January 17, 2004

Two Indian Sisters Gang Raped in Manama..

MANAMA - Two young Indian sisters were allegedly gang-raped in their Manama home, on the orders of an Indian businessman, reported the Gulf Daily News. In an exclusive report, Vinitha Viswanathan of GDN has reported that five Bahraini men will appear before the Criminal Court on February 8 charged with the attack. "They allegedly burst into the women's flat at night last July and took turns to rape them," the report said, adding that the criminal act was allegedly carried out on the orders of an Indian businessman to punish their father, who lives in India, for supposedly cheating him. The women, in their20 s, were reluctant report the attack, but were persuaded to do so two days later by friends. They said the attackers were arrested within days and confessed.

The men told police they were ordered to carry out the attack by a Bahrain-based Indian businessmen, to punish the women's father for cheating him. At one point the five escaped from court, but were re-arrested soon after. "The men ran away from custody when they were being taken to court. But police were successful in arresting them again after a few days' search and they have been in custody since then," the report said quoting unnamed sources.

PCO Pyas 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.

  • Senior Pastor Points:
  • .Basic Salary RO 1700 pm. This is 50% more than the PCO scale. Why policy not followed?
  • .Disparity between existing pastors whose Basic salary is RO 600 pm. Some of them we believe are more theologically qualified even a PHD.
  • .What is the basis of appointment, qualification, doctrinal standing, etc?
  • .Lot of preconditions were put esp. TOTAL authority over finances, hiring and firing, building, management.
  • .Role of PCO council? Changes to constitution???
  • .Freewill offerings shortfall under present budget. How will that be met esp with new SP costs next year and in light of omanisation/floating population. Has the council thought of the repercussions of such lavish expenditure and how can it expect a huge increase in the givings when the average income of the members is not that high.
  • .How did the council vote when there were so many concerns, esp by the Pastors themselves.
  • .How can a man of God dictate terms and conditions knowing the financial condition of the church?
  • .We have been given to understand that the Building reserves are going to be utilized for the shortfall in income and to meet the high cost of the SP? Against constitution.
  • .Congregation is deeply disturbed at the way the appointment was pushed and DEMANDS A FULL EXPLANATION.
  • .Has the uniqueness of the PCO church been taken into account esp the diverse multi national/denominational congregations.
  • .What explanation/action has been taken against the news articles in KERALA MONITOR????
  • .Can the church afford such a huge increase in expenditure during the present difficult times and esp. when the council/congregation are not united on this issue?
  • .There are at present 5 pastors and deacon (3 in capital and 3 in interior). Are they not enough? Is Steve Rheninegan fully occupied with such high costs? Needs to be evaluated.
  • .Congregation has not been fully informed /kept abreast of the major policy decisions/ proposed changes to constitution PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT AS ALL THESE HAVE TO APPREOVED AT A SPECIAL AGM BY 2/3 MAJORITY?
  • .What if the approval is not given at the AGM.Where will PCO stand?

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    14 January 2004 KERALA WING

  • As a prelude to Keralotsavam 2004, Kerala Wing of Indian Social Club, Muscat, will conduct competitions in various fields of Arts, Literature and Sports activities in the form of a campus Youth Festival.

    This is the third consecutive year that the wing is conducting Youth festival. In the first two years such competitions were open to Keralites only. As a step forward, from this year most of the competitions are open to all Indian expatriates residing in Sultanate of Oman (except selected items reserved for Malayalis). Competitions are categorized into Dances, Music (vocal), Music (instrumental), Fine arts, Literature, and Sports & Games. There will be competitions for different age groups. To encourage healthy competition among Schools, points will be awarded to individual Indian Schools in Oman on the basis of their students winning at the competitions. In other words, if a student of a particular school wins a competition, in addition to the usual certificates and trophies that he/she would be eligible for, the School also will be credited with points as entitled for each item, and the Schools scoring maximum points will be awarded trophies at School level.

    The competition will start on 11 February 2004. Entry forms together with rules and regulations are available at Indian Social Club office (Tel: 701347) and at various Indian Schools in Oman. Last date for receiving completed entry forms is 20 January 2004. Those who wish to have any further clarifications can contact Mr.Ajayan (9364029) for Arts, Mr.Abdul Gafoor (9315034) for Literature and Mr.Ashraf (9699836) for sports.

    P M Jabir
    Hon.Convenor