VIDYA LAKSHMI PORTAL

            “Vidya Lakshmi Portal” has been launched on 15th August 2015 by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi. Under this scheme, any Indian student can apply for educational loan online by browsing on www.vidyalakshmi.co.in. The main purpose of this portal is to have facilities of education loan, scholarship and other student friendly facilities through one link. Students can apply from his/her home, Institution, kiosk or Cyber café. The portal is linked with “Centre for Good Governance National-e-Scholarship Portal: www.scholarships.gov.in. Students can also apply for scholarship. Besides, a good number of student-friendly schemes are also mentioned in the portal. Students can apply, view and track their education loan application to banks anytime by accessing the Portal which would be useful for students, parents, institutions, bankers, employers, researchers etc.

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 2016-India Fellows Programme at Indian School of Business Hyderabad

As a part of the drive to India Connect Initiative, OIFC (Overseas India Facilitation Centre) is scheduled to launch “The India Fellows Programme” in June 2016. This is open to young Indian Diaspora entrepreneurs/professionals in decision making capacity/potential investors and international partners of Indian companies (between 21-39 years of age) who have a minimum of 3 years of entrepreneurial experience. The programme is being offered at a special introductory fee of US $ 5,000 per participant plus service tax. The fee will cover boarding, lodging, programme related learning material, field visits & webinars. The participants will have to bear the cost of travel and local conveyance.

2.        Selected candidates who complete the programme shall become members of the OIFC India Entrepreneurship Fellows (OIEF) Club, will receive support and facilitation from OIFC for doing business in India. The main objective of this scheme is to help Diaspora entrepreneurs to have an understanding of aspects critical to gaining market entry, practical insights about doing business with India, idea of the legal & regulatory environment, exposure to Indian economy and an insight into the emerging opportunities of the world’s fastest growing economy. All those who are interested can remain in touch with OIFC pertaining to their initiatives and programmes through their social media platforms given below:

Twitter: @OIFCIndia and CEO_OIFC

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OIFC.IN

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2016-India Fellows Programme at Indian School of Business Hyderabad

As a part of the drive to India Connect Initiative, OIFC (Overseas India Facilitation Centre) is scheduled to launch “The India Fellows Programme” in June 2016. This is open to young Indian Diaspora entrepreneurs/professionals in decision making capacity/potential investors and international partners of Indian companies (between 21-39 years of age) who have a minimum of 3 years of entrepreneurial experience. The programme is being offered at a special introductory fee of US $ 5,000 per participant plus service tax. The fee will cover boarding, lodging, programme related learning material, field visits & webinars. The participants will have to bear the cost of travel and local conveyance. A brief note issued by OIFC in this regard is enclosed.

2.        Selected candidates who complete the programme shall become members of the OIFC India Entrepreneurship Fellows (OIEF) Club, will receive support and facilitation from OIFC for doing business in India. The main objective of this scheme is to help Diaspora entrepreneurs to have an understanding of aspects critical to gaining market entry, practical insights about doing business with India, idea of the legal & regulatory environment, exposure to Indian economy and an insight into the emerging opportunities of the world’s fastest growing economy. All those who are interested can remain in touch with OIFC pertaining to their initiatives and programmes through their social media platforms given below:

Twitter: @OIFCIndia and CEO_OIFC

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OIFC.IN

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Celebration of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas  2016

            The 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) was celebrated in Kuwait on 9 January 2016 in Embassy Auditorium from 1600 hrs – 1900 hrs. The event was well attended with the presence of over 300 Indian nationals. Ambassador provided basic data regarding Embassy’s consular, passport, visa, community welfare services rendered to the Indian community during 2015. Several speakers spoke on issues concerning Indian Diaspora in Kuwait.

2.         Major achievements in bilateral ties during 2015 have been the following:

·        Illegal flow of Indian female domestic workers stopped;

·        Recruitment of Indian nurses streamlined through 3 State Manpower Recruitment Agencies; viz. NORKA, ODEPC & OMCL;

·        Trade & Investment: During last 2 years, Indian EPC companies viz  L&T, Shapoorji Pallonji, ESSAR, DODSAL and Simplex and Kalpataru Transmission  got major contracts worth $ 6 billion.In December 2015, an announcement with regard to Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA)’s investment of US$300 million in GMR Infrastructure Limited was made;   

·        Air Connectivity: Kuwait Airways now operating daily flights to New Delhi as well as started flights to Ahmadabad and Bengaluru;

·        FE remittancesto India:  US$4.8 billion sent to India from Kuwait; and

·        Indian community in Kuwait grew by 5-6% during 2015.

3.         The comparative chart of services rendered by Embassy during the calendar year 2015, vis-à-vis 2014, is given below:

4.         In 2015, Embassy Auditorium was used for 48 socio-cultural events by various Indian Associations in Kuwait. There are 204 Indian associations now registered with the Embassy.

5.         Various suggestions to improve services (for example, voting rights for NRIs, Aadhar Card, greater assistance to 3 lakh Indian nationals in domestic sector, cheaper air-tickets) have been noted for consideration/implementation.

Flag Hoisting Ceremony on 26 January 2016

On the occasion of 67th Republic Day of India, a Flag hoisting ceremony will be held in the Embassy Premises at 0900 hours on Tuesday, 26 January 2016, followed by reading of the message of the Hon’ble President of India and a cultural programme including singing of patriotic songs.

 An Open House reception will follow during which tea, snacks, soft drinks etc shall be served to all. All Indian nationals in Kuwait are most cordially invited to attend the Republic Day celebrations and should reach the venue by 0830 hours.

The Government of India has been promoting Yoga as a preventive and promotive system for holistic health. Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (VYASA), a registered charitable institution and engaged in making Yoga as a socially relevant science, is organizing the 21st International Conference on ‘Frontiers in Yoga Research and its Applications’ (INCOFYRA) from January 3-7, 2016 at Prashanti Kutiram (S-VYASA University Campus), Bangalore. The theme of the Conference is “Yoga in Integrated Healthcare System dealing with Diabetes, Oncology, Cardiology and Mental Health”.

2.        Hon’ble Prime Minister of India is expected to inaugurate the Conference on 3rd January, 2016. Around 10,000 delegates from modern and AYUSH medical community are expected to participate in the event. The Conference would provide an excellent platform to showcase the preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and rejuvenating roles of Yoga. It will also provide an opportunity for achieving new milestone in the area of Integrated Health Care System which is the need of the hour.

3.        VYASA is offering some discount to participants from Kuwait. All Indian Nationals in Kuwait who are interested, are requested to get in touch with Dr. Suresh Babu and Smt. Deepika Srinivasan for further details, as per details  mentioned below:-

Dr. Suresh Babu                                                     Smt. Deepika Srinivasan

(Land Line) 0091 802 263 9915                             0091 802 263 9915

(Mobile) 0091 948 254 2873                                  0091 990 130 0299

E-mail: sureshbabubnys@gmail.com                     incofyra21@gmail.com

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Launching of a website by ALL India Radio for its External Services

All India Radio has launched a multimedia website for its external service. The website airworldservice.org  is presently available in English, Hindi and Urdu languages. The content consists of rich bouquet of news, current affairs, programmes on culture, heritage, music, art, tourism, health-care, issues relating to economy, investment, development, education etc. The website which has a blend of text, pictures, video and audio components, also features live streaming of radio programmes. It also has a segment of “Radio On Demand”.

            The External Services of All India Radio have been broadcasting their programmes in 27 languages (15 foreign and 12 Indian). They are reaching out to more than 140 countries through medium and short wave. Broadcasts are aimed at Indians living abroad as well as others worldwide. The programmes of AIR have wide following as is evident from large number of letters, e-mails received by the different language services. It is mainly for Indian Diaspora and to give the listeners a feel of Home away from home. AIR also broadcast in Bangla, Baluchi, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, Pashtu, Punjabi, Nepali, Saraiki, Sindhi, Sinhala, Tamil and Tibetan for the neighbouring countries. Their objective is to project the progress and policies of India, along with its arts and culture. All Indian nationals living in Kuwait, who are interested to see the external service of All India Radio may log to its website www.airworldservice.org

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    The linking of validity of Residence Permit with the  validity  of  the  Passport       

The Ministry of Interior of Kuwait has decided to implement the new guidelines with effect from 01 January 2016 applicable to expatriates residing in the country with regard to the linking of validity of Residence Permit with the  validity  of  the  Passport. The new guidelines are as under:-

(i)                The duration of the Residence Permit cannot be for a longer period than the duration of validity of the passport.

(ii)              Residence Permit shall expire on the same date of the expiry of passport.

(iii)            The decision to link the validity of residence with the validity of the passport is applicable with effect from 01 January 2016.

(iv)            Please avail the remaining period till 1st January 2016 to renew the passport to avoid violation of Residence Permit Law for foreigners.

(v)              Approach Department of Residence Affairs (as per address given in the Civil ID) to register and transfer the data from the old to the new passport.  

2.        All Indian nationals in Kuwait are advised to ensure that their passports are renewed so as to avoid any violation of the Residence Permit Law in Kuwait for  Foreigners

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The Government of India, under the Chair of Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs has set up an India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI),  a not-for-profit trust,  with a view  to provide a credible window for Overseas Indian Philanthropy in India’s Social Development.

2.      The IDF-OI is presently promoting Government of India's flagship programmes – “Swachh Bharat Mission” and “National Mission for Clean Ganga”. It is also seeking contribution from overseas Indians for projects in different States being implemented by State Governments agencies. IDF-OI is focussing its efforts on enhancing engagement with the Indian Diaspora and increasing its outreach.  The objectives of the Trust are:

·        Lead overseas Indian philanthropy into India;

·        Establish and maintain a 'Social Capital and Philanthropy Network' in India that can provide a list of credible institutions, projects and programmes;

·        Partner with States in India and encourage credible Indian philanthropic organizations; and

·        Promote accountability and 'good practices' in Diaspora philanthropy.

3.      The IDF-OI is also partnering with the State Governments in India to select projects identified by the State Governments in India and seek overseas Indians’ engagement with these projects.  Indian Diaspora can also contribute through IDF-OI, to projects identified by the State Governments. Overseas Indians can select project in totality or an individual component of a project or multiple components, as per state or sector of preference. A flyer regarding IDF-OI and the projects to be funded by overseas Indians is attached.  IDF-OI will provide regular reports to the contributors about implementation of projects to which they have made contributions.  Further details of the projects are available at IDF-OI’s website www.idfoi.org.

4.      The Embassy invites all Indians in Kuwait to connect with IDF-OI for engagement with these projects and to work for social development across the country.

During last two years, the Indian EPC companies have been awarded projects worth over USD 5 billion in Kuwait. In 2014, leading Indian companies viz. Larsen & Toubro (Ministry of Electricity and Water project and KOC’s Gas Gathering Centre GC 30 project), Shapoorji Pallonji (Al Sabah Hospital as well as Kuwait University Project), Dodsal (Gas Gathering Centre Project), Punj Lloyd (KNPC’s project of revamping the Ahmadi Fuel Depot) and Simplex Projects (for construction of Service Centers in Sabah Al Ahmad City) were awarded EPC contracts worth over US$ 4.15 billion in Kuwait. 

2.      In May 2015, Larsen & Toubro signed a contract worth US$ 77 million with Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation (KNPC) to replace an old power substation at Al-Ahmadi Refinery in Kuwait. In October 2015, Essar Projects Limited, in a joint venture with Italy’s Saipem S.p.A has won a contract worth USD 1.57 billion from Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) for setting up Al-Zour Refinery Project (ZOR), Package-4.Many Indian companies are actively participating in the developmental projects of Kuwait, strengthening further ties between India-Kuwait.

The Embassy has been attesting employment contracts for Indian workers, both in domestic sector (Visa No. 20) as well as in private sector (Visa No. 18).

2.       Work contract attestations done by the Embassy during the years 2014 and 2015 in respect of domestic workers (visa No. 20) and private sector workers (visa No. 18) to Kuwait are as under:

ATTESTATIONS DONE FOR VISA NO 20 (DOMESTIC WORKERS

ATTESTATIONS DONE FOR VISA NO 18 (PRIVATE SECTOR WORKERS)

3.       The sharp drop in arrival of female domestic workers in 2015 is due to the differences on the bank guarantee issue.

4.       The Embassy has implemented E-Migrate (web-based attestation system) procedure since June 2015. This is a transparent system wherein all documents about work contract, visa copy, credentials/contact details of sponsor and the employee as well as emigration clearance documents are available on the E-Migrate system for the benefit of all stakeholders in the emigration cycle. The system protects and benefits both the employer and the employee as the emigration clearance is obtained through the on-line system. The Embassy has opened a Helpdesk for work relating to E-Migrate for the benefit of sponsors/employers in Kuwait who are registering themselves with the system for employing workers from India with the help of above user-friendly system.

It may be recalled that to streamline the recruitment of Indian nurses for work in Kuwait, the Government of India has restricted the recruitment of nurses through the following three State-run recruiting agencies since May 2015:

a)         Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs Department (NORKA-ROOTS), Thiruvananthapuram;

b)         Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants Ltd. (ODEPC), Thiruvananthapuram; and

c)         Overseas Manpower Corporation Limited (OMCL), Chennai.

2.         An Indian delegation comprising of NORKA and ODEPC top officials visited Kuwait in April 2015 in this regard to finalize basic modalities with the Ministry of Health, Kuwait pertaining to the recruitment of Indian nurses.

3.         A written understanding was reached this afternoon between the Ambassador of India to Kuwait and Dr. Mahmoud Al Abdulhadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Health & Dr. Jamal Al-Harbi, Assistant Undersecretary for Assistance Medical Service,  Ministry of Health, in this important matter. A Kuwaiti Health Ministry delegation is now expected to visit India in December 2015 for practical implementation of the nurses’ recruitment process.