Indian Embassy Big Business conspiracy to send Indian Workers back home without paying pending wages.
MUSCAT - The Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmed, the Khimjis and Al Ansari group have jointly removed the agitated workers of United Contracting, Salalah from the embassy premises in a smart operation, which involved many high level players and the so called social workers. According to KM sources, Al Ansari group of Kiran Ashar appeared on the scene after the striking workers problem was highlighted in the Indian media through the two linguistic channels. KM reports earlier exoposed their nefarious plan to give misleading media report through the Kairali channel representative P M Jabir which suggested that the Indian Embassy was helping the workers to get their due rights. Kiran Asher of Al Ansari group came forward with a "helping hand" and persuaded the workers to stay in the company's labour camp -away from public attention. Due to pressure tactics exerted by various parties including some cormades and visiting CPI leaders, workers had agreed to move to their new destination - the Al Ansari camp. Once the workers are shifted away from public attention, the embassy and business groups started exerting pressure tactics once again forcing many of them to accept the so called settlement and leave Muscat with just a free ticket. Since they have no choice, many workers are pursuaded to opt for no payment settlement. While their money worth RO 18,000 is pending with the Omani sponsor, workers have to go back empy handed. It may be recalled that the Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmed who could not do anything for the workers fell on the feet of the Khimji family to save his face from the difficult situation. Using their vastha, the ambassador managed to get a free ticket. With the help of Al Ansari's humanitarian gesture, the workers are removed from the embassy premises. Their position is weakened and hence they hae to leave Muscat without much hope...Why did the business family enter the scene? The ambassador was their man..brought to serve their interest...How can they allow a few workers to tarnish Talmiz Ahmed's public image? If workers agitate, big business will be in trouble as their own group companies are not paying salary on time..Desert Palm? MRB? Modern builders....the list is growing.
Middle East leding Global Airline Industry
Etihad Airways launch is a response to economic upturn and increased consumer demand for value, says chairman
March 2004) : Airlines in the Middle East are set to make major advances in the global airline market, according to Dr Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, chairman of Etihad Airways, the new national carrier of the UAE. Dr Ahmed, a former captain on Airbus and Boeing aircraft, says the current economic upswing in Arabian economies has fuelled the development of the region's airline sector. He said: "While the global airline sector has levelled out following the effects of September 11, SARS and the invasion of Iraq, we are seeing significant bouyancy in the Middle East economy. “This is reflected in growth as high as 22 per cent in the regional airline sector over recent months. More News
Dubai's tourism and retail sectors contribute three times more than the oil sector to GDP
Hospitality and tourism emerge as leading career choices in higher education amongst Middle East students
March 13, 2004 According to figures provided by the UAE government, tourism and the hotel industry have emerged as leading revenue earners in the country. In Dubai alone, the tourism industry has accounted for a steadily increasing percentage of the emirate's GDP, with the combined tourism and retail sectors contributing more than 20 per cent of Dubai's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), far surpassing the oil sector that contributes just a little over 6 per cent of the GDP. It is not surprising then, that for a large number of Middle East students hospitality and tourism are emerging as leading career choices. This fact will be in focus at the 16th Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETX) to be held from April 20 to 23, 2004 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre."Due to its location, the UAE has been able to act as a connecting link between Europe and the Indian subcontinent, the Far East and Africa.More News
NRI Federation, ISC Take anti-NRI Stand on Airline
boycott
Double Standards -? Saileswaran disputes what Gopakumar
says.
The Muscat-Kerala-Bombay passengers are paying the
highest airfare than any other Gulf destinations due to the monopoly
and mismanagement of the two national airlines and the clout enjoyed
by two business groups which are managing the show in Muscat.All over
the Gulf there is an intense campaign to boycott the two airlines.
However, leaders of some of the so called social organisations in
Muscat have proved once again that they stand for a few free tickets
and sponsorship from the national airlines rather than fighting for
a just cause and support many ordinary passengers who are now squeezed
by the airline lobby. Reminding us the perverted stand taken by the
Muscat based social organisations regarding the economic shipping
service, some of the association members have shamelessly expressed
their secret understanding with national carriers, which often give
them a few free tickets or sponsorship. Gopakumar, the newly appointed
general secretary of the NRI Federation and an active member of the
ISC Malayalam Wing went to the extent of justying the high airfare
charged by the Indian carriers. The hidden reason for Gopakuma's love
for the Indian carriers is the sponsorship that his Muscat Soorya
Chapter or the ISC Malayalam Wing get occasionally. Similarly the
ISC has not only opposed the boycott call, but warned its linguistic
wings to keep away from the issue. ISC's submission to the Khimji
family is well known,. Who does not know that the maximum money from
the airline ticket sales is made by the General Sales Agent (GSA).
Despite the tall claims made by V T Saileswarn, President NRI Federation
about working for the welfare of NRIs, its new office bearers have
also shown their true colour by making media statements eulogising
the national carriers and indirectly subotaging the boycott plan.
Saileswaran, Gopakumar, CNP, Kalidasan, you practice what you preach.
Remember C N P Nampoothiri and company who convened a press conference
in New Delhi demanding immediate reduction of the high airfare to
India? A few years back when Oman Air was lobbying to fly to Kochi.
Not only that the ISC Scolded them for making such public statements,
Oman Air managed to fly to Kochi. We were told that due to competition
price will come down. Now instead of competition Oman Air has joined
the cartel. The social organisations did not suppor the cheap shipping
service that would have benefitted many. It is election time and all
the political groups are active with NRI Problems. The boycott call
will end as soon as the election gets over. - Editor
Remember who subotaged the Muscat Kochi Shipping Service?
Indian Embassy Unable to Recover Pending Salary of
Dead Keralite Worker
While the local media including the Times of Oman
is keeping a safe distance from the workers problem, the fate of 200
workers of Bogus Tradig continues to remain bleak as the embassy has
entered into a one sided agreement to get 60 per cent pending salary
to the workers. Even though the fate of Bogust Trading workers has
been similar to the problems facing salalah Workers, no one seems
to have interest in them. Representatives of both Kairali and Asianet
channels have visited them But they are unable to do any work. Due
to unknown reasons, both the channels preferred not to report similar
cases. Recently workers of MRP staged protest march against delay
in getting payment. For a change, Asianet, the leading Malayalam Channel
deputed a well known journalist to cover the Salalalh workers problem.
After Keralamonitor reported the media bias and distortion, both the
channels carried objective reports about the issue. It is learned
that the police brought the businessman to the Indian Embassy. Meanwhile,
Kiran Ashar of the Al Ansari group has offered a humanitarian gesture
by offering food and accommodation to the workers.
ETIHAD AIRWAYS LAUNCHES COLOMBO ROUTE
National airline of the UAE flies to first destination
outside the
region; 16 cities to be covered by end of 2004
(March 2004) : Etihad Airways, the national airline
of the UAE, has launched its first route outside the Middle East,
with the commencement of services to Colombo (on March 2, 2004).Colombo
is the fourth destination for the Abu Dhabi-based airline, and the
airline will operate three flights a week to the Sri Lankan capital.
This represents the fourth new route for Etihad Airways in a period
of rapid growth for the airline, which should see a total of 16 new
destinations by the end of 2004. These include London and Bangkok
on March 28 and April 5 respectively. More
News
Choli Kee Peechee Kya Heey? ask students: School Kaa
Peeche Javoo -sas Principal
Members of Indian School Ghala student group suspended
for dirty behaviour in School Premises..It is party time..but not
this way..Watch this space.
Worker Dies in Deep sleep as Company
Owners delay and deny Salary for Months
MUSCAT - Fifty years old Rajendran Pillai (from Kottiyam
in Kollam Kerala) had a tragic end while sleeping in a make to shift
labour camp of Bogest Company in the Ghala Industrial area, Oman.
The worker died after serving a company as a mason for nine long years.
The deceased father of three girls, two married, died of unknown reasons,
probably a heart attack, while he was in deep sleep with three other
workers in a small room. "Rajendran died sometimes in the night
after he went to sleep with mental depression. Full
Report
Fees for NRI students in DASA quota in NIT's
As you are aware EDCIL representatives are in Oman
to sell the DASA quota in NIT's. Strangely for these coveted seats
they found a new method of first come, first serve basis. Previous
years it is used to be on the basis of SAT II score. Also this year
the qualification marks are also lowered to 60 % from the previous
years' 75%. So anybody who expect 60% marks can take provisional admission
paying US $ 4000.00 (first year tution fees) plus registration fee
of US $ 350.00. It means, merit no longer counts for these admissions.
Naturally all the coveted branches in prefered colleges were grabbed
by most average students who moved in fast.
Another aspect is being NRI's we are supposed to pay
the ful tution fees & registartion fees along with foreign students.
Interestingly students from SARC countries get 50% discount on tution
& registration fees. That is a student from Bangladesh or Srilanka
or Nepal or Pakistan need to pay only 50% of what an NRI student pay.
What a perverted logic?Is there any Indian organization there to take
up this issue and remedy this greatest injustice to all Indians living
here? Or is it not worthwhile to take up? An NRI is not even equal
to a foreigner from neoghbouring country? Can people coordinating
for NORKA in Oman do something as it concerns more Malayalees than
others?
Leading international gurus to participate in e-TQM
College's e-learning conference in Dubai
Conference will address the fundamentals of e-learning and discuss
its relevance to the Arab world
March 4, 2004 e-TQM College, the electronic college
offering online courses in Total Quality Management (TQM) in the Arab
world, will be holding an e-learning conference at the Dubai World
Trade Centre on March 22, 2004, to raise awareness of e-learning and
highlight the many benefits it offers. A number of local and international
e-learning experts will be addressing the event. There will be three
keynote speakers, followed by a panel discussion. More
Kairali Channel Joins Hate Campaign Against Kerala
Monitor!
P M Jabir equates KM with a communal
portal
News channel reporter replaces new monitor in
maligning KM editor
Kairali Channel, one of the most popular Malayalam
news channels from Kerala, has accused Keralamonitor.com (KM) of being
a "communal website" spreading negative reports about the
fate of 55 Indian workers who are denied basic right by the Arab employer.
Kairali TV reporter from Muscat Mr. P M Jabir, who had no other option
but to correct his earlier misleading report which glorified the Indian
Ambassador Talmiz Ahmed and embassy officials about the fate of 55
Indian workers stranded in front of the Indian Embassy in Muscat,
was trying in an irresponsible way to settle a personal grudge using
the channel and divert public attention from his close links to the
business tycoons who have been disturbed by KM reports.. Mr. Jabbir
made a partisan, unwarranted and perverted comment that Gulf Malayalis
are concerned about a " website run by a communal association"
which givies misleading reports. Even if the channel has not named
the website, the report is clearly with reference to Keralamonitor.com
story below..Full Report
KM Special Report.
Indian Ambassador prevents Social organizations from
giving food and water to stranded Indian Workers.
Workers Cant Drink Embassy
Water ; Have to leave with just a ticket: Kairali Channel Workers
Channel hails the Ambassador for Sending Workers Home Empty Handed
MUSCAT - The fate of 55 Indian workers who are stranded
in front of the Indian Embassy building here continues to remain bleak,
as the embassy officials have failed to get any of their problems
resolved. According to the workers, instead of lending a helping hand
to the poor workers who are facing a grave situation in foreign country,
the senior Indian embassy officials including the high profile Indian
ambassador Talmiz Ahmed are allegedly acting in an inhuman and barbarian
manner by preventing them from taking even a drop of drinking water
from the embassy premises and not allowing social organizations to
giving food, water or other support to them. Even though the embassy
collects a fund from the public for workers welfare, nothing is given
to the Indian workers. Workers also alleged that the senior embassy
officials called the police to harass workers. But even the police
officials felt sympathy for them. Workers allege that such actions
are being taken by the embassy to help the local employer avoid payment
of salary. More
Hikma Educational
Institute celebrated the completion of fourth year after its inception
at the Institute premises with gaiety.- Special report Nishad Anwar.
Heads of eGovernment teams
from Dubai's government departments updated on www.dubai.ae's offerings
CIA fed Soviets faulty technology to subvert Economy
WASHINGTON - In January 1982, President Reagan approved
a CIA plan to sabotage the economy of the Soviet Union through covert
transfers of technology that contained hidden malfunctions, including
software that later triggered a huge explosion in a Siberian natural
gas pipeline, according to a new memoir by a Reagan White House official.
A report by DAVID E. HOFFMAN; The Washington Post Thomas
C. Reed, a former Air Force secretary who was serving in the National
Security Council at the time, describes the episode in "At the
Abyss: An Insider's History of the Cold War," to be published
next month by Ballantine Books.Reed writes that the pipeline explosion
was just one example of "cold-eyed economic warfare" against
the Soviet Union that the CIA carried out under Director William J.
Casey during the final years of the Cold War More
Elite Ambassador - off the people; Buy the People -
Far the people
India is a country of Daridranarayanans (poor people)
and the diplomatic missions abroad are expected to work for them.
However, the Indian Ambaassador in Muscat seems to be a different
man altogether. Almost all the former ambassadors used to invite elite
and ordinary members of the Indian community to participate in the
customary republic day celeberations held in India House, a palace
like villa. More
Programme of Mobilising Local Support to Primary Schools
(P L U S) launched
Feb 27: The Government has launched a Programme of
Mobilising Local Support to Primary Schools (PLUS) to seek voluntary
support from the community for the elementary education sector. More
Indian UK and UN News
Dubai eGovernment introduces free online payment
facility
for public services through ePay
February 26,2004 Dubai citizens
can now make online payments for public services at no
additional cost, using the ePay facility on Dubai eGovernment's Payment
Gateway.
The free service is provided by Dubai eGovernment as part of its goal
of
simplifying the lives of the people and the business community, by
offering a
unified mode of payment for public services. This will benefit citizens
who had
to previously pay a processing or user fee to make online payments
for
some government services.Full Report and
More News
Hundreds of prisoners pardoned on Kuwait national
holidays.Full Report
and More News
First private Liberal Arts University opens doors
in Kuwait
by M..P. Kuttippuram
Kuwait February 23, 2004 September 2004 will see the
start of the first semester of the first, private Liberal Arts University
in Kuwait. The new university is comprised of two schools of study:
the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of
Management. Established to meet students' need for an American style
liberal arts
education, without leaving Kuwait Full
Report and More News
Five year jail term to lover for abetting suicide
of cine actress Prathyusha
New Delhi Feb 24: The Metropolitan Sessions Judge,
Hyderabad, convicted the accused Siddharth Reddy in the suicide case
of cine Telgu actress Prathyusha and sentenced him to undergo Rigorous
Imprisonment for a preiod of 5 years and also to pay a total fine
of Rs.6,000/-.Kum. Prathyusha, a 22-year old upcoming cine actress
fell in love with one Siddharth Reddy while they were studying in
a college in Hyderabad during 1996.
More News
KM STARTS NEW MATRIMONIAL SECTION -AMERICAN MALAYALI DOCTOR SEEKS
ALLIANCE WITH QUALIFIED GIRL
Pentecostal parents from kerala well settled in America invite
marriage proposal for their son 28 years old MBBS Doctor, 178 cm,
very handsome, white complexion. Parents of girls with MBBS or M.
Pharm or M.Sc. Microbiology or Biochemistry or Masters in engineering
with at least 158 cm height may contact in U.S.A.by phone at 203-746-3413
or by E-Mail at godisgreat56@yahoo.com More
Arab States Urged To Improve Protection Of Abused
Children
Feb 25: Guaranteeing a safe environment at home is
critical to addressing the issue of child abuse, particularly given
the desire of so many children to return home despite past mistreatment,
experts concluded today at a regional conference in Amman, Jordan
organized by the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse
and Neglect. Full Report
Globalization Failing The Poor, ILO Study Says
Feb 25: The current globalization model benefits
few and creates imbalances that are ethically unacceptable and politically
unsustainable, says a new study released yesterday by the International
Labor Organization, which is calling on countries to build a more
inclusive model. Full Report
Swiss real estate market: apartments make headway
More
Baroness Symons rejects NGO accusations on exports
of military components
Feb 25: Responding to the report 'Lock, Stock and
Barrel - How British Arms
Components Add up to Deadly Weapons', Foreign Office Minister Baroness
Symons said:"I welcome the report's finding
that the Government has a system ofrobust export control criteria
aimed at preventing the misuse of defence equipment supplied from
the UK. However, the report provides no evidence for its claim that
we are not as tough on components of defence equipment as we are on
complete systems. It is simply not
the case. More UK News Full Report
U.S. business leaders gather in New York to learn
about investment opportunities in Dubai
February 25, 2004, Dubai, UAE - Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem,
Chairman of Nakheel, LLC, hosted a luncheon with influential U.S.
based business leaders in New York this week. The dialogue focused
on business opportunities in Dubai and how innovative strategies established
by the government are working to help The U.A.E. diversify away from
an oil-centric economy and strengthen its competitive role in today's
global market place. Dubai was presented by Bin Sulayem as "the
world's fastest growing city".
New Law on staff salaries in Kuwait
The Kuwait Ministry of Social Work and Labour has
started to implement the new law on staff salaries for employees in
the private sector. It has been announced that, from March 1, the
ministry will not process administrative papers for private companies,
unless they produce evidence that staff salaries are being paid into
bank accounts. It will be recalled that the ministry had previously
given the private sector a three months notice to prepare for implementing
this directive. Reports by KM Kuwait Correspondent
M..P. Kuttippuram More
CII DelegationVisits Kuwait to enter Iraq Reconstruction
Market; Art of Living in KuwaitMore
Excerpts from the Secret Circular No.411
issued by the RSS to handle backward class and Scheduled Caste..Systematic
Elimination ..
Scheduled Castes and Other
Backward Classes are to be recruited to the party so as to increase
the volunteers to fight against the Ambedkarites and Mussalmans. Hindutva
should be preached with a vengeance among physicians and pharmacists
so that, with their help, time expired [sic.] and spurious medicines
might be distributed amongst the Scheduled Castes, Mussalmans and
Scheduled Tribes. The newborn infants of Shudras, Ati-Shudras, Mussalmans,
Christians and the like should be crippled by administering injections
to them. To this end, there should be a show of blood-donation camps.
Encouragement and instigation should be carried on [sic.] more vigorously
so that the womenfolk of Scheduled Castes, Mussalmans and Christians
live by prostitution. Plans should be made more fool-proof so that
the people of the Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Musslamans and
Christians, especially the Ambedkarites, become crippled by taking
in [sic.] harmful eatables. Special attention should be given to the
students of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes so as to make them
read the history written according to our dictates. During riots the
women of Mussalmans and Scheduled Castes should be gang-raped. Friends
and acquaintances cannot be spared. The work should proceed on the
Surat model. More
India to set up Remote Sensing Unit in Maldives
Feb 23: India to undertake satellite imaging and
aerial services for Maldives as well as set up a Remote Sensing Unit
in the Island for analysing and updating the data created from digital
mapping. An agreement on this has already been signed and the project
is currently under implementation. India has conveyed to Maldives
that it is ready to provide the services on a continuing basis. More
News
Nigerian State Going Ahead With Polio Vaccine Boycott.
More News
Ratan Tata to head steering group for preparing action
plan to utilise hydrogen and fuel cells
Feb 23: Shri Kariya Munda, Minister for Non-Conventional
Energy Sources constituted a Steering Group under the Chairmanship
of Shri Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons while chairing the first meeting
of recently set up National Hydrogen Energy Board here today. Shri
A. Mahindra, President, CII will be the Co-Chairman of the group.
More News
New Divisional Manager Joins Omasco
Oman Marketing and Services Co
has appointed a new dynamic Indian technocrat, George Renjith Alexander
as the new divisional manager (electronics).More
Centaur Hotel Privatisation Caused
Rs.145 crores loss to Government as Sangh Parivar is busy engaged
in selling profit making public sector companies at throw away prices.
Ashoka Hotel Deal with Oman based
group also caused multicrore loss to the state exchequer?
NEW DELHI - February 21, 2004. The CPI (M), a leading
left political party in India has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI) probe into the dubious sale of the government-owned Centaur
Hotel of Mumbai, which, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General
report, caused a Rs 145.69 crores revenue loss to the state exchequer.
Opening a Pandora's box of corruption and favouritism involving businessmen,
politicians and middlemen, the new controversy is an eye opener to
various privatization deals made by the Central Government headed
by Atal Behari Vajpayee.More
 |
 |
| Centaur Hotel
Bombay - Rs.145 crore loss to government. Ahoka Kovalam,
a property worth more than Rs.100 crores was sold hurriedly to
an NRI Businessman. What role did the state industrial and financial
institutions play in the dubious deal to sell a central government
asset to a private party? |
Ashoka Hotel
Kovalam Rs.20 crore? How much is the public loss and private
gain? A thorough probe will reveal how much money is spend to
acquire a pemium property at throw away price
read more |
ADL asks Vatican to condemn 'The Passion'
VATICAN CITY - A Jewish leader met with Vatican officials
this week to ask them to restate church teachings on the Crucifixion,
saying Mel Gibson's new film contradicts the church's position that
the Jews as a people were not responsible for Jesus' death.A top Vatican
official who met with Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation
League, said Wednesday that no such statement was planned. U.S. Archbishop
John P. Foley, who heads the Vatican's social communications office,
again praised the film, "The Passion of the Christ," and
said he found nothing anti-Semitic in it.Full Report
|
Students from the College of Fine Arts
who won the second prize in group folk dance during Youth Festival
- Pictures and report by R S Priya - KM Correspondent
|
|
|
Kalapratibha and Kalathilakam
with K.S.Chithra, Thiruvananthapuram Youth Festival
|
Visiting high-level Iraqi delegation sees bigger
role for UAE in reconstruction efforts in southern Iraq
DNRD hosts the visit aimed at highlighting opportunities
for Emarati
companies to join reconstruction efforts in Iraq February
19, 2004 A high level Iraqi delegation, led
by the Governor of Basra, His Excellency Wael Abdelateef Hussain,
is currently in Dubai to discuss opportunities for cooperation on
several reconstruction projects in southern Iraq with Emirati companies
and UAE government officials. The delegation, comprising twenty prominent
Iraqi business and government representatives was hosted by Dubai
Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD). More
Construction on Dubai Festival City Elements to Begin
on Event Site
DUBAI- February 19, 2004. Global Village, the international
attraction of the Dubai Shopping Festival, again exceeded all visitor
expectations this year with over five million people visiting the
event in its final year at Dubai Festival City, before moving to the
planned new Emirates Road permanent venue.More
U.S. Weighs Shift in Iraq Self-Rule
Plan
The Bush administration is considering a major shift
in its plan for transition to Iraqi self-rule, possibly extending
and expanding the U.S.-appointed Governing Council so it can take
temporary control of the country on July 1, a senior U.S. official
said Wednesday.The serious consideration of that option comes as the
Bush administration waits for U.N. help - now delayed by at least
a week - in settling differences among Iraqi leaders on how to meet
the July 1 U.S. deadline.
Full Report
Palm Properties to be Showcased in Dubai
Dubai 19, February, 2004 IFA Hotels & Resorts,
a subsidiary of Kuwait based International Financial Advisors (IFA),
is to showcase its luxury Palm Jumeriah Residence apartments for the
first time in Abu Dhabi, at next week’s Global Real Estate show.
More
Priest found dead after seeing bishop over gay-sex
letter
A priest was found dead two days after meeting
a Roman Catholic bishop over a letter alleging the bishop was part
of "a ring of homosexual priests, reported the Independent.Full
Report
Medical Mistake in Saudi Hospital Cost Police officers
Life Simple
Procedure Sends Police Officer Into Coma
Sixty Workers Accommodated in a
New Posh Villa
MUSCAT - Sixty Workers of Socat Muscat, a group company
of Zubair Enterprises, had a sigh of relief when the management offered
them a new accommodation with sufficient toilet facilities following
a report in keralamonitor.com about their plight. It may be recalled
that the Zubair group Company used to huddle sixty workers in a single
villa in the Wattaya area. Workers could not attend to call of nature
or pass urine peacefully. Keralamonitor.com is still a small medium,
but some of our stories are yielding the desired results. That is
the greatest recognition. Our journalist friends in the local media
shut their eyes and ears towards the grave problems facing the man
on street. Thank you Omanforum.com for starting a healthy discussion
on the topic- Editor. -- See our story below filed last week.
Sixty Workers of leading business Group Company have
only one Bathroom!
About 60 Indian workers who are working for a leading
business group in Oman are facing a difficult time in passing urine
or attending to the call of nature because the "company accommodation"
has only one bathroom. While many construction companies are notorious
for denying basic facilities to their workers, the 1 for 58 forumula
seems to be a new equation of cutting expenses and punishing workers!
- Watch this space for the detailed report about Socat Camp in Wattaya.
Senior officials of the company monopolise 2 bathrooms. Workers are
engaged in plugging the loophole of another bathroom which they used
earlier. Thanks to Oman's New Progressive Labour Rule and the Indian
Ambassador Talmiz Ahmeds concern for the workers right..
Striking Salalah Workers Forcibly
Removed from Indian Embassy Premises
Ffifty years old Gopala Pillai,
another worker of United Contracting Company, Salalah died of cancer
in Kerala ten days after he was send home for further treatment. The
Sultan Qaboos Hospital diagnosed his disease and recommended further
treatment in Kerala. However, the United Contractors was reluctant
to send him for treatment as the Indian "manager" and Omani
owner considered the diseases theory as "yet another pretext
to go home"! Well the Indian worker died ten days after reaching
Kerala and his salary is still pending with United Contracting company
owned by a big Omani businessman. His hospital bill was paid from
his pending salary! Venu Attingal from Trivandrum, like his colleagues,
has worked fifteen years had his last vacation four years back.Full
Report
Bank's Mega Prize Schemes to Lure big Customers, Favour
Group Employees?
Banks in Oman have found a novel method to honour
their clients as well as their group company employees. Recently a
official of a leading automobile distribution company was honoured
with a prize from Bank Muscat, with a view to securing business wit
this firm. Similarly Oman International bank also awards prizes to
Omzest employees. It is essential that prizes awarded to deposit holders
should include all deposit holders and the draw should be conducted
publicly to avoid such glaring bungles.Discuss.
Working Group to control Counterfeit Products
New Delhi - The Department of Consumer Affairs has
set up a Working Group to look into the problem of counterfeiting,
fake, spurious and contraband products on the recommendations of the
Central Consumer Protection Council. Working Groups were also set
up to look into different areas of consumer welfare like Food Safety,
Misleading Advertisements, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices,
Consumer Health & Safety concerning Tobacco Products and a Group
to formulate New Acts or amend the existing Acts relating to Consumer
Interest.
Ten Year Old Pakistani Boy’s Headless Body Horrifies
Residents of Saudi City
MADINAH, 10February 2004 — One
more young expatriate boy has been raped and murdered in Saudi Arabia.
The headless body of a ten-year-old Pakistani boy in the Erwa Valley
in Madinah has horrified the city. According to the Arab News, Saudi
Police have interrogated three suspects, two Saudis and a Chadian
with a criminal record.More
Badr Al Samaa is Online with Multimedia
Website
KM Journalist Makes Creative Hospital
Site
MUSCAT - Badral Samaa, the leading polyclinic in
the Sultanate, has created another milestone by launching an interactive
multimedia website to provide patients with relevant information on
the World Wide Web. "In order to make our presence in the world
wide web, the polyclinic has created this new website to cater to
the growing number of net users in Oman and other parts of the world,"
said Abdul Latheef and Vinod, Directors, Badr Al Samaa. Designed in
flash and hypertext format, the website provides information about
various departments and doctors through easy navigation channels.
The interctivew multimedia website is designerd by V M Sathish, a
former reporter with the Oman Daily Observer, who has joined the editorial
team of the New York Times group. More
Funding Gujarath Violence from Oman?
How Much Money Went from certain
fundamentalist Indian
leaders to fund saffron organisations that killed hundreds
of innocent Muslim minority in Gujarath. It is learned that some leading
Indian business tycoon in Gulf were allegedly funding communal riots
indirectly or directly that caused death and destruction to minorities
in Gujarath.-- Watch this space.
Obesity - New Epidemics? -health monitor
 |
‘Obesity, overweight and high
body mass’ has been recognized as one of the top ten health
risks to people, by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The figures
are mind-boggling. The affected populations have increased to
epidemic proportions - more than one billion adults worldwide
are overweight and at least 300 million are clinically obese.
These are estimates prepared by the WHO. Obesity rates have risen
three-fold or more since 1980 in some areas of North |
America, the UK, Eastern Europe, the Middle-East,
Australia and China. A new demographic transition in developing countries
is producing rapid increases in Body Mass Index (BMI), particularly
among young. More
No Change in Income Tax Structure
More News
Interim Vote Bank Budget Presented
The Finance Minister, Shri Jaswant Singh, today announced
measures to fully consolidate and continuously enhance the growth
momentum which the country has achieved. Presenting the Interim Budget
for 2004-05 in the Lok Sabha today, the Finance Minister reiterated
the government’s responsibility to encourage the economy which
was set on the path of accelerated growth. Pointing out that national
contentment would lead to the birth of objectives, the Finance Minister
said “Garib ke pet me dana, Grihini ki tukia mein anna”.
More
Thiruvananthapuram :
It was with the Monoact performances that the second day of Kerala
University Youth Fest 2004 began. In the stiff competition that took
place at the University College, there were around 33 participants.
The main themes presented included the leakage of P.S.C question papers,
Self financed colleges and its future, Kumarakom boat disaster, globalization
and the growing mobile phone culture in the state. More
CAT urges
Foreign Office to review K M Meena's promotion
KM(M)Stand on Indian Schools vindicated
NEW DELHI - Giving a fitting reply to
the Indian big business in Oman, especially the corrupt coterie of
Non Resident Indians who have bribed a senior official with woman
wine and money to get K M Meena transferred from Muscat as the Indian
Ambassador, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has issued a
strong ruling asking the MEA to review its decision tnot to promote
the diplomat to a senior position. The strongly worded ruling against
the MEA official, especillay the controversial one who was acting
on behalf of the big Indian shaikhs, indicates that K M Meena may
come back to MEA service as he had had resigned from diplomatic services
in protest against the alleged harassment by his superior Abhayankar.
In his petition, Meena had raised serious question marks about the
personal integrity of his senior diplomat, who has favoured a private
Indian businessman in Oman to get undue favours in the form of allowing
private school in violation of Omani education rules and the Indian
government advise to various missions abroad. The CAT was briefed
about the alleged visit of Abhayankar to a night club in a Five Star
Hotel in Muscat and the billing of his randevouz to the Government
account. Abhayankar had transferred Meena to Vietnam, which the latter
refused to accept. The CAT ruling is a warning that truth and justice
will finally prevail upon evil does, whatever be their financial position
and influence. -- Watch this space for full Report
Former Oman Police Official Arrested in India for
Espionage Charges?
Habib Ibrahim Rehmutala, ex-policemen of Oman, his
wife Sonu Nagma and Indian agent Bhagwan Sahai working as an abettor
were arrested in India, Inspector-General of Police A K Jain announced
recently." A number of telephone diaries, e-mail addresses, photos
and documents were seized from their house after they were arrested
at a bus stand which they used frequently for transmitting information
to Pakistan, Jain said. Having a number of passports from Nepal, Muscat
(Oman), and Pakistan, Habib has got three wives, two in Oman, and
eight children, Srivastava said. The main accused was the sub-inspector
of police at Abu-Dhabi during 1982-96 and later in India used to send
dancing groups to gulf countries," the SP said.A case under the
Foreigners Act and the Official Secret Act has been registered against
them, media reports said . More
St.Josephs Centenary celebrations
begins
Jan 19 Thiruvananthapuram: St.Josephs Higher Secondary
School, one of the premier schools in the capital city has completed
100 years. The school celebrated this auspicious occasion in a grand
ceremony held at the School auditorium. The school which started functioning
in 1905 will completes 100 years in the year 2005. The school community
would celebrate the glorious long innings throughout the centenary
year. More
Mustafa Sultan Exchange Company - State Bank Alliance
Facing Trouble
The State Bank of India is not likely to renew the
agreement for money exchange business with a leading BUSINESS partner
in Oman for unknown reasons. In a drastic decision, SBI senior manager
left the country in a hurry giving rise to speculation that the SBI
decision to open its own branch in Muscat has upset local partners.
KM learns that the agreement with SBI may not be renewed after September
2004 as part of a policy decision to reduce exposure to risky money
exchange business.
Couples Online - Investors Allege
that Indian couples duped them in Banglore by cheating in yet another
Real Estate Fraud
NRIs continue to Build Castles in
the Air
"We are trying to trace an absconding couple called
Amar R... and Chri....(full names withheld) from Bangalore, India
who have cheated me and a dozen others in property deals in Banglaore.
They have miss-appropriated millions and left many people homeless. It
is reliably learnt that they are holed up in Muscat and trying
to bide their time till they migrate to Australia. The
last we heard was Amar was doing business in garments and then he
gave up and started working for some company in Muscat. We
believe even his wife ... is also working and recently their son joined
them from India. Please beware they are ace con artists, any
assistance in tracing them is a service to society and god only knows
how many more people they are trying to cheat right now in Oman. Their
most famous victim is Mr. Eswara Rao former Director of AIR, who having
lost all his retirement money to this ...Amar and has been left with
no money for medical treatment for his weak heart.--from an SOS send
by a duped investor from Dohar Qatar
More
Bankers tighten Steps to recover Hospital's outstanding
Loans
"I would like to thank The India Ambassador and
the Staff of The Indian Embassy for not offering me any assistance
and even not responding to my letters dt 19th Aug & 10th Sept
2003,to ensure that my passport which is issued in the name of The
President Of India to claimed back from my Company even though it
has expired and I have been harassed and not been paid my dues which
is my right as per the Omani Labors law since the past 25 months,
writes Dinkoo Mistry about his story. As there was a case pending
in the local court for my dues, I was not allowed to leave the country
even in the event of my father's death. The question now remains that
will the Indian Embassy issue a visit Visa to these people as still
there is a case pending against them for my over due claims and will
these people pay their dues while on visit in India?
More
Kerala Teak Wood, Sandal Wood Plants Donated to Oman
Kerala Government Donates thousands of Teak, Manjiyam
and Sandal Plants to Oman asa gesture of friendship. The NRI Federation,
which brought Kerala Agriculture Minister Gouri Amma for a short visit
during the Onam celeberations took a leading role in this new initiative.
Oman Air has helped the association in transporting the plants to
Oman. Now Oman's desert terrain will add another Kerala feature..More
Social Club Couples - Violent Husband of lady's wing
Convener suspended from ISC Malayalam Wing membership for attacking
lady CO convener.
Giving temporary respite to tension and depression
following the heinous attack on the lady CO-convener of the ISC Malayalam
Wing by another male member, the parent body, the Indian Social Club
is learned to have taken some harsh, but undisclosed punitive action
against the convener. The ISC gave directions to the adamant man to
"suspend" or remove the male member who attacked Usha Shaji.
Even though the convener and cultural coordinator Radhakrishnan wanted
to protect the violent couple by pretending ignorance about the physical
assault on a respected lady member which happened in front of the
duo, the ISC seriously considered a medical certificate produced by
the victim to prove that she was subjected to physical attack. Even
though many club members have been misguided not to believe the physical
attack theory, the lady member had clear marks caused by the severe
blow with sandals . While the male member claimed that he attacked
the journalist allegedly for misbehaviour, the ISC committee members,
especially a sensible lady from the Khimji family, took a strong position
against attacking a woman in public. "Who authorised him to attack
the husband," she is said to have asked the convener. The whole
argument of the convener and company appears to give an impression
that attacking a male member, that also a journalist, is an accepted
norm in ISC Malayalam Wing. Let us watch whether the media couple
will regain their lost glory and stage a come back and replace the
convener?
DNRD records 50 per cent
jump in visitors from visa-on-arrival category countries Reaffirming
its Multi-vendor policy: Al Alamiah Group announces a strategic collaboration
with HP
Two Indian Sisters Gang Raped by Five Youth on the
orders of an Indian businessman in the Gulf..More
PCO Pays more than the PDO
A senior member of the Church has raised an alarm
bell about the abnomrally high payment offered to a senior pastor,
which claims is about RO 1700 per month (equivalent to two lakh Indian
rupees)! While some of the pastors get as low as RO 600 per month,
many others render voluntary service for the sake of God. If it is
a basic religious principal taught by all the priests is that all
are equal before the God. How come some pastors are more equal than
others? We dont believe that the colour of the skin matters much before
God! Read the following message posted by a respected member of the
Church community in Muscat. More
Indian Construction Workers treated like Slaves by
Prominent Indian..Alleges a Humanist. See the Discussion forum
Keralolsavam 2004 Announced.
Talmiz Ahmed Acts on Behalf of Indian
Workers
MUSCAT - The Indian Ambassador Talmiz
Ahmed has lashed out at seven Omani companies which cause undue delay
in payment to Indian workers for several months, creating a horrible
living condition for them. At a hurriedly convened press conference
on Wednesday, the ambassador released the name of leading companies
like Desert Palm (is it owned and managed by a member of the Khimji
family - related to the Pravasi Bharathi Award winner last year??),
Modern Construction (managed by another prominent Indian?), Universal
Garments, Hallaf Trading, Darsait Heights and Dalma Trading. About
300 workers of these companies have been pestering the Indian embassy
seeking justice. KM appreciates the humanitarian gesture shown by
Talmiz Ahmed and his team of diplomats in trying to highlight the
issue. Paradoxically enough, leading regional newspapers did not carry
the report for unknown reasons. Reflecting the systemic bias of the
local media towards workers problems, the two local English dailies
jointly "censored" the sensitive statement of the ambassador
for unknown reasons. The media is supposed to be a watchdog but journalists
here dont have the value of even dogs. Even the expatriate friendly
paper has censored the news about the man on street.
Ambassador Lashes Out At Haifa
for Non Payment of Salary, but appoints the company General Manager
as Indian School Darsait President!
It looks awkward that the Indian Ambassador who has
severely criticised Haifa Constructin for non payment of salary has
simultaneously honoured the company's General Manager by appointing
him as the President of a leading Indian community school in Oman.
It is public knowledge that the problem facing hundreds of Haifa
Construction workers has been pending with the Indian Embassy and
the labour court for several months. At one time, the workers had
manhandled senior company staff for failing to fulfil their commitment
to make payment or settle their dues. Knowing fully the situation,
the Indian Embassy has in fact "honoured" Mr.George Mathew,
General Manager Haifa Construction by appointing him to a prestigious
position of responsibility. Is that not a double standard on the part
of the Indian Embassy and the ambassador? . KM does not blame the
General Manager for the company's problems or its payment problem.
However, we feel ashamed that such facts are totally neglected by
a senior diplomat while taking crucial decisions. The new board of
Indian school is filled with representatives of a particular class
or group. This is not non interference as loudly claimed by the ambassador.
Invading Iraq not a new idea for Bush clique
But in reality, Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney,
and a small band of conservative ideologues had begun making the case
for an American invasion of Iraq as early as 1997 - nearly four years
before the Sept. 11 attacks and three years before President Bush
took office. More
Secret
Letter written by the Oil Energy linked War Cabinet four years before
September 11
Tanmia collaborates with National Bank of Sharjah
to organize job-focused training for UAE nationals
January 10, 2004 Continuing its aggressive campaign
to place UAE nationals in the labour market, Tanmia, the National
Human Resource Development and Employment Authority, in collaboration
with the National Bank of Sharjah, recently began to provide job-oriented
training courses for fresh recruits, in association with a private
training institute.The initiative follows a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Tanmia and the National
Bank of Sharjah to select UAE nationals registered with Tanmia and
provide them with skills that match the bank's requirements through
on-job training programmes.
Full Report
Media Monitor
- Times of Oman, Reuters and Al Jazeera Correspondents face harassment-
Watch this space.
Indian takes Lucent Technologies to Court for violating
Labour Rules
A leading American company which has produced Nobel
Prize winners and major scientific advances, has been taken to the
labour court by a keralite in Saudi Arabia and in the US for violating
Saudi regulations The litigants include, among others, Vikraman Nannoo,
an Indian national, who was fired when he protested some of Lucent's
policies. Earlier last year, National Group of Communications and
Computers Ltd (NGC), a Saudi company, filed a civil lawsuit against
Lucent Technologies. NGC currently operates as Silki La Silki Telecommunications
Company Click
for more
Media Monitor: Social Club PRO
Ggetting their photos (with celebrities) published
in local newspapers is a major weakness for the office bearers of
social organisations. The ISC Malayalam Wing convener normally has
a tough time accommodating the ego of each wing commanders. In one
instance, a sports coordinator was so furious that instead of putting
his photograph along with P T Usha, the local newspapers carried a
picture showing the ISC Cultural coordinator with the sports celebrity.
More
|
A Scene of the Cultural programme “Bharat
Ki Shringar Parampara directed by Shri Muzaffar Ali, at the
2nd Pravasi Bharatiya Divas – 2004 in New Delhi on January
11, 2004. (Sunday)
Pravasi bharath Day Pictures
|
Award Winners with the Indian
President
|
Anoushka Shankar daughter of the legendary
sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar and a unique artist with
tremendous talent in understanding the great musical tradition
of India,
|
|
Finally Sruthi Bhadran is Kalathilakam!
|
Dancing sensation continues to bag First Prizes in Kerala
too!
: Sruthi R. Bhadran, the young dancing talent
from Muscat who is currently studying in Kerala has bagged five
first prizes out of 8 single dance and music items in which
she competed at the Kayamkulam sub district level. For three
items, she got second prize only.She got first prize in Kuchuppudi,
Kathakali, Folk Dance (single) English and Arabic Padhyaparayanam
(poetry recitation) In Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam and Mappilapattu
she got second prizes. Altogether she
got 77 points to get the much coveted Kalathilakam trophy. It
may be recalled that due to internal politics, she was not given
a Kalathilakam by the Indian Social Club Malayalam Wing.Sruthi
is the daughter of Bhadran (Omasco, Muscat) and Lalitha (KM
News) 
|
$100 billion Reserves Reflect Indian Economic Muscle
Power?
India’s rising foreign exchange reserves have,
sooner than expected, hit the 100 billion dollar mark. This reflects
the country’s growing economic muscle, underpinning its ability
to conduct sound external policies and overcome any shocks from the
global exchange rate or financial systems. Till the 1980s, India had
been under continuous pressure on the foreign exchange front and had
to seek, from time to time, balance of payments support from the International
Monetary Fund, apart from relying on external development assistance,
bilateral and multilateral, to finance development.
Full Report
Construction Worker?s body
being transported home
From Saudi Arabia : Tearful homecoming
of Gulf expatriates
KOCHI, JAN. 10. When the Boeing 777-300 of Emirates
landed at Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, this morning,
there were quite a few onlookers at the airport curious to see Boeing's
most advanced aircraft as well as its 340-odd passengers. Their curiosity
must have grown as a group of haggard-looking passengers got off the
aircraft and walked towards the emigration counters, reported the
Hindu Newspaper. More
Pravasi Bharathiya Divas Celebration.
"I am delighted to be with all of you once again
at this inaugural function of the 2nd Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. I still
carry the memory and melody of that occasion, exactly a year ago,
when we were left enchanted by the jugalbandi of Ustad Bismillah Khan's
shehnai and Pandit Ravi Shankar's sitar. What they together created
was both soul-stirring music and a pointed metaphor and we felt the
same way today as we heard another enchanted Jugalbandi by L. Subramaniam
and Sultan Khan. It reminded us that Pravasi Bharatiya Divas itself
is a celebration of the jugalbandi between the 22-million strong Indian
Diaspora and your motherland, between the Bharatvasis and the
Bharatvanshis More. News
Galfar Mohammed Ali Rewarded with Pravasi Award
MUSCAT — Work had taken P. Mohamed Ali, managing
director of Galfar Engineering and Contracting LLC, the flagship of
the Galfar Group of Companies, somewhere into the desert, in the interior
of Oman, when he suddenly received a call on his mobile, late last
week. It was the Indian Ambassador, Talmiz Ahmed, calling up to inform
Mohamed Ali that he had received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Award),
read Adarsh Madhavan's special Report on Dr.P Mohammed Ali, the most
prominent Indian in the Gulf Link http://www.timesofoman.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=48638
Beware of HIV Positive Needles in Pubic Places
There are all sorts of loons loose in the world.
This happened in Paris. A few weeks ago, in a movie theatre, a person
Felt something poking from her seat. When she got up to see what it
was, She found a needle sticking out of the seat with a note attached
saying : "You have just been infected by HIV". More
Is the US military torturing Iraqis with electricity?
|
Mabrook Mohammed Ali
Dr.P. Mohammed Ali, Managing Director, Galfar
Engineering and Contracting Company has been given the Pravasi
Bharathiya Award by the Indian Government.
Keeping its tradition of rewarding "Prominent
Indians", Kanaksi Khimji another Indian based in Oman was
given the same award last year. While KM congratulates Mr. Mohammed
Ali for his latest achievement, we remain skeptical about the
rationale of giving Pravasi Bharath Award to people who work
against the common NRI's interest. Acknowledging that Mohammed
Ali started his business empie from a humble beginning, some
of his recent actions indicate that he forgets his past. The
man who used to drive a pick up van through various construction
projects in the Gulf has to remember the plight of such workers
now. He should remember that these people cannot afford to have
five star education paying huge sums as monthly fee.
Everyone in
Muscat remembers the controversial manner in which the award
winning Indians played their dirty role in gertting the former
Indian Ambassador K M Meena transferred from Muscat. It
is an open secret that the business tycoons have played their
due role in the proces. The reason -Meena wanted the schools
to reduce fees and function transparently.
|
Awards not Enough
!
Dr.P.Mohammed Ali and Kank Khimji
Similarly the business lobby's
role in getting a journalist "terminated" from an
English daily in Muscat is not a secret . The journalist was
subjected to various type of harassment -threatening calls,
abusive letters and hate campaigns only because he wrote about
the dubious role played by the tycoons in the Indian school
controversy . The business lobby's role in opposing the introduction
of a cheap shipping service from Gulf to India and the suboage
of a plan to introduce low cost air service in the gulf route
, the abnormally high fees charged by the Indian School Ghala
illegally "owned" by Mohammed Ali and sqeueezing
of ordinary parents remain black marks on the towering personality
of Mr. Mohammed Ali -. Editor
Reproduced below is what people
in Muscat feel ....Back to School
|
Reduce Fee in Indian Schools
by 15 per cent! Urges parent
I request Indian School Board
to reduce the school fee atleast by 15% which will give a
little relief to the parents. They also should consider reduction
if two children are there from the same family. A Parent KM
Discussion Forum
Construction
Group owes RO 116 million to bannks!!!Watch
Out.
Indian tycoons sell stake in
loss making bank..as regulators tighten monitoring of bad
loans portfolio.Watch
Out.
Re: fee in Indian School Muscat
(school News)
Your request is something impossible.
There are 2 demands for our expats which can be looked at
but never happen. The first is our air fare. Even after a
lotor protests and requests at all levels, Air India and Indian
Airlines are not prepared to reduce our air fares and for
this each one of us should unite and boycot these airlines
and teachthe government a lesson. We have other airlines to
travel. More
The 2nd problem we are facing
is School Fee. Only solution to this is that we don't pay
the fee until they reduce the fee or approach the Oman Govt.
for their assistance to allow our children to study in their
school or seek their permission to open up new private schools
by highlighting these problems we are facing. Definitely there
will be lot of private parties willing to open up new schools
with high standards at lower fee levels. For this also, we
need unity and this is what we expats are lacking in all respects.More
Indian School Ghala Charges RO
50 per month!
I wonder how much is the monthly
fees in ISM? I am talking about the total amount a parent
has to shell out! Incidently do you know that average monthly
fees in Indian School Al Ghubra is close to RO. 50/- (including
tution fees of RO. 35/- + lab + computer+ stationary + + +
+ miscellaneous fees)? I am sure ISM fees is nowhere near
that. Why nobody talks about ISG anymore? Is it justifiable?
Who cares, isn't it? Indian Embassy? You are joking! All these
so called socal clubs? Forget it! And those guardian angels
of 'Pravasi Malayali'rights? No way!
More
|
Lasen&Toubro Ltd bags $ 30 million project in
UAE
Mumbai, Jan 5: Engineering and construction company Larsen & Toubro
Ltd (L&T) has bagged an EPC order worth US dollar 30 million for
upgrading facilities at the Bu Hasa project of the gas gathering and
processing company GASCO at Abu Dhabi, said the company More
News
ISC Malayal am Wing replaces Lady
Coordinator with new member
A hurriedly convened meeting of the
Indian Social Club Malayalam Wing Management committee decided to
terminate the service of Usha Shaji, the active and vocal co convener,
so that convener Kalidasan can get assistance of a male member. It
is a shame to the Indian community that the ISC has treated a lady
member and her family in the most uncivilised and brutal manner. The
committee members rallied behind the convener and did not discuss
serious issues like an attack on a lady member after a committee meeting
last week. A new co convenor, most probably, Mr. Gopakumar (Soory
Muscat) or Lajuddin would be inducted soon. Sathish, another efficient
and respected member of the committee has been sidelined. He has resigned
his post in protest against the controversial manner in which the
club has been managed in recent times. The ISC has issued a letter
asking details about some of the incidents.
India, UK discuss multilateral and bilateral
trade issues
Indo-UK trade crosses US $ 5 billion in 2002-03
Jan 5: India and the United Kingdom (UK) have expressed
their keenness to enhance bilateral trade from its current levels,
which was in excess of US $ 5 billion in 2002-03. This was indicated
by Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and
Mr. Mike O'Brien, British Trade Minister during discussions here today.
The UK is the second largest trading partner of India. During the
meeting, both the Ministers also emphasised the need to find a way
out of the current impasse in WTO negotiations and to move the multilateral
process forward. Shri Dipak Chatterjee, Commerce Secretary; Mr. Michael
Arthur, the British High Commissioner and other senior representatives
from both sides were present at the meeting.
Pravasi Malayali Welfare
Association Vows to Fight Corruption, Implement Welfare projects for
Overseas Keralites
|
Interview - Vellayani Sreekumar
The
first branch of the association was formed in Kollam and now
there are branches in 14 districts except Palakkad. Outside
India it has branches in Abudhabi, Saudi Arabia, Muscat, London
and Canada. Currently PMWA has a membership of around 40,000
Pravasis.Our plan is to start a printing press for pravasi malayalees
where many people can be employed. Yet another project will
be the Pravasi Supermarket where pravasi malayalees can get
jobs and avail of discount facilities
|
Another
aim of PMWA is to start hospitals, health centers and medical
shops to provide employment to pravasi malayali families Life-saving
medicines, which are available only in foreign countries would
be made available for treatment. "Another aim of the Association
is to provide social protection for the families of malayalees
abroad. 
More by R S Priya
|
ISC Comedy Show Continues as KM discussion
heats Up!
The Indian Social Club has issued a 48 hour notice
to the convener of ISC Malayalam Wing to explain the attack on the
lady CO convener in front of the convener and a committee member.
In turn Kalidasan has issued show cause notices to both the parties
involved in the physical assault. Members are keenly watching the
net outcome of these "show causes" and "counter show
causes". While the lady CO convener and family have been in depression,
the lady coordinator and family said they are peace loving and God
fearing people. They say there was a slight provocation from the CO
convener The lady co convener has given a written complaint to the
ISC narrating the incident. KM understands that the whole episode
is part of a drama being directed from behind the screen by a coterie
of power hungry people "It is a shame to the Indian community
that instead of pacifying the lady who was allegedly manhandled by
a male, the convener has sent a show cause notice asking why action
should not be taken against the couple for ....criticising the congener?.
Sticking to the chair is the most serious concern of all social club
committee members. . Keep Watching this space and join KM discussion
forum.
P T Usha was Chief Guest or Cheap Guest!
The world famous athlete who was brought to Muscat
by the ISC was sometimes starving in a cheap hotel apartment with
her family as the organisers were busy in photo sessions with the
sports personality. She was treated very badly and the organisers
need to be careful not to bring such VIPs without having the required
time or resources to treat them gently. She was not given tea or coffee
in the mornings. There was no means of transportation and the club
officials were more interested in getting their photographs published
in newspapers than treating a VIP sports star with due dignity. Is
it because she was not as attractive as Seema chechi or other sexy
film stars who are often brought to town.
|
Health Monitor
- Depression a biochemical Illness
|
Everyone experiences variations in mood — transitory
blues, disappointments, the normal grief that accompanies the loss
of someone you love. But a severe or prolonged depression that interferes
with the ability to function, feel pleasure, or maintain interest
is not a mere case of the blues. It is an illness. Researchers have
demonstrated that it results from biochemical imbalances in the brain.
More
ITS continues to expand localised solutions for the
Middle East higher education sector
DUBAI - 4th January 2004 Leading
higher education solutions specialist, Systems and Computer Technology
Corporation (SCT) has renewed its marketing and implementation contract
with International Turnkey Systems (ITS), the established solutions
provider in the Middle East and Africa region.Under
the terms of the new agreement, ITS will enjoy the rights to market
and implement Middle East versions of SCT’s full suite of higher
education solutions.More
British Airways Canceled Heathrow - Riyadh Flights
LONDON - British Airways has canceled its flights
BA 263 on 31 December 2003 and BA 263 on 3 January 2004 from Heathrow
Airport to King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh for security
reasons. The return flight BA 262 from Riyadh to London on 4 January
2004 has also been canceled." If you choose to travel to, or
remain in, Saudi Arabia you should take all necessary steps to protect
your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your individual
security arrangements. Following terrorist attacks in Riyadh in May
and November 2003, British intelligence continues to believe terrorists
are planning further attacks in Saudi Arabia, and that these could
be in the final stages of preparation," said British government
alert on potential threat to western interests in the Middle East.
More
All 148 aboard killed in Egypt jet crash
France's Deputy Transportation Minister Dominique
Bussereau said that the pilot of Flash Airlines flight FSH604 detected
problems shortly after takeoff and tried to turn back. A charter jet
carrying 148 people - mostly French tourists - crashed Saturday into
the Red Sea shortly after taking off from the resort of Sharm el-Sheik,
killing everyone on board, officials said.
US planned to invade Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Abu Dhabi
to capture oil fields
LONDON -The USA and Britain were prepared to use military
force to secure Arab oil supplies during the Oil crisis , say media
reports quoting a secret document released by the British intelligence
in London yesterday. "The United States seriously considered
sending airborne troops to seize oilfields in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait
and Abu Dhabi during the Arab oil embargo," said a top-secret
British intelligence memorandum released yesterday. It also revealed
that the US considered various options including the replacement of
Arab rulers with "more amenable" leaders. They planned a
short airborne operation to snatch away precious oil fields from Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, the report suggested.
Full Report
Emiratisation
drive in the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF)
An open letter to the World via www.keralamonitor.com
This is my 12th Email message to President Bush and
PM Blair on Iraq War
- Respective Embassies, kindly forward this Email to President Bush,
PM Blair, CNN & BBC please ! ! Dear KM, Since the capture of Saddam
few days ago, though I feel along with the entire world, much relief,
looking at the events that took place recently, I am thinking of reversing
my views and our KM readers may kindly correct me if my new thinking
is wrong or inaccurate.. More
ISC Malayalam Wing Lady Members engage in Street Fight
MUSCAT - The shallow cultural face of the Indian Social
Club here was exposed once again when an open late night street fight
erupted following severe criticisms and counter criticisms within
the Managing Committee meeting. As part of an ongoing intense power
struggle which has been going on ever since a new Management committee
assumed power,a cold war between the two prominent female members
of the Indian Social Club erupted into a virtual street fight in which
chappals, sandals and even muscle power were used by their respective
husbands to prove their point and counter points.
More
Only 2% of Gulf NRIs have
savings back home: study
Govt threatens to prosecute schools that hike fees
BULAWAYO, 31 December (IRIN) - The Zimbabwe government
has threatened to prosecute and de-register all schools that implement
fee increases for 2004 without its approval. Most
schools last month notified parents and guardians that they would
be increasing tuition fees by between 200 percent and 2,000 percent
when the new terms begins in January. More International
News from Iran and Africa
Newspapers still Dominate
Indian Media Scene - Readership Survey Vinod
Kumar participates in the 7th Asian softball championship held at
Manila
Hyper Market Work Stalled in Darsait
MUSCAT -Construction work for a new multimillion hypermarket
in Darsait by a leading UAE based Malayali businessman has been halted
(temporarily?) due to certain objections raised by the concerned authorities
about the location of the market in the selected location
More
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Happy New Year
KM Invites your valuable feedback
about our new look. We are still under going changes- editor
editor@keralamonitor.com
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N. Bush's foreign business deals draw spotlight
Role of president's brother in transactions detailed in documents
tied to divorce Full
Report Expert Stresses Need To Rebuild
Structures Differently Syria Introduces
Resolution On Middle East WMD-Free Zone Saddam Threatens to Expose
American President Full
Report UAE Ministry of Information
and Fujairah Police conduct first-ever raid in Fujairah
Hooded Men Executing Saddam Officials
By Robert Fisk in Baghdad
28 December 2003:After the "liberation"
of Iraq, the Baath party's enemies have declared it open season to
hunt down and murder hundreds of the former regime's officials - with
not the slightest attempt by the Anglo-American armies or their newly
installed police force to end the bloodshed.In the Shia city of Najaf,
42 ex-members of the Baath have been murdered and not a single arrest
has followed. In Basra, controlled by British troops, almost 50 Baathists
have been found with their hands bound behind their backs and a single
bullet hole in the neck. Again, there have been no arrests.KM News Click Here for Detailed Reports