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 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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India Development Foundation Of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI)

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.

The Indian Companies

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.

Attestation Of Employment Contracts For Indian Workers

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

	January-December 2014		2015 (up to 31/10/2015)
Category	Male workers	Female workers	Male workers	Female workers
Domestic workers	34,450	19,676	22,234	7 (seven)

 

ATTESTATIONS DONE FOR VISA NO 18 (PRIVATE SECTOR WORKERS)

	January-December 2014		2015 (up to 31/10/2015)
Category	Individual	Bulk recruitment	Individual	Bulk recruitment
Private sector workers	10,120	32,211	7,554	58,010

 

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.

Recruitment of Indian Nurses

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.

First Ever NRI Divas In Agra During January 2016

The Government of Uttar Pradesh is organizing the first ever NRI Divas focused on the State’s diaspora on 4th & 5th January 2016, in Agra. During the flagship event, in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Akhilesh Yadav, major policy decisions and initiatives planned for the State’s diaspora will be unveiled. The NRIs from UP are welcome to join & celebrate the vibrancy created by them for Uttar Pradesh around the world during the event.

The State Government has recently established a full-fledged Department of NRI Affairs which aims at creating an effective relationship with the diaspora for any issues/facilitation that their kin or families of NRIs face at home in the State. The Government plans to roll out cards certifying NRIs/PIOs from UP which would entitle the bearer to prompt response whenever he/she meets a Government functionary in addition to multiple third party benefits. Felicitation of the NRIs/PIOs for their contribution to the State is also on the anvil.

In addition to the above initiatives, the officers of the State Government shall give a high priority to matters that are reported or referred by the NRIs. A website of the NRI Department is to be launched soon which will have the contact details of the District Magistrates and Superintendents of the Police, Commissioners, DIGs and other senior officers at the State Government level so that they can be reached directly in case of any need. Suggestions/ feedback can also be given at nricellup@gmail.com

“India International Trade Fair (IITF)” at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India (November 14 - 27, 2015)

The India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), a Government of India Enterprise, under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India is organizing the 35th edition of its annual mega event  “India International Trade Fair (IITF)” at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 14-27 November 2015, which will showcase India’s industrial progress,  economic achievements and technological advancements in a wide range of products and services.  IITF is a trade fair with B2B and B2C components and has emerged as the largest integrated trade fair in the Indian sub-continent. The first 5 days (14-18 November 2015) of the Fair are exclusively earmarked for business visitors.  The fair is open to general public from 19-27 November 2015.

A large number of overseas companies are expected to display their products and services in the event.  The theme of IITF “Make in INDIA” is a major initiative of the Government designed to facilitate and promote investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure in the country.   An international Business Lounge will be set up to facilitate the visit of International visitors.  The last edition of the fair witnessed a huge turnover of visitors and 7000 business visitors which included overseas trade delegations from 58 countries across the globe.

            More details regarding the event is available at website www.iitf.in

 

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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2016

Home

VALUE ADDED SERVICES AT CKGS, CENTRES IN KUWAIT

          The Embassy has outsourced its passport and visa services to M/s Cox & Kings Global Services, (CKGS) since 3 August 2014. This agency has three Centers; viz, Sharq, Fahaheel and Jleeb Al Showaikh (Abbasiya) for providing services to Indian community, Kuwaiti nationals and other expatriates residing in or visiting Kuwait. They charge a service fee of KD 1.200 for passport services and service fee of KD. 3.250 for providing  visa services. Following optional Value Added Services (VAS) are also available with CKGS, Kuwait:

Value Added Services (optional)

(i)       Photocopy: 100 fils per page

(ii)      Photo booth: KD 2.750 for 4 photos

(iii)     Internet kiosk: KD1.000

(iv)     Courier service: KD 1.250 for Indian nationals and KD 4.500 for foreign nationals;

(v)      Assisted form filling: KD1.000 for Indian nationals and KD3.000 for Foreign nationals.

New Indian Passports on the same day under TATKAL SCHEME

Indian nationals in Kuwait are hereby informed once again that the new Indian passports can be issued the same day under the ‘Tatkal’ Scheme in cases such as damage / loss of passport, near exhaustion of all blank pages in passport, near or expiry of passport etc.  Applications for new passport issued under urgent or emergency circumstances are received in the Embassy Consular Wing and passports issued within a short span of 6-8 hours on payment of ‘Tatkal’ fee of KD 46/- in addition to the normal passport fee.

2.         The passport fees under the ‘Tatkal’ scheme are as given below:

i)             Ordinary passport (36 pages):   KD 69.50

ii)            Jumbo passport (60 pages):      KD 77.50

iii)           Passport in lieu of damaged/

lost passport:                                        KD 92.50 for ordinary and KD 100.50 for Jumbo passport

3.         This is to further inform that Kuwaiti nationals can apply for emergency visa at the Embassy which is issued the same day on payment of additional fee KD 12. Applicants may call the Embassy for any Tatkal passport and emergency visa related query at Tel. No. 22530600 Extn. 279 or call Mr. K.K. Pahel, First Secretary (Consular) at Mobile No. 97229948.

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Discontinuation of SMS Charge from applicants by CKGS Kuwait

The Embassy has seen numerous complaints from Indian community in Kuwait about SMS charge of Kuwaiti Dinar 0.400 by M/s Cox & Kings Services (CKGS) Kuwait, the outsourced agency of the Embassy for passport and visa services, from applicants seeking passports or visa services.

2.      The SMS charge (under Value Added Service category) of KD 0.400 has been discontinued with immediate effect. Applicants are hereby advised that they should not pay any SMS charge to M/s CKGS, Kuwait. It may be noted that the Embassy is issuing Indian passports on the same working day of receipt of applications from the above agency in Kuwait. Therefore, applicants should normally get their passports on the third (or latest fourth) working day from CKGS, Kuwait. Similarly, all visas are issued on the same working day on receipt of visa applications from the above agency. The visa applicants should get their visas on the third working day from the above agency.  In any case, there is a provision to check the status through on-line Tracking system provided by CKGS, Kuwait at free of cost.

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