Abdul Rahman Al-Hazzaa, spokesman of the Ministry of Culture and Information, will open the event at Al-Yamamah University Auditorium in Riyadh on Thursday while Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmed will open the festivities at Mudhila Auditorium on Mina Road in Jeddah on Friday.

Mohammed Ali Al-Khudeir, general manager of Al-Watania Distribution, M.D. Nalappad, a well-known Indian columnist, and O. Abdul Rahman, editor of the Calicut-based Madhyamam newspaper will speak.

Hamza Abbas, chief editor of Gulf Madhyamam daily, who will preside over the function, said his newspaper had tremendously influenced the Indian expatriate community because it championed their pressing issues.

He said Indian Consul General Sayeed Ahmed Baba would speak at the Jeddah function. Five senior Keralite expatriates in Saudi Arabia will be honored during the event, which includes a musical fete by playback singer Mohammed Aslam.