Embassy of India, Riyadh
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Embassy of India, Riyadh |
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List of invitees to the Ghazal Nite on 8.5.2008
PRESS RELEASE The Embassy of India in Riyadh will be organizing a Ghazal Evening “Shaam-e-Ghazal” by renowned Ghazal singers Ahmed Hussain, Mohammed Hussain, Mohammed Vakil and Group. The programme will be held at the International Indian School (Girls Section) auditorium at 8.00 pm on May 8, 2008 (Thursday). The programme is for Indian nationals and invitation cards are available at the Embassy, free of charge. Those interested should fax their requests with names and valid Iqama copies alongwith their contact numbers (mobile/Tel) to the Embassy Fax No.01-4884750/4884713. The cards will be issued on “first-come-first-served” basis. Children below 12 years are not allowed. The last date for receipt of requests is May 3, 2008.The list of invitees will be displayed on the Embassy website : www.indianembassy.org.sa
April 29, 2008
Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children - 2008
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs introduced a Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) in 2006, to assist Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in pursuing Under Graduate courses in Higher and Technical fields in India. Under this Programme, 67 PIO/NRI students were granted scholarship during the academic year 2006-07 while 81 students were granted scholarship in the next academic year.
The following are the highlights of the SPDC-2008, which has been announced:
100 scholarships are being offered for Undergraduate courses in disciplines including Engineering/Architecture/ Technology, Humanities/ Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management - BBA/BBM, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture/Animal Husbandry, Sciences, Law etc. The Programme is open only to PIOs/NRIs from the specified 40 countries having a larger concentration of Indian Diaspora. 50% of the scholarship would be reserved for PIOs. However, in the event of non-availability of suitable PIO candidates, the unfilled slots could be assigned to NRI candidates. NRI candidates would be eligible for the grant of scholarship only if their total family income does not exceed an amount equivalent to US $ One thousand and five hundred (US $ 1, 500) Children of NRIs should have pursued at least three years of education inclusive of 11th & 12th or equivalent (not beyond), in a foreign country during the last six years, and have passed the qualifying examination abroad. The last date for receipt of duly filled in prescribed application form by Ed.CIL is 4th April 2008. Candidates would be selected on the basis of a common entrance test to be conducted by Ed.CIL on 18th May, 2008 at your Mission/Post. Exact timings would be intimated by Ed.CIL. The candidates would also have to fulfill the entire criterion prescribed for the purpose. The amount of scholarship admissible would be 75% of Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) or US $ Three thousand six hundred (US $ 3,600), whichever is less. IEC includes Tuition fee, Hostel fee & other institutional charges.
Further details on: www.edcil.co.in www.educationindia4u.nic.in
The National School of Drama, an autonomous body under Ministry of Culture, Government of India is inviting application from desirous candidates for admission to a three-year Diploma course in Dramatic Arts for the academic session 2008-09. The final interview/workshop of the candidates is likely to be held in second week of June, 2008. Necessary arrangements would be made at the Embassy for conducting the written test. For getting more information the website www.nsd.gov.in may be visited. The contact details of National School of Drama is given below:
National School of Drama
Republic Day 2008 On the occasion of the Republic Day, Ambassador of India, Shri M.O.H. Farook hoisted the National Flag at 0830 Hrs on Saturday, the 26th January, 2008 in the Embassy of India, B-1, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh. All Indian nationals were cordially invited to attend the function. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award -Guidelines Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) was introduced in 2003 to recognize the achievements of the Indian Disapora. Every year a maximum of 15 overseas Indians are conferred with PBSA by the President, Vice-President or Prime Minister depending upon the availability of these dignitaries, during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD). PBS Award shall be conferred on a Non-Resident Indian, Person of Indian origin or an organization or institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin, who has made (a) significant contribution towards better understanding abroad of India and support to India’s causes and concerns in a tangible way; (b) significant contribution for the welfare of diaspora; (c) notable contribution in philanthropic and charitable work and for social and humanitarian causes in India and abroad; (d) significant contribution in building closer links between India and its diaspora in the economic, cultural and scientific fields; (d) eminence in one’s field for outstanding work which has enhanced India’s prestige in the country of residence; or (e) eminence in his skills which has enhanced India’s prestige in that country (for non-professional workers). Nominations for the Award could be made through Heads of Indian Diplomatic Missions abroad, Chairman of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Prominent Overseas associations with nation-wide character as may be decided by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and awardees of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. The last date for receipt of nominations in the prescribed proforma in the Ministry for PBSA 2008 is November 7, 2007. The nomination form and other details are available on the MOIA website, www.moia.gov.in Outsourcing of Passport and Visa Services The Embassy of India, Riyadh intends to outsource its passport and visa services for its Missions in Riyadh and Jeddah to competent service providers. For this purpose, the Embassy wishes to shortlist qualified agencies preferably with at least one year experience in this field. Details of the proposal may be seen at the Embassy’s website: www:indianembassy.org.sa and Consulate General of India, Jeddah’s website : www.cgijeddah.com . Interested agencies may send their expression of interest as per the requirements mentioned in the detailed proposal along with experience profile to the Embassy in Riyadh for Eastern and Central regions and to the Consulate General of India for Western region, Jeddah respectively by 30 September, 2007.
Pre-qualifications of Agencies for Outsourcing of Passport and Visa Services by Embassy of India, Riyadh and Consulate General of India, Jeddah.
The Embassy of India, Riyadh intends to pre-qualify agencies to assist the Embassy in processing applications (i) from Saudi nationals and foreign nationals resident in the Eastern and Central regions of KSA for issue of visa (ii) from Indian nationals for issue/ re-issue of Passports and the same outsourcing of visa and passport services by Consulate General of India, Jeddah for the areas falling under its jurisdiction in the Western region. The agency selected for the work will be responsible broadly for the following areas of work:-
i) Distribution of blank passport/visa application forms and relevant guidelines to be printed by the service provider;
ii) Collection and scrutiny of passport/visa applications along with all supporting documents and the prescribed fee;
iii) Depositing of applications along with passports with the Embassy and the Consulate respectively by quick and secure means and depositing the fee collected daily in a designated bank account of the Embassy.
iv) Capturing of the application data in an electronic format and transferring the same to the Embassy and Consulate respectively in a secure manner;
v) Collection of passports and supporting documents from the Embassy and the Consulate respectively and handing over/dispatch of the same to the applicants by secure and fast means;
vi) Ensuring confidentiality and security of all documents;
vii) Maintenance of an information desk to answer enquiries by visitors and to handle telephonic queries as well as an information service to handle queries by e-mail, post, facsimile or text message;
viii) Ensuring the above services are rendered to applicants in a speedy manner in comfortable conditions and within the stipulated time frame; and
ix) Scheduling of personal interviews of applicants with concerned Officers at the Embassy and the Consulate respectively whenever necessary.;
2. For rendering the above services, the agency would be required to establish collection centres in Riyadh, Dammam, Jubail, Hofuf, Qurayat, Arar, Buraidah, Hail, Hafr-al-Batin, Al Khafji, Afif, Al Jouf, Rafha and Wadi-al-Dawasir in the Eastern and Central regions and Jeddah, Abha, Al Baha, Bisha, Gizan, Madinah, Najran, Tabuk, Taif and Yanbu in the Western region. The Embassy and the Consulate may require the agency to establish more collection centres in the Eastern and Central regions and in the Western region respectively, if necessary. 3. The service provider should ensure that courteous, speedy and efficient service is rendered at all times and the turnaround time is kept to the bare minimum. The Embassy and the Consulate respectively reserves the right to monitor the quality of service being provided.
4.. Agencies preferably with one year’s experience in providing the above mentioned facilities may send their profiles and expression of interest along with other details including service fee to be charged from each applicant, for pre-qualification. These should be addressed to the Head of Chancery, Embassy of India, P.O. Box 94387, Riyadh-11693 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in respect of Eastern and Central Provinces and to the Head of Chancery, Consulate General of India, PO Box No. 952, Jeddah-21421 in respect of the Western region and sent so as to reach latest by 30 September,2007. The envelopes should be super-scribed “Outsourcing of Passport and Visa services”.
Riyadh
Date: 17 September, 2007.
Press Release The Embassy of India would like to take this opportunity to brief the esteemed media corps of Riyadh regarding various activities that have been undertaken by the Mission during the past one year. Ever since the historic visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in January 2006, a discernible momentum has been generated resulting in intensification of bilateral activities from both sides.
The Mission would also like to take this opportunity to brief the media regarding the forthcoming activities of the Mission.
The media would be well aware that recently the Special Envoy of the Indian Prime Minister for West Asia and the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP), Ambassador C.R. Gharekhan, had visited the Kingdom. During his visit he had detailed discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister, HRH Prince Saud al Faisal, Secretary General of National Security Council, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, and he also interacted with Saudi think tank, media and prominent Indians. The visit was very well received and the Saudi leadership was extremely appreciative that the Government of India has nominated a Special Envoy for MEPP. Special Envoy Gharekhan reiterated India’s firm and unwavering commitment towards its Arab brothers in general and to the cause of Palestine, in particular. We shall be seeing active involvement of our Special Envoy in the coming days as has also been indicated by the Saudi leadership. The Special Envoy conveyed the appreciation of the Government of India with regard to the role that had been played by Saudi Arabia particularly the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and categorically stated that the Arab Peace Plan, which was originally proposed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, should form the basis for a comprehensive and durable settlement.
The past year has also witnessed intense activity on the economic and commercial front. Our bilateral trade has touched a new high with US$ 5.5 billion. The period was marked by a number of delegations from both sides. The prominent ones being the visit of Investment Delegation from India in November last year; a 22-member delegation from Synthetic Export Promotion Council; a 20-member Small and Medium Enterprises delegation in December last year; a fertilizer delegation in May 2007 to discuss Indo-Saudi Joint Venture for a gas-based fertilizer plant in Saudi Arabia; a high-level agricultural delegation led by Chairman, Agricultural& Processed food products Export Development Authority (APEDA), recently, to name a few. From the Saudi side, the Health Minister led a delegation to India during which an MoU was signed to increase cooperation in the health sector; a 12-member GCC IT delegation in January this year; the 7th India-Saudi Joint Commission Meeting was held at New Delhi in January this year during which a 56-member Saudi business delegation accompanied the official delegation in addition to a 25-member IT delegation. The Mission too organised a number of economic and commercial activities that included a seminar on Indo-Saudi Trade and Economic Relations; a catalogue exhibition INDIA CATEX; and, Tourism Mart.
India marked its 60th Independence Anniversary with a number of activities and events. Two Indian Naval Ships – INS Rajput and INS Betwa – called at the Al Jubail Port in August; a Qawwali performance was organised by the Mission at Indian International School, Riyadh; the Indian Ambassador hosted a reception for the Indian community.
As a follow up to the Delhi Declaration signed during the landmark visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to India, the Government of Saudi Arabia launched King Abdullah Scholarship Programme for higher studies of Saudi students in Asian countries including India. The Mission made special efforts in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and showcased India’s prowess in the education sector. As India’s forte is technical, medical and related education fields, understandably, the Saudi students opted for courses in Computer Science, IT, computer related fields, engineering and medical-related fields. The Embassy is confident that the numbers shall certainly increase in the coming years.
In the cultural field, the past year was indeed eventful, during which a number of activities were arranged. These include two Mushaira programmes, Ghazal evening by a renowned artist and Qawwali programme.
The Embassy would like to present some of the events that are being planned in the coming days.
Promotion of Indian universities/ educational institutions: The Embassy will be facilitating visits by different universities/colleges to Saudi Arabia for disseminating information at the ‘Education Fair’ scheduled to be held in November this year. This will provide an excellent opportunity not only for Saudi students but also for Non-Resident Indian students desirous of pursuing higher studies. The Embassy also intends to visit prominent Saudi universities and make presentations on opportunities available in India in various fields of education explaining to the Saudi students as to why India should be a preferred destination for education.
Economic Activities: Launching of Saudi India Business Forum (SIBF) in November/December 2007. State Bank of India (SBI) shall be commencing its retail activities in Jeddah. We have also started negotiations for signing India-GCC Free Trade Agreement. The next round is scheduled to be held in Delhi. Business delegation comprising construction, Small and Medium Enterprises, Pharmaceuticals and IT sectors, Buyer Seller Meet (some time in the first week of December 2007). Medical Tourism Fair in January/February 2008. Business Seminar on “Future Prospects of Indo-Saudi Business Scenario”
Cultural Activities: Exhibition of Islamic artefacts and “Facets of India-Development and Progress” in January/February 2008.A Ghazal programme in mid-October 2007. An ‘India Week’ comprising cultural programme, grand Indian bazaar and Indian food festival in October 2007
Riyadh, 11th September, 2007
Implementation of Right to Information Act
In pursuant to the directives of Central Information Commission (CIC), it has been decided to implement the Right to Information (RTI) Act in this Mission. All information i.e. procedure of how to apply, fees, eligibility criteria etc. relating to RTI Act may be accessed at the website http://righttoinformation.gov.in/
All Indian nationals who may wish to seek information under RTI Act may address their applications to the following:-
Head of Chancery Public Information Officer Embassy of India Riyadh Tel. No. 00-966-1-4884144 Fax No. 00-966-1-4884750 E-mail: info@indianembassy.org.sa
Deputy Chief of Mission Appellate Authority Embassy of India Riyadh Tel. No. 00-966-1-4884144 Fax No. 00-966-1-4884750 E-mail: minister@indianembassy.org.sa
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) 2007
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) 2007 which is organised annually by Government of India will be held in New Delhi from 7-9th January, 2007.
All NRIs/PIOs who are interested in attending this event may visit the website www.pbd2007.org for detailed information viz. online registration, hotel bookings etc.
Changes in the Cabinet (29.01.06)
The following ministers were sworn in by the President at 1200 hours on Sunday, the 29th January 2006:-
CABINET MINISTERS
Click here to see complete list of the
Council of Ministers ‘DELHI DECLARATION’ SIGNED BY INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA (27.01.06)
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed the historic ‘Delhi
Declaration’, here today.
The following is
the
text
of
the ‘Delhi Declaration’:
“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held historic meetings
with the President of the Republic of India, His Excellency Dr.
A.P.J.Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His
Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh during his State visit to the Republic of
India from 24 – 27 January, 2006. The two sides exchanged views and had
in-depth discussions that touched upon the mutual interests of both
countries as well as the security, stability, peace and prosperity in
the whole region.
Government of India
launches Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme from 14.11.2005
Arabic version of the
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