Dead Man Trapped in the Kitchen Ventilator of Sharjah Studio Flat?

SHARJAH –July 13, 2005 The South Indian family of Rajesh Nair and Soumya and a kid, resident of the studio flat number 103 located on the first floor of Al Nasir building near BMW road here, where a man was found dead in the kitchen, trapped in the ventilator for exhaust fan opening to the main room. The family left to India for vacation on June 26th and left he flat key with Prahladan, brother of Soumya who works for a company in Ajman. “He lives in Ajman and visited the flat on Friday to check the water and electricity bill, which was kept on the front door itself. He did not open the flat and left for work after collecting the electricity bill placed in front of the flat,” says Prahladan, who was not aware of a deadbody stranded half inside the kitchen and half in the main room through a ventilator. He went to the flat to see off my sister and family going to India. However, some of residents say the room key was left with the relatives and the police investigation is going on.

According to residents, the watchman informed police about a foul smell coming from the flat and it was believed that a rat or cat could be dead, because the building uses rat poison occasionally to eliminate rodents. “It was found that a man in his late forties or early fifties, suspected to be a Keralite or Bangladeshi national from his dress, was found dead, trapped in the thin ventilator opening to the main room through which the thief was trying to sneak through to enter the main room as the flat was locked from the main entrance. “There is no lift and there are two staircases for the three-storied building. “The thief apparently tried to sneak into the main room of the studio apartment, through the kitchen ventilator using a cupboard after removing the transparent glass because the kitchen was also closed from the main room outside. He could not open the kitchen door from inside and broke the ventilator glass and some wounds found on his body and neck caused bleeding. Blood was found inside the room and body was dark apparently due to bleeding. The wounds could be caused by the broken glasses,” added t relatives. However, this is just one theory of the incident and the police investigation will only reveal the full details of the crime.

“The head was in one end of the ventilator and body on the other side, just hanging above the floor. It appeared that he miscalculated the height of the ventilator to touch the ground and got trapped. When the main door was opened, the body could be seen and the head was visible from the kitchen,” added sources. “The man appears to be in his late 40s and wore a lungi and there was no shirt. There are people who live in the neighbourhood, but nobody noticed the body trapped inside the flat,” he added. It was the foul smell that made the watchman complaint to the police. The Dubai Police and Sharjah police came and opened the door and found blood in the kitchen, probably due to wounds sustained from the broken glass. It appears that the death was caused by a failed theft attempt, and it is not sure whether the victim was alone in the bid. During summer vacation, thieves target houses locked and left by the expatriate residents for vacation. Such theft incidents are reported from some other parts of the UAE too. “Police took our statements and the family members are informed about the tragedy. The whereabouts of the dead man is not yet ascertained,” added sources.

E X C L U S I V E July 12

Residents Say Dead Body Found in Sharjah Building

SHARJAH - The Al Nasr buildng on the BMW road in Sharjah has been smelling for the last couple of days and many residents of the third storied building thought it could be due to a rat or animals trapped in the building. "We have been experiencing very bad smell for the last three days and thought it was due to some decayed animals," said one of the residents. Mainly occupied by South Indian families and bachelors, the smell from the first floor of Al Nasr building was informed to the Sharjah Police. Residents said the police retrieved a dead body by afternoon, which was found in one of the locked apartments. Located behind the main road the building was occupied by Indian expatriates, mainly Keralites and some of the families are out of town for vacation. "Because of severe smell, police was informed about the mystery and they came to inspect the location. Sharjah Police did a good job and investigation is started, said sources. Police confirmed that a dead body of a man has been found from the building, but could not confirm whether it was a murder. Apparently the victim is a Malayali. When they came, the room was locked and could not enter the locked room," said residents, who did not want to be named. It is said that the police came back and broke open the room and found a body, suspected to be with some wounds. "The family which occupied the flat is believed to be out of town for vacation and we don't know whose body was found from the room. It is not sure whether the room key was left with someone in Sharjah or they left keeping the room locked," added sources. Some people have been questioned by police but details could not be confirmed. The whereabouts of the victim is also unknown. "We found the fire force and police trying to clean up the building. It has been smelling for at least three several days,' said another resident. Bachelors and families were staying there. "The flat was temporarily rented out to third parties. It is a common practice among expats to save money," said sources.

Manoj Kama Honoured by Media Lab Bahrain

Mr. Manoj Kana, the noted Dramatician and winner of the various awards, who was in Bahrain at the invitation of the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam, was gifted with a memento by THE MEDIA LAB-Intl. It was handed over by Samajam Preident Mr. John Iype at the BKS office. "This was presented as a token of love and respect to Mr. Kana, who has been using DRAMA as a weapon to fight against injustice, inequality and discrimination the downtrodden society is forced to face in certain areas of democratic India. The memento worded the same. ''the words written on this, empowers me all the more'' said . Manoj receiving the memento. A Post Graduate, Manoj, has dedicated his life for the upliftment of the poor, striving hard to educate the tribal community about their individual freedoms and rights through his unique and powerful media, DRAMA. "We admire this youngster with a respectful love for his determined and sustained courage and his selfless struggle he has been into for the sheltering the underprivileged sector. Present at the ceremony were, the BKS General Secretary Mr. K Janrdhanan(2nd from right), Biju Mangalath (Rt End), Mr. KK Ramakrishnan (3rd from right), and the Executive committee members of the BKS.The Media Lab-India is basically a Tele-film making studio, situated and registered at Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. The said lab already has the reputation of having produced many quality documentaries for many leading television channels in India. By virtue of its strict ethical perspective, The Media Lab has won considerable admiration from its viewers. As for the facilities, the Media Lab has a strong and well equiped infrastructure including an acoustic proof recording studio and a mini auditorium with all the essential photographic and editing equipment. Media Lab aims at emerging as a confluence of promoting rich traditional values of India and the Arabian Gulf, advocating tourism, implementing charity and facilitating education, closely associating with the Governmental bodies of the respective states and strictly adhering and respecting all the socio-cultural norms of the respective base of operation. We will also aim at nourishing the Expatriate Indians and their families back home, with an ambience they desperately miss being away from each other. -Reported by Biju Mangalath, Director, The Media Lab-Intl

Egypt’s booming pharmaceutical sector is set to cross US$ 1 billion annually

MEDITECH, Egypt’s leading exhibition on medical technology, to provide an ideal platform to tap opportunities

July 14 2005 Egypt’s booming pharmaceutical sector is worth over US$ 1 billion annually, and shows signs of further growth in 2005, boosted by the government’s modernisation drive and increased private sector involvement.Glimpses into the high-growth sector will be provided at the 3rd Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Exhibition, MEDITECH 2005, which will showcase pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, hospital supplies and instruments. Meditech 2005, to be held from September 22 to 25, 2005, at the Cairo International Fair Ground, is a premier exhibition for medical technology and implements. Its scope has been widened to include additional medical sectors in response to the area’s requirements. The show is expected to witness a substantial increase in trade visitors and exhibitors this year, thus providing an ideal platform to serve the strategic health modernization plans in Egypt and the region.

“MEDITECH is growing from strength to strength and is eager to carry its forward momentum into 2005, where we are expecting not just substantial increases in both exhibitors and visitors, but also expansion into further medical segments. MEDITECH has become a potent force for the profligation of upcoming medical technology in the region, and is an ideal forum for suppliers, clients and experts to liaise and establish networks that will ultimately result in better medical services for the entire region,” said Ahmed Ghozzi, Chairman of ITC.

The healthcare sector throughout the Middle East is experiencing significant growth following modernisation programmes and increased private participation in the health sector. The Egyptian government in particular has started a five-year programme of upgrading medical facilities. The Ministry of Health and Population in Egypt has undertaken an ambitious Health Sector Reform Programme (HSRP) to modernise the nation’s health system, supported by funding from the African Development Bank, European Commission, USAID and the World Bank. With a pharmaceutical market valued at more than US$ 1 billion, Egypt is the largest producer and consumer of pharmaceuticals in the MENA region with a 30 per cent share of the supply in the MENA markets. The region also absorbs most of Egypt's pharmaceuticals exports.

“Medical concerns have becoming increasingly relevant for the region’s governments, with distinct progression in technology and technique and concern for strategic health sector development. Egypt is at the forefront of the change, with a sizeable and growing market for foreign medical equipment. Medical imports to the country are expected to grow at a rate of 15 per cent and the ongoing heath sector modernisation programme is generating major demand for high-tech medical items, especially laboratory and testing equipment. MEDITECH presents a perfect opportunity for foreign suppliers and manufacturers to step in to fill the gap and penetrate the regional market,” added Ghozzi. The 2003 edition of MEDITECH saw enthusiastic participation from various sectors in the medical industry, especially local agents, distributors and physicians who consisted of 52 per cent of the participants, with 63% of participants commending the exhibition and 57% confirming re-participation on the spot.

K E R A L A M O N I T O R . C O M

52nd National Film awards announced: Akale and Perumazhakkalam bags trophies

K.S.Chithra- Best Female Playback Singer; Sheela- Best Supporting Actress

Thiruvananthapuram July 13: In the 52nd Annual National Film awards for the year 2004, Malayalis do have quite a few awards to boast of. Sheela won the National award for the Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Shyamaprasad’s Akale, which is an adaptation of the American play, The Glass Menagerie. Kerala’s very own nightingale, K.S.Chitra bagged the Best Female Playback Singer award for her soulful rendition of the Tamil song 'Ovvoru Pookkalume' in Cheran’s 'The Autograph'.

Two more awards for Kerala were bagged by the Malayalam films ‘Akale’ directed by Shyamaprasad as the Best Malayalam Film and by ‘Kamal's Perumazhakkalam’ as the Best Film dealing with social issues such as Prohibition, Women and Child Welfare, Anti-dowry, Drug abuse, Welfare of the Handicapped etc. Pradeep Nair's 'Oridam' also gained the special mention of the jury.

Saif Ali khan won the award for the Best Actor for his performance in last year's hit movie 'Hum Tum' directed by Kunal Kohli. Kannada actress Thaara was adjudged Best Actress for Girish Kasaravalli's 'Haseena', which also bagged the award for the best film on Family Welfare. Madhur Bhandarkar's ‘Page 3’, which caught the special attention of the critics, bagged the Best Film award and bagged for Manoj Tyagi and Nina Arora the award for Best Screenplay, and for Suresh Pai, the Best Editor award.

Buddhadeb Dasgupta won the Best Director award for his Bengali film, ‘Swapner Din’. Om Bhutakar won the award for the Best Child Artist for his performance in ‘Chhota Sipahi’. Yash Chopra’s Veer-Zaara and Cheran’s Tamil film, Autograph, share the award for the Best Popular Film. Haradhan Banerjee won the award for the Best Supporting Actor for the Bengali film 'Krantikar'.

Udit Narayan bagged the award for the Best Male Playback Singer for the song 'Ye Tara Woh Tara’ in Ashuthosh Gowarikar's Shahrukh-starrer- 'Swades'. Mahesh Aney won the Best Cinematographer award for Swades. Vidyasagar won the award for the Best Music Director for composing the songs of the Telugu film ‘Swarabhishekam’. The Best Lyricist award went to B.Vijay for the powerful lyrics of the song ‘Ovvoru Pookkalume’ from Tamil film ‘Autograph’. Prabhu Deva bagged award for the Best Choreographer for Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Lakshya’.

Shyam Benegal's film on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose entitled- “Bose: The Forgotten Hero” bagged the Nargis Dutt Award for National Integration and also bagged the award for Samir Chanda for the Best Art Direction. The National award for the Best Hindi film went to Rituparno Ghosh's 'Raincoat'. Amu directed by Shonali Bose won the award for the Best Feature film in English. Sankalp Meshram’s ‘Chutkan Ki Mahabharat’ is the winner of the Best Children’s Film award.

Iraqis sell their blood to survive

BAGHDAD, 12 July (IRIN) - Iraqis are selling their own blood to people who are buying supplies for relatives in need, due to a shortage, doctors say. This has caused concern over the spread of disease since the supplies are not checked for blood-bourne infections.Every day hundreds of donors can be seen standing outside the blood bank at the Iraqi National Centre for Blood Donations (INCBD) in the capital, Baghdad.

More people have started to donate blood following shortages and a call from the Health Ministry for increased supplies to cope with increasing violence in the country, resulting in more patients requiring urgent blood transfusions.However, people in the queue willing to donate for free are being intercepted before they reach the centre. Donors are approached by so called 'negotiators' who pay them between US $ 15 - $20 per blood bag. At a time when unemployment stands at 33 percent and most of the country is still dependent on food rations, the sale of blood may be an attractive option for many.

"Every week I come here to sell my blood. It is very easy to get someone to buy it because many families are desperate to help their loved ones who are injured in the hospitals," Nazaare Ammar from Baghdad said, as he stood in the queue to donate blood. "I was searching for a job for a long time but they pay very little or they ask for typing or English skills and I don't have this so selling blood is easier," he added. The procedure entails the buyer, someone who is usually in need of supplies for a loved one in hospital, presenting the negotiator with the blood type needed along with the quantity required. Then the negotiator approaches donors in the queue who have the same blood type and enters the donation room with them.

There they negotiate with the blood collectors and persuade them to release the bag stating that there is an emergency. Within half an hour the bag is taken to the buyer, containing approximately 350 cu centimetres of blood. Health officials say there is little they can do about the sale but have stepped up measures at the collection point. Dr Haydar Shamari, director of the INCBD said that many blood samples were found to be carrying hepatitis C virus, but that luckily no HIV cases have yet been detected.

"The high requirement of blood every day has resulted in desperation from families to buy blood directly from donors. In our latter analyses we have found cases of infections which have definitely been transmitted to the patient through transfusion," he explained. According to Shamari the centre is low on supplies and their equipment is old and inefficient. A shortage of blood bags has caused a delay in the donations. Dr Waleed Kubaissy, a haematologist at Karama hospital in the capital, explained that blood from the same patient should be only be taken with a minimum interval of three months between donations. Constant donations by the same person at frequent intervals could result in the development of serious blood diseases, such as chronic anemia. But this has failed to deter people who face desperate times. "The next time I come here I will bring my 15-year-old son with me so that he can donate and help me to bring more money to my family," Ammar added.

P K Vasudevan Nair Expired

Thiruvananthapuram July 12: P.K.Vasudevan Nair (79), one of the senior-most leaders of the Communist Party of India and former KeralaChief minister passed away on Tuesday 3.45 Indian timeat the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Ailing for a long time from liver problems during the past few days the veteran communist leader passed away leaving behind him his wife, Lakshmikutty Amma, three sons P.K.Rajendran, Jayakrishnan and Keshavankutty and two daughters Nirmala and Sharada. An efficient administrator and a great parliamentarian, PKV as he was favourably called had a place in the hearts of the people. Born on March 2, 1926 in Kidangoor in the Kottayam district P.K.Vasudevan Nair better known as 'P.K.V' was the son of Primary School Headmaster Padayattu Keshavapillai and Nanikuttyamma. He did his schooling at the Kidangoor Govt. Primary School, Monippally Govt.Primary School, Poonjaar N.S.S.High School and S.M.V.School.

Abu Dhabi - Dubai Bus Service Frequency Increased

Dubai, 13 July 2005 Dubai Municipality’s Public Transport Department has announced that with effect from Thursday, 14th July 2005, Emirates Express, the Dubai-Abu Dhabi express service will be available every 40 minutes.Essa Al Dosary, Acting Director of Public Transport Department said the headway between the services has been increased from the current 45 minutes to 40 minutes from Thursday. In addition to this, extra trips will be run on Thursdays, Fridays and holidays, he said. Al Dosary said that Route 32 has been rerouted via the new Airport tunnel, Nad Al Hamar road, Ramoul road/Rabat road, Marakesh road near the Public Transport Department, Airport Terminal 1 and the usual routing thereafter. He said that Route 33 has also been rerouted to run straight from Emirates road to Airport Terminal 1. Al Dosary added that Routes 8 and 8A also stand rerouted to run straight on Al Mina road and Al Dhiyafa (fountain) roundabout, without going to Dubai Dry docks. He said the Planning and Marketing Office in the Department will issue the new bus stop location map, familiarize the staff of the Training unit and update the bus information at the bus stops as well as on the Website. Al Dosary said the Duty Officers, Inspectors and Timekeepers will bring these changes to the knowledge of the drivers and ensure proper compliance.