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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2011
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Embassy Information EMBASSY OF BRITAIN The opening hours of the Visa Application Centre are 0930-1630. Application forms remain available online from the UKBAs’ website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk or from the Visa Application Centre’s website: www.vfs-uk-kw.com And also, from the UK Visa Application Centre located at: 413, First Floor, Al Banwan Building (Burgan Bank Branch Office Building), Al Qibla area, opposite Central Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait City. For any further inquiries, please contact the Visa Application Centre: Website: www.vfs-uk-kw.com E-mail: info@vfs-uk-kw.com Telephone: 22971170 The Consular Section will also be closed on the same dates. For information on the British Embassy services, visit the British Embassy website: www.ukinkuwait.fco.gov.uk
Jordan celebrations
T
he Jordan embassy in Kuwait organized an Open Day for Jordanians at Green Island to mark the birth anniversary of the Jordanian King Abdullah II. Many dignitaries graced the occasion. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat
Women’s Twenty20 Championship 2011 begins
K
uwait Cricket Under the leadership of Sheikh Dari Fahad Al-Sabah and with the support of Sheikha Naeema Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Head of Women Cricket in Kuwait ,will host ACC Women’s Twenty20 Championship 2011, which will be played from February 18-25 on grounds at KEC Doha, KOC Hubara and Sulaibiya venues. Ten teams will be participating in this tournament which are divided into two groups namely Group A: Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Bhutan, Oman and Group B: Kuwait, Nepal, Malaysia, UAE, and Thailand. Teams and ACC officials have arrived in Kuwait and are staying at the Movenpick Hotel & Resort AlBida’a, Kuwait who is our local sponsor for this event. Four matches are scheduled per day and it started on February 18 2011; Kuwait played its inaugural match in Group B against Malaysia on Hubara ground on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 8:30 am. Kuwait women’s team have had intense training under Coach Tariq Rasool and Physio Sandra Almeida ably supported by Manager Nida Mirza. Team Captain Siobhan Gomez will lead the side. All teams attended a press conference at the Movenpick Hotel & Resort Al-Bida’a, Kuwait which was headed by Sheikha Naeema Al-Ahmed Al Sabah - Head of Women Kuwait Cricket, Haider Farman - General Secretary Kuwait Cricket, Eng Rasha Al-Sayegh, Jeff De Lange, Asad Baig, Abdullah Thakur, Iqbal Vanoo, Mehboob Khan and Danish Yaseen
Arts & Culture
O
n the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the National Day of Kuwait, the 20th Anniversary of the Liberation of Kuwait and the fifth Anniversary of his Highness the Amir Sheikh Sahah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s accession to power, we have the pleasure to organize the second
“Kuwaiti Heritage & Crafts 2011” event under the auspices of the Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed AlJaber Al-Sabah. This event is a revival of the heritage of Kuwait, highlighting the activities of craftsmen and women, exhibition of traditional wear, folkloric music and a view of children’s
old time leisure activities. We would like to extend you our invitation to visit the event, which was inaugurated on Sunday, February 19, 2011 at 7 pm. There is no entry fee and the event is open to public from February 20-23 2011, during our working hours 9-1 am & 5-9 pm. For more details you can contact us on 25755866.
Announcements Hala February Abrar-Ul-Haq is coming to Kuwait during ‘Hala February’. For details contact 65840229. Football match Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) and all its affiliated member clubs hereby congratulate the State of Kuwait, on their auspicious and historic 20/50 occasions (Independence and Liberation), and as part of these celebrations are pleased to announce a friendly football match to be played between KIFF XI and MOH XI on Thursday, 17th February 2011(Public Holiday) at MOH ground, Shuwaikh. The match will start at 6 pm sharp according to KIFF Sports Secretary Bernard Fernandes. Both the teams are geared up to display an exciting game of football. MOH XI is a formidable team consisting of mostly Kuwaiti players. KIFF XI is a selection from the affiliated clubs. The event will be compered by ExSalgaocar and Goa National player Gasper Crasto, who is also a freelance journalist and a versatile compere in Kuwait. The match will be officiated by KIFF Referees. KIFF has invited all its affiliates, supporters and fooball lovers to come and witness this great event. PAWS - Volunteer Induction Day PAWS Kuwait is organizing Volunteer Induction Day at the new shelter on 18th of February from 10am - 12:30 pm. Attendees will be given an introduction to PAWS and the different activities that we offer along with an overview of the volunteer role at each event. It will also be an opportunity to meet the team and network with other volunteers. Our volunteer coordinators will meet you at the gate and follow up with you on the following agenda: l Introduce the new volunteers to staff and existing volunteers. l Give a tour of the facility. l Introduce you to our shelter pets (dogs and cats); you will have change to feed dogs/cats, walk dogs, and play with cats. l Provide an overview of PAWS, its mission and history; give an outline of the services we provide, cover our day-to-day work and how the volunteer and their role benefit the PAWS. l Review the volunteer roles description and clarify the work you can perform.
l Read and sign off on the Volunteer Agreement. l Introduce the volunteer to PAWS Volunteer Policy. For more information visit: http://pawskuwait.org/blog/help-paws/volunteering-with-paws/
starting from the 18th February, not including the weekend of the Feb 25, 2011. Website: www.keakuwait.org KKMA neighborhood clean up event on Friday
NBK Walkathon Registration started Sunday at NBK Walkathon Tent next to the Scientific Centre in Salmiya on Sunday, February 13 and continues until March 11, which is one day before the start of the walkathon. National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the best bank in the Middle East, announced the launching of its 17th Annual Walkathon on the 12th of March 2011 on the occasion of Kuwait’s celebration of 50 years over its independence, 20 years over its liberation from the Iraqi invasion and 5 years since H.H. the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir AlSabah assumed his post. The Walkathon event will also feature a host of functions, activities and competitions with rewarding prizes and rewards awaiting the participants. NBK’s Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Bank & Community Committee, Nasser Musaed Al Sayer said that it has been clear that NBK’s Walkathon is growing year on year, and we are extremely thrilled to take our involvement with this exciting event to new levels. This year, we are expecting participation to be much more than previous walkathon which witnessed more the participation of more than 12,000 contesters”. IMA youth wing sports day IMA YOUTH WING will hold a one day Sports Event on 18th Feb. Winners will take home exciting prizes. Cricket, Volleyball & Tug of war will be part of the event. For registration kindly call the below numbers 66031736, 60634301, 97214743 or Visit www.imayouthwing.org for more information. KEA Friendship Cup Football Tournament Keralite Engineers’ Association (KEA) proudly announces the 2nd KEA Friendship Cup Football tournament sponsored by Gulf Bank scheduled to commence from Feb 18, 2011, at the Al Sahel Sports Club, Abu Halifa. The KEA Friendship Cup tournament is open to all the Alumni Colleges of the Kuwait Engineer’s Forum and will continue for 5 weekends
The Indian community in Kuwait shall celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Kuwait in a special way. Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA) the leading social welfare organization of Indians in Kuwait is organizing a Neighborhood Park Clean Up Event to commemorate their host country’s golden jubilee of independence. The program dubbed as “Beautiful Kuwait” is a thanksgiving program for Kuwait and its people on the occasion of Kuwait’s Independence Day, says the organizers. The program to be held in Jleeb Park is under patronage of the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) and supported by Indian business units, namely, UAE Exchange Center, Gulf Mart and Apsara Bazaar. The program also coincides with KKMA’s 10th anniversary celebrations and it is conducted as a symbol of love and appreciation of Indian nationals in Kuwait towards Kuwait. It will also demonstrate the community spirit for keeping the neighborhood clean and safe and to attract other users of the park to realize the importance of keeping the park clean and it should be their determination to maintain high standards in its usage. On Friday, 25th February 2011, a large number of KKMA volunteers, representing the Indian community in Kuwait along with employees of UAE Exchange Center, Gulf Mart and Apsara Bazar will clean the Jleeb Park — all sidewalks, children’s play area, football and cricket courts, by collecting trash from the entire site and disposing them safely. The program will start at 8 am and expect to complete by 10:30 am. All Indian nationals and Park users who are interested to join in this campaign should report to the venue by 7:30 am on the day. A grand inaugural session will be held at the Park on this day at 8 am in which embassy officials and community leaders and general public are expected to participate.
EMBASSY OF INDIA The Embassy of India has further revamped and improved its Legal Advice Clinic at the Indian Workers Welfare Center, and made the free service available to Indian nationals on all five working days, i.e. from Sunday to Thursday every week. Kuwaiti lawyers would be available at the Legal Advice Clinic daily from Monday to Thursday, while Indian lawyers would be available on Sundays. Following are the free welfare services provided at the Indian Workers Welfare Center located at the Embassy of India: [i] 24x7 Helpline for Domestic Workers: Accessible by toll free telephone no. 25674163 from anywhere in Kuwait, it provides information and advice exclusively to Indian domestic sector workers (Visa No. 20) as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters. [ii] Help Desk: It offers guidance to Indian nationals on routine immigration, employment, legal, and other issues (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iii) Labour Complaints Desk: It registers labor complaints and provides grievance redressal service to Indian workers (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iv) Shelters: For female and male domestic workers in distress; (v) Legal Advice Clinic: Provides free legal advice to Indian nationals (Embassy premises; Kuwaiti lawyers 3 PM to 5 PM, Monday to Thursday; Indian lawyers 2 PM to 4 PM on Sunday); and (vi) Attestation of Work Contracts: Private sector worker (Visa No. 18) contracts are accepted at the Embassy; 9 AM to 1 PM; Sunday to Thursday; Domestic sector worker (Visa No. 20) contracts are accepted at Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor Offices (KUDLO), Hawally, Al-Othman Street, Kurd Roundabout, Al-Abraj Complex, Office No 9, Mezzanine Floor; 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday to Thursday; 5 PM to 9 PM on Friday. Embassy of India would like to inform that application forms for passport/visa services and labor contracts that are on its website, www.indembkwt.org, have been upgraded to include the facility for online data entry. Affidavit forms on the embassy website have had this facility since May 6, 2009. EMBASSY OF THE US
The United States Depar tment of State announces the increase in various visa fees to ensure sufficient resources to cover the increasing cost of processing nonimmigrant visas (NIVs). U S l a w re q u i re s t h e D e p a r t m e n t t o recover the cost of processing non-immigrant visas through the collection of the application fees. The increased fees are to take effect June 4, 2010. Under the new rule, applicants for all visas that are n o t p e t i t i o n - b a s e d, i n c l u d i n g B 1 / B 2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange-visitor visas, will pay a fee of $140. Applicants for petition-based visas will pay an application fee of $150, as each of the below categories requires a review of extensive documentation and a more in- depth inter view of the applicant than other categories, such as tourists. These categories include: H visa for temporary workers and trainees L visa for intra-company transferees O visa for aliens with extraordinary ability P visa for athletes, artists and entertainers Q visa for international cultural exchange visitors R visa for religious occupations Th e a p p l i c a t i o n fe e fo r K v i s a s fo r fiance(e)s of US citizens will be $350. The fee for E visas for treat y-traders and treaty-investors will be $390. EMBASSY OF KENYA On the occasion of the anniversary of the National Day and Liberation Day of the State of Kuwait, the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya will be closed on Sunday, Februar y 27 and Monday, Februar y 28, 2011. The embassy will resume its duties on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.