KM Young Achievers

Kuzhoor Wilson - Wins N.M.Veyoth Smaraka Sahithya Award

Kuzhoor Wilson -- Budding Poet from Asianet News Desk

DUBAI -JUNE 26 2004 This years N.M.Veyoth Smaraka Sahithya Award is shared by two young Gulf Malayali writers - poet and journalist Kuzhoor Wilson and writer K.M. Abbas. Wilson, journalist of Asianet Dubai has got the award for his poem "Randu Panthukal Kandumuttumpol" K.M.Abbas got the award for his short story Moonnamathe Nagaram. The annual award, given by Sharjah based socio cultural organization Thirumuttam, includes a cash award of Rs.25,000 and keerthiphalakam. Wilson has been a budding poet since his school days.

His first poetry collection Urakkam Oru Kanyasthree (Sleep- A Nun) was published way back in 1998 by Khani books. Another poem by Wilson was included in a collection of romantic poems in Malayalam edited by V.R Sudeesh and published by Mulberry. The English transalation of the poem -- Maria of many types -- has been published in Poetry.com Wilson was invited to a World poet fest in the US held on Aug.15, 2001. Before joining Asianet Dubai Wilson used to recite poems and deliver speeches on AIR - Cochin and Trichur. His second poetry collection 'e'-school as remembered by a poet and an artist was published by pappiyon books- 2003 More

M.Mukundan Given Vayalar Award 2003 for Keshavente Vilapangal

Thiruvananthapuram Oct 27: In a grand ceremony held at the Tagore Centenary Hall here today, popular novelist M.Mukundan was presented with the prestigious Vayalar Award 2003 for his novel 'Kesavante Vilapangal'. The function was attended by prominent literary personalities which included O.N.V.Kurup, Dr.V.Madhusoodanan Nair and M.K.Sanu. In his welcome speech, O.N.V said that M.Mukundan portrayed the life on the banks of 'Mayyazhi puzha' through his novels and his award wi nning work 'Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theerathu is one such book which spoke of Mayyazhi Puzha..Full Report

SOLIDARITY SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH QATAR ISLAMIC BANK

Bank To Distribute Islamic Insurance Products

DUBAI - JUNE 2004 Qatar Islamic Bank and Bahrain-based Solidarity, one of the Middle East's leading Islamic insurance and assurance companies, have signed an agreement making the bank the sole distributor of Solidarity's Islamic Insurance Products in Qatar.

Qatar Islamic Bank signed the agreement as part of its strategy to increase the services available to its customers by providing, Takaful, Retakaful and Family Takaful Insurance.Announcing the partnership, Khalid Bin Ahmed Al Sowaidi, Chairman, Qatar Islamic Bank, highlighted the growing demand for Islamic Shari'ah compliant Takaful products in the region.

"With the expanding scope of this unique Islamic system of insurance and assurance, we wanted to enlarge our customer services by providing clients with the utmost safety and protection against the widest possible risks, along with a diverse range of prudent saving opportunities," said Al Sowaidi.

"Aimed at meeting the needs of various sectors of society, these Takaful products will reach beyond the ordinary to offer unmatched benefits to our customers".Solidarity is primed to become the largest Insurance Company in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the largest Islamic Insurance Company in the world. It has been newly established as one of the top 10 companies in the Arab world in terms of paid up capital, (US$ 100,000,000).

"Both the Qatari and Bahraini Governments have been striving to form a workable partnership that would in turn develop the economic sectors of our two countries. The signing of this agreement is a notable step from the private sector towards strengthening both governments' endeavours," said Khalid Abdullah Janahi, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Solidarity.

"Both companies aim to accommodate the diverse individual needs of clients by providing a comprehensive range of traditional and modern products in accordance with Islamic Shari'ah principles and to generate a satisfactory rate of return for shareholders and policyholders alike".

Solidarity has been set up in direct response to the growing demand for Takaful Insurance products around the world. Its core product offering will be long term savings, related life assurance products and other non-insurance related savings products, such as savings schemes for the education of children. "Solidarity's principal objective is to be the leading Takaful insurance company globally by providing a full range of life assurance and general insurance products to the highest standards possible," said Janahi. In keeping in line with their growth, plans for the company to provide more services are underway with new Solidarity Shariah compliant Protection Plans to be introduced Shortly. (KM News Bureau)

First Gulf Bank Officials during a recent press conference in Dubai