Trump to Block Refugees, Restrict Muslim Visitors Indian Culture And
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Indian culture Trump to block Celta Vigo kick and nostalgia on refugees, restrict Real Madrid out Kuwait’s6 streets Muslim10 visitors of47 Copa del Rey Min 13º Max 23º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 17123- Friday, January 27, 2017 SEE PAGE 3 Local FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2017 Local Spotlight PHOTO OF THE DAY Save animals! By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] like to believe that most of us are kind to defenseless Ianimals, that our humanity dominates and that we all recognize the great responsibility of being kind and humane to all living things. Yet, what I want to believe and the reality are, sadly, seldom in agreement. Across the globe, there are those who abuse and harm animals, especially domesticated pets like dogs and cats, without remorse. Recently a short video popping up all over social media showed a western woman furious at the neglect of a small dog that was abandoned in a garbage bin. The pup had been left to die. The woman found the dog thrown in with the trash suffering from extreme cold and diarrhea. In the video she is clearly incensed at KUWAIT: Youth from Kuwait take part in an annual pearl diving expedition aimed at re-enacting Kuwait’s pearling her- the vendors who threw the pet when it became sick, itage and preserving the tradition. — File photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat rather than pay for the cost of a vet. It was a ghastly incident that surely reflects the lack of humanity , awareness and ignorance in dealing with pets. I already know the ready-made answer some people here will give. They argue that harming an animal is nothing, compared with the harm being Pearl traders done to humans and no one cares.... But this is the ugliest of excuses. I believe that anyone who is considering owning a pet for himself or his family should first consider the Once a pillar of Kuwait’s economy work and consequences. Are they are capable of taking care of a pet with the same love and care as a human? If By Sara Al-Mukhayzim scales for measuring the exact weight of a pearl, and mag- the answer is no, then better to let go of the idea. nifiers for determining the quality and grade. Because a living organism needs full care the same as a KUWAIT: In old Kuwait, the traditional ‘Tawash’ (pearl These tools were carried in a ‘Dasta’ - a toolkit which is human being. It can easily get sick and tired and will traders) used to play a key role in the economic activity usually red and one meter long, he said. certainly grow older and stop being the adorable pup- which relied heavily on pearl diving. A Tawash could become very wealthy if he was able to py or kitten it once was. Anyone who adopts a pet has a The Kuwaiti pearl traders gained success and fame get ‘dana’ a big pearl such as the well-known Bin Yaqout’s responsibility to treat it with care and kindness. Not to across south Asia, particularly in the Indian subcontinent, dana which was sold for 110,000 rupees in Bahrain and due to their sincerity and professionalism. They were Sayed Al-Refai’s dana which was bought by the Kuwaiti mention we all have a moral responsibility in front of known for their expertise in assessing the pearl grading trader Hilal Al-Mutairi for 45,000 rupees. When compared Allah for the humane treatment of every living thing. and pricing in the main commercial centers whether in with divers, Tawashes used to lead a more comfortable life, Another issue is when people buy pets for the sake Bahrain - the hub of pearl trade in the Arabian Gulf, and eat better, have larger boats and get higher, sometimes of image. It is very sad to see some people exploiting Mumbai, India. astronomical, wealth, Al-Shamlan went on. animals, buying them just to show off on social media This craft entails a lot of travel and movement between Tawashes used to take sheep on their boats and slaugh- and then dumping them when they realize pets actually the key pearl diving centers and the main markets, said Saif ter them upon arrival at the pearl diving sites to offer their require love and work. Marzouq Al-Shamlan, a Kuwaiti historian. meat to divers as gifts which helped cement the cordial Kuwaiti pearl traders used to tour aboard their private business relationship with them. Tawashes usually had con- There is a law that prohibits the import of exotic ani- ships the main pearl diving areas in the territorial waters of tracts with a number of divers; they visited the diving sites mals for private ownership but when an animal is simi- Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and sometimes Oman to buy pearls one month after the divers go there in order give the divers lar to another animal which is legally permitted, some before setting sail to the commercial markets in Bahrain enough time to pick the pearls. They also took some of people take the opportunity to sneak banned animals and India. their children along in order to train them on this business. into the country! An animal expert is needed at customs Darin, a town in Al-Ahsaa served as a main hub for the In Al-Qafal (the return trip) the Tawashes and their who can examine the animals before accepting what pearl trade where traders used to gather to strike deals and divers come back to Kuwait with the pearls in one flotilla; the paperwork says. discuss the affairs of the market, he said. they take some time to rest before started a farther journey In Kuwait we have a Law No. 112 of 2015 regard- In Bahrain and Mumbai, they, as wholesalers, stuck deals to sell the pearls on the regional markets. This shows that on selling their precious products to retailers from the Gulf many families depended for livelihood on this business ing animals. The law was approved by the National region, India and Europe, Al-Shamlan pointed out. which played an essential role in the economy of old Assembly and established technical requirements Dealing with Tawashes’ tools, he said they used to have Kuwait.— Kuna and regulations to protect animals from abuse or mistreatment. Even so the abuse and mistreatment of animals in Kuwait continues. Why doesn’t the environmental police - the authority charged with protecting animal welfare in Kuwait - check the places where animals are sold and where animals are kept like the pet souq at the Friday markets? Come summer time, we always see a surge in aban- doned animals as people leave Kuwait - either for holi- day or for good - and dump their responsibilities. We should support animal rights groups in Kuwait and also report any social media where animals are being abused or sold. Protecting animal welfare starts Tawashes' tools box. — KUNA photos Scales for measuring the exact weight of a pearl. with each of us in our community. FRIDAY 27 JANUARY 2017 Local Ambassador Jain reads out Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's address. Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain and embassy officials during the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Indian embassy yesterday. — Photos by Sajeev K Peter Indian embassy celebrates Republic Day By Sajeev K Peter community over the last one year," noted the ambassador in his to curb such incidents in the area," he said. brief address. He said the strength of the community is steadily "According to official estimates, approximately 29,000 Indians KUWAIT: The Indian Embassy in Kuwait yesterday celebrated growing in Kuwait with the number touching 950,000-mark today. are in Kuwait without valid documents or residency papers. The India's 68th Republic Day, one of the most significant days on Referring to the government's proposal to reduce the number of embassy is in discussion with the authorities in facilitating the India's national calendar. Hundreds of Indian nationals including expatriate population in the country as part of the demographic repatriation of these people to India," he said. children and women joined Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain and balancing, he said, "I have received assurances from the higher The ambassador said his tenure as the ambassador of India to embassy officials to celebrate the occasion in an atmosphere of joy authorities that our community will not be harmed in any circum- Kuwait has been extended for one more year. The consular servic- and patriotic passion. The embassy put on a festive look with its stances." He expressed his gratitude to His Highness the Amir, His es in the embassy have improved over the last three years. premises adorning tri-color balloons. Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Premier and the However, he admitted that there is still room for improvement. He At a colorful open-air ceremony held on the embassy premises, people of Kuwait for the continuous support and encouragement said the embassy has issued up to 6,000 emergency certificates Ambassador Jain hoisted the national flag at 9 am commemorat- to the community. last year. The non-resident Indians can change their old banknotes ing the date and moment when the constitution of India came "However, this comes with a responsibility. As a law-abiding of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 in India until June 30, 2017 in the aftermath into effect in 1950. Top diplomats, embassy officials, Indian com- community, we have to always respect the law of the land and of demonetization of the Indian banknotes by the government, he munity members and media attended the flag-hoisting ceremony.