First UAE Web Awards Announced March 18, 2006 Business Software Alliance (BSA), the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world, and the UAE Web Awards Committee, honored the winners of the inaugural UAE Web Awards at a grand ceremony held at the Morouj Rotana Hotel in Dubai.Jawad Al Redha, Co-Chairman of BSA Middle East, presented the awards to the winners, in the presence of dignitaries and senior government officials. The Mercedes Benz Middle East website won the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award, the highest honor at the UAE Web Awards. The UAE Web Awards is a first-of-its-kind award dedicated to honor talented web developers and designers in the UAE and to safeguard the integrity of their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry, the awards were organized jointly by BSA and UAE Web Awards Committee, in cooperation with The Lebanese Canadian bank, Microsoft Corporation and with the support of Dubai Internet City. The winners of the award have all qualified for the Pan Arab Web Awards 2006 to be held during April in Jordan, and will represent UAE at the event. The Pan Arab Web Awards 2006, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan which will host the winners from the various Arab countries in each of the categories. “The UAE Web Awards were initiated with the objective of providing an avenue for creative expression for web developers and web designers in the UAE. In the technology-driven world of today, it is important that outstanding talents in web development and design are duly recognized, so it would inspire them to strive for greater levels of excellence,” said Pierre Moukarzel, Chairman, Pan Arab Web Awards Committee. “Besides being a source of motivation to upcoming designers and developers, such competitions serve to popularize technology and contribute towards the evolution of a digital society.” “An important aspect of this award is that the winners will have an opportunity to showcase their creativity to a wider audience, as they will be participating at the prestigious Pan Arab Web Awards 2006. If their performance at the UAE Web Awards is any indication, the national winners are sure to put on a creditable show at the Pan Arab Awards,” Moukarzel added. Entries for the competition, which was open to all companies, web designers and developers across the country, were received from early October to November 31, 2005. The winners were announced following a omprehensive evaluation of the entries by a panel comprising a host of expers in web development and web design. The Awards comprised of various categories such as, Best Bank and Financial Institution Website, Best Corporate Website, Best Art and Design, Best Cultural and Education Website, Best Government Organisation Website, Best Media and Press Website, Best Non-Governmental Organisation Website, Best Personal Website, Best Real Estate Website, Best Consulate Website, Best Media and Advertising Website, Best Student Website, Best Travel, Tourism and Transportation Website, Best Strategy Website and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award (Web of the Year). Haridas Menon ..from Muscat with Oman Eye Oman Eye, a new television programme from Oman, will be telecast in People-Kairali TV. Haridas Menon, a popular singer in the region, will be anchoring the weekly show which promises to offer a different view point and people's view from Oman. Risail Photo Lab from Muscat Oman is coming out with Oman Eye a programme from 31st March onwards. Haridas Menon, the popular singer, pharmacist and journalist from Mucat , People-Kairali, a leading Malayalam channel. Oman Eye claims that the programme would view and show various views and voice from Oman. Oman Eye is a magazine type programme in which people from Oman and expatriates are involved . Different segments like events, information, entertainment, human interest stories etc, will be included in this weekly show. Telecast is scheduled for every Friday, Oman time 11.30AM. The brain behind Oman Eye.Haridas Menon -a well known and well experienced singer who anchored many a stage shows, TV shows and other cultural activities in Oman. He has the blessings of P.M.Jabir, Oman Coordinator and Representative of Kairali Channel in Oman.Production, administration and marketing activates are delivered from Mr.Sadandnan and Mr. Saji Natarajan. Oman Eye is expecting to bring the views and voice of Oman from all corners.The preliminary switch-on of Oman Eye was officially made by His Highness Sayyid Fatik Bin Faher Al Said, secretary General of the Office of the office of the Minister of National Heritage and Culture. Egyptia Man recovers from bird flu as wave of foot-and-mouth is reported CAIRO, 20 March (IRIN) - Health ministry officials reported the gradual recovery of a farmer from Qaliubiya province, 40 kilometres north of Cairo, who was taken ill with the H5N1 avian virus on Thursday.Administered with Tamiflu tablets, Mohamed Bahieddin Abdel Moneim, 30, remains in hospital under close observation."He was treated with Tamiflu at a Qaliuybiya hospital, and his life is no longer in danger," said Ministry of Health official Sayyid al-Abbasi. "He's well now, though he's still under surveillance." The owner of a poultry farm, Abdel Moneim is the second reported human case of avian influenza in Egypt. The first, also from Qaliubiya, was a woman who died on 17 March. The two victims were from different villages, however, and had no apparent contact with each other. Potentially deadly, the disease can be cured with Tamiflu capsules if detected in time. According to al-Abbasi, the health ministry has so far provided hospitals countrywide with a total of 82,000 10-capsule boxes of the drug, a number it hopes to raise to one million over coming weeks. Public health authorities have been on alert since the first case of the virus was reported among birds in mid-February. Since then, over 10 million chickens and domestic birds have been culled nationwide on orders of the government, crippling the poultry industry and badly affecting its workers.A ban on the importation of live fowl and the domestic transport of birds has also been introduced and enforced. To date, infected birds have been reported in 17 out of Egypt's 26 governorates, according to the health ministry. In related news, reports of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle have increased rapidly in recent weeks. Although FMD is a relatively constant feature of farm life, a new wave of the disease has struck Egyptian cattle with unusual strength, say local veterinarians."Usually, FMD doesn't constitute a problem, despite its constant presence," said Sami Taha, member of the Egyptian Veterinarians' Syndicate. "But this time the wave has been particularly harsh, and cattle across several governorates have been dying from the disease."FMD is a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that mainly affects cattle and sheep. According to the European Commission for the Control of FMD, the disease has been regularly reported in Egypt over the last half-century. While veterinarians say the disease is easily contained on a technical level, they complain that a lack of funding could hurt prevention measures in the case of an epidemic. "We have significant expertise in the veterinarian community to deal with a potential outbreak," said Taha. "But we lack the required funds to act with maximum efficiency."While humans only rarely contract the virus, warned Taha, an outbreak could cripple the local cattle industry and damage the national economy. Bride Show Dubai 2006, set to take off on April 4 March 20, 2006 The Institute for International Research (IIR) Middle East announced today (Monday, March 20, 2006) that The Bride Show Dubai 2006, the 9th edition of the Middle East? largest and most popular wedding industry event, will take place under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Ladies Club and Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs. The Bride Show Dubai 2006 will be held from April 4 to 7 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. (Charlotte Proudman, Event Manager, The Bride Show Dubai 2006; Mona Al Marri, Vice President, Dubai Ladies Club and Chairperson of Dubai Press Club; Marya Samawi, Divisional Manager, Gift Division · Tanagra, Allied click for detailed view) Mona Al Marri, Vice President of Dubai Ladies Club and Chairperson of Dubai Press Club said: ?raditionally, Arabs attach much importance to marriages, lavishing effort and money on ceremonies and celebrations that bind families and earn social prestige. The Dubai Ladies Club is happy to extend support for The Bride Show Dubai 2006, which will be of immense help to brides and their families, in organizing the wedding of their dreams.· The exhibition brings more than 250 exhibitors from 12 countries to Dubai? shores, showcasing an array of bridal gowns and accessories, henna costumes, evening wear, groom? apparel, traditional and contemporary jewellery, textiles and beauty and hair services and products for prospective Emirati and Arab brides and their families, women and regional wedding industry professionals. Over the four days, 18 fashion shows will wow the crowds with the latest in Haute Couture bridal and evening wear. Charlotte Proudman, Event Manager, The Bride Show Dubai 2006 said: ?ith each successive event, The Bride Show Dubai has grown both in appeal and in stature. This year again we live up to our reputation as the Middle East? leading wedding industry event and have put together a tempting variety of upscale brands, products and services, from gorgeous costumes to chic outfits, precious jewellery to memorable gifts, from modern d?or to beautiful design accents, that will dazzle and inspire young brides, couples, women and homemakers.· Going beyond its traditional role as a wedding industry event, The Bride Show Dubai 2006 will feature for the first time, the Ambiente Al Bayt Al Arabie (Ambiente Arabian Home) exhibition, where wedding gifts, home and outdoor furnishings, interior decor accessories and homeware will be showcased by more than 50 regional and international exhibitors. The only consumer home interiors show of its kind, Ambiente Al Bayt al Arabie targets the Emirati market and offers affluent Arab women from the region a single platform from where to purchase exclusive gifts and home furnishings that reflect Arab tastes and are in keeping with local traditions, besides getting to know inspiring trends and styles in home design. It will run concurrently with The Bride Show Dubai 2006. The Bride Show Dubai 2006 is being sponsored by prominent regional companies such as the Dubai Ladies Club, Pistache, Al Yashmac, Linx, Burjuman Center, Eternity, Technopro, HSBC, Al Shattaf Jewellers, Abu Haleqa Stores, Swarovski, Al Aqili, Provoke Cosmetics, Jacuzzi, Bang & Olufsen, Gaby Photos, Rave Audiovisual and the Association of Professional Interior Designers. Tanagra is the exclusive sponsor of Ambiente Al Bayt Al Arabie. Jacuzzi, Curtain Land, Bang & Olufsen, Bretz, Carpet Land, Porcellane Villari, Grand Stores, Francesco Molon and Designer Fabric are also backing the show, and will exhibit their upscale collections of gifts, furnishings, electronics and home accessories. The Bride Show Dubai 2006 will also feature the latest trends and services offered by hotels and venues, wedding organisers, sound, light and entertainment companies, photography and video production professionals, floral and stage designers, wedding stationery suppliers, gift boutiques and stores, wedding caterers, financial institutions and home furnishing companies. Some of the leading exhibitors at The Bride Show Dubai 2006 include Johnson & Johnson; M?venpick Hotel, Bur Dubai; Swarovski; Al Shataff Jewellers; Fantazia; Nefertity; The Wedding Shop; Intercontinental Hotel; Fashion Studio; National Bank of Abu Dhabi; Chantelle Middle East; Bin Hendi / Jacob & Co; Marico Industries; Motivate Publishing; Burjuman Center; Design World; The Fairmont Hotel; Picture Perfect; Jacy Kay; The Ritz Carlton, Dubai; Dhamani Jewels; Prateeksha and Ajman Kempinski Hotel & Resort. President Gives Away Sangeeth Natak Akademi Awards Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam gave away the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the year 2005, for outstanding contribution in the field of performing arts at a special ceremony here today. Presenting the awards, Dr. Kalam said that music touches the heart and mind and evolves good human beings and society. He called upon the artists to use performing art for achieving the unity of minds. “I am fully convinced that if this happens, the disturbing acts like conflicts and terrorism, etc. could be reduced” he said. Expressing concern over lack of encouragement to the performers from non-urban areas, the President said “on one hand, there is a decline in the interest of the younger generation towards classical art forms. On the other hand, many young artists from all over the country, especially from small villages and towns, who in spite of the interest in art are finding it difficult to enter and pursue the performing art forms?” He asked the Sangeet Natak Academi to encourage the young and budding artists as culture needs nourishment in the form of young performers. On the occasion, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Smt. Ambika Soni said that Government is making all efforts to protect and celebrate our cultural diversities. The Academi awards will inspire the younger generation to follow the footsteps of the great artists, she added. The names of artist/scholars honoured with coved Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards in the form of Rs. 50,000/- in cash, a Tamrapatra and a Shawl are: NAME CATEGORY MUSIC S.C.R. BHAT HINDUSTANI MUSIC(VOCAL) RAMASHREY JHA HINDUSTANI MUSIC(VOCAL) BRIJBHUSHANLAL KABRA HIDUSTANI INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC(GUITAR) TULSIDAS VASANT BORKAR HIDUSTANI INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC(HARMONIUM) S.V. PARTHASARATHY CARNATIC MUSIC (VOCAL) P.S. NARAYANASWAMY CARNATIC MUSIC (VOCAL) ONGOLE N. RANGAIAH CARNATIC INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC(NADASWARAM) V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM CARNATIC INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC(VIOLIN) DANCE R. RHADHA BHARATANATYAM TIRATH RAM AZAD KATHAK MATHOOR GOVINDAN KUTTY KATHAKALI K. RADHAMOHAN SHARMA MANIPURI KORADA NARASIMHA RAO KUCHIPUDI DURGA CHARAN RANBIR ODISSI TH. CHAOTOMBI SINGH CREATIVE & EXPERIMENTAL DANCE JOSYULA KRISHNA MURTHY MUSIC FOR DANCE(KUCHIPUDI BHAGAVATHA MADDALLA) THEATRE AJMER SINGH AULAKH PLAYWRITING (PUNJABI) DEBASIS MAJUMDAR PLAYWRITING (BENGALI) RANJIT KAPOOR DIRECTION V.K. SHARMA DIRECTION CHINDODI LEELA ACTING H.V. SHARMA ALLIED THEATRE ARTS(STAGECRAFT) SURESH BHARDWAJ ALLIED THEATRE ARTS(LIGHTING) R. PARAMASHIVAN ALLIED THEATRE ARTS(THEATRE MUSIC) TRADITIONAL/FOLK/TRIBAL DANCE/MUSIC/THEATRE AND PUPPETRY P.K.G. NAMBIAR KUTTIYATTAM, KERALA SUBBU ARUMUGAM VILLUPATTU, TAMIL NADU KASHINATH PUJAPANDA ODISSI MUSIC, ORISSA BABUBHAI GIRDHARJI RANPURA FOLK MUSIC, GUJARAT KHIROD KHAKHLARI BODO DANCE & MUSIC, ASSAM DARYAO SINGH MALIK FOLK THEATRE, HARYANA D.S. AIYYELU DANCE COSTUME GANPAT SAKHARAM MASGE PUPPETRY, MAHARASHTRA OVERALL CONTRIBUTION IN PERFORMING ARTS PRATIBHA AGRAWAL OVERALL CONTRIBUTION IN PERFORMING ARTS