Report: Sageer Trikarpurt, Pics: Noufal Moodadi
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait (SP)
Kuwait, Oct 9: Indian community living in Kuwait celebrated Eid Al Fitr as an "Eid Milan Day". Nearly ten thousand Indian nationals attended the programme, organized by Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA), the largest social development organization of Indian nationals in Kuwait.
The get-together held at Jleeb Park provided Indian nationals with an opportunity to meet and exchange Eid greetings, while enjoying Mappila Muslim folk music rendered by well known singers.
The Eid Milan is an annual event, organized by KKMA to gain support for its visionary charitable projects, particularly to establish a series of kidney dialysis centres in every district of Kerala in India. The first of such centres was opened at IQRAA International Hospital and Research Centre in the city of Calicut in June 2006. Subsequently, two more centres were opened in Daya General Hospital in Trichur during September 2007 and the third one in April this year at SUM Hospital in Malappuram district.
The chief guest, Dinesh Bhatia, the charge d’affaires of Indian Embassy in Kuwait, inaugurated the event. Bhatia delivered his Eid greetings to all Indian nationals in Kuwait. He admired the organizers for holding such a colourful gala in an organized and disciplined manner.
N.A. Muneer, KKMA president, presided over the function. Abdul Fatah Thayyil, general secretary of KKMA, welcomed the packed audience.
Representing the main sponsor, Faraj Al Rasheedi, a representative from Zain Telecommunications, felicitated the programme. He recalled his visit to Kerala along with Zain chief operating officer Khaled Al Omar, to open the third Kidney Centre of KKMA and expressed his company’s happiness to be a part of such a socially important project in India.
On his part, Ramesh P.A., manager of Gulf Mart, offered financial contribution of two hundred thousand rupees to KKMA, in support of its kidney dialysis centre project in Kerala.
A souvenir booklet printed to commemorate the event was released by Dr Hind Al Otaibi,managing director of Kuwait Indian School, by handing over the first copy to Pancily Varkey, the country manager of UAE Exchange Center.
Thomas Chandy, member of the legislative assembly and the managing director of Indian Central School, David Willes, president of the City Centre and Mohammad Hilal, commercial manager of Mohammad Nasser Al Sayer, were felicitated at the event. A large number of invitees including Mahmoud Apsara, managing director of Apsara Bazaar, Sumio Tome, general manager of Kuwait Automotive Imports Co., Mohammad Shameem, MD of Logics Technologies and Niyaz Hussain, managing director of Wild Fire Restaurant too attended the function.
The event also witnessed the honouring ot two officers in appreciation of their kind support rendered to the Indian community. Major Ahmed Ali Al Rajeeba, head of the deportation cenre and General Nida Abdulla Aboo Raqba Al Othaibi, head of the Jleeb Shuyoukh police station, were awarded with appreciation momentoes of KKMA by the chief guest Dinesh Bhatia.
Hisham Abdul Wahab of Idea Star Musical Contest fame along with well-known singers Rafeek Vadakara and Mohammad Talasseri led the musical event comprising of Mappila songs, an Indian origine musical form of the Muslims.
The programme was ably compered by Shemseer Nasser. Ibrahim Kunnil, vice president of KKMA, proposed vote of thanks to the audience and all those who contributed to its success.