Non Resident Keralites

want insurance coverage for natural death

Demands Entrane Examination Centre in Muscat, Pension Scheme, Railway Reservation Quota

The Expatriate Keralites living in the Sultanate of Oman have asked the Non-Keralites Affairs Department (NORKA) Department to provide insurance coverage for natural death and include their family members in the insurance scheme managed by one of the Indian companies. They have also urged the Government of Kerala to start entrance examination center in Muscat for the benefit of their children, provide train reservation quota for NRKs, reduce the abnormally high air fare from Muscat to various Indian destinations, rehabilitate the Gulf returned Malayalees and introduce pension scheme for the Gulf returnees. The ISC Malayalam Wing representatives told the Observer that after a memorandum was submitted to the Indian Prime Minister, a high level committee of the aviation ministry discussed the issue and a favourable deicision is expected at any time.

The Non Resident Keralites (NRK) Cell of the Indian Social Club (Malayalam Wing) has urged the Kerala Government to extend the NRK Insurance policy for Gulf Malyalis to cover natural deaths also as against the current policy of giving insurance coverage only to accidental deaths. In a memorandum submitted to Amitabh Kanth, IAS, Secretary, Government of Kerala, C.N.P Namboothiri, Convenor, Indian Social Club (Malayalam) Wing has said: "We hail the decision of the Government of Kerala for introducing an Insurance Policy for Non Resident Keralites. This is welcomed by the entire NRK Community. The policy, valid for 5 years, is however covered for accidental deaths only. We would request you to extend its coverage for natural death and include the individual's family and children. Please take up the issue with the Insurance Company." According to available statistics, about 350 Indians die in the Sultanate and many of them are natural death. The current insurance scheme does not cover such natural death, as the insurance companies are known to be reluctant to take up the risk compared to the premium.

According to T.Bhaskaran, Coordinator of ISC (Malayalam Wing) NRK Cell another issue raised by the Cell on behalf of the large number of Keralites living in the Sultanate of Oman is to start examination centers in Muscat for Engineering and Medical Entrance tests. "Every year large number of students from Muscat take part in these entrance tests. We have asked NORKA to consider providing an examination centre in Muscat for Engineering and Medical Entrance examinations There are several children who appear for this test annually. Sending young girls alone to attend these examinations is not an easy task," say Bhaskaran, quoting the memorandum.

In addition, ISC Malayalam Wing has once again raised the issue of reducing the high airfare between Muscat and various Indian destinations. "As you may be aware, this is a prime issue, which is voiced by one and all NRKs around the globe. We have submitted a detailed memorandum to the Prime Minister of India. Please take up this vital issue very strongly with the Prime Minister on our behalf," it said. "We, the Indian Social Club (Malayalam Wing), functioning in Muscat draw your kind attention to the plight of five lakh Indians working and living in the Sultanate of Oman. Eighty five per cent of the Indian population in Oman are ordinary workers who do not earn enough to qualify to bring their families to this country.

A visit to the family in India once in a year or two becomes a very painful affair because of the exorbitant air fares from Muscat. An overview of the above Air fares will reveal that the Indians in Muscat pay very high fares as compared to fares from other Gulf destinations and Europe when they travel home. This is totally unacceptable and is an injustice to the Indians working in Oman," Nampoothiri said. "Flying hours in Gulf-India sector is approximately 3 hours whereas Europe-India sector is about 8 hours, which attracts higher operation cost by the Airlines. We do not want any subsidies but we expect a fairness and competitive fares in this sector," he added, demanding a 25 per cent reduction in airfares from Muscat to all Indian destinations and introduction of seasonal fares during vacation time.

"NRKs living in the Gulf have neither citizenship rights nor property rights. Our jobs are not guaranteed and we work at the mercy of the host Governments. We request the Government of Kerala to consider implementing a Pension scheme for the returning NRKs," says Abraham Mathew, Chairman, NRK Cell. The NRK Cell has also demanded the introduction of a rehabilitation scheme for NRKS who play a prominent role in Kerala's economy. "The money sent home by NRKs lead for economical growth and progression of other mother land Kerala. Yet, the Government has not opened its eyes. We request the Government of Kerala to introduce a Rehabilitation scheme for all returning NRKs. "Most of the NRKS visit their home once a year, or once in two years. Getting eat reservations in train at short notice is extremely difficult. Going with family and children in unreserved compartments is not safe for various reasons taking into consideration the present times looting and day light robberies. We would therefore request that a 10 per cent reservation quota be allowed for NRKs. We have requested NORKA to take up the matter with the Union Minister of Railways," Mathew added.

MiddleEastDirectory.com Launches 'Sponsored Sites' Feature.

Dubai, U.A.E - 10 May 2001 :-Middle East Directory, one of the largest English search engines for the Middle East today launched the 'Sponsored Sites' feature to help participating web sites get more visibility on the web. The directory includes a collection of over 7,500 commercial web sites in 16 Middle East countries organized according to select categories. The countries covered include: Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The Sponsored Sites is a fee based concept that places the web sites on the very top of the search selection for defined categories. For less that US$ 10/month, registered web sites can get enhanced visibility. With hundreds of web sites being launched every month in the Middle East and each competing for attracting visitors in similar space, 'Sponsored Sites' help attract attention.

 INDIAN GOVERNMENT PARTIALLY LIFTS BAN ON IMMIGRATION OF WOMEN WORKERS AS HOUSEMAIDS TO KUWAIT

The central government has decided to partially lift the ban on the immigration of women workers as housemaids and male workers as domestic servants for employment in Kuwait. The Labour Minister Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya disclosed this when the Ambassador of Kuwait Sh. Abdullah Ahmad Al Murad called on him here today. The Ambassador was told that the housemaids and male domestics at present in India could return to their workplaces in Kuwait. They, however, have to give a declaration that they are happy with their employers. Dr. Jatiya assured the Kuwaiti Ambassador that the government would review its decision about ban on fresh immigration of women housemaids and male domestics to Kuwait after consultation with Kuwaiti authorities. He said India wants that the employers in Kuwait should be made accountable so that the housemaids can seek redressal of their grievances. He said at present Kuwaiti labour laws are not applicable to housemaids and some ways have to be found out to ensure their safety and security at their work places in Kuwait.

The Government of India had banned the immigration of women housemaids and male domestics to Kuwait in June last year following complaints from women emigrants about ill treatment and exploitation.
There are more than 29 lakh Indian workers employed in Gulf countries. The problems faced by Indian workers in foreign countries are solved with the help of concerned Indian Missions and local recruiting agents who are instrumental in their employment abroad. The highest number of Indian workers numbering about 12 lakh is in Saudi Arabia. There are about two lakh eighty thousand Indian workers in Kuwait.

George Onakkoor to write book about Gulf

The famous Malayalam novelist George Onakkoor will write a new book about the life and culture of the Gulf countries. The study will focus on the unique relationship between the earth and human life in the Arab countries. George, who has penned more than 25 books including some award winning ones, is in Oman to write a book covering the geological, anthropological, sociological, historical aspects of the Arab and expatriate life in Oman and other Gulf countries. For this study, George has selected the Sultanate because of the unique closely-knit community life style untouched by modernity, absence of big crowd that disturb and distort natural living conditions, presence of large number of nostalgic Indians, historical influence of Bible and the Holy Quran on human life and culture are factors that attracted his attention to Oman. Since the Sultanate has announced 2001 as the year of environment, the study will be a major contribute to document unique aspects of Omani culture and heritage.

During his visit to the Sultanate as part of the mission, the literary figure told the Observer that the new literary work would focus on the interior parts of Oman, which he said is not crowded like other Gulf cities. The writer has already visited the interior parts of the Sultanate and is fascinated by the unique topographical, socio-cultural and human living conditions and relationship surrounding the desserts, valleys and mountains of Oman. He has started work on the book, which will narrate the changing patterns of human relationship with mother earth.

The proposed book will be either in the form of a novelite a travalogue, or even a novel depending on the outcome of his research done through direct contact with both Omanis and expatriates living in different parts of the Sultanate. "I have not decided the form in which it will appear, but I have decided the theme. Originally planned in Malayalam, the work will be translated to English as well," Onakkoor said. "I am fascinated by the quality of infrastructure here. Compared to Indians who migrate to Western countries, Keralites maintain their contacts with their motherland and retain their identity. Being a small country people keep their relationship in a closely knit social set up," he says.

George added that he had written a biblical novel "Olivumarangalude Nattil," (In the Land of Olive Trees) which is a travelogue based on his extensive travel through Egypt, Palestine and the Mediterranean belt. All his novels have been about the unique relationship between the earth and people. In order to get a real picture about the unique life style and socio-cultural features of Omanis and expatriates living in the interior, the novelist has already visited a number of places including a few Omani villages, Sur, Quriyat, Fort Nakkal, Quriyat and Sohar. The book will cover various facets of Oman including its traditional life style, housing, historical monuments and even the traditional art and culture.

George Onakkoor has written 25 books -- 9 novels, literary criticisms, travalogues, biographies and short stories. His novels like Oolkadal (Sea), Akale Akasham and Kamana, Illam are famous works in Malayalam literature, which got top literary awards. Besides being a writer, Onakkoor was the director of Kerala State Institute for Children's Literature, State Institute of Encyclopedia, Director, State Literary Council and the current chairman of State Resource Center, which trains teachers for about 4000 literary centers in Karalla.