Indians in Qatar Archives - Page 10 of 10

Tamil community celebrates Pongal festival

Recently, Tamil community residing in VIP Althani Residential complex, located in Umm Ghuwailina came together to celebrate the Pongal – Harvest Festival of Tamil Nadu at Indian Cultural Centre.

Around 40 families together celebrated this festival. There were many cultural programs by children and adults, to name few Kavadi aattam, silambaattam, Kuravanji aaatam, Thiruvilayadal and Thirvarutselvar drama, esappattu, songs and Pattimandram. Thai Pongal is one of the most important festivals celebrated.

Tamil community celebrates Pongal festival – 1

Source Credit: https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/

February 25, 2018 Comments (0)

2019 to be India-Qatar Year of Culture

GCC countries should resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations, said Ambassador of India, P Kumaran yesterday. Speaking at a reception to celebrate 69th Republic Day of India, he said the year 2019 will be celebrated as the Qatar-India Year of Culture.

“Peace and security in the Gulf are of paramount importance for the continued progress and prosperity of the countries in the region,” said the ambassador in a reception held at Doha Sheraton.

“We are of the view that the countries concerned should resolve their differences through a process of constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations based on well-established international principles of mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” he added.

He said that India welcomes the efforts of the Emir of Kuwait to promote a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

The event was attended by the Minister of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, H E Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi; Minister of Development Planning and Statistics H E Dr Saleh Mohammed Salem Al Nabit; Ibrahim Fakhroo, Chief of Protocol, several ambassadors and members of Indian community.

HE Dr. Saleh bin Mohammed Al- Nabit, (third right) Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics and HE Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, (left) Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs cutting a cake with P. Kumaran, (second left) Ambassador of India to Qatar and other officials on 69th Indian Republic day reception in Doha yesterday.
Pic: Abdul Basit

Students of Delhi Public School (DPS) and Birla Public School (BPS) presented patriotic songs and performed cultural programme.

“The year 2019 will be celebrated as the Qatar-India Year of Culture. We expect to organize in partnership with Qatar Museums a plethora of exciting cultural exhibitions and events that will highlight the cultural and traditional ties that bind us,” he added.

The Indian ambassador said that it was on this day, 68 years ago, that the Constitution of a newly independent India came in to force.

Indian corporate look at Qatar as a promising market and are today pursuing collaborations in a number of areas, including infrastructure, information and communication technology, energy and other areas to the mutual benefit of both sides.

Delhi public school performing during the reception of Indian republic day in Doha yesterday.
Pic: Abdul Basit

“Qatar’s exports to India amount to nearly $10bn per year, making India the third largest export destination for Qatari products. On the other hand, Qatar’s imports from India, currently at about $1.2bn, have grown at a healthy rate over the past several years,” said the ambassador.

He said that there has been a substantial increase in Qatar’s imports from India in recent months, facilitated by the opening of direct shipping lines linking Indian ports with Qatar adding that a total of 24 fully owned Indian companies and an estimated 6000 Qatar-India joint ventures operate in various sectors of the Qatari economy.

Qatar Petroleum’s decision to expand LNG output from the North Field to 100 million tonnes, Liberalisation of visa regulations, changes introduced to Company Law, the new Free Zone regulations and the proposed Permanent Residency scheme for longstanding foreign residents are developments that offer exciting new opportunities.

A number of Indian trade delegations have visited Qatar in recent months, to participate in trade exhibitions and explore business opportunities. Similarly, we would welcome Qatari companies to visit trade events in India to identify the best possible partners for collaboration.

“We appreciate Qatar’s contribution to India’s energy security, as a reliable long-term partner for our increasing energy needs. Qatar is the largest exporter of LNG and LPG to India. Our Petroleum Minister is on record as having said that India plans to increase the share of natural gas in India’s energy mix, currently at about 7 percent to 20 percent by 2030,” he added. “Qatar will therefore continue to be a key partner in our energy security calculus for many years to come,” he said.

The welfare and well-being at the India community in Qatar is a matter of priority for us. Our interface with the community and our outreach to the blue collar workers in particular is being continuously expanded both being continuously expanded both directly and through the medium of Indian community organizations. We remain in close contact with authorities concerned in Qatar to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of Indian nationals.

Source Credit: https://thepeninsulaqatar.com

January 30, 2018 Comments (0)

Qatar-India ties reviewed

HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi yesterday met the Indian ambassador to Qatar, P Kumaran. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and ways to boost and develop them, in addition to promoting co-operation between both countries and topics of common interest.

Source Credit: http://www.gulf-times.com/

December 29, 2017 Comments (0)

Two-fold jump in NRIs registering as voters: Govt and EC data

The issue of voting by NRIs in Indian elections is being debated again with the government moving a bill in the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting rights to them on the lines of service voters.

The number of NRIs registering themselves as ‘overseas electors’ has seen a two-fold jump in the last three years, latest government and EC data show. The figure, however, is far too less when compared to the number of Indians living abroad and entitled to vote here.

The issue of voting by NRIs in Indian elections is being debated again with the government moving a bill in the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting rights to them on the lines of service voters. The bill says the necessary provision of coming to India to cast ballot caused “hardship” to overseas electors.

As of now, non-resident Indians–essentially people living or working abroad who have not given up their Indian citizenship–can cast their vote in the constituencies they are registered in. This means that they first have to register themselves as voters and then take a long flight to India be present on election day.

The hesitation to spend money and make travel plans to vote in India is reflected in the data available with the Election Commission and the government on ‘overseas electors’. As on May 2012, there were 1,003,7761 NRIs, according to the report of the multi-agency ‘committee for exploring the feasibility of alternative options for voting by overseas electors’.

Quoting electoral roll data of 2014, the committee said 11,846 people were registered as ‘overseas electors’– 11,140 of them men and only 706 women. The number of registered ‘overseas electors’ saw a two-fold jump this year. According to a Lok Sabha question answered in writing by Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary on December 15 in the ongoing Winter Session, a total of 24,348 people are ‘overseas electors’.

These include 22,428 men and 1,920 women. Though the chart has a column for transgenders, no one has registered. Interestingly, out of 24,348 overseas voters, 23,556 are from Kerala. Thirty-seven are from Delhi. According to the provisions of ‘Representation of the People Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017’ introduced by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in the Lower House, overseas Indians who are entitled to vote in India can now appoint a proxy voter to cast their votes. The person authorised as proxy has to be a different person in every election.

Source Credit: http://indianexpress.com

December 25, 2017 Comments (0)

Qatar all set for National Day; Doha Corniche all decked up

Qatar is all set to celebrate the National Day and the Doha Corniche where the ceremonial parade will take place Monday afternoon, is all decked up for the grand occasion.

Celebrations were in full swing all over the country on Sunday at the major centres, as Darb Al-Saai, Corniche, Katara, Aspire Zone, Souq Waqif among other places were teeming with large number of people and upbeat with patriotic fervour.

Several special programmes as well as a number of traditional events were presented at these venues, to the excitement of the enthusiastic crowds.

Special lights decoration at Doha Corniche

Meanwhile, at the Corniche all the preparations have been completed for the parade that begins at 3pm. Special tents are set up for the dignitaries as well as the public and the entire stretch of Corniche from the Emiri Diwan to the Sheraton Interchange has been marked for the occasion.

Special decorations and lights have been put up throughout the stretch. Several large flower beds and bouquets have been set up at the venue that give added colour and beauty to the area. Unique lighting arrangements can be seen at a long stretch of Corniche, giving a dazzling display of colours in the night.

The entire area has been filled with the national flag, official portraits of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani as well as other national symbols. The dhows and boats at the Corniche are decorated with national flags and the whole area is filled national colour, highlighting the patriotic spirit and the importance of the occasion. Arrangements have also been done and areas have been marked on the Corniche waterfront for some special shows.

In addition to the National Day parade, the Corniche will also witness a spectacular display of fireworks between 8pm and 8.10pm and the organisers have promised many surprise elements. The special fireworks show will have 100,000 effects and it will be pyromusical – fireworks set to music – a unique feature. It is also said that the fireworks will also include a special National Day surprise involving a very tall structure.

Darb Al Saai, the major centre of celebrations, has been brimming with activities for over a week and will continue until December 20. Ministries, government entities as well as major organisations in the country, have put up their stalls at the venue and the entire ground is filled with thousands of people everyday. There are also cultural programmes as well as traditional events at the venue to mark the occasion.

Meanwhile, Katara is holding a special and unique air show involving 300 drones as part of National Day celebrations. The show was conducted on Sunday, and will be done again Monday at Katra waterfront from 7pm to 9pm. A total of 300 drones will take to the sky to put up some stunning formations of national icons – including Qatar map, Qatar flag, national animal Oryx and even the face of His Highness the Emir.

Katara had announced 60 events on the occasion of the National Day which include workshops, art exhibition and other recreational shows as part of its eight day celebrations. A dancing fountain show accompanied by national songs is also taking place at the venue for every 20 minutes from 4pm each day. Katara is also showcasing parachute parades and spectacular fireworks.

Source Credit: http://www.gulf-times.com

December 18, 2017 Comments (0)

Katara to present unique air show of 300 drones

As part of Qatar National Day celebrations, 300 drones will take to the sky to put up a unique air show on December 17 and 18.

The airshow will be held at the waterfront of Katara from 7pm to 9pm.

As per a video put by the cultural centre on its twitter account, the showcase will include breathtaking formations of national icons – including Qatar map, Qatar flag, national animal Oryx and even the face of HH the Emir.

Katara, last week, had announced 60 events including workshops, art exhibition. and other reacreational shows as part of its eight day celebrations. A dancing fountain show accompanied by national songs was said to be highlight of the celebrations, that takes place every 20 minutes from 4pm each day.

Apart from this the cultural centre will also showcase parachute parades and spectacular fireworks as part of QND 2017.

Seems like Katara is the place to be during this Qatar National Day.

Source Credit: thepeninsulaqatar.com

December 16, 2017 Comments (0)

Indian firms keen to play bigger role in Qatar

A number of Indian firms are looking to tap in on the growing infrastructural development projects in Qatar, according to P Kumaran, Ambassador of India to Qatar. He said this while addressing a networking event organised by the Indian Business and Professional Network (IBPC), in connection with the visit of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) delegation from India.

Kumaran shared the key numbers related to India’s economic growth and the various initiatives taken by the Government of India to develop the industry and the manufacturing sector.

“Indian companies would like to increase their role in the extensive infrastructure development programme in Qatar as it prepares to host the prestigious FIFA World Cup in 2022” he said. He also acknowledged the competence of India’s corporate sector, that offers attractive opportunities for cooperation.

The networking session, turned out as a great success with members of the CII delegation interacting with members of the IBPC to find prospective members and develop future business prospects.

The CII delegation included members encompassing a wide range of industries like manufacturing, engineering services, IT and software development, sports infrastructure, automation, energy, food processing, pharmaceuticals, sanitation, hardware manufacturing, and consultancy.

IBPC is the apex body of Indian Businessmen and Professionals, functioning under the aegis of Embassy of India.

Source Credit: https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

September 28, 2017 Comments (0)

Advisory for Indian Nationals in Qatar

With the ongoing diplomatic crisis, the Indian Embassy in Qatar on Wednesday issued an advisory assuring the Indians of their safety.

Here is the full text of the advisory released by the Indian Embassy in Qatar :

Advisory for Indian Nationals in Qatar
EMBASSY OF INDIA
DOHA
***
ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN QATAR

On 5th June 2017, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt announced that they were cutting diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar, along with closure of air/sea/land travel links with the State of Qatar. These countries also have ordered their citizens to leave Qatar, in addition to ordering Qatari citizens to leave their territories. Subsequently Maldives, Yemen, Mauritius, Mauritania and Jordan took similar steps. Air connectivity provided by several airlines between these countries has been disrupted, as a result of cancellation of a number of flights. The airlines concerned have reportedly offered refunds for tickets booked on these cancelled flights. Indian travelers are, therefore, requested to contact their travel providers for advice on modifications to their travel arrangements and also remain alert to further developments. The Embassy of India is monitoring the situation closely and is in touch with the Qatari authorities to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals in Qatar.

The Qatari authorities have conveyed that they will take all necessary steps to ensure that normal life, including supplies of food items, is not affected. There is nothing happening in the region that suggests any threat to the physical safety and security of residents in Qatar. Please update yourself of the latest news and do not believe in rumours without cross-checking facts. The Embassy will be providing updates on its Twitter handle [@IndEmbDoha] from time to time as required.

The Embassy of India, Doha, located at Villa Nos. 86 & 90, Street No. 941, Al Eithra Steet, Zone-63, Onaiza, Doha, can be reached through any of the following:

Email: labour.doha@mea.gov.in
Tel. No. during Office hours: 44255777
Tel. No. after Office hours: 55575086
Indian Cultural Centre (ICC): 50536234
Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF): 55512810, 55532367, 55342708
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook [India in Qatar]

Source Credit: http://www.indianembassyqatar.gov.in

June 8, 2017 Comments (23)