Indian School Students Smuggle
in Drugs, Pornography and Crackers to class rooms!
If
children could slap a teacher, bring in GSM's to school, smuggle
fire crackers and even sell drugs on their premises and these
very children are taken back to school then how do you expect
it to be a school worth going to. Are the teachers checking their
bags at random - one of the latest in thing is for children to
carry floppies with a lot of down loaded porno stuff from the
internet. If the principal has this attitude to kick out a teacher,
then it explains the teachers frustrated attitude towards the
school and the poor students who are the invariable victims.
In turn the student rebels, it is indeed PATHETIC and about time
that the INDIAN EMBASSY at least took control of things and did
something to protect the school and the name of the country.
As the reputation ISM has earned is a very bad one and the students
behaviour outside the school clearly shows the inside of the
school..More
Westerners camnot be Role Models
I read with interest about all the news and
comments of the PCO and we Pakistanis are indeed very shocked
to realize that financial blunders of such magnitude is happening
in the PCO !! Asians are basically, very family and God-fearing
people and we have ancient cultures and values and virtues, which
the western world just cannot even dream about. So what is the
solution? They blow-up our defects and emphasize that we are
from the dark ages and the definition of modernity and maturity
and civilization is what they do !!! Welcome to the world of
Single mothers, teen-age mothers, love-child, Homes for the aged,
Pedophile, Homosexuals becoming Bishops, Child-molesting Catholic
priests, pregnant nuns, and what not !!! Non-Asians and the westerners,
are so rotten in culture, values and virtues, that they just
cannot get back into the right path anymore. But all the same,
they do want to get into Heaven!!! So there has to be a way out.
What is that? They emphasize on the FORGIVENESS/ETERNAL LOVE
of God!!! This theory means that they can live as they please
and all they have to do is to confess their sins towards the
end of their lives and off they take off to Heaven!!!Sins without
consequences/repercussions and unconditional forgiveness!!!! More
Porno Video Uncensored in Ruwi High Street
I completely disagree that the pirated DVDs
sold on the Ruwi street footpaths are of porno materials. Firstly,
let e tell you that I am a very regular visitor and buyer from
these vendors. The fact is that the movies they market are uncensored.
So you get to see all that is in these movies, which is seen
in the USA.And that too there are about 1 to 7 movies in some
DVDs and it is all priced at a mere 2 Rials. There are people
even driving in from UAE to buy them.
More
Red Alert to Westerners about
new terrorist threat in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Some 500,000 British nationals visited the
UAE in 2002 and 48,000 live there. The vast majority enjoyed
a trouble-free stay. Although incidents are not common, female
visitors should take care when travelling alone at night and
are advised to use one of the reputable taxi companies. Some
4,500 British nationals live in Qatar, and 30,000 visited in
2002. more
Persecuted
Monitor Editor Flees in Desperation
The Mnaging editor and reporter at the Monitor,
aa daily English-language newspaper fled following repeated government
actions against the Monitor, and
arrests and threats against his life. There were attempts to
shut down the Monitor by the government, most recently in September.
Full Report
e-TQM
College to launch the first e-learning based Masters program
in the Middle East
Dubai -November 8, 2003 e-TQM College, the
Dubai-based institution specialising in conducting online programs
in total quality management, is launching a Masters program in
Total Quality and Performance Management. The program is the
first of its kind in the Middle East, in conjunction with Bradford
School of Management and the European Centre for Total Quality
Management (ECTQM). More News
Dubai eGovernment and Zayed University
sign MOU More
News
Indian School kicks out pregnant
teacher
MUSCAT --Managemet -read
the Principal - of one of the Indian Schools in Muscat has kicked
out a pregnant Keralite lady teacher, after appointing her as
a permanent teacher for two years.For a married lady, becoming
pregnant from her own husband is a natural development and a
joyous occasion, but the school principal acted hurriedly in
a barbarian manner and kicked out the teacher from the school
just to save a few hundred Rials for the management. The principal
canceled the original appointment letter and issued a new anointment
letter, Her fault -- becoming a mother from her legitimately
married husband. Harassment of teachers without any reasoning
continues and the Indian Schools are going back to the good old
days --stone ages! Watch this space.
KM Discussion - Control Sex
near Church, Temple locality?
Do you realise that the church
parking lots in Ruwi and Ghala is used by some local people for
sexual activities in cars? This happens in afternoons and late
nights. You can see cars with dark tinted glasses parked with
their engine running and the air-con at full blast. You should
keep caretakers to monitor all vehicles parked in your compound.
Instead they are all over the place, laughing and joking with
the public. Read more about the frank and fearless remark by
a participant in the Discussin forum.
Discuss -Anglo American Colonial
Domination continues in PCO?
We ...are amazed,that these
American-British Church still hold onto colonial mentalities
and that there are still Indians there who accept this attitude
!!!Wake-up guys, this is 2003 and not the 1900s!! Everybody has
the right to question/comment on the money spent by them !!!
Committees are appointed to do a better job than the previous
committees!!! Not just to enjoy their term in office. After discussing
the matter of the PCO with a large section of the Protestant
community, I found out that their denominations are well managed
financially and every member of their congregation keeps questioning
the expenses and also helps in controlling waste of money. Money
from any religion should be used for propagation of their faith
and for social and constructive purposes.More
Ruwi High Street..porn high
street! Discuss
Localisation has been doing
good to the people of Oman in some segments.
But in another segment, it seems it is eroding the cuture of
the people. The Ruwi High Street is nowadays the scene of street
hawkers selling pirated video and audi CDs, DVDs and cassettes.
There are some 43 hawkers and a host of conduits selling these
stuff during evening house. Once the clandestinely sold porn
video CDs and DVDs are now available openly for a throwaway price
of RO2.000 More
Visit only the Affluent, not the poor
and Needy?
It is interesting to know
that the pastors or elders or the so called council members only
visit the affluent and dont even know people who are the simple
and less fortunate ones, a mere hand shake in the church is not
what Christ wanted. Are you listening out there. Christ wanted
us to practise what we preached and not just preach because one
gets paid for it. How many sick people does the church visit
or is the pastor aware of?More
KM
Discussion Forum
PCO pastors are seen enjoying
dinner, or clubs and generally having a good life like any other
secular person and there is nothing christian about them. If
the church committee consists of people who are not capable then
you need to appoint apt people to handle things esp a church.
Christianity means to sacrifice and here we see people earning
well, living a good life with their well paid jobs and facilities
It is a well known fact that
the American - British will always try to monopolise the countries
and people as they feel they are superior in everything and people
let go all the time, but in todays world where people are moving
forward , it is time we opened are eyes and not let people cheat
us of what we deserve and what is ours. Stealing or making money
in the name of the religion is not the done thing. What about
the fixed deposit assets PCO has ( rental money ) we do have
the figures and waiting for PCO to come clean. If you are keeping
the Fixed deposit funds and still asking people to contribute
that shows your greed and not need. More
Action on to bail out Visa
Racket Agent
Visit
Visa Racket involving Airline Officials
MUSCAT - While a large number of unemployed
Keralite and Andhra youths have been duped smartly by the Gulf-Kerala
visa racket, the higher ups involved in the racket are in action
once again to bail out the real culprits. A group of Keralite/Andhra
youth who were brought to Muscat and other parts of Oman after
taking as high as Rs.1 lakh each faced a unique situation for
them. Media reports about the racket caused panic among the Keralite
agents and their counterparts in Muscat who undertook a special
operation to get rid of the people brought on express visas.
The Muscat agents, mainly some travel agents from Calicut, forced
these people to take alcohol. Those who refused to consume alcohol
were manhandled and some of them were treated very badly. After
forcing them to drink whisky and brandy, the goons forcefully
made some injury marks on their body using sharp weapons. Then
the agents themselves called the local police and informed that
these people were quarreling and drinking! Naturally police will
take them into custody and file petty case. The local agents
will have a peaceful life . However, the Royal Oman Police realized
the game plan and based on a complaint from the victims took
the main agent into custody. Later on the agents forced the victims
to withdraw the case and efforts are on to bail out the culprit.
Meanwhile some of the youths who were cheated have returned to
Muscat and are absconding as they want to make some money by
working here and there as illegal workers. The cycle is on and
till the next visa cheating case is reported, everything will
be quite...KM Special.
BSA honours 16 software dealers
in Oman More
JM Mutual To Start Scheme For NRIs
DUBAI, OCT 24: JM Mutual Fund, which currently
manages assets of around Rs 4,000 crore, will launch a long-term
low-risk investment scheme for middle and low income NRIs in
the Gulf. More
Panasonic's
new GIGA range of Projection TVs offer 'Ultimate Home Cinema
Experience'
Prostitution in beauty parlour; one woman
arrested
New Delhi Nov 2: Delhi Police arrested a woman
in relation to a beauty parlour racket in East Delhi, who carried
on prostitution in the parlour. Ritu Chauhan who was running
the parlour was arrested in Madhu Vihar area of I P Extension
on the complaint of an employee that she had tried to force her
into prostitution on the first day of her job. More
News
17 U.S. Troops Die In Second-Deadliest Day
In Iraq
Nov 3: Insurgents in Iraq shot down a Chinook
helicopter near Fallujah yesterday, killing 16 U.S. troops and
injuring another 20 on the second-bloodiest day for U.S. forces
since the war began March 20 More
News
e-Learning offers ideal solution to overcome
the disadvantages of classroom learning: e-TQM College
e-Learning is gaining popularity worldwide
because of its ability to overcome the disadvantages of conventional
classroom learning. The focus on theoretical rather than practical
learning in the classroom and the ability to obtain a degree
without any practical experience can restrict individuals in
society today, said Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Director of e-TQM College.More
Dubai News
Iraq: Release two Iranian journalists
Nov 3: The Coalition Provisional Authority
in Iraq has today ordered the
release of two Iranian journalists, Soheil Karimi and Saeed Abutaleb.
The two men were arrested by US forces in July for filming at
a military checkpoint. More
News
Obasanjo sacks head of Nigerian
state oil company
ABUJA, 3 November (IRIN) -
The head of the state company which oversees
Nigeria?s oil industry was on Monday relieved of his job by President
Olusegun Obasanjo. No reason was given for the dismissal, which
was
announced in a terse government statement. More News
Malayalam Film Actor Narendra Prasad no more Full
Dont
Worry, We will handle him properly
"I will
take care of the Journalist who writes about our bank accounts.
You dont worry about it. I will handle him", assures Malayali
MD of the Construction Company to his senior executives in a
special meeting organised to discuss KM report on CBO inquiry.
- Watch this space.
Indian Shaikhs trying to
fabricate false case against Indian Scribe, approach police
A Winner of lat years Pravasi Bharathi
Award has approached the law enforcement agencies against an
Indian scribe working for an english daily in Muscat and to stop
him from writing critical reports . The prominent NRI businessman
were exposed for their fradulent means of controlling two Indian
community schools illegally as their private property, and charging
exhorbitant fees to squeeze parents and some other cases. The
scribe has been receiving anonymous threatening calls in the
past for reporting the Indian school issue. While they like the
media to treat them as heroes for receiving numerous awards and
honours, these Shaikhs beccame restless when some accurate critical
reports appeared for the first time in their corporate history
- More
Recent
Reports on School School
News
Founder Promoter Allegedly took 10 percent
Cut for Every deal including Royalty paid to Singapore Hotel
Chain More
- Investigation against major Indian
business tycoons
At least four members of an Indian business
family settled in a Gulf country (Oman) are facing high level
investigation for allegedly cheating some influential people.
According to reliable sources, four members of a north Indian
business family who have the citizenship of the host country
are under the custody of investigative agencies for allegedly
cheating and money swindling from major projects, including a
hotel project. More
Sexual Harassment
of US Women Prisoners
"Cross-gender pat searches -- which according
to a state training video, involve guards touching intimate parts
of the inmate's body -- are inherently degrading and inconsistent
with international standards and constitute a form of violence
against women" Amnesty International said. Amnesty International's
action was prompted by news that Valley State Prison for Women
(VSPW), the state's largest women's prison, has recently reinstated
the practice after banning it for several years. The new policy
introduced this year allows male guards to conduct unsupervised
searches of female prisoners which involve touching the breast
and crotch areas -- a procedure that was banned in VSPW in 1998
after years of complaints by prisoners of groping and other sexual
abuse by male guards. More
And
the Winner of Miss All Saints 2003 is--Pauline Tina (left) and the runner up
is Hasna (right)
College Beauties Online (click pix)
 
Malayali Youth Dies in
Bus Accident
MUSCAT -Rohan, a 15 year
old Malayali youth is one of the passengers who succumbed to
serious injuries in the ONTC bus accident that killed at least
five people and injured more than 20 passengers. Rohan, the son
of a Keralite lady doctor in the Ministry of Health, Oman and
a chartered Accountant from Thiruvalla, was returning to Buraimi
in the ONTC Bus which overturned due to tyre burst. It is a tragedy
for the Keralite family to lose a brilliant and talented boy.
"Rohan came to Muscat to attend Music classes and was returning
to Buraimi where his father is running a business," said
family friends.
Malayali stabbed at Walja Mucat.
Watch this space
Saudi Arabia: Arrest of Protesters Belies Reform Pledges
(New York, October 29, 2003) -- Saudi Arabia's
arrest of hundreds
of peaceful protesters in a series of demonstrations and its
continued denial of freedom of expression and assembly make a
mockery of the kingdom's pledges of political reformFull Story
Govt Sanskrit college is totally
neglected by the Government, Local Media
say Union Members
Special report by R.S.Priya
Thiruvananthapuram Oct 31: The Government
Sanskrit college situated in the central point of the city is
one of the most neglected government colleges in the state. As
most of the students in the college are not economically well
off, no one is coming forward to tap the talented students or
give them any kind of encouragement.When the Antony Government
and the UDF constituents are going out of their way to promote
private engineering and medical colleges and fully commercialise
the education sector, the pathetic situation of government colleges
in the sate is self revealing. Full
Report
ONTC BUS OVERTURNS
AT SOHAR-BURAIMI ROUTE DUE TO TYRE BURST
Mercy Abraham
among the dead
SOHAR - Major Bus accident
: ONTC Bus from Muscat to Buraimi overturned to a nearby wadi
in betwen Oman Mining Center and the Buraimi boarder, causing
the death of at least five people, believed to be mainly Omani
students who were returning to Ajman after their weekend. Between
35 to 40 people wre believed to be in the Daewoo Deluxe bus which
left Muscat ONTC station by 1.30 pm for Buraimi-Dubai in the
UAE. The accident took place at around 4.30 and unconfirmed reports
said 15 passengers died. "The bus overturned 3 times and
the fire force and emergency squad had to cut the vehcle to take
out the dead bodies. The deadbodies are in the Sohar hospital
and Burimi. The Sohar hospital was in an emergency situation
as some of the staff were recalled for duty. Unconfirmed reports
say there were Indian passengers in the bus. The official announcement
put a lesser casualty --Watch this space.
Intervention package on sex education field-tested
Oct 31: An intervention package on sex education
has been jointly developed and field-tested by India and the
United States. This is to create a change in adolescence level
of knowledge and attitude towards sexuality and reproductive
health. An effort was also made to create an awareness among
the existing sources of sex education vide parents, teachers
and school administrators, regarding their role and responsibility
in shaping adolescents knowledge and attitude towards human sexuality.
Full Story More News
Food Standards Agency issues warning about
spoiled smoked mackerel in the UK
Oct 31: The Agency is advising people against
eating spoiled smoked mackerel which has been on sale in a chain
of supermarkets in the North-Westof England. Eating the fish,
which has not been properly smoked, could result in food poisoning.
The fish has been on sale in the Booths chain of supermarkets
across the North-West of England.Full Story More News
Lithuania
Says Russian Oil Plan Threatens UNESCO Site
Harrington- Bin Zayed Group
hosts meeting with key business and government leaders in the
Middle East
"The UAE economy is currently undergoing
a transformation due to rapid diversification in various sectors
like IT, education, tourism and
health services. In light of this, it is essential for countries
across the
Middle East region to also capitalise on the opportunities available,
to lead the region's transition to a new Economy", stated
Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan, Chairman of the Bin Zayed
GroupFull Story
Open Source Software- One day workshop inKerala/
Kerala Day celebrations and Malayalam Film Festival in Delhi
Raksha Mantri addresses the Naval Senior Officers' ConferenceFull Story/ more Kerala/Indian News
Bosch initiates to expand
car service and automotive parts centres in the
Gulf
|
Bosch president,
Dr. Eugen Konrad, visits UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to oversee
operations
DUBAI -Bosch, one of the leading
global innovators and suppliers of automotive parts, has embarked
on an expansion drive in the Middle East, by opening more car
service centres and automotive parts stores across the region.
|
Automonitor |
ADB Study of Guarantee Mechanisms
to Support Asian Bond Market InitiativeFull Story
Two More U.S. Soldiers Killed
In Iraq
Oct 29: Attacks against U.S.-led
coalition troops continued in Iraq last night, with two U.S.
soldiers reported killed when their battle tank was struck by
a land mine or roadside bomb near Balad, 45 miles north of Baghdad.A
third tank crewman was evacuated to a U.S. hospital in Germany
(Slobodan Lekic, Associated Press/Yahoo! News, Oct. 29).
More News
World Bank To Underwrite Trans-Caucasus
Oil Pipeline
Oct 29: According to a leaked
document, the World Bank is set to approve a $250 million loan
to build an oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea to Turkey, despite
considerable opposition from activists. More
Kuwait Airways Stop Muscat- Kuwait-Kerala
Air Service - Watch this space.
India calls for gender parity
in basic education Country Paper presented at the Edinburgh Commonwealth
Meet
Oct 29: India has called upon
the Commonwealth nations to evolve a joint strategy for achieving
gender parity in basic education. Empowerment of women is the
most critical pre-condition for participation of the girls and
women in education in the commonwealth communityMore
More News
Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry launches
first live english translation of Prayers from TV studos in Makkah
Dubai, 29/10/2003: The Saudi
Ministry For Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Dawa and Guidance has
launched the first ever live English translation of Ramadan “Taraweeh”
prayers from TV studios at the Sacred Mosque in Makkah. The project
was launched under the directives of the Saudi Minister of Islamic
Affairs H.E. Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdel Aziz Al Sheikh More
India, Bangladesh Renewal of trade agreement
soon More
30 Senior expatriate bank
employees in Muscat served termination notice
Bank Muscat, the leading commercial
bank inOman has terminated the services of several senior expatriate
staff as partof the Omanisation drive. The banking system has
been successfully implementing the localisation drive.
Explosion near ATM MachineWatch
this space.
M.Mukundan Given Vayalar Award
2003 for Keshavente Vilapangal
Thiruvananthapuram Oct 27: In a grand ceremony
held at the Tagore Centenary Hall here today, popular novelist
M.Mukundan was presented with the prestigious Vayalar Award 2003
for his novel 'Kesavante Vilapangal'. The function was attended
by prominent literary personalities which included O.N.V.Kurup,
Dr.V.Madhusoodanan Nair and M.K.Sanu. In his welcome speech,
O.N.V said that M.Mukundan portrayed the life on the banks of
'Mayyazhi puzha' through his novels and his award winning work
'Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theerathu is one such book which spoke of
Mayyazhi Puzha. More
UAE Air
Force & Defence Institute delegation visits Dubai eGovernment
to study advanced solutions IFPI's regional committee meeting
in Dubai joins local music industry to step up anti-piracy efforts
Bombing Spree Kills At Least 39 In Baghdad
More
Indo-Australian scientific ties to look up
Oct 27: The scientific and technological cooperation
between India and Australia to look up, after a gap of five years.
This follows talks between the visiting Australian Minister for
Education, Science and Training, Dr. Brendan Nelson and the Minister
for Human Resource Development and Science & Technology,
Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi alongwith their delegations, over the
week-endMore
KM report on Church Finances
Was Totally True, says 20 year experienced Pious Christian
PCO is Still under the Colonial rule of English Speaking
Pritests?
"Being PCO Service Members for almost
a quarter of a century, we are ashamed to see these allegations
that have gone out of PCO boundaries and beyond ovr the net (Keralamonitor.com)
It is a disgrace to our PCO and the entire Christian community,"
writes a senior pious Christian in Muscat. As published in PCO's
Friday Bulletin of October 17 for the first time about the Internet
Article (www.keralamonitor.com) which was toolate and the Church
Council's statement therein was totally incorrect and baseless,
he writes. By simply dismissing the allegations as untrue and
slanderous which were endorsed by the Acting Senior Paster, the
matter cannot be concluded as solved that easily...The council
should have called in for the suggestions, concerns and queries
immediately in September when the article was first appeared
on the Keralamonitor.com site. The PCO news on keralamonitor.com
was true and correct to the best of our knowledge. First of all,
as rightly reported by KM, other denominations which are under
PCO's leadership sponsorship are having step motherly treatment
whilsts their funds collections and income are not accounted
in PCO accounts at all. Why those denominations are not taken
into account for all PCO activities. During the recent visit
of Bishop to PCO (Which is very rare and irregular) we understand,
other denominations and leaders were not included in the audiences
not even in Pastor's Monday meeting. more direct interactivity
between all the PCO groups, pastors and bishops is badly needed.
For Pators Weekly Meetings not all the leaders are invited or
participate. Even for the recent attempt for a senior pastor
candidate a recruitment interview none of the other denomination
leaders were informed or invited inspite of the fact that the
proposed senior pastor is not only for the PCO English speaking
congregation but also for the entire PCO leaders and denominations.
During the recent years we see lesser number of preachers are
being sponsored by PCO when compared to the PCO's more and more
personal/family members visits. The practice of excessive pay-outs,
misuse of utilities, overheads, other resources and related funds
by PCO must be brought down to zero.
More
Dear PCO member, Even an Idiot will seal up
the leak!
There is a very good reason behind using a
pen-name. In fact, I am not a regular attendee.What is important
is not my real name !!! The fact here is to verify if these accusations
are true or not. All expenses made by the PCO should be JUSTIFIED
so that the income can be maintained and increased!!!When a water
tank leaks even slightly, the solution is not to pour much more
water that what drips out !!! Even an utter idiot will seal up
the leaks !!!!All expenses must be carefully observed and JUSTIFIED.
When you can employ people of the same caliber and efficiency
for a much lesser pay and benefits, why not replace the existing
ones, or ask them to work under the new terms and conditions,
or leave. More
Distance Education Offers Affordable Way to
Boost Post-Secondary Enrollment
By Graham Dwyer
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (27 October 2003) - Every
year, one quarter of Sri Lanka's secondary school graduates qualify
for university, but only 3% of these gain admission. For the
economy to become globally competitive, the number has to double
over the next 10 years. Traditionally, education supply has been
narrowly focused on a few professions, concentrating on the public
sector.More
Saudi Arabia: Crackdown on demonstrators deals another
blow to human rights
LONDON - "The Saudi Arabian authorities
must immediately and unconditionally release all people held
solely for the non-violent expression of their conscientiously
held beliefs," said Amnesty International. Saudi Arabian
authorities arrested over 250 people during a protest demonstration
held in al-U'laya district in Riyadh on 14 October 2003 which
called for political reform and the release of political prisoners.
Um Sa'ud, one of three women arrested with the group and held
in al-Malaz prison in Riyadh, was reportedly beaten and ill-treated
during her arrest by security forces.Full
Report
IBM
and ITG to Install E-learning platformin over 3,000 schools in
the Middle East
CBO Examines
bank's exposure to Construction Group' headed by NRK Tycoon
DUBAI - The Central Bank of
Oman (CBO) which regulates the banking sector in Oman has advised
all leading commercial banks to report their total credit exposure
to a diversified Construction Company with operations in Oman,
Qatar, Brunai, India and other Gulf countries. The company is
headed by a prominent Non Resident Keralaite businessman with
strong political contacts . The CBO advise came as a precaution
to prevent the recurrance of earlier bank frauds precipitated
by the Ali Redha Group, a trading company which dupedvarious
banks to the tune of 50 million Rials. Some cheques issued by
the Construction group bounced and the apex bank started a due
diligence procedure to prevent the reurrance of Ali Redha episode.
The gropup which employs nearly 4,000 workers in various prestigious
building projects has been facing sever liquidity problem, as
the payment for completed projects is delayed and banks almost
stopped Overdraft facility. The concerned authorities are examining
whether the Overdraft facility given to finance individual projects
was misused in any way. Corporate world is keenly watching whether
the Malayali Managing Director who has been busy building up
a mighty business empire back home by acquiring star hotels and
properties has lost interest in the local business. The mute
question is whether the huge bank liability will fall on the
local Arab sponsors, who are anyway not happy with the Malabari.
The tycoon was one of the parties behind the premature transfer
of the former Indian Ambassador K M Meena using money power and
political clout. Thanks to the timely intervention of the CBO
and Omani Government, another banking crisis may be averted.
The CBO monitoring is on and a clear picture will be evident
soon. "The group has lot of money outstanding for the completed
projects. It is not a case like Ali Redha, but the CBO move is
a matter of concern," says a top banker.
More
Reports on Corruption and Fraud
- Kerala Mini
Games 2003 - to start on 26th November
- by R . S. Priya
- Gulf based Indian Schools Urged to Participate: Winners
to get grace market for Medicine, Engineering Examinations
More
Hire the Editor to Fire
Reporter!
Two Indian business tycoons,
(one mentioned above and another who was caught in a financial
crime) recently came out with a unique plan to get a journalist
sacked from a local newspaper. The duo approached a European
editor and promised to give "Sponsorship" worth RO
16,000 (Nearly 1.8 million Indian Rupees) as a reward for sacking
a journalist who caused much embarassment to them. The tycoon's
displeasure was caused by some reports about corruption in educational
institutios illegally controlled by the two groups. The journalist
who received anonymous threatening calls and letters in the past
had reported the same to the higher authorities. However, instead
of shielding the man who stoood for a public cause, the "editor
" appeared to be more keen to consider the sponsorship-sacking-deal!
In addition to get the journalist sacked, the duo also wanted
to "Plant" their own mercenary writer in his place!
A newly appointed senior diplomat brought in, sorry flown in,
his own man as the replacement. People who fear media criticism
would go to the extent of planting their own editors and reporters!
Great march towards media freedom and democracy!
United
Nations or United Notions? Special Feature on UN Day
Iran: Detained Professor Should Be Freed
(New York, October 25, 2003) -- Dariush Zahedi,
an Iranian- American academic held without charge by Iranian
authorities since July, should be released immediately and unconditionally.
Zahedi traveled to Iran in June to visit his family. In early
July, the 37-year-old professor was attending a meeting at his
brother's office in Tehran when it was raided by the authorities
More News
Iraq:
Donors Should Insist on Rights Monitoring
Mechanisms Needed to Ensure Accountability for Abuses
- Australia to
Monitor Unregistered Educational Institutions from India
- M.P. P Kumar - K M corresponden
- NEW DELHI - Australia has agreed to look
into its unregistered educational institutions operating from
India. These institutions run by elements from Australia in connivance
with elements in India have been a source of irritant and an
hurdle in the way of better educational collaboration between
the two sides. More
News
Construction Group's Bank Accounts Monitored,
Bad Loans under Scrutiny
Bank Account of a leading Construction Group
headed by a prominent Non Resident Indian (NRI) is being monitored
by the concerned authorities. Some of the cheques issued by the
number one construction group with diversified interest have
bounced. KM sources said the bank account has been either frozen
or put under scrutiny. Suppliers of construction materials have
been delayed payment for several months. All the corporate loans
sanctioned from a bank which incured several hundred croresof
loss due to bad loans are also under scrutiny. The prominent
NRI who has been managing the company is having serious differences
of opinion with the new generation of sponsors. Another leading
business house continues to face problems related to bad loans
from the same bank. Their movement outside the country is still
monitored. Banks have lost a few million Rials in another fraud
case involving a major livestock company, which allegedly produced
fake documents to obtain loans. Transparency, strong auditing
procedures and media reporting have made life uncomfortable for
business tycoons, who are doing everything possible to escape
from the mess. Illegitimate pregnancy cannot be hidden from the
public eye for long...
Pakistan: Children let down by justice system
Around 4,500 children are currently in detention
in Pakistan. More than 3,000 of them have not been convicted
of any offence; their trials have either still yet to start or
have not yet been completed. more
Huge Reconstruction Business in Iraq
In assessing Iraq's needs, the donor countries
will be guided by the Joint Iraq Needs Assessment (JINA), which
contains a macroeconomic analysis of reconstruction and rehabilitation
needs, and the most urgent requirements, in 14 key sectors in
Iraq. The assessment calls for resources amounting to US$36 billion
in the medium term, of which US$9 billion are needed for 2004.
Known pledges, however, amount to only about $5 billion to $6
billion at the moment. more
- India-Oman plans joint Pharmaceutical Project
- NEW DELHI - India and Oman have emphasized
the need to accelerate all measures for closer trade and economic
relations between the two countries. Both countries are also
examining the possibility of entering into a strategic trade
alliance. Citing Pharmaceuticals as an important area in commercial
cooperation, Shri Mookherjee said that it was possible to invest
jointly in production of antibiotic, vaccines and other life-saving
formulations. In this regard he urged upon the Omani government
to offer similar treatment to Indian drugs and pharmaceuticals
companies as they are currently getting from Saudi Arabia. He
also proposed joint investment in the production of medicines
and cooperation in IT sector. More
- Groupism intensifies in ISC Linguistic Wing
- Back to Square One? Infighting
is intensified once again in the Indian Social Club linguistic
Wing. A new controversy is about the termination of a club member
in what is said to be a totalitarian way. There is simmering
discontent among members about the manner in which memberhip
is terminated. C.V.Muralidharan and his wife Kala Murali are
the two members who are suspended without following the proper
procedures. While the membership is terminated, the affected
member was not properly informed about the punitive action, which
was following a dispute between the member and a lady judge who
was invited for the Onam Competitions. The controversy once again
raises the issue of transparency in community organisations in
this part of the world. The member is not asked to give an explanation
about the dispute-Watch this space.
- Sexual harassment of
Indian Women Intense in Kuwait
- Sexual Harassment and Exploitation
of Indian Woman Workers Intense in Kuwait. A number of Keralite
woman are trapped by their employers to work as sex objects by
denying them salary for several months. In a number of cleaning
companies, the senior Malayali employees trap the newly recruited
Keralite ladies into a dependency situation and forcing them
to live with the male workers. Recently some cleaning companies
decided to distribute the monthly salary through credit card.
Some Keralites working in the health ministry exploit nurses
also by demanding huge amount as bribe for getting job in the
Ministries. This practice is common in all the Gulf countries.
Watch this space.
- Saudi
Arabia to Build Largest Medical College in the Middle East More
Campus News Indian
Central School Open Day celebrated Competition
for New Indian School Bahrain students
- Malayali Talent -Airborne
to Chairborne
|
M.P. Anil Kumar , a former Air
Force Piolot writes with his mouth about a traumatic experience
in life and how he is recovering .
Even though he was
partially paralised, Anil uses his mouth, a stick and the keyboard
to write. Read the column written in this unique way-- Full
Reort |
 |
- Element K partners with
Microsoft to deliver official Microsoft Learning Products
- DUBAI - Element K, the leading global e-learning
provider, has formed a strategic alliance with Microsoft Corporation.
The agreement has major significance for the Middle East, as
Element K is already involved in various projects to provide
its acclaimed online learning IT courses in the UAE, Oman and
Saudi Arabia, and is working with other government bodies to
expand operations to the whole region. Full
Report
- Al Jazeera, Al Majaz launch Mobile News Service
in Association with Etisalat
Breaking news now available for GSM subscribers in the
UAE
Dubai, 22/10/2003: ALJAZEERA. NET, the e-news
arm of ALJAZEERA CHANNEL that gave the Arab world its first world
class all-news 24 hour satellite channel has tied up with Al
Majaz Telecommunications to provide the latest news alerts and
developments for GSM subscribers in the UAE through the AlJazeera
Mobile.More
Relief Measures for the Plantation
Sector
A package of relief measures to mitigate the
problems facing growers in the plantation sector-tea, coffee
and natural rubber- owing to fall in the global and domestic
prices is being worked out in consultation with the Reserve Bank
of India (RBI), Indian Bank
More
- India and Czech Republic Sign Defence Agreement
- India and the Czech Republic have signed
an agreement on Defence Cooperation. The agreement was signed
by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes and his Czech counterpart
Miroslav Kostelka in Prague on Monday. More
Press Freedom - United States
and Israel singled out for actions beyond their borders
Oman Saudi Kuwait Qatar
Bahrain among countries least respecting Freedom of Press
To compile this ranking, Reporters
Without Borders asked journalists, researchers, jurists and human
rights activists to fill out a questionnaire evaluating respect
for press freedom in a particular country. A total of 166 countries
are included in the ranking (as against 139 last year). The other
countries were left out because of a lack of reliable, well-supported
data. The 50 countries that respect press freedom least include
such rich nations as Bahrain (117th) and Singapore (144th). Oman,
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Gulf countries among countries
which give least press freedom Kuwait (102nd) replaced Lebanon
(106th) as the Arab world's leader as regards respect for freedom
of expression because of cases of censorship in Lebanon, together
with abusive judicial proceedings and an attack on the television
station Futur TV. Saudi Arabia (156th), Syria (155th), Libya
(153rd) and Oman (152nd) used all the means at their disposal
to prevent the emergence of a free and independent press. More
Sheikh Mohammed
visits Dubai e-Government offices
Dubai - October 21, 2003 His Highness General
Sheikh Mohammed Bin ashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and
UAE Defence Minister, visited Dubai eGovernment at its offices
in the Emirates Towers yesterday (Monday October 20, 2003). The
visit marked the second anniversary of Dubai eGovernment, which
was launched by His Highness in October 2001.More
Reporters Without Borders Releases Global
Press Index
Oct 21: North Korea is the worst state oppressor
of journalists, followed closely by a handful of other Asian
nations, former Soviet states and post-revolutionary countries,
according to a world press index released yesterday by international
watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). More
Fallujah Continues Slow Boil As U.S. Casualties Mount In
Iraq
Oct 21: Unrest continued in central Iraq today
as U.S. troops in the holy city of Karbala tried to quell a riot
that erupted after a woman objected to a search by a sniffer
dog. More
Former
Indian School Muscat and Indian School Abdu Dhabi head All Saints
College Union
Human Rights Watch Counts 94 Civilian Deaths
A report released today by Human Rights Watch
says at least 94 civilians have been killed in Baghdad since
U.S. President George W. Bush declared the formal end of hostilities
in Iraq on May 1.Human Rights Watch said it made its tally through
Iraqi police records, reports by other human rights groups and
Western news reports that named the dead.More
ChevronTexaco Announces Double Success in Deep Water Block
OPL 249 in Nigeria More
Annan Envoy To Middle East To Step Down More
UK
Defence Secretary visits southern Iraq Electronic
media in the service of Distance Education More News
Oman Air Thiruvananthapuram -Muscat Flight delayed by
10 Hours due to Technical Snag
- Indian School Muscat
Principal, Vice Principle Accused of helping Plagiarism
-
- MUSCAT - An Indian School
Muscat (ISM) parent has accused the Principal and Vice Principal
of helping plagiarism and denying due recognition to a student
who put in lot of time and energy to develop an innovative project.
Parents of Rohith Nair, a 12th Standard student of the ISM who
has just left for higher studies to Sri Lanka claimed that an
innovative science project submitted by him to the ISM was presented
in Doha, Qatar and the prize is given to another student. More
- 'Kerala
Panorama 2003' organized by Chitrakalamandalam Showcase Great
Paintings
- 1.3 billion Financial Harbour Project in
Bahrain Unveiled
- Dubai, 20/10/2003: Bahrain Financial Harbour
(BFH), the $1.3 billion development set to consolidate Bahrain’s
status as the leading financial centre of the Middle East, will
be previewed in London tomorrow at WaterfrontExpo. The BFH Chairman,
Esam Janahi, and the lead project architect, Ahmed Janahi, will
unveil the visionary project during the conference at the Excel
Conference Centre in London Docklands. More
News
- Panasonic
achieves over 1.1 billion dollars sales target in the Middle
East
- Nigeria:
Debunking Misconceptions on Stoning Case.
Israeli Nukes Submarine fleet
to target Iranian nuclear sites
Secretly Sailing towards
Gulf Waters, Gulf of Oman
Washington -American-made Harpoon missiles,
armed with nuclear warheads, are now aimed by Israel’s fleet
of Dolphin-class submarines against Iran’s nuclear facilities.Following
September’s exclusive report in American Free Press about
Israel’s submarine nuclear attack capability, over 100 Harpoon
cruise missiles have been secretly airlifted to the remote island
of Diego Garcia, a joint UK-U.S. base in the Indian Ocean, reported
Gordon Thomas, a senior investigative journalist in the American
Free Press. "The three Israeli submarines that arrived at
the base early this month were each loaded with 24 Harpoon missiles.They
then set sail for the Gulf of Oman—bringing Iran’s
nuclear facilities all within range of the submarines’ payloads,"
he said in his investigative report. More
Adobe launches the Creative Suite Platform
for the Design and Publishing industry at Gitex 2003 . More
News
Arab World Prone to H-pylori
Infection, New Preventive Diagnostic Technology
Developed
Dubai -October 20, 2003 People living in the
Arab region have high level of Helicobacter - pylori infection
- the root cause for stomach cancer and peptic ulcer. According
to surveys conducted by some doctors, the infection level is
as high as 80 per cent in Iran. "Over half of the global
population is infected by H-pylori -approximately 3 billion people.
In half of the infected people, the gastritis develops over the
years into atrophic gastritis - inflammation and atrophy of the
moucosa of the stomach. H-pylori infection and gastritis are
the main reasons for gastric cancer and peptic ulcer," he
said during a recent visit to the Gulf Region.
More
LG
Enters Competitive Mid East Tablet Market Centrino Based Tablet
Features 5.41 Hour Battery Life
Special Report on Mother Theresa by R S Priya
Government
departments to demonstrate diversified online services under
Dubai eGovernment umbrella at GITEX Dubai 2003Drivers
warned to expect heavy traffic on M4 and M25 for last flight
of Concorde Coinciding
with GITEX 2003, Sakhr launches the first Arabic solution aimed
at the National Defense & Security organizations UNDP,
World Bank Say Iraq Needs $36 Billion To Rebuild
Self lighting train on Konkan Railway
The Konkan Railway has introduced self lighting
train, wherein three footboard lights have been provided on both
the sides of coach, which automatically light up when the train
halts at a station and switch off automatically when the train
leaves the platform. The self lighting train offers great relief
to the passengers, who get sufficient surface illumination where
they alight. This also provides safety to the passengers in the
event of stopping of a train on out of course like inside a tunnel
or a bridge. More
News
- Cusba Police Killed my son,
alleges George
" They were taken to the Cusba
Police station and from there the ones who were under the influence
of alcohol were taken to the hospital for medical verification
of having taken alcohol. My elder son
and the friend were release next day and they made enquires,
which led them nowhere. They contacted the local politicians
and some influential police officers. After preliminary enquiries
we were given to understand that my son was beaten to death by
the Cusba police officers. After having committed the heinous
crime they took the body and dumped it in the backwaters near
the boat jetty. .," read the Full Message from George Mathirappilly House Karuthedom More
RO 40,000 Robbery from Bank
of Baroda, Muscat - Watch this space
Dubai e-Government plans new
services to complement existing 600 online services
BY KM Correspondent, Dubai reports
"mDubai, new contact center AskDubai
and eJob to take center-stage at GITEX Dubai"
DUBAI - The new offerings, announced at a
pre-GITEX press conference, include mDubai, a new channel that
has been developed to deliver messages through mobile phones
and PDAs; e4all, a community IT literacy solution; eLibrary,
the online library service; eJob, the online recruiting service;
and
AskDubai, the state-of-the-art contact centre. "mDubai is
an example of how Dubai eGovernment is leveraging cutting edge
technology to launch new channels to allow delivery of information
anytime, anywhere and while on the move," said Khalifa Al
Khalafi, Director General of the Land Department. "We have
started using mDubai to deliver SMS messages to our customers
and we are delighted to report that the service has been well
accepted. mDubai opens an innovative new channel that allows
government departments to convey instant messaging to our customers."More and
Full Report
AlJazeera Channel and Al Majaz Telecommunications
company launch AlJazeera Mobile News Service
KM Correspondent reports:
"Qtel is the first mobile operator in the Middle
East to offer this service"
Doha - October 15, 2003 AlJazeera News Channel,
in cooperation with Al-Majaz Telecommunications and Qtel, has
announced the launch of Al Jazeera Mobile News Service which
will provide the people of Qatar with the latest breaking and
political news by SMS message to their mobile phone whenever
and wherever there is GSM coverage.Full
Report and More News
India, New Zealand to foster greater cooperation
in Education
Agreed minutes of India-New Zealand JTC signed
NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 India and New
Zealand have agreed to foster greater cooperation in the education
sector through an Educational Exchange Programme (EEP). Both
countries have welcomed in-principle the concept of EEP and decided
that discussions would be encouraged between counterpart agencies
on this subject. In the food processing sector, India has stated
that it would examine whether apple imports could be facilitated
during off-season, especially in south Indian markets, in response
to request from New Zealand side for the reduction in tariff
on apples Full
Report and More News
Tighter visa regimes in UK to improve border
control
Indians in UK face new hurdles
LONDON - Visa regimes are being tightened
to help ensure the integrity of the UK's borders, the Home Office
announced today. From midnight tonight, nationals of Angola,
Bangladesh, Cameroon, India, Lebanon and Pakistan will need visas
to travel through the UK. Previously, people from these countries
have required visas to visit the UK, but have been able to travel
without one if they pass through on their way to a third country.
The tightening of the rules is in response to attempts by some
of these nationals to circumvent the
UK's immigration system. More
Prime Minister calls for wild
life protection
Specialized cell to be
set up to curb International Trade in Wild Life products from
India
NEW DELHI - October 15, 2003 The Prime Minister
has called for 'people-centered conservation approaches' for
protecting the wild life in the country. Addressing the first
meeting of the National Board for Wild Life here today, Shri
Atal Behari Vajpayee stressed the need for the participation
of all stake holders in decision making ", Shri Vajpayee
saidFull Report
and More News
Global cooperation
must to ensure security in Aviation Sector - Rajiv Pratap Rudy
Business
Software Alliance (BSA) launches Public Awareness Campaign at
GITEX Computer Shopper 2003
Jesuss' escaped from death on the cross and travelled
to India, Settled in Kashmir?
The main thesis expounded in a new translated
book is Jesus' escape from an ignominious death on the Cross
and his subsequent journey to India in quest of the lost tribes
of Israel whom he had to gather into his fold as mentioned in
the New Testament. Abundant evidence has been furnished from
Christian as well as Muslim Scriptures, old medical books and
books of history, including ancient Buddhistic records, to illustrate
the theme. Starting upon his journey from Jerusalem and passing
from thence through Nasibus and Iran, Jesus is shown to have
reached Afghanistan, where he met the Jews who had settled there
after their deliverance from the bondage of Nebuchadnezzar. From
Afghanistan Jesus went to Kashmir, where some Israelite tribes
had also settled. He made this place his home and here he died.
His tomb has been traced and found in Khanyar Street, Srinagar.
Read
the Full Report
Saudi
Human Rights Conference Started
Malaysia: Migrant Rights Advocate
Should Be Acquitted
(New York, October 13, 2003)-Malaysian human
rights advocate Irene
Fernandez should be cleared of all charges of maliciously publishing
false news in a report that exposed abusive conditions in the
country's immigration detention camps, Human Rights Watch said
today.
Full
Report
Malayali Dies in Interior
following quarrel with Omani
Naushad, from Karunagapally,
Kollam was in the shop when three Omani customers approached
him for cold beverages. While the Omanis left, one of them without
paying, the shop owner tried to prevent them from leaving. In
the subsequent quarrel, one Omani pushed Naushad strongly against
the wall, causing serious injury on head. While he was lying
in a pool of blood, the Omanis left and there was no eyewitness.
One Pakistani customer who came afterwards saw the deadbody and
reported it to the police. The three Omanis are said to be in
police custody.
Naushad has been running a
supermarket in DiyaFollowing a quarrel, a Malayali shop owner
has been killed by an Arab national who allegedly entered the
shop to purchase a bottle of Tanuf mineral water. The customer
picked up a quarrel with the Keralite from Kollam on some issues
. In the physical assault, the Omani forcefully pulled the shop
owner, whose head hit against the wall. The Malayali died on
the spot as his head was banged against the shop wall. said KM
sources. The murder took place in a place called Diyam in Kathara,
Oman. Earlier Crime
Reports
Dhalia
Real Estate signs exclusive agreement with Asteco Malta properties
to be marketed to UAE residents
"If only the members of the church council
/ committee were found out for stealing, you gan take legal action
on them and make them pay back to the PCO. This is worse. Money
spent foolishly will never return and will never have the desired
effect.
It is time you laymen started realizing that
you ought to know how your offerings and tithes are being utilized.
There is no point mentioning about shortages of incomes of the
PCO and encouraging the laymen to pay up their offerings and
tithes. Anybody knows that the only way to keep a check on ones
finances is to monitor and control / restrict the expenses. Ask
any housewife !!!!
Basically all auditors are instructed not
only to merely audit the accounts books, but to find out if the
incomes and expenses are justified. Its their job to make sure
that the accounts are not only correct, but JUSTIFIED !!!! There
are so many ways of generation incomes for the PCO, and what
is required is that a questionnaire be sent out to the other
denominations as well and seek suggestions and constructive critizisms
It is high time, you people made sure that
your money is put to good use and that too, in the best possible
way !!! Isn’t it so?? May God grant all of us the wisdom
to understand these allegations and take positive steps ASAP
-- Watch this space.
KM Discussion forum PCO Not responsible for church
denomationations functioning
Oman Air Appointed
Travel Agent Selling Visit Visas worth RO 7 @ Rs. 1 lakh in Kerala,
victims end up as illegal workers!
Some of the Kerala based
officials of Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, are allegedly
engaged in a visa racket there in collaboration with a Calicut
based travel agent with the name Muscat Travel attached to it.
Hundreds of business and tourist visit visas ostensibly issued
to businessmen and industrialists are sold to ordinary unemployed
youth and labourers from the state, by agents promising lucrative
job in the Gulf. Multiple entry visit visas worth RO 7 in Muscat
are sold by a travel agent in Kerala for Indian Rs. 1 lakh! Nearly
300 Keralites who are duped recently came to Oman with the multiple
entry visit visas introduced by the Tourism department to boost
tourism. Various NRK associations have made formal complaints
to the concerned authorities in India about the racket, in which
many poor people are trapped. The Indian Social Club and the
NRI Federation have taken up the issue with the higher authorities
in India. This is the latest form of visa racket, in which several
thousand people are already trapped. Those who buy such visit
visas thought that they are getting employment visa, without
realizing that the its validity is just a few weeks. Oncethe
candidates reach the Muscat Airport, the local partners will
snatch away the passport and return ticket from them and vanish
in thin air. Then the workers get stranded in the Gulf country,
without any source of income or support. Immigration officials
will capture them and they will not be able to go back to India
without paying RO 10 per day fine for overstaying! Another amnesty
is planned and these people will have to wait till then? More
Oman
Air, Air India, Akbar Travels facing Consolidation Controversy
in Kerala -Earlier Report on
What
is happening to K M Meena in New Delhi? Is he Gone for Ever?
Watch this space.MyTravelChannel.com
and DNATA announce winner of joint promotion "We will return
to India after a rewarding visit to Bali and Thailand.More News
Wataniya
Telecom Consortium AwardedIraq Northern Region GSM License "Lack
of Venture Capitalists in MENA region may impede growth plans
for IT sector" say industry experts
Four Years After Coup, Rights Abuses Abound
in Pakistan
LONDON The Pakitan military agencies have
frequently tortured and harassed political opponents, critical
journalists, and former government officials. The past four years
have also seen a rise in activity by extremist religious groups
and an increase in sectarian killings in Pakistan, in part due
to the Musharraf government's policy of marginalizing mainstream
opposition political groups. Opposition legislators have been
beaten, harassed and subjected to blackmail for opposing Musharraf's
policies.Full
Report
Dubai the Switzerland of Arab
World in Terrorism Financing, alleges Columnist
Indian, Russian mafia dominate financial
crime syndicate of Hawala to finance terror
Contraband of all kinds moves through Duabi—
liquor, cigarettes, precious gems, you name it," a leading
columnist quoted Larry Johnson, a former counterterrorism official
with the Central Intelligence Agency and the State Department.
"Dubai is going to emerge as one of the battlegrounds in
terrorist financing. It's a real, real problem and I don't know
anyone who has a handle on what's going on there." wrote
the leading Columnist. Describing the United Arab Emirates as
a clandestine rendezvous for planners of the Sept. 11, 2001,
attacks on the United States, the officials say half of the plotters'
money — about $250,000 — was wired from banks here
to operatives of Al Qaeda in the United States. In addition,
American intelligence agencies have tied Qaeda money in banks
here to the American Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania in
1998. Dubai's conduits
for terrorist money, experts say, include thriving Russian and
Indian organized crime syndicates as well as the emirates' many
free trade zones, which allow the commingling of legal and illegal
commerce. But the most significant, elusive conduit is the informal
international money-transfer network known as hawala. Read the Full
Report from the New York Times
SFI Emerges Victorious in
Trivandrum College Unions
by Priya R S KM correspondent
Thiruvananthapuram: In the not so hot college
Union elections held today in some colleges where the student
political party system still prevails, SFI seems to have strengthened
its hold. In the election, majority of students voted for candidates
belonging to the Student Federation of India, the students wing
of the communist party of India (Marxist). More from the Campus More
Up to 45 million blind people globally - and
growing
BUT 80% OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT CAN BE AVOIDED OR CURED
Geneva - Today, World Sight Day, VISION 2020 is giving governments
around the world tools to help prevent and treat millions of
cases of
blindness. Globally, an estimated 40 to 45 million people are
blind and 135
million have low vision. But 80 per cent of visual loss can be
prevented or
cured, say the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International
Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), which jointly
support VISION 2020: The Right to Sight. Full
Report
One party system of Red Radicals
in Trivandrum Arts College
Arts College Union members
speak to KM
Vipinlal, Vipin Kumar, Arun and Suchithra
all from the SFI dominated Arts College Union
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -Oct 10, 2003 In a brief
chat with KM Correspondent Priya R S , the newly elected Union
members of Government Arts college who are preparing to govern
a college of around 565 students, expressed their views on the
college elections and on their political background. The Arts
College in the capital city has a unique one-party system and
during elections no parties fight for votes. The one and only
party, which rules the college is the SFI and the students of
the college seem to be supporting this trend.
More from College Monitor
Nobel Peace Prize for Iranian
Woman: Important recognition of human rights defenders
Amnesty International today welcomed the award
of the Nobel Peace Prize to Shirin Ebadi for her outstanding
contribution to human rights."By honouring Shirin the Norwegian
Nobel Committee has recognized the critical importance of human
rights and the individuals who defend them around the world,"
Amnesty International said. More
News
College Union Elections to take place on Oct
10
Thiruvananthapuram: The College Union Elections
scheduled for Oct 10 would take place on that day itself, following
the court giving permission for the elections. Earlier the principals
of different colleges had filed a case at the High Court to stop
elections due to the increasing politicisation in campus elections More News
End Government Intimidation of News Website
The government began investigating the popular
online news outlet for
posting a letter to the editor on January 9 that criticized government
policies Full
Report
Free Trade Agreement signed by India and Thailand
Bangkok: India and Thailand today signed five
accords, including a free trade agreement that will eliminate
all tariffs on trade between the two countries by 2010. An assurance
has been given by Bangkok that it will not allow its territory
to be misused by terrorist groups for anti-India activities.The
assurance is of great importance in the wake of recent incidents
of reported violence in Bangkok involving Mumbai underworld dons
having terrorist links. Full
Report
Dubai-Aptec
Gulf introduces a new Components Division to cater to the fast-growing
PC assembly market in the Middle East and Africa. Panasonic
launches the world's first smallest MPEG2 SD video camera in
credit card size Wataniya
'Red Balloon Bonanza' Attracts H uge Crowds at Marina Mall IBM Takes
"Vision to Reality" on the Road Satellite
Based Connectivity Underpins Internet Access in Iraq IBM
Integrates Instant Messaging Tools Into New Lotus Notes and Domino,
Blending Two of the Industry's Most Popular Collaboration Solutions
PWC
Logistics' MicroClear to be showcased at World Customs Organisation
(WCO) IFPI
delegation meets Ministry of Information officials to discuss
music piracy issues
New Fraud in Indian Airports
to Dupe NRI Passengers?
Dubai - A new well-organised
conspiracy syndicate of Indian Immigration, Police, Customs and
Air India staff with networking at all the Indian International
Airports is reported. NRIs who travel by Indian airports should
be careful when they give their passport to Immigration/ Customs/Air
India staff. They should ensure that the passport is not tampered
with and invite trouble. Some corrupt officials have found an
easy way of making money from NRIs.--Full Message
posted by an NRI Viewer from Saudi Arabia
IndianS chool Senior Students
engage in violent Street figth, End up in Gulf Lock Up?- Watch
this space.
Canara bank's Exchange
Company Winds up?
Three year old Ruwi Exchange
Company directly managed by Canara Bank Winds up Operation as
Gulf partner refuses to renew agreement. The steep appreciation
of Indian rupee and the weakening position of exchange companies
in the Gulf is reflected in the collapseof Ruwi Exchange Company.
After making a huge investment running to several crore Indian
rupees, the Arab sponsor could not make any profit from the venture.
Apparently the bank is looking for a new parnter or wind up operation.
Watch this space.
SBI Faces huge Reconciliation
problem
SBI faces huge reconciliation problem
in settling draft issued by Overseas Exchange Companies, Reduce
the number of branches with remittance facility to 250 from 3000.
SBI has cancelled thousands of DDA branch arrangements - watch
this space.
Afghanistan:
No justice and security for women "Wonder Drug" for
Kala-Azar and Systemic Mycosis More News Thanjavur
airfield in another 2-3 years says Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal
A K Trikha More Indian
News Mysterious
Death of African haunts Saudi Police
Amicable Settlement for Marad massacre issues
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government
finally reached a settlement in the Marad issue through a second
round of discussions with the representatives of Hindu and Muslim
organizations on 5th. The Government has decided to consider
the demand for a partial CBI probe into the Marad massacre paving
the way for a peaceful rehabilitation of the 400-odd minority
community families in the affected region.
Full Report
National Auto Fuel Policy announced Full
Report
All countries must resolve to combat terrorism
in all its forms - says Advani
The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani today
called on all nations of the world to resolve for combating terrorism
in all its form. He said, come what may, no country should help
a country which is aiding and abetting terrorism. Advani said
that the September 11 attack on World Trade Centre has proved
that distance can not provide immunity. Full
Report and More News
Oman's leading bank's Credit
Rating may be downgraded due to deteriorating Asset quality
Moodies Mood Change: LONDON -Moody's Investors Service said it had placed
on review for possible downgrade the D strength rating of National
Bank of Oman (NBO). This action does not affect NBO's Baa3/Prime-3
ratings for foreign currency deposits, said a statement. Moody's
action stems from NBO's worsening financial position, particularly
its extremely weak asset quality and elevated provisioning requirements.
Full Report
Iran: Stop Punishing Student Activists
London - University disciplinary committees
(komiteh enzebati) throughout Iran are reportedly holding hearings
of students allegedly involved in pro-reform protests over the
last year. The committees have suspended some students for one
semester and expelled others. "The punishment and intimidation
of students for joining peaceful protests is a serious violation
of academic freedom," said Joe Stork, acting executive director
of Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa division.
"Students are being given a clear message: remain silent,
or risk being kicked out of school." Full
Report and more News
Middle East Television Goes
Off the Air
Dubai based Middle East Television
(Malayalam Channel) Winds Up Operations. The channel was unable
to find an investor who could meet the growing expenses of maintaining
a channel in a highly competitive market. Is it a new trend in
the Malayalam TV channel world that witnessed the emergence of
a number of new players IndaVision, Jeevan TV, METV, Kairali.?- Watch this space.
Account of SBI
Managed Exchange Company in the UAE Frozen by the Central Bank
KM Exclusive
Sponsor uses exchange money
for speculative deals; maintains interim account to divert funds
DUBAI -The State Bank of India, the
leading public sector bank in India, has been facing a major
set back in its overseas operations as one of its local affiliate
sponsoring a leading money exchange company in the UAE is facing
investigation for allegedly violating the Central bank rules
in both the Gulf country as well as India. Full
Report
Growing
preference for IT outsourcing to be highlighted at META Group
workshop in Dubai 40,000
applications for 80 jobs in Saudi Arabia Al-Jazeera Buckles Under
US Pressure
Saudi Arabia House Maid Killed
in Bid to Escape
JEDDAH, 3October 2003 — An expatriate
housemaid died while another was seriously injured in separate
attempts to escape from their Saudi sponsors in Makkah, reported
the Arab News. The unfortrunate maid died l while she was trying
to escape from her sponsor’s locked fourth floor apartment.
She attempted to abseil from the window by tying several bedsheets
together while the sponsor and his wife were away.Full
Report
The means to find peace is through tolerance
says shri. A.K Anthony
Thiruvananthapuram: The state chief minister
A.K.Anthony inaugurated this year's Gandhi Jayanthi week celebrations
of the Information and Public relations departments at 11.am
at V.J.T Hall here. In his inaugural speech, he spoke of the
importance of peace in the country and said that only if we have
peace in our country, would there be peace among our neighbours
too. We won't have peace even if we have power or position. How
will we find peace is what we have to think on this auspicious
day. The unification power that world saw has been Gandhiji."
"The means to find peace is through tolerance and this is
what Gandhiji too advocated More
Foundation stone of OMIFCO project laid in
Oman
SUR -Foundation stone of the fertilizer plan
of Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO), a joint venture promoted
by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative Ltd. (IFFCO), Krishak
Bharati Co-operative Ltd. (KRIBHCO) and Oman Oil Company, was
laid today by Mr. Syyid Talal bin Al Said, a prominent Member
of the Royal family of Oman in the presence of Union Minister
for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa at
Sur, Oman.More
Blood Donation and Aids Prevention
Drive: Special Programme held in Kerala
R S Priya
Thiruvananthapuram: Inaugurating the National
Blood Donation Day celebrations at the state level, Minister
for Electricity shri. Kadavoor Shivadasan said that blood donation
is the utmost expressions of humanitarianism. It is a day to
show kindness to your fellow beings. There is nothing to replace
blood and the state Government is vigilant about AIDS and blood
transfusion. More
The Gandhi Peace Prize goes
to Shri Vaclav Havel for upholding human rights
Prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2003 will
be awarded to Shri Vaclav Havel former President of Czech Republic
for his outstanding contribution towards world peace and upholding
human rights in most difficult situations following Gandhian
means.Full Report
Futures trading
in gold and silver from October 3 World Disabled Day - Welfare
of older persons Special Report Inauguration of the building
of the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering Indian
Institute of Technology, Kanpur Eklavaya to become round the
clock technology channel from tomorrow The Gandhi Peace Prize
goes to Shri Vaclav Havel for upholding human rights
- New
firm with Bush ties consults on Iraq more news 44
bids received for 22 NELP-IV blocks Best response to NELP rounds
so far: Ram Naik
Natural Gas Pipeline Policy Announced
7000 km National Gas Grid proposed at Rs. 18,000 crore
investment
In a major initiative, Shri Ram Naik, Minister
of Petroleum & Natural Gas released the draft Natural Gas
Pipeline Policy for the development of natural gas sector and
optimum utilisation of the gas available from various sources
in the country. In accordance with the draft Policy, transportation
of all gas is envisaged to be done through a network of pipelines
laid with the authorisation granted by the Regulator through
a transparent mechanism. Shri Ram Naik informed that the draft
Policy has been placed on the Website of Ministry (www.petroleum.nic.in)
for soliciting suggestions from various stake holders, interested
organizations and public latest by 31st October 2003. More
News
- Migrant Workers
in Dubai, Gulf countries treated as bonded Labour
"The World Bank knows
that migrants are key to economic development, but they're not
paying attention to the dark side of that issue," said Rory
Mungoven, global advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. "The
bank should be leading the way in international efforts to protect
them from exploitation and abuse." Nearly ten million foreigners,
most of them unskilled or semi-skilled migrants, work in Gulf
states. Migrants comprise some 90 percent of the 1.7 million
workers in the United Arab Emirates, where the World Bank will
hold its meetings. Despite their value to both their home countries
and the societies in which they work, many migrant workers suffer
from discrimination, exploitation and abuse. Migrants, including
large numbers of women employed as domestic servants, face intimidation
and violence, including sexual assault, at the hands of employers,
supervisors, sponsors and police and security forces. Read
the Full Report and More News
New
Approaches to Asylum in the U.K. Must Respect Rights More News
Kuwait Police arrest gunman; Postal
authorities find 18 ‘pistols’
KUWAIT CITY: Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh
police Tuesday arrested a Kuwaiti youth, identified only as A.S.,
24 hours after he allegedly pumped 20 bullets from a Kalashnikov
rifle into the vehicle of his brother, a police officer with
the rank of a colonel, reports Al-Anba daily.During interrogation,
the youth admitted to the charge, reported Arab
Times More News from Kuwait
Mystery of Missing Indian Baby in Kuwait
The disappearance of a new-born baby from
the Maternity Hospital earlier this week is hounting Kuwait policy.
The baby, of an Indian mother and a Kenyan father, was taken
from the hospital soon after its birth and authorities have failed
to locate the missing child More
Petronet LNG Signs Agreements
with Rasgas, Qatar
Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural
Gas, has said that the era of gas shortages would soon witness
the commencement of significant reduction. At present the availability
of gas is only to the extent of about half of the llocation of
gas made to users. Speaking at the signing of seven documents/agreements
including finalisation of gas pricing mechanism, Naik described
the event as historic which would lead to a new era of industrial
development when the Gas starts arriving in January 2004. In
all, seven Documents/Agreements were signed today between RasGas
of Qatar, Petronet LNG Limited and its promoters Oil and Natural
Gas Corporation (ONGC), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat
Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Gail (India) Limited
(GAIL).
Full Report
Iraq will be a cemetery for America, Arab Times
Many of Iraq's mosques, whether Sunni or Shi'ite,
hold special prayers to end the occupation and some hail guerrilla
attacks against the occupiers. Ordinary Iraqis are turning increasingly
to clerics for advice on a whole host of social, ethical and
political issues - some predictable postwar matters, others suspended
civil affairs dealt with previously by Saddam's now defunct administration
Full
Report
Israel May Hit Iran's Nuclear Weapons Facilities
For the first time, Israel's military has
raised the prospect of an operation to destroy Iran's suspected
nuclear weapons program. Quoting Senior government and military
officials, who are reportedly alarmed by the failure of the international
community to move against Iran, media reports said clear warnings
are issued to the effect that Israel would consider unilateral
action to stop Teheran's development of nuclear weapons. It may
be recalled that Israel had smashed alleged Iraqi nuclear plants
sometimes back..The Islamic bomb is once again under attack..read
more from the Israeli media.
Call for journalist sentenced to death to be taken to hospital
Reporters Without Borders called today for
the immediate transfer to hospital of Rehmat Shah Afridi, former
editor of the Punjab daily papers Frontier Post and Maidan, who
is in jail awaiting execution. Full
Report
Discussion Forum - Editorial
Freedom Vs Editor's Freedom
A reputed Malayalam magazine recently reported
that the ghost written editorials in Times of Oman is the handiwork
of a Keralite journalist who finds sadistic pleasure in running
down his mother land.The writer pointed out that he must be doing
this at the behest of anti Indian outfits for
a price or a visa to one of his relatives.Wht do you think?--Asks
one patriot Indian who posted this message in the discussion
forum. Journalists who write the truth have been at the receiving
end of bad publicity and concerted campaign. Journalists get
scolding from Editors for writing even very good front page reports,
which may be liked by the readers, but not the big advertisers.
A leading journalist in Muscat was facing harassment and threat
from a group of people for silly reasons. This new discussion
topic will discuss the topic of editorial freedom in the Gulf
media. Editors and journalists are those who misuse their pen
for private benefits or those who write for public interest Post
Your Comments
- Israeli missiles seized from house in Delhi
- Delhi Police today recovered three Israeli
air-to-surface non-explosive “missiles” from a house
in South Delhi being illegally stored by a transporter. A television
channel picked up the story and reported that three “Israeli
missiles” had been seized from a private transporter. The
incident confirmed to the world about the extent of defence cooperation
between India and Israel.
Full Report from the Tribune.
- Reporters Without Borders outraged over Pentagon's
sham investigation
- Raveena
Tandon Chairperson of the Children Film Society of India.
- "India's
economic outlook & perspective on international development
"
-
PEC Cuts Crude Oil Production by 900,000 barrels per day
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) cut crude oil production by 900,000 barrels per day to
24.5 million barrels per day following re-entry of Iraq into
the oil cartel. Oil prices shot higher in London, with benchmark
Brent North Sea crude oil for November delivery showing a gain
of 83 cents a barrel to 26.35 dollars within minutes of the news.
The surge could heavily impact countries like India, which are
70 per cent import dependent to meet its crude requirement. In
2002-03, New Delhi spend over 16 billion dollars on importing
82 million tonnes of crude.More
Rogue employers caught with
£13m of unpaid wages
LONDON -New figures published today show that
over £3.5million in unpaid
wages from employers flouting the minimum wage was uncovered
last
year. It brings the total to almost £13million since the
minimum wage
was introduced in 1999. More
Comprehensive National Media Policy
on the anvil
The Government of India would soon formulate
a Comprehensive Media Policy after having wide ranging consultations
with the media stakeholders like the editors, media houses, broadcasters,
working journalists, media critics, small and medium newspaper
representatives, non-government organizations and State Governments.
More
Construction of modern cold storages
- MOU signed between India and Canada
K V Thomas -Sharon meeting
Why Opppose Sharon's India visit and follow double standards?
Why no one oppose the visit
of Musharaff, the alleged killer of 1000S of Indians.
D i s c u s s
"Palestine, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Oman
and many Muslim countries have diplomatic relations with Israel.
Others have indirect relationship & agreed in principle that
all will try to have better relationship with both Palestine
& Israel....Of course during retaliations children also will
get killed. We should oppose this extremist 'Chaver' killers,
instead of opposing self defending Israel. The age of extremism
is over, era of peaceful co-existence has come. As a country
they are fighting for their survival. They are fighting extremists
killer Hamas elements only. They are UN member where we also
sit together. We have recognized them. During Sharon's visit
to India also innocent children n women n innocents were brutally
murdered in 2 places in Israel by suicidal attack by the killer
group HAMAS. Sharon cut short his visit n rushed back to protect
his country. More
by a Keralite from Kuwait Post
Your Comments
Islamic Militants Killed in Gunbattle
JEDDAH, 24 September 2003 — At
least one Saudi policeman and three militants, including a wanted
terror suspect, were killed in a shootout at a hospital compound
in Jizan in the south of the Kingdom yesterday. An Interior Ministry
statement read out on Saudi television said five militants were
involved in the incident, in which four other policemen were
slightly wounded. Full
Report from the Arab News.
Annan Criticizes Policy Of Pre-emptive Strike
Secretary General Kofi Annan said the United
Nations "is prepared to play its full part in working for
a satisfactory outcome in Iraq … pulling together on the
basis of a sound and viable policy," but did not say what
he thought the U.N. role should be. "If it takes extra time
and patience to forge a policy that is collective, coherent and
workable, then I for one would regard that time as well spent."
Full Report
and more News
Bhubaneswar,Monday, September 22, 2003: Dara
Singh alias Ravindra Kumar Pal was today sentenced to death by
the trial court which awarded life imprisonment to the rest of
the 12 convicts in the Graham Stuart Staines triple murder case
More
Cancun Conference showed close cooperation
between India & African countries : Jaitley More News India blocks
yahoo site for carrying anti-national news KINFRA Food-processing
park at Malappuram to be submitted to the country by President
on 25th More News Largest
Athappookkalam being exhibited in Thiruvanathapuram
355 blacklisted Sikh NRIs cleared for visits
to India
New Delhi,Thursday, September 18, 2003: As
many as 355 names of Sikh NRIs, who were allegedly black-listed
due to adverse activities following 1984 Golden Temple episode
and denied visas to visit India, have been cleared after the
intervention by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). More News
No evidence'
that Saddam was involved in 9/11: Bush SC judgement not to affect
privatisation of airports: Roy Paul More News
Saudi-Russia agreement to
stabilize crude markets cooperate in oil and gas industries.
The visit by the Saudi crown prince, the de
facto ruler of the desert monarchy since his half-brother King
Fahd suffered a stroke in 1995, marks a thaw in relations between
the countries. Although the Soviet Union was the first nation
to recognize Saudi Arabia in 1926, the two countries had no diplomatic
relations between 1938 and 1990.More
from Moscow Times.
- Cheney:
Halliburton salary has nothing to do with $2 billion military
contracts
- Christians Under Attack in Israel
- So-called "leaders" of the Christian
evangelical movement have agreed to give up spreading the Gospel
of Christ in the Holy Land in order to avoid being jailed under
a proposed Israeli law aimed at stamping out Christian missionary
work in Israel. Anti-Christian forces led by a wide-ranging group
of high-ranking Israeli officials won a major victory on March
30. Representatives of 50 different international Christian evangelical
groups entered into what was described as an "unprecedented"
joint statement promising not to carry out Christian missionary
work in Israel Full
Report
- Riyadh prison fire may have been arson; Al Qaeda followers
possibly among dead
- Albawaba repoted that a significant number
of those who died in Monday's Al-Hair prison fire, if not the
majority of them, are followers of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin
Laden that have been arrested in the Kingdom in recent months.The
paper said that Saudi Interior Ministry officials are not saying
whether the fire was a result of an accident or if it had been
deliberately set. It said quoting undisclosed sources that according
to initial findings, there is reason to suspect the fire was
intentionally ignited.
Full Report
Modern
voting methods extended to European elections CM
to inaugurate the biography of shri. Mannathu Padmanabhan More
News
KM Discussion
forum
PCO Not responsible for church
denomationations functioning
As far as I understand that
the information given about PCO fundings is not true. PCO is
working as an unbrella organization and under PCO, various church
denominations are functioning. Tithes and offerings of those
church denominations do not go to PCO. Those funds are managed
by concerned church denominations. PCO is getting income from
rental of thechurch buildings. They always maintain their account
records. More
Post Your Comments, Reply
- Auditors are not Moral Policemen
to monitor drunkards
-
- An auditor will not bother
to check if a staff drinks, or if such drunkard really works
for the money paid. Auditor checks if the transaction is well
documented. It is true that the offerings of devotees in the
Church are misused by Priests, and devotees are not kept away
from looking at how money is spent. All that the church (of all
denominations) do is ask for donations.What we hear is only tip
of the iceberg, so you priests, live simle and righful life,
dont bring shame to lay community..More
Post Your Comments, Reply to the Senior Patron.
Sur Malayalis' Onam Celebration concludes
with a call for unity and Harmony among Keralites Special report by Madhu
Nambiar Read More and View Pictures
- Auditors and Lawyers
are a Corrupt Lot! Writes Young Christian lady
- Auditors like lawyers
are also a curropt lot and they can mislead you with their conclusions.
What should be noted here is that when the incomes of the church
are getting lower every year, the PCO should seek out more ways
of cost-cutting and budgetting effectively. I am so happy that
someone has complained about the PCO finances. It is high time
the salaries and benefits of the PCO staff is fully revised and
replaced if necessary. Send me your email address, Rev Steve,
and I will email in full detail People shouls always be open
for constructine critisms and suggestionsMore
Post Your Comments, Reply
- Indian School-Embassy Discussion
- Indian Embassy
officials only lick influetial and so called powerful people,
for the simple man you have to stand in line and beg of them
to help you, take token numbers etc.... WAKE UP INDIAN EMBASSY
More
- Amanpour: CNN practiced
self-censorship
CNN's top war
correspondent, Christiane Amanpour, says that the press muzzled
itself during the Iraq war. And, she says CNN "was intimidated"
by the Bush administration and Fox News, which "put a climate
of fear and self-censorship." Full
Report from USA Today
- Billion dollar pro-US
ad campaign a flop!!!
- WASHINGTON —
The Bush administration spends $1 billion a year trying to polish
the United States' image around the world, yet polls show anti-Americanism
rising to record levels, especially in Muslim and Arab nations
where the government is concentrating its efforts, another
exclusive report in USA Today says
- Church Finances Are Audited
by professionals, Claims Senior PCO Pastor.
"Our finances are
audited by independent professional auditors. This report is
open to any member of our church. Please quote your sources and
be careful about slandering organizations before you have an
accurate understanding," writes Rev Steve Rheingans. Senior
Pastor, PCO. "Bearing false witness against your neighbor
is not pleasing to God. The chairman of the PCO Council is ready
to hear concerns. It would have made more sense to have spoken
with him before posting it on the internet," he added. -
Rev Steve Rheingans. Senior Pastor, PCO...More
Post Your Comments, Reply to the Senior Patron.
Editor replies - KM Discussion
forum is an open cyber platform to raise serious issues affecting
community life. Some one has posted the message, which can be
replied by the relevant parties. KM may not share the views expressed
by the member of the church who posted the message. As a gesture
of decency, we have not published the names of caretakers or
the secretary who have been allegedly involved in what the messenger
claims. In fact the messenger has made stronger allegations against
PCO/Bible Society, which are edited and removed by KM editorial
team.
KM Starts a New Series - Celebrity
Chat
Cant people realise that Dr. K J
Yesudas is an old man now? Asks Manu Rameshan, son of Ramesh
Nair
|
"Todays malayalam film industry is totally
gone. The same thing is happening with Malayalam music. Malayalis
now depend on Tamil or Hindi for hit songs The worst thing in
a Malayali is that they never accept changes. Everybody wants
Dasettan's Song (ellavarkkum dasettan padiyaale paattu paataavu?).
Cant they realise that he (Dr. K J Yesudas) is an old man now,"
asks Manu Rameshan, an upcoming Malayalam Music talent in a friendly
chat with our Trivandrum correspondent R.S.Priya.--Watch this
space. |
- "Good son of a Good Father
"
- Manu Rameshan with father
Ramesh Nair. His Album "Nilaavinte Kayyoppu" made him
popular on his own
|
America's hidden battlefield
toll mounts
New figures reveal the true number of Americans
wounded in Iraq
The true scale of American casualties in Iraq
is revealed today by new figures obtained by The Observer, which
show that more than 6,000 American servicemen have been evacuated
for medical reasons since the beginning of the war, including
more than 1,500 American soldiers who have been wounded, many
seriously. Read
the Full Report from London Observer
Chechnyan
Rebels Kill 2, ijures 40 in New Attack on Russian Military VHP Ultimatum to government on Ram Temple
Sabotaged Iraqi pipelines burning so hard they can be seen from
space New allelgations of Sexual Assault against Christian
Priest Say Goodbye To Your Mouse, Keyboard And Phone Number
- Voice Control Is Finally Taking Over
IIT to set shop abroad
with Overseas Campuses
The Government proposes
to set up Campuses of IITs abroad. This follows growing demand
from developing nations including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius
and countries of West Asia and South East Asia. This is considered
one of the main initiatives to promote Indian education abroad.
More News
Alleged Mishandling of funds at the PCO (Protestant Church
of Oman) Complete mishandling of the Bible
Society too?
Do you realize how your offerings and
tithes and other financial contributions are utilizes by the
Church? The sad part is that 99% of worshippers are not bothered
about it at all thinking that the finances of the PCO are in
safe hands !!!Well, its time to re-think !!! There are 2 caretakers
in the Ruwi church and one each in Ghala and Sohar and even one
in Salalah. These caretkers are there to see to it that the church
and its surroundings are well maintained and looked after, plus
the fact that they are around at all times to make sure that
the church is ready for all activities of the various congregations
at various times ofthe week But have you noticed the utter lack
of maintenance of the church compounds in Ruwi and Ghala? A proper Secretary cum accountant
of any average company does at least 5 times the work of --.(name
withheld) and her assistant and they are paid about 150 –
250 rials a month with bachelor status and an annual ticket home
and back Do you have any idea how much ...earns ?? 400 –
600 rials plus school allowances for her kids, 2-bedroom flat
(fully-furnished) and a new car !!! Please note that there was
a caretaker in Ghala church who died ... He was a very heavy
alcoholic, used the portacabin behind the church for gambling
and storing and selling alcohol and even kept a mistress with
him. He returned home from leave and went on a drinking spree
and fainted in the shower and died in Royal hospital in the ICU
How much expenses did the PCO spend on this? When you elect new
Church members to the committee, all thet do is ignore these
things and just continue with these mistakes. How can people
who are qualified accountants and financial controllers of major
companies be in the church committee and IGNORE these truths--
These are some insights into functioning of some churches. These
facts are brought to KM by a section of the Church members themselves
who said they have no other platform to raise such issues. While
the topic and issues raised by this section of members are quite
sensitive , KM would like to maintain a healthy and decent discussion...More
Post Your Comments, Reply to these Members strong arguements.
K R Gowri inaugurates NRI Federation
Onam Celebrations in Muscat
 |
 |
|
K R Gowri inaugurates
the Chadayam Celebrations of SNDP Gulf Wing in Muscat in the
presence of V T Saileswaran, Overseas Coordinator and others
Click
here for more pictures |
Supreme Court Criticises Gujarat Govt for not punishing
rioters
New Delhi,Friday, September 12, 2003: In a
scathing attack on the Gujarat Government for filing an "eye
wash" of an appeal in the Best Bakery riot case, the Supreme
Court today doubted the state government's intentions on punishing
the guilty. In an unprecedented observation, the Supreme Counrt
observed that the state government should quit if it cannot punish
the rioters. More
News
India, Israel Vow to fight
Global Terrorism
Meanwhile, India and Israel
vowed to cooperate in the fight against global terrorism. New
Delhi emphasised the need for lasting peace in West Asia. The
matter was discussed when External Affairs Minister Yashwant
Sinha called on visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
here this afternoon. At the 75-minute meeting, the two countries
also deliberated on the West Asia Peace Process. Bilateral issues,
including economic cooperation and commercial trade, was also
discussed.More
Indo-Israeli co-operation
in agriculture
India and Israel have decided
to work on a Memorandum of Understanding to increase cooperation
in various fields of agriculture. The decision was taken at a
meeting between Agriculture Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh and
the visiting Israeli Agriculture Minister, Shri Yisrael Katz
here today. More
Ministry of
Youth Affairs and sports gives Rs. 13.79 lakhs as
assistance to Anju Bobby George
Ms. Anju Bobby George,
who won a bronze in World Athletic Championship by jumping 6.70
metres, and who has recently been conferred Arjuna Award for
the year 2002 has become the first Indian athlete to win a medal
at the World Athletic Championships.
More
US. objects to Israel's Arrow deal with India
The American defense establishment has advised Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon not to propose selling the Arrow anti-missile missile
system to India during his visit there this week. The Israeli
media reported that preliminary talks between Israel and India
on the sale of the Arrow missile system have been suspended following
opposition from the U.S. " More
News
IIT intake up by 10,000 in five years
The student intake in IITs has gone up by
nearly 10,000 in the last five years. From 14,906 in 1997-98,
it has increased to 24,828 in 2002-03. The substantial increase
has taken place in post-graduate education and research, said
the Minister of Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar
Joshi while chairing a meeting of the Council of IITs here More News
President launches Portal of Digital Library
The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam today
launched the Portal of Digital Library of India. The Portal will
have about 27,000 books in a digitised form. Speaking on the
occasion, the President called upon the people to bridge digital
divide. He said that it will contribute to economic upliftment
of the people. Lauding the project, Dr. Kalam said efforts should
be made to digitise our traditional knowledge.More
News
Sex slavery thriving in Holy
Land
Christina, an 18-year-old university student
from Moldova, has been bought and sold so many times she has
lost count.Christina, who declined to give her real name, studied
classics and anthropology and played basketball as a hobby before
she was lured from a rural town in one of Europe's poorest countries
to sex slavery in Israel.She is not alone.Full
Report
'Smugglers'
target US forces' alcohol, Says BBC Report British
Government Update on Iraq
Statement by the
British Foreign Secretary RT Hon Jack Straw MP Monday 8 September
2003 - Iraq and the Middle east and More News
Iraq: UN Security Council
Must Ensure Justice
(New York, September 8, 2003) - The United
Nations Security
Council must ensure that justice for Saddam Hussein's victims
is
part of Iraq's political transition, Human Rights Watch said
today. The Council is currently debating a new resolution on
Iraq. More
Protect Gujarat Activists
Now
(New York, Sept. 8, 2003) - The Indian government
must protect three
activists harassed and intimidated for their efforts to protect
witnesses to last year's massacres in Gujarat, Human Rights Watch
wrote in a letter to the Indian government. ..Teesta Setalvad,
Rais Khan Azeezkhan Pathan and Suhel Tirmizi have received anonymous
telephone calls threatening their lives if they continue their
work. On August 29, Pathan was threatened by a group of Hindu
nationalists as he escorted witnesses to an official inquiry
into the massacres.
More
New UK Micro-satellites to revolutionize
Disaster Monitoring International
Literacy Day to be celebrated on 8TH September
Onam Special Breaking News
Abhayankar Shunted to Brussels,
Senior Embassy Officials in Muscat listening?
New Delhi R.M. Abhayankar
(RMA) Secretary East in the Mininstry of External Affairs is
being shunted out to Brussels. An aspirant for the Foreign Secretary
position, his chances are said to have gone with the wind mainly
because of his controversial and partisan role in the Indian
School matters in Oman which resulted in the pre-mature transfer
of the former envoy K M Meena from Muscat last July. It may be
recalled that Mr. Abhayankar, a senior IFS official has been
taking personal interest in transfering K M Meena, the former
Indian Ambassador to Oman from Muscat and favour two business
tycoons by appointing a pro business friendly diplomat as the
new ambassador. KM Meena is understood to have written the higher
authorities in India about RMA's unwarranted interference in
KMM's school related functions in Muscat. KMM is further believed
to have petitioned the President of India against RMA for his(RMA's)
responsibility in this regard and for blocking KMM's promotion
to the next grade in the IFS. After returning to Delhi, the former
envoy to Muscat has redoubled his efforts to seek justice. This
has obviously resulted in weakening RMA's aspirations to the
top job in the IFS. According to KM sources, the new ambassador
has reached a secret understanding with the business tycoons
to revoke the cancellation of the school MoUs. --Watch this space.
K R Gowri visits Muscat to
participate in NRI Federation Onam Celebrations
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K
R Gowri, the Honorable Agriculture Minister of Kerala is visiting
Oman and the UAE to participate in the Onam Celebrations organised
by the NRI Federation. She will be announcing a new package for
small and medium sized NRK Investors in the state farming sector.
The project is the result of continued efforts by the NRI Federation
and its chairman V T Saileswaran. |
K R Gowri, Revolutionary woman power
of Kerala  |
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NRI
Federation website http://www.nrifederation.com will also be
inaugurated by the minister, who will spend a few days studying
the Gulf Malayali life. She will also meet Oman's Minister of
Agriculture and other senior officials. NRI
Federation Website is designed and developed
by V.M.Sathish, a Muscat based journalist. |
President
asks policy makers to ensure due respect and importance to teachers
More news
FOUR NEW REGIONAL ADVANCED CENTRES
FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & EDUCATION
NEW DELHI- September The government has proposed
to set up four new Advanced Centres for Science, Technology and
Education, on regional basis. However, at the apex level in research,
massive national and international centres of excellence and
facilities will continue to be created, besides the existing
ones including the Nuclear Science Centre. More
News
Boat
capsized in Bihar; 50 feared drowned
Typhoon in South China: 23
killed, 59 injured and More
Geoff
Hoon welcomes Hawk Selection for Indian Air Force
LONDON - The Secretary
of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, today welcomed the news that
the Indian government has selected the BAE SYSTEMS Hawk as the
new Advanced Jet Trainer for the Indian Air Force. The deal,
for the supply of 66 aircraft, support equipment, spares and
long term in-country support services, is important for the UK/India
defence and trade relationships, and will provide jobs in both
India and the UK. Once the deal is finalised, the contract would
result in the majority of the aircraft being manufactured in
India, and would allow for a long term joint production agreement
between BAE SYSTEMS and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Read KM Special
Report and more News
Virtual tour of prison
through Prisononline
Members of the
public will be able to take virtual tours of prisons at the click
of a button. 'Prisons Online', officially launched tomorrow,
takes the viewer on a journey from arrival in prison, through
daily life and right up to release. he website uses pictures,
sound and text to guide viewers through the physical environment
of the prison and tries to answer the most likely questions of
those facing a prison sentence or their family. More
News
British
Embassy in Tehran Attacked More Gulf/World News
Saudi Women Make Up 20% of AIDS Cases
RIYADH, 3 September 2003 —Saudi women
make up some 20 percent of the 800 AIDS cases reported in Saudi
Arabia this year, a senior official at the Ministry of Health
here has announced
More News
Special
Report on the Terrorist Attacks haunting American British soldiers
in Iraq
The plot to assassinate Ayatollah Mohammed
Baqr al-Hakim... was undoubtedly planned by the US and implemented
by local mercenaries under US control.As far as local US mercenaries
are concerned, one should not forget the role of the Monafeqin
[hypocrites, pejorative reference to the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organisation]...
More
British
Foreign Secretary Welcomes New Team of Ministers in Iraq
National
Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination(II), 2003 More
News
Operation Annapoorna: Vigilance Raid
revealed corruption in Taluk offices
Thiruvananthapuram: In a massive raid conducted
on Monday by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB)
on Taluk offices, cash worth of Rs.75000 was seized and around
21 officials were found responsible. The raids entitled as "Operation
Annapoorna"were carried out on 14 selected Taluk offices
in the state. It began in the afternoon at 12.30 and lasted till
3.30 in the evening More
News
I was not sacked from Indian
School Moladah, claims former Vice Principal
I was never sacked from my position of Vice
Principal of the school.As a matter of fact I had put down my
resignation in protest against the Indian Ambassadors order,
demoting me to the position the Head of the Social science department
from Vice Principal. More
CBI questioned Mayawati in connection with
Taj Corridor case
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Intelligence(CBI)
, on Monday questioned Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati
in connection with the controversial multi-crore Taj Heritage
Corridor. A Lucknow report quoting sources said that the five-member
CBI team led by DIG Neeraj Nayan questioned Mayawati for over
two hours at her 13, Mall Avenue residence. More
News
Gulf Malayali main suspect in Bombay Blast
Bombay - C.A.M. Basheer of Kaprissery near
Aluva, who has been living in a Gulf country is suspected in
he recent Mumbai bomb blasts that killed over 50 people. According
to reports, Basheer, a former student of the Aluva UG College
and national President of the banned Student Islamic Movement
of India (SIMI), Baheer (43) is said to be currently in the Gulf.
More
India's first-ever medal at athletics world championships
bagged by Anju Bobby George
Paris: Anju Bobby George became the pride
of India and a chapter in the history of Athletics by bagging
a bronze medal with a leap of 6.70m which surpassed her season
best of 6.65m. winning India's first-ever medal at 9th World
Athletics championships on Saturday. She recorded a jump of 6.70
metres for the third place behind Eunice Barber with 6.99, host
country's first gold medal of these world championships, and
silver medalist European champion Kotova with 6.74 meters.
State
Government to issue 57.91 crores power bond
Thiruvananthapuram:The
Kerala government has decided to issue power bonds worth Rs.
57,91,26,000, which will carry an 8.5% interest. The bond will
mature on October 1, 2008 and the annual interest will be paid
every year on October 1st and April 1st. The face value of each
bond is Rs 1000. In the first phase, four institutions in the
field of energy production are permitted to invest in the bond.
The permission to invest in the bond is given to N.D.P.C for
Rs. 50,12, 00, 000, P.G.C.I.L for Rs. 1,20,55,000,
N.L.C for Rs. 6,36,17,000 and to N.P.C.I.L for Rs. 22,54,000,
said a government notification.
Riyadh Market
Fire Guts 115 Shops
JEDDAH, 30 August 2003
— A massive fire at Ibn Qasim Market in south Riyadh left
some 115 shops in ruins amid complaints from traders about the
authorities’ hands-off approach toward the disorganized
market. The fire did not cause any casualties. The blaze, the
fifth in nearly five months, broke out at 11.50 p.m.Wednesday
night and raged until 5.00 a.m. the next morning causing losses
worth more than SR1.5 million, Al-Watan reported.More
Forty Washed away in BusTragedy
At least forty people are feared dead in
a bus accident involving a Punjab Roadways Bus. According to
reports, the bus was washed away in to Sirsa River in the Solan
district of Himachal Pradesh More
Albert Einstein was a Plagiarist?
Einstein's E=MC2 'Was Italian's Idea'
The mathematical equation that
ushered in the atomic age was discovered by an unknown Italian
dilettante two years before Albert Einstein used it in developing
the theory of relativity, it was claimed yesterday. Olinto De
Pretto, an industrialist from Vicenza, published the equation
E=mc2 in a scientific magazine, Atte, in 1903, said Umberto Bartocci,
a mathematical historian. Full
Report
Explosives
detected at New Delhi Railway station
New
Delhi: During routine patrolling, Delhi Police today detected
a huge quantity of explosives from the busy New Delhi Railway
Station at about 1145 hours. More
Albert Einstein A Plagiarist?
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