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BILATERAL ISSUES
a. EGYPT
1. India commits US$ 4 million for Gaza Reconstruction at Cairo International Conference, Cairo, 12 October 2014
India participated in the Cairo International Conference on the Reconstruction of Gaza on 12 October and pledged US$ 4 million, in response to the National Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, presented by the Palestinian Authority. Sandeep Kumar, Joint Secretary (West Asia and North Africa), Ministry of External Affairs, headed the Indian delegation to the Conference. He was accompanied by Ambassador Navdeep Suri, the Indian Ambassador in Egypt, and Mahesh Kumar, the Indian Representative in Ramallah.
Kumar said that the early realization of the objectives of the Cairo Conference will be an important element in the consolidation of the current ceasefire understanding between Palestine and Israel. He welcomed the mediating role played by Egypt in the current ceasefire in Gaza, while maintaining that an early and sustainable resolution of the root cause of the conflict was an imperative. He stated that India firmly believed that a comprehensive dialogue remained the best guarantee of a durable peace for effectively addressing the issues confronting the region and its people.
The Conference was co-hosted by Egypt and Norway. Delegations from more than 75 countries and international organizations attended the Conference. The Palestinian Authority put together a Reconstruction Plan for Gaza estimated at US$ 4 billion, and countries pledged a total of US$ 5.4 billion (US$ 1.4 billion above the PA’s Plan).
The Indian pledge is part of the long sustained India-Palestine partnership. India has been providing direct budgetary, economic, and developmental assistance to the Palestinian people. India has committed to assist Palestine in the fields of capacity development, education and information technology. It is also implementing a series of development projects under the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Fund in Palestine. One of the important future IBSA projects will be the reconstruction of the Atta Habib medical centre in Shujiyaa, Gaza at a cost of US$ 1 million. Additionally, India has been contributing US$ 1 million annually to the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) for supply of food and medicines in Gaza.
For more information on India’s participation, kindly write to the Indian Embassy Cairo at info.cairo@mea.gov.in or follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@indembcairo).
Source: Embassy of India, Cairo
2. “Glimpses of India” Painting Competition attracts more than 4000 school children, Cairo, 15 October 2014
The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC), Embassy of India, Cairo, in cooperation with Ministry of Education conducted the 20th annual “Glimpses of India” painting competition on 13-15 October at four venues across Cairo, attracting around 4000 schoolchildren from more than 400 schools. The competition was held at India House (residence of the Indian Ambassador), Al Azhar Park, Children’s Creativity Centre, and Misr Public Library. Each of the venues received more than a thousand children who spent their time drawing various images and impressions about India.
Speaking about the importance of the festival this year, the Indian Ambassador said: ‘This year, we decided to offer India House as one of the venues for holding our annual Glimpses of India contest. And it was such a pleasure to host over 360 Egyptian school kids yesterday and another 500 today. The sight of so many beautiful children, busily drawing and painting images related to India and establishing a connection between our great countries is a truly special one. I think that the Glimpses of India contest is one of the finest activities of our cultural centre. It gives us a chance to encourage the development of artistic talent amongst the youth; but equally important, it creates a unique bond that will hopefully endure as these kids grow older and will continue to nurture the special friendship between the people of Egypt and India for years to come.’
The competition is an annual feature in Cairo and is to held commemorate the birthdays of Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation, Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister. This year, more than 4000 children from the age groups 6-12 years (Primary), 13-15 years (Preparatory) and 16-18 years (Secondary) including children with special needs from various government, private and national institute schools in Cairo and Giza governorates are participated in the competition. A 3-member specialist jury will select 75 winners from 15 different categories. In addition, all 75 participating children with special needs will be given prizes. The winner will be invited to the award function on 10 November at Gomhoriya Theatre. A catalogue carrying all the winning paintings of the children will be distributed at the ceremony.
For regular updates and information follow us on Facebook at Indian Embassy Cairo or write to us atmacic@indembcairo.com or info.cairo@mea.gov.in
Source: Embassy of India, Cairo; See Also: Representative Office of India, Ramallah
3. India Day celebrations in Minya, Cairo, 21 October 2014
The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) organized 'India Day' celebrations at Minya Governorate on 20 October 2014. The event was held with the cooperation of the Cultural Palace of Minya Governorate and the Chambers of Commerce.
As part of the celebrations, a Photo Exhibition on India-Egypt relations tracing the ties between the two countries over a century as well as Indian investments in Egypt were inaugurated by Ambassador Navdeep Suri and Major General Osama Daif, Secretary General of Governorate of Minya. Following the exhibition, an interaction was organized at the Governorate auditorium in which Ambassador Suri delivered a speech on Indo-Egyptian relations. Lauding the vibrant economic and political relationship between India and Egypt, Ambassador Suri said the programme in Minya was part of the outreach activities of the Embassy to connect with Egyptians outside Cairo. “I am extremely impressed by the goodwill and warmth of the senior officials and the people of Minya,” he noted, thanking the Governorate for the help they had extended. The speeches were followed by Indian Fashion and Dance show organized by the students of the Maulana Azad Centre and Egyptian Folk Dance show organized by the Governorate. Indian documentary films and Ambassador handed out prizes to the winners of the Glimpses of India Painting Competition that had been held the previous day.
Ambassador also met with the Governor of Minya, Major General Salah Zayada as well as the Minya Chambers of Commerce to discuss the opportunities for expanding economic cooperation between India and Egypt. The Chambers of Commerce expressed their interest in attracting Indian investments, particularly for in the mineral sector (calcium carbonate, limestone and marble industries), as well as learning from India’s success in the field of IT.
For more information, please contact the Embassy of India, Cairo at info.cairo@mea.gov.in ormacic@indembcairo.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@indembcairo)
Source: Embassy of India, Cairo
4. Prime Minister and Senior Ministers visit largest Indian Investment in Egypt, Cairo, 29 October 2014
On 28 October 2014, H.E. Prime Minister Eng. Ibrahim Mehleb, six Cabinet Ministers and the Governor of Port Said, General Samah Qandil visited the TCI Sanmar plant in Port Said, the largest Indian investment in Egypt. The Ministers who accompanied the Prime Minister were Dr. Laila Iskandar – Minister of Urban Renewal and Informal Settlements, Eng. Hany Dahy, the Minister of Transportation, Ashraf Salman, the Minister of Investment, Dr. Ashraf El Araby the Minister of Planning and Administrative Reform, Khaled Hanafy, the Minister of Supply, and Adel Labib the Minister of Local Development and Administrative Development. Ambassador Navdeep Suri, the Indian Ambassador to Egypt, and senior officials from TCI Sanmar was also present during the visit. The Prime Minister toured the premises, and received a briefing on the nature of the project, its contribution to the Egyptian economy, and challenges to its growth. At the conclusion of the tour, the Prime Minister remarked that he was impressed by the scale of the manufacturing facility and their future plans for expansion. He underscored the commitment of the Egyptian government to resolve all issues faced by investors. Ambassador Navdeep Suri said that the personal interest taken by the Prime Ministers and senior Ministers in visiting the plant was a positive signal to Indian investments, which amounted to more than US$ 2.5 billion across 50 different companies. He said that “Indian companies like the Sanmar group have demonstrated their willingness and ability to undertake major investments in Egypt. Their success will encourage other Indian companies to do the same.”
The TCI Sanmar plant in Port Said is a huge chemical project manufacturing 275,000 MT per annum of Caustic Soda, 60,000 MT per annum of Green Ethylene from Ethanol and 200,000 MT per annum of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC). The Sanmar Group has so far invested US$ 1.15 billion in the projects of TCI Sanmar. Additional investment of US$ 150 million in Phase 2 is planned, to set-up a new PVC plant with a capacity of 200,000 MT, and enhance the Ethylene manufacturing capacity by 60,000 MT. The Sanmar group is a conglomerate based in Southern India, with business interests in Chemicals, Specialty Chemicals, Engineering/ Metals and Shipping.
PVC is the raw material used for the manufacture of several important products such as, PVC pipes, cables, upholstery, door and window profiles etc., PVC pipes are used for conveying water mainly in the irrigation, drinking water supply systems, waste water sewage disposal system and construction sectors. At present a large quantity of PVC is imported and PVC produced at TCI Sanmar's plant will substitute these imports which will result in a major saving of US$ 400 million, in scarce foreign exchange for the country. TCI Sanmar provides employment to about 2,000 Egyptian directly and indirectly.
For more information, contact the Indian Embassy at info.cairo@mea.gov.in or follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@indembcairo).
Source: Embassy of India, Cairo
5. 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) in Cairo, Cairo, 31 October 2014
The 50th Anniversary of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme was celebrated in Cairo on 30 October 2014 at India House. The function was attended by a large number of Egyptian officials and nationals who have been trained in various courses organized under the ITEC programme in India. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Navdeep Suri emphasized that the ITEC was launched in 1964 as a programme of cooperation and partnership by India to address the needs of friendly developing countries in the field of human resource development. He said that the ITEC catered to three A’s: affordability, adaptability and appropriateness – and hence had an immediate connect with countries such as Egypt. Samia Hassan Kamal, Supervisor of the Asian Cooperation Sector, Ministry of International Cooperation, speaking for the Minister thanked the Embassy for their cooperation in building linkages, and noted that India’s capacity building courses had greatly benefited Egyptian officials. Furthermore, a programme such as ITEC promotes diversity and builds South-South cooperation. Eng. Hussein El Gueretly, Chairperson of ITIDA, as well as Senior Officials from the Foreign Ministry were also present at the event.
In the last few years, more than 500 Egyptians had gone to India for training in a variety of different. A number of ITEC alumnae, as well as a CV Raman scholar spoke warmly about their experiences, and how they will always maintain the friendships they built. These included Osama Abu Sinna, Inspector, Egypt Post; Hanan Mohamed El Nagdy, OSH Specialist, General Department of Occupation of Safety and Health, Ministry of Manpower & immigration, Dr. Saber Mohamed Abdalla, Associate Professor, Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni Suef University and Doaa Sayed Tawfik, Public Relation Specialist, Luxor Governorate. A short animation film titled “India: The Spirit of Freedom” and another film on the ITEC at 50 were screened.
The ITEC Programme is an important component of India’s economic relations with Egypt. The scheme offers training in over 250 courses in prestigious educational, technical and vocational institutes in India in a variety of fields ranging from information technology to management, vocational training, banking, finance, English language and so on. Encouraged by the considerable interest in Egypt in the programme, the Government of India has decided to offer around 100 ITEC slots to Egyptian officials and nationals on a yearly basis. In addition, Egyptian scholars who have travelled to India on the CV Raman Fellowship as well as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarships also attended the event. These scholarships are offered for graduate, post graduate, and doctoral studies in both the sciences and the arts.
For more information please visit the website of ITEC (http://www.itec.mea.gov.in/) or contact the Information Wing of the Indian Embassy at info.cairo@mea.gov.in or visit us on Facebook at Indian Embassy Cairo.
Source: Embassy of India, Cairo
b. KUWAIT
6. 4th India-Arab Partnership Conference, Cairo, 8 October 2014
The Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in association with Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the League of Arab States (LAS), Federation of Arab Businessmen (FAB) and General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce Industry & Agriculture (GUCCIA), is organizing the 4th India-Arab Partnership Conference in New Delhi on 26 – 27 November 2014.
As a flagship event, this conference will provide a powerful platform to both Indian and Arab businessmen to interact and explore new opportunities for investment and business and build upon the momentum achieved by the three previous Conclaves organized in April 2008, February 2010 and May 2012. The Government of India believes that India’s overall economic development can be achieved through systematic development of its States and therefore it is keen to project the mega investment opportunities in States to potential investors and business houses.
The organizers expect to host over 200 Arab CEOs to discuss business and investment proposals from over 250 Indian delegates from sectors like investment and manufacturing (pharma and infrastructure); Energy with focus on renewal energy, Food security and agricultural development (agri business / food processing / JVs, etc); Services (healthcare, tourism and IT); Human resource development, education and scientific research and technology development. The event would provide an excellent opportunity to the visiting delegation from Kuwait to interact with Indian business leaders
More information about the Conference would be available from Goutam Ghosh, Head & Director, Arab & SAARC Division, FICCI, Federation House, 1 Tansen Marg, New Delhi – 110 001; ( E-mail : goutam.ghosh@ficci.com), Tel. +91-11-23487416
+91-11-23487416, Fax : +91-11-23320714), Website : www.iapc2014.com.
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait
7. Advisory - Passport and Visa applicants, Kuwait, 9 October 2014
The Embassy has outsourced its passport and visa services to M/s Cox and Kings Global Services, Kuwait. The Company is operating through their offices in Sharq, Fahaheel and in Abbasiya (Jleeb Al Shuwaikh) since 3 August 2014. For information and advantage of all service seekers, the Embassy would like to inform the following:
Beware of touts/agents - All Indian nationals in Kuwait are advised not to be misled by touts hanging around any of the three outsourced centres in Kuwait for passport related services. It is informed that rates for their services like charges for filling up various forms is quite high as compared to the very reasonable charges for value added services made available in the outsourced centres of the Embassy. Applicants are also misled by these touts to provide documents which may not necessarily be required to be enclosed with the applications and thus fleecing them. The rates for the value added services are displayed prominently in the outsourced centres for payment by service seekers. For ready reference the rates are as follows.
DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE ONLY IN PDF FORMAT
Beware of Bogus website fleecing applicants: It has also come to the notice of the Embassy that some applicants applying for visa for India have been duped into filling visa online by some fake websites. For Example: https://india-visas.com/index.php. They also accept online payment of fees from the applicants. All visa applicants are advised to be very careful about and requested to fill in their online visa applications by logging on to www.indianvisaonline.gov.in. This is the only official site for this purpose from Government of India. All visa fees are compulsorily to be deposited in cash at the outsourced centres at Sharq and Fahaheel. In cases of emergency, visa can also be obtained at the Embassy on the same day with applicable fees. They can contact the Visa Wing of the Embassy of India in Kuwait (Tel. No. 2530600 Extn. 279) or Manager CKGS office in Sharq (Mob: 07928978) for any doubt or clarification in the matter.
Passport & visa services (timings) at Sharq, Fahaheel and Abbasiya and visa services at Sharq and Fahaheel are available from 0800 hours to 1200 hours and again from 1600 hours to 2000 hours Mondays to Thursdays. To help the Indian community, who are not able to visit during any of the working days due to the working time/nature of duty, it may be noted that on Fridays and Saturdays, these services are also available from 1600 hours to 2000 hours.
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait
8. Time taken for transportation of mortal remains of Indian nationals, Kuwait, 14 October 2014
It has been our endeavour to assist in the earliest repatriation of mortal remains of Indian nationals who die in Kuwait. As cremation facilities are not permitted in Kuwait, it becomes necessary that many bodies are airlifted to India for final rites. Last year, 533 Indian nationals died in Kuwait.
During last three months (July-September 2014), there were 158 Indian deaths in Kuwait. Mortal remains of 125 Indian nationals were airlifted to India. The remaining 33 were buried in Kuwait as per the wishes of their family members. From those sent to India, 104 were transported within 1 to 5 days of reporting the death to the Embassy (3 days being the average time taken for transportation of the mortal remains).
The repatriation of mortal remains of 21 deceased persons, however, took longer time, ranging from 6 to 25 days. Delays in 21 cases occurred as police investigations were required to be conducted in cases of suicides, murders, and traffic accidents. In some cases, local sponsors took time to complete formalities. Non-availability of flights and intervening holidays were among the other reasons contributing to delays in repatriation of mortal remains of Indian nationals from Kuwait.
Complete data of Indian nationals who have died in Kuwait since 1 July 2014 is available on the Embassy’s website.
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait
9. Disposal of Mortal Remains of Indian Nationals, Kuwait, 17 October 2014
THIS IS AVAILABLE ONLY IN PDF FORMAT
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait
11. Average life expectancy of Indian nationals who died in Kuwait, Kuwait, 21 October 2014
Average life expectancy of Indian nationals who died in Kuwait, was found to be barely at 44.4 years — 41.6 years in domestic sector and 45.1 years in private sector. Gender-wise, in males average age at death was found to be 44 years, as against 46.7 years for females. The lowest life expectancy of 40.7 years was found among Indian domestic males. A slightly higher life expectancy of 48.5 years was found in dependent females. The average life expectancy seems to be rather low among Indians in Kuwait (as against life expectancy in India of 67 years for a male and 70 years for a female). Some causes for deaths at a considerably lower age among Indians in Kuwait are as below:
a). Heart attacks
This is the most worrying cause of Indian deaths in Kuwait. There were 177 out of a total 416 deaths or about 42.5 percent. Heart attacks seem to be higher in males in the private sector vis-à-vis the domestic sector. The rate of heart attack among females is only one third that of males. Heart attack is often attributed to smoking, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, eating of fatty foods, sleep or rest deprivation, highly stressed working environment and lack of timely access to medical attention etc.
b). Natural causes
Deaths due to natural causes are approximately one third of total Indian deaths. Out of total of 130 natural deaths during the period, 103 are in the age group of 26-65 years. Natural causes include various types of illnesses (excluding heart attacks) such as cancer/other life-threatening diseases, resulting in death of Indians in Kuwait.
c). Traffic Accidents
This is also an area of serious concern as there were 40 deaths due to road accidents.
d) Suicides
Suicides among Indians are a cause of concern. Out of 23 suicide cases reported during the period, 14 suicides are from domestic sector and 9 from private sector. Out of these 14 suicides in domestic sector, 11 were in the age group of 26-45 years, pointing to the possibility that the younger population may be more prone to suicides. Some of the reasons for suicides attributed are high degree of work stress, financial indebtness and living away from home.
e). Other causes of death
There were 13 deaths due to murders and worksite accidents.
f). Conclusion
High deaths among Indian nationals in Kuwait are predominantly due to lifestyle problems and harsh working conditions, high degree of physical & mental stresses and lack of medical awareness. In view of high incidence of fatal heart attacks among Indians as well as suicides, traffic accidents and illnesses etc., the Indian Doctors’ Forum, Kuwait is bringing out a Guide for the benefit of Indians in Kuwait. IDF, Kuwait and other Indian Associations in Kuwait will continue to organize free medical camps for the benefit of Indian community.
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait
12. “Incredible India tourism- Know India Seminar in Kuwait”, Kuwait, 30 October 2014
The Gulf and the Middle East region are emerging as an important tourism generating market for India. Realizing the importance of the State of Kuwait which is an important source market in the region, the India Tourism, Dubai along with Embassy of India, Kuwait organized a Know India Seminar which took place at Hotel Crowne Plaza on Wednesday, 29 October 2014.
The Know India Seminar was organized to provide a glimpse of the attractive tourism products as well as the countless cultural, spiritual and travel experiences that India offers as a tourist destination. The highlight of the Incredible India Know India Seminar would be to depict India as a multi-faceted tourist destination for Luxury, Wildlife, and Wellness / Medical tourism. India has evolved as a round the year destination and all efforts are being made to develop niche products like wellness and medical tourism; adventure and wildlife tourism; film tourism; monsoon tourism; golf, polo and sports tourism and MICE tourism, while at the same time adding value to the cultural and heritage products of the country.
The members of the Travel Industry and Media of Kuwait got an opportunity to meet members of the Indian travel industry and know more about the tourist attractions of India and also experience traditional Indian cuisine during the Seminar.
The Gulf and the Middle East has been showing a positive growth of Foreign Tourist Arrivals to India over the last 2 to 3 years with around 3, 43,113 tourist arrivals registered during 2013 showing a growth of nearly 17.9 percent over the previous year. As traffic from GCC to India is concerned, there has been a whooping increase of 33.5 percent from Saudi Arabia over the last year, followed by Sultanate of Oman by 25.1 percent and 23.6 percent increase from UAE which clearly indicates that the interest of Arab Nationals is increasing every year and preferring India as a favourite Tourist destination. The tourist traffic from Kuwait to India was over 10,000 during 2013. We expect more tourists from Kuwait to India during the current year, as the awareness about India is growing every year
The Know India Seminar in Kuwait is a part of the three events being organized in the Region i.e., Muscat, Doha & Kuwait to promote the India Tourism products in these important markets.
Foreign tourist arrivals into India have witnessed a steady increase over the years, touching 7 million in 2013, with an annual growth rate of 5.9 percent; India Tourism has launched a new International Campaign ‘Find What You Seek’. This campaign indicates a paradigm shift with the focus now being on the consumers. The campaign highlights that tourists from the world over can find the destination or product of their desire in India, be it heritage sites, forts, beaches, backwaters, lakes, mountains, adventure, wildlife, culture, festivals, medical, wellness, MICE, religion or shopping. India offers something for everyone and is truly an incredible destination with a range of products as found nowhere else. The new campaign will help in further promoting India as a multi-faceted all - year tourist destination.
Medical & Wellness tourism
India has emerged as a Destination for Medical / Wellness Travel in GCC countries. The percentage of Foreign Tourist Arrivals visiting India for Medical Treatment has been increasing over the years and growing rapidly since the year 2000. India is poised to become a hub for medical tourism because of several factors viz. world class hospitals with latest technology; highly skilled Indian physicians and surgeons; low cost of treatment; excellent quality of care and nursing; comparatively less waiting time for availing of medical services; India’s traditional healthcare therapies like Ayurveda & Yoga combined with allopathic treatment providing a holistic wellness destination.
India is also popular for Wellness Tourism with the ancient practice of healing, yoga and Ayurveda which has been known for more than 5,000 years and now it is time for the world to experience it. Wellness tourism involves rejuvenation of the body, mind, and soul and India has its own edge because it has world-class infrastructure and comfort levels that people of Kuwait share with India.
Kuwait is also a major contributor to India’s Medical & Wellness tourism as India is a short haul destination and also due to the confidence bestowed in the Indian Medical Facilities / infrastructure makes it an attractive medical destination for the Kuwaiti people.
India has taken many steps to liberalize the visa regime:
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait
c. LEBANON
13. Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project, Beirut, 4 October 2014
Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project became the first group to visit Beirut under the Cultural Exchange Agreement between India and Lebanon. The visit was sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Lebanese Ministry of Culture provided local hospitality. The group performed on 2 October at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut in the presence of Mohammad Machnouq, Minister of Environment, other dignitaries, and an audience of around 800 people. On the 3 October, the group performed in Batrouniyat, Batroun where Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil was the chief guest in front of an audience of around 300 people.
The message of the Sufi Gospel Project, underlining the unity among religions, and presenting religious harmonies from various cultures in one voice – the voice of faith – was imminently suitable to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s 145th birth anniversary, and had a stunning impact on the audience.
Other collaborators who helped the Embassy present these events were Association for Development of Lebanese Indian Relations (ADLIR), Lions International, American University of Beirut Alumni Association and Rotary Club. The events also received sponsorship from Dar al-Handasah, Batrouniyat, Zeenni Goldsmith Jeweller and Al-Jadeed Television.
The performance at UNESCO Palace on 2 October was accompanied by an exhibition of saris from seven states of India, also sponsored by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
See more at
Source: Embassy of India, Beirut
14. Photographic Exhibition of Islamic Monuments in India, Beirut, 10 October 2014
The Embassy of India in collaboration with Institute of Islamic Art & Architecture in Lebanese American University organized an exhibition of photographs shot by Binoy K. Behl on “Islamic Monuments in India” from 2-10 October 2014. The inauguration of the exhibition was preceded by a lecture given by Ratish Nanda, India Projects Director, Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, on the project for the restoration of Humayun’s tomb. The audience, which consisted mainly of students and faculty from Lebanese Arabic University (LAU) and other Universities in Beirut, were extremely impressed by the holistic project of restoration presented by Nanda, including the creation of a socio-economic involvement focusing on empowering women, educating children and bringing life to the tomb’s surroundings. - See more at: http://indianembassybeirut.org/notice/display/37#sthash.LI8T1nlQ.dpuf
Source: Embassy of India, Beirut
d. QATAR
15. Swachh Bharat Campaign in Embassy of India, Doha, 2 October 2014
On the occasion of the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 October 2014 (Gandhi Jayanti Day), a mass movement that seeks to create a clean India, an intensive cleanliness campaign was undertaken by the Embassy from 2 October 2014- 25 November 2014.
On 2 October 2014, the Ambassador administered the Swachh Bharat pledge to all Embassy officials and led them in collective cleaning of public areas of the Mission. All India based and local staff participated enthusiastically in the cleanliness campaign.
Source: Embassy of India, Doha
16. “Incredible India Tourism- Know India Seminar in Doha, Qatar”, Doha, 27 October 2014
The Gulf and the Middle East region are emerging as an important tourism generating market for India. Realizing the importance of the State of Qatar which is an important source market in the region, the India Tourism, Dubai, in cooperation with the Embassy of India in Doha is organizing a “Know India Seminar” which would be taking place at Hotel Radisson Blu on Monday, 27 October 2014. The Seminar will be inaugurated by Sanjiv Arora, Ambassador of India to Qatar and Manas Pattanaik, Regional Director, India Tourism (Dubai). The Know India Seminar is being organized to provide a glimpse of the attractive tourism products as well as the countless cultural, spiritual and travel experiences that India offers as a tourist destination. The highlight of the Seminar would be to depict the country as a multi-faceted tourist destination for Luxury, Wildlife, and Wellness / Medical tourism. India has evolved as a round the year destination and all efforts are being made to develop niche areas like wellness and medical tourism; adventure and wildlife tourism; film tourism; monsoon tourism; golf, polo and sports tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events) tourism, while at the same time adding, further attraction to the unique cultural and heritage appeal of the country.
The members of the Travel Industry and Media of Qatar would be getting an opportunity to meet members of the Indian travel industry and know more about the tourist attractions of India and also experience traditional Indian cuisine during the Seminar.
The Gulf and the Middle East has been showing a positive growth of Foreign Tourist Arrivals to India over the last 2 to 3 years with 3, 43,113 tourist arrivals registered during 2013 showing a growth of nearly 17.9 percent over the previous year. As far as tourist traffic from the GCC to India is concerned, there has been an impressive over 25 percent growth last year which clearly indicates the growing interest in choosing India as a favourite Tourist destination.
We expect more traffic from Qatar to India during the current year as the awareness about India is growing every year. The Seminar in Doha is a part of the three events being organized in the Region i.e., Muscat, followed by Doha & Kuwait to promote the India Tourism and the range of options in these important markets.
Foreign tourist arrivals into India have witnessed a steady increase over the years, touching 6.96 million in 2013, with an annual growth rate of 5.9 percent, This year till September 2014 the Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India stood at 5.18 Million.
India Tourism has launched a new International Campaign ‘Find What You Seek’. This campaign indicates a paradigm shift with the focus now being on the consumers. The campaign highlights that tourists from the world over can find the destination or product of their desire in India, be it heritage sites, forts, beaches, backwaters, lakes, mountains, adventure, wildlife, culture, festivals, medical, wellness, MICE, religion or shopping. India offers something for everyone and is truly an incredible destination with a range of products as found nowhere else. The new campaign will help in further promoting India as a multi-faceted all - year tourist destination.
Medical and Wellness tourism …
India has emerged as a Destination for Medical / Wellness Travel in GCC countries. The percentage of Foreign Tourist Arrivals visiting India for Medical Treatment has been increasing over the years and growing rapidly since the year 2000. India is poised to become a hub for medical tourism because of several factors viz. world class hospitals with latest technology; highly skilled Indian physicians and surgeons; low cost of treatment; excellent quality of care and nursing; comparatively less waiting time for availing of medical services; India’s traditional healthcare therapies like Ayurveda and Yoga combined with allopathic treatment providing a holistic wellness destination.
India is also popular for Wellness Tourism with the ancient practice of healing, yoga and Ayurveda which has been known for more than 5,000 years and now it is time for the world to experience it. Wellness tourism involves rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul and India has its own edge because it has world-class facilities. Further, the people of Gulf region have a high comfort level with India due to historically strong ties.
The State of Qatar can be a major contributor to India’s Medical & Wellness tourism as India is a short haul destination and also due to the confidence bestowed in the Indian Medical Facilities / infrastructure make it an attractive medical destination for the Qatari people.
India has taken many steps to liberalize the visa regime:
1. The introduction of Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA) facility to citizens of 11 countries visiting India for tourism purposes was one such decision. These countries are Cambodia, Finland, Indonesia, Japan, Luxembourg, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam. Tourist arrivals from these 11 countries through the facility of TVOA have recorded a growth of 26.2 percent in 2013 as compared to the previous year. The Visa on Arrival facility is now available at 8 airports in the country. More countries would be able to avail this facility soon.
2. Foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by air or sea and sponsored by Indian travel agencies approved by the Ministry of Tourism and with a pre-drawn itinerary are granted Collective Landing Permits for a period not exceeding 60 days, with multiple entry facilities to enable them to visit neighbouring countries.
3. The provision relating to the two month gap between two visits to India by a foreign national on tourist visa was lifted quite some time back.
4. A proposal for further liberalization of visa regulations is under active consideration.
For further information, please contact:
India Tourism, Dubai - Tel: +971-4-2274848+971-4-2274848; Fax: +971-4-2274013;
E-mail: goirto@emirates.net.ae or visit www.incredibleindia.org
Source: Embassy of India, Doha
MISCELLANEOUS
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