News & Pics: P A Hameed Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, Dec 26: The annual 'OLG Bazaar-2010' organized by Oriental Ladies Group (OLG)-Riyadh was held at King Fahad Cultural Center, Naseriyah in Riyadh recently with cooperation of seven countries - Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Speaking on the occasion, ambassador of Nepal Hamid Ansari said, "The one-day annual Bazaar has brought South Asia, South East Asia and Central Asia together on a single platform enabling us to exchange and showcase our divergent traditions, cultures, heritages along with varied artifacts, antiquities, handicrafts, costumes and exotic range of food respectively; it also paves the way for promoting, expanding and reinforcing the cross-cultural link and understanding combined with promotion of international co-operation between and among the people of these countries.’’
He added, "It is quite relevant here to mention the role of women in the regions and across the world, who took up the challenging leadership positions in the various fields like IT world, government sectors, bank and businesses, PR companies including diplomatic services and affairs; it is with this objective that we get together to partake at this colorful occasion to swap peace, goodwill and pleasantries through the people from the countries in order to build harmony and energy for the socio-economic development of our nations and to achieve collective benefit from our unity and strength."
He also stressed on the empowerment of women, who constitute half of the regions’ population on which the strength and development of the countries depend on; and said that they are the key-players and partners in the progress and standard bearers of the future, so they must be given proper opportunities to exhibit their full potential for the common cause and larger good of humanity.
OLG is a non-profit socio-humanitarian organization comprising wives of all the diplomats of seven countries’ embassies. Besides, all the ambassadors’ wives are the patrons of OLG. The embassy of Nepal has successfully hosted this year’s annual gala. Afsana Banoo, patron of Nepal embassy and wife of Nepal ambassador presented the shawls to all the dignitaries present as a symbol of unity and harmony.
Kazakhstan ambassador Kulpan Lama Sharif inaugurated the event. She urged peace and understanding among these member countries in particular and people across the world in general. She emphasized the effective role of women in advancement and progress of the world and also commended the feisty effort of ladies group in making the gathering colourful and glittering.
The opening speech was delivered by Sunita Ahmad, patron of India and wife of Indian ambassador Talmiz Ahmad. The latter extolled the hard efforts of the OLG members and others and conveyed best wishes for the event.
Prabina Ghimire, OLG acting president-cum-treasurer and wife of Deputy of chief mission of Nepal embassy and Meenakshi Mishra, secretary of OLG and wife of Amith Mishra, second secretary of Indian embassy were actively involved making the event very successful. They escorted all the eminent patrons and dignitaries right from the beginning of the event to the end.
The stalls of all the seven embassies were put up, selling their respective handicrafts, artifacts, traditional fabrics, foods, clothes etc. There were children's games like pin the tail, face paint and henna design etc. Al-Marai and Al-Shafi Dairy Companies served milk products free of cost.
Lulu Saudi Hypermarkets, Jet Airways (India) Ltd Riyadh, International Monetary Exchange, Al Marai Dairy Farm, Al-Shafi Integrated Dairy Farm, Kadesiah Medical Centre, Gubeirah-Riyadh, Express Services were given a heartfelt gratitude for their wholehearted sponsorship for the event. Santhosh Shetty, COO of Al-Kadesiah Medical Center (KMC), Dr Vanishree S Shetty, dentist of Al-Kadesiah Medical Center (KMC) provided free medical services.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Hamid Ansari, Nepal ambassador, said, "The donations we are getting from this event will be utilized for the welfare of the needy people amongst the member countries; this event aims at bringing together people from different regions, necessitating the oneness of purpose and co-operation."
Kazakhstan will be the hosting the gala next year.