Mid Day story of man who committed suicide following harassment by ICICI Bank loan recovery agents

Sell your wife to pay loan, recovery agent

Prakash Sarwankar (38) died a broken man. Sarwankar’s suicide note tells a poignant tale of how he was mentally harassed by the recovery agents of ICICI Bank. In the suicide note in Marathi, Sarwankar wrote that the agents told him, “If you cannot repay the bank loan of Rs 50,000, sell off your wife, your kids, yourself, sell everything at your home. Even then if you cannot not pay back the due amount, then it’s better if you commit suicide. But you dare not dupe the bank.” These words, which followed two months of torment, were sufficient for a sensitive Sarwankar to kill himself four days later. He hung himself with a dupatta at his Andheri (E) home on Monday. Sarwankar’s eight-year-old daughter Pranita told MiD DAY, “They (the agents) threatened my dad and also abused him. Because of them my dad has committed suicide.”Left behind: Sarwankar is survived by his wife and three daughters pic/ketan ranga. The police have arrested Nishant Nagrale’s (29), who runs a recovery agency called Nishant Associates in Jogeshwari, and his agents — Hiren Vaidya (25), Kailash Chowdhary (27) and Tushar Pargaonkar (25). According to cops from MIDC police station, Nishant and his agents had to recover the money in any way possible, as Sarwankar was down with jaundice for more than four months.They feared that Sarwankar would die and they wouldn’t be able to get back the money. If Nishant’s company did not perform well, the bank would terminate his contract. During their visits to the Sarwankar home, the agents had taken away a CD player, his credit card and Rs 25 from his purse. Sarwankar’s wife Priyanka, a guard with TOPS security agency, did not know about the loan taken by him. (Courtesy: Mid Day, Mumbai)

Thulasidas Chairman of National Civil Aviation Company Ltd

The Ministry of Civil Aviation vhas announced the names of the persons who would constitute the Board of the National Aviation Company of India Ltd., (NACIL). V. Thulasidas will be the Chairman and Managing Director of NACIl, Vishwapati Trivedi the Joint Managing Director, Shri V.K. Verma, Director (Commercial), Shri Anup Srivastava, Director (Personnel), Shri S. Chandrashekhar, Director (Finance), Shri S. Punhani (SBU Head) – Ground Handling, Shri Amod Sharma (SBU Head) – Related Business, Shri K.M. Unni (SBU Head) – MRO(Airframe), Shri V.K. Sharma (SBU Head) – MRO (Eng. & Comp.), Ms. Anita Khurana (SBU Head) – Cargo, N. Vaghul, Chairman ICICI, Non-Official Director, Raghu Menon, Addl. Secretary & Financial Advisor, M/o. Civil Aviation, Government Director and Shri R.K. Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government Director. Other thanV. Thulasidas, Shri V. Trivedi, Raghu Menon and Shri R.K.Singh all the other Directors have been appointed to the Board of NACIL for the balance period of their tenure as Directors on the respective Boards of erstwhile Air India/ Indian Airlines.

 

IRC to supply rubber for New Doha International Airport project

September 19, 2007 International Rubber Company (IRC), a subsidiary of M’Sharie, the private equity arm of Dubai Investments, has recently announced that it has been awarded an AED 1.7 million contract to supply rubber gaskets and silicone sealant for the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) project, phase 1.The deal, commencing in September 2007, appoints IRC to supply rubber gaskets for the exterior walls of the development to form a seal against air, water and wind infiltration, in addition to providing silicone sealant for structural glazing applications. The AED 120 million state-of-the-art international airport in Doha is scheduled for completion in Dec. 2008.

Hashim Al Hashim, Managing Director, IRC, said: “The New Doha International Airport project contract is another prestigious addition to a string of major contracts we have won in the recent months. .” The contract represents the latest international acquisition for the company, which currently supplies products to major developments in Singapore, Qatar, England and Saudi Arabia. IRC is a UAE-based company that produces and markets synthetic polymer rubber and plastic products specifically catering to the property development industry. The company, acquired by M’Sharie in December 2006, produces high quality weather strip and associated products including structural, container and automotive seals, moulded rubber items, plastic items and PVC waterstops. IRC has supplied products to many of the UAE’s premier property developments, including the Burj Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Resort and Dubai Festival City.

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Jet Airways Get Nod for Operation to Gulf Region.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi routes yet to be decided

New Delhi: September 14 The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has given its approval to the grant of traffic rights to Jet Airways, a leading private airline, on the India-Gulf/Middle East routes with eeffect from. 1st January 2008. This was conveyed by the Ministry to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation yesterday.

The traffic rights that have been granted to Jet Airways include 3682 seats to Kuwait per week of which 1582 seats are in the Delhi-Kuwait route, 1050 seats in Trivandrum-Kuwait route and 1050 seats in Kochi-Kuwait route; 3150 seats to Oman of which 1050 seat are in the Kochi-Muscat route, 1050 seats in the Trivandrum-Muscat route, and 1050 in Calicut-Muscat route; 2100 seats to Qatar of which 1050 are in Mumbai-Doha route and 1050 in the Calicut- Doha route and 2100 seats to Bahrain of which 1050 are in the Mumbai-Bahrain and 1050 in Kochi-Bahrain route.

The Jet Airways had applied for traffic rights on the India-Gulf/Middle East routes on 18th July 2007. They had asked for rights on routes to Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Their request for grant of traffic rights on India-Dubai and India -Abu Dhabi routes is under the consideration of the Government. The total entitlement for Indian carriers on the Gulf routes at present is 85481 seats per week of which 21950 are for Dubai, 7420 for Abu Dhabi, 10206 for Sharjah, 8000 for Kuwait, 10892 for Qatar, 7546 for Oman, 10967 for Bahrain and 8500 for Saudi Arabia.

The utilization by Indian carriers of the available Gulf routes is 49348 seats per week of which 20002 are for Dubai, 3313 for Abu Dhabi, 8690 for Sharjah, 3475 for Kuwait, 1526 for Qatar, 3475 for Oman, 1526 for Bahrain, and 7341 for Saudi Arabia.It may be noted that as per the decision of the Government Scheduled Indian Private Airlines are not permitted to operate international flights to/from Gulf till the end of 2007. The Gulf routes are served only for the Indian Public Carriers till then.

Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 66 aircraft, which includes 5 Boeing 777-300ERs aircraft, 50 classic and next generation Boeing 737-400/700/800/900 aircraft, 4 Airbus A330-200 aircraft, and 7 modern ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft. With an average fleet age of 4.92 years, the airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleet in the world. Jet Airways operates over 340 flights daily.

Flights to 53 destinations span the length and breadth of India and beyond, including New York (Newark), Toronto, Brussels, London Heathrow in U.K., Singapore, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Bangkok in Thailand and Katmandu in Nepal. The airline plans to extend its international operations to North America, Europe, Africa and Asia in phases with the introduction of Wide-body aircraft into its fleet. Since inception in May 1993 until end- August 2007, Jet Airways has flown over 75.61 million passengers. . (Keralamonitor.com)

Jet Airways can Serve Gulf Passengers: Forbes Report

Awareness Campaign in India against the Risk of Illegal Migration

September 12, 2007

The second annual conference of Heads of Indian Missions of six GCC countries, Malaysia, Jordan, Libya and Yemen has concluded in New Delhi today. On the Occasion, The Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said that the conference was successful. Important
issues related to the welfare and protection of Overseas Indian Workers and Housemaids were discussed in the Conference. He said that the Head of the Mission were suggested to evolve a method so that the Overseas Indian workers and Household Service Workers can easily
access Embassy for help. He also said that the Ministry has been taking several important steps for the welfare and protection of Overseas Indian Workers. The two-day conference of Heads of ten Indian Missions of made following recommendations:

A minimum level of Policy Coherence was reached and appropriate institutional arrangements established to ensure bench marked standards of living and working conditions for Overseas Indian Workers in all major destination countries. A package of policy measures for
the protection and welfare of women emigrants approved. This will include specifying a minimum wage, a 24/7 help line, establishing shelters for runaway maids, legal assistance and health care support These measures will be channeled through overseas workers resource centers to be outsourced.

A Nation wide awareness campaign to be launched to educate potential emigrants on the risks of illegal migration and the need to follow the emigration clearance procedures. A national pre-departure orientation and skill upgradation programme to help the potential emigrant workers move up the wage chain and benefit from the emerging job opportunities. Heads of missions will identify sectors that should be targeted and skill sets that should be built based on the loca demand. Bilateral MOUs for the protection and welfare of Overseas Indian workers to be negotiated and signed with all the GCC and other major labour receiving countries. A Model work contract finalized specifying the following terms and conditions; Basic Monthly Salary, Hours of work, Overtime Pay, Payment by Cheque, Termination of Contract including clause on termination by Employee and Employer respectively, Free transportation and Free Medical check up.

The Model contract will be applied with necessary country specific modifications for all the countries. It will be mandatory for all work contracts to be attested by the Indian missions. This will be done, if need be, by outsourcing this service or by engaging additional staff
through outsourcing. For onsite welfare measures and community based services the generic model of Indian Community Welfare Fund operated by Kuwait, Oman and KSA will be replicated in other countries. MOIA will provide funding support in addition to a small part of the
consular charges being utilized for the purpose. A regular grievance redressal mechanism with periodic reviews with the local government will be devised and made operational. The Joint working groups will be activated to address the problems and concerns of emigrant workers in
all major labour receiving countries. These groups will meet twice ayear alternately in the home and host countries.

Ravi to Establish Council for Promotion of Overseas Employment

The Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said that his Ministry is developing the policy framework and institutional arrangements to best serve the Overseas Indian Workers over the medium to long term. Inaugurating the second annual conference of Heads of Indian Missions of six GCC countries, Malaysia, Jordan, Libya and Yemen in New Delhi today, he said the ECR suspension system for those traveling on visit visa is being done away with. It will benefit about 5-6 lakh international travelers from India resulting in a saving of about Rs 100 crore. The conference is being organized by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA).

The Minister said that a Council for Promotion of Overseas Employment (CPOE) will soon be established by the Ministry. It will function as a think tank for conducting international labour market research and devising strategies for enabling Indian workers to avail the employment opportunities overseas. He further stated that the proposal for the amendment to the Emigration Act has been finalized and is expected to be placed before the Cabinet shortly. The Amendment will give Indian Missions a statutory role in the protection and welfare of the workers and also provide stringent actions against the unscrupulous recruiting agents and those who are involve in Human Smuggling.

Ravi informed that several important decisions have been taken for the protection and welfare of Household Service Workers (HSWs), which need effective implementation and follow-up with the cooperation of Indian Missions. The emigration process is being revamped to make it simple, efficient and transparent by introduction of e-governance. The MOIA has planned a nation wide awareness campaign to educate the potential emigrants about the dangers of illegal/irregular migration through unscrupulous agents. He also informed that the Ministry has signed MoUs with Government of UAE and Kuwait for the protection and welfare of Indian workers. Similar MOUs are proposed to be signed with Malaysia, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen. The MOIA has also implemented an elaborate Orientation-cum-Training scheme for potential emigrant workers in partnership with State Governments and Apex Industry Associations, he added.

The Minister also appreciated the contribution of the Indian diplomatic missions in protecting the rights of Indian emigrants and addressing their problems in the host countries. He said that management of emigration needs sensitivity and empathy on the part of all authorities working in the field of emigration as there is no substitute for “governance with a human face”. He called upon all participants to deliberate on all issues during the Conference and suggest effective measures for protection and welfare of emigrants.

Earlier Nirmal Singh, Secretary, the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and N. Ravi, Secretary (East), the Ministry of External Affairs also addressed the participants.

The Annual Conference of Heads of Indian Missions of the countries with sizeable number of Indian Overseas Workers is meant to share experiences, assess the labour situation in the host countries, understand the difficulties faced by the Overseas Indian workers, identify areas in which Sate Governments can cooperate and fine-tune the efforts being made by the Ministry for the protection and welfare of the Overseas Indian Workers.

The Overseas Indian Workers (OIWs) in the Gulf, estimated at 4.5 million, represent an important segment of Overseas Indians. These workers come from different parts of the India. Most of the workers are unskilled or semiskilled, come from poor rural background, are not well educated and therefore are vulnerable to exploitation. They live and work in difficult conditions. The top sourcing states are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. Overseas Indian Workers send a significant amount of their earnings as remittance. It is estimated that about half of the total remittance coming to India is sent by these workers. Overseas Indian workers are known for their dedication, sincerity and discipline in the host countries. (Keralamonitor.com)

UAE – Russia Economic Forum for more economic cooperation

September 2007

Dubai - The UAE-Russian Economic Forum held today (Monday, September 10, 2007) at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, has called for strengthened bilateral cooperation between the two countries to build on common factors that will mutually strengthen economic development.The event, hailed as a milestone for UAE-Russia relations, was attended by President H.H. Shiekh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and represents the first meeting of its kind by a Russian president since relations between the two countries were established in 1986

The Forum was jointly organised by the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, in association with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Arab-Russian Business Council, and was attended by an audience comprising high profile UAE and Russian dignitaries, businessmen and investors.“Today we are witnessing the start of a new phase of economic cooperation,” commented H.E. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Alshihhi, the Undersecretary – Planning Sector, UAE Ministry of Economy, who addressed the audience on behalf of H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy.“The UAE and Russia have many things in common, and we aim to establish joint committees that will enhance the economic ties between our two countries. This Forum reflects our strong relationship, and we are fully confident that we will see the fruitful results of our collaboration in the near future.”

The call for joint committees builds on the results of the Convention of the Joint Committee, which was jointly established by the UAE and Russia in 1990 to study the prospects of joint cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, information, culture, health, agriculture, environment, electricity, water and oil. The findings of these committees highlighted important recommendations of great benefit to the two nations, and promoted the establishment of joint ventures, particularly in the areas of oil and gas. Both of our countries have capabilities in these areas and we hope to implement those recommendations to revive the work of these committees to witness a quantum leap of relations at all levels. We are hoping to develop more joint committees to study the prospects of further cooperation in the near future,” H.E. Alshihhi added.

Figures from the UAE Ministry of Economy highlight that the trade exchange between the UAE and Russia has increased by 66 per cent between 2002 and 2006. Total trade between the two countries reached USD 864 million (AED 3.172 billion) in 2006, up from USD 519 million (AED 1.905 billion) in 2002.

“We hope that these rates will increase significantly in the next few years, through introducing products and services from both countries in specialised exhibitions, and also through quality and broad participation in the international exhibitions calendar. We welcome Russian investors and Russian businessmen and women to the UAE, and we aspire to a greater presence of joint ventures between the two countries,” H.E. Alshihhi added.The first session of the Forum today discussed cooperation in the fields of industry, trade construction, advanced technology, communications, energy, minerals, waste water treatment and environmental protection. The second session examined cooperation in the fields of banking, insurance, tourism, transportation, and conferences and exhibitions.

 

September 20 2007

Sting Operation: Janmat Channel banned for a month

The satellite channel ‘Janmat’ (assumed name Live India) is banned by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on all platforms throughout the country. The ban effective from September 20 will be up to 20.10.2007. The prohibition has been imposed in terms of the Sub-Section (2) of Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995. "It had come to the notice of the Central Government that some Cable Operators in the country through their Cable Television Networks had been transmitting/re-transmitting the satellite channel namely ‘Janmat’ (assumed name Live India), which telecast an admittedly doctored sting operation on Smt. Uma Khurana, teacher, Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Darya Ganj, Delhi. The telecast of said sting operation was defamatory, deliberate, false and contained suggestive innuendos and half-truths; incited violence and contained content against maintenance of law and order," the Ministry said in a statement.

" It criticized, maligned and slandered an individual in person and it denigrated children and was irresponsibly aired by the channel without exercise of due diligence in preliminary verification of the facts of the case. Therefore, the Central Government thought it necessary to prohibit transmission or re-transmission of the said channel throughout the country," the statement aded

6-Year-Old Runs School Sex Club in Australia

A six-year-old boy in Victoria, Australia has been accused of running a "sex club" at his primary school. Reports from Australi said at least one fellow first-grader was urged to perform a sexual act, and the six-year-old exposed himself to others. More

Cheating Couple Married to each other online

The British tabloid has a story about a couple, who were engaged in an online chat romance without realizing that they are husband and wife

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Maharat hospitality programme trains 49 UAE Nationals

September 19th , 2007

Tanmia, the National Human Resource Development and Employment Authority held a graduation ceremony for the eighth batch of 49 UAE Nationals who successfully completed a nine-week training course conducted by the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management under its Maharat programme. The graduation ceremony was held under the patronage of H.E. Khalid bin Sulayem, Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). The graduation ceremony for the 30 male and 19 female trainees took place at the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management premises in Dubai. Held in partnership with the DTCM Task Force, Tanmia’s Maharat hospitality programme equips UAE National jobseekers with appropriate skills that will help them pursue a career in the UAE’s booming hospitality and tourism industry. Ahmad Al Ahmadi, Dubai Tanmia Office Manager, said, “The Maharat hospitality programme is a specialised training initiative that aims to hone the skills of UAE Nationals to make them well-prepared to take up jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector. UAE Nationals have been extremely enthusiastic about the hospitality sector, which is reflected in the overwhelming response we have been receiving for our Maharat programme over the years..”

AbdulRahim Sultan, Employer Relations Manager, Tanmia, said, “The tourism and hospitality sector in the UAE is brimming with opportunities, and UAE Nationals can make the most of this by acquiring the required skills and training. The Maharat programme has over the years, trained hundreds of UAE National job seekers and helped them find suitable jobs in the country’s thriving hospitality industry.” The Maharat hospitality programme was sponsored by major hotel and retail companies including Ajman Kempinski Hotel; Burjuman Rotana Hotel; Dusit Dubai; Hyatt Regency Dubai & Galleria; Grand Hyatt Dubai; Park Hyatt Dubai; Hilton Dubai Creek; Hilton Dubai Jumeriah; Jumeriah Beach Hotel; Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai; Grosvenor House; Sofitel City Centre & Residence; Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers; Taj Palace Hotel; Shangri-La Hotel; Jebel Ali Golf Resorts & Spa and Oasis Beach Hotel & Towers.

Dubai Maritime City approves final design for big mosque in mega project 

Dubai Maritime City announces its approval of the final design of the mosque being built at the maritime project, which will be the first mosque in the city. Construction of the 3,000 square metre mosque will start next month, and complements DMC’s commitment to create an integrated work environment in the Maritime industry within the world’s first purpose-built maritime centre. On completion, the two storey mosque will have the second floor designated for women and will be capable of accommodating up to 1,500 worshippers (km)

Construction Works in Dubai Maritime City On Schedule

Development and construction works of Dubai Maritime City, the world’s first purpose-built maritime centre, and member of Dubai World Group of companies, are progressing apace, with the six-lane causeway connecting the mega project to Dubai now fully complete and finished on time. In addition, 50 per cent of the planned industrial precinct (managed by JADAF Dubai) in the Maritime City is now complete and operational. This landmark has been passed three months ahead of the original Dubai Maritime City development program schedule.

The progress in the development of the industrial precinct is the latest milestone to be reached in Dubai Maritime City. It is now physically accessible to traffic via a 1.2 km long, six-lane causeway which was completed on time and links Dubai Maritime City to Dubai itself. “We are pleased with the significant progress that has been made on the project so far. One of our proudest accomplishments to date is that we have been able to achieve this ahead of schedule,” said Mr Amer Ali, the CEO of Dubai Maritime City. A number of other infrastructure developments in the industrial precinct are also currently well underway, with the 3,000 tonne ship lift operational and the larger 6,000 tonne ship lift standing at more than 70 per cent completion. More than half of the warehouses and workshops are also operational, and when completed the precinct will have the capacity to berth more than 80 vessels.

A significant event for Dubai Maritime City is also the establishment of Dubai Maritime City Authority. The Authority was established pursuant to a law passed by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. This law established Dubai Maritime City as the official independent maritime authority and regulatory body in Dubai, with jurisdiction over maritime operations and activities.

“Dubai Maritime City will play a pivotal role in centralizing operations and providing regulation in this - sometimes fragmented - global industry. The full value chain of maritime services offered will yield great revenues for Dubai and the UAE as it will ensure more efficient operations and sustainability,” Mr Ali added.