MALAPPURAM, 1 September 2007 — Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed opened the annual Haj study camp at the Khilafat campus in Pookkottur near here last week. Some 6,000 believers, hoping to complete the pilgrimage in the Government quota this year, attended the two-day camp. Ahamed said he had requested all members of Parliament to help the Central Haj Committee to make the selection procedure of this year’s Haj pilgrims “transparent and impartial.” “I have requested them to point out whatever procedural lapses they notice so that they can be corrected. Camp convener K. Mohammedunni Haji, MLA, said pilgrims from Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur districts are attending the camp. The expenses are met by donations. A model of the Kaaba has been set up at the camp to demonstrate the procedure of the pilgrimage.
Fernandes to Take Up NRI Demand
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 1 September 2007 — Minister of State for Labor and Employment Oscar Fernandes has promised to take up with the finance minister the demand of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) for relief for the losses due to the appreciation of rupee. He said much of the foreign exchange of the country was being contributed by the NRIs. “The government would certainly reciprocate the services being rendered by them in pepping up the economy through appropriate measures,” he told reporters here. The government had already announced a Rs.14 billion package as compensation for the exporters for their losses due to this appreciation.
Floral Carpets Create a Record
KOCHI, 1 September 2007 — The Cuticura Athapookkalam (floral carpet laid during Onam celebrations) competition held at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium here has entered the Limca Book of World Records for preparing the maximum number of intricate floral carpets at a single venue for the third consecutive year. Around 3.8 tons of flowers were used by 342 teams from various parts of the state. The record-breaking floral carpets were arranged in two hours on more than 10,800 sq feet area. The previous two records were held in 2005 and 2006 with 221 and 299 carpets. Last year, 299 ‘pookalams’ were produced using 3.7 tons of flowers by 1,465 people in two hours and 30 minutes on an area of 10,764 sq ft.
12cm Long Worm Removed From Eye
KOCHI, 1 September 2007 — Doctors at a private hospital here have removed a 12cm long worm from the left eye of a 60-year-old woman. The woman had been admitted to the PVS Memorial hospital for treatment of liver cirrhosis when she reported a sudden pain in the eye. Augustine Mampilly, consultant ophthalmologist at the hospital, examined the woman and noted a moving worm in her left eye. The worm was immediately removed after administering local anesthesia.
Kanan Devan Eyes Ethiopia to Grow Tea
KOCHI, 1 September 2007 — The Kanan Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP) Company, in which the Tatas hold 19 percent stake, has decided to invest Rs3.75 billion in Ethiopia to develop 10,000 hectares of tea plantation. While the new project would have a 70:30 debt equity ratio, some foreign private equity companies have shown interest to participate in the venture, the KDHP officials said.
Sharjah Free Zone Attracts Investors
KOCHI, 1 September 2007 — The free zone concept is working well and more than 2,000 companies have launched their operations in Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah, with a total investment of $1.3 billion, Rashid Al-Leem, Director General of Hamriyah Free Zone Authority said. He said about 30 percent of the representation in the zone was from India realizing that the zone would be a good base for business enterprises. A deepwater port, 100 percent ownership and full repatriation are among the benefits available.
Pomp Marks CCC-KGP Celebrations
JUBAIL, 1 September 2007 — The Indian community of Consolidated Contractors Company W.L.L (CCC-KGP) Project at Khursaniyah Gas Field marked the 60th anniversary of Indian Independence at Khursaniyah Gas Plant and Producing Facilities Project (KGPP/KPFP) camp premises, north of Al Jubail Industrial city, yesterday. Consolidated Contractors Company W.L.L is a leading International EPC Contractor which is in the Construction business since 1952 with a total workforce of over 1,25,000 people worldwide.
