Indian mission to host Navratri event today
The
Indian Consulate will host a cultural extravaganza showcasing Indian heritage and folklore today, the mission has announced.
Titled ‘Navrang — Colours of India’, the event will take place from 5pm at the mission’s auditorium.
The major attractions include a raffle draw for two return tickets to India, by Air India.
Entry is free for all Indians. The event coincides with the Indian festivals Navratri and Dussehra that are celebrated in a big way by Indian expats.
(Staff Report)
The visiting chief minister of the South Indian State of Kerala said there was no restriction on the flood-hit state receiving donations from charities and foundations in the UAE.
The government of India has not permitted the state to accept aid from foreign governments only, but there is no restriction on receiving donations from foreign charities and foundations, Pinarayi Vijayan said in an interview with Gulf News on Wednesday.
“This [donations from foreign charities and foundations] will be a big support in the reconstruction of the state.”
He said he had a very warm and friendly meeting on Wednesday with Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC). “I invited him to visit Kerala and he assured me that he would try his best to make the visit at the earliest,” Vijayan said.
Shaikh Hamdan said the UAE’s leadership and people followed the disaster in Kerala with great care, according to WAM. ■ He reiterated the UAE’s commitment in humanitarian work and offering assistance to the needy.
The chief minister also met Shaikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, at his office in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Vijayan invited Shaikh Nahyan Bin Zayed to visit Kerala; the latter accepted the invitation and promised to visit Kerala in near future, said a statement issued by the chief minister’s office.
The chief minister briefed the various initiatives of his government to rebuild Kerala and Shaikh Nahyan expressed deep concern about the devastation,