what’s on
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012
Embassy Information
NAFO bids farewell to outgoing students in ‘Kudumbasangamam’
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n view of promoting fraternity and cordial existence among the member families, NAFO Kuwait organized a family fest on February 3, 2012, at the Indian Community School Auditorium, Amman Branch from 10 am to 4 pm. As in the previous years, ‘Kudumbasangamam’ marked the beginning of NAFO’s sociowelfare activities for the year 2012. With the traditional lamp lighting by the elderly ladies, the program began in front of a family crowd of about 250. Followed by the national anthem of both Kuwait and India, the budding stars of NAFO symphony team in their traditional Keralite attire sang the charismatic prayer ‘Akhilandamandalam’.
Krishnakumar, Convener, Membership Committee introduced news members to the NAFO family and briefed about the member’s data updating campaign in force. T A Ramesh, Country Head, Gulf Mart, released the new issue of ‘SADGAMA’, the newsletter with a collection of brilliant creations contributed by NAFO talents. A variety of cultural entertainments were staged by NAFO members, ladies and children. At different intervals, the audience encouraged their awesome performances with loud applause. In between, interesting and intellectual questions were asked to draw the attention of members and gave instant gifts to
and certificate, B S Pillai, President, felicitated the students and gave a handful advice for adopting new habits and improving self-confidence. Smitha Sashikumar, coordinator, Ladies Wing also felicitated the students, on behalf of NAFO Ladies-wing. Madhu Warrier, former EC member, in his felicitation, wished the students all success and reminded them not to forget their parents, wherever they are. P V R Nair, K G Nair, Dr Prasad Nair, Rajan Menon, Dr T S Srikumar, B S Pillai, CG Manoj, ON Nandakumar, ON Sureshkumar, Priya G Nair, Smitha Sashikumar and Radhika Madhu, honored the students with medals and certificates. A delicious buffet
EMBASSY OF BRAZIL The Embassy of Brazil requests all Brazilian citizens in Kuwait to proceed to the website www.brazil.org.kw (Contact Us Form / Fale Conosco) in order to register or update contact information. The Embassy encourages all citizens to do so, including the ones who have already registered in person at the Embassy. The registration process helps the Brazilian Government to contact and assist Brazilians living abroad in case of any emergency. nnnnnnn
EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is closed from 12:30 to 01:00 pm for lunch break. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday. Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home. The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca. The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.UAE.gc.ca. nnnnnnn
While welcoming the members in his unique style, Murali S Nair, Secretary General Affairs, gave a brief about the socio-welfare activities of NAFO over the years and its proposed plans for the forthcoming years aiming the well-being of our society. Dr Prasad Nair, Advisory Board Member, delivered an inspirational speech in which he elaborated the vision and mission of NAFO. He further requested the members to join their hands together in achieving NAFO’s mission by taking adequate steps for uplifting the downtrodden. Rajan Menon, convener, General Committee, addressed the members about the re-constitution of General Committee, an integral part of the association and invited all present to be part of it and voice their suggestions.
the winners. The major part of the program was in the afternoon - farewell to the outgoing students and appreciation for the students who topped the 10th STD exams during the academic year 2010 - 2011. There were 10 students (leaving Kuwait for higher studies) and 4 top achievers of 10th STD, to receive NAFO’s prestigious Gold medals and meritorious awards respectively. They were (outgoing students) Aishwarya Venketachalam, Bhavana Menon, Gadha Krishna, Gopika Menon, Kavya Rajagopal, Vaishnavi Harikumar, Varun Sreejayan, Veena P Menon, Vrinda Venugopal and Siddharth Das (10th STD toppers) Vivek Unnikrishnan, Devi B Nair, Kriti Girish Nair and Anagha Gopakumar. Before honoring them with medals
Book Club meet
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his year’s books were selected by members of the book club last season,” said Ahmad Khajjah, DAI steering committee member. “Each member was invited to suggest and present books and then the team voted on which to include in the season. As a result, there’s a good mix of fiction and non-fiction; social/cultural issues and escapist fun.” As a rule, the Book Club meets at 7 pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the Al-Maidan Cultural Centre. Friends of the DAI are welcome to join the club and a limited number of each book is available at the museum shop. For Information: info@darmuseum.org.kw.
lunch, tea, snacks were also served to the attendees .The compeering by Pradeepkumar, EC Member, was absolutely exceptional. Vijayakrishnan, Program Convener, the main architect behind the full day event, proposed vote of thanks. A NAFO New Year gift was also presented to all members, before leaving the auditorium. Affiliated to the Indian Embassy, NAFO Kuwait (National Forum, Kuwait) has been in the Gulf for the last nine years, promoting social, cultural and welfare services by way of helping the needy, supporting economically backward people, aid to ailing members, students educational aid, providing platform to youngsters to exhibit their in-born talents, organizing personality and leadership skills workshops for children etc.
Free Arabic language course
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PC and all its branches is opening free Arabic language course for ladies accessible in beginners and advanced levels. Class will commence on March 2, 2012. Islamic and Quran courses are also presented in different languages. Registration is on! Call the nearest IPC branch: Rawdah: 22512257 / 97290278; Salmiyah: 25733263 / 97533263; Mangaf: 23723002 ext. 124/123; Jahra: 24558830 / 97533948; Khaithan: 24730137.
EMBASSY OF KOREA The Embassy of the Republic of Korea wishes to inform that it has moved to Mishref. New Address: Embassy of the Republic of Korea Mishref, Block 7A, Diplomatic Area 2, Plot 6 The Embassy also wishes to inform that it will be opened to the public on the following office hours: Saturdays to Thursday Morning: 8:00 am to 12:30 pm Lunch Break: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm Afternoon: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm nnnnnnn
EMBASSY OF MYANMAR Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar would like to inform the general public that the Embassy will move its office to new location at Villa 35, Road 203, Block 2, AlSalaam Area in South Surra. The Embassy wishes to advice Myanmar citizens and travellers to Myanmar to contact Myanmar Embassy at its new location from 26 January, 2012. Tel. 25240736, 25240290, Fax: 25240749, e-mail:myankuwait11@gmai1.com nnnnnnn
EMBASSY OF PHILIPPINES For emergency, please contact the Consular hotline at 65184433. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office and other attached agencies shall continue to operate and hold office in Jabriya until 15 March 2012. All your passports and other consular concerns will be processed at our new location, except of course labor issues. Regular working hours of the Embassy shall resume in Faiha.