” Workers of the World United !

You have nothing to loose but your chains “

The month of April, the New Okla Industrial Development Authority ( NOIDA ) area witnessed unprecedented oppression of  factory workers and their families, including women and children . There was a complete breakdown of the rule of law in the industrial town which was built as a model town for the rest of the country. That this repression was carried out only weeks before we approached the 2026 May Day which signifies the inalienable rights of the workers, is a shame as well as a paradox. Because in NOIDA the workers were fighting not just for minimum wage , eight hour working hours , but for their survival. During the workers struggle the managements, the administrators and the police who are duty-bound to protect their rights and wellbeing, they blatantly violated every rule in the book.`

NOIDA was officially established on 17 April 1976 as a planned city under the UP Industrial Area Development Act  by merging 36 rural villages  situated on the eastern Bank of the Yamuna River. It was designed as an industrial hub to relieve urban pressure on Delhi . It later became part of Gautam Budh Nagar district, formed in 1997.

It was designed to provide industrial, commercial, and residential infrastructure , particularly to relocate polluting industries from Delhi. It is part of the National Capital Region (NCR). The area was site of the Battle of Patparganj in 1803 , part of the second  Anglo-Maratha War , with a memorial situated inside the NOIDA Golf Course in Sector 37. Over the years NOIDA has evolved from an industrial town to a major IT and residential hub , which is described as one of the greenest cities of India.

A fact finding team of members of the All India Lawyers Union, Students’ Federation of India and the Democration Youth Federation of India has found that during the agitation by the NOIDA factory worker the Uttar Pradesh police made large-scale illegal detentions of workers and their families , in violation of rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution as well as various Labour Laws.

According to the report the police have not even bothered to keep proper number of workers and their families it had detained from time to time during the workers protest against various injustices. According to eyewitness accounts at one time the NOIDA police had detained some 350 juveniles and more than 800 workers.

Detentions were made in different phases . On 13 and 14 April, people, including minors , factory workers and construction workers and even bystanders, were picked up by uniformed and plainclothes police. And on 15 and 16 April hundreds of workers were detained from their workplaces at the behest of factory managements.

Families of detainees were not given information about their whereabouts or the grounds of detention. Most were held under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Section says that “a police officer knowing of a  design to commit any cognizable offence may arrest without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant , the person so designing, of it appears to such officer that the commission of offence cannot be otherwise prevented . ” One wonders since when has workers protesting against injustices and demanding their lawful rights have become cognizable offences in ‘ democratic ‘ India.The report further said that several detainees were not even produced before the magistrates on time and arrest memos were not provided meaning many were held illegally.

The report also accused the police officer using undue force by resorting to lathicharge to disperse workers protesting peacefully outside factory gates demanding minimum wages.The police also spread the unfounded rumour that the protests were a result of instigation by external forces, the report added.

The report further described the illegal detentions by the police a violation of the fundamental constitutional rights and demanded disclosure of the detainees’ whereabouts, release of the copies of the FIRs and provide legal aid to the detainees through the Legal Aid Authority.

Another fact finding team of Jan Hastakshep demanded that administration unconditionally release all the arrested and withdraw all cases registered against the workers because all depressive actions against workers were illegal and unconstitutional. It also called for punitive action against guilty factory owners , labour department officials who failed to implement minimum wages and the police officials who resorted to violece to quell rightful protests by workers.

The factories the report said were paying the workers wages below the minimum wages prescribed by the UP government . The labour department officials connived with the factory owners to deprive the workers of minimum wages the report added.

The system of contract labor prevalent in NOIDA industrial area was primarily responsible for the exploitation of the workers the report pointed out.  Also, some employers in NOIDA had even taken advantage of the lax implementation of the labour laws had even terminated the services hundreds of workers and reemployed them on lower wages , the report said.

The post Brutal Opression of Labour in NOIDA : May Day becomes Black Day appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

The April month concert was performed by the young, multi-talented and upcoming vocalist Kum. Meenakshi S Varma from Ernakulam, Kerala. Violin Vidwan Sri Ernakulam Satheesh Varma was accompanied on violin, and the young, multi-talented and upcoming Mridangam artist Sri Jayanth Rama Varma was accompanied on Mridangam.

Sangeetha Acharyan, Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan Prof. Kumara Kerala Varma, was the Special Guest for the function and delivered felicitation speech. Sri Kumara Kerala Varma had pointed out that in Carnatic music, Sruthi is considered as the mother and Laya as father whenever musicians render Keerthanam, Geetham or Varnam with a combination of Sruthi, Swara, Raga and Thala. Prof. Kumara Kerala Varma appreciated the trust for their all efforts and bringing the unique platform for Carnatic music globally, which will support musicians and artists located across the globe. He also blessed Kum. Meenakshi S. V. Varma and the accompaniments of the April month concert.

From the International Chamber, PK Koyickal Trust, Sri Raj Mohan Varma, the Vice-Chairman, has delivered the Welcome Speech; Sri Edappally Jaimohan, the Department Head of Violin, has delivered the Keynote Speech, Sri. Sajith Kumar Varma, the International Coordinator, has delivered Vote of thanks; and Ms Preethi Gopalakrishnan coordinated and compered the entire function and the April month concert.

The monthly concerts are focused to promote and propagate Carnatic Music along with Music Veterans, promoting Talented, upcoming and amateur Musicians and Artists Internationally. Each monthly programme will be telecasted through various Media and Channels of India and abroad. The Recorded Link of the concert also will be circulated internationally Including various Music Colleges, Music Academies, Department Authorities, Music Institutes, Sangeetha Sabhas, Music Trusts,  Fine Arts Societies & Reputed Music Organizations and Music Teachers in India and Internationally.  PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber will be rewarded and recognized each Artists with Participating Certificates.

The concerts are designed in alternative months to provide opportunities to the Artists to participate from India and abroad. The International Monthly Concerts will be organizing on EVERY 2^nd FRIDAYS, the special day of Goddesses Durga Devvi, Lakshmi Devi and Saraswathy Devi. www.pkkoyickaltrust.com

www.pkkoyickaltrust.com

The post The April month of Sruthi Mathaa.. Laya Pitha, the monthly Carnatic music concert series of the International Chamber, Parakkadathu Koyickal Trust, Tripunithura, Kerala, has been hosted from Ernakulam, KERALA. On vocals, Kum. Meenakshi S. Varma performed, and on violin, Violin Vidwan Sri Ernakulam Satheesh Varma and on Mridangam Sri Jayanth Rama Varma have been accompanied on 17-04-2026 from Ernakulam, Kerala. appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

In March, the monthly concert was performed by Sangeetha Vidushi Ms. hosted from Ohio, USA. the young and talented Violinist Ms. Medha Lalyit Iyer was accompanied on Violin and the Mridangam Maestro Sri. Lalit Subramanian was accompanied on Mridangam

From the International Chamber, Parakkadathu Koyickal Trust, Smt. Priya Varma has delivered the welcome address; Sri. KP Raj Mohan Varma, the vice chairman, has delivered the keynote address; Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan Dr. Jayaprakasha Sharma, head of the Department of Arts & Literature, has delivered the felicitation speech; and Sri. PK Sajith Kumar Varma, the international coordinator, has delivered the vote of thanks.

These monthly concerts are focused to promote and propagate Carnatic Music along with Music Veterans, promoting Talented, upcoming and amateur Musicians and Artists Internationally. Each monthly programme will be telecasted through various Media and Channels of India and abroad. The Recorded Link of the concert also will be circulated internationally Including various Music Colleges, Music Academies, Department Authorities, Music Institutes, Sangeetha Sabhas, Music Trusts,  Fine Arts Societies & Reputed Music Organizations and Music Teachers in India and Internationally.  PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber will be rewarded and recognized each Artists with Participating Certificates.

The concerts are designed in alternative months to provide opportunities to the Artists to participate from India and abroad. The International Monthly Concerts will be organizing on EVERY 2^nd FRIDAYS, the special day of Goddesses Durga Devvi, Lakshmi Devi and Saraswathy Devi. www.pkkoyickaltrust.com

www.pkkoyickaltrust.com

The post The first international concert from abroad in 2026 and the 2nd consecutive year of the monthly Carnatic Music concert series of the International Chamber, Parakkadathu Koyickal Trust, Tripunithura, Kerala, have been hosted from OHIO, U.S.A. Vocal Sangeetha Vidushi Ms. Dhivya Senthil Murugan, Violinist Ms. Medha Lalyt Iyer, and Mridangam Vidwan Sri Lalit Subramanian have accompanied on 13-02-2026 from OHIO, USA. appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Davis has vast experience in accounting, auditing, management, and IT Consultancy, and his company is one of the top 10 audit firms in the Sultanate of Oman. A Fellow of the ICAI, he was co-opted to the International Affairs Committee of the ICAI Council, New Delhi (2007–08). He also served as the Founding Chairman of the Muscat Chapter of the Institute from 2008 to 2009 and is a certified member of the Institute of Certified Fraud Examiners.

A regular columnist for The Times of Oman on tax-related affairs, Davis has co-authored a book on taxation of NRIs and has represented his firm at several global conferences. In recognition of his outstanding global contributions, he was bestowed with the Pinnacle Award — the highest recognition from Crowe Horwath, one of the top ten accounting networks in the world.

Among the top 10 chartered accountants in Kerala, the late CA P A Nair’s name appears in the first position, and it was he who signed the membership certificate of Davis in 1986. The other names include the late T Velu Pillai, K Raghavan Nair, Varma & Varma. Venugopal C Govind, Sreejith Kuniyil, P D Vijayrajan, M V Korah, and S Prabhakaran.

The post Crowe Mak Ghazali Founder Dr.Davis Kallukaran features in list of top 10 Chartered Accountants in Kerala appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

The event was virtually graced by HE GV Srinivas, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, and HE Mahboob Issa Alraisi, Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Mumbai. The dignitaries underscored the historic Indo-Omani bilateral relationship and sought to explore strategic trade and investment opportunities under the CEPA framework.

Board Member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Chairman of the Foreign Investment Committee, Abdul Latheef Uppala, emphasised the Sultanate’s investor-friendly regulatory environment and expanding opportunities across logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors.

Davis Kallukaran, Deputy Chairman, Foreign Investment Committee, OCCI, moderated the panel discussion on ‘India–Oman Trade and Investment Opportunities under CEPA. The distinguished panelists included Dr P Mohamed Ali, Founder, Galfar Group; Dr MI Sahadulla, Group Chairman & Managing Director, KIMS Health; Dr Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman & Managing Director, Eram Group; Abdul Latheef Uppala; Sheraz Anwar, Director, Abad Group; and Anirudh Sankar, Senior Official, DGFT Kochi.

The panel deliberated on sector-specific collaboration in infrastructure development, healthcare services, industrial partnerships, export facilitation, and regulatory alignment. It also highlighted practical pathways for strengthening private-sector engagement between both countries.

There were presentations by Dr Yousuf Hamad Al-Balushi, Economic Advisor & Research Analyst, Oman, and  Yarub Nasser Al Siyabi, Specialist at OPAZ. They highlighted priority sectors under Vision 2040 and significant investment potential within Duqm and other strategic economic zones. Technical presentations by experts Dr James Nedumpara, Professor and Head CTIL; Ridhish Rajvanshi, Senior Research Fellow; and Tathagata Choudhury from the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; provided clarity on tariff concessions, market access for services, digital trade provisions, and export promotion mechanisms that come under the pact.

Dr P Mohamed Ali, Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology, Oman, in his message, emphasised the need for continuous engagement on CEPA to understand the terminologies to ensure a quantum jump in bilateral trade, services, and investments.

The seminar concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session followed by a business networking engagement.

The programme was jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Kerala State Council, the Indo Gulf and Middle East Chamber of Commerce (INMECC), The foreign investment committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Centre for Trade and Investment law (CTIL) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

The Oman delegation was headed by Abdul Latheef Uppala, and it included Ahmed Ali Al Akkak, CEO SEZD; Yaqub Nasser Khamis Al Siyabi from OPAZ; Dr Yousuf Hamad Al Balushi; Al Yaqadhan Al Shukaili from Smart Investment Gateway, Davis Kallukaran; and Jim Joseph, Partner, Audit and Corporate Finance from Crowe Oman.

The post High-level CEPA seminar gives fillip to Oman-India economic ties appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

OCCI board member and head of the Omani delegation Abdul Latheef Uppala said, “The seminar will highlight trade and investment opportunities under the agreement. It will also enable stakeholders to explore partnerships and expand their global footprint.” Indian Ambassador to Oman HE G V Srinivas, senior Union and State Government officials, office bearers of the Centre for trade and Investment Law under the Central Ministry of Commerce, eminent industrialists and key personalities from the Indian and Omani business fraternity will address the gathering.

“The India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on December 18, 2025, marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral economic ties between India and Oman,” said Dr Davis Kallukaran, Managing Partner of Crowe Oman Auditors and Business Advisors. “The agreement is expected to substantially enhance trade flows, promote investments, and create new avenues of collaboration across key sectors.”

“The CEPA provides significant tariff reductions and improved market access, while reinforcing Oman’s strategic role as a gateway to the GCC region, Central Asia, and East Africa. The agreement opens up promising opportunities in sectors such as IT, Healthcare, Education, Oil & Natural Gas, Food Processing, Logistics, Tourism, and more. It is also expected to catalyse two-way investments and foster stronger economic cooperation between the two nations, Dr Davis added.

Business leaders from both India and the Sultanate of Oman are slated to attend the event.

The post Business seminar to throw light on new India-Oman trade pact appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan (Violin) Prof.S Easwara Varma and Violin Vidushi Dr. Vrinda Varma have been performed Violin Duet Concert from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.  The facmous accompaniment artists for Mridangam Vidwan Sri. Nanjil A R Arul,  for Ghatom Vidwan Sri Adichanalloor M Anilkumar and for Morsing Vidwan Sri. Thamarakkudi Rajasekharan participated in the concert.

During the Inaugural Ceremony, from International Chamber, PK Koyickal Trust, Sri. KP Raj Mohan Varma, Vice Chairman has delivered Welcome Address, Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan Sri. Tripunithura N Radhakrishnan, the Chief Advisory Board Member has delivered Keynote Address, Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan Sri. Nedumangad Sivanandan, the Chief Advisory Board Member has delivered Special Address, Sri, M V Sunil, the President of Sree Poornathrayeesha Sangeetha Sabha and Sri. K Anand, the Managing Trustee of Sri. Adi Sankara Trust have delivered Felicitation Speech and Sri. PK Sajith Kumar Varma, the International Coordinator of International Chamber, PK Koyickal Trust has delivered Vote of Thanks.

These monthly concerts are focused to promote and propagate Carnatic Music along with Music Veterans, promoting Talented, upcoming and amateur Musicians and Artists Internationally. Each monthly programme will be telecasted through various Media and Channels of India and abroad. The Recorded Link of the concert also will be circulated internationally Including various Music Colleges, Music Academies, Department Authorities, Music Institutes, Sangeetha Sabhas, Music Trusts,  Fine Arts Societies & Reputed Music Organizations and Music Teachers in India and Internationally.  PK Koyickal Trust International Chamber will be rewarded and recognized each Artists with Participating Certificates.

The concerts are designed in alternative months to provide opportunities to the Artists to participate from India and abroad. The International Monthly Concerts will be organizing on EVERY 2^nd FRIDAYS, the special day of Goddesses Durga Devvi, Lakshmi Devi and Saraswathy Devi.

www.pkkoyickaltrust.com

The post SRUTHI MATHA –  LAYA PITHA the 2nd Year Inaugural Concert of the monthly concert series of International Chamber, PK Koyickal Trust has been hosted from Thiruvananthapuram, KERALA. Tripunithura Aasthana Vidwan Prof. S Easwara Varma  and Dr. Vrinda Varma performed VIOLIN DUET concert on 13-02-2026. appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

India Union Budget was sector diversified and considering the increasing global economic challenges, the India Government has attracted industries, private sector business class and investors to join hands including Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and focusing to reach the target of “Vikasit Bharat” in the year of 2047. The Budget touched from the Micro Industry level (MSME) to the Infrastructure Development level and that will support to make self-sustainable growth of India.

The budget is also supportive for India-Gulf and India-Europe newly signed Agreements in 2026. Accordingly, the budget is emphasizing more on Innovations, MSME and Startups Businesses in villages and cities across India. The budget is targeting to empower young entrepreneurs and create more jobs in different industries and sectors by integrating AI and Engineering Technologies.

Indian Expats are getting benefits from Tax exemptions, decriminalizing the non-declaration of foreign Assets and filing extensions, buying properties and investments in India more easily. The Budget aims to support NRIs to bring their foreign savings to India and this will be helpful for long term growth of India.

NRIs will get more investment opportunities to Indian Stock Markets through RBI regulated Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) Account. The Budget has increased the NRI investment limit of each company from 5% to 10% in the Stock Market.. The limit of various investments to India from PROI category Indians has increased to more than doubled. Now Indian expats can invest to India and repatriate easily through the Budget announcement. Indian expats can also own land and houses easily.

India expats will get opportunity to start MSME and STARTUP business in India and Internationally based on the India – Gulf and India – Europe agreements..

Budget is also taken measures to reduce unwanted speculations in the Stock Markets by increasing Securities Transaction Tax (STT) for Futures & Options Traansactions. It was not supportive for Investors and the Indian Stock Markets went down after the Budget Session.

The post India Budget appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

The formation, history, founders and current members of the governing body of organisations and institutions led by our people, including educational institutions, clubs, and so on, will also be included in this directory. The book will also contain brief biographies of 3,000 prominent Indian working in various fields, along with their photos, and information such as contact address, phone number, and email.

The directory features prominent people across 30 categories, including government-private sector, sports, media, medicine, banking, education, insurance, engineering, construction, manpower, hospitality, automobiles, travel and tourism, cargo-shipping, hotels and restaurants, real estate, jewellery, trading, social work, and art and literature.

The work of the similar reference book Who’s who of Oman Malayies is almost done and set to be published by July 2025;is under the patronage of the following patrons: National University of Science and Technology Chairman and Galfar Engineering and Contracting Company Founder Dr. P. Mohamed Ali, the Chief Patron; Abdul Latheef, Managing Director of Badr Al Sama Group of Hospitals and Polyclinics and Board Member of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry; P.N.C. Menon, Founder and Chairman of Shobha Group; Dr. Thomas Alexander, Founder and Chief Executive Director of Al Adrak Trading and Contracting Company LLC; Mohammed Ashraf M.A. is the Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of Shahi Foods & Spices LLC; Abraham Raju, Managing Director of Sohar Shipping Transport and Trading Agencies; Mohamed Ameen Sait, Managing Director of Sea Pride LLC; Dr. Renchi Mathew Kurian, Senior Consultant Physician, Royal Oman Police Hospital; Dr. Davis Kallukaran, Managing Partner of Crowe Oman; Abdul Vahid A. K., Managing Director of K. V. Group International; Rajan Paul, Managing Director of Middle East Oil Field Service LLC and Xavi Thekketh, Managing Director of Pipeline Supply Company LLC.

This exhaustive endeavour is spearheaded by Excellence Global Middle East LLC (Oman), which is part of Excellence Global FZC LLC, UAE, the publisher of a number of books and magazines focussing on a wide spectrum of specialised areas. It has also published reference books on Malayalis in foreign countries and various states of India for the past 30 years.

Excellence Global Managing Director P. Sukumaran said that the 1,200-page reference book in English will be an authoritative document on our Indian working in all sectors of Oman. You can freely add information to the upcoming directory.

Those who wish to include their names and information can contact the following numbers: 9882 6147; 9595 8066; 9706 2419 or write to us: info@globalindians.directory.
our website:
https://malayali.directory/
https://globalindians.directory

The post Directory to be Published by end of this year. appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

The Supreme Court on 29 December 2025 in an unprecedented but welcome move suo moto stayed its on  20 November order on the definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges. The November ruling had accepted an elevation based definition proposed by the Union Goverment which caused widespread concern among the people of the affected States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.

The 20 November order had to the consternation of the people of the four states and the environmental as well as legal experts had adopted a very narrow definition classifying only landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or more above local relief as ” Aravalli Hills ”

Following widespread protests across the four states irrespective of  party or caste affiliations the Supreme Court perhaps for the first time took note of public concerns  and acknowledged the need for clarification on whether the naarow definition ( 100 metres elevation ) would exclude ecologically fragile areas allowing unregulated mining as well as bilding construction in between the Aravalli Hills.

According to the  latest SC order a High Powered independent Committe consisting of experts in various fields is to be formed to redefine the Aravalli Hills considering all aspects of its ecological and environmental impact andress various ambiguities with regard to the Union laws and state laws for the protection and preservation of environmental and ecological balance essential for sustainable development .

The stay order means that no irreversible administrative or ecological actions can be taken by any authority including Union and state governments based on the framework upheld by the Supreme Court on 20 November.

Untill the matter is resolved there will be a moratorium on the grant of any new mining leases or renewal of old ones across the entire Aravalli landscape in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Existing legal.mining could be carried out only under strict regulations.

The 20 November 2025 judgement was aimed at laying down a uniform definition of the  740 kilometre long Aravalli Ranges across the states to curb rampant illegal.mining. It also directed the Ministry of Environment , Forest and Climare Change ( MoEF&CC ) to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining ( MPSM ) .

However, the narrow 100 metres hight criterion specified for the Aravalli Hills became the subject of widespread protests and criticism. The 100 metres height criterion would have rendered 90 percent of the small hills of the Aravalli Ranges and low lying areas without the protection of the environmental laws, which are ecologically essential for preventing further desertification and recharging ground water.

The SC had in its 20 Novenber order had simply without applying it’s mind accepted the recommendations of the Union Ministry of Environment , Forest and Climate Change on the definition of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges to protect the world’s oldest mountain system.

The Committe had recommended that “Aravalli Hills ” be defined as any landform in designated Aravalli dtstricts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief , and an ” Aravalli Range” will be a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other. This narrow definition ecologists, environmentalists the affected ordinary people pointed out will open up lage areas of the ecologically fragile moutain ecosystem to mining and real estate development which have already caused irreparable damage .

The Union Goverment it was further pointed out made the new narrow definition of hills and ranges without any scientific and ecological studies or public consultation. Therefore if the new definition was accepted it will destroy large parts of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges through granite and sand mining and real estate development environmentalists argued.

According to eminent Environmentalist Bhavreen Kandhari the manner in which illegal mining has been going on in the Aravallis is an administrative and governance failure.” The judicial intervention was much needed. It is a welcome step by the Supreme Court of India to stay its earlier order , but it is important that the committee which is going to be formed should have ecologists , environmentalists and not just bureaucrats “, shed added.

Neelam Ahluwalia of the ”  People for Aravalli ” , described the SC stay of its own order is interim win. ” What we actually demand is that the Union and state governments ban all mining in the Aravallis . We need a completely detailed , independent assessment  comulative of the entire range , on people’s health and the ecosystem to determine how much of the Aravalli has already been destroyed ! ” she demanded.

Ecological restoration practitioner , Vijay Dhasmana said there are two lobbies , the mining and real estate which are pressing for a new definition of the Aravallis . However , the fact remains that geological features of the Aravallis have not been defined yet. The mining and real estate lobies strongly belive what is good for their profit is also good for the Aravallis !

The SC order staying its  own order  on Aravallis made on the advise of the Union Ministry of Environment have to be viewed very positively by the people of the country . For one in recent times the Supreme Court’s and High Courts have been very reluctant to go against the government even when it’s orders have been causing unavoidable hardships to the people .

In the 80s and 90 we witnessed the Supreme Court and High Courts taking suo moto action on issues of public interest and even when individual freedoms are in danger. The Aravalli stay order shows that the SC had an open mind on matters of public interest.

Considering the Aravalli Hills and Ranges have been subjected to unbridled human greed for decades now one can only hope that SC will.also appoint a Monitoring Committe to ensure that it’s orders are executed in the letter and spirit.

The post The Supreme Court becomes Pro-People on Aravalli Hills and Ranges appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

With the overall GDP valued at USD 4. 18 trillion, India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy and is poised to displace Germany from the third rank in the next three years with a projected GDP of USD 7.30 trillion by 2030. The growth momentum is a healthy indicator with the GDP expanding to a six-quarter high in the second quarter of 2025-26, reflecting India’s resilience in the midst of persistent global trade uncertainties. Domestic drivers-led by robust private consumption-played a pivotal role in supporting this growth.

Doing a deep dive of the growth indices its quite obvious that 2025 was India’s “Goldilocks Moment” which is a period characterized by high growth and low inflation. As per the ministry of statistics and program implementation, in the second quarter of the Financial year 2025-26, India’s real GDP grew by 8.2%, up from 7.8% in the first quarter and 7.4% in the last quarter of 2024-25. The Reserve Bank of India has revised the growth forecast for 2026-27 to 7.3%, from its earlier estimate of 6.8%.  The key drivers that would fuel the GDP growth are robust domestic demand, rationalization of GST and Income tax, softer crude oil prices and ongoing economic reforms. The other factors that would influence the economic growth are as follows.

Easing Consumer Price Index Inflation:

Consumer price index (CPI) is the change in the price of a basket of goods and services that are typically purchased by specific groups of households. CPI inflation softened to 0.71% in November 2025 from 4.26% in January 2025. In 2025, India experienced an overall benign inflation environment, wherein the general increase in prices is moderate and slow, with an average of 2.5%. Controlling the CPI inflation and maintaining it within the range of 1% and 3% would boost the confidence of corporates to take long term decisions with respect to investment. This would also enable consumers to rationalize heir spending.

Falling Unemployment Rates

According to the ministry of labour and employment the unemployment rate reduced to 4.7% in November 2025 from 5.2% in October 2025, making it the lowest since April 2025. The key challenge for the government in the ensuing financial year would be to maintain the unemployment rate between 3.0 to 4.5%, facilitating the job seekers to find employment without causing inflation in wages.

Trade Performance:

As per the ministry of Trade and Commerce, in January 2025, Indias foreign trade commenced on a solid footing with total exports (merchandise and services combined) valued at $:74.97 billion, registering a growth of 9.2% over January 2025. The cumulative exports in the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26 reached $: 210.31 billion (up by 5.94%) versus same period last year. These early and mid-year trends were clear indicators of steady export expansion and diversified external demand across various sectors.

These early and mid-year trends demonstrated steady export expansion and diversified external demand   However the share of merchandise exports and its growth to the total exports needs to show significant improvement in the next financial year, in order to fuel the overall economic growth. Merchandise exports expanded to US$ 38.13 billion in November, 2025 compared to US$ 36.43 billion in January 2025, with a growth of 4.7%, whereas the service sector exports registered a growth of 8.65%. More focus on broadening the scope of the merchandise exports with impetus on electronic and engineering goods would be the key in this direction. India had broadened its global footprint by strengthening the trade partnerships with countries like United Kingdom, New Zealand, Oman and Jordan recently. Merchandise exports to these markets would play a pivotal role in boosting the nation’s overall foreign trade.

Rationalize Imports:

Concrete and positive policy measures are warranted to rationalize the imports in order to reduce the Current Account Deficit of the nation. Gold which is ideally a non-essential commodity accounts for 13% of the total imports of the country, which is second to Petroleum, which accounts for 31%. While petroleum is a highly essential commodity that meets the nation’s energy needs, gold hardly adds value to the economy. Curbs on the import of gold is highly warranted as it’s a drain on the foreign exchange reserves, resulting in higher current account deficit and weakening of Indian rupee.

Author is a member of the Loka Kerala Sabha

The post Indian Economy: Prospects and Challenges appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Following the success of its second edition in 2024—which trained 100 young men and women in diplomacy and leadership—the programme continues to serve as a vital platform for connecting Omani youth with international organizations and forums. Participants gained valuable insights into the core principles and mechanisms of the United Nations, boosting their ability to contribute to both regional and global dialogues.

Hilal bin Saif Al Siyabi, Director General of Youth at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, stated that the Youth Ambassadors Programme stands as a flagship annual initiative reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to youth development. He noted that the increasing number of applicants, from 75 participants in the first edition to 100 in the second, reflects its growing popularity and impact.

For 2025, the programme targets 120 participants, with 21 seats allocated to youth from Gulf and Arab countries—most of which have already expressed initial approval to join. The expanded cohort aims to foster deeper cross-cultural dialogue and international collaboration.

Key highlights of the 2025 edition include:

• High-level meetings between youth and diplomatic leaders
• Training sessions conducted in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
• A Model United Nations (MUN) simulation exercise
• Opportunities to represent Oman at regional and international events

The Model United Nations simulation will bring together approximately 100 young participants alongside representatives from government entities, private sector organizations, academia, international bodies, and entrepreneurs. During the simulation, participants will role-play as diplomats representing various countries within simulated UN bodies such as the General Assembly, Security Council, and Economic and Social Council.

Through structured debates, negotiations, and resolution drafting, participants will address pressing global issues affecting youth—including peace and security, human rights, climate change, food security, and economic development. The sessions will strictly follow official UN procedural rules, offering participants a realistic and enriching diplomatic experience.

Eligibility and Application Process

Applicants must be Omani nationals aged 18 to 29, in good health, and committed to fully engaging with the programme’s activities and schedules. Preference will be given to individuals who have not participated in previous editions. The initial phase of selection will be conducted electronically.

The Ministry has also emphasized fair representation across all governorates based on data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information and aims to maintain gender balance among participants. Applicants are required to complete all questions in the registration form to be considered for the selection process.

The post Muscat to Host 2025 Youth Ambassadors Programme, Expanding Regional Participation and Global Engagement appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

This marks the third major supply agreement ADNOC Gas has signed with a leading Indian energy company in the past 12 months. The company already supplies LNG to Indian Oil Corporation and GAIL India, reinforcing its role in supporting India’s energy security.

In a statement, ADNOC Gas emphasized that the agreement further strengthens its global presence, particularly in the high-demand Asian LNG market.

Fatema Al Nuaimi, CEO of ADNOC Gas, stated:
“This milestone highlights ADNOC Gas’ capability to reliably meet the growing global demand for LNG and supports India’s goal to raise the share of natural gas to 15% of its primary energy mix by 2030.”

The LNG for HPCL will be supplied from ADNOC Gas’ Das Island liquefaction facility, which currently has a production capacity of 6 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa).

Das Island is one of the world’s longest-operating LNG plants and has shipped more than 3,500 LNG cargoes globally since it began operations.

The post ADNOC Gas Signs 10-Year LNG Supply Deal with Hindustan Petroleum appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

A passionate music educator and devoted mentor, Ms. Jackson made a profound impact on generations of students and colleagues during her long and dedicated tenure at the school. She joined ISAS on August 11, 2006, and over the past 19 years, became a pillar of the institution — admired for her creativity, warmth, and unwavering dedication to her students’ growth, both academic and personal.

In February 2025, Ms. Jackson was diagnosed with cancer and returned to India for treatment. Despite her illness, she remained hopeful and stayed closely connected with her ISAS family, who continued to offer love, support, and prayers.

“She was more than just a teacher — she was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration,” shared one of her colleagues. “Her passion for music and education, her gentle demeanor, and her compassionate heart touched everyone who knew her.”

The ISAS community and the Indian School Board of Directors extend their heartfelt condolences to Ms. Jackson’s family and loved ones during this time of profound loss. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

The post Indian School Al Seeb Mourns the Loss of Beloved Educator Ms. Lekha Jackson appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

The answer lies in how the tokens are legally classified — whether as real estate assets or virtual assets under UAE law.

“If classified as real estate, commercial tokens may be subject to 5% VAT, while residential tokens could be exempt,” said Vlad Skibunov, Partner at Dhruva Consultants.

On the other hand, if treated as virtual assets, the issuance and secondary trading of tokens may fall under the VAT regime applicable to financial services, potentially qualifying for exemption or zero-rating.

Rental Income and Platform Fees Also Under Scrutiny

As Skibunov explains, rental income generated from tokenized properties would add to investor returns. Therefore, it’s important to determine whether such income and platform service fees fall under real estate transactions or financial services for VAT purposes.

Crypto Investments Currently Outside UAE Tax Scope

The UAE government recently confirmed that virtual asset investments like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will not be taxed, which has further fueled interest in the crypto sector. Property tokenization is now becoming a part of this growing investment mix.

Advisory to Developers and Investors

“Developers and buyers must factor VAT obligations into their agreements from the outset,” Skibunov emphasized. This would help avoid unexpected costs and ensure full legal compliance.

The post Will Property Token Investments in the UAE Attract VAT? Depends on Legal Classification appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

In Dhofar Governorate, particularly along the coastal strip and nearby mountainous regions, skies will remain partly to fully cloudy, with the presence of low clouds, fog, and occasional light drizzle.

Meanwhile, thunderstorm activity continues to develop over the Sea of Oman, with storm cells moving south-southeast, potentially impacting Muscat and South Al Batinah.
Further thunderstorm cells originating over the Arabian Sea are currently affecting parts of Al Wusta Governorate and Masirah Island, with meteorological models indicating continued activity in the coming hours.

Authorities advise residents and motorists in affected areas to remain cautious due to potential low visibility, slippery roads, and localized flooding.

The post Cloud Formations and Thunderstorm Activity Expected Across Several Governorates appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

These projects aim to enhance the quality of services offered to citizens, residents, and visitors, while improving interconnectivity between residential areas, boosting urban and economic development, and enhancing traffic safety across the governorate.

Widespread Road Works Across Wilayats

According to His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohsen Al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, several key road initiatives are underway or nearing completion across multiple wilayats, including Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, Sadah, Shaleem and the Hallaniyat Islands, Thumrait, Maqshan, Al Mazyouna, Rakhyut, and Dhalkut.

In Salalah, over 161 kilometers of internal roads are being paved in residential neighborhoods, with a project cost exceeding RO 9 million. Additionally, the dualisation of Sultan Qaboos Street is in progress, currently 22% complete, with a total investment of RO 16.3 million.

Key Projects Underway

Other ongoing infrastructure projects highlighted by Dr. Al Ghassani include:

• Paving of 40 km of internal roads and dualisation of Thumrait Street, including installation of decorative lighting, costing over RO 3 million.
• Roadworks in Taqah, spanning 32 km across plain and mountainous terrain, with an estimated cost of RO 1.7 million.
• In Mirbat, the paving of 20 km of roads is underway at RO 995,000, alongside the Mirbat Street dualisation project, valued at RO 1.96 million.
• A total of 50 km of internal roads are under development across Sadah, Shaleem, Hallaniyat Islands, Rakhyut, Dhalkut, and Al Mazyouna.
• 15 km of internal roads are also being constructed in Maqshan.

Supporting Balanced Urban Development

Dr. Al Ghassani emphasized that these projects are part of a broader government strategy to enhance public services, support balanced urban development, and improve the living standards of residents across all wilayats of Dhofar.

He noted that the Municipality continues to adopt a participatory approach, incorporating local community needs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of municipal services across various development sectors.

The post Dhofar Municipality Undertakes Road Projects Worth Over RO 36 Million Aligned with Oman Vision 2040 appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

The agreement was formalized during an official meeting in Manila between Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.

Expanding Bilateral Cooperation

Beyond the signing of the agreement, the ministers held in-depth discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, including the economy, scientific collaboration, and other strategic fields. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and expressed their intent to finalize several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and pursue future agreements to deepen collaboration.

The two sides also agreed to organize the second Oman–Philippines Investment Forum, scheduled to take place in Muscat next year, with the aim of fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.

Shared Regional Interests and Strategic Dialogue

On political and regional matters, the ministers exchanged views on developments of mutual concern, emphasizing the importance of ongoing cooperation in areas such as knowledge exchange, skills development, and enhanced engagement between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Oman’s Humanitarian and Diplomatic Role Recognized

Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro extended appreciation for Oman’s humanitarian efforts in facilitating the recent release of sailors from the MV Galaxy Leader, who had been detained in Yemen. She also commended Oman’s fair treatment of Filipino workers and praised the country’s balanced and principled foreign policy under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

The post Oman and the Philippines Sign Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for Diplomatic Passport Holders appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Zelo, which originally launched in August 2020, offers receivables-based financing to help SMEs bridge working capital gaps. The platform provides digital-first liquidity solutions by converting approved invoices into cash within 24 to 48 hours, offering a much-needed alternative to traditional banking channels.

A Lifeline for SMEs

The acquisition comes at a critical time when SMEs across the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to face delays of 60 to 120 days in receiving payments on approved invoices—hindering their cash flow and limiting operational flexibility.

“While SMEs represent over 95% of the UAE’s registered businesses and contribute more than half of the national GDP, access to timely financing remains a major challenge,” said IHC in a statement.

“Zelo is addressing this gap by offering fast, invoice-backed loans that empower business continuity and growth.”

IHC’s Strategic Move

Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of IHC, emphasized the importance of this move:

“SMEs are the backbone of a diversified and future-ready economy. Through our acquisition of Zelo, we’re proud to back a platform that removes one of the biggest barriers facing SMEs—timely access to working capital.”

Private Credit Gaining Ground

With bank lending rates still elevated, private credit has become increasingly important for businesses of all sizes. In a similar development, Sukna Capital in Saudi Arabia launched a new fund this week to expand alternative financing options for SMEs and startups.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region currently faces an estimated $250 billion SME credit gap, making platforms like Zelo instrumental in addressing this financial shortfall.

The post IHC Acquires eFunder, Rebrands It as ‘Zelo’ to Boost SME Financing in UAE and Saudi appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

While the tariff threat isn’t aimed specifically at Indian firms, it has nonetheless triggered serious concern among major Indian pharma exporters and their shareholders.
“Several top Indian pharmaceutical companies—such as Syngene, Gland Pharma, Biocon, Dr. Reddy’s, Zydus Lifesciences, and Aurobindo—generate over 40% of their total revenues from the US market,” said Milan Vaishnav, founder of ChartWizard.ae.
“This level of dependence makes them particularly vulnerable to any sudden trade-related policy shifts,” he added.

Market Reaction and Investor Anxiety

India’s benchmark Sensex index showed only a modest decline in early trading, down by 141 points or 0.17% as of 9 a.m. UAE time. However, investor unease is evident—especially among UAE-based NRIs with sizable holdings in Indian equities, particularly in pharma stocks.

India is currently progressing toward a comprehensive trade agreement with the US, which could ease overall tariff burdens. However, it remains unclear whether Indian pharmaceutical exports will be included in the agreement’s scope.

“Indian generic medicines account for a significant share of affordable drugs for American consumers, playing a key role in reducing healthcare costs,” Vaishnav noted.
“Implementing such punitive tariffs could disrupt global pharmaceutical supply chains and result in higher drug prices for US patients.”

He warned that both countries have a strategic healthcare partnership at stake, and undermining it could have far-reaching implications for the industry and public health.

Performance of Key Pharma Stocks

So far in 2025, the stock performance of Indian pharma firms heavily reliant on US exports has been underwhelming:

• Biocon: +5.87% YTD
• Gland Pharma: +4.73% YTD
• Zydus Lifesciences: Flat
• Aurobindo Pharma: –14.87% YTD
• Syngene: –25.46% YTD

This lackluster performance highlights broader investor caution amid growing geopolitical and trade uncertainties, especially as US policy continues to evolve during an election year.

The post Indian Pharma Stocks Under Pressure After Trump’s 200% Tariff Threat appeared first on The Gulf Indians.