T H U R S DAY, MAY 14, 2 0 1 5
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INS Tarangini to berth at Salalah port from May 14 to 17 Times News Service MUSCAT: INS Tarangini, the first sail training ship of the Indian Navy, is scheduled to berth at the Salalah port from May 14 to 17. INS Tarangini’s port of call at Salalah is the first stop on an eightmonth long voyage through the Gulf, Mediterranean and Europe to participate in prestigious tall ship races and other events organised under the aegis of Sail Training International. During this eight-month-long ‘Lokayan 15’, the ship will travel approximately 17,000 miles under sails and visit 17 ports in 14 countries as a goodwill ambassador of India. GCC
Tenders for several projects awarded MUSCAT: Tenders worth OMR16,256,274 were awarded by the Tender Board on Wednesday as it held its 10th meeting for 2015 under the chair of Dr. Rasheed bin Al Safi Al Huraibi, Chairman of the Tender Board, for the following projects: Renewing the security guard services contract for all sites of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water for 2015 at OMR13,344,000. Renewing the security guard services for all sites of the Public Authority for Radio and Television for 2015 at OMR288,000. Production of a TV drama series called “Baqaya Zaman” for the Public Authority for Radio and Television at OMR272,968. Additional works for leasing a building for the Omani Hajj Mission in Makkah at OMR1,410,801. Additional works for the construction of the National Museum in Hilat Al Naam in Muscat at OMR649,145. Additional works for provision of consultancy services and supervision for the construction of National Museum at OMR291,342. The Tender Board also opened financial bids for the project related to linking the new water plant in Quriyat and water transmission pipeline from Wadi Daiqah Dam in the Wilayat of Quriyat. It also approved the technical offers for the construction of Al Mudhaibi - Al Habbi - Khamila road in A’Dakhiliyah Governorate. -ONA H E A LT H
Seminar helps put focus on assistive tech Times News Service MUSCAT: Offering an apt platform for better understanding of the challenges faced by the differently-abled with regard to accessibility features, advanced technology updates and achievements, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), the technical arm of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), Wednesday organised a seminar highlighting the significance of technologies for the differently-abled, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Speaking at the seminar, Eng Basim bin Ali Al Nassri, director general of marketing and media at PEIE, stressed the importance of highlighting innovative technologies for the differentlyabled and the role played by these technologies in facilitating tasks in their daily lives. Great impact “These technologies have a great impact on the performance and productivity of this segment of the society, and thus advance their skills and capabilities,” noted Al Nassri. He added that the seminar comes as part of the Digital Nation series of seminars, which aim at providing an ultimate platform for creative professionals, business leaders, techies and students to discuss the emergence, challenges, opportunities and implications of a digital lifestyle.
INS Tarangini was built in Goa in 1997. The name Tarangini is derived from the Hindi word ‘Tarang’ meaning ‘waves’, thus Tarangini means ‘the one that rides the waves’, and she provides an ideal setting for first-hand experience of the natural elements for young officers, instilling in them their ‘sea legs’. The year 2015 is the diamond jubilee of India – Oman diplomatic relations, with the Indian Consulate in Muscat having been set up sixty years ago in 1955, after India gained independence. To mark the diamond jubilee, a series of events and commemorations are being organised by the Embassy of India in Muscat.
The visit of Tarangini is one such event to celebrate the occasion, and J S Mukul, ambassador of India, will also be in Salalah during this period to greet the ship and its crew, said an embassy press release. The sail training ship has 30 under-training officer cadets of the Indian Navy embarked, and it will be their first exposure to the sights and sounds of the beautiful port city of Salalah. The ship would be open to a visit by schoolchildren from the Indian School on May 15. The highlight of the visit would be the opportunity for some important Omani and Indian dignitaries, accompanied by the ambassador, to sail out onboard the INS
Tarangini for a few hours off Salalah, to get a feel of life under sail. The Indian community in Salalah will also host a reception in honour of the ship and its crew. Age-old Oman-India ties Although diplomatic ties are 60 years old, bilateral friendship between India and Oman dates back 5,000 years. One of the key facets of this age-old India-Oman relationship is the historic maritime routes between India and its Gulf neighbours. Oman and India share trading links across the sea dating back to the time of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Dhows traditionally set sail for India from Oman
utilising the prevailing south-west winds in the summer from April to October, only to return to the Gulf laden with goods on the back of the north-east winds in the winter from October to March. The visit of Tarangini to Salalah is thus also a reminder of the historic maritime routes between India and its Indian Ocean neighbours, which are being celebrated under the ‘Project Mausam’ initiative recently announced by India. INS Tarangini is the first commissioned ship of the Indian Navy that circumnavigated the globe, in the years 2003 and 2004. Over the years, the ship has been deployed over long periods away from the
base port and has also participated in Tall Ship races on three occasions. During these races the ship has brought laurels to the Indian Navy by winning the class races and being bestowed a special award for travelling the farthest to participate. For this, the ship was awarded the Unit Citation by the Chief of Naval Staff in 2004 –2005. The ship is commanded by Commander Gaurav Gautam. The Indian Navy is one of the few navies in the world utilising sail training ships in its training squadron to foster the time honoured virtues of courage, camaraderie and endurance in junior officers embarking on a naval career.