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govt agency says to explore investment opportunities in China this yr
- Bahrain
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Group accused of threatening striking workers -Warning
over Viagra and damage to sight
Dubai eGovernment organizes online survey to evaluate
quality of eServices provided through government websites
Survey measures client satisfaction of online services
provided by government departments
January 18 2006 Dubai eGovernment has organized an online
survey to measure client satisfaction of the eServices provided by different
government departments, with a view to enhance the quality of these
services. Dubai Police and the Department of Health and Medical Services
(DOHMS) were randomly chosen to start the survey with, and in future
the survey will be extended to cover all government departments.
The survey is in keeping with Dubai eGovernment’s
commitment to ensure transparency and public involvement as standard
features of eServices provided by the different government departments,
in line with the tone of the message provided by President H.H. Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who emphasized this in his address to the
nation on the occasion of the 34th National Day.
“The client satisfaction survey was designed to
enable government departments to develop a clearer understanding of
client needs, while ensuring a higher standard of transparency”
said Salem Al Shair, eServices Director, Dubai eGovernment. “We
are going to focus on transparency, quality control and increased customer
focus in the new year, and such surveys will benchmark our approach
in this direction.”
Dubai eGovernment devised a set of questions for the
survey, which focused on aspects relating to the website of Dubai Police
and DOHMS, the frequency and purpose of visits to the website and the
use of online services, besides suggestions for any changes or additional
online services. The responses to the questions posted on the websites
of Dubai Police and DOHMS were tabulated by Dubai eGovernment.
The final analysis of the survey involved cross-tabulation
between frequency of visit to the website with purpose of visit and
frequency of visit with use of online services. The survey drew a total
of 768 responses, with DOHMS receiving 566 responses while Dubai Police
accounted for 202 responses. The survey has been published on the websites
of Dubai Police and DOHMS, and will remain posted on these sites until
the end of December, 2005. The overall satisfaction 69% of DP 59% of
DOHMS customers are satisfied with website and online services
“Client satisfaction is central to the success
of any service. We hope our client satisfaction surveys will produce
useful data which would help us prepare an annual report on eServices.
This report could serve as a reference for government departments on
how to improve the quality of their services,” Al Shair added.
Dubai eGovernment gave away prizes to the winners of
the survey. The winners were Mohammad Khalil Ibrahim, Sandeep Chhabra,
Abdulla Mohammad Ahmad Mohammad, Luiza Joan Monteiro and Adeeb Mohammad
Yacin.
Luiza Joan Monteiro, one of the winners, said, “It
is very encouraging that these departments are making sincere efforts
to enhance the quality of their services and are willing to take the
customer seriously, hearing out their suggestions and complaints. In
fact, it surprised me to be named one of the winners of the survey,
as I had made some critical remarks in my response to the survey’s
questions. This shows that these departments welcome constructive criticism,
and is also indicative of the democratic process they have put in place.”
Indo-US cooperation to Tackle Cyber Crimes
India and the U.S. have decided to enhance co-operation
among the law enforcement agencies to deal with cyber crime. At
the third Plenary of the Indo-US Cyber Security Forum which concluded
here today, the Confederation of Indian Industry [CII] in consultation
with their US counterpart decided to set up an India Information Sharing
and Analysis Centre [ISAC] and an India Anti-Bot Alliance to raise awareness
about emerging threats in cyberspace. CERT-In and the US National Cyber
Security Division agreed to share expertise in artifact analysis, network
traffic analysis and exchange of information. The R&D working group
will concentrate on hard problems of cyber security, cyber forensics
and anti-spam research.
It was also decided to organize a series of Indo-US
seminars, workshops, and expert level exchanges in the coming months.
The US delegation was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Mr.
Michael Coulter while Shri Arvind Gupta, Joint Secretary, National Security
Council Secretariat led the Indian delegation. A wide cross section
of officials and industry representatives from both sides attended the
meeting.
Inaugurating the plenary, the Deputy National Security
Advisor, Shri Vijay K. Nambiar referred to the ongoing transformation
of Indo-US relationship into a strategic partnership. Recognizing the
role played by the Indo-US Cyber Security Forum in the growth of Indo-US
relationship, Shri Nambiar emphasized the need for serious attention
to sound information security practices in view of rapid growth of IT
Enabled Services [ITES] trade between the two countries. He said that
the Indo-US Cyber Security Forum was addressing these issues through
its Joint Working Groups and would continue to do so.
Shri Arvind Gupta, the Indian Co-Chair IUSCSF, in his
opening remarks, pointed out that the third plenary of the Indo-US Cyber
Security Forum presented an opportunity to extend and institutionalize
mutual cooperation in cyber security and make it self-sustaining. He
emphasized that capacity building in cyber security remains India’s
priority and hoped that the Forum would make a contribution in this
regard.
Mr. Coutler, the US Co-Chair, highlighted that the emerging
strategic relationship between the two countries was predicated on common
visions, concerns and inter-dependencies. He noted that over the last
three years the Indo-US Cyber Security Forum has progressed from philosophy
to a common action-oriented agenda on how to secure networked information
systems. Highlighting the activities of the Forum and its Working Groups,
Mr. Coutler expected a more ambitious programme in the coming year.
He welcomed the suggestion for greater information-sharing in the Transportation
and Financial Sectors. He hoped that the Forum’s agenda would
help cope with new challenges on the cyber security horizon such as
mitigating risk in the emerging sub-outsourcing environment.
Pravasi Bandhu introduces Sandwanam to control suicide
Suicide among Expatriate Indians is increasing alarmingly
in GCC countries. There were three suicides recorded of Keralites in
UAE this week, one in Dubai and two in Sharjah. Last three months the
number of reported suicides in UAE among Indians were 20 out of that
majority were Keralites. Last one year total cuicide cases among Indian
expatriate are more than 50 in UAE alone. Majority of cuicide personals
were from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnadaka and Andhra Predesh.
One of the main reason for the suicide is financial
crisis. When the living cost is sky rocketing the income is not increasing.
Most of them coming here with lot of expectation by paying hefty sum
for getting visa with great expectations which are not fulfilling when
they reach here.
The general habit of Indian emigrants in GCC is, once
reach in host country they forget them self, live for dependents back
home. Family back home will start to live with extra ordinary comforts
and start to demand for money from the NRE bread winner. Many expatriates
are complaining that their families are not realising the real situation,
not recognising hardships and scarifies of the expatriate to look after
their family back home and they consider they are money minting machine.
Expatriate will find ways to take loans from individual
lenders with very high interest (10% and above per month), from banks
and credit cards and very soon they fell in to debt trap. Once they
fell in to that trap no one can escape from it. Many are coming here
with debt, going back on vacation by taking loan and retuning to work
place again taking loan in India.
The living conditions of these middle and low income
people are very pathetic. Many of them are not having a comfortable
accommodation even. If they are bachelors, because of very high house
rent they have to share one room with half a dozen people. The families
condition are worst, we could see three families with children are sharing
two bedroom and one living room apartment with one kitchen. Those who
are living in labour camps their conditions are more pathetic. They
are not having proper sanitary facilities even. Such living condition
also invites many socio-psychological problems to expatriates.
Old days friends were ready to share the feelings, pains,
difficulties and job issues and to discuss and to help each other. This
region became very busy place, working hours became so long, time to
spent to go to work and come back became so lengthy, so, no one have
time to share feelings and misery of others. Good social relations with
friends and relatives under the present environment it is not possible.
Another issue is husband and wife relations. After marriage
many husbands spend only few days and visit the family after few years.
Those who are living with family we could see many issues which need
counseling. Pre-marital counseling also is very important requirement
for boys and girls.
Many newly married girls had lot of ambition when the
husband is an expatriate. Many occasions situation will not permit to
fulfill the expectation. That also is another reason to deteriorate
husband and wife relation.
Dowry is another curse in the family life of expatriate
couples
Since husbands are working long hours, ladies are addicted
to TV serial. Our TV serial aggravate the situation. In the channels
the statements like "I will commit suicide" are very common
as a solution of many family or social issues.
We had few opportunities to interact with people reached
at the brink of suicide. From that experience we realised, if we ready
to listen their plights, miseries and problems and ready to console
them and give some kind of counseling and that will lead to bring back
to them to normal life.
Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust had decided to provide
a service called "Sandwanam" to the people who are in the
brink of these kind of crisis. Pravasi Bandhu Welfare had made an arrangements
with psychiatrist and sociologist to provide counseling to needy people.
Those are in this condition they can contact us 00971506467801, we will
provide possible help.
Psychiatrist and sociologist who are ready to join in
the "Sandwanam " team can contact on the same number. We appeal
to all socio-cultural organisations who has strength of members and
resources to set up counseling centres in various parts of GCC. We request
you to publish/broadcast this information for the public interest.
More
about Pravasis
EGYPT: Women activists slam early retirement plan
CAIRO, 17 January (IRIN) - Reforms permitting optional
early retirement for women from the semi-private industrial sector will
result in increased marginalisation of female workers, according to
women's groups. Under a reform package which went
into effect on 15 January, women will have the option to retire at age
45 if they have worked for the same company for at least 19 years. Previously,
the retirement age for women was set at 50, the same as for men.
"This age limit is abominably low," Iman Bibars,
executive director of the Association for the Development and Enhancement
of Women said. "Essentially, the government is giving companies
leeway to push women out of work, while providing them with no real
alternative life plans after retirement."
A press release issued by the Egyptian Centre for Women's
Rights (ECWR) criticised the government for differentiating between
the status of men and women. The organisation cited Article 40 of the
Egyptian Constitution, which guarantees the equal rights and status
of all citizens.
Activists have also pointed out that, in low-income
families, women may feel pressured to retire early to claim the retirement
package to pay off home utilities, outstanding debts, or an offspring's
wedding.
"What else can you do with a retirement package
as low as $7,500?" asked Nihad Abu al-Qumsan of the ECWR. "Unfortunately,
the reform only provides new justifications for a culture in which a
woman's income is solely used for solving immediate problems in the
home."
Under the reformed laws, both men and women will receive
a maximum compensation package of $7,500 and a minimum of $2,900.
"Although they will also receive a portion of their
salaries, we must bear in mind that Egyptian industrial workers make
very, very little money," Bibars said. "It's often not enough
to deal with the daily costs of life."
In light of Egypt's considerable economic problems,
noted al- Qumsan, "I can hardly see how this reform is going to
improve conditions for anyone on the long run."
"The policy further propagates the notion that
a woman's work is unimportant, and thus adds to demeaning the role of
women in every domain," she added.
According to the state press, the average wage for factory
workers is $52 per month. UN statistics put women's average wages in
the industrial sector at around 70 percent of that of their male counterparts.
Despite criticisms from women's rights groups, however,
semi-official daily Al-Ahram praised the reform as being "useful,"
reporting that the government had earmarked US $80 million for the scheme.
"It is a move in the right direction," Minister
of Labour Aisha Abdel Hadi was quoted as saying.
The reform was promised by President Hosni Mubarak during
his electoral campaign in September of last year. Egyptian economists
say it will grant companies greater freedom and promote privatisation.
SimSim International Launched by Batelco
Batelco has announced the launch of SimSim International,
the latest addition to their mobile prepaid services and the only package
that gives free international minutes. The new package adds a new dimension
to Batelco’s prepaid mobile services which currently includes
SimSim and SimSim Shabab.
The new package costs only BD8 and it is designed for
customers who make frequent international calls. Customers pay for one
minute only for every two minutes of international talk. SimSim
International features the same services available to the existing SimSim
packages such as local calls, SMS , MMS, GPRS, Voicemail…etc
Customers can refil their SimSim International accounts
using any of the existing refil vouchers. These vouchers are available
in wide range of denominations (BD1, BD3, BD5, BD10 & BD 20) in
more than 1800 outlets all over the kingdom. Customer can also refil
their SimSim International account using any of the existing refill
channels such as the electronic refill via Banks, Call centre, Batelco
web page any many other convenient channels . Batelco also offers an
extension of 30 days to all SimSim account life cycle, enabling customers
to receive calls for the first 30 days when their SimSim accounts become
deactive.
Customers on the new SimSim International package will
be charged a flat per minute rate which is the same rate as the existing
IDD peak rates for calls made from existing SimSim package, however
customers pay only one minute for every two minutes of talk which means
that customers get discounts of 50% for every two minutes of talk. The
SimSim International package offers this discount to most of the international
destinations. including all GCC and Arab countries, India, Pakistan,
Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, United Kingdom, United stats and
more. Customer currently on SimSim or SimSim Shabab
packages can change their package to SimSim International by calling
196 IVR
Swaralaya conducts the first-ever photo biography exhibition
of K.J.Yesudas
by R.S.Priya
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Thiruvananthapuram Jan 16, 2006: Swaralaya, as a prelude
to the mega event of the Swaralaya awards ceremony, conducted the first-ever
photo exhibition of Dr.K.J.Yesudas, the leading play back singer. Entitled
‘Yesudas-Vyaktiyum Sangeethavum the exhibition held’ at
the Kanakakunnu Palace from January 15th to January 17th, it is held
simultaneously with a music concert in which renowned musician Ramesh
Narayanan, Arundhati and Manjari performed in front of an esteemed audience.
Swaralaya is conducting the photo exhibition to honour Padmashri. Dr.K.J.Yesudas
has stolen the hearts of Indians.
The unique photo exhibition displayed numerous photos
of Yesudas from his childhood to his old age. There were many pictures
of the singer with his family, colleagues and renowned national figures
from the north and the south. There were pictures of the singer with
music directors from the south and even with film stars like Randhir
Kapoor from the north. Speaking to KM, Biju, member of Swaralaya said
that it is the first-ever photo biography exhibition of K.J.Yesudas.
"The pictures are special selections marking the most important
moments of his life and also with personalities who are close to him.
On display are picture of Yesudas and his wife Prabha, while the couple
attended the 'Samagamam'programme on Amritha TV," he said. . There
were also pictures of Yesudas with the Pope, with renowned musician
P.B.Sreenivas and with popular singers like K.S.Chitra, Sujatha, Venugopal,
music director A.R.Rahman and Ilayaraja. His family photos included
marriage pictures.
The melodious music concert that conducted at the Kanakakunnu
palace stole the hearts of the audience and special mention should be
made of Ramesh Narayanan who dedicated his performance to Dr.K.J.Yesudas.
He said it was a great honour to perform in front of an esteemed audience
that included the veteran singer. Among the audience were Yesudas, his
wife Prabha Yesudas, son and playback singer Vijay Yesudas, P.Susheela,
S.Janaki, Omanakutty teacher and Manjari, a promising young singer.
Yesudas has been the voice of evergreen hero Premnasir
to superstars like Mammootty and Mohanlal. He has also sung playback
in Tamil and his songs in Tamil and Hindi are still heard by music lovers.
His birthday is in January and as part of the special occasion, the
Swaralaya awards for 2005 are given to renowned playback singer Sonu
Nigam for his contribution to Hindi music and to P.Susheela for her
contribution to the music world There were also winners of Gandharva
Sandhya in the junior and senior sections.
The senior section award for male singer is for H.Krishnan
Unni who is a first year student of Electrical and Electronics at the
Engineering College of Trivandrum and in the female singers section,
the award is for M.Com first year student Mithu Manoj studying in M.G.
College. The junior section award for best male singer is for Arjun
B.Krishna, 7th standard student of the Christ Nagar School, Vellayambalam
and Mridula M.R, student at the Mukkam KMCT Engineering College doing
her first year in Electrical and Electronics is the winner among female
singers.
