Eid Celebration : Kokani Traditional Dishes

These are Kokani traditional dishes prepared for Eid celebration.

Sandan

Utensils use to prepare Sandan

Shirkurma

Ramazan Eid Mubarak

Wishing all Kokanis around a globe in advance Ramazan Eid Mubarak. Inshallah all our good deeds and prayers we perform during Ramazan are acceptable to Allah (swt).

Konkan Committee Eastern Province (Dammam-AlKhobar), Roze Iftaar Party - Report

Report shared by Brother Abid Khawar, 19^th August, 2011

Successful Iftaar cum dinner party was organized by Kokan Committee Eastern Province (Dammam-Alkhobar Branch) on Friday 19 August 2011. More than 300 kokaniz attended the party.

Kokan Committee Eastern Province is thankful to all those who contributed monetarily and physically to make this event successful.

We are also thankful to our Kokni brothers, who graced the occasion by attending in large numbers and created harmony and brotherhood amongst over selves (Kokan Committee Eastern Province-Dammam Alkhobar Branch).

Kokan Committee Riyadh, Roze Ki Iftari - Report

Thanks to Brother Abid Imam Khawar for sharing the Kokan Committee Riyadh, Roze Ki Iftari event report held on Friday 12^th August, 2011. Check the event pictures below after report.

Kokan Committee Riyadh (KCR) arranged a grand Roze Ki Iftari function on Friday 12^th August, 2011 in an Isterah near Exit 18 at outskirt of Riyadh.

The function was grand success where more than 850 kokni brothers gathered. Besides Riyadh many people came all the way from far away like Buraidha, Qasim and Al Kharj. Everyone was looking happy and expressing their happiness toward KCR, its Executive Committee members and coordinators for making such wonderful arrangement of bringing large number of Kokni brothers together. Kokani dishes were served for iftari and dinner. Many kokni brothers themselves came forward and contributed for this function without announcing their names. Even many families came forward and took responsibility of making Kokni dishes to serve for Iftari. The team of Brother Munawwar Pathan Chief Coordinator and many individuals took maximum initiatives and extended their whole hearted support in making perfect arrangement of this function.

The function commenced with Tilawate Quran by Moulana Zainul Abideen Nakhwa followed by Naat presentation by Moulana Arshad Deshmukh. When President Rafiq Rahiman Dalwai stood for giving his felicitation speech all Kokni brothers gave him big round of applause. In the beginning of his presidential speech he respectfully remembered those Kokani brothers who were with us previous year and passed away during this year. He along with all prayed for their maghferah. He continued his speech by emphasizing on importance of education and explained the aim of KCR to extend maximum financial support to needy Kokni students who wish to pursue their education. He further explained about the Educational Adoption Scheme (EASE) under which KCR adopted 158 Kokni students last year by paying their entire academic year fee against which the amount received under this scheme from Kokni brothers was for 68 students. This year the adoption of students by Kokni brothers reached to nearly 100. As more and more brothers are joining KCR and showing notable enthusiasm by adopting students. President said if same trend continues and if Allah Wishes then we will have no hesitation in adopting double number of students this year. On this every attendee clapped their hands in support. Brother Rafiq Dalwai gave credit of KCR success to his deputy Vice President Brother Tajammul Pangarkar, three executive members and number of Coordinators who are working untiring for this noble cause. Also he underlined that the financial support of members and otherKkokni brothers is most important factor for this achievement.

Before Iftari, Moulana Wajihuddin Parkar gave speech on the importance of Zakat, Fitra and support to needy. He spoke very elaborately in light of Quran and Hadees that was very informative and appreciated by everybody.

Chief Coordinator of KCR brother Munawar Pathan and his team of coordinators and other volunteers made perfect arrangement of Iftari where 850 guests sitting shoulder to shoulder and making iftari was a real village function scene.

After Iftari and Namaze Maghreeb a beautiful video clip presentation was shown to audience to explain the activities of KCR. This presentation was graphic designed by Brother Muzaffar Alsurkar, assisted by Abdullah Hunerkar and compiled by brother Tanveer Karbelkar. The vocal sound was provided by Brother Mushtaq Yusuf Dalvi. The presentation was such a wonderful that was displaying Kokan and its rich culture with full of greenery, hills, seashores, fruits, vegetables, animals and birds. On seeing many villages in this video clip audience was enthralled and openly admitted that KCR has given us real flavor of kokan today. Even many brothers came forward and requested CD of this presentation.

Check the video of Kokan and its beauty at http://konkantribune.blogspot.com/2011/08/konkan-kokan-and-its-beauty.html

There was question answer session hence many brothers came forward and asked their questions. Also many gave valuable suggestions. President Rafiq Dalwai and Vice President Tajammul Pangarkar answered all the question asked by members in very effective and convincing manner those were valued by all.

The Biryani was served for dinner. After dinner most of the crowd disbursed. Taraweeh arrangement was made at the venue for those who remained behind.

The comparing of entire function was done by brother Mushtaq Yusuf Dalvi. His professional style of presentation with inclusion of Sher-o-shayeri was flawless and hence was applauded by all.

President Rafiq Dalwai and Vice President Tajammul Pangarkar thanked all the Executives, Coordinators and individuals who extended their whole hearted support in making this function a grand success. They further said if we start taking name of those who extended their support the list will never end. Vice President categorically said the association of such helpful people can only make KCR proud. With this word of thanks the function reached to its end.

Konkan (Kokan) and its Beauty

Please spare some time to watch this video, as it nicely describes the beauty of Kokan region and its people lifestyle. The video is Compiled and Edited by Brother Tanveer Karbelkar, Dialogs and Graphics Designing by Brother Muzaffar Alsulkar and vocals by Brother Mushtaq Dalvi.

Jaitapur Nuclear project will be completed despite protests: Pawar

Source of News : Hindustan Times, 12 August, 2011

The Jaitapur nuclear project will come up in coastal Konkan despite opposition to it, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar today informed the state Legislative Council. The government has taken all precautionary measures to ensure all safety parameters are implemented, the minister said.

“We have taken the opinion of experts, including former Atomic Energy chairman Anil Kakodkar and all are supporting the project,” he said.

"No matter the opposition to it, the project will come up," Pawar said, replying to a debate initiated by opposition leader Pandurang Phundkar and others, who said the project is not viable at the present site.

A good package has been offered to the project affected people of Jaitapur, Pawar said.

The construction of the project will be so strong that even if an aircraft were to hit it, like the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, nothing will happen to it, he said.

As per marine life experts, there would no danger to marine life including fish, due to the project, Pawar said.

Earlier, project affected people received compensation of Rs 48,000 to Rs one lakh but now the government has increased the compensation amount manifold, he said. The government has also decided to provide job to project affected people, he added.

Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam said some agencies have submitted reports which are against the project. The project area is earthquake prone, he added.

Shiv Sena MLC Deepak Sawant asked if the French company Areva, involved in the project, was capable of building such a major project.

Read more at Hindustan Times nod : http://www.hindustantimes.com/Jaitapur-N-project-will-be-completed-despite-protests-Pawar/Article1-732629.aspx

Jeddah to have world’s tallest tower of 1000 m

The investment firm headed by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said on Tuesday it signed a 4.6 billion Riyal ($1.2 billion) deal with the Saudi Binladen Group to build the world's tallest tower.

Kingdom Holding Company said the more than 1000 m high Kingdom Tower to be built north of the Red Sea city of Jeddah, is part of the first phase of the planned Kingdom City.

The mega project, announced in 2008, is slated to cover a two-square mile area.

Kingdom Tower will include a hotel, serviced apartments, luxury condominiums and offices occupying 5.4 million square feet, KHC said.

The project is but one of several ambitious mega-ventures in the kingdom, Opec's top exporter, as it seeks to diversify its economic base from the crude oil that has fueled its growth for years.

It also reflects a continuation of the unstated race between the oil rich Gulf nations that are also pumping tens of billions of dollars into job creation and housing for their lower income residents.

Alwaleed's proposed skyscraper would shatter the record for Burj Khalifa, which opened in January 2010. That tower has 160 livable floors and rises 828m, making it not only the tallest building but also the tallest freestanding structure in the world.

By comparison, the tallest building in the United States, the Willis Tower in Chicago, stands at 442m, although counting its antenna towers it rises to 527m.

The One World Trade Centre tower being built in New York will measure 541m with its antenna spire. It's due for completion in 2013.

Dubai developer Nakheel had itself planned to build a tower more than 1km high in the city-state , but it shelved those plans in early 2009 as the global economic crisis soured demand for real estate in the emirate.

Source of News : Times of India, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/At-1000m-Jeddah-to-have-worlds-tallest-tower/articleshow/9463226.cms

Credit of Pictures : Arabian Business Newspaper, http://www.arabianbusiness.com/photos/revealed-first-images-of-saudi-s-kingdom-tower-413807.html

KCGC Madinah Meeting Report

Thanks to Brother Abid Imam Khawar for sharing the KCGC meeting report held on 28 and 29 July, 2011.

The historic event of KCGC was concluded on lots of positive note. The event was attended by various committees of Saudi Arabia with representatives of Qatar and other GCC countries. Day one (Thursday) was full of meetings between various representatives. The result of brain storming was revealed in the final meeting held from 7 pm until mid night. Permanent committee members were elected by the members present. Total 13 names were given. This committee was headed by Mr. Mujibulla Omar Duste (Valawta, Tal. - Mandangad, and Dist. - Ratnagiri) currently in Medinah and he was entrusted to elect under his supervision rest of the committee members.

Friday saw the birth of new committee. Friday being holy day and Medina being holy place we are all hopeful that Inshaallah the following committee members will give their best to serve the community cause. The tenure of this first committee will be 3 years.

The new committee resolves the following.

• Name adopted is “Kokan Council”

The agenda prioritized is :

1. Education.
2. Medical (Special Care Centers).
3. Hostel.
4. Free or Cheap accommodation service for Kokaniz at Makkah and Madinah.

One good thing emerged out of this meeting was unanimous acceptance to do something worth while and big for our community. This acceptance was not only with words but with firm financial commitment of INR 100,000 from a few members and also by so many other members according to their financial standing.

All above projects are highly capital intensive and needs careful analysis and feasibility before we jump into any of the projects. In order to head start it was decided to make feasibility on establishing coaching classes in various Kokan regions. In today’s educational environment coaching classes has become part of our educational system. Often we get request from parents back home mentioning their inability to afford these coaching classes due to high fees.

Some of the Kokani group or organization could not attend this meet either due to visa restrictions or non availability of time. However, immediate attention will be placed to contact these groups to get their consents. We will keep posting the latest development happening around Kokan Council.

FULL FLEDGE WEBSITE WILL BE LAUNCHED AT THE EARLIEST.

Monsoon Pictures - Raigad District

1st August, 2011

Continuously raining since few days even till yesterday (31 August, 2011) the region is blessed with heavy rain. The below are some latest pictures taken on Mumbai - Goa especially the flood water in Raigad district.