ugandan independence, Amin had risen to a major. In 1966, Amin threw his support to Prime Minister Milton Obote when the people of Buganda tried to oust the PM. Full Report

Corporate governance key to boosting investment climate in the Arab World "Our frequent initiatives to normalise relations with Pakistan are not a sign of our weakness; rather, they are an indication of our commitment to peace," says PM A four-member high level committee formed by TN Govt to revamp secretariat work Name: Staff,Indian School IP Address: 203.220.134.89

Subject: KIND ATTN: HON"BLE AMBASSADOR OF INDIA

The whole Indian Schools community request your excellency to re-call the BoD's under the chairmanship of Mrs.Majuula Sooresh.There is frightening uncertainity looming large over schools like Indian school Muscat and Muladha.We have become a bunch of jokers in front of other communities.Other community schools are peaceful but unfortunately Indian schools are struggling.The number of student enrollment in Indian Schools has too lately reducing. Discussion forum. More


Dear keralamonitor, we have gathered information that JOSHI does not have a green signal from authorities to continue as principal as still MOHANA sits in the office furnishing duties of a principal. kindly get us the latest on this issue. we are being kept in the dark.

Indian Tycoons now Want to Sink shipping service to Kerala

As long as an some Indian business families continue to control Airline operations from Muscat, the much expected and talked about Gulf-Kerala shipping service will never touch the Oman shores. According to shipping industry sources, at least one Gujarathi business family is using its clout with the local ministries to stop the shipping service from reaching ordinary passengers. The group which controls Indian community activities and schools will never allow the shipping service to tstart from here because it will affect the millions that they mint from airline agencies. Even though the shipping service will touch all other Gulf countries, Indian Airlines and Air India will continue to squeeze ordinary people..

Malayali Lady, Found Dead, Possibly a suicide Case

An young recently married Malayali lady was found dead in her apartment in Wadi Kabir, Muscat. According to residents, the death of the young lady, wife of a commercial Assistant working with a leading Japanese automobile company on Tuesday is suspected to be suicide. "When her husband, one Mr.Girish returned home from work, the lady was found dead. It is apparently a suicide by hanging. The family stay in a building near Muscat Cold Stores, an isolated area in Wadi Kabir. The dead body is being sent to Kerala for funeral. More details are not know but the area is notorious for crime. The lady who commited suicide reached Muscat about four months back, said her neighbours. - KM SPECIAL

Discussion Forum If HE Ambassador is only favouring businessmen's interests why not all Indians boycott businessmen's interests!!! We need to learn lot from our independence struggle(pre-1947)!!!More

KM Exclusive

Covert Operation to Kick Meena out: The Act of A single NRI or a gang of tycoons, diplomats , politicians and their stooges in Gulf

Meena will be kicked again in Delhi? assured MPs son?

"We Control the Board of Directors and Indian School Muscat with Seeb. We Succeeded in Muscat and Delhi..."Secret agreement with new HE means canceling the MOUs is a Joke! Please act fast on framing Charges Against our Enemies! Our Journalist has some good surprises for our enemies. My friends in the ministry proved to him (Journalist) that none of us except Dee... (a lady board member) signed (a resolution against private schools) . I have convinced him that De... signed only to fool (K M Meena)! Extracts from a secret letter written by ...(watch this space) and see the ugly face of some Indians.

"We will throw that woman out of BoD office. We have stopped her from operating the Bank Account. So no farewell, no gift, no Seeb foundation stone for the mongrel issuing orders to us. The agreement with the new HE (His Excellency?) means that canceling the MoUs is now a joke. Nobody can do anything. We must act fast on the front of getting rid of those people in SMC and BoD The Ministry (....?) friends will be quiet. I have assurance of that . Ra...(son a Member of Parliament ) HAS MADE SURE THAT THE FILTHY LOW CASTE WILL FACE GOOD MUSIC IN DELHI ALSO. DELHI WILL KICK MEENA AGAIN FOR CREATING PROBLEMS. After that we go ahead with the surplus fund. With Dee.. in Seeb no one will suspect anything. We must act fast on the front of getting rid of those (!)people on The BoD and SMC as per our plan to get full control. Please act fast on the framing of our enemies as per the list (including KM Editor?). Progress on our plan will be easier as we cant be sure of cent per cent support from the new principal. All our supporters have been put in the right places. Pappachan has some good ideas. We helped him (from the forgery case of reducing his date of birth) and now he will do everything as per our orders. K..bhai, (name of an Indian businessman) please convince Ka....bhai (name of an Indian businessman) on the points as discussed as R..s (son of a leading Kerala Politician, Member of Parliament ) has done with the boss (who is that the multimillionaire Malayali King maker ). Time is on our side now and they have full support from us and full control".-Watch this space to know who wrote the confidential letter on 20 July 2003! the author of this letter is likely tobein the new list of boar members.

The citizen of India is not the big shots of Oman only. There are a few millions of Indians who are here for their daily bread.

Is the ambassador a private property of few idiotic business men in the Sultan ate? Too shame to the whole Indian community. Why the citizens of India want to suffer these high dignitaries with most stupid and boneless background? It was our fate. But it will not be our fate from now onwards. We should expel all those black hands who are hanging down as a huge gilletin over the whole indian community. The Ambassador is for the welfare of the Indian citizens in the Sultanate. For the better understanding of the Ambassador the citizen of India is not the bigshots of Oman only. There are a few millions of Indians who are here for their daily bread. More

Waiting list of telephone connection in Kerala Vallarpadam Container Terminal Project in Kochi

More News

Ban on Cow Slaughter: State getting ready to oppose the bill by R.S.Priya

 Thiruvananthapuram: The state is getting ready to witness a strong opposition to the bill, which has been cleared by the Union cabinet to put a ban on cow slaughter, and preventing cruelty to cow, a holy animal for Hindus. According to the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), around of the 40 percent of the total meat consumed in the state consists of beef. The AHD has prepared a detailed report on the likely impact of the proposed report in the state. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister K.R.Gowri has informed that the report would be submitted to the centre Full Report  

The Most Shameful event!
Email: fazilmk578@hotmail.com

The sacking of the Board by the Ambassador,is the most shamsful event to occur in the history of Indian Schools in Oman. One can't fall lower than this! As we parents looked upon the chairperson,BoD's Mrs. Manjula Soooresh to SAVE Indian Schools,the new Ambassador came along to SHAVE the Indian schools. Probably the dawn of last days of Indian Schools in Oman!

Broadband Internet users to grow by 53 per cent in 2003 in the UAE

DUBAI - Broadband Internet usage is making big strides in the UAE. Though current figures are relatively low, the number of Broadband Internet users are projected to leap by 53 per cent in 2003. This makes the UAE one of the first in the region to record such wide adoption of high-speed Internet connectivity that has become the standard in the United States and the European Union. Full Report


Join our Discussion Forum

Do not let the ambassador get away with dirty corruption," says one member of the Indian community in the Gulf through an email message. Indian Ambassador is appointed by the President of India to look after the safety and welfare of Indians in a foreign country. He is supposed to be working in the common interest of the Indian community, and not just one or two powerful and rich business tycoons. Join Kerala Monitor Discussion on the Indian Ambassador/diplomatic community. Express your views freely without fearing any intimidation. Join now

Ramesh Mathur in Charge of Schools

Ramesh Mathur is in charge of all the Indian Schools till a new board takes over. The embassy has sent a copy of the letter dissolving the board to all Indian school management Committees. They have been informed about the changes and advised to deal with Ramesh Mathur, Advisor to the Board till further notification.

Indian School Board Suspended by New Ambassador on flimsy ground

KM Exclusive H E Talmiz Ahmed in a hurry to protect Indian Businessman's Private Schools.

A few days before the board of directors of Indian School is to serve a legal notice to the promoters of two Indianbusinessmen regarding taking over the private schools, the Indian Embassy under the new ambassador has suspended the entire board apparently on flimsy grounds. A communication from the embassy to the Chairperson designate Manjulaa Singh Sooresh said that the "concerned government authorities" have not approved the board members proposed by the former Indian Ambassador K M Meena. The vague three paragraph letter is signed by Bhupinder Singh the first Secretary and not the ambassador. The letter says that the "concerned government authorities did not approve the board of directors list," said sources. However, it does not say whether it is the Ministry of Education which did not approve the board. Does any authority have the right to dissolve an entire board of directors unless and until all of them have criminal records? Meanwhile the Local Anti Corruption Bureaue may investigate two Indian businessmen for illegally running community schools. While the former ambassador Renjith Guptha could easily get away with secret pacts in favour of two businessman at the cost of the community to establish private schools, it is not sure whether diplomatic immunity would always shield people favouring corruption and crime ? Apparently the school promoters are panicky after the official newspaper Oman Observer published a report about the illegality of running two private schools by the two Indian businessmen. The embassy officials did not reply to phone calls to verify the exact reasons for the desperate act. The Board is suspended a few days before it was planning to take control of two schools. Is the new ambassador also trying to help the concerned businessmen to hide their "Illegitimate pregnancy" from public view? One of the school promoter is already under the scrutiny of law enforcement authorities for ....everybody knows the reason. Watch this space for More School News

Saudi Hospital Dumps 57 -Year-Old Expatriate AIDS Patient in Street

JEDDAH, 13August 2003 — An acutely ill AIDS patient was removed from the New Jeddah Clinic Hospital by security guards on Monday afternoon and dumped outside his place of work, reported Essam Al-Ghalib of the Arab News The57 -year-old Indonesian, Abdul Rahim Mahmood, suffered cuts and bruises to his hands and face as a result of being violently ejected from the security guards’ car, the Arab News Report said.Very good human interest story. Read the Full Story

Anti Corruption Wing Case Agaisnt School Promoters -Watch this space.

 Ram Naik orders independent inquiry into the safety and security of life in offshore operations

MUMBAI - Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has announced that the Government has decided to hold an Independent Inquiry into the aspects of safety and security of life in offshore operations in the exploration and production. More

Muslims largely benefit through finance by NMDFC Bio-active Eye minus sight More News

CIA 'loots' villa where Saddam's sons died Family shot dead by panicking US troops Firing blindly during a power cut, soldiers kill a father and three children in their car

ONGC Helicopter Crash Kills 2, 24 missing

MUMBAI - A helicopter transporting employees of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) from an oil rig crashed off the Mumbai Coast, leaving at least two dead and 24 missing. The private MESCO Airlines' helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea soon after take off from the Sagar-Kiran offshore rig, 70 km from the Mumbai Coast, ONGC spokesperson Narayani Mahil said Full Report

Television awards announced in the state Two Lashkar-e-Toiba arrested Bosch AA signs Middle East PR contract with Orient Planet

Priest appeals for safety of orphans trapped in Fataki, Ituri

Parents vote for Mr.Joshi as the Principal of ISM.

He is a professional and he is dedicated. The school has been performing well under his able guidance. He has proven himself commendably and its a shame that instead of rewarding him the SMC is stooping low in insulting him.Please keep politics away from the school and please behave as responsible Indian citizens in this great land. We parents and children too would always voice our support in favour of Mr.Joshi.

MR.EDGAR AINSLEY who is presently principal of a school in the UAE is waiting to be contacted to replace JOSHI. are all indian school SMC'S trublemakers to their principals??? wats his cause of changeover from uae to oman.?? More in the Discussion forum.


New healthcare information system integrates 4 public hospitals & 20 healthcare centres with DOHMS online facility

Israeli companies scope out business opportunities in Iraq Full Report Ailing Indian Airlines Seek Government Aid

137 special courts set up to try cases of atrocities against scheduled castes & scheduled tribes President and prime minister greet nation on Raksha Bandhan Railways self-propelled accident relief medical vanMore News

Discussions lead to withdrawal of agitation by the Pro-Leftist Organisations

Gulf country may extridite former Bank CEO as part of ongoing investigations

One of the Gulf countries may try to extradite a former Bank Chief Executive Officer as part of ongoing investigations into major financial irregularities resulting in mounting bad loans for the banking system. A former high profile bank executive from the Caribbean who was allegedly involved in sanctioning many loans which turned out be bad assets is likely to be extradited back as part of the ongoing investigation. The apex bank of the Gulf country is learned to be coordinating with international agencies to facilitate his extradition, if possible and terminate his services with a foreign bank. The role of a group of banking officials who joined the foreign bank with the former CEO are also being examined. The high profile bank executive was joined by a group of Indian officials in the foreign bank where he was working for the last one year. Business groups with huge bad loan exposure to the bank are also facing investigation. One Indian business group is asked to produce all accounts since 1992 as a number of private limited companies of the group are suspected to be used to take loans from the bank, in which the group representative was a board member. The Indian business group has sacked some of its senior accounting staff including the personal assistant of a businessman under scrutiny for alleged financial crimes. Ongoing investigation against the Indian business family is far from over and an interim investigation report is getting ready.

We are overjoyed to hear about JOSHI to continue as principal.

Let all know that there is a ' DAMOCLES SWORD" HANGING OVER JOSHI'S HEAD. keralamonitor doesnt want the forum to name individuals but we have names of those individuals who are still at large trying (have been trying) to see joshi go. there are four most active anti-joshi people who perhaps out of fear want joshi to leave. its because they may be exposed and shunned by society---they are foxes in the garb of sheep. BEWARE JOSHI.
THE PARENT COMMUNITY AND TEACHERS ARE ALL ON YOUR SIDE.
Student Politics turns violent in Kerala

Priya R.S., KM Correspondent, Trivandrum Reports

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - August 9, 2003 The student politics in the most literate state in the country is taking a violent turn as the left wing student unions and the state government continues to take stubborn position about privatization of education in the state. A dark cloud of unrest still hangs over the state, which witnessed the second day of violence following clashes between police and the pro-left student organizations.Full Report

Bright Star 2003 Exercise Canceled

Washington - August 10, 2003 The Department of Defense announced today that the United States has decided it will not be able to participate in this year's Bright Star exercise scheduled for next month. The decision was made in view of continued operations in the Global War on Terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere by the United States and othernations. The Bright Star exercise will not be held this year. Full Report

Private Tuition by ISM teachers for High School Girls in Homes?

It is a known secret that many teachers provide private tutions outside the School for making extra money. They, at times, compel students and parents to take private tuitions and pay very little attention at the class. Some of the teachers even tend to give priority and special consideration to children coming from elite background. Strict displinary action must be taken against these teachers and ensure that the School atmosphere is not corrupted.
It is also known that long back --the year Joshi joined---tuitions were going on. it was found thatthe bachelor male teachers took tuitions and high school girls took tuitions at their homes (parents partying or unconcerned). Its then it was highlighted that some affairs were going on. Joshi took a big step and asked teachers to and students to come to school at a particular time ( during the time he sits in school for evening time) and take tuitions. Principal joshi was met with a lot of criticism then. since then this racket was arrested. now since Joshi isnt there, this racket has re-surfaced.SMC AND BOD PLEASE PONDER UPON THIS FACT!

School Board Chairman, members, SMC Members, Principals, Teachers, Students join KM Discussion Forum

KM DIscussion Forum Witness Record Posting on Indian Schools

Network Associates' Intrusion Prevention Appliance provides ROI of up to 145 percent General Motors builds 500,000 XM-equipped vehicles Apple releases DVD studio pro 2 Professional DVD Authoring Made Simple Acotel Group signs an MMSC contract with FastLink Jordan Successful Hong Kong Airport Privatization Demands Long-Term Vision and Economic Regulation SAP Arabia's collaborative Business Suite offers integrated solutions to medium-size customer base

India - second to none in the field of technology: Ram Naik


Indian Oil enters the select club of global providers of Hydrocarbon Technology Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has said that technology and its utilisation has assumed a new meaning and great significance in recent times ever since the Indian Petroleum industry implemented a series of process modifications. The Oil PSUs have already invested Rs. 10,000 crore in their refineries to produce the upgraded quality fuels Full Report

Tuition Racket Resurfaces in Indian Schools - Teachers deliberately compel students, parents to take tutions. Special teachers handle only elite students. Watch this space.

Father of dead soldier claims Army coverup Iraqis mystified at bombing of Jordanian embassy, says Financial Times Report Judicial Watch to Subpoena Documents from Joint Congressinal Inquiry Report Report on Sex Crimes Cover-Up By Vatican for four decades? One third of Massachusetts teachers failed English test

Surcharge on season and single journey tickets for travel on Secunderabad- Hyderabad Lingampally section


The Ministry of Railways has issued orders levying the Multi Modal Transport System (MMTS) surcharge on season tickets and single journey tickets for travel between different sections on Secunderabad-Hyderabad-Lingampally section with effect from the date such service is launched by South Central Railway (SCR). Full Report and More News

Government processing scheme for residential schools for SC students No diversion by states of funds released for development of Scheduled Castes Anti-Dumping & Subsidy cases against India Two new schemes on the anvil for promotion of quality education among scheduled castes More News

We have Monopoly right to sack teachers -claims Muladha SMC

"We are the appointing as well as the removal authority of teachers as per the guidelines set by the embassy and approved by the ministry of education for the BoD and School Management committees. So there is no right for the board to write such a letter. "The board which is a third party in this case have given the letter without giving any notice to us and contains false statements and hence should be rejected.," jointly wrote Dr. Muthukumar Ramaswamy, SMC president, Dr.Raju Varghese, convenor and Dr.Izhar Ahmed Bilgrami, Treasurer, SMC through their legal consultant. Full Report

Why the ISC Kerala Wing Did not Honour Meena?

A section of the ISC Kerala Wing members is agitated over the committe decision not to give a decent sent off party to K M Meena, whom the wing once called the most popular Indian Ambassador ever to work in Muscat. One of its premier officials co-convener Preman has resigned in protest for unknown reasons and even the senior committee members have raised objection to the fact that the Kerala Wing, claimed to be standing for the common man, did not do justice to the former ambassador during his last innings .Obviously the wing was working under external influence. According to Meena himself, the Kerala Wing leadership was mysteriously keeping away from him for unknown reasons. "We could not get a proper date for the send off party. There was lot of uncertainty and we could not fix a date," claimed one committee member. This is yet another instance to show the real affiliation of community associations. Even the association which claim to be a common man's platform deliberately ignored Meena. "In his welcome address, (Keralolsavam 2002) the convener termed the Indian Ambassador as " the most popular Ambassador" ever to serve the Indian community here . The association which adorned even a businessman with Ponnada did not find time and resources to organise a send off party? Just to please the business tycoons? Sham Shame shame. Even the ISC Malayalam wing, which you call a communal and conservative wing had the decency of organising a send off party. Come on friends, peopel are watching your actions and inactions..More

Now where should we go? writes illegally sacked Indian school teachers

 Meena is gone, Long Live the ambassador

Mr. Meena is out ..

 

Welcome to His Excellency Talmiz Ahmed

"By taking 10 per cent depreciation every year, the book value of Indian School Al Ghurba is zero. The promoter has been charging very high rent. The MoU is not a license to exploit the Indian community. By revoking the MoUs, we are not trying to capture Dr.Mohammed Ali's private property. Let any private agent evaluate the property and the embassy or the community is willing to pay the price for the property," Meena, is believed to have told the new board members "If they want to make money, start a private school with a local sponsor, the same way Dr.Mohammed Ali is running private medical and engineering colleges," said sources. The embassy did not ask Dr. Mohammed Ali about the money he makes from the engineering or medical colleges, which are run legally as per local rules and regulations. The former ambassador had in fact praised the NRI for making good contribution to Oman's development. However, Meena was dead against Dr.Mohammed Ali making money in the name of what he said was an illegal MoU without considering the legal aspects . Full Report

KM offers a warm welcome to the new Indian Ambassador KM and its readers wish him all success in doing his duties as the first citizen of the country without fear or favours.

Board Reinstates Jayaram G Panicker and Biju Mathew of Indian School Mulada

Labour Department says sacking of two teachers illegal and not in compliance with Oman's labour rules, But School SMC is adamant that the teachers should leave!

The arrogance of SMC and board members is once again reflected in the way in which they are handling the termination of two teachers of Indian School Moladha. According to a letter from the Board of directors Manjula Ramdas to the Labour Department, the entire process of termination was not fully in compliance with the local labour rules. Accordingly the reasons for termination is not satisfactory as the warning letters issued to the two teachers contravened the labour rules. The board convened a joint meeting with the members of the Indian School Muladha on July 19, 2003. Even though it was agreed to reinstate the teachers, the SMC members are still adamant about the issue. The labour department asked the school to provide sufficient compensation to the terminated teacher, the SMC is adamant. "In view of the decision in the meeting, it was decided by the board members and the school management committee unanimously to avoid any further delay in settling the matter and not prolong the case by taking it to the higher court to the interest of the education of the children. Overnight termination of teachers is a legacy of the past, which should be forthwith. Why should the school management members who are not qualified or competent to indulge in such a job spend the public fund for litigation? Same situation is facing M M Joshi, the Indian SchooMuscat Principal who has been put in a state of animated suspension. Join the heated debate on the Indian School Muladha Discussion Forum.

Saudi flight Wanted emergency landing as passenger dies inboard: Ground Staff raise false alarm, denies permission

Dubai - What happened on last Wednesday at a Gulf International Airport looks like joke and false alarm raised by a group of airport ground staff without knowing the "sky realities". Full Report

Did Hijacked Plane's bid to land in Gulf Airport Disrupt Air Services?

Indian School Board reinstates sacked teachers of Indian School Mulada, But SMC member adamant on taking back the teachers sacked illegally...Watch this space.

 

Did the business lobby play any role in organising workers in front of the Indian embassy on the first day of the new ambassador?

It is rumoured that some vested interest were behind organising the workers of 3 companies simultaneously in front of the Embassy to put across a point that the former ambassador was inefficient in handling labour issues. It may be noted that a leading Member of Parliament (with clear interest in school business) had raised a hue and cry about the labour problems in Oman and the embassy's inefficiency. It is an unprecedented event in the history of Indian Embassy that workers of three companies gathered together on a particular day when the new ambassador took charge. One of the reasons for the premature transfer of Meena was his questioning the role of a politicians son to continue in school committee. The lobbying is continuing and the new ambassador, please take note of this. Workers have a genuine problem, but let others not utilise them for their vested gameplans. watch this space.

Oman Air reduces airfare to Kerala by RO 20.

Thanks to an exclusive report in KM about the unjustifiable difference in airfare charged by Oman Air from passengers from Dubai and Muscat, theairline has reduced the rate by RO 20 with immediate effect. The Keralite community in the Sultanate will benefit from the decision. It is yet another feather in KM's cap. What will KM write after KM Meena leaves? Asked our friends. These are the things that we will continue to do for the common man. Mind you without taking any bribes, as alleged in your columns.

Oman Air takes Kerala passengers for a Ride?

Is the Keralite community in Oman taken for aride by Oman Air? KM learns that the Airline is following a step motherly treatment towards the Kerala bound Malayali passengers from Seeb International Airport by adopting a very high airfare compared to the rate charged from adjacent destination. While a Muscat Malayali pays a whopping RO 220 for a return ticket to Muscat -Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram, another passenger who boards the same plane from Dubai pay just Dhs. 1400 (equvalent to RO 140). ? For a single ticket from Dubai to Trivandrum/Kochi, Oman Air takes only Dhs 800, where as the same airline charges RO 140 from a Muscat Malayali. While the difference between Bombay and South Indian ticket fare is just 400 Dhs in the UAE, the gap widens to RO 80 in case of Muscat Malayalis. Bombay-Muscat return fare is RO 150 and for South India it is RO 220. Full Report

Protest Online against Chief Minister Antony

Online Travel Package Booking through Portal

29 July 2003: In a bid to offer partners and customers enhanced and value added services continually, myTravelChannel.com, the Middle East's most popular travel website today launched a mybooking tab that allows customers to select products and services to tailor-make as well as monitor the status of their holiday bookings. Full Report

Defamation Charges against Community Leaders; Two Sites Blocked

A criminal defamatory case has been lodged against a former School Board member allegedly for circulating filthy stories about K M Meena, the former Indian Ambassador, Manjula Ramdas, the new chairman of the board of directors, Dr. Deepa Raman and Dr. Dalalal, other in school board. The two sites which propagated wrong and highly defamatory reports are blocked by the Crime Busters. A former vice chairman of the board of directors of Indian Schools was reportedly questioned by the CID. The blocked site is Omanmonitor. The name of a local reporter is also dragged into the controversy. Manjula Ramdas has claimed a big amount as compensation from the culprits for the damages caused to her reputation and public image -watch this space.

New Free Economic Zone in Kochi, Gold Hallmarking in India

Murder Attempt on Six year old Indian School Muscat Girl Student

It was a murder attempt, say sources.

An unidentified person has assaulted a junior class girl student of Indian school Muscat Jibro, causing severe injuries on the throat . According to sources a person approached the girl who was sitting alone in the bus and allegedly assaulted her with a sharp weapon. The girl's neck is cut slightly and is rushed to a hospital where she is recovering. The Indian School Muscat Student was attacked by an unidentified young man with a motive to kill her. According to sources, the girl was alone in the vehicle taking some snacks when the school bus driver claims that he was sleeping. "The injuries are severe and there are two cuts on her throat and fortunately the girl's life is saved. The girl says a man in tea shirt entered the school bus and attacked her with a sharp knife," added sources Full Report

Media Monitor

Labourers seek embassy help over unpaid wages Report by Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief Gulf News

300 workers stage silent protest near Indian embassy, Special Report by Adarsh Madhavan,Times of Oman

"The Indian workers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc., of the Oman Transport and Contracting Company (OTCO) told the Times of Oman that they have not obtained their salaries for the last three-and-a-half months. Other than that, they do not have proper accommodation and neither do they obtain proper food because the company mess was supplying them with meagre, and at times, maggot-ridden rations. Since the camp is without any air-conditioning (the air-condition units are there, but sans power supply) the workers are forced to sleep outside," reported the scribe

Serial Killer News Create Panic Among Indian School Students in Saudi Arabia?

DAMMAM, 22 January 2003 —A hot crime news is circulating among residents through the Internet, indicating that a new serial killer is active, probably targetting Indian School Students in Saudi Arabia. "Dammam and Alkhobar have been buzzing for the past two days with talk that a man wearing a black abaya and wearing black gloves was on the prowl in the Doha, Sulatnia and Dana districts during the early morning hours," said reports from Saudi Arabia. Full Report

Workers of three companies strike in front of Indian Embassy.

Nearly 700 workers of OTCO, Modern Construction and Dessert Palm assembloed in front of the Indian Embassy Muscat protesting against non payment of salary for several months and other issues. The embassy called police and the agitated workers remained there for a long time. However, there was no phyiscal attack on workers, but the black commandoes were present in front of the Indian Embassy

    Coca-Cola in India accused of leaving farms parched and land poisoned
     
    The Guardian reportedthat the largest Coca-Cola plant in India is being accused of putting thousands of farmers out of work by draining the water that feeds their wells, and poisoning the land with waste sludge that the company claims is fertiliser. The plant in the southern state of Kerala is designed to satisfy the demand for Coke in what has become the multinational company's fastest growing market.But its huge demand for water is causing such damage to the local economy that the village council which had granted the company a licence to operate is now demanding the plant's closure. More News
 
New CEO Appointed to Take Jordan Telecom into Competitive Era
Satyam implements 'Virtual University' portal for leading global consortium of universities  Sakhr announces a strategic alliance with SAIL LABS Technology, Europe Media Mining and Management solutions the first of their kind IS0 9001: 2000 certification strengthens Siemens LLC standing in Middle East region IBM Business Consulting Services helps bring e-Governance to the Government of Pondicherry U.N. Warns India On AIDS Problem As New Figures Released Wholesale-retail sector is the biggest spender of IT in Saudi Arabia's booming market Indian News No foreign university programme can be offered against AICTE Regulations Govt to consider model cinema regulations Managing the health risks
     
    Troops Accused of Mosul Killing
     
    Witnesses Say Crowd Was Fired On After Hussein Firefight; U.S. Denies Allegation

Saturday, July 26, 2003: MOSUL, Iraq, July 25 -- It was too much for the 20 men watching. Almost all of them buried their faces in their hands and sobbed. "Why did the Americans kill my son?" said Basil Hamed Azawi, 63. "By God, I say to you, I thought it was better to have good relations with the Americans and repair our country. But now the Americans have lost any relationship with Iraq. How can I face them now? What should I do? What can I do?"Neighbors here said Hamed was killed on Tuesday by U.S. soldiers who fired into a crowd of young, unarmed Iraqis who were throwing rocks at the troops, shortly after the fierce firefight in which U.S. troops killed the two sons of former president Saddam Hussein, Uday and Qusay. Full Report

Ajith Kumar removed as Indian School Muscat President

Hardly one month after Ajith Kumar was given the much coveted post of Indian School Muscat President, he is terminated at the last minute for changing his affiliation towards the business lobby. A new president is appointed hours before the Indian Ambassador K M Meena is to leave Muscat. C M Sardar, an office bearer of Indian Social Club is the new ISM president . Like a former school board chairman who showed dual contradictory face Ajith Kumar too became a pawn in the hands of the bsiness lobby. More soon. Earlier Report

Recent Reports on Indian Schools

Tale of two sparring dotcoms, Special Report about km in Gulf News

|By Sunil k. vaidya | 24-07-2003

The lack of official information on various issues and keen interest among the Indian expatriates in their community school management affairs have given rise to Oman-based websites at a time the dot com business has seen a major slump.The two much talked about web sites deal mostly with issues related to Oman yet they are named keralamonitor.com and newkeralamonitor.com. The keralamonitor.com started first and with reports of labour woes, thefts, suicides, crimes and other stories that the local papers would not touch, the number of visitors to the site grew steadily. Interestingly, a scribe working with the official daily Oman Daily Observer is the brain behind the keralamonitor.com. Somewhere along the line the site took up the cudgels on behalf of the Indian ambassador, K. M. Meena, who began asserting his authority as the patron of the Indian School Board. Hitherto, the ambassadors had not interfered in the running of the schools. Full Report

KM IN NEWS ALWAYS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

Corruption due to Business Interest in School System has been Shaken

The Parents and the Indian community should vigilantly monitor school reform and continue to demand transparency and accountability from the school board and management committees.During the last two years, the lopsided and corrupt systems which prevailed in the Indian School Scenario for the last one decade has been temporarily shaken by the outgoing Indian Ambassador K M Meena, who is likely to be posted in New Delhi. It is likely that the entire process in the Indian education scenario can go back to square one . Corruption and malpractice could resurface. The whole reform process can be reversed in a single day and private schools may continue to charge high fees without any transparency of operation. Indian School Muscat, the largest community school should reduce the deposit at least by half as there is sufficient fund in theschool. Keeping more funds in community schools would make them proneto misapprorpriation. As happened in Kuwait Indian schools , this may lead tomore corruption. The community leaders action should not damage the reputation of the Indian community. --Watch this space for KM Meena's Departure Message to the Indian community in Oman.

European lady and gang smartly rob South Indian Salesman

A gang in the Ruwi area of Muscat smartly robbed a South Indian expatriate salesman. The expatriate salesman, who withdrew RO 3,000 from the Ruwi Branch of Oman International Bank (OIB), Ruwi branch was robbed in a smart manner by the gang comprising a lady, with European features and one or two men. Full Report

Harassment of Indian Girls Continues in Beauty Parlous, Polyclinics, Garment Factories, Brothels and even ..Watch out

We have no reason to keep mum on any issues

Dear Sir,

I am surprised to see that you are mum on the Wadi Kabir Beauty parlour issue? Is it because the owners, are close to your heart? Even TOO (sic) reported in Citylights and Asianet reported that the establishment was closed down. Such news should be given with details of the businessmen behind the issue, to protect poor people, who go unpaid for 10 months and all.- letter from a KM visitor. Read our Reports

Iraq: Continuing failure to uphold human rights

(Baghdad) After more than 100 days of occupation, the promises of human rights for all Iraqis have yet to be fulfilled, Mahmoud Ben Romdhane Amnesty International's head of delegation to Iraq said.Speaking at the launch of a Memorandum on concerns relating to law and order (full report online at http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maabhFeaaZnvcbb0hHSb/ ), he continued: "The Iraqi people have suffered for long enough - it is shameful to still hear of people who are being detained in inhumane conditions without their family knowing where they are and with no access to a lawyer or a judge - often for weeks on end." More

Duscussion Forum Active - Muladha School

He has always for any reason and purposes used the TERMINATION NOTICE as a sword over us teachers. To please some of you members(past and present) and some influential parents, he has abused us and harrassed us in the worst possible manner.The many teachers he has sacked in the past are such wonderful,dedicated and experienced teachers. Many of their records(performance) will prove their efficiency and this school actually stands on the legacy they left behind. Yes in front of him(principal) we have to stand ignorant and shake our heads for anything and everything he says cause thats what he wants from us. Approaching you all(SMC members) once again is solely to improve the only service we can provide for our children that is "Good education" in a pleasant atmosphere. Could you please give us a new Principal? Join the Discussion Forum

Kelly had converted to Baha'i faith, which rejects suicide :Russian Newsportal U.S. promises proof of Saddam sons' deaths Also, top Republican Guard commander captured Two U.S. Soldiers Killed After Death of Saddam Sons Kelly had converted to Baha'i faith, which rejects suicide :Russian Newsportal

KM Salutes the Sultan of Oman

KM editor and readers wish the Kind Ruler of Oman Sultan Qaboos and his people continued prosperity and happiness under the able leadership of His Majesty on the occasion of the country's 33rd Renaissance Day today.

This joyous occasion marks the successful completion of three decades of development that transformed a group of tribal society into one of the most modern nation states in the Arab world. Oman has achieved remarkable progress in various fields, which even some of the democratic countries failed to match. The expatriate community too played an important role in this transformation. KM wishes him good health, happiness and a long life.

 Sultan QaboosThanks to the Wisdom and long sighted vision of the Sultan the Sultanate is also developing into a democratic country. 

2 Filipinos Sentenced to 350 Lashes

RIYADH, 22July 2003 — Two Filipino workers have been sentenced to 350 lashes each for retracting their previous statements in a murder case before the Riyadh Emergency Court, while another Filipino suspect implicated in the same case has been acquitted without corporal punishment, the Arab News reported. The case involves the murder of a Saudi official named Fahad Al-Otaibi working for a Saudi law enforcement agency. More

 Click Here to have Real Shopping Experience Click

60,000 page views a month, Most popular portal among expatriates. Consistent traffick ; Make your home page for just nothing contact editor@keralamonitor.com

Land to landless adivasis of Kerala more News

Homosexual Prosecutions Overturned Internet Arrests, Harassments Continue

(New York, July 22, 2003) -- The acquittal by a Cairo appeals court of eleven men earlier convicted of consensual homosexual conduct is a step forward, but arrests and harassment of men who have sex with men continue in Egypt, Human Rights Watch said today. The appeals court overturned the convictions on July 20."Men remain imprisoned in Egypt for private acts, in a continuing crackdown which violates international law," said Scott Long, a researcher for Human Rights Watch. "What is needed is to repeal the provisions of a law which invite repressive enforcement." The men were among sixteen who had been charged in February 2003, when police tapped the phone of a private apartment in the Giza district of greater Cairo after an informer reported that the owner was visited by other men. Police arrested the men whose recorded conversations suggested that they had engaged in homosexual acts..Full Report

Mysterious Diseases Haunt U.S. Troops In Iraq

BAGHDAD - Several mysterious diseases were reported among a number of American troops within the vicinity of Baghdad airport, a military source closely close to NATO unveiled. U.S. soldiers deployed around Baghdad airport started showing symptoms of mysterious fever, itching, scars and dark brown spots on the skin, the source, who refused to be named, said in statements published Thursday, July 17, by the Saudi Al-Watan newspaper. He asserted that three soldiers who suffered these symptoms did not respond to medical treatment in Iraqi hospitals and were flown to Washington for medication. The military source reported a media blackout by U.S. officials to hide such information from the public. More

Mystery of the eight missing hours before the body was found Bangladeshi Put on Trial for Screening Porn Movies in Saudi Gloves off in village that wants answers on death Gunman Opens Fire on People in a Local Mosque Nigeria: No Justice For Kaduna Killings African Union: Adoption of the Protocol on the Rights of Women - positive step towards combating discrimination and violence against women

KM Discussion Forum Witnesses Heated Debate on Indian School Moladha Principal Vs Teachers Vs Parents

Joint appeal to SMC Members- Indian School Muladha

Name: Teachers Indian School Muladha
Date Posted: Jul 21, 03 - 2:15 AM
Message: You are very much aware of the unfortunate happenings in our school and the negative effect its having on our children. The letters to this site is itself enough to jolt us all. We are sure you will soon act in a positive way to help set things right and give this school a new lease of life by appointing a Principal with a vision and a positive approach. We teachers have many grieveances too. The working atmosphere is extremely bad and we feel demoralized and often dissappointed in the manner we are treated by the principal. We are very sorry to send such an open letter but we are forced to do so because of the 'never care' attitude of the Principal. We have approached him many times and so also your goodselves. Our basic requirements itself are not provided by this principal. Though our requirements like furniture and basic amenities are menial compared to the Himalayan problems our children are facing in the school, yet we wish to bring this too to your notice. We are not able to understand, why the principal has so many excuses and reasons for not providing us(Teachers) adequate furniture in our quarters but is always willing to provide more than required furniture in the House occupied by his sectretary. More Postings

Indian Dies in Hospital After Falling from Terrace, while sleeping

Shamsudeen (28 years) from Cherupalakkada, Kozhikkodu who has been undergoing treatment at the Khoula Hospital following a mysterious fall while sleeping on a building terrace in Sur died on Monday atthe Khoula hospital. According to his well wishers, the unmarried Keralite workers hospital bill is about RO 3,000 which his company or sponsor are not able to pay. The sponsor is in the UK and the local manager is unable to foot the hospital bill. He was admitted in the hospital about one month ago. While nobody knows how he fell from the terrace, sources said he was sleeping on theterrace because of the heat inside the room. Anybody willing to help the family can contact Shamsudeen on 00968-9436861.

Why Not Malayali Principal and Teachers in Indian Schools

why are the parents and students of moladha school weep bitterly about the malayalee teachers,principal and smc members?is it for style and fashion.aren't malayalees indians? is their language in any way inferior to other indian languages?or are the minorities in the school prejudiced.?it is learnt that 80% of the students of the school are malayalees. the rest 20%makes the students from the other states + pakistan, Bangladesh, Srilanka,egypt,philipines,sudan etc etc.definitely 80%of the smc should b malayalees.they support the school and they are looked down.for what?if the school has a rule to converse in english, let all the staff follow that irrespective of the regional langages.let our children be masters of english and that doesn't mean we should degrade our mother tongues.it is true that some malayalees are allergic to malayalam.let us pity them.they don't have self respect.during my visits to the school i have heard teachers talking in tamil,hindi malayalam and whatever they know and the principal too.this is an indian school and everything indian has to b respected.regionalism and communalism should not be entertained and such elements should be removed.soon omanisation will push us back to our states and we have to b rehabilitated there for good. More and Join the Discussion Forum

The Kelly affair A haunted man But why did Kelly have to die? Exclusive Report from Observer about the mysterious death of a biological weapons scientist

Embassy revokes MoU of Indian School Al Ghubra, Indian School Wadi Kabir

Recent Reports from KM Click Here

Manjula Ramdas is the Chairperson of Indian School Board of Directors

The restructuring of the board of Indian schools, which is approved by the Ministry of Education, makes Manjula Ramdas, an active female member of the Indian community the Chairman and Dr. Dalal the Vice Chairman. The ministry has also approved the induction of four new members - Mr. Durgaprasad (the Bahwans group), Hakeem ( Ideal Marines), Mr.Chaudhury (Oman Computers) and one Bhupendra. More

American Soldiers looted Baghdad Airport, duty free Shops

Much has been written about how Iraqis complicated the task of rebuilding their country by looting it after Saddam Hussein's regime fell. According to an interesting report in the Times about the international airport outside Baghdad, theft and vandalism were conducted largely by victorious American troops.Quoting U.S. officials, Iraqi Airways staff members and other airport workers, the Times said American troops stole duty-free items, needlessly shot up the airport and trashed five serviceable Boeing airplanes. What was then called Saddam International Airport fell to soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division on April 3. For the next two weeks, airport workers say, soldiers sleeping in the airport's main terminal helped themselves to items in the duty-free shop, including alcohol, cassettes, perfume, cigarettes and expensive watches. More News

More Culprits facing Investigation?

Following the recent interrogation of the KR family members, more people have been reportedly brought within the purview of law enforcement agencies. According to KM sources, two senior businessmen have been nabbed in connection with certain white collor crimes. Certain sections of the community who have close business association with the Gujarathi family are also being monitored. Some senior bank officials are also being questioned in connection with the bank fraud.

Police seize two million tapes in Egypt's biggest ever piracy raid

    65Convicts on Death Row in Makkah Region
    JEDDAH, 5July 2003 — Sixty-five people of various nationalities convicted of crimes punishable by death are presently awaiting execution in the Makkah province. Only if the next of kin of the victims pardon them — a practice not uncommon in Saudi Arabia — will the lives of the criminals be saved. The pardon sometimes takes places at the last minute, when the convict has been brought to the place of execution. According to Okaz newspaper, the majority of those on death row have been convicted of drug-related crimes or murder. Saudis make up 80 percent of those who have been convicted of murder. Full Report
     
     
    Watch this space for more spicy reports from some of the polyclinics where female staff have been allegedly subjected to sexual harassment by ...?
     
    Iran's successful missile Shihab-3 ground-to-ground missile test puts Israel within range India-Tanzania share Low Cost Housing Technology, Women Empowerment
     

Iraq Oil Flowing to Kuwait to pay for the war expenses?

According to Hank Brandli, 63, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumnus, some of his most recent photo showed a blazing corridor of light running the length of Kuwait, south to north, all the way to the Iraqi border. The image wasn't there on May 3. "It's going right up to Iraq's oil fields," says the retired Air Force colonel from his home in Palm Bay. "Maybe I'm full of s---. Maybe all they're doing is building a highway to put in McDonald's and sell hamburgers. But why go that way? I think we're in bed with Kuwait. I think we're pumping oil out of Iraq to pay for this war. "If you're building pipelines, you've got to have power, you've got to have light -- trucks and personnel and food and all sorts of support. If I had to bet, I'd say it looks like we're running Iraqi oil through Kuwait. It would make sense, because Kuwait's got its infrastructure intact." At the State Department in Washington, D.C., David Staples on the Future of Iraqi Projects desk says he doesn't know if Iraq's oil is flowing into Kuwait. He referred the query to the Defense Department. A DoD spokesman suggested contacting the Office of Coalition of Provisional Authority (OCPA) in Baghdad. OCPA was not immediately available for comment. Full Report

So where is Iraq's oil, especially the oil in its rich south eastern fields, going?

The same place it went before Gulf War I. To Kuwait.

Except this time, instead of slanted drilling (going under the Iraqi-Kuwait border), the Bush family's old friends, the Kuwaitis are taking it out in broad daylight...if you have access to the satellite photos: In case you missed the story the first time, here's the short story of why Iraq invaded Kuwait ten plus years ago:"The whole dispute started because Kuwait was slant-drilling. Using equipment bought from National Security Council chief Brent Scowcroft's old company, Kuwait was pumping out some $14-billion worth of oil from underneath Iraqi territory. Even the territory they were drilling from had originally been Iraq's. Slant-drilling is enough to get you shot in Texas, and it's certainly enough to start a war in the Mideast.Even so, this dispute could have been negotiated. But it's hard to avoid a war when what you're actually doing is trying to provoke a war"

Iraq: No Amnesty for Mass murderers U.S. and U.K. Should Not Offer Immunity for Information

(New York, July 3, 2003) -- U.S. and U.K. officials should not offer former senior Iraqi leaders amnesty or immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing information on Saddam Hussein or weapons of mass destruction, Human Rights Watch said today.Full Report

Contracting Company delay salary, but hastens new recruitment

Modern Construction & Trading company is currently recruting staff from Kerala. Even though some sources say that the company is not giving salary and workers suffer from mental tension. However, the company's senior staff is not concerned and the Keralite wife of the Managing Director and the company staff are least bothered..Join Discussion Forum.

Immoral Students Behaviour due to Parents Fault, not Principal's

More importantly - the parents who sent their children to Indian Schools should keep some moral standards - they have no time for anything, they are very busy in partying and get-togethers, executive'w wifes driving posh cards, putting all make-ups and wandering here and there so they fail to educate their sons/daughters for a proper life. Their children wander here there like stray dogs. They don't how to dress-up properly, how to talk The parents should understand (may be purposely act ignorant due to plenty of conveience of comfortable life in the Gulf)that their children are the assets of a great country, they should represent the image of the country Anyone can see absolute chaois in their life patterns irrespective of girls or boys. We blame managements, principals and not bothered to set a standard for their children and not bothered to teach them what is life, what is education and what it gives you. So start from each one's home first and set an example for others.

New Procedures for Nomination of Seats from the Central Pool for MBBS/BDS admission

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is receiving a large number of requests from various sources either for allotment of MBBS/BDS seats from the Central Pool or recommending their names under the scheme of All India Entrance Examinations for MBBS/BDS and MD/MS/MDS seats conducted by CBSE and AIIMS respectively. The selection of candidates in All India Entrance Examinations conducted by CBSE and AIIMS on the basis of scheme devised and approved by the Hon’ble Supreme Court is made purely on merit basis and as such, no nomination under the scheme is feasible.Full Report

Iraqis Defy Bush, Wound Seven U.S. Soldiers in Attacks

BAGHDAD - Seven American soldiers were wounded in two separate attacks on occupation forces in Iraq on Thursday, a day after President Bush said there were enough U.S. troops in Iraq to deal with the militants. More

Public Sector Oil PSUS report 83 per cent profit growth -Intenet Facility in Railway Stations

Saudi Government Should Stop Death Penalty of Migrant Women" Rights Body

Asian Women Migrant Workers on Death Row

(New York, July 2, 2003) -- The government of Saudi Arabia should impose a moratorium on executions until all death penalty cases are independently reviewed, Human Rights Watch said today. The review should also examine practices of the justice and interior ministries that may have violated basic due process rights of Saudi citizens and foreigners
sentenced to death. Human Rights Watch said the cases of two Asian women migrant
workers sentenced to death for allegedly killing their employers raise troubling questions about the transparency and fairness of the Saudi justice system in capital punishment cases. Neither woman had access to a lawyer or any other form of legal assistance, and consular officials were not present at their trials. Both women were convicted on the basis of confessions, a common feature of the kingdom's justice system. "Innocent people may be on death row in Saudi Arabia facing imminent execution," said Virginia Sherry, associate director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch. "Two Asian women migrant workers now on death row are persuasive examples of the need for review and reform: they did not speak Arabic, did not have lawyers,
and may have been forced to sign confessions.
" -- More

Man buried baby girl, but she lives

Asian Age Special

Bhopal, July 3: When 30-year-old farmer Sudama Patel decided on June 29 to cycle down to the local health centre near Kailashpur village, in a remote corner of Rewa district, with his pregnant wife Gulabkali in tow, little did he expect to be languishing in jail 24 hours later for burying his newborn baby girl. That the infant would miraculously survive may also have been beyond the contours of his crude imagination. “Phir ladki (A girl again)” exclaimed Sudama in disappointment when the sex of the new born became clear. Seething in anger, he slapped Gulabkali, picked up the baby, walked a few paces and deposited her in the bushes in between two trees. And to ensure that she did not live to see another day, he covered her face with stones. Then, grabbing his cycle, he slipped off into the woods, leaving his wife alone in the lengthening shadows in the forest. Full Report

Indian Shaikh Resigns from Bank Board Membership

A leading Indian business family in Muscat is being monitored by the law enforcement authorities for alleged money laundering charges. One of the family members who was on the board of a leading commercial bank since 1997 resigned from the board, following investigation into various charges including illegal money transfer . "He is not allowed to sign any major financial deals...The escape of a former bank Chief Executive from the Caribbean is also being investigated," said sources. Unconfirmed reports say drug money from the western hemisphere was transferred through some non-banking channels. They have to their credit not only the local cheating case, but the Caribbean connection too. The Shaikhs have been smartly duping banks, financial institutions, ministries and even their local partners. It is also learned that the payment pending from various parties is not being released. Fearing the unknown, another Indian Shaikh started slowly pulling out from Oman and is trying to build up a political career. Watch this space.

Bengali's Life Saved by Kerala Doctor, the story of Cleaning Rectum

MUSCAT — The ingenuity displayed in the removal of a soft drink bottle, which seems to have accidentally found its way into the rectum of an expatriate, has put a young doctor and the local polyclinic where he works in the spotlight. While many are still wondering how a nearly eight-inch, 2.5cm diameter bottle (bottom) got stuck in a 37-year-old man’s rectum, the rest are marvelling at the sheer resourcefulness of Dr S. Deepak, specialist general and laparoscopic surgeon, at Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, reported Adarsh Madhavan in the Times of Oman.

Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah tours Dubai eGovernment offices and commends their achievements

UK Armed Forces raped hundreds of Kenyan women?

Six hundred and fifty allegations of rape have so far been made against members of the UK army posted to Kenya for training over a period of more than 30 years, Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International said today. "The fact that so many rape claims over such a long period of time were neither investigated nor prosecuted shows a systemic failure of the UK army and may amount to institutional acquiescence which encouraged a pattern of grave human rights violations by members of the UK army."Full Report

Gujarat Massacre Cases Sabotaged

(New York, July 1, 2003) - The ringleaders of massacres committed in 2002
are still roaming free in Gujarat, Human Rights Watch charged in a new
report released today.More

 Eight Saudi Nationals Arrested in India for Visa Norm Violations, Preaching Islam

Baroda, July 1: The police in Bharuch, Gujarat, arrested nine foreigners for violating visa and immigration norms by making "inflammatory" speeches and preaching Islam in various parts of Bharuch since May 22. Eight of the arrested men are from Saudi Arabia and the ninth is from Sudan Full Report

An alleged Sexual Abuse of minor female Student in School is said to be the real reason for sacking someone important in the Indian schools? Those who detect such immoral activity and molestation by influential people get marching orders? Watch this space.

Join Discussion Forum.

Sacking orders are immoral, illegal, Moladah School teachers. School could be fined upto huge amount for violating labour rules.-Molada school teachers case postponed..More

Secret meeting in Kuwait could signal that Iran is next on the chopping block, says report.

Two weeks ago, a prince of the Kuwaiti Royal family received a phone call from an aide to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld asking if the complex was available. The prince already suspected it was needed for one of those secret meetings, which Washington has taken to holding in the Gulf. The next day a Hercules transport landed at Kuwait’s international airport. From it emerged a group of pale-faced, middle-aged men in drill shirts and chinos. They carried laptops and bulky briefcases.Full Report

Ambassadors Come and Go...KM Will Continue its mission

Kuwait Indian School Iran Indian Schools

Sacked Tehran Indian School Teacher Becomes Principal in India

Jerry Thomas, Crusader of Teachers Right in Indian Schools

"You might remember me. I am Jerry Thomas, legally dismissed teacher of the Indian School - Tehran, Iran. Because of you and your brave portal I was able to get some justice from my detractors, but not for long. By then they had gotten to you and forced you to stop the crusade against evil. Anyway that is all right. At present I am in India and I am working in a reputed school as a Principal. (I won't disclose the name due to obvious reasons) Please do not stop the crusade. The world has hardly any brave and conscientious people nowadays. You were one; do not go the way of ordinary people. Let us stand firm in the face of injustice and evil. Let us overcome injustice and evil with truth. Please do something to help the poor Indian community being victimized in Tehran. Grave injustice is being done to the Indian community living in Tehran, by the Indian Embassy. Please do something to protect them and their interests. Please do not allow evil forces to triumph like this, when you have the power to do something. Your news portal was a crusader and a powerful weapon against injustice. Please continue to be so. I don't know whether Mr. XXX is still there in Kerala Monitor. He was an ace and a go getter. Please take some action against the evil doings of the Embassy of India.--More

Letters to the Editor Jerry Thomas, Crusader of Teachers Right in Indian Schools IBM Unveils New ThinkCentre Desktop Family Travel with peace of mind this summer HolidayGuard Travel Insurance now available on mytravelchannel.com Al Alamiah Electronics prepares the Islamic University for the e-Government Project Report from American Free Press Top U.S. Officials Discuss Expanding ‘Terror War’ to Iran, Beyond Halliburton World Business Empire

Eleven Injured as Helicopter Crashes in Saudi Asir Mountains

ABHA, 1 July 2003 — Eleven policemen were hurt when their helicopter crashed while chasing a suspect who on Saturday shot and seriously injured a security man. Security sources said the helicopter was damaged when it made an emergency landing in the mountains of Asir province, near the borders with Yemen, at sunset on Sunday.Full Report

Civil Defence also announces the launch of a new portal offering for online services

Dubai - The Department of Civil Defence today (Sunday, June 29, 2003) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai eGovernment to implement change management programme within the department. Colonel Ali Al Sayed Ibrahim, Director, Department of Civil Defence and Salem Al-Shair, Director of eServices, Dubai eGovernment, signed the MoU. The Civil Defence Department also re-launched its portal, which has been fully integrated with the Dubai eGovernment portal www.dubai.ae, at a press conference.

 

UNFT Revises Controversial Food Safety Standards

Rome - The Codex Alimentarius Commission opened its 26th session today
with representatives from 169 countries coming together to decide on the
adoption of a number of controversial new food safety standards designed
to safeguard the health of consumers worldwide, while improving global
agricultural trade opportunities.Full Report

Nigeria: Strike against fuel prices shut down cities

LAGOS, 30 June (IRIN) - Nigeria was shut down on Monday by a general strike called by trade unions to protest at a stiff increase in fuel prices. Banks, schools, government offices and businesses were closed and the normally bustling streets of major cities were devoid of traffic.Full Report

Abuse Worsens AIDS Crisis Drug users, sex workers targeted in one of world's worst AIDS epidemics

(New York, June 30, 2003) - Human rights abuse against injection drug users
and sex workers in Kazakhstan is fueling one of the fastest growing AIDS
epidemics in the world, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released
today. More

Iraq: The US must ensure humane treatment and access to justice for Iraqi detainees

Amnesty International called on the United States today to give hundreds of Iraqis detained since the beginning of the occupation the right to meet families and lawyers and to have a judicial review of their detention. The organization also called on the US to investigate allegations of ill-treatment, torture and death into custody.

Explore Multi billion Oil and Gas Contracts in Iraq

According to a recent Deutsche Bank report, there could be as much as US$1.5 billion in contracts to upgrade wells and pipes around the oil production facilities in Iraq. The country which has 112.5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, used to earlier produce 2.8 million barrels of oil per day. With the modernisation and repair of its infrastructure, experts say that Iraq could be producing an additional million barrels of oil per day. Full Report

Missing US Soldiers body Found in Iraq

BAGHDAD, 29 June 2003 — US forces in Iraq recovered the bodies of two soldiers missing for three days after apparently being abducted, the military said yesterday, while a separate attack left one soldier dead and four wounded. Full Report

14 UK Lesbians Get Pregnant through the Internet

London, June 28: Fourteen lesbians have become pregnant with the help of a British company selling sperm over the Internet., the Asian Age reported. ManNotIncluded.com, whose sperm donor introduction service for lesbians and single women began a year ago, said on Friday that Britain’s first online baby would be born within four weeks. One of the company’s lesbian customers, Jaime Saphier, 26, said she was expecting a child in January after she and her partner paid more than £1,300 for a sperm sample that they chose from a list of anonymous donors on the website, said the Asian Age Report. Full Report

Father's Negligence Cause Tragic Death of a 3 year old Girl

MUSCAT - An Arab family witnessed the tragic death of a three year old daughter due to mere negligence of parents. According to informed people, an Omani picked up his kids from a summer school and when they reached home (Al Hail near Seeb,) the father took out all the children, locked the car and went inside the villa at around 2 p.m. Unfortunately one of the kids, a three year old girl, was sleeping in the backseat. Full Report

Oman Forum Discusses Chedi Hotel Scandal

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

Gulf Media Monitor
Media Freedom in 2003 UAE Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain Saudi Arabia Egypt Internet Freedom

Global tensions, lack of democracy keep Gulf media cowed

Newspapers in Saudi Arabia are privately-owned but their publishers and editors are appointed or must be approved of by the government. The powerful Higher Media Council is headed by interior minister Prince Nayef, who is the true master of the media. Local television is deliberately under-equipped. Satellite receiver dishes are everywhere, though they are frowned on by the government. The Internet is another source of information , but since its belated arrival in the country in 1999, access has been restricted by the government's Internet Services Unit. A survey by Harvard Law School said access to more than 2,000 website was blocked, not just pornographic or ordinary film sites, but those to do with politics, health, women's rights and education. The Internet is the bane of all dictatorial regimes, but even in democracies, new anti-terrorism laws have tightened government control of it and undermined the principle of protecting journalistic sources. This report is about attitudes to the Internet by the powerful in 60 countries, between spring 2001 and spring 2003.Full Report

X-rays in International Airports to strip-search travelers

June 27, 2003 A new security scanning X-ray system which is being tested in the US will effectively strip passengers to detect whether they are carrying any explosives. The controversial anti-terrorist measure could dramatically boost travel safety, but passengers will have to pass through an uncomfortable position of being stripped in airports and customs clearance . More News

Cyber-dissident wins the first Cyber-Freedom Prize awarded by Reporters s@ns frontières - Globenet for 2003

Saudiazation of Supermarkets boomerangs?

According to senior manager of one of the oldest supermarkets on Takhassusi Street the store had to fire 20 out of 50 new Saudi recruits within a short period due to frequent absenteeism, lack of punctuality and excessive use of mobile phones at counters

Two journalists physically attacked in the UAE

Reporter Abdelhay Mohamed and photographer Mohamed Omran Shahed, of the daily paper Al-Ittihad, were attacked by two employees of a construction firm. Several dozen Egyptian immigrant labourers had complained to the paper about their living and working conditions, saying they had no contracts, had not been paid for a long time and were forced to live in tiny rooms. The paper sent the two journalists to investigate. While they were taking photos of the cramped living quarters, two of the firm's employees attacked them, tearing up the reporter's notebook and smashing the photographer's camera. Full Report

Thousands of refugees displaced by unrest at Kenyan camp

NAIROBI, 25 June (IRIN) - About 30,000 Sudanese refugees have been displaced from their homes within the Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya, due to fighting with the local Turkana people which has claimed 11 lives. .

US orders nuke labs to improve security levels

WASHINGTON, June 24 -- US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham ordered Tuesday the nuclear weapons laboratories across the country to improve security in response to recent security problems."In light of recent security incidents at the labs ... improved security must be aggressive and far reaching," said Abraham. More news

Global Healthcare Standards

Expatriate Patient dont get timely treatment in Governemnt Hospitals.

An Indian expatriate who has been suffering from serious pain recently approached a health center for free treatment as provided in his job contract. As the disease apparently could not be handled in the Health center, the doctor referred him to a hospital with better infrastructure and facilities. The aged patient who approached the health center in the first week of June 2003 was shocked to receive a medical advise to meet the specialist doctor in the recommended Government hospital after six months!!! God only knows whether some critical patient will survive six months to meet the doctor at all. While one can understand the pressure in government hospitals due to limited resources, especially for expatriates, giving an appointment after six months is not a good health care practice for a country which boasts of the best health care protection in the world. Even expatriates who work for the government machinery are excluded from the health care facilities? Earlier reports said pregnant expatriate women could not be accommodated in government hospitals and were forced to approach the private hospitals. Media reports said the concerned ministry denied any such discrimination in Government hospitals.- KM Special.

Recent KM Special Reports and Exclusives (Click)

Four dead, two injured in explosion at Bhuj more Indian News

Trishul Testfired in Orissa

Balasore, Orissa, June 25For the fourth time in a row since last Sunday, the indigenously built sophisticated short range Surface-to-Air missile ''Trishul'' was testfired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 km from here today. The Missile, especially designed for the sea-skimming exercise for the Indian Navy, was testfired from a mobile launcher at 1345 hrs, ITR sources said.more

Buddham Sharanam Gachaami,Is Vajpayee trying to please Lord Buddha to smile again?

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee offering prayers at White Horse Temple at Louyang during his visit to China on June 25, 2003 (Wednesday). keralamonitor.com

 NORKA Warns NRKs about dubious Agencies Collecting money for Welfare Schemes, Roots is the only authorised agency. but why a number of unknown agencies are given recognition? . More News from Kerala

Saudi Airline recommended to lay off 2 , 880 Employees as KLM announces new job cuts

Man Who Sold Fake IDs to 9/11 Hijackers Allegedly Had Wider Terror Ties U.S. Punishes People With Power, Water Cut-Offs: Iraqis Should more UK troops be sent to Iraq? US journalist officially arrested in Aceh U.S. Department of State issues new report on Iran

Sakhr Software Co. reinforces its partnership with Ultimus
automating business processes in the Middle East

Iraq: Human rights must be foundation for rebuilding

Amman - On the eve of a major conference being organised by the World Economic Forum, where the future and reconstruction of Iraq will be discussed, Amnesty International today expressed concern over the current human rights situation in Iraq, saying: " respect for human rights must be the foundation to achieve security, peace and freedom in Iraq."More News

 British Forces Hunt for Gunmen in Iraq; Strengthening Public distribution System, PM toconvene meeting, India-China Relationstoimprove; New Fiber Optic cable network for Railways More News

DNRD felicitates officers and staff from IT department for excellent services
during DSF 2003
Dubai eGovernment online services reach 600 mark  UAE mobile phone penetration extensively outpaces landlines LG Vice Chairman Due in Dubai US Asks Syria to Control Terrorists Washington tries to persuade New Delhi to send troops to Iraq US loses helicopter, fighter jet in Iraq Education key to fighting child trafficking, says UNICEF LIBERIA: Government estimates over 300 killed in fighting

Cyber Crime - Online Romance Partner Duples Gulf NRI

MUMBAI - A former executive of a cement company, who cheated an Indian engineer based in Abu Dhabi of almost Rs10 million by posing as a woman and having an 'online relationship', has been arrested here, and several laptop computers and mobile phones seized from him. J.S. Sodi, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) in-charge of the Cyber Cell of Mumbai Police, told this correspondent that Pranab Mitra, the accused, had woven a complicated web, trapping Abu Dhabi-based Vinay Ninawe and forcing him to part with almost Rs10 million.Full Report

300 Employees of Oman Transport and Contracting Co not paid

 

Women and children eating grass in flood-hit region

School Fees Increased Three Times without Patrons Approval

No Guarantee for Three Crores of Parents Money! From 700 students in the beginning Indian School Ghubra has now got more than 3000 students

"As per clause 7 of the agreement signed by Mr.Mohammed Ali himself, he is supposed to give a guarantee to the patron for an amount equal to the number collected as deposits from the parents. In the initial period, he might have given one. But there is no record found in the Embassy files. The school is also not producing their copy after repeated requests," says a board member quoting the report. "If due to any reason Mohammed Ali is unable to return this money to the parents, who will be held responsible? Not Mr.Mohammed Ali but the poor board of directors," the member adds. The letter dated 25th June 2002 issued by the Ministry of Education, Oman interpreted the local law in the conflict arising in the Indian School Seeb case states : " The agreement signed between any person or party with the Indian Embassy contravenes the provision of the Ministerial decree 116/91." Full Report.

Asian Age Report Says India happy with UAE Cooperation in Dawood Case, Pakistan authorities gave free access to the Dawood Gang

Indian Absconded with more than a crore

MUSCAT -The manager of a leading trading firm in Muttrah, Muscat has been absconding allegedly with huge amount of money from a wholesale trading establishment. The absconding happened almost a month ago, has left many big business houses with huge exposure. In one case, the trading house owes RO 35,000 to a leading Gujarathi business house. More than 20 company staff have left the country before the manager decided to abscond with the cash. The amount involved is mind boggling, said sources.

Special Meeting of Commercial Representatives from West Asia, North Africa

CII, FIEO, FICCI to meet business counterparts from GCC

New Delhi - June 2, 2003 A Conference of the Commercial Representatives (CRs) of India from Amman (Jordan), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Algiers (Algeria), Cairo (Egypt), Khartoum (Sudan), Kuwait, Muscat (Oman), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Sana’a (Yemen), Tehran (Iran) and Tel Aviv (Israel) is being held from 3rd to 7th June 2003. This Conference is being organised by the Department of Commerce in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Full Report and More News

Sex Scandal Hits Kerala Politics: Lady accuses Political Leader of rape, Sexual Abuse for several years

New Labour Welfare Measures by Cleaning and Contracting Company : You are an Unwanted Worker if u work for RO 45 per month! But if you work for RO 30 per month, welcome back!

Some of the Gulf countries are introducing new labour laws intended to protect the workers interest. A cleaning and contracting company in Muscat which is employing nearly 1000 workers has recently took a unilateral decision to cut the Indian workers salary by almost 25 per cent.

A notice issued to workers of Oman International Group, entitled " Redundancy / Change in Basic Wage" reads --"Due to recession in the cleaning industry, we intend to make redundant most of our employees (cleaners) whose basic wage is RO:45/- or RO:38/- per month. Since your basic wage is RO:45/- you are one to be made redundant. However, if you wish to continue employment with OIG, then you must agree to accept a new contract of employment which will show your basic wage as RO:30/- per month, with effect from June 2003.We assure you that your gratuity dues up to 31st May 2003 will be calculated @ RO: 45/- (your present basic wage), and thereafter the gratuity will be calculated @ RO:30/- per month. Please sign below in acceptance of the above terms and conditions."

It is not known whether the revised salary applies to the local employees who are ensured a minimum salary per month. Is there a concept of minimum wages in the new labour contract and can companies impose such decisions in this manner? " Is this in line with local labour law especially new and innovative labour law announced as per the directive of the higher authorities. Majority of these are poor illiterate workers toiling more than 8 to 10 hours a day in torching heat. Cleaning companies charge their contracting companies at least a four fold of what they give these workers.," says one of our readers in a letter send to the editor. KM spoke to some of the affected workers who said their salary is in fact slashed!!! A notice is displayed in the company's Ghala camp notice board. They have to work long hours, get overtime at the rate of 200 baizas per hour! How can these poor workers invoke the provisions of new labour law, which has many clauses to protect their right. Thanks to the kind approach of local government, a humanitarian labour law is drafted and implemented. But are the companies following it? Nearly 1000 employees are affected by this decision.

2003 IATA Eagle Awards : UAE General Civil Aviation Authority Gets Special Prize

IATA Says Airline Industry in Crisis, Change Essential

"Labor costs cannot remain immune from the change in cost structure needed by the industry. Cost reduction has seen (airline) industry employees accept wage cuts in addition to the painful loss of over 400,000 jobs." Full Report

India to discontinue Receiving Small Aid Packages Prime Minister for Strengthening Indo-German ties Encourage Expats to Bring Their Families GCC Study  Storm death toll rises to 41 in Philippines Chinese vessel sinks near Danish island 3 US soldiers dead, 6 injured in road accident in Iraq Storm death toll rises to 41 in Philippines  G8 summit opens on growth, development and security Two Huge Explosions Rock Afghanistan Russia to take spent nuclear fuel back from Iran Dubai Development Board signs MoU with Dubai eGovernment to offer eServices  More Shoot Out Killing in Saudi Arabia War crime threat to Blair Airline Industry in Crisis, Change Essential: IATA

Muscat Belly Dancer Story Rocks Indian Foreign Office as Meena takes on Abhayankar

Women Wine W...

RM Abhyankar, on a trip to Oman, "visited the Sheraton hotel's nightclub … with another person and charged the expenditure to the government's account ... his room rent bill also included charges for a call made to a temporary GSM mobile connection. This telephone was traced to a dancer girl serving the Saba nightclub of the hotel." Full Report from Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Saudi Ministry Fires 353 Imams, Muezzins in Clean Up Operations

RIYADH, 1 June 2003 — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance has fired 353 imams and muezzins (prayer callers) while at the same time asking some1 , 357imams and muezzins to attend training courses to improve their performance. The move to terminate and also to train hundreds of these employees in the Kingdom, however, is part of an on-going process to evaluate services to the public. The move is unrelated to the deadly attacks in Riyadh .Full Report

3 US soldiers dead, 6 injured in road accident in Iraq

BAGHDAD, May 31 -- Three US soldiers were killed and six others injured in a road accident in northern Iraq, US Central Command (CentCom) said on Saturday.The accident occurred Friday as a group of US soldiers, which were part of a unit attached to the US Army's 101st Airborne Division, were driving on the road between the northern Iraqi cities of Mosul and Tikrit. Full Report

Storm death toll rises to 41 in Philippines Chinese vessel sinks near Danish island 3 US soldiers dead, 6 injured in road accident in Iraq Storm death toll rises to 41 in Philippines Iraq: NGOs Call For Investigation Of Use Of Depleted Uranium In WarIran: $5 Billion In Drug Money Laundered Annually, Government Says Blair Denies Weapons Of Mass Destruction Evidence Was Faked Russian defense minister defends nuclear cooperation with Iran Iraqi Suspect in Mass Killings Released U.S. Fails to Address Past Crimes Systematically US military mistakenly releases Iraqi suspect for mass murder More News

Missing Malayali Returns home

Madhu Unnikrishnan has come back to his house by noon today. The family , his wife Latha and daughter, were relieved to see him coming back after a gap of three days driving his own car. He seems to be disturbed and did not want to disclose details about his disappearance. Apparently he is depressed and did not speak to the media. It is learned that another staff of the same company and same division was missing for a few days last month and he also came back dramatically. While the company officials are till tight lipped, KM is not venturing into any more speculation. It was another story a few years back when one of the executives was found spending lavishly in one of the ladies bear bars in town and was caught for some dubious deals. However, nothing of that sort is suspected now as Madhu is said to be a loyal and sincere worker of the group. There is no question of harassmen of any sort, claimed senior officials. However, other junior level staff are tightlipped and appears to be fearing to speak out to the press.

Earlier Report There is no trace of Madhu Unnikrishnan, NTT senior manager, on the third day of his disappearance as family members and NTT officials continue the frantic search. It is learned that he had left the collection money from ticket sales in the residence and did not carry much cash. Company officials are examining the amount of cash left at home. Just before disappearing, Madhu was dealing with some of the Indian schools. Indian Schools ticket sales involves huge amount of cash, said sources.

Skilled illegal expats not worried about future : Khaleej Times

ABU DHABI - 31 May 2003Skilled expatriate workers who had been living in the UAE illegally and have either already left the country or will be leaving under the government's amnesty are not much worried about their future because of new job opportunities coming up in Turkey, Cyprus and Korea, which are likely to absorb at least 25 to 30 per cent of them. About 40,000 workers of various nationalities left the country, availing themselves of the first amnesty deadline of April 30 while another 3,000 to 4,000 went home taking advantage of the one-month extension. Full Report

Bahrain to give Special visa for Amwaj expats : Gulf Daily News

By SOMAN BABY

MANAMA - EXPATRIATES who own property in Al Marsa Floating City at Amwaj Islands will be granted permanent residence in Bahrain. The project is being promoted by Saraya Property Company, which has been informed by the immigration authorities about a special visa arrangement for foreign investors in the $ 1 billion (BD378m) Amwaj Islands project. Full Report

Saudi Crackdown on Al Qaeeda Intensified: Arab News

JEDDAH, 31 May 2003 — As the Kingdomwide crackdown on Al-Qaeda and its sympathizers continues in the wake of the May 12 Riyadh bombings in which 25 people died, the Saudi authorities are extending their investigations further afield in their search for more information on Saudi terrorist suspects. There were major developments in Sudan, Iran and Pakistan yesterday in relation to both the Riyadh bombings and other terrorist arrests, John R. Bradley, Managing Editor Arab NewsReported. "A high-level team of Saudi security experts arrived in Khartoum to aid in the investigation of 19 people, including 17 Saudis, recently arrested on suspicion of belonging to a terrorist network. The 19, who also included a Palestinian and a Sudanese, were captured as they were engaged in military training at a camp near Laqawa town in West Kordofan State, said the paper quoting the London-based Al-Hayat daily. Full Report

NTT Senior Manager Missing Since Thursday Morning

Madhu Unnikrishnan worked in Airport till late night on Wednesdy

MUSCAT - A senior manager of National Travel and Tourism (NTT)Madhu Unnikrishnan has been missing since Thursday morning, said his family members, who have been frantically searching for the middle aged senior manager of the Bahwan Group company. According to information from our sources, Madhu went to the Seeb International Airport late in the night for some purpose and unconfirmed reports say he reached home. According to KM sources, his wife and family said that he has been missing since Thursday morning. "He has gone to office at 7.30 and did not return," said a social worker, on the basis of briefing from his wife about the missing drama. A senior executive of the Bahwan group company's travel division, Madhu, is a well known name in the travel trade. According his colleagues, he handles lot of money and occupies prominent position in the ticketing section. Company officials are tightlipped about the missing case. Even his immediate colleagues have pretended ignorance about the case.. KM could not ascertain whether it is an absconding case as his car is also missing. Madhu's family lives in Al Khuwair area. This is the travel season and ticketing staff handles lot of money. The worried family members were also tightlipped about the issue and did not want to disclose about the disappearance as the company officials are doing everything for tracing the missing staff . Madhu's father is also expected from India to help the family trace the missing Malayali. Watch this space.

 Its interior look as good as any other standard upmarket restaurant in Muscat. The menu, especially the biriyani and fruit juices are not bad! See for yourself (click Picture)

 Al Failaq LLC Opens New Restaurant and Coffee House in Muscat

Indian Embassy Building Project

Indian Government will save RO 6600 per month rent to the Embassy Building and RO 2500 monthly payment to the Ambassadors residence in Qurum. (Indian Rs. 1.5 crores in an year!) All embassies in Oman have their own buildings -embassy building and the ambassadors residence are in one complex. Half of the embassy building hired at RO 6,600 is empty. No one was concerned when such a building was hired for higher rent. Even the Comptroller and Auditor General sitting in New Delhi could identify the corruption involved in hiring embassy buildings not only in Muscat, but in four other places. Oman's Ambassador to India is already living in a new building constructed on a piece of land in Chanakyapuri allotted by the Government of India. The Ministry of External Affairs is handling everything related to new building project and all prequalification applications are sent to Delhi. Whatever is good for the country or the public is not good for our business friends! Thanks to their clout, the project could not be implemented for the last twenty years! Even now if the pace of progress is any indication, the new embassy building will remain only a mirage. The country will continue to pay Rs.10 lakh per month only as rent! !!! If it can wait for two decades, is it necessary to speed up now?

Tony Blair likely to sued for War Crimes in Iraq

Thursday, May 29, 2003 The BBC reports that British Prime Minister Tony Blair is about to be charged as a war criminal by the Greek Bar Association before the International Criminal Court. Dimitris Paxinos, president of the lawyers' association, told the BBC that Blair will be charged with "crimes against humanity and war crimes." President George Bush escapes being charged, as the United States is not a signatory to the ICC. Full Report

Air Transport Association Names new Chief Operating Officer

Students Sex Session Video filmed in British School Dormitry

Mirror Report Exposes British school Sex Scandal :

LONDON -THE two teenage boys in the Wellington College sex scandal set up a secret video camera in a dormitory cupboard. And the film of Paul Doran-Jones's romp with his girlfriend was "full-on stuff', according to a pupil who saw a common room screening. Doran-Jones, 17, and fellow rugby player James Haskell, 18, have been banned from school premises with Paul's lacrosse-playing girlfriend, 17, the Mirror Reported. She was unaware her naked romp with Doran-Jones was being videoed and is not being named by the Mirror. Wayne Francis of Mirror reported the story.A sixth-former who saw the secret video of Paul Doran-Jones, 17, making love to his girlfriend in the boys' dormitory at Wellington College, said: "It lasted for fully 30 minutes. Full Report

Private Indian School in Muscat Sacks Two Employees for....Watch this space

Syria Asks Palestinian Groups’ Officials To Leave: Sources Four killed in US small plane crash Strong earthquake hits Peru, felt in capital Lima FBI warns of possible al-Qaida attacks Blair holds talks with Kuwaiti FM on Mideast affairs -US envoy arrives at Egypt for Bush's maiden Mideast trip -India Singapore Economic Cooperation Agreement Report India Singapore Economic Cooperation Agreement Report -Regulating Welfare Fund Collection through Legislation 4 US soldiers killed in helicopter crash: Al Jazeera TV

Employees of Closed or Bankrupt Companies in the UAE can Change Sponsorship

DUBAI - Employees of closed and bankruptcompanies can transfer their sponsorship without prior permission from their original employer, the UAE Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs said yesterday. Full Report

US fighter plane crashes in S.Korea

SEOUL, May 29 An F-16 fighter of the United States Forces Korea (USFK) 7th Air Force crashed Thursday evening while taking off from the Osan Air Base at Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, about 55 kilometers south of Seoul.The pilot was ejected from the plane when the accident occurred at about 8:06 p.m. (1106 GMT) and was immediately rushed to a hospital inside the base. But details about the situation of the pilot have not been available. Full Report

Send pictures and details of your company/association/personal events

 Amichi Joins Dubai Dance Competition

 ASTECO reports increased UAE interest in London and Dublin properties

  Dubai Muscat Manama Doha Riyadh Kuwait City Events Send to editor@keralamonitor.com

K.M.Meena takes initiative to Construct Indian Embassy Building in Muscat

First Ambassador in last two decades to take concrete steps to save several crores on rental payment to private parties. Years after land allotment was made, Embassies in Muscat and Doha have been operating from Rented Buildings. A bunch of corrupt officials in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and puppet ambassadors caused severe drain on Government coffers. For the first time in the last one decade, an ambassador has taken an initiative to construct a building for the Indian Embassy in Muscat.Pre qualification tenders are already received and the premature transfer of the ambassador may not affect the project. Is this bold step another action of the Ambassador that antagonised the business community who have bribed Indian MPs to remove Meena even before completing two years in office! -Delay in taking decision by the MEA regarding construction proposals of Chancery-cum-Embassy residences and other buildings in four missions including Muscat led to avoidable expenditure of Rs 26.27 core on hiring of buildings, revealed the Comptroller and Auditor General report. Even though most of the embassies in Muscat have their own buildings, the Indian Embassy, Muscat has been working from rented buildings. Government of Oman earmarked a plot of land measuring 12,557 sq. meters in August 1974 for construction of Indian Chancery-cum-Embassy residence in Muscat on reciprocal basis but the agreement between Government of Oman and Government of India was signed in December 1991 i.e. after 17 years. As per agreement, the construction of the buildings was to be completed within two years from the date of taking possession of land More

Fake Firms Cheat Indian Workers With Forged Iqamas in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, 29 May 2003 — Dozens of foreign workers roam the streets and neighborhoods of the capital with forged iqamas. They paid money to offices advertising iqama services and claiming to be authorized to deal with the Passports Department. After discovering that there was something wrong with the documents, they returned to find the offices closed and the owners gone without a trace. More

Saudi Justice System: Report Card Needed

(New York, May 28, 2003) -- A year after the introduction of reforms to its
criminal justice system, the government of Saudi Arabia should publicly
disclose the concrete steps it has taken to improve safeguards against
longstanding abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. The kingdom's new
criminal procedure code became law in May 2002. More

Saudi Arab arrests suspects allegedly involved in Riyadh bombings
Pakistan not to curtail nuclear power: defense minister 2 US soldiers killed, 9 wounded in Iraq attack India should participate in Iraq's reconstruction: US India to retain edge over China in Russian arms sales: report Dubai invites India's gem, jewelry industry to its FTZ Ram Naik launches Lanka IOC Tiger Habitat and Population Evaluation System for the Indian Subcontinent launched Much of the Rural Population in the Middle East Suffers from "Information Poverty"

IRAQ: Rumsfeld Suggests Iraq Destroyed Banned Weapons, Warns Iran

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday that Iraq may have destroyed its alleged stores of chemical and biological weapons before the U.S.-led invasion in March."It is possible that they decided that they would destroy them prior to a conflict," Rumsfeld said during remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, where he discussed the unsuccessful effort to find evidence of banned weapons in Iraq.More News

Earthquake magnitude 5.8 hits Algeria

ALGIERS, May 27 -- Another earthquake of magnitude 5.8 hit Algeria late Tuesday evening, the state radio reported.Citing seismological authorities in Strasbourg, France,the radio reported the tremor while appealing for calm.An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale hit the NorthAfrican country last Wednesday, killing 2,218 people and injuringnearly 9,500 others.More than 200 aftershocks have ever since jolted the country,jeopardizing already unstable structures. More News

 Agreement signed to Construct Seeb Indian School Building

MUSCAT -The Indian School Seeb has entered into an agreement with a builder to construct a school building that can accommodate minimum 1000 students in the first phase. At a time when the business tycoons and greedy NRIs are spreading rumours about the future of Indian School Seeb to create panic among parents, the concerned authorities - School Management Committee and members of the board responsible for Seeb School operations - have already signed an agreement to construct the school building. Full Report

In Indian School Muladha there is a fund of more than one lakh Riyals as on today. the present management committe doesn't know what to do with that( of course they are very straight forward that is why they made such a balance within a short period) salutes to the prevoius management committee who showed only minus fund after having a tenure of 9 years and of course they dont have the head ache like the new guys. parents wants redduction of fees or the much more items appearing on their fee receipt such as development fee etc, but the BOD is blocking any such reductions is the version of the SMC, I have a Simple Question is the BOD or the Patron or the School management Commitee have the power to reduce fees ? if any body can answer me please!!!!!

Debate Surplus Funds in Mulada Indian School

Surprising to know that the Indian School Muladha, which is comparatively half the size of other Indian schools in the capital with almost less than half the total student strength and lower school fee, is having a huge surplus of one lakh Riyals. At the same time, the Hindu Mahajan Association which runs the Indian School Wadi Kabir and Indian School Sohar claim that the ISW has not made a single profit in last one decade! What a contradiction.

2 US soldiers killed, 9 wounded in Iraq attack Mytravelchannel.com Travel show on Emirates 2 a huge success IBM Unveils New Line of Value-Priced Notebooks in the Middle East

What Encouraged 30 MPs to Sign a Complaint Against the Indian Ambassador working thousands of miles away from their constitutency!

They never met the Ambassador

Only recently the BJP government in India came under severe criticism for corruption and bribery. A minister had to resign for demanding bribe. Here a group of NRIs are openly claiming that they got 30 MPs write a complaint against an ambassador located thousands of miles away from their constitutency! How do they know the ground reality here? Did the MPs take "favours" to sign such a complaint against a sincere diplomat? Going by the past experience, it appears that the so called powerful NRIs have influenced these MPs. Recently they organised a grand party to celebrate the ambassadors transfer. Unfortunately, even the local media which is claiming to be a watchdog of common man's interest is praising and worshipping such corrupt tycoons. They will be eligible for a special award for bribery and corruption in the next Pravasi Sammelan Full Report

Memorandum of Understanding between P. Mohammed Ali and Renjith Guptha for the Al Ghubra Indian School Page II Page III

Powell says no change in US policy on Iran

WASHINGTON, May 27US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday that his country would continue to keep contacts with Iran and has not changed its policy on Iran. "Our policies with respect to Iran have not changed," Powell told reporters after his meeting with Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana.More

Al-Jazeera TV Chief Sacked

Dubai 28 May 2003 —Al-Jazeera said yesterday that its general director has been sacked after allegations were made that he worked with Saddam Hussein’s intelligence services. Mohammed Jassem Al-Ali visited Iraq before the US-led war, meeting Saddam during an hour-long interview.More

Sooresh P Ramdas lashes out at covert campaign against the Ambassador

"The way certain sections of our community are crowing about their role in getting the transfer order issued is a matter of shame for all us Indians and that our own kin have got it done through their illicit relationship with unscrupulous politicians is double shame on us!

K.M.Meena, down but not out

In any case if they wish to remain under the umbrella of the Embassy they should convert to a truly community school. No one is stopping them from running a commercial school like MPS or ABA or ?.. and pay your income tax and whatever else you are liable to. But, under the Embassy?s umbrella it has to be a community school like ISM, ISD, ISS, Sur, Ibri, Nizwa, Salalah, Jalan, Muladha ??.. The Indian Embassy is not the private backyard for businessmen of one sub community or the other to use and abuse as they want, when they want. It is the symbol of India for each one of us proud Indians irrespective of who ?occupies the chair?. No one sub community or individual has the right to trample on the symbol of our pride and identity. There are many here who would sell their soul for a few Rials. But I can challenge the ?writer? that if you were to survey the average Indian in Oman they would, to a man, come out in support of upholding the respect and dignity of the Indian flag! The way certain sections of our community are crowing about their role in getting the transfer order issued is a matter of shame for all us Indians and that our own kin have got it done through their illicit relationship with unscrupulous politicians is double shame on us! If the self styled leaders and award winners had any self respect or an iota of decency I challenge them to petition the Prime Minister of India to retain the Ambassador and accept the test of working out this mess that they have created by exploiting the weaknesses of earlier occupants of the chair. Getting the present incumbent transferred shows the mala fide intentions of the affected parties ? read certain businessmen ? and smacks or sheer cowardice and escapism. Full Report

Saudi Police capture Smuggled TNT Explosives Iraq's mobile phone subscribers could touch 5 million in three years Toll rises to 2,212 after strong earthquake in Algeria 78 Injured in Japanese Earthquake US soldier killed in Iraq More News

Britain tightens security against potential terror

LONDON, May 24 -- Britain is stepping up security measures to combat potential terrorist attacks on its soil, The Times newspaper reported Saturday. Concrete barriers like those installed Friday outside the Houses of Parliament to deter terrorists would soon be put in place at other key landmarks in London, the newspaper said. Full Report

P.C. Thomas Becomes Law and Justic Minister.Full Report

Iraqi oil export to resume "within 3 weeks": acting oil minister

Dubai IT Training firms raided for using illegal software

UN should take up core function in Iraq: Iranian FM

TEHRAN, May 24 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said on Saturday the United Nations must take up a core function in Iraq. In a meeting with his visiting Polish counterpart Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Kharrazi said  Full Report

Why Shah-Brado Wanted to Sack ISM Principal on March 31, 2003 when CBSE Exam was progressing?

Policemen caught, jailed for Theft using Official Vehicle to rob in Mid night - Watch this space.

A fire truck stands outside the Danube upermarket at Bugshan Center,Saudi. Senior Baath Party official in custody: US forces More News

 

Explosion in US Law University

- An explosion occurred Wednesday in the mail room at the prestigious Yale University law school in the United States, but no injuries or deaths were reported so far. US has no real plans for Iraq: British newspaper US to launch foreigner- tracking system next year at borders Sri Lanka flood death toll rises to more than 300 Morocco says Casablanca bombings linked with int'l terrorism. More News

Discussion Forum - Babu

The Indian Schools are controled by some bussiness rackets. There are some of the management committee memebers are not having the eligibility to become the manager of an educational institution. And even they are in position even more that 10 years continuesly. We have to discuss this matter in public. expecting reply from everybody Join the Discussion Forum

Manorama Report on Indian School,

No September 11 like Hijacking Bid In Saudi, says Minister

JEDDAH, 22 May 2003 — Interior Minister Prince Naif yesterday denied as “baseless” foreign agency reports that security forces had arrested three Moroccans in Jeddah who were planning to hijack a civilian plane and carry out a suicide operation. However, the minister said police had held two Moroccans who were wanted for previous security cases. “There is no truth in this. The truth is that those who were arrested were two Moroccans who were wanted over previous security cases,” Saudi TV quoted Prince Naif as saying. Full Report

Western Owned Business in Saudi Hit by Terrorism

JEDDAH, 22 May 2003 — Many patrons of Western-owned businesses have opted to stay away until the threat of terrorist attacks has abated, some giving their business to their Saudi-owned and operated equivalent. Fueled by the closure of the American, British and German diplomatic missions and international schools until Saturday, many of these businesses are seen as possible targets of a terrorist attack.Full Report

US stocks dip amid mad cow scare, lifted terror alert
NEW YORK, May 20 ) -- Wall Street stocks closed slightly lower Tuesday as investors grew nervous about mad cow disease and a heightened terror alert. The Dow Jones industrial average inched down 2.03 points, or 0.02 percent, to 8,491.36 after having declined sharply 185 points over the previous session. More

More News

 

WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY ADOPTS HISTORIC TOBACCO CONTROL PACT

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control now ready for signature

Geneva - May 21, The 192 members of the World Health Organization, today unanimously adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) aimed at curbing tobacco-related deaths and disease. This is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO).Full Report

Western Expatriate Schools, embassies closed in Saudi fearing Al Qauedaa Threat

Jeddah - May 21, 2003 British and American schools in Saudi Arabia are closed on a temporary basis on security grounds. US, British and German diplomatic missions are also closing for a four-day period for the same reason. Even though IB and GCSE examinations are going the British International School (Continental) in Jeddah would close until Saturday - for four days. Recent reports suggested that imminent terrorist strikes would hit western civilian targets More

New York police boost security amid higher national terror alert

NEW YORK, May 20 -- The New York Police Department (NYPD) on Tuesday stepped up security in sensitive areas around the city in response to an increased threat of terrorism that led the US government to raise the national terror alert level to orange. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said they will deploy more undercover officers and heavily-armed "Hercules Units" and set up additional vehicle checkpoints. More

Media Monitor Radio Comes Back as Mainstream Media?

These days all good things are being said about the radio. That it is the ‘second coming’ or the ‘rebirth of the radio’ that the present generation is witnessing.That it is today’s fastest-growing medium – steamed off on a journey of regeneration and resurrection.That the other communication mediums, such as print and audio visual, cannot hope to replicate the unique medium of radio at any point of time in the future. Of course, not entirely without basis are such assertions being made.More

Aptech expands base in FIJI, inaugurates 3rd center

Aptech, leading Global IT Training major announced the launch of its 3rd center in Fiji in the island country. Aptech's launches its new center in Labasa, with other centers being in the cities of Suva and Latouka.Full Report

Epoc Messe Frankfurt successfully concludes three major trade shows in Dubai

 

US Embassies in Oman, Bahrain Alert Americans about Terrorist Threat

WASHINGTON, 19 May 2003 — The US embassies in Bahrain and Oman yesterday urged Americans in the Gulf states to be on guard for possible terrorist attacks following deadly suicide attacks in Saudi Arabia and Morocco. According to reports, these embassies made no mention of specific threats in either country but said the attacks in Riyadh and Casablanca were indicative of the heightened danger posed by terrorists and that US citizens needed to augment their security. Full Report

Sky marshals to be deployed on British flights Top al-Qaida Harbored in Iran Bombings Bring U.S. 'Executive Mercenaries' Into the Light Sakhr® Software Co. Launches New Website Sharon Cancels US Visit following Suicide Bomb Blast in Jerusalem Over 35 German exhibitors participation at Gulf Beauty 2003 Two Suicide Bombs kill seven in Jerusalem  Invest in London Property Market Fake Auto Spare Parts Pose Major Threat in Middle East;

Sex Racket Gang Threatens Keralite Families; Victims send SoS to Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Indian Ambassador

A criminal gang is cheating Keralite girls by promising Gulf jobs and throwing them into prostitution. Finally these young ladies end up brothels. The gang members threaten peaceful life - Watch this space.

GCC States Plan Unified Tourist Visas

RIYADH, 19 May 2003 — Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, said here yesterday the Gulf states were preparing a proposal to issue unified tourist visas for foreign tourists. The unified visa — on the model of the Schengen visa for European countries — could boost tourism revenue for the Kingdom and the Gulf countries at a time when the worldwide tourism industry is suffering under threats of terrorism and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.Full Report

Bombing in Saudi Arabia - Vinnel Company's Role

Vinnell's job in Saudi Arabia is to train the national guard, which Jane's Defence Weekly has described as "a kind of Praetorian Guard for the House of Saud, the royal family's defence of last resort against internal opposition." That is why company employees were targeted in 1995 and again last week.The story of how an obscure American firm ended up becoming an integral part of the Saudi monarchy's handpicked internal security force is a case study in how unaccountable private companies have become a central tool of U.S. foreign policy Full Report

Al Qaeda Planning More Attacks

BERLIN, 19 May 2003 — The Al-Qaeda network has reorganized and could be planning more attacks in Africa, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, Germany’s BND intelligence service has warned. Al-Qaeda’s “support network and its potential for recruitment in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait remain intact” despite security crackdowns, said a BND report cited by Die Welt. It said the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, currently headed jointly by Germany and the Netherlands, is a possible target Full Report

Mass grave of Kuwaiti POWs found near Baghdad: Iraqi opposition

BAGHDAD, May 17 -- A major Iraqi opposition group has claimed that it had found a mass grave near Baghdad that was believed to contain the remains of 600 Kuwaiti prisoners of war (POWs), said source reaching here on Saturday."The Iraqi National Congress (INC) believes it has located the mass grave of 600 Kuwaiti prisoners of war," the opposition group said in a statement issued on Friday. More

At least 25 German tourists die in coach crash in France More

KM Discussion Forum
  
Discussion forum goes live with discussion on Private School Community school issue . Share your valuable views with our readers at the new discussion forum A cyber platform to express your views You can 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. "Kerala Monitor is suppressing positive informatin about private schools" alleges one critic.
 
"Incomplete accounts two years late cannot count as transparency.According to Omani law the accounts must be submitted to Board not Patron by all the schools or the sub community need not follow the laws as your agreement specifies in clause 19 - agreement supercedes Constitution? Do you realise that such an attitude endangers every Indian in Oman?" says another participant. " If it is truly sub community then why should the surplus be available for disposal in any way the pvt promoter deems fit? Shouldn't it be re utilised in the school? How come the Managing committee is made up of one linguistic group only? anbd the biggest joke is many of these members have been on the committee foe 16-19 years consecutively!! Such a shortage of capable people in the business community?" adds the forum particpant
 

British expert says al-Qaeda harder to eliminate

LONDON, May 17 -- Although US-led military actions in Afghanistan destroyed Osama bin Laden's inner circle, his al-Qaeda network still remains a "potent, formidable" force that was harder to eliminate, a British expert warned in an article published by the Times newspaper on Saturday. More

 Casablanca bomb toll rises to 39 More

'Dance for Life' with Team SalsaDance-a-thon for UAE charities
Public Warehousing Company (PWC) and MMI announce logistics agreement 'Dance for Life' with Team SalsaDance-a-thon for UAE charities ASTECO's Worldwide Launch of New Building in London's Docklands comes to Dubai Exhibition features luxury London and Dublin apartments WHO international meeting of epidemiologists studying SARS. The meeting took place in Geneva.
 

US afraid of its own shadow: Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 -- The United States' advisory warning its citizens against visiting Malaysia indicated its fear of own shadow as a result of its cruel actions abroad, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday. Malaysia, especially Sabah was actually enjoying peace and security with the situation under control and there were no riots,the primeinister said at a meeting in Sabah, east Malaysia.More

US Covert Plans to Invade Cuba

HAVANA -- A renegade former CIA agent said here Wednesday that he seriously believes in the likelihood of a U.S. attack on Cuba. Philip Agee, whose U.S. passport was revoked in 1979 after he wrote a book detailing CIA operations, currently manages the Cubalinda.com Inter-Active Travel agency. According to the Associated Press,Agee said the U.S. decision to expel 14 Cuban diplomats accused of "activities incompatible" with their diplomatic status, which usually is a euphemism for spying, is part of the Bush administration's plan to get tough with Cuba. More

Indian School Muscat Meeting Power Handed over to New President

The Indian school Muscat held a crucial meeting yesterday at the ISM premises and handed over power to the new school management committee headed by Ajith Kumar. A joint meeting o the ISM and Indian School Seeb was held despite the efforts of the former school president Harshendu Shah who wrote to the former SMC members not to attend the meeting. More

Indian School Darsait to provide free education to two poor students

Making the Ambassador a Butt of Ridicule?

ISD decision to help the poor students should be an eye opener for the billionaire Non Resident Indians who are controlling community schools as their own private institutions. While these billionaires have been squeezing ordinary parents by charging exorbitant fees - almost double the fees charged by ISD, (RO 42 per student in one school),- their school managers have been reluctant to help poor students. Every month the school has been making at least RO 60,000 profit from the community school. Those who control the school appears to be too greedy that they would not give even small fee concession to genuine parents with financial troubles! The ISD, which is charging half the fee has been making reasonably good profit and budget surplus. Imagine the amount of money made by the private school for the last ten years without any interruption. More

Saudi Blast Jeddah Calm Despite US Terror Warning

Philippino Worker Claims He was offered money to plant Bomb in the Residential Complex

MANILA - Philippine police yesterday questioned a Filipino worker who claimed in a radio interview that he was offered money in Saudi Arabia to bomb one of the residential compounds where 34 people were killed earlier this week.The man, who refused to be identified, told Manila radio station DZMM that while he was working as a technician in one of the compounds that were attacked Monday, he befriended Arab-looking men who offered him a large sum of money in exchange for planting a bomb there.He said he returned to the Philippines in April for fear of his life. Full Report

Prince Sultan Vows to Punish the Gulty in Bomb Blast

Riyadh Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, stated yesterday that the perpetrators of Monday’s Riyadh bombings, which killed 34 people including seven Saudis and seven Americans, would receive severe punishment.Full Report

ISD achieves record win in SSLC exam

MUSCAT — Indian School Darsait (ISD) has produced enviable results in the Grade X (SSLC) examinations. ISD has once again produced a rare distinction by achieving 100 per cent results in the fifth consecutive year, and that too with 100 per cent first classes and above. “This is not an easy achievement for any school. This year, out of 70 students registered for the SSLC examinations, 41 passed with distinctions (80 per cent and above) and 29 passed with first class (60 per cent and above),” Dr S. A. Pillai, principal of ISD, said. Full Report

US warns of more attacks in Saudi Arabia


WASHINGTON, May 15 -- The US State Department on Thursday issued a fresh warning about a new possible terrorist attack on compounds where foreigners live in the Saudi city of Jeddah.The warning, issued through the US consulate in Jeddah, said the compounds are located in al-Hamra district of the Saudi city and that the attack could take place in the near future.More

Community Private school Representatives Meet Education Minister --Watch this space

'Just like you kill us, we will kill you' - Bin Laden

British airlines suspend all flights to Kenya

LONDON, May 15- All British flights to and from Kenya from Britain are being suspended from local summer time 10 p.m. (21:00 GMT) Thursday out of fears that terrorists are planning an attack on British airline interests. More

Saddam's money found in Thurkish banks

ANKARA, May 15 -- Turkey has denied any evidence indicating that the money of the ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was found in its banks, Turkish daily Radikal (Radical) reported on Thursday. Two weeks ago, the United States asked the help of Turkish Finance Ministry and Central Bank to "freeze Saddam's money when traced" in Turkish banks.More

Kenya warns over possible terrorist attacks

NAIROBI, May 15-- The Kenyan government has sounded an alarm over possible terrorist attacks within its borders, local newspaper The People reported Thursday.Chris Murungaru, Kenyan minister for national security, said Wednesday that a 29 year-old man, who is believed to have perpetrated terrorist activities in East Africa over the last fiveyears, is hiding in Kenya. More

40 Palestinians killed in May: official

Death toll in Riyadh blasts rises to 34, says Saudi Government At least 20 killed in new suicide attack in Chechnya Over 3,000 bodies exhumed from mass grave in Iraq Iranian president condemns "terrorist" bombings in Riyadh

Saudi crown prince inspects scene of terror blasts

RIYADH, May 13 - Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz on Tuesday afternoon inspected the residential compound of the US Vinnell Co., a target of the three explosions that rocked the Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh overnight. Prince Abdullah, who is first deputy prime minister and commander of the National Guards, saw the destroyed Vinnell building. More

 Death Anniversary

Thankamma Madhavan,

KERALAMONITOR.COM

Our humble effort to start and run this portal was inspired by our mother who left us six years ago. On the occasion of her death anniversary (May 15th) KM team reiterates our determination to work for the poor and weak without antogonising the rich and powerful. Amma, You live in our memories- Editor-KM

Washington to join probe into Saudi suicide bombing attacks

RIYADH, May 13 -- US Secretary of State Colin Powell said here Tuesday afternoon a team of US investigators will arrive soon to take part in the probe into the overnight suicide bombing attacks in the Saudi capital. More

Iraq: U.S. Unresponsive on Mass Graves New Information on Site North of Baghdad

(Baghdad, May 14, 2003) - The U.S. government has known since
May 3 about the existence of a mass grave in Hilla but has not
taken action to protect the site, Human Rights Watch charged
today. Full Report

British Airways cancels stopovers in Saudi Arabia

LONDON, May 14 -- British Airways (BA) announced on Wednesday it had canceled stopovers for its air crews in Saudi Arabia following a change in the British government's travel advice after the suicide blasts in the Saudi capital of Riyadh More

Two Britons missing after Saudi blasts Bahrain, Turkey ban Philippino Workers

Death toll in Chechen blast rises to 59

MOSCOW, May 14 -- The death toll from a truck bombing of a government complex in northern Chechnya rose to 59 Wednesday, local officials said. Akhmed Dzheirkhanov, deputy minister for emergency situations in Chechnya, said four people had died overnight as a result of injuries sustained in Monday's blast.Full Report

US citizens in Uganda warned on security

KAMPALA, May 14 -- The United States embassy in Uganda has issued an anti-terror security warning to US citizens in the east African country."We are warning US citizens resident in Uganda that supporters of the Al-Qaeda and other extremists are still active in east Africa," US embassy spokesperson Mary Jeffers was quoted by government-run newspaper New Vision as saying on Wednesday. More Updates on Saudi Explosion

SSLC and PLUS TWO RESULTS COMING LIVE FROM THE PREMIER MALAYALAM PORTAL

SSLC Result Online Click here www.keralaeducation.org www.keralaitmission.org www.kerala.gov.in Result on Mobile sr@tvmlive.com Medical Engineering Results weblokam.com

 Death toll in Saudi Blast nearing 100; US president condemns killing innocent US civilians!

Riyadh  -- 91 people were killed in a series of suicide bombing attacks in the Saudi capital of Riyadh Monday night, including some 10 US citizens, US State Department officials said on Tuesday. One official said the figure is expected to rise. "Today's attacks in Saudi Arabia, the ruthless murder of American citizens and other citizens, remind us that the war on terror continues." US President Bush said. More

Aptec expects GCC customs union to increase transparency and encourage fair trade practices

May 14, 2003

Dubai -The GCC Customs Union which has been put into practice recently and converts the six-countries that comprise the Gulf Cooperation Council into a single customs zone, has been welcomed by Aptec, one of the biggest and fastest-growing IT distributor in the Middle East. The implementation of the customs union will see the removal of duties, fees, taxes and other charges as well as procedures hindering trade between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.Full Report

Britain's think tank warns against backlash of Iraq war Britain warns citizens against nonessential Saudi travel Germany still threatened by terrorism: minister More Reports on Saudi Explosions

Al-Qaeda Plans Attacks in the Gulf
Mahmoud Khaleel, Al-Majalla

DUBAI, 14 May 2003 — A senior Al-Qaeda leader has unveiled the organization’s long-term plans to carry out major terrorist attacks in Gulf countries. “We’ll attack the rear of the American Army,” he warned. In an e-mail message to Al-Majalla, a sister publication of Arab News, Abu Muhammad Al-Ablaj disclosed the presence of large quantities of weapons and explosives in Gulf cities to carry out the planned attacks. According to an exclusive Arab News Report, Ablaj, who is also known as Mulla Saifuddin, refused to say how Al-Qaeda managed to collect these weapons and explosives. However, he claimed that Al-Qaeda was in a position to manufacture its own explosives. Ablaj identified himself to Al-Majalla as supervising commander of the Mujahedeen training center belonging to the Al-Qaeda and Taleban organizations, but refused to disclose the center’s location. Read the Full Report

Saudi Arabia is kernel of evil, says US brief

Washington's growing distrust in Saudi Arabia spilled into the open yesterday with the leak of a Pentagon briefing describing Saudi Arabia as "the kernel of evil" that should be ordered to stop backing terrorists or face the seizure of its overseas assets, Reported The Telegraph. The briefing to the Defence Policy Board - which includes former generals, defence secretaries and statesmen including Henry Kissinger - runs contrary to official US policy towards Saudi Arabia. Full Report

Saudi Blasts have "all earmarks of Al-Qaeda": Powell

AMMAN, May 13- Bomb attacks targeting foreigner's residential compounds in the capital of Saudi Arabia Monday night had "all the earmarks of al-Qaeda," US Secretary of State Colin Powell said here on Tuesday.Speaking at a press conference, Powell said "It's just part of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations' willingness to kill innocent people in order to push forward a criminal agenda." More

3 Dutch expats injured in Saudi bomb attacks British PM's wife pulls out of London charity event for security reason - 14 die in accidents in India

Bombs Rock Western Expatriate Residential Complexes in Riyadh

13 May 2003 — Saudi Arabian capital was rocked by four explosions last night in which many western expatriates, were wounded. A series of blast took place just before Collin Powell, US Secretary of State was planning a state visit to Saudi Arabia. At least one was killed and over 40 US citizens were wounded in the explosions which occurred in residential areas of the Saudi capital, the Cable News Network (CNN) television network reported on Tuesday. The blast which Al-Arabiya television channel reported that Saudi security forces exchanged fire with the terrorists inside the compound. The network also reported that many charred bodies were seen being taken from ambulances at a local hospital. According to Saudi Interior Ministry an investigation is under way. There has been growing anti American sentiment in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Full Report

Saudi Police Campaign to nab Suspected Al Queeda Members

JEDDAH, 11 May 2003 — Saudi Arabia is intensifying efforts to nab terrorists who were planning major attack within the Kingdom. At least three of the 19 wanted Al-Qaeda suspects who escaped on Tuesday after a shootout with police fled in a Mercedes which was parked in front of a car maintenance workshop on the Riyadh-Dammam Expressway, Al-Watan Newspaper reported yesterday. More News

Controversial Private School MoU Goes Public

Undue favours to Private Promoters to Control Board Monopoly in Schooling - no other schools within 10 Kms

An Agreement was executed at Muscat, on the 26th day of March 1992 between the then Indian Ambassador Ranjith Guptha and the Hindu Mahajan Association, Muscat President Kanaksi G. Khimji. This was regarding the schools run by the Association in Muttrah and Sohar. According to the Board which passed a resolution to revoke the license, the first clause of the agreement itself indicates that the two schools "shall adhere to the rules and regulations as applicable from time to time." KM is giving some of the clauses for the Indian community members to make their own judgments about the whole issue. "The income of the schools from collection of fees and any other source will belong to the Association and to no other party," says the agreement. In the event of income exceeding expenditure, such excess will belong to the Association to be disposed off in any manner it wishes," says clause 4 of the agreement Full Report

An Appeal to Parents, Board Members and Community Leaders

There is no doubt that a prominent Indian like Kanaksi Khimj who was recently selected for the Pravasi Bharathi Award and Dr.P.Mohammed Ali, who has build up a big business empire from a humble beginning have played crucial roles in developing their respective schools . The Hindu Mahajan Association too played crucial role in developing business and educational infrastructure. Through their hard work and entrepreneurship, they have been able to amass sufficient wealth and reputation not only in Oman, but back home in India too Full Report

MoUs of Indian School Al Ghubra,Wadi Kabir Revoked as per Board Meeting Norms.

American -British Colonial Intentions Revealed by Halliburton Secret Oil Deals to pump Iraq oil

DUBAI -The US British administrations ask the people of both the United States and Iraq to trust that, when the dust of war settles, Iraq's oil wealth will belong to its people and will be used to rebuild the country's infrastructure and institutions. But to gain that trust, the administration must stop appearing to wield secrecy and favoritism in the award of contracts to companies like Halliburton.The secret colonial intentions of American British big business in Iraq is slowly coming out in open as intense lobbying is going on to remove the sanctions and market Iraqi oil --Full Report


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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 Joshi to continue as 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.KM Salutes Sultan Qaboos on the occasion of Oman's 33rd Renaissance day We wish him good health, happiness and progress Oman Air takes Kerala passengers for a Ride? Muscat bound Malayali PassengerDies in Mysterious Circumstances Fire in Malayali House British Government AlertsCitizens about possible Chemical, Biological Weapons Attack in Oman Kerala Monitor in News Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah tours Dubai eGovernment offices and commends their achievements School News Jerry Thomas Sacked Indian School Tehran becomes Principal in India; For recent stories click Recent KM report onrighthand side --M M Joshi resigns Founder Promoter Allegedly took 10 percent Cut for Every deal including Royalty paid to Singapore Hotel ChainTake Loans from Banks without the authorisation of local partners; Obtain Soft Loans from the Ministry and Fund diversion; Public shareholders incur loss, chairman accumulate wealth!Exclusive Investigation against major Indian business tycoonsK.M.Meena takes initiative to Construct Indian Embassy Building in Muscat **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.***

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

Woman gets divorced on her wedding night.

A woman was divorced because her husband did not like the bride’s brother taking pictures of the couple, so he started a fight and ended it by divorcing his wife, reports Arab News

Vatican told bishops to cover up sex abuse, Observer

The Vatican instructed Catholic bishops around the world to cover up cases of sexual abuse or risk being thrown out of the Church, reported the Observer. The London Observer which obtained a 40-year-old confidential document from the secret Vatican archive which lawyers are calling a 'blueprint for deception and concealment'. One British lawyer acting for Church child abuse victims has described it as 'explosive', the report said. Full Report

Discussion Forum

Let us all like-minded parents put the power of our pen before the new ambassador and make him accept the decision of majority of indians agnst a few dis-interested , selfish, vindictive,vicious-minded and oppressors of humanity.
why should such people hold offices? they should be asked to step down or else the law of the jungle will prevail and destroy all goodness!!
waiting for more parents ,teachers,students,some smc members who have a part of morality left in them,some members of dissolved BOD---lets unite for a better cause as indians and dont allow these people to take the better of us!

CM launches Japan-aided water scheme Core group to amend Copyright Act More News

Government sets up Inquiry Committee on Safety and Security aspects of ONGC's offshore operations More News

The School Issue is Far From Over, Now Police Investigation also?

Who Disapproved 10 Respected Members of Indian School Board? The new Ambassador? The Minister of Education? Is there any law under which an entire Board can be removed? asked Monjuula S. Sooresh, the former chairperson in a letter to the new ambassador. More

Let us all like-minded parents put the power of our pen before the new ambassador and make him accept the decision of majority of indians agnst a few dis-interested , selfish, vindictive,vicious-minded and oppressors of humanity. why should such people hold offices? they should be asked to step down or else the law of the jungle will prevail and destroy all goodness!! waiting for more parents ,teachers,students,some smc members who have a part of morality left in them,some members of dissolved BOD---lets unite for a better cause as indians and dont allow these people to take the better of us! More

Indian School Moladha Prsident also resigns? - Watch out

Discussion Forum - Joshi Sacking Saga

SMC of indian school ,Muscat has denied renewal of labour card (expiry this week)of PRINCIPAL JOSHI. its obvious that the SMC isnt in favour of principal joshi to continue as principal. The recent move (undersigned by first secretary of Indian embassy in oman)to dissolve the BOD was a sure move in alliance with business lobby (smc) to dissuade JOSHI to continue as principal. this is called killing two with one stone! very tricky ,undiplomatic,sly,business-political move by the highest offices of India in Oman. we wonder whose interests are they dealing with---the common man of india or the business lobby(indians)???

Dear Mr.Joshi. we are hopeful that the indian embassy in oman will take the decision in your favour and you will bring the school standard back. our best wishes are with you. god bless you and your family.
the righteous shall win----there could be delay in god's final decision but you will get justice from the highest court of order ,law and justice.
sir, why shdn't you take your grievance to the labour court stating that why should you be asked to leave when all other principals are more than even 60?? may god help you .

Bengali Passenger Disguised as Woman in Parudha Arrested

A Bangladeshi national has been arrested for duping the airport police and the emmigration department by wearing a woman's dress. The Bengali Muslim who is working in Salalah brought his "wife" to join him in Oman. However, the Bengali actually brought his brother, who was in search of a job, in disguise wearing a Muslim woman's long gown and face cover. The police or emmigration officials ddid not suspect any foul play or lifted the black gown to verify whether the passenger was alady. The Bengali man in disguise easily got out of the airpot, through proper channel, submitting all the papers of a lady passenger, wife of theBengali waiting outside to receive him (her?). After coming out of the airpot, the duo took a taxi and were on their way to Salalah. The "lady in Parudah" was exposed to the Arabian heat for the first time lifted her dress to wipe out the sweat on her face. However, the Omani taxi driver who noticed the lady passenger with a "mostache" alerted the police. The Bengali man and his "wife" /brother are now in police custody. It is learnedthat the disguised man in woman's attire is one of the several tricks employed to dupe the law enforcement authorities. The event exposes another dimension of the visa racket thriving in various Gulf countries.

Wataniya Telecom Launches Kuwait's First Multimedia Messaging Photography Competition

Indian Mission to Moon announced

The Chandrayan-1 mission, India’s first spacecraft to moon, announced by the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee yesterday during his Independence Day address, is expected to be ready for launch by 2008, said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today Full Report more News

Why did K M Meena Resign from IFS? What is Next?-Watch

Idi Amin Dada Oumee is dead More News

Jiddah: Idi Amin Dada Oumee, whose eight years as President of Uganda was a period of terror, died today, a hospital official said. Amin was 80, Ugandan officials said, though other sources had him born in 1925, according to media reports. He has been the Ugandan Field Marshal and politician, who proclaimed himself- "Lord of All Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular". By the time of Ugandan independence, Amin had risen to a major. In 1966, Amin threw his support to Prime Minister Milton Obote when the people of Buganda tried to oust the PM. Full Report

Corporate governance key to boosting investment climate in the Arab World

"Our frequent initiatives to normalise relations with Pakistan are not a sign of our weakness; rather, they are an indication of our commitment to peace," says PM A four-member high level committee formed by TN Govt to revamp secretariat work Name: Staff,Indian School
IP Address: 203.220.134.89

Subject: KIND ATTN: HON"BLE AMBASSADOR OF INDIA

The whole Indian Schools community request your excellency to re-call the BoD's under the chairmanship of Mrs.Majuula Sooresh.There is frightening uncertainity looming large over schools like Indian school Muscat and Muladha.We have become a bunch of jokers in front of other communities.Other community schools are peaceful but unfortunately Indian schools are struggling.The number of student enrollment in Indian Schools has too lately reducing. Discussion forum. More


Dear keralamonitor, we have gathered information that JOSHI does not have a green signal from authorities to continue as principal as still MOHANA sits in the office furnishing duties of a principal.
kindly get us the latest on this issue. we are being kept in the dark.

Indian Tycoons now Want to Sink shipping service to Kerala

As long as an some Indian business families continue to control Airline operations from Muscat, the much expected and talked about Gulf-Kerala shipping service will never touch the Oman shores. According to shipping industry sources, at least one Gujarathi business family is using its clout with the local ministries to stop the shipping service from reaching ordinary passengers. The group which controls Indian community activities and schools will never allow the shipping service to tstart from here because it will affect the millions that they mint from airline agencies. Even though the shipping service will touch all other Gulf countries, Indian Airlines and Air India will continue to squeeze ordinary people..

Malayali Lady, Found Dead, Possibly a suicide Case

An young recently married Malayali lady was found dead in her apartment in Wadi Kabir, Muscat. According to residents, the death of the young lady, wife of a commercial Assistant working with a leading Japanese automobile company on Tuesday is suspected to be suicide. "When her husband, one Mr.Girish returned home from work, the lady was found dead. It is apparently a suicide by hanging. The family stay in a building near Muscat Cold Stores, an isolated area in Wadi Kabir. The dead body is being sent to Kerala for funeral. More details are not know but the area is notorious for crime. The lady who commited suicide reached Muscat about four months back, said her neighbours. - KM SPECIAL

Discussion Forum If HE Ambassador is only favouring businessmen's interests why not all Indians boycott businessmen's interests!!! We need to learn lot from our independence struggle(pre-1947)!!!More

KM Exclusive

Covert Operation to Kick Meena out: The Act of A single NRI or a gang of tycoons, diplomats , politicians and their stooges in Gulf

Meena will be kicked again in Delhi? assured MPs son?

"We Control the Board of Directors and Indian School Muscat with Seeb. We Succeeded in Muscat and Delhi..."Secret agreement with new HE means canceling the MOUs is a Joke! Please act fast on framing Charges Against our Enemies! Our Journalist has some good surprises for our enemies. My friends in the ministry proved to him (Journalist) that none of us except Dee... (a lady board member) signed (a resolution against private schools) . I have convinced him that De... signed only to fool (K M Meena)! Extracts from a secret letter written by ...(watch this space) and see the ugly face of some Indians.

"We will throw that woman out of BoD office. We have stopped her from operating the Bank Account. So no farewell, no gift, no Seeb foundation stone for the mongrel issuing orders to us. The agreement with the new HE (His Excellency?) means that canceling the MoUs is now a joke. Nobody can do anything. We must act fast on the front of getting rid of those people in SMC and BoD The Ministry (....?) friends will be quiet. I have assurance of that . Ra...(son a Member of Parliament ) HAS MADE SURE THAT THE FILTHY LOW CASTE WILL FACE GOOD MUSIC IN DELHI ALSO. DELHI WILL KICK MEENA AGAIN FOR CREATING PROBLEMS. After that we go ahead with the surplus fund. With Dee.. in Seeb no one will suspect anything. We must act fast on the front of getting rid of those (!)people on The BoD and SMC as per our plan to get full control. Please act fast on the framing of our enemies as per the list (including KM Editor?). Progress on our plan will be easier as we cant be sure of cent per cent support from the new principal. All our supporters have been put in the right places. Pappachan has some good ideas. We helped him (from the forgery case of reducing his date of birth) and now he will do everything as per our orders. K..bhai, (name of an Indian businessman) please convince Ka....bhai (name of an Indian businessman) on the points as discussed as R..s (son of a leading Kerala Politician, Member of Parliament ) has done with the boss (who is that the multimillionaire Malayali King maker ). Time is on our side now and they have full support from us and full control".-Watch this space to know who wrote the confidential letter on 20 July 2003! the author of this letter is likely tobein the new list of boar members.

The citizen of India is not the big shots of Oman only. There are a few millions of Indians who are here for their daily bread.

Is the ambassador a private property of few idiotic business men in the Sultan ate? Too shame to the whole Indian community. Why the citizens of India want to suffer these high dignitaries with most stupid and boneless background? It was our fate. But it will not be our fate from now onwards. We should expel all those black hands who are hanging down as a huge gilletin over the whole indian community. The Ambassador is for the welfare of the Indian citizens in the Sultanate. For the better understanding of the Ambassador the citizen of India is not the bigshots of Oman only. There are a few millions of Indians who are here for their daily bread. More

Waiting list of telephone connection in Kerala Vallarpadam Container Terminal Project in Kochi

More News

Ban on Cow Slaughter: State getting ready to oppose the bill by R.S.Priya

 Thiruvananthapuram: The state is getting ready to witness a strong opposition to the bill, which has been cleared by the Union cabinet to put a ban on cow slaughter, and preventing cruelty to cow, a holy animal for Hindus. According to the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD), around of the 40 percent of the total meat consumed in the state consists of beef. The AHD has prepared a detailed report on the likely impact of the proposed report in the state. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister K.R.Gowri has informed that the report would be submitted to the centre Full Report  

The Most Shameful event!
Email: fazilmk578@hotmail.com

The sacking of the Board by the Ambassador,is the most shamsful event to occur in the history of Indian Schools in Oman. One can't fall lower than this! As we parents looked upon the chairperson,BoD's Mrs. Manjula Soooresh to SAVE Indian Schools,the new Ambassador came along to SHAVE the Indian schools. Probably the dawn of last days of Indian Schools in Oman!

Broadband Internet users to grow by 53 per cent in 2003 in the UAE

DUBAI - Broadband Internet usage is making big strides in the UAE. Though current figures are relatively low, the number of Broadband Internet users are projected to leap by 53 per cent in 2003. This makes the UAE one of the first in the region to record such wide adoption of high-speed Internet connectivity that has become the standard in the United States and the European Union. Full Report


Join our Discussion Forum

Do not let the ambassador get away with dirty corruption," says one member of the Indian community in the Gulf through an email message. Indian Ambassador is appointed by the President of India to look after the safety and welfare of Indians in a foreign country. He is supposed to be working in the common interest of the Indian community, and not just one or two powerful and rich business tycoons. Join Kerala Monitor Discussion on the Indian Ambassador/diplomatic community. Express your views freely without fearing any intimidation. Join now

Ramesh Mathur in Charge of Schools

Ramesh Mathur is in charge of all the Indian Schools till a new board takes over. The embassy has sent a copy of the letter dissolving the board to all Indian school management Committees. They have been informed about the changes and advised to deal with Ramesh Mathur, Advisor to the Board till further notification.

Indian School Board Suspended by New Ambassador on flimsy ground

KM Exclusive H E Talmiz Ahmed in a hurry to protect Indian Businessman's Private Schools.

A few days before the board of directors of Indian School is to serve a legal notice to the promoters of two Indianbusinessmen regarding taking over the private schools, the Indian Embassy under the new ambassador has suspended the entire board apparently on flimsy grounds. A communication from the embassy to the Chairperson designate Manjulaa Singh Sooresh said that the "concerned government authorities" have not approved the board members proposed by the former Indian Ambassador K M Meena. The vague three paragraph letter is signed by Bhupinder Singh the first Secretary and not the ambassador. The letter says that the "concerned government authorities did not approve the board of directors list," said sources. However, it does not say whether it is the Ministry of Education which did not approve the board. Does any authority have the right to dissolve an entire board of directors unless and until all of them have criminal records? Meanwhile the Local Anti Corruption Bureaue may investigate two Indian businessmen for illegally running community schools. While the former ambassador Renjith Guptha could easily get away with secret pacts in favour of two businessman at the cost of the community to establish private schools, it is not sure whether diplomatic immunity would always shield people favouring corruption and crime ? Apparently the school promoters are panicky after the official newspaper Oman Observer published a report about the illegality of running two private schools by the two Indian businessmen. The embassy officials did not reply to phone calls to verify the exact reasons for the desperate act. The Board is suspended a few days before it was planning to take control of two schools. Is the new ambassador also trying to help the concerned businessmen to hide their "Illegitimate pregnancy" from public view? One of the school promoter is already under the scrutiny of law enforcement authorities for ....everybody knows the reason. Watch this space for More School News

Saudi Hospital Dumps 57 -Year-Old Expatriate AIDS Patient in Street

JEDDAH, 13August 2003 — An acutely ill AIDS patient was removed from the New Jeddah Clinic Hospital by security guards on Monday afternoon and dumped outside his place of work, reported Essam Al-Ghalib of the Arab News The57 -year-old Indonesian, Abdul Rahim Mahmood, suffered cuts and bruises to his hands and face as a result of being violently ejected from the security guards’ car, the Arab News Report said.Very good human interest story. Read the Full Story

Anti Corruption Wing Case Agaisnt School Promoters -Watch this space.

 Ram Naik orders independent inquiry into the safety and security of life in offshore operations

MUMBAI - Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has announced that the Government has decided to hold an Independent Inquiry into the aspects of safety and security of life in offshore operations in the exploration and production. More

Muslims largely benefit through finance by NMDFC Bio-active Eye minus sight More News

CIA 'loots' villa where Saddam's sons died Family shot dead by panicking US troops Firing blindly during a power cut, soldiers kill a father and three children in their car

ONGC Helicopter Crash Kills 2, 24 missing

MUMBAI - A helicopter transporting employees of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) from an oil rig crashed off the Mumbai Coast, leaving at least two dead and 24 missing. The private MESCO Airlines' helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea soon after take off from the Sagar-Kiran offshore rig, 70 km from the Mumbai Coast, ONGC spokesperson Narayani Mahil said Full Report

Television awards announced in the state Two Lashkar-e-Toiba arrested Bosch AA signs Middle East PR contract with Orient Planet

Priest appeals for safety of orphans trapped in Fataki, Ituri

Parents vote for Mr.Joshi as the Principal of ISM.

He is a professional and he is dedicated. The school has been performing well under his able guidance. He has proven himself commendably and its a shame that instead of rewarding him the SMC is stooping low in insulting him.Please keep politics away from the school and please behave as responsible Indian citizens in this great land. We parents and children too would always voice our support in favour of Mr.Joshi.

MR.EDGAR AINSLEY who is presently principal of a school in the UAE is waiting to be contacted to replace JOSHI. are all indian school SMC'S trublemakers to their principals??? wats his cause of changeover from uae to oman.?? More in the Discussion forum.


New healthcare information system integrates 4 public hospitals & 20 healthcare centres with DOHMS online facility

Israeli companies scope out business opportunities in Iraq Full Report Ailing Indian Airlines Seek Government Aid

137 special courts set up to try cases of atrocities against scheduled castes & scheduled tribes President and prime minister greet nation on Raksha Bandhan Railways self-propelled accident relief medical vanMore News

Discussions lead to withdrawal of agitation by the Pro-Leftist Organisations

Gulf country may extridite former Bank CEO as part of ongoing investigations

One of the Gulf countries may try to extradite a former Bank Chief Executive Officer as part of ongoing investigations into major financial irregularities resulting in mounting bad loans for the banking system. A former high profile bank executive from the Caribbean who was allegedly involved in sanctioning many loans which turned out be bad assets is likely to be extradited back as part of the ongoing investigation. The apex bank of the Gulf country is learned to be coordinating with international agencies to facilitate his extradition, if possible and terminate his services with a foreign bank. The role of a group of banking officials who joined the foreign bank with the former CEO are also being examined. The high profile bank executive was joined by a group of Indian officials in the foreign bank where he was working for the last one year. Business groups with huge bad loan exposure to the bank are also facing investigation. One Indian business group is asked to produce all accounts since 1992 as a number of private limited companies of the group are suspected to be used to take loans from the bank, in which the group representative was a board member. The Indian business group has sacked some of its senior accounting staff including the personal assistant of a businessman under scrutiny for alleged financial crimes. Ongoing investigation against the Indian business family is far from over and an interim investigation report is getting ready.

We are overjoyed to hear about JOSHI to continue as principal.

Let all know that there is a ' DAMOCLES SWORD" HANGING OVER JOSHI'S HEAD. keralamonitor doesnt want the forum to name individuals but we have names of those individuals who are still at large trying (have been trying) to see joshi go. there are four most active anti-joshi people who perhaps out of fear want joshi to leave. its because they may be exposed and shunned by society---they are foxes in the garb of sheep. BEWARE JOSHI.
THE PARENT COMMUNITY AND TEACHERS ARE ALL ON YOUR SIDE.

Student Politics turns violent in Kerala

Priya R.S., KM Correspondent, Trivandrum Reports

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - August 9, 2003 The student politics in the most literate state in the country is taking a violent turn as the left wing student unions and the state government continues to take stubborn position about privatization of education in the state. A dark cloud of unrest still hangs over the state, which witnessed the second day of violence following clashes between police and the pro-left student organizations.Full Report

Bright Star 2003 Exercise Canceled

Washington - August 10, 2003 The Department of Defense announced today that the United States has decided it will not be able to participate in this year's Bright Star exercise scheduled for next month. The decision was made in view of continued operations in the Global War on Terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere by the United States and othernations. The Bright Star exercise will not be held this year. Full Report

Private Tuition by ISM teachers for High School Girls in Homes?

It is a known secret that many teachers provide private tutions outside the School for making extra money. They, at times, compel students and parents to take private tuitions and pay very little attention at the class. Some of the teachers even tend to give priority and special consideration to children coming from elite background. Strict displinary action must be taken against these teachers and ensure that the School atmosphere is not corrupted.
It is also known that long back --the year Joshi joined---tuitions were going on. it was found thatthe bachelor male teachers took tuitions and high school girls took tuitions at their homes (parents partying or unconcerned). Its then it was highlighted that some affairs were going on. Joshi took a big step and asked teachers to and students to come to school at a particular time ( during the time he sits in school for evening time) and take tuitions. Principal joshi was met with a lot of criticism then. since then this racket was arrested. now since Joshi isnt there, this racket has re-surfaced.SMC AND BOD PLEASE PONDER UPON THIS FACT!

School Board Chairman, members, SMC Members, Principals, Teachers, Students join KM Discussion Forum

KM DIscussion Forum Witness Record Posting on Indian Schools

Network Associates' Intrusion Prevention Appliance provides ROI of up to 145 percent General Motors builds 500,000 XM-equipped vehicles Apple releases DVD studio pro 2 Professional DVD Authoring Made Simple Acotel Group signs an MMSC contract with FastLink Jordan Successful Hong Kong Airport Privatization Demands Long-Term Vision and Economic Regulation SAP Arabia's collaborative Business Suite offers integrated solutions to medium-size customer base

India - second to none in the field of technology: Ram Naik


Indian Oil enters the select club of global providers of Hydrocarbon Technology Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has said that technology and its utilisation has assumed a new meaning and great significance in recent times ever since the Indian Petroleum industry implemented a series of process modifications. The Oil PSUs have already invested Rs. 10,000 crore in their refineries to produce the upgraded quality fuels Full Report

Tuition Racket Resurfaces in Indian Schools - Teachers deliberately compel students, parents to take tutions. Special teachers handle only elite students. Watch this space.

Father of dead soldier claims Army coverup Iraqis mystified at bombing of Jordanian embassy, says Financial Times Report Judicial Watch to Subpoena Documents from Joint Congressinal Inquiry Report Report on Sex Crimes Cover-Up By Vatican for four decades? One third of Massachusetts teachers failed English test

Surcharge on season and single journey tickets for travel on Secunderabad- Hyderabad Lingampally section


The Ministry of Railways has issued orders levying the Multi Modal Transport System (MMTS) surcharge on season tickets and single journey tickets for travel between different sections on Secunderabad-Hyderabad-Lingampally section with effect from the date such service is launched by South Central Railway (SCR). Full Report and More News

Government processing scheme for residential schools for SC students No diversion by states of funds released for development of Scheduled Castes Anti-Dumping & Subsidy cases against India Two new schemes on the anvil for promotion of quality education among scheduled castes More News

We have Monopoly right to sack teachers -claims Muladha SMC

"We are the appointing as well as the removal authority of teachers as per the guidelines set by the embassy and approved by the ministry of education for the BoD and School Management committees. So there is no right for the board to write such a letter. "The board which is a third party in this case have given the letter without giving any notice to us and contains false statements and hence should be rejected.," jointly wrote Dr. Muthukumar Ramaswamy, SMC president, Dr.Raju Varghese, convenor and Dr.Izhar Ahmed Bilgrami, Treasurer, SMC through their legal consultant. Full Report

Why the ISC Kerala Wing Did not Honour Meena?

A section of the ISC Kerala Wing members is agitated over the committe decision not to give a decent sent off party to K M Meena, whom the wing once called the most popular Indian Ambassador ever to work in Muscat. One of its premier officials co-convener Preman has resigned in protest for unknown reasons and even the senior committee members have raised objection to the fact that the Kerala Wing, claimed to be standing for the common man, did not do justice to the former ambassador during his last innings .Obviously the wing was working under external influence. According to Meena himself, the Kerala Wing leadership was mysteriously keeping away from him for unknown reasons. "We could not get a proper date for the send off party. There was lot of uncertainty and we could not fix a date," claimed one committee member. This is yet another instance to show the real affiliation of community associations. Even the association which claim to be a common man's platform deliberately ignored Meena. "In his welcome address, (Keralolsavam 2002) the convener termed the Indian Ambassador as " the most popular Ambassador" ever to serve the Indian community here . The association which adorned even a businessman with Ponnada did not find time and resources to organise a send off party? Just to please the business tycoons? Sham Shame shame. Even the ISC Malayalam wing, which you call a communal and conservative wing had the decency of organising a send off party. Come on friends, peopel are watching your actions and inactions..More

Now where should we go? writes illegally sacked Indian school teachers

 Meena is gone, Long Live the ambassador

Mr. Meena is out ..

 

Welcome to His Excellency Talmiz Ahmed

"By taking 10 per cent depreciation every year, the book value of Indian School Al Ghurba is zero. The promoter has been charging very high rent. The MoU is not a license to exploit the Indian community. By revoking the MoUs, we are not trying to capture Dr.Mohammed Ali's private property. Let any private agent evaluate the property and the embassy or the community is willing to pay the price for the property," Meena, is believed to have told the new board members "If they want to make money, start a private school with a local sponsor, the same way Dr.Mohammed Ali is running private medical and engineering colleges," said sources. The embassy did not ask Dr. Mohammed Ali about the money he makes from the engineering or medical colleges, which are run legally as per local rules and regulations. The former ambassador had in fact praised the NRI for making good contribution to Oman's development. However, Meena was dead against Dr.Mohammed Ali making money in the name of what he said was an illegal MoU without considering the legal aspects . Full Report

KM offers a warm welcome to the new Indian Ambassador KM and its readers wish him all success in doing his duties as the first citizen of the country without fear or favours.

Board Reinstates Jayaram G Panicker and Biju Mathew of Indian School Mulada

Labour Department says sacking of two teachers illegal and not in compliance with Oman's labour rules, But School SMC is adamant that the teachers should leave!

The arrogance of SMC and board members is once again reflected in the way in which they are handling the termination of two teachers of Indian School Moladha. According to a letter from the Board of directors Manjula Ramdas to the Labour Department, the entire process of termination was not fully in compliance with the local labour rules. Accordingly the reasons for termination is not satisfactory as the warning letters issued to the two teachers contravened the labour rules. The board convened a joint meeting with the members of the Indian School Muladha on July 19, 2003. Even though it was agreed to reinstate the teachers, the SMC members are still adamant about the issue. The labour department asked the school to provide sufficient compensation to the terminated teacher, the SMC is adamant. "In view of the decision in the meeting, it was decided by the board members and the school management committee unanimously to avoid any further delay in settling the matter and not prolong the case by taking it to the higher court to the interest of the education of the children. Overnight termination of teachers is a legacy of the past, which should be forthwith. Why should the school management members who are not qualified or competent to indulge in such a job spend the public fund for litigation? Same situation is facing M M Joshi, the Indian SchooMuscat Principal who has been put in a state of animated suspension. Join the heated debate on the Indian School Muladha Discussion Forum.

Saudi flight Wanted emergency landing as passenger dies inboard: Ground Staff raise false alarm, denies permission

Dubai - What happened on last Wednesday at a Gulf International Airport looks like joke and false alarm raised by a group of airport ground staff without knowing the "sky realities". Full Report

Did Hijacked Plane's bid to land in Gulf Airport Disrupt Air Services?

Indian School Board reinstates sacked teachers of Indian School Mulada, But SMC member adamant on taking back the teachers sacked illegally...Watch this space.

 

Did the business lobby play any role in organising workers in front of the Indian embassy on the first day of the new ambassador?

It is rumoured that some vested interest were behind organising the workers of 3 companies simultaneously in front of the Embassy to put across a point that the former ambassador was inefficient in handling labour issues. It may be noted that a leading Member of Parliament (with clear interest in school business) had raised a hue and cry about the labour problems in Oman and the embassy's inefficiency. It is an unprecedented event in the history of Indian Embassy that workers of three companies gathered together on a particular day when the new ambassador took charge. One of the reasons for the premature transfer of Meena was his questioning the role of a politicians son to continue in school committee. The lobbying is continuing and the new ambassador, please take note of this. Workers have a genuine problem, but let others not utilise them for their vested gameplans. watch this space.

Oman Air reduces airfare to Kerala by RO 20.

Thanks to an exclusive report in KM about the unjustifiable difference in airfare charged by Oman Air from passengers from Dubai and Muscat, theairline has reduced the rate by RO 20 with immediate effect. The Keralite community in the Sultanate will benefit from the decision. It is yet another feather in KM's cap. What will KM write after KM Meena leaves? Asked our friends. These are the things that we will continue to do for the common man. Mind you without taking any bribes, as alleged in your columns.

Oman Air takes Kerala passengers for a Ride?

Is the Keralite community in Oman taken for aride by Oman Air? KM learns that the Airline is following a step motherly treatment towards the Kerala bound Malayali passengers from Seeb International Airport by adopting a very high airfare compared to the rate charged from adjacent destination. While a Muscat Malayali pays a whopping RO 220 for a return ticket to Muscat -Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram, another passenger who boards the same plane from Dubai pay just Dhs. 1400 (equvalent to RO 140). ? For a single ticket from Dubai to Trivandrum/Kochi, Oman Air takes only Dhs 800, where as the same airline charges RO 140 from a Muscat Malayali. While the difference between Bombay and South Indian ticket fare is just 400 Dhs in the UAE, the gap widens to RO 80 in case of Muscat Malayalis. Bombay-Muscat return fare is RO 150 and for South India it is RO 220. Full Report

Protest Online against Chief Minister Antony

Online Travel Package Booking through Portal

29 July 2003: In a bid to offer partners and customers enhanced and value added services continually, myTravelChannel.com, the Middle East's most popular travel website today launched a mybooking tab that allows customers to select products and services to tailor-make as well as monitor the status of their holiday bookings. Full Report

Defamation Charges against Community Leaders; Two Sites Blocked

A criminal defamatory case has been lodged against a former School Board member allegedly for circulating filthy stories about K M Meena, the former Indian Ambassador, Manjula Ramdas, the new chairman of the board of directors, Dr. Deepa Raman and Dr. Dalalal, other in school board. The two sites which propagated wrong and highly defamatory reports are blocked by the Crime Busters. A former vice chairman of the board of directors of Indian Schools was reportedly questioned by the CID. The blocked site is Omanmonitor. The name of a local reporter is also dragged into the controversy. Manjula Ramdas has claimed a big amount as compensation from the culprits for the damages caused to her reputation and public image -watch this space.

New Free Economic Zone in Kochi, Gold Hallmarking in India

Murder Attempt on Six year old Indian School Muscat Girl Student

It was a murder attempt, say sources.

An unidentified person has assaulted a junior class girl student of Indian school Muscat Jibro, causing severe injuries on the throat . According to sources a person approached the girl who was sitting alone in the bus and allegedly assaulted her with a sharp weapon. The girl's neck is cut slightly and is rushed to a hospital where she is recovering. The Indian School Muscat Student was attacked by an unidentified young man with a motive to kill her. According to sources, the girl was alone in the vehicle taking some snacks when the school bus driver claims that he was sleeping. "The injuries are severe and there are two cuts on her throat and fortunately the girl's life is saved. The girl says a man in tea shirt entered the school bus and attacked her with a sharp knife," added sources Full Report

Media Monitor

Labourers seek embassy help over unpaid wages Report by Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief Gulf News

300 workers stage silent protest near Indian embassy, Special Report by Adarsh Madhavan,Times of Oman

"The Indian workers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc., of the Oman Transport and Contracting Company (OTCO) told the Times of Oman that they have not obtained their salaries for the last three-and-a-half months. Other than that, they do not have proper accommodation and neither do they obtain proper food because the company mess was supplying them with meagre, and at times, maggot-ridden rations. Since the camp is without any air-conditioning (the air-condition units are there, but sans power supply) the workers are forced to sleep outside," reported the scribe

Serial Killer News Create Panic Among Indian School Students in Saudi Arabia?

DAMMAM, 22 January 2003 —A hot crime news is circulating among residents through the Internet, indicating that a new serial killer is active, probably targetting Indian School Students in Saudi Arabia. "Dammam and Alkhobar have been buzzing for the past two days with talk that a man wearing a black abaya and wearing black gloves was on the prowl in the Doha, Sulatnia and Dana districts during the early morning hours," said reports from Saudi Arabia. Full Report

Workers of three companies strike in front of Indian Embassy.

Nearly 700 workers of OTCO, Modern Construction and Dessert Palm assembloed in front of the Indian Embassy Muscat protesting against non payment of salary for several months and other issues. The embassy called police and the agitated workers remained there for a long time. However, there was no phyiscal attack on workers, but the black commandoes were present in front of the Indian Embassy

    Coca-Cola in India accused of leaving farms parched and land poisoned
     
    The Guardian reportedthat the largest Coca-Cola plant in India is being accused of putting thousands of farmers out of work by draining the water that feeds their wells, and poisoning the land with waste sludge that the company claims is fertiliser. The plant in the southern state of Kerala is designed to satisfy the demand for Coke in what has become the multinational company's fastest growing market.But its huge demand for water is causing such damage to the local economy that the village council which had granted the company a licence to operate is now demanding the plant's closure. More News
 
New CEO Appointed to Take Jordan Telecom into Competitive Era
Satyam implements 'Virtual University' portal for leading global consortium of universities  Sakhr announces a strategic alliance with SAIL LABS Technology, Europe Media Mining and Management solutions the first of their kind IS0 9001: 2000 certification strengthens Siemens LLC standing in Middle East region IBM Business Consulting Services helps bring e-Governance to the Government of Pondicherry U.N. Warns India On AIDS Problem As New Figures Released Wholesale-retail sector is the biggest spender of IT in Saudi Arabia's booming market Indian News No foreign university programme can be offered against AICTE Regulations Govt to consider model cinema regulations Managing the health risks
     
    Troops Accused of Mosul Killing
     
    Witnesses Say Crowd Was Fired On After Hussein Firefight; U.S. Denies Allegation

Saturday, July 26, 2003: MOSUL, Iraq, July 25 -- It was too much for the 20 men watching. Almost all of them buried their faces in their hands and sobbed. "Why did the Americans kill my son?" said Basil Hamed Azawi, 63. "By God, I say to you, I thought it was better to have good relations with the Americans and repair our country. But now the Americans have lost any relationship with Iraq. How can I face them now? What should I do? What can I do?"Neighbors here said Hamed was killed on Tuesday by U.S. soldiers who fired into a crowd of young, unarmed Iraqis who were throwing rocks at the troops, shortly after the fierce firefight in which U.S. troops killed the two sons of former president Saddam Hussein, Uday and Qusay. Full Report

Ajith Kumar removed as Indian School Muscat President

Hardly one month after Ajith Kumar was given the much coveted post of Indian School Muscat President, he is terminated at the last minute for changing his affiliation towards the business lobby. A new president is appointed hours before the Indian Ambassador K M Meena is to leave Muscat. C M Sardar, an office bearer of Indian Social Club is the new ISM president . Like a former school board chairman who showed dual contradictory face Ajith Kumar too became a pawn in the hands of the bsiness lobby. More soon. Earlier Report

Recent Reports on Indian Schools

Tale of two sparring dotcoms, Special Report about km in Gulf News

|By Sunil k. vaidya | 24-07-2003

The lack of official information on various issues and keen interest among the Indian expatriates in their community school management affairs have given rise to Oman-based websites at a time the dot com business has seen a major slump.The two much talked about web sites deal mostly with issues related to Oman yet they are named keralamonitor.com and newkeralamonitor.com. The keralamonitor.com started first and with reports of labour woes, thefts, suicides, crimes and other stories that the local papers would not touch, the number of visitors to the site grew steadily. Interestingly, a scribe working with the official daily Oman Daily Observer is the brain behind the keralamonitor.com. Somewhere along the line the site took up the cudgels on behalf of the Indian ambassador, K. M. Meena, who began asserting his authority as the patron of the Indian School Board. Hitherto, the ambassadors had not interfered in the running of the schools. Full Report

KM IN NEWS ALWAYS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

Corruption due to Business Interest in School System has been Shaken

The Parents and the Indian community should vigilantly monitor school reform and continue to demand transparency and accountability from the school board and management committees.During the last two years, the lopsided and corrupt systems which prevailed in the Indian School Scenario for the last one decade has been temporarily shaken by the outgoing Indian Ambassador K M Meena, who is likely to be posted in New Delhi. It is likely that the entire process in the Indian education scenario can go back to square one . Corruption and malpractice could resurface. The whole reform process can be reversed in a single day and private schools may continue to charge high fees without any transparency of operation. Indian School Muscat, the largest community school should reduce the deposit at least by half as there is sufficient fund in theschool. Keeping more funds in community schools would make them proneto misapprorpriation. As happened in Kuwait Indian schools , this may lead tomore corruption. The community leaders action should not damage the reputation of the Indian community. --Watch this space for KM Meena's Departure Message to the Indian community in Oman.

European lady and gang smartly rob South Indian Salesman

A gang in the Ruwi area of Muscat smartly robbed a South Indian expatriate salesman. The expatriate salesman, who withdrew RO 3,000 from the Ruwi Branch of Oman International Bank (OIB), Ruwi branch was robbed in a smart manner by the gang comprising a lady, with European features and one or two men. Full Report

Harassment of Indian Girls Continues in Beauty Parlous, Polyclinics, Garment Factories, Brothels and even ..Watch out

We have no reason to keep mum on any issues

Dear Sir,

I am surprised to see that you are mum on the Wadi Kabir Beauty parlour issue? Is it because the owners, are close to your heart? Even TOO (sic) reported in Citylights and Asianet reported that the establishment was closed down. Such news should be given with details of the businessmen behind the issue, to protect poor people, who go unpaid for 10 months and all.- letter from a KM visitor. Read our Reports

Iraq: Continuing failure to uphold human rights

(Baghdad) After more than 100 days of occupation, the promises of human rights for all Iraqis have yet to be fulfilled, Mahmoud Ben Romdhane Amnesty International's head of delegation to Iraq said.Speaking at the launch of a Memorandum on concerns relating to law and order (full report online at http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maabhFeaaZnvcbb0hHSb/ ), he continued: "The Iraqi people have suffered for long enough - it is shameful to still hear of people who are being detained in inhumane conditions without their family knowing where they are and with no access to a lawyer or a judge - often for weeks on end." More

Duscussion Forum Active - Muladha School

He has always for any reason and purposes used the TERMINATION NOTICE as a sword over us teachers. To please some of you members(past and present) and some influential parents, he has abused us and harrassed us in the worst possible manner.The many teachers he has sacked in the past are such wonderful,dedicated and experienced teachers. Many of their records(performance) will prove their efficiency and this school actually stands on the legacy they left behind. Yes in front of him(principal) we have to stand ignorant and shake our heads for anything and everything he says cause thats what he wants from us. Approaching you all(SMC members) once again is solely to improve the only service we can provide for our children that is "Good education" in a pleasant atmosphere. Could you please give us a new Principal? Join the Discussion Forum

Kelly had converted to Baha'i faith, which rejects suicide :Russian Newsportal U.S. promises proof of Saddam sons' deaths Also, top Republican Guard commander captured Two U.S. Soldiers Killed After Death of Saddam Sons Kelly had converted to Baha'i faith, which rejects suicide :Russian Newsportal

KM Salutes the Sultan of Oman

KM editor and readers wish the Kind Ruler of Oman Sultan Qaboos and his people continued prosperity and happiness under the able leadership of His Majesty on the occasion of the country's 33rd Renaissance Day today.

This joyous occasion marks the successful completion of three decades of development that transformed a group of tribal society into one of the most modern nation states in the Arab world. Oman has achieved remarkable progress in various fields, which even some of the democratic countries failed to match. The expatriate community too played an important role in this transformation. KM wishes him good health, happiness and a long life.

 Sultan QaboosThanks to the Wisdom and long sighted vision of the Sultan the Sultanate is also developing into a democratic country. 

2 Filipinos Sentenced to 350 Lashes

RIYADH, 22July 2003 — Two Filipino workers have been sentenced to 350 lashes each for retracting their previous statements in a murder case before the Riyadh Emergency Court, while another Filipino suspect implicated in the same case has been acquitted without corporal punishment, the Arab News reported. The case involves the murder of a Saudi official named Fahad Al-Otaibi working for a Saudi law enforcement agency. More

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60,000 page views a month, Most popular portal among expatriates. Consistent traffick ; Make your home page for just nothing contact editor@keralamonitor.com

Land to landless adivasis of Kerala more News

Homosexual Prosecutions Overturned Internet Arrests, Harassments Continue

(New York, July 22, 2003) -- The acquittal by a Cairo appeals court of eleven men earlier convicted of consensual homosexual conduct is a step forward, but arrests and harassment of men who have sex with men continue in Egypt, Human Rights Watch said today. The appeals court overturned the convictions on July 20."Men remain imprisoned in Egypt for private acts, in a continuing crackdown which violates international law," said Scott Long, a researcher for Human Rights Watch. "What is needed is to repeal the provisions of a law which invite repressive enforcement." The men were among sixteen who had been charged in February 2003, when police tapped the phone of a private apartment in the Giza district of greater Cairo after an informer reported that the owner was visited by other men. Police arrested the men whose recorded conversations suggested that they had engaged in homosexual acts..Full Report

Mysterious Diseases Haunt U.S. Troops In Iraq

BAGHDAD - Several mysterious diseases were reported among a number of American troops within the vicinity of Baghdad airport, a military source closely close to NATO unveiled. U.S. soldiers deployed around Baghdad airport started showing symptoms of mysterious fever, itching, scars and dark brown spots on the skin, the source, who refused to be named, said in statements published Thursday, July 17, by the Saudi Al-Watan newspaper. He asserted that three soldiers who suffered these symptoms did not respond to medical treatment in Iraqi hospitals and were flown to Washington for medication. The military source reported a media blackout by U.S. officials to hide such information from the public. More

Mystery of the eight missing hours before the body was found Bangladeshi Put on Trial for Screening Porn Movies in Saudi Gloves off in village that wants answers on death Gunman Opens Fire on People in a Local Mosque Nigeria: No Justice For Kaduna Killings African Union: Adoption of the Protocol on the Rights of Women - positive step towards combating discrimination and violence against women

KM Discussion Forum Witnesses Heated Debate on Indian School Moladha Principal Vs Teachers Vs Parents

Joint appeal to SMC Members- Indian School Muladha

Name: Teachers Indian School Muladha
Date Posted: Jul 21, 03 - 2:15 AM
Message: You are very much aware of the unfortunate happenings in our school and the negative effect its having on our children. The letters to this site is itself enough to jolt us all. We are sure you will soon act in a positive way to help set things right and give this school a new lease of life by appointing a Principal with a vision and a positive approach. We teachers have many grieveances too. The working atmosphere is extremely bad and we feel demoralized and often dissappointed in the manner we are treated by the principal. We are very sorry to send such an open letter but we are forced to do so because of the 'never care' attitude of the Principal. We have approached him many times and so also your goodselves. Our basic requirements itself are not provided by this principal. Though our requirements like furniture and basic amenities are menial compared to the Himalayan problems our children are facing in the school, yet we wish to bring this too to your notice. We are not able to understand, why the principal has so many excuses and reasons for not providing us(Teachers) adequate furniture in our quarters but is always willing to provide more than required furniture in the House occupied by his sectretary. More Postings

Indian Dies in Hospital After Falling from Terrace, while sleeping

Shamsudeen (28 years) from Cherupalakkada, Kozhikkodu who has been undergoing treatment at the Khoula Hospital following a mysterious fall while sleeping on a building terrace in Sur died on Monday atthe Khoula hospital. According to his well wishers, the unmarried Keralite workers hospital bill is about RO 3,000 which his company or sponsor are not able to pay. The sponsor is in the UK and the local manager is unable to foot the hospital bill. He was admitted in the hospital about one month ago. While nobody knows how he fell from the terrace, sources said he was sleeping on theterrace because of the heat inside the room. Anybody willing to help the family can contact Shamsudeen on 00968-9436861.

Why Not Malayali Principal and Teachers in Indian Schools

why are the parents and students of moladha school weep bitterly about the malayalee teachers,principal and smc members?is it for style and fashion.aren't malayalees indians? is their language in any way inferior to other indian languages?or are the minorities in the school prejudiced.?it is learnt that 80% of the students of the school are malayalees. the rest 20%makes the students from the other states + pakistan, Bangladesh, Srilanka,egypt,philipines,sudan etc etc.definitely 80%of the smc should b malayalees.they support the school and they are looked down.for what?if the school has a rule to converse in english, let all the staff follow that irrespective of the regional langages.let our children be masters of english and that doesn't mean we should degrade our mother tongues.it is true that some malayalees are allergic to malayalam.let us pity them.they don't have self respect.during my visits to the school i have heard teachers talking in tamil,hindi malayalam and whatever they know and the principal too.this is an indian school and everything indian has to b respected.regionalism and communalism should not be entertained and such elements should be removed.soon omanisation will push us back to our states and we have to b rehabilitated there for good. More and Join the Discussion Forum

The Kelly affair A haunted man But why did Kelly have to die? Exclusive Report from Observer about the mysterious death of a biological weapons scientist

Embassy revokes MoU of Indian School Al Ghubra, Indian School Wadi Kabir

Recent Reports from KM Click Here

Manjula Ramdas is the Chairperson of Indian School Board of Directors

The restructuring of the board of Indian schools, which is approved by the Ministry of Education, makes Manjula Ramdas, an active female member of the Indian community the Chairman and Dr. Dalal the Vice Chairman. The ministry has also approved the induction of four new members - Mr. Durgaprasad (the Bahwans group), Hakeem ( Ideal Marines), Mr.Chaudhury (Oman Computers) and one Bhupendra. More

American Soldiers looted Baghdad Airport, duty free Shops

Much has been written about how Iraqis complicated the task of rebuilding their country by looting it after Saddam Hussein's regime fell. According to an interesting report in the Times about the international airport outside Baghdad, theft and vandalism were conducted largely by victorious American troops.Quoting U.S. officials, Iraqi Airways staff members and other airport workers, the Times said American troops stole duty-free items, needlessly shot up the airport and trashed five serviceable Boeing airplanes. What was then called Saddam International Airport fell to soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division on April 3. For the next two weeks, airport workers say, soldiers sleeping in the airport's main terminal helped themselves to items in the duty-free shop, including alcohol, cassettes, perfume, cigarettes and expensive watches. More News

More Culprits facing Investigation?

Following the recent interrogation of the KR family members, more people have been reportedly brought within the purview of law enforcement agencies. According to KM sources, two senior businessmen have been nabbed in connection with certain white collor crimes. Certain sections of the community who have close business association with the Gujarathi family are also being monitored. Some senior bank officials are also being questioned in connection with the bank fraud.

Police seize two million tapes in Egypt's biggest ever piracy raid

    65Convicts on Death Row in Makkah Region
    JEDDAH, 5July 2003 — Sixty-five people of various nationalities convicted of crimes punishable by death are presently awaiting execution in the Makkah province. Only if the next of kin of the victims pardon them — a practice not uncommon in Saudi Arabia — will the lives of the criminals be saved. The pardon sometimes takes places at the last minute, when the convict has been brought to the place of execution. According to Okaz newspaper, the majority of those on death row have been convicted of drug-related crimes or murder. Saudis make up 80 percent of those who have been convicted of murder. Full Report
     
     
    Watch this space for more spicy reports from some of the polyclinics where female staff have been allegedly subjected to sexual harassment by ...?
     
    Iran's successful missile Shihab-3 ground-to-ground missile test puts Israel within range India-Tanzania share Low Cost Housing Technology, Women Empowerment
     

Iraq Oil Flowing to Kuwait to pay for the war expenses?

According to Hank Brandli, 63, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumnus, some of his most recent photo showed a blazing corridor of light running the length of Kuwait, south to north, all the way to the Iraqi border. The image wasn't there on May 3. "It's going right up to Iraq's oil fields," says the retired Air Force colonel from his home in Palm Bay. "Maybe I'm full of s---. Maybe all they're doing is building a highway to put in McDonald's and sell hamburgers. But why go that way? I think we're in bed with Kuwait. I think we're pumping oil out of Iraq to pay for this war. "If you're building pipelines, you've got to have power, you've got to have light -- trucks and personnel and food and all sorts of support. If I had to bet, I'd say it looks like we're running Iraqi oil through Kuwait. It would make sense, because Kuwait's got its infrastructure intact." At the State Department in Washington, D.C., David Staples on the Future of Iraqi Projects desk says he doesn't know if Iraq's oil is flowing into Kuwait. He referred the query to the Defense Department. A DoD spokesman suggested contacting the Office of Coalition of Provisional Authority (OCPA) in Baghdad. OCPA was not immediately available for comment. Full Report

So where is Iraq's oil, especially the oil in its rich south eastern fields, going?

The same place it went before Gulf War I. To Kuwait.

Except this time, instead of slanted drilling (going under the Iraqi-Kuwait border), the Bush family's old friends, the Kuwaitis are taking it out in broad daylight...if you have access to the satellite photos: In case you missed the story the first time, here's the short story of why Iraq invaded Kuwait ten plus years ago:"The whole dispute started because Kuwait was slant-drilling. Using equipment bought from National Security Council chief Brent Scowcroft's old company, Kuwait was pumping out some $14-billion worth of oil from underneath Iraqi territory. Even the territory they were drilling from had originally been Iraq's. Slant-drilling is enough to get you shot in Texas, and it's certainly enough to start a war in the Mideast.Even so, this dispute could have been negotiated. But it's hard to avoid a war when what you're actually doing is trying to provoke a war"

Iraq: No Amnesty for Mass murderers U.S. and U.K. Should Not Offer Immunity for Information

(New York, July 3, 2003) -- U.S. and U.K. officials should not offer former senior Iraqi leaders amnesty or immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing information on Saddam Hussein or weapons of mass destruction, Human Rights Watch said today.Full Report

Contracting Company delay salary, but hastens new recruitment

Modern Construction & Trading company is currently recruting staff from Kerala. Even though some sources say that the company is not giving salary and workers suffer from mental tension. However, the company's senior staff is not concerned and the Keralite wife of the Managing Director and the company staff are least bothered..Join Discussion Forum.

Immoral Students Behaviour due to Parents Fault, not Principal's

More importantly - the parents who sent their children to Indian Schools should keep some moral standards - they have no time for anything, they are very busy in partying and get-togethers, executive'w wifes driving posh cards, putting all make-ups and wandering here and there so they fail to educate their sons/daughters for a proper life. Their children wander here there like stray dogs. They don't how to dress-up properly, how to talk The parents should understand (may be purposely act ignorant due to plenty of conveience of comfortable life in the Gulf)that their children are the assets of a great country, they should represent the image of the country Anyone can see absolute chaois in their life patterns irrespective of girls or boys. We blame managements, principals and not bothered to set a standard for their children and not bothered to teach them what is life, what is education and what it gives you. So start from each one's home first and set an example for others.

New Procedures for Nomination of Seats from the Central Pool for MBBS/BDS admission

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is receiving a large number of requests from various sources either for allotment of MBBS/BDS seats from the Central Pool or recommending their names under the scheme of All India Entrance Examinations for MBBS/BDS and MD/MS/MDS seats conducted by CBSE and AIIMS respectively. The selection of candidates in All India Entrance Examinations conducted by CBSE and AIIMS on the basis of scheme devised and approved by the Hon’ble Supreme Court is made purely on merit basis and as such, no nomination under the scheme is feasible.Full Report

Iraqis Defy Bush, Wound Seven U.S. Soldiers in Attacks

BAGHDAD - Seven American soldiers were wounded in two separate attacks on occupation forces in Iraq on Thursday, a day after President Bush said there were enough U.S. troops in Iraq to deal with the militants. More

Public Sector Oil PSUS report 83 per cent profit growth -Intenet Facility in Railway Stations

Saudi Government Should Stop Death Penalty of Migrant Women" Rights Body

Asian Women Migrant Workers on Death Row

(New York, July 2, 2003) -- The government of Saudi Arabia should impose a moratorium on executions until all death penalty cases are independently reviewed, Human Rights Watch said today. The review should also examine practices of the justice and interior ministries that may have violated basic due process rights of Saudi citizens and foreigners
sentenced to death. Human Rights Watch said the cases of two Asian women migrant
workers sentenced to death for allegedly killing their employers raise troubling questions about the transparency and fairness of the Saudi justice system in capital punishment cases. Neither woman had access to a lawyer or any other form of legal assistance, and consular officials were not present at their trials. Both women were convicted on the basis of confessions, a common feature of the kingdom's justice system. "Innocent people may be on death row in Saudi Arabia facing imminent execution," said Virginia Sherry, associate director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch. "Two Asian women migrant workers now on death row are persuasive examples of the need for review and reform: they did not speak Arabic, did not have lawyers,
and may have been forced to sign confessions.
" -- More

Man buried baby girl, but she lives

Asian Age Special

Bhopal, July 3: When 30-year-old farmer Sudama Patel decided on June 29 to cycle down to the local health centre near Kailashpur village, in a remote corner of Rewa district, with his pregnant wife Gulabkali in tow, little did he expect to be languishing in jail 24 hours later for burying his newborn baby girl. That the infant would miraculously survive may also have been beyond the contours of his crude imagination. “Phir ladki (A girl again)” exclaimed Sudama in disappointment when the sex of the new born became clear. Seething in anger, he slapped Gulabkali, picked up the baby, walked a few paces and deposited her in the bushes in between two trees. And to ensure that she did not live to see another day, he covered her face with stones. Then, grabbing his cycle, he slipped off into the woods, leaving his wife alone in the lengthening shadows in the forest. Full Report

Indian Shaikh Resigns from Bank Board Membership

A leading Indian business family in Muscat is being monitored by the law enforcement authorities for alleged money laundering charges. One of the family members who was on the board of a leading commercial bank since 1997 resigned from the board, following investigation into various charges including illegal money transfer . "He is not allowed to sign any major financial deals...The escape of a former bank Chief Executive from the Caribbean is also being investigated," said sources. Unconfirmed reports say drug money from the western hemisphere was transferred through some non-banking channels. They have to their credit not only the local cheating case, but the Caribbean connection too. The Shaikhs have been smartly duping banks, financial institutions, ministries and even their local partners. It is also learned that the payment pending from various parties is not being released. Fearing the unknown, another Indian Shaikh started slowly pulling out from Oman and is trying to build up a political career. Watch this space.

Bengali's Life Saved by Kerala Doctor, the story of Cleaning Rectum

MUSCAT — The ingenuity displayed in the removal of a soft drink bottle, which seems to have accidentally found its way into the rectum of an expatriate, has put a young doctor and the local polyclinic where he works in the spotlight. While many are still wondering how a nearly eight-inch, 2.5cm diameter bottle (bottom) got stuck in a 37-year-old man’s rectum, the rest are marvelling at the sheer resourcefulness of Dr S. Deepak, specialist general and laparoscopic surgeon, at Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, reported Adarsh Madhavan in the Times of Oman.

Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah tours Dubai eGovernment offices and commends their achievements

UK Armed Forces raped hundreds of Kenyan women?

Six hundred and fifty allegations of rape have so far been made against members of the UK army posted to Kenya for training over a period of more than 30 years, Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International said today. "The fact that so many rape claims over such a long period of time were neither investigated nor prosecuted shows a systemic failure of the UK army and may amount to institutional acquiescence which encouraged a pattern of grave human rights violations by members of the UK army."Full Report

Gujarat Massacre Cases Sabotaged

(New York, July 1, 2003) - The ringleaders of massacres committed in 2002
are still roaming free in Gujarat, Human Rights Watch charged in a new
report released today.More

 Eight Saudi Nationals Arrested in India for Visa Norm Violations, Preaching Islam

Baroda, July 1: The police in Bharuch, Gujarat, arrested nine foreigners for violating visa and immigration norms by making "inflammatory" speeches and preaching Islam in various parts of Bharuch since May 22. Eight of the arrested men are from Saudi Arabia and the ninth is from Sudan Full Report

An alleged Sexual Abuse of minor female Student in School is said to be the real reason for sacking someone important in the Indian schools? Those who detect such immoral activity and molestation by influential people get marching orders? Watch this space.

Join Discussion Forum.

Sacking orders are immoral, illegal, Moladah School teachers. School could be fined upto huge amount for violating labour rules.-Molada school teachers case postponed..More

Secret meeting in Kuwait could signal that Iran is next on the chopping block, says report.

Two weeks ago, a prince of the Kuwaiti Royal family received a phone call from an aide to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld asking if the complex was available. The prince already suspected it was needed for one of those secret meetings, which Washington has taken to holding in the Gulf. The next day a Hercules transport landed at Kuwait’s international airport. From it emerged a group of pale-faced, middle-aged men in drill shirts and chinos. They carried laptops and bulky briefcases.Full Report

Ambassadors Come and Go...KM Will Continue its mission

Kuwait Indian School Iran Indian Schools

Sacked Tehran Indian School Teacher Becomes Principal in India

Jerry Thomas, Crusader of Teachers Right in Indian Schools

"You might remember me. I am Jerry Thomas, legally dismissed teacher of the Indian School - Tehran, Iran. Because of you and your brave portal I was able to get some justice from my detractors, but not for long. By then they had gotten to you and forced you to stop the crusade against evil. Anyway that is all right. At present I am in India and I am working in a reputed school as a Principal. (I won't disclose the name due to obvious reasons) Please do not stop the crusade. The world has hardly any brave and conscientious people nowadays. You were one; do not go the way of ordinary people. Let us stand firm in the face of injustice and evil. Let us overcome injustice and evil with truth. Please do something to help the poor Indian community being victimized in Tehran. Grave injustice is being done to the Indian community living in Tehran, by the Indian Embassy. Please do something to protect them and their interests. Please do not allow evil forces to triumph like this, when you have the power to do something. Your news portal was a crusader and a powerful weapon against injustice. Please continue to be so. I don't know whether Mr. XXX is still there in Kerala Monitor. He was an ace and a go getter. Please take some action against the evil doings of the Embassy of India.--More

Letters to the Editor Jerry Thomas, Crusader of Teachers Right in Indian Schools IBM Unveils New ThinkCentre Desktop Family Travel with peace of mind this summer HolidayGuard Travel Insurance now available on mytravelchannel.com Al Alamiah Electronics prepares the Islamic University for the e-Government Project Report from American Free Press Top U.S. Officials Discuss Expanding ‘Terror War’ to Iran, Beyond Halliburton World Business Empire

Eleven Injured as Helicopter Crashes in Saudi Asir Mountains

ABHA, 1 July 2003 — Eleven policemen were hurt when their helicopter crashed while chasing a suspect who on Saturday shot and seriously injured a security man. Security sources said the helicopter was damaged when it made an emergency landing in the mountains of Asir province, near the borders with Yemen, at sunset on Sunday.Full Report

Civil Defence also announces the launch of a new portal offering for online services

Dubai - The Department of Civil Defence today (Sunday, June 29, 2003) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai eGovernment to implement change management programme within the department. Colonel Ali Al Sayed Ibrahim, Director, Department of Civil Defence and Salem Al-Shair, Director of eServices, Dubai eGovernment, signed the MoU. The Civil Defence Department also re-launched its portal, which has been fully integrated with the Dubai eGovernment portal www.dubai.ae, at a press conference.

 

UNFT Revises Controversial Food Safety Standards

Rome - The Codex Alimentarius Commission opened its 26th session today
with representatives from 169 countries coming together to decide on the
adoption of a number of controversial new food safety standards designed
to safeguard the health of consumers worldwide, while improving global
agricultural trade opportunities.Full Report

Nigeria: Strike against fuel prices shut down cities

LAGOS, 30 June (IRIN) - Nigeria was shut down on Monday by a general strike called by trade unions to protest at a stiff increase in fuel prices. Banks, schools, government offices and businesses were closed and the normally bustling streets of major cities were devoid of traffic.Full Report

Abuse Worsens AIDS Crisis Drug users, sex workers targeted in one of world's worst AIDS epidemics

(New York, June 30, 2003) - Human rights abuse against injection drug users
and sex workers in Kazakhstan is fueling one of the fastest growing AIDS
epidemics in the world, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released
today. More

Iraq: The US must ensure humane treatment and access to justice for Iraqi detainees

Amnesty International called on the United States today to give hundreds of Iraqis detained since the beginning of the occupation the right to meet families and lawyers and to have a judicial review of their detention. The organization also called on the US to investigate allegations of ill-treatment, torture and death into custody.

Explore Multi billion Oil and Gas Contracts in Iraq

According to a recent Deutsche Bank report, there could be as much as US$1.5 billion in contracts to upgrade wells and pipes around the oil production facilities in Iraq. The country which has 112.5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, used to earlier produce 2.8 million barrels of oil per day. With the modernisation and repair of its infrastructure, experts say that Iraq could be producing an additional million barrels of oil per day. Full Report

Missing US Soldiers body Found in Iraq

BAGHDAD, 29 June 2003 — US forces in Iraq recovered the bodies of two soldiers missing for three days after apparently being abducted, the military said yesterday, while a separate attack left one soldier dead and four wounded. Full Report

14 UK Lesbians Get Pregnant through the Internet

London, June 28: Fourteen lesbians have become pregnant with the help of a British company selling sperm over the Internet., the Asian Age reported. ManNotIncluded.com, whose sperm donor introduction service for lesbians and single women began a year ago, said on Friday that Britain’s first online baby would be born within four weeks. One of the company’s lesbian customers, Jaime Saphier, 26, said she was expecting a child in January after she and her partner paid more than £1,300 for a sperm sample that they chose from a list of anonymous donors on the website, said the Asian Age Report. Full Report

Father's Negligence Cause Tragic Death of a 3 year old Girl

MUSCAT - An Arab family witnessed the tragic death of a three year old daughter due to mere negligence of parents. According to informed people, an Omani picked up his kids from a summer school and when they reached home (Al Hail near Seeb,) the father took out all the children, locked the car and went inside the villa at around 2 p.m. Unfortunately one of the kids, a three year old girl, was sleeping in the backseat. Full Report

Oman Forum Discusses Chedi Hotel Scandal

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

Gulf Media Monitor
Media Freedom in 2003 UAE Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain Saudi Arabia Egypt Internet Freedom

Global tensions, lack of democracy keep Gulf media cowed

Newspapers in Saudi Arabia are privately-owned but their publishers and editors are appointed or must be approved of by the government. The powerful Higher Media Council is headed by interior minister Prince Nayef, who is the true master of the media. Local television is deliberately under-equipped. Satellite receiver dishes are everywhere, though they are frowned on by the government. The Internet is another source of information , but since its belated arrival in the country in 1999, access has been restricted by the government's Internet Services Unit. A survey by Harvard Law School said access to more than 2,000 website was blocked, not just pornographic or ordinary film sites, but those to do with politics, health, women's rights and education. The Internet is the bane of all dictatorial regimes, but even in democracies, new anti-terrorism laws have tightened government control of it and undermined the principle of protecting journalistic sources. This report is about attitudes to the Internet by the powerful in 60 countries, between spring 2001 and spring 2003.Full Report

X-rays in International Airports to strip-search travelers

June 27, 2003 A new security scanning X-ray system which is being tested in the US will effectively strip passengers to detect whether they are carrying any explosives. The controversial anti-terrorist measure could dramatically boost travel safety, but passengers will have to pass through an uncomfortable position of being stripped in airports and customs clearance . More News

Cyber-dissident wins the first Cyber-Freedom Prize awarded by Reporters s@ns frontières - Globenet for 2003

Saudiazation of Supermarkets boomerangs?

According to senior manager of one of the oldest supermarkets on Takhassusi Street the store had to fire 20 out of 50 new Saudi recruits within a short period due to frequent absenteeism, lack of punctuality and excessive use of mobile phones at counters

Two journalists physically attacked in the UAE

Reporter Abdelhay Mohamed and photographer Mohamed Omran Shahed, of the daily paper Al-Ittihad, were attacked by two employees of a construction firm. Several dozen Egyptian immigrant labourers had complained to the paper about their living and working conditions, saying they had no contracts, had not been paid for a long time and were forced to live in tiny rooms. The paper sent the two journalists to investigate. While they were taking photos of the cramped living quarters, two of the firm's employees attacked them, tearing up the reporter's notebook and smashing the photographer's camera. Full Report

Thousands of refugees displaced by unrest at Kenyan camp

NAIROBI, 25 June (IRIN) - About 30,000 Sudanese refugees have been displaced from their homes within the Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya, due to fighting with the local Turkana people which has claimed 11 lives. .

US orders nuke labs to improve security levels

WASHINGTON, June 24 -- US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham ordered Tuesday the nuclear weapons laboratories across the country to improve security in response to recent security problems."In light of recent security incidents at the labs ... improved security must be aggressive and far reaching," said Abraham. More news

Global Healthcare Standards

Expatriate Patient dont get timely treatment in Governemnt Hospitals.

An Indian expatriate who has been suffering from serious pain recently approached a health center for free treatment as provided in his job contract. As the disease apparently could not be handled in the Health center, the doctor referred him to a hospital with better infrastructure and facilities. The aged patient who approached the health center in the first week of June 2003 was shocked to receive a medical advise to meet the specialist doctor in the recommended Government hospital after six months!!! God only knows whether some critical patient will survive six months to meet the doctor at all. While one can understand the pressure in government hospitals due to limited resources, especially for expatriates, giving an appointment after six months is not a good health care practice for a country which boasts of the best health care protection in the world. Even expatriates who work for the government machinery are excluded from the health care facilities? Earlier reports said pregnant expatriate women could not be accommodated in government hospitals and were forced to approach the private hospitals. Media reports said the concerned ministry denied any such discrimination in Government hospitals.- KM Special.

Recent KM Special Reports and Exclusives (Click)

Four dead, two injured in explosion at Bhuj more Indian News

Trishul Testfired in Orissa

Balasore, Orissa, June 25For the fourth time in a row since last Sunday, the indigenously built sophisticated short range Surface-to-Air missile ''Trishul'' was testfired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 km from here today. The Missile, especially designed for the sea-skimming exercise for the Indian Navy, was testfired from a mobile launcher at 1345 hrs, ITR sources said.more

Buddham Sharanam Gachaami,Is Vajpayee trying to please Lord Buddha to smile again?

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee offering prayers at White Horse Temple at Louyang during his visit to China on June 25, 2003 (Wednesday). keralamonitor.com

 NORKA Warns NRKs about dubious Agencies Collecting money for Welfare Schemes, Roots is the only authorised agency. but why a number of unknown agencies are given recognition? . More News from Kerala

Saudi Airline recommended to lay off 2 , 880 Employees as KLM announces new job cuts

Man Who Sold Fake IDs to 9/11 Hijackers Allegedly Had Wider Terror Ties U.S. Punishes People With Power, Water Cut-Offs: Iraqis Should more UK troops be sent to Iraq? US journalist officially arrested in Aceh U.S. Department of State issues new report on Iran

Sakhr Software Co. reinforces its partnership with Ultimus
automating business processes in the Middle East

Iraq: Human rights must be foundation for rebuilding

Amman - On the eve of a major conference being organised by the World Economic Forum, where the future and reconstruction of Iraq will be discussed, Amnesty International today expressed concern over the current human rights situation in Iraq, saying: " respect for human rights must be the foundation to achieve security, peace and freedom in Iraq."More News

 British Forces Hunt for Gunmen in Iraq; Strengthening Public distribution System, PM toconvene meeting, India-China Relationstoimprove; New Fiber Optic cable network for Railways More News

DNRD felicitates officers and staff from IT department for excellent services
during DSF 2003
Dubai eGovernment online services reach 600 mark  UAE mobile phone penetration extensively outpaces landlines LG Vice Chairman Due in Dubai US Asks Syria to Control Terrorists Washington tries to persuade New Delhi to send troops to Iraq US loses helicopter, fighter jet in Iraq Education key to fighting child trafficking, says UNICEF LIBERIA: Government estimates over 300 killed in fighting

Cyber Crime - Online Romance Partner Duples Gulf NRI

MUMBAI - A former executive of a cement company, who cheated an Indian engineer based in Abu Dhabi of almost Rs10 million by posing as a woman and having an 'online relationship', has been arrested here, and several laptop computers and mobile phones seized from him. J.S. Sodi, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) in-charge of the Cyber Cell of Mumbai Police, told this correspondent that Pranab Mitra, the accused, had woven a complicated web, trapping Abu Dhabi-based Vinay Ninawe and forcing him to part with almost Rs10 million.Full Report

300 Employees of Oman Transport and Contracting Co not paid

 

Women and children eating grass in flood-hit region

School Fees Increased Three Times without Patrons Approval

No Guarantee for Three Crores of Parents Money! From 700 students in the beginning Indian School Ghubra has now got more than 3000 students

"As per clause 7 of the agreement signed by Mr.Mohammed Ali himself, he is supposed to give a guarantee to the patron for an amount equal to the number collected as deposits from the parents. In the initial period, he might have given one. But there is no record found in the Embassy files. The school is also not producing their copy after repeated requests," says a board member quoting the report. "If due to any reason Mohammed Ali is unable to return this money to the parents, who will be held responsible? Not Mr.Mohammed Ali but the poor board of directors," the member adds. The letter dated 25th June 2002 issued by the Ministry of Education, Oman interpreted the local law in the conflict arising in the Indian School Seeb case states : " The agreement signed between any person or party with the Indian Embassy contravenes the provision of the Ministerial decree 116/91." Full Report.

Asian Age Report Says India happy with UAE Cooperation in Dawood Case, Pakistan authorities gave free access to the Dawood Gang

Indian Absconded with more than a crore

MUSCAT -The manager of a leading trading firm in Muttrah, Muscat has been absconding allegedly with huge amount of money from a wholesale trading establishment. The absconding happened almost a month ago, has left many big business houses with huge exposure. In one case, the trading house owes RO 35,000 to a leading Gujarathi business house. More than 20 company staff have left the country before the manager decided to abscond with the cash. The amount involved is mind boggling, said sources.

Special Meeting of Commercial Representatives from West Asia, North Africa

CII, FIEO, FICCI to meet business counterparts from GCC

New Delhi - June 2, 2003 A Conference of the Commercial Representatives (CRs) of India from Amman (Jordan), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Algiers (Algeria), Cairo (Egypt), Khartoum (Sudan), Kuwait, Muscat (Oman), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Sana’a (Yemen), Tehran (Iran) and Tel Aviv (Israel) is being held from 3rd to 7th June 2003. This Conference is being organised by the Department of Commerce in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Full Report and More News

Sex Scandal Hits Kerala Politics: Lady accuses Political Leader of rape, Sexual Abuse for several years

New Labour Welfare Measures by Cleaning and Contracting Company : You are an Unwanted Worker if u work for RO 45 per month! But if you work for RO 30 per month, welcome back!

Some of the Gulf countries are introducing new labour laws intended to protect the workers interest. A cleaning and contracting company in Muscat which is employing nearly 1000 workers has recently took a unilateral decision to cut the Indian workers salary by almost 25 per cent.

A notice issued to workers of Oman International Group, entitled " Redundancy / Change in Basic Wage" reads --"Due to recession in the cleaning industry, we intend to make redundant most of our employees (cleaners) whose basic wage is RO:45/- or RO:38/- per month. Since your basic wage is RO:45/- you are one to be made redundant. However, if you wish to continue employment with OIG, then you must agree to accept a new contract of employment which will show your basic wage as RO:30/- per month, with effect from June 2003.We assure you that your gratuity dues up to 31st May 2003 will be calculated @ RO: 45/- (your present basic wage), and thereafter the gratuity will be calculated @ RO:30/- per month. Please sign below in acceptance of the above terms and conditions."

It is not known whether the revised salary applies to the local employees who are ensured a minimum salary per month. Is there a concept of minimum wages in the new labour contract and can companies impose such decisions in this manner? " Is this in line with local labour law especially new and innovative labour law announced as per the directive of the higher authorities. Majority of these are poor illiterate workers toiling more than 8 to 10 hours a day in torching heat. Cleaning companies charge their contracting companies at least a four fold of what they give these workers.," says one of our readers in a letter send to the editor. KM spoke to some of the affected workers who said their salary is in fact slashed!!! A notice is displayed in the company's Ghala camp notice board. They have to work long hours, get overtime at the rate of 200 baizas per hour! How can these poor workers invoke the provisions of new labour law, which has many clauses to protect their right. Thanks to the kind approach of local government, a humanitarian labour law is drafted and implemented. But are the companies following it? Nearly 1000 employees are affected by this decision.

2003 IATA Eagle Awards : UAE General Civil Aviation Authority Gets Special Prize

IATA Says Airline Industry in Crisis, Change Essential

"Labor costs cannot remain immune from the change in cost structure needed by the industry. Cost reduction has seen (airline) industry employees accept wage cuts in addition to the painful loss of over 400,000 jobs." Full Report

India to discontinue Receiving Small Aid Packages Prime Minister for Strengthening Indo-German ties Encourage Expats to Bring Their Families GCC Study  Storm death toll rises to 41 in Philippines Chinese vessel sinks near Danish island 3 US soldiers dead, 6 injured in road accident in Iraq Storm death toll rises to 41 in Philippines  G8 summit opens on growth, development and security Two Huge Explosions Rock Afghanistan Russia to take spent nuclear fuel back from Iran Dubai Development Board signs MoU with Dubai eGovernment to offer eServices  More Shoot Out Killing in Saudi Arabia War crime threat to Blair Airline Industry in Crisis, Change Essential: IATA

Muscat Belly Dancer Story Rocks Indian Foreign Office as Meena takes on Abhayankar

Women Wine W...

RM Abhyankar, on a trip to Oman, "visited the Sheraton hotel's nightclub … with another person and charged the expenditure to the government's account ... his room rent bill also included charges for a call made to a temporary GSM mobile connection. This telephone was traced to a dancer girl serving the Saba nightclub of the hotel." Full Report from Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Saudi Ministry Fires 353 Imams, Muezzins in Clean Up Operations

RIYADH, 1 June 2003 — The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance has fired 353 imams and muezzins (prayer callers) while at the same time asking some1 , 357imams and muezzins to attend training courses to improve their performance. The move to terminate and also to train hundreds of these employees in the Kingdom, however, is part of an on-going process to evaluate services to the public. The move is unrelated to the deadly attacks in Riyadh .Full Report

3 US soldiers dead, 6 injured in road accident in Iraq

BAGHDAD, May 31 -- Three US soldiers were killed and six others injured in a road accident in northern Iraq, US Central Command (CentCom) said on Saturday.The accident occurred Friday as a group of US soldiers, which were part of a unit attached to the US Army's 101st Airborne Division, were driving on the road between the northern Iraqi cities of Mosul and Tikrit. Full Report

Storm death toll rises to 41 in Philippines Chinese vessel sinks near Danish island 3 US soldiers dead, 6 injured in road accident in Iraq Storm death toll rises to 41 in Philippines Iraq: NGOs Call For Investigation Of Use Of Depleted Uranium In WarIran: $5 Billion In Drug Money Laundered Annually, Government Says Blair Denies Weapons Of Mass Destruction Evidence Was Faked Russian defense minister defends nuclear cooperation with Iran Iraqi Suspect in Mass Killings Released U.S. Fails to Address Past Crimes Systematically US military mistakenly releases Iraqi suspect for mass murder More News

Missing Malayali Returns home

Madhu Unnikrishnan has come back to his house by noon today. The family , his wife Latha and daughter, were relieved to see him coming back after a gap of three days driving his own car. He seems to be disturbed and did not want to disclose details about his disappearance. Apparently he is depressed and did not speak to the media. It is learned that another staff of the same company and same division was missing for a few days last month and he also came back dramatically. While the company officials are till tight lipped, KM is not venturing into any more speculation. It was another story a few years back when one of the executives was found spending lavishly in one of the ladies bear bars in town and was caught for some dubious deals. However, nothing of that sort is suspected now as Madhu is said to be a loyal and sincere worker of the group. There is no question of harassmen of any sort, claimed senior officials. However, other junior level staff are tightlipped and appears to be fearing to speak out to the press.

Earlier Report There is no trace of Madhu Unnikrishnan, NTT senior manager, on the third day of his disappearance as family members and NTT officials continue the frantic search. It is learned that he had left the collection money from ticket sales in the residence and did not carry much cash. Company officials are examining the amount of cash left at home. Just before disappearing, Madhu was dealing with some of the Indian schools. Indian Schools ticket sales involves huge amount of cash, said sources.

Skilled illegal expats not worried about future : Khaleej Times

ABU DHABI - 31 May 2003Skilled expatriate workers who had been living in the UAE illegally and have either already left the country or will be leaving under the government's amnesty are not much worried about their future because of new job opportunities coming up in Turkey, Cyprus and Korea, which are likely to absorb at least 25 to 30 per cent of them. About 40,000 workers of various nationalities left the country, availing themselves of the first amnesty deadline of April 30 while another 3,000 to 4,000 went home taking advantage of the one-month extension. Full Report

Bahrain to give Special visa for Amwaj expats : Gulf Daily News

By SOMAN BABY

MANAMA - EXPATRIATES who own property in Al Marsa Floating City at Amwaj Islands will be granted permanent residence in Bahrain. The project is being promoted by Saraya Property Company, which has been informed by the immigration authorities about a special visa arrangement for foreign investors in the $ 1 billion (BD378m) Amwaj Islands project. Full Report

Saudi Crackdown on Al Qaeeda Intensified: Arab News

JEDDAH, 31 May 2003 — As the Kingdomwide crackdown on Al-Qaeda and its sympathizers continues in the wake of the May 12 Riyadh bombings in which 25 people died, the Saudi authorities are extending their investigations further afield in their search for more information on Saudi terrorist suspects. There were major developments in Sudan, Iran and Pakistan yesterday in relation to both the Riyadh bombings and other terrorist arrests, John R. Bradley, Managing Editor Arab NewsReported. "A high-level team of Saudi security experts arrived in Khartoum to aid in the investigation of 19 people, including 17 Saudis, recently arrested on suspicion of belonging to a terrorist network. The 19, who also included a Palestinian and a Sudanese, were captured as they were engaged in military training at a camp near Laqawa town in West Kordofan State, said the paper quoting the London-based Al-Hayat daily. Full Report

NTT Senior Manager Missing Since Thursday Morning

Madhu Unnikrishnan worked in Airport till late night on Wednesdy

MUSCAT - A senior manager of National Travel and Tourism (NTT)Madhu Unnikrishnan has been missing since Thursday morning, said his family members, who have been frantically searching for the middle aged senior manager of the Bahwan Group company. According to information from our sources, Madhu went to the Seeb International Airport late in the night for some purpose and unconfirmed reports say he reached home. According to KM sources, his wife and family said that he has been missing since Thursday morning. "He has gone to office at 7.30 and did not return," said a social worker, on the basis of briefing from his wife about the missing drama. A senior executive of the Bahwan group company's travel division, Madhu, is a well known name in the travel trade. According his colleagues, he handles lot of money and occupies prominent position in the ticketing section. Company officials are tightlipped about the missing case. Even his immediate colleagues have pretended ignorance about the case.. KM could not ascertain whether it is an absconding case as his car is also missing. Madhu's family lives in Al Khuwair area. This is the travel season and ticketing staff handles lot of money. The worried family members were also tightlipped about the issue and did not want to disclose about the disappearance as the company officials are doing everything for tracing the missing staff . Madhu's father is also expected from India to help the family trace the missing Malayali. Watch this space.

 Its interior look as good as any other standard upmarket restaurant in Muscat. The menu, especially the biriyani and fruit juices are not bad! See for yourself (click Picture)

 Al Failaq LLC Opens New Restaurant and Coffee House in Muscat

Indian Embassy Building Project

Indian Government will save RO 6600 per month rent to the Embassy Building and RO 2500 monthly payment to the Ambassadors residence in Qurum. (Indian Rs. 1.5 crores in an year!) All embassies in Oman have their own buildings -embassy building and the ambassadors residence are in one complex. Half of the embassy building hired at RO 6,600 is empty. No one was concerned when such a building was hired for higher rent. Even the Comptroller and Auditor General sitting in New Delhi could identify the corruption involved in hiring embassy buildings not only in Muscat, but in four other places. Oman's Ambassador to India is already living in a new building constructed on a piece of land in Chanakyapuri allotted by the Government of India. The Ministry of External Affairs is handling everything related to new building project and all prequalification applications are sent to Delhi. Whatever is good for the country or the public is not good for our business friends! Thanks to their clout, the project could not be implemented for the last twenty years! Even now if the pace of progress is any indication, the new embassy building will remain only a mirage. The country will continue to pay Rs.10 lakh per month only as rent! !!! If it can wait for two decades, is it necessary to speed up now?

Tony Blair likely to sued for War Crimes in Iraq

Thursday, May 29, 2003 The BBC reports that British Prime Minister Tony Blair is about to be charged as a war criminal by the Greek Bar Association before the International Criminal Court. Dimitris Paxinos, president of the lawyers' association, told the BBC that Blair will be charged with "crimes against humanity and war crimes." President George Bush escapes being charged, as the United States is not a signatory to the ICC. Full Report

Air Transport Association Names new Chief Operating Officer

Students Sex Session Video filmed in British School Dormitry

Mirror Report Exposes British school Sex Scandal :

LONDON -THE two teenage boys in the Wellington College sex scandal set up a secret video camera in a dormitory cupboard. And the film of Paul Doran-Jones's romp with his girlfriend was "full-on stuff', according to a pupil who saw a common room screening. Doran-Jones, 17, and fellow rugby player James Haskell, 18, have been banned from school premises with Paul's lacrosse-playing girlfriend, 17, the Mirror Reported. She was unaware her naked romp with Doran-Jones was being videoed and is not being named by the Mirror. Wayne Francis of Mirror reported the story.A sixth-former who saw the secret video of Paul Doran-Jones, 17, making love to his girlfriend in the boys' dormitory at Wellington College, said: "It lasted for fully 30 minutes. Full Report

Private Indian School in Muscat Sacks Two Employees for....Watch this space

Syria Asks Palestinian Groups’ Officials To Leave: Sources Four killed in US small plane crash Strong earthquake hits Peru, felt in capital Lima FBI warns of possible al-Qaida attacks Blair holds talks with Kuwaiti FM on Mideast affairs -US envoy arrives at Egypt for Bush's maiden Mideast trip -India Singapore Economic Cooperation Agreement Report India Singapore Economic Cooperation Agreement Report -Regulating Welfare Fund Collection through Legislation 4 US soldiers killed in helicopter crash: Al Jazeera TV

Employees of Closed or Bankrupt Companies in the UAE can Change Sponsorship

DUBAI - Employees of closed and bankruptcompanies can transfer their sponsorship without prior permission from their original employer, the UAE Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs said yesterday. Full Report

US fighter plane crashes in S.Korea

SEOUL, May 29 An F-16 fighter of the United States Forces Korea (USFK) 7th Air Force crashed Thursday evening while taking off from the Osan Air Base at Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, about 55 kilometers south of Seoul.The pilot was ejected from the plane when the accident occurred at about 8:06 p.m. (1106 GMT) and was immediately rushed to a hospital inside the base. But details about the situation of the pilot have not been available. Full Report

Send pictures and details of your company/association/personal events

 Amichi Joins Dubai Dance Competition

 ASTECO reports increased UAE interest in London and Dublin properties

  Dubai Muscat Manama Doha Riyadh Kuwait City Events Send to editor@keralamonitor.com

K.M.Meena takes initiative to Construct Indian Embassy Building in Muscat

First Ambassador in last two decades to take concrete steps to save several crores on rental payment to private parties. Years after land allotment was made, Embassies in Muscat and Doha have been operating from Rented Buildings. A bunch of corrupt officials in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and puppet ambassadors caused severe drain on Government coffers. For the first time in the last one decade, an ambassador has taken an initiative to construct a building for the Indian Embassy in Muscat.Pre qualification tenders are already received and the premature transfer of the ambassador may not affect the project. Is this bold step another action of the Ambassador that antagonised the business community who have bribed Indian MPs to remove Meena even before completing two years in office! -Delay in taking decision by the MEA regarding construction proposals of Chancery-cum-Embassy residences and other buildings in four missions including Muscat led to avoidable expenditure of Rs 26.27 core on hiring of buildings, revealed the Comptroller and Auditor General report. Even though most of the embassies in Muscat have their own buildings, the Indian Embassy, Muscat has been working from rented buildings. Government of Oman earmarked a plot of land measuring 12,557 sq. meters in August 1974 for construction of Indian Chancery-cum-Embassy residence in Muscat on reciprocal basis but the agreement between Government of Oman and Government of India was signed in December 1991 i.e. after 17 years. As per agreement, the construction of the buildings was to be completed within two years from the date of taking possession of land More

Fake Firms Cheat Indian Workers With Forged Iqamas in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, 29 May 2003 — Dozens of foreign workers roam the streets and neighborhoods of the capital with forged iqamas. They paid money to offices advertising iqama services and claiming to be authorized to deal with the Passports Department. After discovering that there was something wrong with the documents, they returned to find the offices closed and the owners gone without a trace. More

Saudi Justice System: Report Card Needed

(New York, May 28, 2003) -- A year after the introduction of reforms to its
criminal justice system, the government of Saudi Arabia should publicly
disclose the concrete steps it has taken to improve safeguards against
longstanding abuses, Human Rights Watch said today. The kingdom's new
criminal procedure code became law in May 2002. More

Saudi Arab arrests suspects allegedly involved in Riyadh bombings
Pakistan not to curtail nuclear power: defense minister 2 US soldiers killed, 9 wounded in Iraq attack India should participate in Iraq's reconstruction: US India to retain edge over China in Russian arms sales: report Dubai invites India's gem, jewelry industry to its FTZ Ram Naik launches Lanka IOC Tiger Habitat and Population Evaluation System for the Indian Subcontinent launched Much of the Rural Population in the Middle East Suffers from "Information Poverty"

IRAQ: Rumsfeld Suggests Iraq Destroyed Banned Weapons, Warns Iran

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday that Iraq may have destroyed its alleged stores of chemical and biological weapons before the U.S.-led invasion in March."It is possible that they decided that they would destroy them prior to a conflict," Rumsfeld said during remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, where he discussed the unsuccessful effort to find evidence of banned weapons in Iraq.More News

Earthquake magnitude 5.8 hits Algeria

ALGIERS, May 27 -- Another earthquake of magnitude 5.8 hit Algeria late Tuesday evening, the state radio reported.Citing seismological authorities in Strasbourg, France,the radio reported the tremor while appealing for calm.An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale hit the NorthAfrican country last Wednesday, killing 2,218 people and injuringnearly 9,500 others.More than 200 aftershocks have ever since jolted the country,jeopardizing already unstable structures. More News

 Agreement signed to Construct Seeb Indian School Building

MUSCAT -The Indian School Seeb has entered into an agreement with a builder to construct a school building that can accommodate minimum 1000 students in the first phase. At a time when the business tycoons and greedy NRIs are spreading rumours about the future of Indian School Seeb to create panic among parents, the concerned authorities - School Management Committee and members of the board responsible for Seeb School operations - have already signed an agreement to construct the school building. Full Report

In Indian School Muladha there is a fund of more than one lakh Riyals as on today. the present management committe doesn't know what to do with that( of course they are very straight forward that is why they made such a balance within a short period) salutes to the prevoius management committee who showed only minus fund after having a tenure of 9 years and of course they dont have the head ache like the new guys. parents wants redduction of fees or the much more items appearing on their fee receipt such as development fee etc, but the BOD is blocking any such reductions is the version of the SMC, I have a Simple Question is the BOD or the Patron or the School management Commitee have the power to reduce fees ? if any body can answer me please!!!!!

Debate Surplus Funds in Mulada Indian School

Surprising to know that the Indian School Muladha, which is comparatively half the size of other Indian schools in the capital with almost less than half the total student strength and lower school fee, is having a huge surplus of one lakh Riyals. At the same time, the Hindu Mahajan Association which runs the Indian School Wadi Kabir and Indian School Sohar claim that the ISW has not made a single profit in last one decade! What a contradiction.

2 US soldiers killed, 9 wounded in Iraq attack Mytravelchannel.com Travel show on Emirates 2 a huge success IBM Unveils New Line of Value-Priced Notebooks in the Middle East

What Encouraged 30 MPs to Sign a Complaint Against the Indian Ambassador working thousands of miles away from their constitutency!

They never met the Ambassador

Only recently the BJP government in India came under severe criticism for corruption and bribery. A minister had to resign for demanding bribe. Here a group of NRIs are openly claiming that they got 30 MPs write a complaint against an ambassador located thousands of miles away from their constitutency! How do they know the ground reality here? Did the MPs take "favours" to sign such a complaint against a sincere diplomat? Going by the past experience, it appears that the so called powerful NRIs have influenced these MPs. Recently they organised a grand party to celebrate the ambassadors transfer. Unfortunately, even the local media which is claiming to be a watchdog of common man's interest is praising and worshipping such corrupt tycoons. They will be eligible for a special award for bribery and corruption in the next Pravasi Sammelan Full Report

Memorandum of Understanding between P. Mohammed Ali and Renjith Guptha for the Al Ghubra Indian School Page II Page III

Powell says no change in US policy on Iran

WASHINGTON, May 27US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday that his country would continue to keep contacts with Iran and has not changed its policy on Iran. "Our policies with respect to Iran have not changed," Powell told reporters after his meeting with Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana.More

Al-Jazeera TV Chief Sacked

Dubai 28 May 2003 —Al-Jazeera said yesterday that its general director has been sacked after allegations were made that he worked with Saddam Hussein’s intelligence services. Mohammed Jassem Al-Ali visited Iraq before the US-led war, meeting Saddam during an hour-long interview.More

Sooresh P Ramdas lashes out at covert campaign against the Ambassador

"The way certain sections of our community are crowing about their role in getting the transfer order issued is a matter of shame for all us Indians and that our own kin have got it done through their illicit relationship with unscrupulous politicians is double shame on us!

K.M.Meena, down but not out

In any case if they wish to remain under the umbrella of the Embassy they should convert to a truly community school. No one is stopping them from running a commercial school like MPS or ABA or ?.. and pay your income tax and whatever else you are liable to. But, under the Embassy?s umbrella it has to be a community school like ISM, ISD, ISS, Sur, Ibri, Nizwa, Salalah, Jalan, Muladha ??.. The Indian Embassy is not the private backyard for businessmen of one sub community or the other to use and abuse as they want, when they want. It is the symbol of India for each one of us proud Indians irrespective of who ?occupies the chair?. No one sub community or individual has the right to trample on the symbol of our pride and identity. There are many here who would sell their soul for a few Rials. But I can challenge the ?writer? that if you were to survey the average Indian in Oman they would, to a man, come out in support of upholding the respect and dignity of the Indian flag! The way certain sections of our community are crowing about their role in getting the transfer order issued is a matter of shame for all us Indians and that our own kin have got it done through their illicit relationship with unscrupulous politicians is double shame on us! If the self styled leaders and award winners had any self respect or an iota of decency I challenge them to petition the Prime Minister of India to retain the Ambassador and accept the test of working out this mess that they have created by exploiting the weaknesses of earlier occupants of the chair. Getting the present incumbent transferred shows the mala fide intentions of the affected parties ? read certain businessmen ? and smacks or sheer cowardice and escapism. Full Report

Saudi Police capture Smuggled TNT Explosives Iraq's mobile phone subscribers could touch 5 million in three years Toll rises to 2,212 after strong earthquake in Algeria 78 Injured in Japanese Earthquake US soldier killed in Iraq More News

Britain tightens security against potential terror

LONDON, May 24 -- Britain is stepping up security measures to combat potential terrorist attacks on its soil, The Times newspaper reported Saturday. Concrete barriers like those installed Friday outside the Houses of Parliament to deter terrorists would soon be put in place at other key landmarks in London, the newspaper said. Full Report

P.C. Thomas Becomes Law and Justic Minister.Full Report

Iraqi oil export to resume "within 3 weeks": acting oil minister

Dubai IT Training firms raided for using illegal software

UN should take up core function in Iraq: Iranian FM

TEHRAN, May 24 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said on Saturday the United Nations must take up a core function in Iraq. In a meeting with his visiting Polish counterpart Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Kharrazi said  Full Report

Why Shah-Brado Wanted to Sack ISM Principal on March 31, 2003 when CBSE Exam was progressing?

Policemen caught, jailed for Theft using Official Vehicle to rob in Mid night - Watch this space.

A fire truck stands outside the Danube upermarket at Bugshan Center,Saudi. Senior Baath Party official in custody: US forces More News

 

Explosion in US Law University

- An explosion occurred Wednesday in the mail room at the prestigious Yale University law school in the United States, but no injuries or deaths were reported so far. US has no real plans for Iraq: British newspaper US to launch foreigner- tracking system next year at borders Sri Lanka flood death toll rises to more than 300 Morocco says Casablanca bombings linked with int'l terrorism. More News

Discussion Forum - Babu

The Indian Schools are controled by some bussiness rackets. There are some of the management committee memebers are not having the eligibility to become the manager of an educational institution. And even they are in position even more that 10 years continuesly. We have to discuss this matter in public. expecting reply from everybody Join the Discussion Forum

Manorama Report on Indian School,

No September 11 like Hijacking Bid In Saudi, says Minister

JEDDAH, 22 May 2003 — Interior Minister Prince Naif yesterday denied as “baseless” foreign agency reports that security forces had arrested three Moroccans in Jeddah who were planning to hijack a civilian plane and carry out a suicide operation. However, the minister said police had held two Moroccans who were wanted for previous security cases. “There is no truth in this. The truth is that those who were arrested were two Moroccans who were wanted over previous security cases,” Saudi TV quoted Prince Naif as saying. Full Report

Western Owned Business in Saudi Hit by Terrorism

JEDDAH, 22 May 2003 — Many patrons of Western-owned businesses have opted to stay away until the threat of terrorist attacks has abated, some giving their business to their Saudi-owned and operated equivalent. Fueled by the closure of the American, British and German diplomatic missions and international schools until Saturday, many of these businesses are seen as possible targets of a terrorist attack.Full Report

US stocks dip amid mad cow scare, lifted terror alert
NEW YORK, May 20 ) -- Wall Street stocks closed slightly lower Tuesday as investors grew nervous about mad cow disease and a heightened terror alert. The Dow Jones industrial average inched down 2.03 points, or 0.02 percent, to 8,491.36 after having declined sharply 185 points over the previous session. More

More News

 

WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY ADOPTS HISTORIC TOBACCO CONTROL PACT

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control now ready for signature

Geneva - May 21, The 192 members of the World Health Organization, today unanimously adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) aimed at curbing tobacco-related deaths and disease. This is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO).Full Report

Western Expatriate Schools, embassies closed in Saudi fearing Al Qauedaa Threat

Jeddah - May 21, 2003 British and American schools in Saudi Arabia are closed on a temporary basis on security grounds. US, British and German diplomatic missions are also closing for a four-day period for the same reason. Even though IB and GCSE examinations are going the British International School (Continental) in Jeddah would close until Saturday - for four days. Recent reports suggested that imminent terrorist strikes would hit western civilian targets More

New York police boost security amid higher national terror alert

NEW YORK, May 20 -- The New York Police Department (NYPD) on Tuesday stepped up security in sensitive areas around the city in response to an increased threat of terrorism that led the US government to raise the national terror alert level to orange. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said they will deploy more undercover officers and heavily-armed "Hercules Units" and set up additional vehicle checkpoints. More

Media Monitor Radio Comes Back as Mainstream Media?

These days all good things are being said about the radio. That it is the ‘second coming’ or the ‘rebirth of the radio’ that the present generation is witnessing.That it is today’s fastest-growing medium – steamed off on a journey of regeneration and resurrection.That the other communication mediums, such as print and audio visual, cannot hope to replicate the unique medium of radio at any point of time in the future. Of course, not entirely without basis are such assertions being made.More

Aptech expands base in FIJI, inaugurates 3rd center

Aptech, leading Global IT Training major announced the launch of its 3rd center in Fiji in the island country. Aptech's launches its new center in Labasa, with other centers being in the cities of Suva and Latouka.Full Report

Epoc Messe Frankfurt successfully concludes three major trade shows in Dubai

 

US Embassies in Oman, Bahrain Alert Americans about Terrorist Threat

WASHINGTON, 19 May 2003 — The US embassies in Bahrain and Oman yesterday urged Americans in the Gulf states to be on guard for possible terrorist attacks following deadly suicide attacks in Saudi Arabia and Morocco. According to reports, these embassies made no mention of specific threats in either country but said the attacks in Riyadh and Casablanca were indicative of the heightened danger posed by terrorists and that US citizens needed to augment their security. Full Report

Sky marshals to be deployed on British flights Top al-Qaida Harbored in Iran Bombings Bring U.S. 'Executive Mercenaries' Into the Light Sakhr® Software Co. Launches New Website Sharon Cancels US Visit following Suicide Bomb Blast in Jerusalem Over 35 German exhibitors participation at Gulf Beauty 2003 Two Suicide Bombs kill seven in Jerusalem  Invest in London Property Market Fake Auto Spare Parts Pose Major Threat in Middle East;

Sex Racket Gang Threatens Keralite Families; Victims send SoS to Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Indian Ambassador

A criminal gang is cheating Keralite girls by promising Gulf jobs and throwing them into prostitution. Finally these young ladies end up brothels. The gang members threaten peaceful life - Watch this space.

GCC States Plan Unified Tourist Visas

RIYADH, 19 May 2003 — Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, said here yesterday the Gulf states were preparing a proposal to issue unified tourist visas for foreign tourists. The unified visa — on the model of the Schengen visa for European countries — could boost tourism revenue for the Kingdom and the Gulf countries at a time when the worldwide tourism industry is suffering under threats of terrorism and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.Full Report

Bombing in Saudi Arabia - Vinnel Company's Role

Vinnell's job in Saudi Arabia is to train the national guard, which Jane's Defence Weekly has described as "a kind of Praetorian Guard for the House of Saud, the royal family's defence of last resort against internal opposition." That is why company employees were targeted in 1995 and again last week.The story of how an obscure American firm ended up becoming an integral part of the Saudi monarchy's handpicked internal security force is a case study in how unaccountable private companies have become a central tool of U.S. foreign policy Full Report

Al Qaeda Planning More Attacks

BERLIN, 19 May 2003 — The Al-Qaeda network has reorganized and could be planning more attacks in Africa, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, Germany’s BND intelligence service has warned. Al-Qaeda’s “support network and its potential for recruitment in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait remain intact” despite security crackdowns, said a BND report cited by Die Welt. It said the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, currently headed jointly by Germany and the Netherlands, is a possible target Full Report

Mass grave of Kuwaiti POWs found near Baghdad: Iraqi opposition

BAGHDAD, May 17 -- A major Iraqi opposition group has claimed that it had found a mass grave near Baghdad that was believed to contain the remains of 600 Kuwaiti prisoners of war (POWs), said source reaching here on Saturday."The Iraqi National Congress (INC) believes it has located the mass grave of 600 Kuwaiti prisoners of war," the opposition group said in a statement issued on Friday. More

At least 25 German tourists die in coach crash in France More

KM Discussion Forum
  
Discussion forum goes live with discussion on Private School Community school issue . Share your valuable views with our readers at the new discussion forum A cyber platform to express your views You can 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. "Kerala Monitor is suppressing positive informatin about private schools" alleges one critic.
 
"Incomplete accounts two years late cannot count as transparency.According to Omani law the accounts must be submitted to Board not Patron by all the schools or the sub community need not follow the laws as your agreement specifies in clause 19 - agreement supercedes Constitution? Do you realise that such an attitude endangers every Indian in Oman?" says another participant. " If it is truly sub community then why should the surplus be available for disposal in any way the pvt promoter deems fit? Shouldn't it be re utilised in the school? How come the Managing committee is made up of one linguistic group only? anbd the biggest joke is many of these members have been on the committee foe 16-19 years consecutively!! Such a shortage of capable people in the business community?" adds the forum particpant
 

British expert says al-Qaeda harder to eliminate

LONDON, May 17 -- Although US-led military actions in Afghanistan destroyed Osama bin Laden's inner circle, his al-Qaeda network still remains a "potent, formidable" force that was harder to eliminate, a British expert warned in an article published by the Times newspaper on Saturday. More

 Casablanca bomb toll rises to 39 More

'Dance for Life' with Team SalsaDance-a-thon for UAE charities
Public Warehousing Company (PWC) and MMI announce logistics agreement 'Dance for Life' with Team SalsaDance-a-thon for UAE charities ASTECO's Worldwide Launch of New Building in London's Docklands comes to Dubai Exhibition features luxury London and Dublin apartments WHO international meeting of epidemiologists studying SARS. The meeting took place in Geneva.
 

US afraid of its own shadow: Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 -- The United States' advisory warning its citizens against visiting Malaysia indicated its fear of own shadow as a result of its cruel actions abroad, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday. Malaysia, especially Sabah was actually enjoying peace and security with the situation under control and there were no riots,the primeinister said at a meeting in Sabah, east Malaysia.More

US Covert Plans to Invade Cuba

HAVANA -- A renegade former CIA agent said here Wednesday that he seriously believes in the likelihood of a U.S. attack on Cuba. Philip Agee, whose U.S. passport was revoked in 1979 after he wrote a book detailing CIA operations, currently manages the Cubalinda.com Inter-Active Travel agency. According to the Associated Press,Agee said the U.S. decision to expel 14 Cuban diplomats accused of "activities incompatible" with their diplomatic status, which usually is a euphemism for spying, is part of the Bush administration's plan to get tough with Cuba. More

Indian School Muscat Meeting Power Handed over to New President

The Indian school Muscat held a crucial meeting yesterday at the ISM premises and handed over power to the new school management committee headed by Ajith Kumar. A joint meeting o the ISM and Indian School Seeb was held despite the efforts of the former school president Harshendu Shah who wrote to the former SMC members not to attend the meeting. More

Indian School Darsait to provide free education to two poor students

Making the Ambassador a Butt of Ridicule?

ISD decision to help the poor students should be an eye opener for the billionaire Non Resident Indians who are controlling community schools as their own private institutions. While these billionaires have been squeezing ordinary parents by charging exorbitant fees - almost double the fees charged by ISD, (RO 42 per student in one school),- their school managers have been reluctant to help poor students. Every month the school has been making at least RO 60,000 profit from the community school. Those who control the school appears to be too greedy that they would not give even small fee concession to genuine parents with financial troubles! The ISD, which is charging half the fee has been making reasonably good profit and budget surplus. Imagine the amount of money made by the private school for the last ten years without any interruption. More

Saudi Blast Jeddah Calm Despite US Terror Warning

Philippino Worker Claims He was offered money to plant Bomb in the Residential Complex

MANILA - Philippine police yesterday questioned a Filipino worker who claimed in a radio interview that he was offered money in Saudi Arabia to bomb one of the residential compounds where 34 people were killed earlier this week.The man, who refused to be identified, told Manila radio station DZMM that while he was working as a technician in one of the compounds that were attacked Monday, he befriended Arab-looking men who offered him a large sum of money in exchange for planting a bomb there.He said he returned to the Philippines in April for fear of his life. Full Report

Prince Sultan Vows to Punish the Gulty in Bomb Blast

Riyadh Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, stated yesterday that the perpetrators of Monday’s Riyadh bombings, which killed 34 people including seven Saudis and seven Americans, would receive severe punishment.Full Report

ISD achieves record win in SSLC exam

MUSCAT — Indian School Darsait (ISD) has produced enviable results in the Grade X (SSLC) examinations. ISD has once again produced a rare distinction by achieving 100 per cent results in the fifth consecutive year, and that too with 100 per cent first classes and above. “This is not an easy achievement for any school. This year, out of 70 students registered for the SSLC examinations, 41 passed with distinctions (80 per cent and above) and 29 passed with first class (60 per cent and above),” Dr S. A. Pillai, principal of ISD, said. Full Report

US warns of more attacks in Saudi Arabia


WASHINGTON, May 15 -- The US State Department on Thursday issued a fresh warning about a new possible terrorist attack on compounds where foreigners live in the Saudi city of Jeddah.The warning, issued through the US consulate in Jeddah, said the compounds are located in al-Hamra district of the Saudi city and that the attack could take place in the near future.More

Community Private school Representatives Meet Education Minister --Watch this space

'Just like you kill us, we will kill you' - Bin Laden

British airlines suspend all flights to Kenya

LONDON, May 15- All British flights to and from Kenya from Britain are being suspended from local summer time 10 p.m. (21:00 GMT) Thursday out of fears that terrorists are planning an attack on British airline interests. More

Saddam's money found in Thurkish banks

ANKARA, May 15 -- Turkey has denied any evidence indicating that the money of the ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was found in its banks, Turkish daily Radikal (Radical) reported on Thursday. Two weeks ago, the United States asked the help of Turkish Finance Ministry and Central Bank to "freeze Saddam's money when traced" in Turkish banks.More

Kenya warns over possible terrorist attacks

NAIROBI, May 15-- The Kenyan government has sounded an alarm over possible terrorist attacks within its borders, local newspaper The People reported Thursday.Chris Murungaru, Kenyan minister for national security, said Wednesday that a 29 year-old man, who is believed to have perpetrated terrorist activities in East Africa over the last fiveyears, is hiding in Kenya. More

40 Palestinians killed in May: official

Death toll in Riyadh blasts rises to 34, says Saudi Government At least 20 killed in new suicide attack in Chechnya Over 3,000 bodies exhumed from mass grave in Iraq Iranian president condemns "terrorist" bombings in Riyadh

Saudi crown prince inspects scene of terror blasts

RIYADH, May 13 - Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz on Tuesday afternoon inspected the residential compound of the US Vinnell Co., a target of the three explosions that rocked the Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh overnight. Prince Abdullah, who is first deputy prime minister and commander of the National Guards, saw the destroyed Vinnell building. More

 Death Anniversary

Thankamma Madhavan,

KERALAMONITOR.COM

Our humble effort to start and run this portal was inspired by our mother who left us six years ago. On the occasion of her death anniversary (May 15th) KM team reiterates our determination to work for the poor and weak without antogonising the rich and powerful. Amma, You live in our memories- Editor-KM

Washington to join probe into Saudi suicide bombing attacks

RIYADH, May 13 -- US Secretary of State Colin Powell said here Tuesday afternoon a team of US investigators will arrive soon to take part in the probe into the overnight suicide bombing attacks in the Saudi capital. More

Iraq: U.S. Unresponsive on Mass Graves New Information on Site North of Baghdad

(Baghdad, May 14, 2003) - The U.S. government has known since
May 3 about the existence of a mass grave in Hilla but has not
taken action to protect the site, Human Rights Watch charged
today. Full Report

British Airways cancels stopovers in Saudi Arabia

LONDON, May 14 -- British Airways (BA) announced on Wednesday it had canceled stopovers for its air crews in Saudi Arabia following a change in the British government's travel advice after the suicide blasts in the Saudi capital of Riyadh More

Two Britons missing after Saudi blasts Bahrain, Turkey ban Philippino Workers

Death toll in Chechen blast rises to 59

MOSCOW, May 14 -- The death toll from a truck bombing of a government complex in northern Chechnya rose to 59 Wednesday, local officials said. Akhmed Dzheirkhanov, deputy minister for emergency situations in Chechnya, said four people had died overnight as a result of injuries sustained in Monday's blast.Full Report

US citizens in Uganda warned on security

KAMPALA, May 14 -- The United States embassy in Uganda has issued an anti-terror security warning to US citizens in the east African country."We are warning US citizens resident in Uganda that supporters of the Al-Qaeda and other extremists are still active in east Africa," US embassy spokesperson Mary Jeffers was quoted by government-run newspaper New Vision as saying on Wednesday. More Updates on Saudi Explosion

SSLC and PLUS TWO RESULTS COMING LIVE FROM THE PREMIER MALAYALAM PORTAL

SSLC Result Online Click here www.keralaeducation.org www.keralaitmission.org www.kerala.gov.in Result on Mobile sr@tvmlive.com Medical Engineering Results weblokam.com

 Death toll in Saudi Blast nearing 100; US president condemns killing innocent US civilians!

Riyadh  -- 91 people were killed in a series of suicide bombing attacks in the Saudi capital of Riyadh Monday night, including some 10 US citizens, US State Department officials said on Tuesday. One official said the figure is expected to rise. "Today's attacks in Saudi Arabia, the ruthless murder of American citizens and other citizens, remind us that the war on terror continues." US President Bush said. More

Aptec expects GCC customs union to increase transparency and encourage fair trade practices

May 14, 2003

Dubai -The GCC Customs Union which has been put into practice recently and converts the six-countries that comprise the Gulf Cooperation Council into a single customs zone, has been welcomed by Aptec, one of the biggest and fastest-growing IT distributor in the Middle East. The implementation of the customs union will see the removal of duties, fees, taxes and other charges as well as procedures hindering trade between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.Full Report

Britain's think tank warns against backlash of Iraq war Britain warns citizens against nonessential Saudi travel Germany still threatened by terrorism: minister More Reports on Saudi Explosions

Al-Qaeda Plans Attacks in the Gulf
Mahmoud Khaleel, Al-Majalla

DUBAI, 14 May 2003 — A senior Al-Qaeda leader has unveiled the organization’s long-term plans to carry out major terrorist attacks in Gulf countries. “We’ll attack the rear of the American Army,” he warned. In an e-mail message to Al-Majalla, a sister publication of Arab News, Abu Muhammad Al-Ablaj disclosed the presence of large quantities of weapons and explosives in Gulf cities to carry out the planned attacks. According to an exclusive Arab News Report, Ablaj, who is also known as Mulla Saifuddin, refused to say how Al-Qaeda managed to collect these weapons and explosives. However, he claimed that Al-Qaeda was in a position to manufacture its own explosives. Ablaj identified himself to Al-Majalla as supervising commander of the Mujahedeen training center belonging to the Al-Qaeda and Taleban organizations, but refused to disclose the center’s location. Read the Full Report

Saudi Arabia is kernel of evil, says US brief

Washington's growing distrust in Saudi Arabia spilled into the open yesterday with the leak of a Pentagon briefing describing Saudi Arabia as "the kernel of evil" that should be ordered to stop backing terrorists or face the seizure of its overseas assets, Reported The Telegraph. The briefing to the Defence Policy Board - which includes former generals, defence secretaries and statesmen including Henry Kissinger - runs contrary to official US policy towards Saudi Arabia. Full Report

Saudi Blasts have "all earmarks of Al-Qaeda": Powell

AMMAN, May 13- Bomb attacks targeting foreigner's residential compounds in the capital of Saudi Arabia Monday night had "all the earmarks of al-Qaeda," US Secretary of State Colin Powell said here on Tuesday.Speaking at a press conference, Powell said "It's just part of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations' willingness to kill innocent people in order to push forward a criminal agenda." More

3 Dutch expats injured in Saudi bomb attacks British PM's wife pulls out of London charity event for security reason - 14 die in accidents in India

Bombs Rock Western Expatriate Residential Complexes in Riyadh

13 May 2003 — Saudi Arabian capital was rocked by four explosions last night in which many western expatriates, were wounded. A series of blast took place just before Collin Powell, US Secretary of State was planning a state visit to Saudi Arabia. At least one was killed and over 40 US citizens were wounded in the explosions which occurred in residential areas of the Saudi capital, the Cable News Network (CNN) television network reported on Tuesday. The blast which Al-Arabiya television channel reported that Saudi security forces exchanged fire with the terrorists inside the compound. The network also reported that many charred bodies were seen being taken from ambulances at a local hospital. According to Saudi Interior Ministry an investigation is under way. There has been growing anti American sentiment in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Full Report

Saudi Police Campaign to nab Suspected Al Queeda Members

JEDDAH, 11 May 2003 — Saudi Arabia is intensifying efforts to nab terrorists who were planning major attack within the Kingdom. At least three of the 19 wanted Al-Qaeda suspects who escaped on Tuesday after a shootout with police fled in a Mercedes which was parked in front of a car maintenance workshop on the Riyadh-Dammam Expressway, Al-Watan Newspaper reported yesterday. More News

Controversial Private School MoU Goes Public

Undue favours to Private Promoters to Control Board Monopoly in Schooling - no other schools within 10 Kms

An Agreement was executed at Muscat, on the 26th day of March 1992 between the then Indian Ambassador Ranjith Guptha and the Hindu Mahajan Association, Muscat President Kanaksi G. Khimji. This was regarding the schools run by the Association in Muttrah and Sohar. According to the Board which passed a resolution to revoke the license, the first clause of the agreement itself indicates that the two schools "shall adhere to the rules and regulations as applicable from time to time." KM is giving some of the clauses for the Indian community members to make their own judgments about the whole issue. "The income of the schools from collection of fees and any other source will belong to the Association and to no other party," says the agreement. In the event of income exceeding expenditure, such excess will belong to the Association to be disposed off in any manner it wishes," says clause 4 of the agreement Full Report

An Appeal to Parents, Board Members and Community Leaders

There is no doubt that a prominent Indian like Kanaksi Khimj who was recently selected for the Pravasi Bharathi Award and Dr.P.Mohammed Ali, who has build up a big business empire from a humble beginning have played crucial roles in developing their respective schools . The Hindu Mahajan Association too played crucial role in developing business and educational infrastructure. Through their hard work and entrepreneurship, they have been able to amass sufficient wealth and reputation not only in Oman, but back home in India too Full Report

MoUs of Indian School Al Ghubra,Wadi Kabir Revoked as per Board Meeting Norms.

American -British Colonial Intentions Revealed by Halliburton Secret Oil Deals to pump Iraq oil

DUBAI -The US British administrations ask the people of both the United States and Iraq to trust that, when the dust of war settles, Iraq's oil wealth will belong to its people and will be used to rebuild the country's infrastructure and institutions. But to gain that trust, the administration must stop appearing to wield secrecy and favoritism in the award of contracts to companies like Halliburton.The secret colonial intentions of American British big business in Iraq is slowly coming out in open as intense lobbying is going on to remove the sanctions and market Iraqi oil --Full Report


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ISM Management Committee Meets under Ajith Kumar's President ship Seven new faces appear in the revised school MC, which has been earlier controlled by who you know!
 
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Ratna Kumar, President Indian Social Club Moladha has been able to do a mega Mohanlal show, which the mainstream Indian Social Clubs failed to do. Ratna Kumar has been behind many social and cultural events in the Musanna regin of Oman..Watch this space.
 
 
Al Ghurair City Performance
May 6, 2003
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