Qatar urged to release
two Indian fishermen

The India-based South Asian Fishermen Fraternity (SAFF) has appealed to the Qatari authorities to release two fishermen from Bahrain, who were caught by local coastguards while fishing in the country’s waters recently.

In a statement the forum said Soosa Raj Mealpillai and Yembalan were taken into custody by the coastguards as they entered Qatar’s territorial waters.

The incident took place on October 16, according to a SAFF official. The arrested fishermen, SAFF said, are now lodged in Dukhan.

 

Jeweller unveils glittering Diwali promotion

Malabar Gold & Diamonds has announced many attractive offers as part of the company’s promotion for Diwali.

Customers will get opportunities to win up to 10kg of gold. They could also get 7,000 gold coins as free gifts during the festive season.

Diwali starts with Dhanteras when most Indian communities begin their financial year. The first day of the five-day festival is considered to be an auspicious day to buy gold and diamond jewellery. It is generally believed that such purchases would bring good fortune and luck to customers. This year, Dhanteras and Diwali fall on November 1 and 3 respectively.

To mark the occasion the jeweller is providing their customers a chance to win 250g of gold every week on every purchase of jewellery worth QR1,000 through weekly raffle draws. The jeweller has unveiled a unique collection of diamond and uncut diamond jewellery at attractive prices. Customers can also get gold coins as free gifts against the purchase on the special Diwali jewellery.

The customers also get an opportunity to buy 8g of gold coin from any of Malabar Gold & Diamonds outlets. The company said no “making” charges need to be paid.

The company is also offering customers ‘zero deduction’ facility by which they can exchange 22ct old gold ornaments purchased in the GCC with new designs by paying only the “making” charges ensuring that they don’t lose any value on the rate of gold during this period. This offer is valid until November 3.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds also gives their customers the advantage of using their 0% easy payment plan for three to six months on credit card purchases, in association with leading banks.

 

SEC issues booklet on education statistics

The Supreme Education Council (SEC) has issued the Booklet of the Annual Education Statistics for the years 2011 and 2012. The booklet includes figures and key statistic indications on the education process that embraces various schooling stages including pre-school, primary, preparatory and secondary education. The statistics were classified according to the types of education: public, independent, evening education, private and special needs education. The figures also include data covering the number of schools, students, teachers, staff and classes, the average number of students in each class and school and other facts. The booklet aims to provide decision-makers, policymakers as well as researchers with accurate educational statistics.