Keralamonitor News June 22, 2004 The Secretary, Water Resources Shri V.K. Duggal and Pakistan's Secretary for Water and Power Mr. Ashfaq Mehmood at the India-Pakistan Secretary level talks on Baglihar Hydro-Electric Project, in New Delhi on June 22, 2004 (Tuesday). NO DECISION YET ON GRANTING LICENSE TO SEX WORKERS Smt. Kanti Singh, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development has clarified that the Government had not taken any decision to grant licenses to sex workers and any policy on such a sensitive issue will emerge only after discussions with stakeholders and a national consensus.It was reported in a section of the press that the Government had decided to grant licenses to sex workers to end their exploitation at the hands of police, anti-social elements & middle men. Smt. Singh was also attributed as having said that granting licence to sex workers would also help in checking spread of HIV/AIDS.In order to set right the record, it is stated that these issues were raised by some participants, in a meeting with NGOs held in Patna recently, where some of the participants demanded that licenses be given to sex workers. MOS’s response was only that the matter would be looked into. GULF AIR FIRST CARRIER TO OPERATE DIRECT MUSCAT TO LONDON FLIGHTS [Muscat, Oman - 21 June 2004] Today Gulf Air, the national carrier for the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi introduced another first in the region with the launch of its daily, non-stop flights from Muscat to London Healthrow. The addition of this new daily direct service to London makes the airline the biggest operator to the Gulf from Heathrow. Flights, using one of Gulf Air's luxurious ultra-long haul Airbus A330 aircraft, will depart Seeb International Airport in the afternoon arriving London Heathrow that evening. For the return leg, the flight leaves London in the evening arriving in Oman for the start of the next working day. This is in addition to the two daily flights from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi, the two to Bahrain and the one flight to Dubai. "Gulf Air is proud to be the first and only carrier to operate such a service, which further emphasises one of our core business objectives - to get customers where they want to go, when they want to go," Mr. Mahfood Ali Al Harthy, Gulf Air's Regional General Manager-Gulf. "Based on the very strong bookings for the summer period the public has been eagerly awaiting this service." VisitBritain applaudes the introduction of Gulf Air's new direct service to London. "The UK, and London in particular, has always been a popular destination among Omanis," said Carol Maddison, VisitBritain's Regional Marketing Manager - Middle East. "London is one of Europe's most popular destinations, and with Oman becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination for Europeans, this service gives travellers more convenience and better options, which benefits both countries." Customers can expect Gulf Air's full range of innovative onboard services on the 6.50 hour-long flights. These include on-board chef service in the First Class cabin, the equivalent of a first class menu for Business Class passengers, Gulf Air's unique Sky Nanny service in all cabins and a full line- up of exciting new, in flight entertainment. Another added benefit for travellers to and from Muscat is the recent addition of the airline's Luxury Car Transfer Service for First and Business Class passengers flying from Muscat to any Gulf Air destination. Passengers will be picked up from any location in the capital and driven to the airport in the spacious comfort of BMW's most luxurious vehicle. This service is also available for passengers arriving in Muscat via Gulf Air. Gulf Air operates more international flights from Seeb International Airport than any other carrier, with 120 flights a week serving the needs of both business and leisure customers. PROF. BALVANT KESHAV KALE SELECTED FOR THE NATIONAL AWARD IN STATISTICS Renowned statistician Prof. Balvant Keshav Kale, has been selected for the National Award in Statistics instituted in the memory of Prof. P.V.Sukhatme for the year 2003-04.Prof. Kale is a retired Head of Department of Statistics. Besides, he has also served as a visiting Professor at University of Waterloo, Canada.His contribution includes: fundamental research in the areas of statistical inference such as solutions of likelihood equations, analysis of outliers, estimating equations and reliability and life testing. His work on detection of outliers, testing for outliers and masking effects of outliers is considered as an important methodological contribution in addition to clarification of theoretical issues. Prof. Kale has written two books, published 70 papers in reputed statistical journals and guided 14 Ph. D. students. His book titled “Life Testing and Reliability Estimation” has been translated into Japanese. He was awarded the Principal V.K.Jog Best Teacher Award in February 1993 by the University of Pune. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has instituted two National Awards in Statistics for outstanding contribution in the field of Statistics. One award is given to senior statistician in memory of Prof. P.V.Sukhatme and the other award is given to young statistician in honour of Prof. C.R.Rao. These awards are given in alternate years and each award carries a cash prize of Rs. One lakh. JUDGES ANNOUNCED FOR DUBAI INTERNATIONAL MARITIME AWARDS ENTRY FACILITY ONLINE DUBAI - 22nd June, 2004 The judging panel for the inaugural Dubai International Maritime Awards has been announced by the organisers, Seatrade. A four-man judging panel has been appointed and will be chaired by the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, Rear Admiral Efthimios Mitropoulos. Other judges include Captain Duncan McKelvie, Chairman, Nautical Institute UAE Branch, Captain Jitendra Misra, Chairman, Chartered Institute of Shipbrokers and Richard Wyborn, Chairman, Institute of Marine Engineers, Science & Technology. “In keeping with Seatrade’s long-standing Seatrade Awards scheme, which is well-known in the international maritime community for impartiality and fairness, an independent judging panel was deemed essential,” said Chris Hayman, Managing Director, Seatrade. News of the judging panel has been released online, as has a downloadable entry form at www.seatrade-global.com/Dubai_awards.html. The deadline for entries is September 30 this year and entry is by email using the official form. The Dubai International Maritime Awards are being organised by Seatrade and will be presented during Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2004, the region’s premier exhibition and conference for maritime sectors, which will run at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 6-8. The Dubai International Maritime Awards have been instigated to reward top achievers within the regional industry and encourage excellence in the Middle East’s shipping sector. The awards cover five categories – safety and quality in shipping; innovation in shipping; port operations; countering marine and atmospheric pollution; and education and training. The newly-formed Gulf Energy Maritime PJSC shipping company is the awards’ principal sponsor. Others sponsoring the scheme are Dubai Maritime City, Dubai Ports Authority and the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing. The scheme will also include the Dubai Cruise Award, sponsored by the Government of Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, for a company’s contribution to the expansion of cruise tourism in the Middle East, as well as the Seatrade Personality of the Year for West and Central Asia. “The personality of the year award will recognise an individual’s outstanding personal achievement in the regional maritime industries,” explained Hayman.In keeping with the non-profit making motives of the Dubai International Maritime Awards scheme, a donation from the proceeds of the awards presentation dinner, to be held at the Fairmont Dubai on the evening of December 6, will be made to The Mission to Seafarers. GET SPORTY THIS SUMMER IN SWITZERLAND Watch world class tennis or take part in one of world's highest altitude marathons Dubai, 21 June, 2004: Leading Swiss Hotel Consortium, Seiler Hotels and Riffelalp Resort 2222m are beckoning Middle East Travellers to come and join them for two of Zermatt's biggest summer sporting events.The village of Zermatt in Switzerland will be the setting for the Raiffeisen Tennis Open and the Riffelalp Marathon, one of the highest altitude races in the world in a matter of a few weeks time. Taking place from the 26-29 June the Raiffeisen International Tennis Open is played at Zermatt Tennis Club and attracts Tennis professionals from around the world to this N tournament. In years gone by the tournament has been the practice ground for some of today's tennis stars including the 2003 Wimbledon winner, Roger Federer. Just a few days after the Tennis tournament on 3 July, Zermatt will play host to the 3rd Zermatt Marathon which takes running enthusiasts through some of the most stunning mountain scenery in Europe. Visitors come from all around the globe to take part in the race which at its highest point reaches 2582 metres and takes runners through an altitude difference of 1762 metres.After all this activity guests can choose to rest their weary limbs at one of the three Seiler Hotels in the village of Zermatt itself or at the Riffelalp Resort 2222m, Europe's highest altitude five star hotel.Each hotel offers spacious accommodation, a variety of dining options and access to Wellness Centres for those wanting both pampering and more activity.For more information on the events and bookings with the hotels visit www.seilerhotels.ch Caption: Leading Swiss Hotel Consortium, Seiler Hotels and Riffelalp Resort 2222m is beckoning Middle East Travellers to come and join them for two of Zermatt's biggest summer sporting events.