02
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
STRONGER WE GROW TOGETHER!!! 50 years of strong bond uplifts the integrity of both the countries
03
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Historic bond to scale new heights The resilience and strength of our friendship was evident in the excellent collaboration in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Leadership and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain for ensuring the welfare of our community in Bahrain PIYUSH SRIVASTAVA, AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO BAHRAIN
I
extend my warm greetings and best wishes to the members of Indian community, friends of India and Bahraini people on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Kingdom of Bahrain. T h e ye a r 2 0 2 1 , m a r k i n g 50th year of our diplomatic relations, is a milestone in our journey. Our bilateral relations are rooted in history and close trade, cultural and people to people connect, and date back to thousands of years to the period of Indus Valley and Dilmun civilisations. Our bilateral cooperation has grown and
diversified in recent years in all fields of political, security, economy and trade, culture and education. The regular high level exchanges and interactions have guided our bilateral relations to newer heights. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s visit to India in 2012 gave an impetus to the relationship. The landmark visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to India in 2014 had set the roadmap for our present bilateral engagement. Our bilateral relations got further boost and diversification to new and emerging areas of space, renewable energy and fintech during the historical visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi to Bahrain in August 2019. Even during the pandemic
period, this trend continued. The physical visits of the External Affairs Minister of India, Foreign Minister of Bahrain and Minister of State for External Affairs of India; as well as virtual conferences between the Ministers of Oil/ Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Youth Affairs and Sports of the two countries carried forward this momentum, and gave further push to diverse areas of our bilateral cooperation. The bilateral mechanisms, including the 3rd meeting of India-Bahrain High Joint Commission, and those in areas of renewable energy, security and counterterrorism, health and traditional medicines have either already met this year, or are scheduled to meet later this year. India and Bahrain have robust trade and economic ties. Despite restrictions imposed by COVID, the relationship at all levels has remained stable and strong, including in trade and investment. The bilateral trade figures are expected to be well over USD 1 billion this year. The cumulative Investment from India to Bahrain is over US $ 1.25 billion, making India the 6th largest
investor in Bahrain. Similarly, investments from Bahrain to India have also increased. I see a lot of opportunities and huge potential for further strengthening and expanding our bilateral cooperation, particularly in sectors of health and pharmaceuticals, energy, IT, big data, fintech, infrastructure, and food security. The resilience and strength of our friendship was evident in the excellent collaboration in dealing with Covid-19 pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Leadership and the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain for ensuring the welfare of our community in Bahrain, particularly during the difficult times of the pandemic. The vibrant and dynamic Indian community in Bahrain constitutes an important link in our bilateral ties. Indian diaspora in Bahrain has also been instrumental in spreading Indian culture and values in Bahrain. We will be celebrating this momentous occasion in a befitting manner with a series of events during course of the next year focussing on diverse aspects of our multi-faceted bilateral ties, with participation of government departments, artists and cultural troupes, businessperson,
academia, think tank, media and people of both countries. The Logo for the Golden Jubilee of establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Kingdom of Bahrain was launched on 19th September 2021. Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities ( BACA ), in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of India and the Indian community, is organising a week-long celebrations (1219 October 2021) at the ‘Little India in Bahrain’ in the heart of Manama. These include cultural events by Indian and Bahraini artists, handicraft, cuisine and seminars/webinars showcasing the rich heritage of our two countries as well as historical connect and contemporary bilateral relations. I look forward to active participation and association of members of Indian community and our Bahraini friends in these events. The Golden Jubilee of our diplomatic relations is an occasion to re-commit ourselves to work towards further strengthening the long standing dynamic partnership between India and Kingdom of Bahrain.
04
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
The diplomatic odyssey Recent Diplomatic visits between India and Bahrain
V Muraleedharan, Minister of State, External Affairs
State visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Visit of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar
Smt. Sushma Swaraj Minister of External Affairs
M. J. Akbar Minister of State for External Affairs
Gen. (Dr.) V. K. Singh (Retd.), Minister of State for External Affairs
Crown Prince HRH Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh
Crown Prince HRH Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Smt. Sushma Swaraj Minister of External Affairs
Crown Prince HRH Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Smt. Sushma Swaraj Minister of External Affairs Shri Salman Khurshid Minister of External Affairs
State visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Shri E. Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs
Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Interior Minister Lt. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa
05
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Dates to space
P. Unnikrishnan Chairman & MD The Daily Tribune
A saga of growing friendship by exploring unlimited possibilities
I could see the magical touch of Indian workers across the Kingdom, from municipality cleaners to teachers, nurses, doctors and engineers. The list will also see a few multibillionaires. They sincerely worked hard for the overall development of this beautiful island, in turn providing a win-win situation for both nations.
N
o one can recollect the exact date, but it all started by trading dates. The history of Indians in Bahrain and Bahrainis in India dates to the time of Dilmun civilization in 2000 BC . The ambitious merchants from Bahrain and India travelled across rough wa t e r s i n wo o d e n d h ow guided by heavy winds forging ties that would only grow in the centuries to come. As time passed, dhows were replaced by steamships, giving birth to the golden era of fair trading. Those risk takers began travelling in and out exploring the possibilities f o r i m p rov i n g t h e t ra d e relationship. Many Bahraini traders would migrate to India before getting married and raising a family there. Historical accounts say early Bahraini merchants like Juma Al Tamimi, his two sons Abdulla and Abdul Rehman touched Beypore located in the Malabar Coast of Kerala mainly for buying dhows. The place was known for good timber, coir and coconut planks. In the modern era, Mumbai became one of the most popular favorite destinations for these traders. Many of these traders would assemble near Mohammad Ali Road in Mumbai to sip cups of Indian tea. Some of these merchants were very generous and constructed a guest house popularly known as Muzaffar Khan, which offered free of charge lodging for fresh visitors from
the Gulf region to India. The untold stories of many heroes who took the pain to develop the economic and cultural binding between these countries might not have been recorded officially in the books of history; but today we have a reason to celebrate and thank those dreamers who made this bonding a great reality. The friendship between both countries only thrived from time to time despite changes in leaderships. The care and concern from the part of leaders and peoples of two nations served a strong pillar for growing ties. Indian families originating from Sindh province and the Kathiawad region of Gujarat were the earlier residents (expatriates) of Bahrain. As per 1925 records, Bahrain had more than 2,500 Indian families living in this beautiful Island. Many popular businessmen like Ali Ahmed Yakeem and Khalil Ebrahim Kanoo went to India in the beginning of twentieth century to attend classes at Aligarh Muslim University. Later in the 1940s, prominent Bahrainis Ahmed bin Hassan Ali and Mohammad Kanoo also visited India to study in the same University. These were the times when India became an important destination for students from the Gulf. Among the first Bahraini lawyers and doctors were those who studied in India. After the discovery of oil, the demand for manpower increased exponentially and many Indians migrated to Bahrain in search of a better job. When
As a proud Indian and Bahrain resident, I salute the leaders of both countries for bringing smiles to the faces of Bahrainis and Indian expatriates alike.
Bahrain opened the doors for foreign Investments many Indians even started their own business houses. Many Indian entrepreneurs ventured into real estate, education, hospitality, and other sectors. Some of these business-
men were given Bahraini citizenship in a goodwill gesture by the Government of Bahrain. As of today, more than 400,000 Indians live in the Kingdom, making them the largest single expatriate community here. Whenever I make a trip across
my home state Kerala watching the developments there, I thank the leaderships of Bahrain and other GCC countries for their immense support offered to the expatriate community. On the other side, I could see the magical touch of Indian workers across the Kingdom, from municipality cleaners to teachers, nurses, doctors and engineers. The list will also see a few multibillionaires. They sincerely worked hard for the overall development of this beautiful island, in turn providing a winwin situation for both nations.
The visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to India and the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Bahrain further strengthened the bond, beyond our expectations. The Kerala community was overwhelmed when HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa visited the state. We now witness both nations exploring mutual benefits in a plethora of areas including oil and gas, health, renewable energy, space, tourism, education, youth and sports. We are celebrating years of sharing happiness, love, care, and support. As a proud Indian and Bahrain resident, I salute the leaders of both countries for bringing smiles to the faces of Bahrainis and Indian expatriates alike. These smiles only form the basic building bricks of diplomatic edifices. To quote Mother Theresa: “Smile is the beginning of love and peace.”
06
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
THE BIRTH OF A NEW DAWN
His Majesty’s visit to India in February 2014 has been a key milestone in bolstering bilateral ties
Taking the bilateral ties between the Kingdom and India to new heights, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa paid his first state visit to India from 18-20 February, 2014, upon the invitation of the then President of India Pranab Mukherjee. The royal visit explored various aspects of the solid historic economic, political, cultural and mercantile bilateral cooperation relations between the two friendly countries as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest. HM the King was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials and business leaders. His Majesty was accorded a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Mr Mukherjee hosted an official banquet in honour of HM the King which was preceded by official discussions. The other bilateral engagements included meeting with then Indian Vice-President M Hamid Ansari and delegation-level bilateral discussions with the then Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. HM the King also received then External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid and the then Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj. Three MoUs were signed, including on the establishment of a Joint High Commission to be co-chaired by the Minister of External Affairs of India and Foreign Minister of the Kingdom; co-operation between the Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, India and the Diplomatic Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Bahrain and MoU for cooperation in the field of youth and sport. During the visit, His Majesty praised the great ties between the Kingdom and India. The King lauded the Indian expatriate community for its contribution in pushing forward the island nation’s development. “The Indian migrants are welcomed and appreciated by all in Bahrain,” His Majesty was quoted by the Indian media during the visit. The visit by His Majesty served a new milestone in strengthening Bahrain-India ties. In the years following, the two nations would step up their co-operation in many sectors including trade, investments as well as science and technology.
The strengthening relations between both nations have been marked by consistent engagements from both sides. Four rounds of Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) have taken place between India and Bahrain. The first round was held in Delhi in November 2004; the second round was held in Bahrain on October 23, 2011, and the third round was held on 20 October 2014 in New Delhi. The 4th round of FOC was held on 14 November, 2016 at Manama for which the Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (Gulf ) and the Bahraini delegation was led by Dr. Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Arab & AfroAsian Affairs and Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, both sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed on a variety of issues of mutual interest. India and Bahrain signed an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement in April 1981 during the Amir’s visit to New Delhi. India-Bahrain Joint Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (JCETC) established under this agreement met four times (1986New Delhi, 1991-Bahrain, 1998New Delhi and 2007-Bahrain). MOS (EA) Sh. E. Ahamed led the Indian delegation for the 4th JCETC meeting in Bahrain on 14-15 November 2007. This mechanism has since been replaced by a “High Joint
Commission” and upgraded to the level of EAM , after MOU on the establishment HJC was signed during King Hamad’s visit to India. India and Bahrain have had economic and trade relations for over several centuries; these relations received fresh impetus from the oil boom of the early seventies. Relative prosperity and higher standard of living in Bahrain boosted global imports of goods and services, including from India-Bahrain Government’s policy of industrial diversification also played an important role in enhancing economic co-operation between I n d i a a n d B a h r a i n . Mo r e than anything else, new job opportunities attracted a large number of Indian expatriates to Bahrain. Bahrain serves as the gateway to the GCC market because of its location. India’s main items of exports to Bahrain are mineral fuels, mineral oils, inorganic chemicals, organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals of rare earth, Elam/radii/isotopes, cereals, nuts, fruits, articles of apparel and clothing accessories etc., while main items of import from Bahrain are crude oils, mineral fuels, their bituminous substance, distillation, aluminum, fertilizers, ores/slags/ ashes of aluminum, iron and copper, pulp, salt, printed books, newspapers etc.
07
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
‘THANK YOU’, KERALA
During the visit to the Indian state in 2013, HRH the Crown Prince thanked the people of Kerala for their contribution towards the Kingdom’s development
H
include RP Group of Companies Chairman Dr Ravi Pillai and chairman of VKL Al Namal Group Dr Varghese Kurien. The healthcare education sectors in the Kingdom gets special mention when it comes to the contribution of Keralite nurses and teachers. Further cementing ties, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the Kingdom in 2017. During the visit, a decision was made to set up an infrastructure investment fund in the Kingdom to boost infrastructure investments in the South Indian state.
is Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, visited the South India state of Kerala in March 2013, highlighting the strong ties between the Keralite community and the Kingdom’s people. “I came here to thank you, the people of Kerala,” HRH the Crown Prince said while addressing the community, which constitutes the highest workforce in the Kingdom. The visit also saw HRH the Crown Prince holding talks with then Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, then Industries Minister P K Kunjhalikutty, then Culture Minister K C Joseph as well as then Central Ministers E Ahamed, K V Thomas and Vayalar Ravi. Many MoUs and agreements were signed between business firms in the state and the Kingdom on the sidelines of HRH the Crown Prince’s visit. Ke r a l i t e s d o m i n a t e t h e workforce in the Kingdom, be it construction, banking, hospitality or any other sector. Major Keralite business personalities in the Kingdom
Cyber Security
Digital Marketing
ERP Cloud/ On-Premise
Mobile Apps
E-Commerce
20+YEARS OF SERVICES 1400+ SMB INSTALLATIONS 600+ ENTERPRISE INSTALLATIONS AND GROWING...
tribution Manag s i D em g& ent n i T r n a o v i e d t l a & z Tou Tra ustomi rE nc
ult a
ayroll System P HR
Cons
l / Cl a t i sp o H
uti
& Facility Manage m e nt
LUTI ONS
s M ob i le Application ions lut I
Trading S o
Sol
lut anageme ions nt
SO
M ject
n atio School Autom
on s
G-SERIES
er t y
Ma
ERP
Pro
inic Managem ent
ve
p Pro ement nag
m E-Com erce
nt
C & y
nvest ment Banking So
t Fixed n e Asset Managem www.greenfxit.com
www.tallybahrain.com
support@tallybahrain.com
+973 17250471
08
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
RELATIONS ‘MODI’FIED Narendra Modi becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Bahrain
D
uring his visit to the Kingdom in August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in recognition of New Delhi’s strong friendship with the country and his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. The visit of Mr Modi to Bahrain is the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister. It was a historical and important milestone in the long-standing brotherly ties and bilateral cooperation between the two countries, founded on close historical bonds, shared principles, mutual interests as well as common aspiration for international peace, stability and prosperity. Mr Modi was given a grand ceremonial welcome at Gudaibiya Palace followed by talks with His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the former Prime Minister of Bahrain. Both leaders discussed a range of issues on bilateral, regional and international fronts. HRH the Crown Prince also held talks with Mr Modi. During the official meetings, the two sides underlined their close bilateral ties, deep-rooted in shared history and cultural affinities, sustained and nourished through growing economic linkages and close people-to-people contacts. The wide-ranging discussions were held in a sincere, friendly and forward-looking atmosphere with useful exchanges of views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations and agreed to further broaden and deepen the engagement in diverse fields of mutual interest, and underlined the importance of enhancing high-level political exchanges, defence and higher education cooperation, trade and economic relations and people-to-people linkages. Both sides welcomed the efforts of the High Joint Commission between Bahrain-India. The signed MoUs include a cultural exchange programme between India and Bahrain, space technology collaboration and a deal between BENEFIT and NPCI for Launch of “RuPay Card’ in Bahrain.
09
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
A glorious past, a dynamic present J
uly 14, 2018 turned out to be an important day in Bahrain-India bilateral relations, for it was on this day former Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj inaugurated a new complex of the Indian embassy in Bahrain. The event was held on the sidelines of Minister Swaraj’s two-day visit to the Kingdom to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Bahrain. The new Embassy complex is the embodiment of historical civilizational connections between the two countries and the culmination of the aspirations of the growing Indian expatriate community in the Kingdom. While speaking at the inaugural event of the complex, Ms Swaraj shared how India and Bahrain share a “glorious past and a dynamic present”. “India and Bahrain share a long relationship lost in the mists of time when a flourishing trade existed between the Indus valley civilization and the Dilmun civilization. Bahrain was a transit point for the significant
trade route that saw the exports of spices, ivory, timber and gems from India. For its part, Bahrain also had substantial trade with India in pearls and dates. She said the new complex was a “testimony of close cooperation between India and Bahrain”. She further elaborated on the new developments taking place in the economic field between the two
countries and how these developments will take their bilateral relationship to a greater height. “This multipurpose hall where we all are sitting is designed to further strengthen the already existing strong cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts between the two countries,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.
10
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
The pride of Indian diaspora K
Varghese Kurian is the chairman of Al Namal & VKL Group of companies
urian Varghese, a recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and many other National and International awards, started his career in 1984 in India as a Civil Engineer. He moved to the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1986. It was the challenge of uncertainty that motivated him to accept the opportunity to work in Bahrain. He set up a business empire in Bahrain. Thirty-three years later, Mr. Vargese is a business tycoon, with interests as diverse as Construction, Health Care, Education, Hospitality & Tourism, and Real Estate. Mr. Vargese, who presides over the fortunes of the multi-billion and multi-sector VKL and Al Namal Groups, headquartered in Bahrain, with regional offices in India, remains an inspiration for millions of Indians who dream big. Achievement: Success has not taken his eyes away from his philanthropic pursuits which he pursues with relentless zeal. As a mark of love and respect to his parents, Mr. Vargese established a charitable trust in their names aimed at pursuing welfare programmes for the poor. He has contributed to providing sustainable housing to over 1000 homeless people and offered financial support to over 800 families for the marriage of their daughters. More than 2500 poor people have benefited from medical aid provided by him. Several children have been blessed with educational assistance. He has donated several crores to various charity projects in India and Bahrain. He was the first to participate in the Kerala Government housing project for the poor by donating Indian Rupees two lakhs each for the first hundred houses. His most recent embrace of love and compassion has included providing much-needed rescue and relief materials to the victims of the floods in Kerala. He also provided a barge for the rescue of the victims. He contributed INR 8 Crore for the post-floods rebuilding and also INR 1 Crore to the Chief Ministers Welfare fund to support the fight against Covid 19. He was the biggest supporter in the fight against Covid 19 in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He had provided free of charge 8 Nos multi-storied buildings in Hidd consisting of 253 rooms and a fourstar deluxe hotel named Park Regis Lotus Hotel consisting of 164 rooms to the Ministry of Health to accommodate the Covid 19 patients. His commitment to the society was specifically mentioned by HRH . Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, The Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minster in his address. Mr. Kurian also provided food kits to the needy through various associations. State Awards: In recognition of his achievements in business and industry and his distinguished services in the field of social work, Mr. Vargese was honoured with the prestigious P. V. Sami Memorial Industrial and Socio Cultural Award on 1st September 2013 in Kozhikode, Kerala. He was awarded the
Business Beacon Non-resident Indian for Excellence in Business by Times of India Publications on August 29, 2014. He was also awarded the Global Visionary Award by Vision Foundation on 10th January 2015 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In the year 2016, he was awarded the Janam TV award for his role as an entrepreneur philanthropist. He was presented with Keerthi Mudra by Princess Aswathy Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bai of the Travancore Royal family. As a testimony of his entrepreneurial skills, Mr. Vargese was appointed by the Government of Kerala as a Director of INKEL, Infrastructure Kerala Limited, established to develop the State infrastructure facilities. He is also a Director of Inkel Kinfra and Inkel Kerala
Projects Limited. In 2018, Mr. Vargese was nominated by the Kerala Government as a Member of Loka Kerala Sabha, in recognition of his services to the community. National Awards: He was conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for the year 2014 for enhancing the image of India abroad and for promoting a better understanding of India in foreign shores. His work speaks volumes of his concern for humanity, and he is known for the way he goes about his work, discreetly and efficiently. He fights shy of publicity, preferring to let his work do the talking. International Awards: He was also presented with the World Malayalee Council Outstanding Pravasi Entrepreneur
Award in 2009. He has also been the recipient of the Human Rights 2012 Award instituted by Human Rights Foundations (HRF). Contribution to the business sector: The VKL and Al Namal Group of companies employ over 7,000 personnel and have earned a reputation for fairness, generosity and humaneness, and continue to be an employer of choice in the countries where they operate. The Al Namal Group is one of the leading construction companies in Bahrain with a healthy turnover and a reputation for uncompromising quality and timely delivery. Mr. Vargese is one the few Indians who represent India in business forums in Bahrain, as well as
in Bahraini delegations which accompanied the royals including His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness the Crown prince, on their visits to India. He has accompanied Bahrain’s Ministers, as well as delegations representing the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on trips abroad. It speaks volumes of his standing in the business community, and the respect he commands at the highest echelons of society. He has indeed raised the prestige of India in his country of residence, Bahrain. His journey has never been a bed of roses but he has shown tremendous resilience to brave the odds and chase his dreams, never once losing touch of his principles and the humane touch that he brings into all his endeavours.
Contribution to the Society: Known in Bahrain more as a philanthropist than as a businessman, Mr. Vargese has been the silent force behind many a welfare initiative involving the weaker sections in Bahrain. This has included meeting the repatriation expenses of stranded workers, helping the poor in times of need, like assisting in the marriage expenses of children of expatriates, building houses in India for those below the poverty line, etc. Several students are beneficiaries of his charity initiatives targeted at children from economically backward communities through a dedicated charitable trust named after his parents, Sri Varghese Varghese and Smt. Thankamma Varghese. Mr. Vargese has been one of the leading contributors to the dream building project of the Keralite community in Bahrain. The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam Diamond Jubilee Hall is currently the largest Indian Community Hall in the Arabian Gulf, built by the NRI Community. He has made significant contributions to the welfare of Indians working abroad as and when requested by the Embassy of India and by Social and Cultural organizations. Mr. Varghese played a crucial role in making the recent historic visit of Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi to the Kingdom of Bahrain a resounding success.
11
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Revered leaderships of Bahrain, India taking ties to new heights
Soman Baby is a leading journalist based in the Kingdom. He was formerly the Chief Editor of The Daily Tribune and Associate Editor of Gulf Daily News.
B
ahrain is what it is today thanks to its liberal leadership, a trend that was initiated by the late Amir HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. This was specially so in the first days after Bahrain gained independence in 1971. HH Shaikh Isa was an outstanding ruler of his time. Widely respected as the true visionary, he was the guiding force behind the destiny of a nation, shaping it into a modern state, investing resources in developing a modern infrastructure and building up the nation as a global financial capital. The qualities of the Amir as a humane leader were reflected in his genuine love, respect and care towards the people of his country. Through almost four decades of his reign, this was heartily reciprocated with loyalty and allegiance by the people of Bahrain. Bahrain- India relations took a turning point in my journalistic career with HH Shaikh Isa’s first state visit to India in May 1981. As a part of the media delegation accompanying the Amir, it was a journey that held several significant moments for me, including my meeting with the then Prime Minister of India, the late Mrs Indira Gandhi. It was on May 1, 1981, that I met Mrs Gandhi in her office in South Block, New Delhi. I shall never forget the feeling of awe that enveloped me the day I approached the heart of India’s power. On that bright sunny day I entered the office in Safdarjung Road in the company of Mr Sharada Prasad, Information and Press Advisor to Mrs Gandhi to have an exclusive tete-a-tete. Door after door opened, and finally Special Assistant Mr R K Dhawan opened the ultimate door--- and there sat Mrs Gandhi, the accepted leader of the then 700 million Indians. Mrs Gandhi had sparked a new trail in her country’s relations with Bahrain and the rest of the Arab world. Stylishly clad in white, she was seated in plain sparsely furnished surroundings. As we chatted about Bahrain and India, she spoke of her respect for HH the Amir, a man well loved and well respected by the people of India. Mrs Gandhi expressed her wish that his trip could have been longer than the four days it encompassed so that he could have seen more of India’s development. “It is a pity that although we are such close neighbours, I have only had the opportunity to pass through Bahrain Airport but never set foot in the country,” she had remarked remorsefully. She spoke at length about India’s relations with Bahrain, and it was an enlightening hour. Mrs Gandhi disclosed her encyclopedic grasp of world affairs and India’s role in them. Her replies were always concise and to-the –point. At the end of the interview, I realized that Mrs Gandhi was a strong lady of steel and one among the most intelligent and wise politicians of our world. Courage and dignity were the hallmarks of her life as an illus-
At the end of the interview, I realized that Mrs Gandhi was a strong lady of steel and one among the most intelligent and wise politicians of our world. Courage and dignity were the hallmarks of her life as an illustrious leader.
It is more than a year, Piyush Srivastava had come to Bahrain as the Ambassador of India. And since his arrival into the country, in Julyy 2020, his active iinvolvement with the Indian diaspora here in Bahrain has been remarkable
trious leader. After finishing the trip of Delhi and Jaipur, HH the Amir travelled to Mumbai. I had an exclusive interview with the Amir there. He asked me to meet him in his majlis in Riffa. I visited the majlis regular-
ly . On March 6, 1999, the sudden demise of the Amir came as a great shock to all of us. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had put his personal grief behind him and spoke to his people. He reassured us
allaying our doubts and fears. “ Let me express it clearly that as a son of Isa and a guardian of his legacy, I will carry on, on his path of true oneness. There will not be any discrimination amongst the people of Bahrain. No bias or prejudice of the people neither in their origins nor sects. The only thing that will be considered is the true spirit of belonging to this country that aspires to seek and achieve the well being of all its people.” Those words have come true. His Majesty the King is a man of quick and swift decisions with a mind of quicksilver based on national thinking. His priority and focus is and has always been the welfare and progress of his country. His Majesty King Hamad had paid his first state visit to India in February, 2014, at the invitation of the President of India , Pranab
Mukherjee. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. HRH the Prime Minister the late Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa also paid a visit to India. Even when Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, had visited India in May 2012, the warmth seen between the leadership of the two nations is certainly something to be praised about. To give fresh impetus to bilateral ties, His Royal Highness also opened Bahrain’s Embassy in New Delhi. A year later, the Crown Prince had also visited Kerala, leading a high level delegation of ministers, senior officials and businessmen. I was privileged to have accompanied the Bahraini delegations on all these occasions. Indian Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi had visited Bahrain in August 2019. It is more than a year, Piyush Srivastava had come to Bahrain as the Ambassador of India. And since his arrival into the country, in Julyy 2020, his active iinvolvement with the Indian diaspora here in Bahrain has been remarkable As we celebrate 75 years of Indian independence and also 50 years of Bahrain’s sovereignty, we can once again applaud the friendship that India and Bahrain enjoy.
12
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Winners from Bahrain A journey of great success
DR RAVI PILLAI Awarded in 2008
RP Group chairman Dr Ravi Pillai is one of the most successful Indians abroad
P
opularly known as the ‘Ambani of the Gulf’, Dr Ravi Pillai is the Chairman and MD of the RP Group of Companies, based in the Kingdom. With more than 60,000 people working for him, Dr Pillai has one of the biggest Indian workforces in the Gulf. From hotel chains to petrochemicals, Dr Pillai’s business interests are spread across nations and continents. Winner of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in the year 2008, Dr Pillai’s philosophy is very simple,
the lives of people, everywhere we “Our businesses must touch the lives of people meaningfully.” RP Group has been serving as a trusted infrastructure partner for the GCC region for over four decades now. Today, with 20 companies under the RP Group umbrella, it has evolved as a multidimensional and diversified global business entity. The group has executed projects worth over US$ 20 billion in the last 10 years. According to Dr Pillai, the group’s real strength comes from its commitment to the society. “We believe in growing our business while enhancing
operate.
“Our activities span construction and infrastructure, real estate development, hotels and hospitality, healthcare and wellness, education, information technology, trading and retail.” Beyond business, the group has also invested substantially in ventures of social significance. “Some of the most demanding customers in the world choose to
work with us; multinationals and governments rely on us to deliver projects on time and to stringent quality specifications. “Our success is founded on a very simple philosophy: we honour our commitment to all our stakeholders and make a significant contribution to the communities and countries that we serve. “We want to change people’s lives for the better by providing them opportunities and by creating an environment that drives efficiency and productivity.”
A journalist with a difference
S
SOMAN BABY Awarded in 2009
As a journalist, Mr Soman’s interventions have been popular in Bahraini social circles
oman Baby, one of the leading journalists in the Kingdom, is currently the Chairman of Veritas Public Relations and Managing Director of Talia Global Solutions (TGS). He was formerly the Chief Editor of Daily Tribune and also served as the Associate Editor of Gulf Daily News. Mr Soman is one of the Directors of The New Horizon School. He is also a founding member of the Bahrain India Society. During his long stint in the Bahraini media scene, many of Mr Soman’s interventions have been popular in Bahraini social circles. This veteran journalist’s articles on the problems faced by expatriate workers, particularly Indians, prompted the then government to consult him on this crucial matter. After a special decree by His
Majesty the King in 2007, on the establishment of LMRA (Labour Market Regulatory Authority), Mr Soman was asked by the LMRA to prepare a white paper on the impact of labour market reforms on Indian workers. His paper was
accepted and many of his suggestions and recommendations were implemented. During his long journalistic career, Mr Soman has had the opportunity to cover several international conferences and Gulf Cooperation
Council Summits (Meetings of the Heads of States of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman), besides covering the visits of international leaders to Bahrain. He received Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in the year 2009.
‘Serving the community top priority’
PV RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI Awarded in 2012
PV Radhakrishna Pillai has steered BKS into one of the most successful Indian expatriate associations
P
V Radhakrishna Pillai, the man at the helm of Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam, is a leading expatriate personality in the Kingdom. He came to the Kingdom in 1992 as an engineer with the Electricity and Water Authority and since then has been active in the social circles of the Kingdom, rendering services to the expatriate community. A recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in the year 2012, Mr Pillai was instrumental in transforming BKS into one of the most successful Indian expatriate associations. Mr Pillai has also served as the chairman of Indian School Bahrain. The samajam is a pioneer in community projects, which include building houses for the needy in Kerala, apart from supporting members of the community in other ways.
13
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Business supremo with a quest for perfection
D
r Varghese Kurian, a prominent businessman in the Kingdom, was awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the Indian government in the year 2014. Al Namal Group of Companies and VKL Holdings, of which he is the Chairman and Managing Director, has established itself as one of the largest construction companies in the Kingdom with a range of related in-house facilities that enable the execution of large-scale projects. The VKL Group of Companies has further diversified into investing, developing and promoting real estate, dredging, hospitality, trading and medical care sectors.
DR VARGHESE KURIAN Awarded in 2014
Dr Varghese exemplifies the Indian success abroad
The group ventured into the healthcare industry in 2014 under the umbrella of the Middle East Healthcare Group with a vision
to create an ecosystem that would bring a great transformation in the sector. Dr Varghese, a qualified civil engineer, continues to steer the group to the forefront of its businesses in the Gulf and abroad, with his vision and understanding of the needs of his clients. His hard work, determination, and quest for perfection are the other qualities that make these groups pioneers in their respective fields.
Top businessman, gentle philanthropist and cultural organizations. He contributed numerous free air tickets to destitute workers who were given amnesty to return to India. Several students are beneficiaries of his charity initiative targeted at children from economically backward communities through a dedicated charitable organization called Rajasree Charitable Trust.
RAJASEKHARAN PILLAI Awarded in 2017
Mr Pillai now heads a business empire comprising twelve companies spread across many countries
V
K Rajasekharan Pillai, industry leader and prominent resident of the Kingdom, is a recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for the year 2017, the highest honour conferred by the Indian Government on most successful Non-Resident Indians. Mr Pillai started his career in 1979
as a media executive in an advertising agency in Mumbai. He moved to Saudi Arabia in 1988, where he would set up a business empire. Mr Pillai moved to Bahrain in 2002 to consolidate business across the region and beyond. His flagship company National Fire Fighting Company WLL is a leader with many success milestones in its name. Mr Pillai now heads and owns a
business empire comprising twelve companies spread across India, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. He made significant contributions during the construction of the new Indian embassy building at Bahrain and to the maiden visit of PM Narendra Modi to Bahrain. He has also made significant contributions to the welfare of Indians working abroad as and when requested by the embassies of India and by other social
An engineer first K.G. BABURAJAN Awarded in 2021
K G Baburajan has always been an entrepreneur with a difference
E
ntrepreneurs play a key role in vitalizing bilateral ties between the nations, for they equally contribute to the society and the economy. K G Baburajan, the chairman and managing director of BKG Holding, has made Indian diaspora proud through his milestone achievements in the areas of business and charity. The winner of prestigious Pravasi Bharatheeya Samman, Mr Baburajan
crossed the seas and reached the Mideast in the early eighties to take up a project in Saudi Arabia with Stanger Industries’ joint venture partner Al Hoty Stanger Limited. He would work on the Bahrain-Saudi Causeway Project from the very beginning till its completion before setting up his base in the Kingdom. Since then, Mr Baburajan has been an integral part of many projects in the Kingdom, be it high-rise build-
ings, dredging and reclamation, offshore installations, causeways, bridges, power plants, aluminium smelters as well as refineries. An accomplished engineer, he says he is more of an engineer who does business than a businessman who does engineering. “I still enjoy dealing with technical problems of clients and solving complicated issues in my chosen professional field. “My field is civil engineering,
more specialized in QA/QC and Geotechnical Engineering. I have been involved with all major development projects in the Kingdom including Shaikh Isa Bridge, Shaikh Khalifa Bridge, Sitra Bridge, Shaikh Khalifa Port, Almoayyed Towers, Bahrain Financial Harbour Buildings, World Trade Centre, Four Seasons Hotels, City Centre, LuLu Abraj Buildings, Avenues, all power stations, ALBA Potline 3,4,5 and 6, Bapco modern-
ization and New Airport Passenger Terminal Buildings.” Mr Baburajan’s contributions to social causes have been outstanding. He has constructed houses for people from less-income families and made huge contributions to Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. He has been instrumental in setting up medical camps and medical treatment programmes serving both Bahrainis and expatriates. This philanthropist has many a time offered a helping hand to financially-weak expatriates by offering air tickets while flying home. A staunch follower of Sree Narayana Guru, one of the greatest Indian sages and philosophers, Mr Baburajan believes every entrepreneur must focus on his social commitment as financial growth and social growth work hand-in-hand.
14
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
‘Little Indi
The project showcases the celebr
D
ecember 19, 2015 is a date to be circle marked on Bahrain-India friendship calendar as it was on this day ‘Little India’ project was inaugurated in the Capital Manama. The project has been initiated by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiques, covering an area of 5,000 square metres in the heart of Manama Souq, with an aim to turn the district around the 200-year-old Hindu Temple into a place, which celebrates “all that is Indian”. It includes Bab Al Bahrain Avenue, Al Tijjar Avenue and Al Hadrami Avenue. Many historic houses built with Indian wood are also being preserved as part of the project. And now a roadmap is being drawn to revive the project. The programmes designed under the project include planting trees, painting, maintaining and decorating the area. The project also intends to make Little India a permanent fixture in the suq. According to BACA, ‘Little India’ in Bahrain is tantamount to
15
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
ia’ wonder
ration of plurality in the Kingdom
Bahrain’s Cultural Tourism and part of one of the “Seven Experiences” of the Island. “The project will give back to the Indian community while promoting the area to tourists and locals through a series of site-specific interventions along Al Hadrami and Al Muatasim Avenues. “We will see a large influx of tourists coming to Bahrain as a destination in the forthcoming years and Manama Souk and surrounding Little India area will flourish.” The project aims to give an account of the arrival of the first Indians into the Kingdom, the role they played in its growth, and their continuing influence here. The Indian community has contributed to Bahrain’s economy, its infrastructure, as well as its social and cultural history. ‘Little India’ celebrates the great history and the enduring fruitful relationship between Bahrainis and Indians and show the continued commitment to strengthening these precious ties. It also brings to light the plurality that Bahrain chooses to celebrate in the Kingdom.
16
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
A unique platform to cherish Indian diversity T
he Republic of India and the beautiful Kingdom of Bahrain has so many things in common. The Independence Day of both these countries is on 15th August. Bahrain is going to celebrate its Golden Jubilee this year but the friendly relationship between the two countries is more than a century old. The best example for this was the Centenary celebration of the Indian Club, Bahrain six years back in 2015 by hosting the beloved Former President of India, the late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The Club Reception displays the Bahrain and Indian national flags as well as photographs of both the President of India and the King of Bahrain, highlighting the position that the Club fulfills in joining together the people of both countries. Initially known as the Bahrain Sports club, the name was changed to The Indian Club in 1985. This Club, the oldest and one of the most active expatriate clubs in the Kingdom of Bahrain is very much at the heart of the Indian expatriate community. It is regarded as the ‘mother’ of all the Indian clubs and associations on the island and caters for the significant and colorful Indian Diaspora in this Land of Pearls. The Indian Club, provides a focus and platform for the diversity of Indian culture. The Club as a venue for functions and entertainment organized by other Indian groups in Bahrain. The Club with more than 1500 members during the centenary year (2015); currently has an active membership of a 700+ even after the onset of the COVID Pandemic. The Club’s facilities include two badminton courts in the Main Hall; a multi-purpose floodlit outdoor hard-court area that is used for a multitude of sports – tennis, football, cricket, hockey, volleyball – outdoor functions and entertainment programs; a snooker room; indoor sports areas for cards, darts, caroms and table tennis; a multi-purpose hall; a gymnasium; a library; a conference room and a Banquet Hall; a family room and a social lounge.
The Club is managed by an Executive Committee elected by members, consists of prominent members of the society. The Committee is headed by Mr. Stalin Joseph as the President and very efficient and enthusiastic members of the club fill rest of the posts. The Club and its Members are very proud of the contribution that the Club makes to the harmo-
nization of the different nationalities residing in The Kingdom. During the COVID pandemic time, we have supported the community by providing thousands of food grain kits, arranged free medical aids, etc., to those who are in need, for which we were closely associated with Bahrain Capital Governorate & The Indian
Embassy – Bahrain. We have also chartered more than 20 repatriation flights & were able to repatriate more than 3000 fellow citizens to their destinations. We have opened a 24 - hour HELP DESK, through which we can support the Indian community to resolve their problems. Jai Hind, Jai Bahrain
17
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
India minister’s visit, an impetus to boosting ties
P. V. Radhakrishna Pillai, President, The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam.
A
three day whirlwind tour of M r . V . Muraleedharan, Hon. Minister of State for External Affairs, Govt of India to the Kingdom of Bahrain from 30th Aug till 1st September was hailed by the govts and peoples of both the friendly countries. As the two countries celebrate the golden jubilee of establishing mutual diplomatic relationships this year, the ongoing high level visits play in the overall growth as well and diplomatic engagements as the safety and security of the highlight the importance of the region. roles these two countries can India and Bahrain have a lot of similarities, c u l t u re a n d history to s h a r e. B o t h were subjected to long years of colonial oppressions. But peoples of both counties were linked with each other through trade and commerce from time immemorial. This long trade
link have helped them understand each other, co operate with each other and grow for mutual benefit. Having being liberated from the British in 1947, India’s journey through the past 75 years has been historical, phenomenal and worthy of celebration. From an underdeveloped and impoverished country which had been left ravaged and looted by centuries of colonial rule, India has grown today to become an economic giant having achieved overall development in all most all areas,especially industry, Commerce, space, power, atomic energy, medicine etc. India continues to grow as one of the most vibrant, secular and pluralistic society with almost
1.4 billion people of diversified culture and speaking multitude of languages despite isolated attempts to disrupt its harmony. On the other hand, Bahrain having freed from the British rule in 1971, has gone far ahead in terms of economy, trade, commerce, education, health, tourism, banking etc and has evolved as the most modern, tolerant and free society among the middle east countries thanks to its visionary and benevolent leadership. Today Bahrain is considered to be one of the most investor friendly economies. The Bahraini leadership has always acknowledged the contributions of Indians, who constitute almost 30% of its population, in the nation building and as such the frequent high
level mutual visits with a view to enhance bilateral cooperation are welcomed by both the communities. The visting Indian Minister has met HM the King, HRH the Crown Prince and other senior leaders of Bahrain and expressed his government’s utmost gratitude for embracing the Indian residents and taking care of them well during the pandemic. It was really heartwarming that Mr V. Muraleedharan, the Hon. Minister has found time to interact with various Indian community leaders and alleviate many anxieties faced by the community during the pandemic. He also inaugurated the “India@75BKS@75 “ celebrations organised by the largest expatriate organization,’The
Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam ‘to commemorate the 75th year of India’s independence. The concluding event was the “Azadi ka Amrit Maholtsav” in which the Bahrain based b u s i n e s s m a n M r. K . G . Baburajan was bestowed the “ Pravasi Bharateeya Samman “, the highest award given to an expat Indian by the Govt. of India. The Indian Community applaud the high profile visit of Mr. V. Muraleedharan which was quite reassuring and fruitful. Mr. Piyus Srivasthava, the Indian Ambassador and his colleagues need to be commended for liasing with the Bahraini counterparts for making the ministerial visit a grand success.
INDIA & BAHRAIN
50 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Congratulations to
HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa the King of Bahrain, Sri. Ram Nath Kovind, The President of India, HRH Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Sri. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and The people of both countries on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Bahrain and India.
LuluCentre Tel : 17 250 334 Jufair : 17 826 884 Muharraq : 17 343 266 Hamad Town : 17 412 563 Salmaniya : 17 252 624 Galali :17 32 00 25 Segayya (Al Hayat Shopping Centre) : 17 00 30 61 MegaMart Express : 17 382 511 Lagoon, Amwaj Island : 16 030 106 Budaiya : 17 00 10 24 Sanad : 33004795 Bahrain Financial Harbour : 33244910
18
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
He came, He saw, He conquered will be happy.” Dr Kalam, during his visit, also handed over the Emerging Scientists Award and Centenary Award to achievers. He also attended the fourth anniversary celebrations of The Daily Tribune. U n d o u b t e d l y, Dr Kalam’s visit to the Kingdom was ‘among the most remarkable’, which filled every Indian I will fly, I am born with potential, I am born with Dr Kalam praised the goodness and trust, I am born with ideas and dream, I am born with greatness,I am born with confidence, I am Kingdom’s leadership for born with wings, So, I am not meant for crawling, Because hosting a large number of Indian expatriates in the I have wings, I will fly, I fly, I fly country. The top space scientist urged the Indihis was the self- an community to work penned poem read for the growth and deby Dr A P J Abdul velopment of the host Kalam, former In- country, Bahrain. “Endian President, legendary sci- rich your host country entist and teacher as well as with sweat, knowledge one of the greatest humanists, and dignity.” His message while addressing the Indian to the Indian community here community, during his visit to was clear and loud. His special advice to students the Kingdom in February 2015. As always, Dr Kalam filled the and their parents here is of imhearts of people here with great mense significance. Dr Kalam words of wisdom woven with urged children to watch less thoughts of inspiration. TV and read more books. He
T
advised parents in Bahrain to keep at least 10 good books in their home libraries. “Children can make a happy home,” he said, and asked children to follow his advice: “From today onwards I will make my
mother happy, if my mother is happy, my home will be happy, if home is happy, society will be happy, if society is happy, Bahrain will be happy, if Bahrain is happy, India will be happy, if India is happy, world
resident’s heart with pride. Afterall, he was among the leaders who taught every Indian to dream. “Dream is not the thing you see in sleep but is that thing that doesn’t let you sleep
READ THE NEW
BAHRAIN w w w. n e w s o f b a h r a i n . c o m
19
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
UNIGRAD grooming leaders of tomorrow
U
niGrad Education Center (UNIGRAD), is a leading private educational centre, located in Adliya, Bahrain. It is an ideal place for aspirants to continue higher studies after completing their senior secondary education. It has a beautiful campus with state of art infrastructure. J.P. Menon, the Chairman and Managing Director of UNIGRAD has four decades professional experience in the Middle East region. He served three decades as a banker in the Finance and IT field in Kuwait and Bahrain. His urge to contribute to the holistic development of the youth power of the region, gave birth to UNIGRAD in the year 2016. By 2021 UNIGRAD has carved a niche for itself as an active participant in the educational and social development of Bahrain society. UniGlobal Consultancy and Coral Training Center coming under JP
UNIGRAD’s success is in creating achievers of values who soar to great heights while not losing sight of the ground.’ As UNIGRAD climbs the ladder of success, so does the ambitions and aspirations of youngsters joining UNIGRAD. J.P. Menon, Chairman Holding Company, along with UNIGRAD, are dedicated to consultancy services in the banking financial and IT sector and in vocational training respectively. UNIGRAD guides aspirants to complete degrees, diplomas, postgraduation and post graduate diplo-
ma courses of several universities in India, Canada, UK, Germany, Poland and several other countries. The aim of education should not be limited to getting degrees and diplomas. Rather, it should also contribute to the personality development which would ultimately lead a person to lead an honourable and successful personal and professional life. Education should lead to the moulding of responsible and patriotic nationals and global citizens. With this vision, UNIGRAD provides ample opportunities for several extra- curricular activities to aspirants joining the center. The campus has
a cricket practice area, music practice itive, challenging world with rooms, recreation room and its own confidence and positive attimusic band- ‘UniGrad Musicosis’. The tude. center conducts seminars and sessions ‘Learn to Lead Tomorrow’ for the benefit of youth- on academics, vocational training, various issues, problems and matters of importance in the present world. In short, candidates joining UNIGRAD get opportunity to develop their cognitive, non- cognitive, artistic, linguistic and sport related skills. The carefully crafted value based sessions prepare them to face the compet-
is UNIGRAD ’s motto. UNIGRAD strives every day to develop and enhance its programs to give life and light to this motto.
20
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Linked by love T
rue love transcends all barriers and Bahrain’s Indian d a u g h t e r- i n - l aw Fatima Khamis is a perfect epitome of this principle. Wife of Bahraini Khamis Rajab Khamis who works as a general manager and board member of International Trading and Investment Company WLL, Fatima has been the finest envoy of Bahrain-India friendship. “We got married on April 14, 2002. I met Khamis through a common friend while working as a healthcare professional with royal family member. Initially, there were apprehensions from the part of my family members. But once they got acquainted with Khamis all those apprehensions vanished.” Indian born Fatima says she believes that the underlying values of all cultures strive to unite people and not to divide them. “All cultures are united by fundamental human values, which also serves as a true link between one nation and the other.” “My husband is a true Muslim born in an Islamic country. He appreciates all cultures and see them through the prism of admiration. As a positive thinking family, we celebrate Eid, Onam and Vishu with same vigour and enthusiasm. Onam Sadhya served on a ba-
“All cultures are united by fundamental human values, which also serves as a true link between one nation and the other.” FATIMA
nana leaf excites us like any other Keralite. We actively take part in Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam activities and our daughters are students of classical Indian dance forms.” The couple has two daughters – 12th standard student Mariam Khamis and seventh standard student Amal Khamis – both students of New Millennium School.
No 1 wedding destination The success is a testimony to the Kingdom’s sophisticated tourism sector
I
ndian weddings are a large affair and the Kingdom has now emerged as one of the top destinations to offer the best exotic platforms, rightly living up to the proverb “Marriages are made in the heaven”. These lavish weddings are organised in line with Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority’s (BTEA) plan to promote the Kingdom as a true destination for weddings and other happy occasions. The wedding includes a series of activities, beginning with the arrival of the Bride and Groom in a traditional Bahraini environment and means of transportation. Adding more charm, Bahrain’s skyline is lit by a fantastic display of fireworks to celebrate the wedding, welcoming the guests. The guests are then invited to
a traditional souq, allowing them to witness traditional Bahraini craftsmen at work, manufacturing beautifully-crafted products
The BTEA also organises special social and sports programme at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC). The wedding events are organised by BTEA in co-ordination with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Information and others including Bahrain Airport Company. The Kingdom has a sophisticated tourist sector, comprising four-star and five-star hotels catering to all tastes, offering a variety of upscale amenities in food, beverages and entertainment; and this is offering a specialised base in organizing wedding ceremonies and presenting unique wedding concepts. The BTEA has drawn a stratmade of gold and pearls, tradition- egy to promote a wide and unique range of services al women’s and men’s clothing; powered by advanced tourism facilities, including interand enjoy traditional sweets and national luxury hotels, wedding and event organizers, beverages. tourism and travel operators along with event halls.
21
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Celebrating academic excellence T
he Indian School Bahrain established in the year 1950 is one of the oldest premier Indian schools in the Kingdom and was initiated by the efforts of the Indian community in Bahrain. In its 72 years of successful existence, the school has made significant contributions towards educational excellence. It is the only CBSE School in Bahrain that is a member of the UNESCO affiliated schools. Founded in 1950, the school has around 11,500 students and is one of the largest co-ed schools in the Arabian Gulf region. It is a community school and the board is largely composed of parents elected for three-year terms. The Indian School is a nonprofit community school managed by the Executive Committee elected by the parents once in three years. The Executive Committee consists of seven members elected by the parents, three members nominated by the Ministry of Education, one continuity member from the
immediate past EC, one member elected from among the teachers and Principal, ex- officio. Our students have excelled in all examinations and have been the island and Gulf toppers too. The Indian School which has an enthusiastic workforce of 650
members is ranked among the premier centers of learning with ISO 9001:2015 accreditation. The school caters to the educational needs of not only the Indian expatriate community in Bahrain but also to the students of 14 nationalities including
1000 Bahraini children. Bahrain National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance of Education and Training has praised the multicultural harmony of the school population in its report. Here the students’ good behaviour and sense of
belonging enables the smooth running of the day-to-day activities of the school. They assume leadership roles and become responsible with the right blend of curricular and co-curricular activities. The ISB Model United Nations, Youth Festival, Scouts and Guides and Band training conducted by the school are among the appreciated events on the island. Every effort is being made to enable the students to utilise their full potential, prepare them to think globally and use their knowledge and skills to make our world a better place. The school provides the students with the very best environment and facilities to work in; to name a few, a multipurpose hall with indoor games facilities, swimming pool, well-stocked libraries, state-of-the-art laboratories, resource centres with internet facilities and career guidance cell. The school offers Science, Commerce and Humanities streams to students in the Senior Secondary Level under CBSE Curriculum of India. The students have brought laurels in
national and international sports competitions as well. Brand ISB is committed to overall development of the students, with a constant track record of dedication, development and work ethics. The school is committed to inclusive education and sponsors the education of around 800 students every year as a part of its social commitment. The school focuses especially on guiding the students to follow the path of Light and Knowledge by shedding darkness and ignorance and to embrace Truth by overcoming falsehood. Our vision is to create a Brand ISB that makes the Indian School the most preferred school for the students, teachers, parents and the community and our mission is to provide opportunities for all the students of the school to develop their potential and to prepare them to be Global Citizens capable of adapting to the future needs and collaborate with the community to deploy innovative, versatile and dynamic measures that integrate excellence and ethics for their overall development.
A pioneer in FMCG distribution INDIA & BAHRAIN
50 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Y
aquby International is a highly dynamic and well reputed trading and distribution company of fast moving consumer goods and services in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Established in 1991, the main activities of Yaquby International are importing, trading, exclusively distributing and marketing well received consumer goods, both food and non-food including beverages, consumables, disposables and other consumer products. Yaquby International is the exclusive distributor / agent of a number of world class and regional brands. The company enjoys an excellent reputation in the market as a purveyor of leading brands of high quality with competitive and reasonable prices. The sales force of Yaquby International covers and services the full spectrum of the market: wholesalers, hypermarkets, supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores, self-service outlets, hotels, restaurants, cafes, institutions, Schools, Universities, factories and catering companies among others. Productivity: We focus on being a highly efficient and professional firm with a fastmoving team motivated and inspired to meet all challenges of the modern day market. Portfolio: We are always open to new opportunities to add new brands to our portfolio given they meet quality standards and regional requirements.
22
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
An envoy of Indian culture
S
eventy five years ago as India gained its independence, a small group of patriotic Indian migrants formed an association in humble circumstances to showcase and share their Indian culture and art forms. Today the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS) has become one of the largest and premier social and cultural organization representing not just the Malayalee community but stands for the entire 4,00,000 strong Indian community. Its main focus has been to present and conduct Indian Socio-cultural & philanthropical activities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. BKS has the largest Indian community owned premises in the GCC/Arab world. With 65,000 square feet of land and build up area of 27,000 square feet it is a shining
example of Indian community’s place in Bahrain society. The cost of around One Million Bahraini Dinars (Approx Rs.16 Crores) was met solely through voluntary contributions from the community and donations from successful Indian businessmen of the GCC. BKS has a main multi-purpose hall with a seating capacity of 2000 persons, three conference halls, Library & Reading Room, Children’s’ & Ladies’ Wing activity rooms, sports and indoor games facilities, administrative offices, VIP reception area and ample Car parking facilities. The BKS is noted in Bahrain as a cultural bastion, promoting Indian Art & culture by variety of stage presentations. By inviting noted authors like M. Mukundan, Jayasree Misra, Sachithandhan, M.T. Vasudevan Nair,Arundhati Roy, technocrats like Narayana Murthy & E. Sreedharan, Artistes like Amjad
Ali Khan, Dr. K.J. Yesudas. S. B. Balasubramaniam, K.S. Chithra,Shobhana, Ramesh Naryayanan and Soorya Film & stage Society. BKS plays an important role in highlighting Indian achievements in these fields and present it to Bahraini and International expatriate community. By conducting Indian Book Fairs and teaching thousands of children to read and write in their mother tongue, BKS has been able to help understand India better. The BKS is very keen to ensure its premises and facilities benefit Indian who fall on tough times and are destitute due to various reasons. BKS provides temporary accommodations and also assistance to purchase Air tickets to proceed home . We also distribute uniforms to schoolchildren every year.
Green FX offering finest IT solutions
G
reen FX Team has been in their IT innovations Since 2007 in the Kingdom of Bahrain. During this period, the company has served with their solutions to 2000+ small, medium and large organizations in the Kingdom., which is the highest by any technology company in records. Green FX develop simple, reliable, flexible and cost-effective solutions which are adaptable to the client’s environment. Our team are always equipped with the global technology updates; we evaluate and review our processes and knowledge base to implement the best available solutions that can bring value addition to our customers. Green FX approach focuses
on novel methods of business combining IT innovation and adoption, keeping in purview an organization’s current IT assets. Green FX provides the solutions on Microsoft .NET, PHP, Java, Angular, Android and Tally Platforms that are reliable, robust & scalable for a dynamic environment where people, process & technology blend seamlessly. Green FX is serving on Cloud infrastructure development, Payment Gateway, Web Solutions, E-commerce, Mobile Apps , IT Security , and Encrypted Server Backup Solutions, by partnering with the Global Products, Eset, Xopero , Safetica , Calvister etc… The company gradually built and formed multiple joint ven-
tures, Partnerships and Client base across GCC, India, Africa and US. Our diverse and highly skilled global workforce consists of shared resources. As a company and as individuals, we take great pride in contributing to the growth of our clients, employees, and communities where we live and work. Our persistent efforts to improve on our employee skills in a good work environment continue to pay off. We have always been recruiting with great employment opportunities with very high potential to learn, work and earn. It’s our Opportunity to show our gratitude for the great Investment atmosphere and support of the Authorities & the Rulers of this Great Kingdom.
INDIA & BAHRAIN
50 Years of Diplomatic Relations
23
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Santy, a pioneer in land reclamation, earthworks S
ANTY Excavation and Construction Company W.L.L, is a well-established leader since 2007 in Land Reclamation and Earth works, servicing clients in the Public Sectors, Private, and Commercial Clients, throughout the Kingdom of Bahrain. Through hard work and dedication, we have grown into a strongly diverse company, offering Land Reclamation, Road Works, Earthworks and Land Development works including Filling, Rock Armor Protection works, Hard & Soft Landscaping works and as well as General Civil Construction Works, Road works and all types of Infrastructure works. We are committed to making every project, large or small, a winning venture. Our well qualified professional team control the entire process with ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) & OHSAS 18001:2007 (HSE Management system) and provide each client with the necessary support to ensure that every phase of construction is performed diligently with high-quality international standard. From equipment and manpower allocation to material procurement, our attention to detail and control over every work element results in a superior and cost effec-
tive project. Our Project sites are completed in an expeditious manner, on time or ahead of schedule. SAN TY utilizes some of the most modern heavy construction equipment and trailers & trucks known to the industry. SANTY fields multiple crews, experienced and skillful in all facets of project field work. Our all facilities are staffed at all times ready to support our entire field of operation. Meanwhile, we managed to become a registered company in the Ministry of Works and approved company in the Ministry of Interior, the Royal Court, Tatweer Petroleum, Government Organization of Youth and Sports (GOYS) and the Supreme Council of Women. • Earthworks, All Type of Excavation and Backfilling Works • All Type of Infrastructure
INDIA & BAHRAIN
50 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Congratulations to
HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa the King of Bahrain, Sri. Ram Nath Kovind, The President of India, HRH Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Sri. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and The people of both countries on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Bahrain and India.
Call us :+97317401013 P.O. Box #38893, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Works Roadwork, Asphalt Works, Landscaping & Interlock Paving Works • Land Reclamation, Stone Pitching and Rock Armor (Slope Protection) Works • Sheet Piling and Dewatering Works • Fencing works • Electrical cable Trench Civil Works • General Civil Construction Works • Supply All Type of Construction Filling Materials • Marine Works • Demolition works • Construction of Mid Rise Residential Buildings
24
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Quality healthcare at affordable price A
l Hilal Ho s p i t a l Company BSC © was established on 16th November 2005 to provide quality healthcare at an affordable price. It is managed by Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals Oman and is one of the largest healthcare groups in the Kingdom of Bahrain with 5 branches. Al Hilal Group congratulates on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationships between Bahrain and India. Al Hilal Group is privileged that it has served the maximum population from the Indian community over the past 15 years. In times of pandemic, Al Hilal has played a remarkable role in combating the COVID 19 by not just doing affordable RTPCR for the community but also by providing Quarantine facilities to the COVID positive cases with complete medical support in different areas of the kingdom. To date, more than 100,000 people have been tested and around 5,000 people have been recovered from their facilities. Al Hilal has constantly provided support to the labor by
engagement in the past by not just creating medical camps at various programs and by doing mini comprehensive checkups which include all basic body tests for absolutely no charge. They have partnered with more than 50 organizations and thousands of members are taking benefit from their facilities. Every year around 30,000 people from the community get
arranging medical camps at various stations and giving video call support with our doctors when it was not possible for them to visit the hospital physically. They provided thousands of grocery kits to needy people at their doorsteps under the umbrella of Al Hilal cares to support the community in difficult times. Al Hilal has always been at the forefront to address a lot of medical conditions through community
INDIA & BAHRAIN
50 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Congratulations to
HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa the King of Bahrain, Sri. Ram Nath Kovind, The President of India, HRH Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Sri. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and The people of both countries on the occasion of 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Bahrain and India.
their regular free checkup from the facilities and Al Hilal takes pride in serving the community here in the kingdom. Al Hilal has tremendously contributed to the Indian community over the last 16 years in one way or another and they will continue to serve by initiating more charitable activities and programs in the future. They consider it as their social responsibility to keep a check on the fundamental health status of the community. It is not just their vision but also their belief that every person from the community should take benefit from the Al Hilal group.
25
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Indian Academy, a centre par excellence
T
he Indian Academy is one of the pioneer and largest Indian center for post school distance education in Bahrain. Established in 2005. We served as overseas center for three major Indian Government Universities from the inception. IGNOU, New Delhi, Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu & Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu, from 2016 onwards with the approval of President of India, IGNOU courses are offering arounds 30 countries including Bahrain through us. IGNOU is an Indian Central Government University, “A” Graded University by NACC, approved by UGC.AIU & AICTE to offer the courses in India and Overseas. IGNOU degree is approved by the international bodies ( COL ), Common Wealth of Learning, Canada, ACCA, CIMA and WES (approved body) for the migration to Canada, US, UK and
studies Our Student, Shruti Menon got a Gold medal from the President of India in 2013 IGNOU convocation for her achievement in Management studies. Almost 2000 students are completed their degree through IGNOU in Bahrain. IGNOU conducts examination twice a year under the supervision of Indian Embassy in Bahrain. IGNOU follows credit system as International Universities, it gives 30 % weightage for assignment and 70% for written examination, we have almost 400 students on rolls with IGNO right now from Bahrain. Australia. UNESCO declared IG- TV channels, FM Radio,e content NOU is world’s largest University and IGNOU mobile apps. IG in 2010,IGNOU has 2000 study NOU offers BCOM, BTS, BA, MA, center and 67 Regional centers in MCom, MTTM & MBA, diploma
India and 30 Overseas centers in foreign countries. IGNOU delivery the courses with the support of learning Study materials, FB video, lecturing classes through his own
courses and Certificate courses. We, Indian Academy conduct regular seminars and private tuition for the above course regularly to support the students for achieving a great height in their
INDIA & BAHRAIN
50 Years of Diplomatic Relations
26
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Shifa Al Jazeera celebrates 17 years of quality medical care
S
hifa Al Jazeera Medical Centre, one of the leading private medical facilities in the kingdom, has been providing quality health care through its state-of-the-art services. The well-equipped facilities provide a wide range of services ensuring comfort for patients from all walks of life. Shifa has two branches in the Kingdom- a speciality medical centre as well as a dental centre. The medical centre is housed in a seven-storey building in Manama backed by cutting-edge facilities. “Under the vast vision and desire of our Chairman and Managing Director Dr. KT Rabeeulla, the centre is committed to providing quality, responsive and compassionate health care round the clock at an affordable price without compromising on treatment quality,” said its CEO Mr Habeeb Rahman. Shifa Al Jazeera offers an extensive array of services through its various departments such as general medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, orthopaedics, dermatology and cosmetology, gynaecology, ophthalmology, radiology and general surgery, as well as
supporting services optometry, audio and speech therapy, echocardiogram, physiotherapy and much more. Its dermatology and cosmetology department provides an array of procedures including electrocautery, intralesional injections, skin biopsy, excisions, microdermabrasion, chemical peeling and laser treatment for
scars etc. It also offers affordable IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) treatment as well as pre-marital and pre-employment medical checkups. The medical centre has been conducting RT - PCR tests to detect coronavirus at its own laboratory at a minimal cost. In addition, there is a test for people in symptomatic cases
in collaboration with the Public Health Department. Shifa offers antibody tests for those who have inoculated against Covid-19 or those who have recovered from the virus. In addition, it also offers patients who have overcome Covid-19, a complete examination to locate, treat and monitor the complications that may appear once the
acute phase of the disease has passed. There are two post- Covid health checkup packages available at an affordable cost. It also offers quarantine centres for incoming travellers. The centre has spacious car parking facilities and also offers valet parking. It has three pharmacies located on the ground floor, first floor and second floor, the first of which operates around the clock. Shifa houses one of the leading labs in the kingdom that is embedded with modern machinery capable of performing intricate investigations while its radiology department is equipped with 64 slice CT scan, digital mammography, digital x-ray and much more. Its cardiology department
is supported by Echo & TMT, Holter monitoring, and CT coronary angiogram. The medical centre is supported by a dedicated medical, nursing and support service staff. The team is well trained with expertise in different streams of medical care from world-class universities and hospitals. Supported by a dedicated medical, nursing and service staff, the team at Shifa Al Jazeera is well experienced in different streams of medical care from world-class universities and hospitals. The centre’s general medicine department has 13 general physicians and four internal medicine specialists in addition to a total of 24 specialists in all streams including three specialists in paediatrics. It also has three consultants in family medicine, radiology and gynaecology. The Dental Department offers speciality care in General Dentistry, Orthodontics, prosthodontics and periodontics as well. Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Centre is a subsidiary of Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group, a leading healthcare conglomerate in the GCC, which has been a beacon of light for the suffering for more than 40 years.
N CLI IC
24 SE
hr R VICE
RT PCR TEST
if you need an urgent test: E PRESS TEST
SUPER E PRESS TEST
Available
Post Covid Health Check-up Basic Package 35 Basic Plus Package 55 DEPARTMENTS General medicine l Internal medicine l Cardiology l Radiology | Paediatrics | ENT Gynaecology | Orthopaedic l Dermatology | Cosmetology | Ophthalmology | Urology General Surgery | Dental | Paedodontics (Pediatric dentistry) | Orthodontics
17288000 We don't have any other branches in Bahrain
16171819
27
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
Bridging Bahrain and India in Education Laurels Centre of Global Education is offering prestigious Indian Qualifications in Bahrain
Laurels Centre provides a fulfilling learning path from grade 10 to postgraduation. This helps the students to stay back in Bahrain and acheive their Indian qualifications.
B
ahrain is home to a sizeable number of Indian populations. The Indian expatriates in Bahrain depend on 6 schools providing Indian curriculum up to Senior Secondary level. Laurels Centre for Global Education bears the legacy of 27 years in providing Indian qualifications to the expatriate population in Bahrain. The array of courses is as follows; National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) NIOS being the largest open schooling program in the world of-
fers Secondary and Senior Secondary courses in Bahrain. NIOS provides CBSE equivalent qualification in 10th and 12th grades under the Ministry of Education of India. The course is conducted in Bahrain and the exams are supervised by the Indian Embassy in Bahrain. NIOS helps the school dropouts and CBSE failed students to complete their 12th-grade qualification in open education mode. This is very much helpful for housewives, employees, and aged expatriates to return to mainstream education and help them to qualify for joining
graduation programs. Currently, Laurels is providing exam preparation classes and study materials to successfully complete the board exams. Jain (Deemed to be) University Graduation & Post-graduation Jain is one of the prominent universities from the cyber hub Bangalore in India. Laurels is affiliated with Jain university to recruit students for online graduation and post-graduation programs in Bahrain. Jain University offers BBA and BCom with various specializations including corporate finance,
investment banking, logistics and supply chain management, cost accounting, Multimedia studies, data science and Analytics, aviation management, advertising, and branding, etc. The students can integrate their studies with Indian Chartered Accountancy coaching and ACCA. The post-graduation programs are in MCom, MBA, MCA, and MA with specializations in cyber security, cloud computing, full-stack development, digital marketing and e-commerce, journalism and mass communication, etc. The student can stay and write exams in Bah-
rain without traveling to India. Tally Education Tally is one of the most-used accounting software in Bahrain. Learning Tally increases the employability of job seekers. Laurels is an authorized center for Tally education. The integrated course will train any candidate to become a professional accountant even if the learner is from a non-accounting background. There are two short-term courses in Tally Essential International and GCC VAT using Tally. The exams are conducted and certifications are provided by Tally Education Private Ltd.
Indian Language Center India is a land of multiple regional languages. Indian parents are offered limited options for teaching mother-tongues to their children in Bahrain. Laurels is providing special classes for children from their early ages to learn their own languages. The languages courses are Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Odia, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, etc. Interested students can contact Whatsapp No. 36458340 or 33609501 for consultation and guidance.
28
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2021
‘Employees my best asset’ Mr Juma, a successful entrepreneur, has been a pioneer when it comes to implementing expatriate employee welfare measures
A
bdulrahman Juma, Chairman of Uneeco Group of Companies is an entrepreneur with a difference. His company maintains a special balance sheet, which tracks the “welfare of his employees” apart from assets, profits and capital standings. “My employees are my true and best assets,” says Mr Juma, highlighting that their well-being remains vital. And it is this approach that led Bahrain Keraleeya Samjam, the largest expatriate association in the Kingdom, to select Mr Juma as the Business Icon for the year 2019. Other accolades won by this industry leader include Star Performe r Awa rd i n the GCC region from L&T India, four times in a row as well as Best Distributor of Austco Nurse Call System Award for the year 2018. Mr Juma is also the board member of Bahrain Holding Company, Chairman of Bahrain National Life Insurance
as well as Chairman of Prudent Solutions. Mr Juma started his career with Bapco before he set up Uneeco in 1976 with an aim to trade in mechanical and elec-
trical equipment. The company found its first partners in Ring Master of Norway and Aiphone of Japan for internal communication equipment. In the early eighties, Uneeco
started a division with specialities in fire detection and extinguishing systems in tie up with AFA - MENERVA of UK . Early nineties saw Uneeco associating with Allen Bradly (now known as Rockwell Automation) to manufacture automation products. “Now, we are their channel partner. We cover the industries automation sector for Alba, Bapco, Garmco and Balexco. “In 1997, I signed an agreement with MGE as their UPS authorised partner. MGE is now known as APC Schneider and we specialise in data centres mainly for banks and industry.” Uneeco acquired a retail shop for all electrical
products under the name Awal Electric. “In 1991, we started low voltage panel manufacturing, in association with Merlin Gerin of France, now known as Schneider Electric. We are their platinum partner. The first plant was set up in Salmabad before moving in Mina Salman Industrial Area, where it functioned for 15 years. Presently, we are functioning from BIIP Al Hidd Industrial Area and have been there for over five years.” The company now has 125 employees. The role of Mr Jayashankar, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, needs a special men-
BAHRAIN & INDIA TOGETHER IN FORGING A TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP OF EXCELLENCE
As India begins its year-long journey “India@75”, and Bahrain & India celebrate 50 Years of Diplomatic Ties, we wish both countries progress, friendship and prosperity
Universal Electro Engineering B.S.C.C Bldg # 389, Road # 1507, Block # 115, HIDD Main Line : 00973-17826644 Fax No : 00973-17827090, Web: www.uneeco.com, Email : uneeco@uneeco.com
Unique Power Switchgear W.L.L Bldg # 1308, Road # 1516, Block # 115, HIDD, Main Line : 00973-17826941 Fax No : 00973-17826592, Web : uniquepowerswitchgears.com, Email : unique@uniquepowerswitchgears.com
tion, when it comes to the growth story. After joining UNEECO in the year 2005 as a sales manager, Mr Jayashankar has been instrumental in making the company a pioneer in its field of operation. He owes his success to the trust, confidence and support provided to him by the company chairman. Apart from being an excellent business leader, Mr Jayashankar is also a great philanthropist supporting employees, social organisations and communities. He has been presented with the Golden Globe Achievement Awards for Excellence in Engineering Solutions for the year 2019.