Asian tourism body launches region-wide travel index

SINGAPORE, July 13 (AFP) - The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on Friday co-launched a region-wide industry index to provide strategic information to policymakers and executives in the badly-hit sector. In a joint statement with payments giant MasterCard to announce the launch of the MasterIndex of Travel, PATA said the indicator was "specifically tailored to provide valuable information for the strategic planning needs of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries." "Amid the current global environment, the travel industry is changing rapidly," said John Koldowski, managing director of PATA's Strategic Intelligence Centre. "PATA is highly conscious of the challenges that confront the industry. The MasterIndex of Travel will deliver high quality information which will help travel operators make sound business decisions," he said. Covering 12 key regional economies, the index will provide six-month outbound forecasts twice a year in June and December. It will provide information relating to trends in the consumer and travel environments in the 12 markets covered as well as emerging trends, the statement said. The 12 economies included in the index are: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Tourism in the Asia-Pacific region has been severely affected by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis, the impact of which is still being felt despite a successful campaign to contain the viral epidemic. The September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States and the Bali bombings in October last year also caused a downturn in travel, but SARS was the worst crisis to hit the industry in decades.

Henry and Lucy: The Meeting

A short story by Andhu* It began as an afternoon like so many others. Henry noted a tickling in his nose from what appeared to be the waft of an overly ripe armpit. To imagine this sensation, we must depict a purple-brown tendril of smoke forming a hand at the end, its index finger stroking the man's nasal lining. His brain, unwilling to receive such hideous impulses, sent the horrid sensations via neurons to the pit of the man's belly, as it is oft wont to do. The titanic struggle not to retch began, a colossal battle between good and evil. Just when the little man overcame the greater urge, the source of the pang advanced upon him. Enter the fat wife in all her beauty, performing what seemed to be a grotesque ballet. Bile rising to his throat, the man still could not avert his eyes from the wobbling mass of rippling flesh that was his spouse. In a moment of impulse, he stretched out his foot. The lady, never once having seen the floor since her youth, could not have had a chance against this devious cunning on her husband's part. The shocked man gaped at what he had done as his wife took to the air for the first and last time in her life, her mouth resembling a rather large cave, crashing down on her neck with a resounding crack. The man, getting up too quickly, stumbled over his own foot, and landed heavily. Then there was the sensation of being shoved off an airplane. 'Where am I?' The first question one asks when faced with new surroundings. But no, Henry feared that would be too clich? and therefore asked: "What the hell?" What he was concerned about was not his language, but the dull, bleary view of the present environs, which, for some reason, appeared to have lost all its colour. Yes, he thought to himself, I'm smack dab in the middle of a grey desert, in my boxers and a vest. Suddenly, a brief flash of wisdom bloomed in his brain. Or it could have been the sensation of blisters forming on his feet. He took the example of that certain curious desert lizard and began hopping from one foot to another, though he had two, whereas the lizard had four. It was a distinct advantage in these circumstances. But perhaps he was not so wise, he realized, for it came to him that he was performing a peculiar dance in the sweltering heat with an endless desert around him, and not a drop of water to be seen. The thought of water down his throat inflamed a terrible thirst, and the exercise had begun to severely wear him down, though it had been perhaps no more than three minutes since he had started jogging on the spot. With the sun beating his heat mercilessly down on him, the prospect of no water (or any refreshment stands), and his state of extreme unfitness, Henry collapsed. To a sleep-sodden mind already slow to take in anything, the sudden appearance of a hulking figure – muscled to proportions the eye had trouble adjusting to, with the skin as rough, dry and horribly cracked, never mind it being red – would be a bucket of cold water. As the sharp smell of sulfur pierced his nose, Henry's sanity lurched. That was when he looked at the being's face. With a thin bridge for a horrible nose that was more of a snout, the creature's scarred lips were slightly parted, revealing sharp teeth. Dark, burning orbs of amber stared back at Henry, studying him it seemed. Henry opened his mouth to scream, but his vocal cords did not comply. "Hullo," said the thing. Henry found his voice. "No, no, there's nothing to be gained from that," said the thing sadly. Without any visible effort, the creature picked Henry up by the shoulders and set him on his feet. There were burns on Henry's shoulders where the creature had touched him. Let us forgive Henry, for he could not have noticed the flowery dress at first, as he was in a state of shock. Now he took it in, and it calmed him somehow. If he was mad, then this was not real. "Where the hell am I?" he asked again, forgetting his manners. "Er, well, yes," said th

Terrorism must end in Kashmir or no to SAARC summit: Vajpayee

NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has warned he would not attend a regional South Asian summit in Pakistan next month unless cross-border militancy stops in Kashmir. "I can consider going to the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit early next year provided infiltration and cross-border terrorism stops completely in Kashmir," Vajpayee told a news conference in this northern Indian city. India accuses Pakistan of pushing Islamic guerrillas into the Indian-administered zone of Kashmir, where a Muslim rebellion has left more than 37,500 people dead since 1989. Vajpayee also said that bilateral issues should not be raised up at the regional summit. "Pakistan does not like to talk on any other issue other than Kashmir and Kashmir is not a SAARC issue and so there is no point in discussing Kashmir at the summit," the prime minister said. Vajpayee said India's attendance at the summit also hinged on the SAARC making tangible progress in regional economic cooperation. "Pakistan has not acted on the recommendations in this area agreed upon in previous SAARC meetings," the prime minister said. SAARC has sought to forge two regional trade pacts, the SAARC Preferential Trade Agreement and the SAARC Free Trade Agreement, but India-Pakistan differences have hampered progress. India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, with a dispute over the Himalayan state of Kashmir sparking two of their three wars since then. India and Pakistan control parts of Kashmir and claim all of the scenic Himalayan region. Both sides until recently had hundreds of thousands of troops on their shared borders, sent there after the December 13 attack on the Indian parliament, which New Delhi blames on Pakistan-based militant groups. The South Asian regional club, which accounts for a third of the world's workforce, groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Cup Winners Cup, 1 May - New Radiant 0 - Victory 1 (Ali Haleem)

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Chili supplies dwindle in Male market as Thoddoo farmers turn to cucumber cultivation

MALE, May 15 (HNS) -- Chili supplies in the Male market are dwindling because farmers from Thoddoo island have turned to cucumber cultivation instead, according to suppliers. Thoddoo, in North Ari Atoll and famous for its production of watermelons and a host of other agricultural products, used to supply the capital of 70,000 people with an amount of 25,000 chilies on a daily basis earlier. At the time, combined with chilies from other islands, the price of a chili dropped to less than 50 Laari (cents). However, most farmers in Thoddoo have stopped chili cultivation and the island now delivers only about "two to three bags" of chili to Male daily, officials said. Thoddoo Island Chief Ibrahim Waheed told Haveeru that at any given time, Thoddoo people "preferred to cultivate the product which fetches the highest price in the prevailing markets." "Chili cultivation is a costly occupation. On top of that, it does not fetch us very good prices," he told Haveeru over telephone. "People have now turned to cultivating cucumber instead," he said. However, he said that a few farmers have returned to chili cultivation because prices of chili have risen again in the Male market due to the dwindling supply as a result of most Thoddoo farmers turning towards cucumber cultivation.

NEWSMAKERS: Niuma, Seezan under house arrest?

MALE, Oct 3 (HNS) - It's not gossip after all. Local film stars Ali Seezan and Niuma Mohamed are indeed under house arrest.The two were picked up together from a house by police, according to witnesses. Both stars are married (not to each other). Rumors abound on the morning of last Friday, and much speculation is now floating as to the future of some projects the two stars in. Seezan and Niuma have been the hot topic in entertainment circles since then as producers and directors, who are directly or indirectly affected, pondered: What to do next? EMA studio, where Seezan works, said that they would face "some difficulties" due to the fix Seezan is presently in. Both Seezan and Niuma have roles in a film EMA is producing. "Undoubtedly, we would have problems due to the unavailability of Seezan. But Niuma has completed all the requirements of the film," said Esa Shareef, a stakeholder in EMA. But the first film in which both stars will appear together is director Abdul Fathah's "Aanh… Aharen Ves Loabi Vin" ("Yes, I loved you, too") which is slated for release on October 10.However, Fathah is determined to complete the film against any odds. "I will complete it," he said firmly. "The only problems I'll face is that I won't be able to show on national TV ads that feature Seezan and Niuma. However, I'll compile some ads that feature the other stars in the film."Haveeru has been informed that since last Friday, any TV ads, songs or any scenes for that matter, are prohibited from screening on national television. Fathimath Nahula is another director who will be affected by Niuma's absence; Niuma is one of the stars of her film "Kalaa Aa Nulai" ("Without You") which Nahula is working on.Plus, there are numerous songs which feature Niuma and Seezan whose shooting has been postponed due to the mess they are in. Niuma was recently in the news when her husband forcibly cut her hair "from the roots" after an argument. The husband, who is also accused of beating Niuma occasionally, was convicted for the act.

Waste disposal sites ready for operation

MALE, May 18 (HNS) -- The waste disposal and incineration systems developed in the north and south of the country are ready for use and will become operational very soon, the planning ministry said. The ministry is in the process of selecting parties to do the waste disposal work at the two sites which were set up in Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuffushi island and Addu atoll Hithadhoo under the regional development plan. "Waste disposal work will be awarded to private parities on contract basis. We are in the process of selecting parties and a decision on this would be reached soon," the planning ministry said in written answers sent to Haveeru. The machinery needed for waste disposal and incineration have been send to Kulhudhuffushi while the machines for Hithadhoo would be sent on 21 May, the planning ministry said.

Postal money order exchange service established between Maldives and Japan

MALE, May 13 (HNS) – Maldives Post Limited has on Monday established postal money order exchange services between Maldives and Japan. A flat rate of 2.5 percent is charged as commission for the service, MPL's managing director Mohamed Shihab said. It takes about four to five days for money orders to be received to either of the countries, he said. International money order services are now given by Maldives to Japan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Shihab said that MPL is trying to set up money order services to other countries as well. MPL gives electronic money order services to many countries. Electronic money order is a fast service with money received on either end in about 10 minutes time. However, commission is charged as a percent of the money sent.

False news published in German newspaper concerning Maldives

Male, September 25 (HNS) – Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has denied telling a German daily that there are religious schools in Maldives that train terrorists. In its edition on last Thursday, German newspaper Bild published an interview of Bhutto in which it quoted the former Prime Minister as saying that there are religious schools in Maldives that train terrorists. Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party told Haveeru that Bild has not published the interview as Bhutto said. With reference to Bhutto, PPP told Haveeru that in her interview Bhutto said that students from various Islamic countries are studying in Pakistan. The statement from PPP said that Bhutto was not aware if there were schools in Maldives for training of terrorists. The government of Maldives has also issued a statement denying the allegations published in Bild. Maldives has denounced the terrorist attacks of September 11 on the United States. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in a message sent to US President George W. Bush, said that Maldives always denounces terrorist activities regardless of where they take place and who organises them.

More cooperation could help dictate dried fish market price: exporter

MALE, Sept 19 (HNS) - More cooperation among local exporters could ensure the continuity of high prices for dried fish, a local exporter said. The number of exporters of dried fish has increased, and it is important to have a common understanding among them in order to ensure that dried fish prices do not go down in Sri Lanka, said Huravee Maldives owner Hussain Maniku Dhon Maniku. "Buyers in Sri Lanka cooperate among themselves and thus are in a stronger position to dictate the prices of Maldives' dried fish exports. They can fluctuate the prices whenever they want. If we have such cooperation amongst us, we would be in a stronger position to dictate the market price of our dried fish exports," he said.There are three or four prominent dried fish exporters here in Maldives but bickering among them have resulted in some parties selling their exports at very low prices which results in the overall market price for Maldives' dried fish plunging many times."If all local exporters agree on a floor price and refuse to sell below that price, Sri Lankan buyers would have no choice but to buy at our dictated terms," said Hussain who has been in the business for the last 15 years. Maldives exported more than 6,000 tonnes of dried fish to Sri Lanka last year, fetching more than Rf140 million in revenue.

Report on public services quality released

MALE, June 4 (HNS) - The Public Service Division of the President's Office has released a report on the projects that were undertaken by government offices last year to improve the quality of services they provide to the public and to foster and promote the spirit of service among government officials.This report includes information on the work undertaken by the government to improve and speed up the delivery of services as well as information about the projects undertaken by various government offices to develop services offered to the public. Some of the important activities carried out by government offices for this purpose include improving counter services, establishment of websites to disseminate information about the offices, establishment of computer networks, preparation of databases, orientation programmes for new entrants, customer surveys and revision of regulations aimed at the public. In the Presidential Address of 2000, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said that the policy of the government was to improve the quality and accessibility of services to the public while instilling a spirit of service delivery and work ethic in all government offices. Additional projects to improve quality of service is to be carried out this year.

General decline in fisheries all over Maldives

MALE, Feb 3 (HNS) - Since the beginning of last week, Maldives has been experiencing a slump in fisheries throughout the country. The Haa Alifu atoll region in the north has been plagued with bad catches since last month, and the companies involved in buying fish in that region have said that they get to buy an average of only 10 to 15 tonnes of fish these days. The main reason for such poor catches is simply because the fishing season is over. Despite this, exporters are confident that mid-February will yield better catches. It has been sometime since fisheries declined in central Maldives, though the south does not appear to be experiencing as much trouble.

President appoints two new Atoll Chiefs

MALE, June 18 (HNS) – President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has appointed new Atoll Chiefs to Meemu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.Shuaib Yousuf of M. Dhessa was appointed as the Atoll Chief of Meemu atoll, while Ahmed Rasheed of M. Niyami was appointed as the Atoll Chief of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. The two Atoll Chiefs took their oath of office in the presence of the President at the President's Office on Tuesday morning. The oath was administered by the Chief Justice and the President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim.The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Atolls Administration, Abdulla Hameed, and Abdulla Shahid, the Executive Secretary to the President.

President appoints two new Atoll Chiefs

MALE, June 18 (HNS) – President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has appointed new Atoll Chiefs to Meemu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.Shuaib Yousuf of M. Dhessa was appointed as the Atoll Chief of Meemu atoll, while Ahmed Rasheed of M. Niyami was appointed as the Atoll Chief of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. The two Atoll Chiefs took their oath of office in the presence of the President at the President's Office on Tuesday morning. The oath was administered by the Chief Justice and the President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim.The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Atolls Administration, Abdulla Hameed, and Abdulla Shahid, the Executive Secretary to the President.

Third fisheries zone could be lucrative: investors

MALE, May 21 (HNS) -- Investors eyeing the new fisheries zone believe that, business may be very good in the area. The third fisheries zone, now open for bid, could be a lucrative zone, according to some entrepreneurs who have bought bid documents for the zone which covers some eight atolls in the south of the country. Haveeru learns that nearly 10 parties have bought bid documents for the zone which include the North and South Ari atolls, and Vaavu, Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu, Thaa and Laamu atolls. According to one potential investor, who had bought a bid document for Rf5,000 ($=12.85), the main problem of the zone is its vastness and poor fish catch. "In actuality, it is not that that fishery is not good, but as this is a major tourism zone, the number of active fishermen is very low. However, if fishermen can be convinced that they can generate good income, they would be motivated to venture into this zone," he said. The main aim of investors in this zone should be to "revive the fisheries" among the people in those atolls, he said. "Then one (investors) could get a good income from the zone," he said. Another businessman said that as the zone is extensive, investors could operate successful ventures. He said that this is a "golden opportunity" for the business community and that fishing is the "future of the country." The last date for submission of bid documents for zone three is June 16.

Bay of Bengal states seek free-trade pact

COLOMBO, Mar 9 (AFP) - Commerce ministers from five countries around the Bay of Bengal Friday called for a free-trade pact to boost regional economic cooperation. The ministers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand set up a group of experts to work out the details and ensure a framework treaty by February next year, Sri Lanka's Commerce Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. "We are positive that we can move towards an FTA (free-trade agreement)," Karunanayake told reporters after the one-day ministerial meet. "We are looking to the future and we see a lot of possibilities." The BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation) ministers also agreed to look at relaxing visa restrictions for businesspeople travelling between member states. They will also ask their ambassadors to work closely in Geneva to ensure a common position on World Trade Organisation issues, Karunanayake said.

Child sex abuse -- the enemy within

SELF-HELP by Fathmath Ibrahim (Iko*) While doing research for this article, I read a very graphic book on this topic called 'Bitter chocolate' by Pinki Virani. At one point, I couldn't go on. The stories were too real and too close to heart. A close friend of mine was abused at the age of 13 years. Part of her is and will always be retarded and in denial. But part of her, like so many of us, will always be fighting -- to stop this 'enemy within' from preying on another child! Child sexual abuse is a societal problem of staggering proportion and consequence in Maldives. Studies indicate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of sixteen. The personal and societal costs of this abuse are appalling. Child sexual abuse is a hidden and secretive affair. Less than one in ten victims ever "tells", and only a small percentage of sexual abuse cases are ever reported. Child sexual abuse is a society's dirtiest, darkest and most damaging secret. Of course, you may choose to deny it. But it is very much among us here in Maldives. Incest does occur. Pedophiles are lurking like vampires ready to draw blood. And like vampires, they are also invited guests. The enemy is therefore, within. They're in our homes, our neighborhoods and our communities. The statistics are climbing higher and we can no longer choose to ignore it. The latest data from the Units for the Rights of Children in Maldives show 22 cases of child sexual abuse (with an average age of 9 years!) has been reported during the months of January to April this year. This is only the figure reported; can you imagine the numbers out there who are unknown? Just think, as you are reading this, a child is being abused somewhere. Child sexual abuse is any inappropriate sexual behavior towards the child and could be anything from penetration, using an object, or even forcing pornographic material on the child. Based on the figures, it is evident that most abuse root from the child's home and by someone in the family or close to the family; 85% of the children abused are females and 96% of the offenders are males. Often the offender is someone the child knows and trusts and someone who knows the functioning of the household. Some caregivers are aware of such abuse but choose not to believe it or ignore it altogether. Sometimes the child tries to communicate his or her grief but it may not always be clear. Therefore, it is very important good communication is established from the start and children are given the confidence that they can tell their mommy or daddy anything. The abuser may have threatened the child, or the child may be hesitant to tell the parents in fear that they will not believe it. We need to empower our children with their rights and teach them how to say 'NO'. Parents and teachers need to know how to recognize signs of abuse and how to get help. We need to change societal attitudes towards sexual abuse – it is never acceptable and it's never OK. By trying to protect your family's izzath (honor), you're only hurting your child who has been deprived of his or her innocence and rights. So my appeal to you readers: please don't let the enemy within win. [*Iko is a psychologist working with the Narcotics Control Board (NCB). If you have any questions or concerns about drug abuse and related social or interpersonal issues, please email her at: fi4@waikato.ac.nz]

Dhiraagu to reduce Internet tariffs, charge flat rates

MALE, Feb 6 (HNS) – Dhiraagu is to reduce Internet tariffs and charge flat rates for all hours, the telecommunications company announced. "We cannot say as yet by how much the tariff will be reduced," Dhiraagu's Internet protocol and data manager Ibrahim Riyaz told Haveeru in an interview. When Dhiraagu goes for the reduced rate on Internet dial-up tariffs towards the end of the month, the telecom company is to charge a flat rate for all hours. There will be no off-peak or peak hours with regard to Internet tariffs, Riyaz said. "People will be able to use the Internet at a cheap price at all times of the day," he said. Since Dhiraagu -- Maldives' sole Internet Service Provider (ISP) -- started Internet service here in 1996, this will be the seventh time it has gone for a price reduction in Internet tariffs. Dhiraagu is presently working towards the introduction of digital subscriber line (DSL) technology in Maldives.

One in three under-5 children in Maldives underweight: UN agencies

MALE, Dec 16 (HNS) - Every one in three children of under five years of age in Maldives are underweight, according to the United Nations agencies here. The reason for this is lack of proper nutrition, the UN said in a leaflet titled "One Family One Voice." Other reasons include obstacles in access to healthcare facilities, lack of breastfeeding habit among women, poor hygiene among children and increased infection among them. The UN also noted lack of proper nutrition among expecting mothers as a cause of under-5 children being underweight here. This factor denies children healthy physical development. A cause of lack of nutrition in Maldivian people's diet may be the absence of healthy foods and a balanced diet in Maldivians' dietary habits, according to the UN agencies. Items such as fruits and vegetables are prominently lacking in Maldivians' diet. The UN noted that it is quite difficult for most Maldivians to integrate fruits and vegetables into their diet because it is difficult to get them in the first place, and expensive, too.

Taking care of the handicapped part of Islamic framework of solidarity: Gayoom

MALE, Mar 12 (HNS) - President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Monday said that Islam stressed the social obligation to take care of those with special needs through catering to their requirements and enabling them to become productive members of the society, and pointed out that providing such care was part of the Islamic framework of solidarity and civic responsibility. The President made the statement while addressing the function held at Giyaasuddin School to award certificates to the participants of the courses conducted by Care Society and to those who had helped the NGO in various ways. Gayoom said that Islam taught every member of the community to be equal and with inherent rights, and called upon everyone to safeguard the rights of each and everyone and to strive to achieve happiness, well-being and advancement for all. He said that undertaking charitable and philanthropic activities that benefited people with low incomes, the orphaned, the widowed, the elderly, the indisposed, and the differently able persons within the community, and helping them to become productive members of the society were incumbent upon the community under the principles of Islamic solidarity and civic responsibility. The President said that those with special needs can be fully integrated into the society as productive and happy members of the community through the support of their families and friends, and through the help of other members of the society. Pointing out that every individual was endowed with certain talents and aptitudes, Gayoom said that persons with special needs also could be trained to join the job market. He added that when the talents and the skills of an individual were developed and encouraged by others, he or she could make a meaningful contribution to the development of the nation. Further, the President said that it was incumbent on families and on the entire society to give extra care and devotion and to provide an education to differently able persons to help them become productive members of their family and citizens who contributed to national development. Praising the efforts being made by Care Society to assist in various ways those in the community with special needs, and to make them productive citizens, the President thanked Fathimath Afiya, Executive Director of Care Society and the executives and the members of the Society. He also congratulated the participants and those who achieved commendable results in the courses conducted by Care Society. Gayoom was presented a commemorative plaque on behalf of Care Society by Afiya and also was presented a Video Compact Disc of a song that he had composed for Care Society. The VCD was offered to the President by two students of Care Society. The certificates for commendable achievement and for participation in the courses conducted by Care Society and for assisting Care Society in various ways were given away by the President. Ijazulla Abdulla Ali provided a brief outline of the courses that had been conducted by Care Society. He noted the importance given by the President to the work of Care Society, and expressed gratitude, on behalf of the Society, to the President for gracing the function.

40 percent of nurses foreigners: Health Ministry

MALE, May 13 (HNS) - Nearly 40 percent of the nurses currently working in Maldives are foreigners, the Health Ministry said on Sunday. Of the 681 nurses 267 or 39.2 percent are foreigners. Maldivian nurses represent 60.8 percent, according to Health Ministry figures. Even among staff nurses, foreigners number 262 while Maldivians represent 169. The Health Ministry said that the number of youths seeking the profession has been increasing.

Henry and Lucy: The Meeting

A short story by Andhu* It began as an afternoon like so many others. Henry noted a tickling in his nose from what appeared to be the waft of an overly ripe armpit. To imagine this sensation, we must depict a purple-brown tendril of smoke forming a hand at the end, its index finger stroking the man's nasal lining. His brain, unwilling to receive such hideous impulses, sent the horrid sensations via neurons to the pit of the man's belly, as it is oft wont to do. The titanic struggle not to retch began, a colossal battle between good and evil. Just when the little man overcame the greater urge, the source of the pang advanced upon him. Enter the fat wife in all her beauty, performing what seemed to be a grotesque ballet. Bile rising to his throat, the man still could not avert his eyes from the wobbling mass of rippling flesh that was his spouse. In a moment of impulse, he stretched out his foot. The lady, never once having seen the floor since her youth, could not have had a chance against this devious cunning on her husband's part. The shocked man gaped at what he had done as his wife took to the air for the first and last time in her life, her mouth resembling a rather large cave, crashing down on her neck with a resounding crack. The man, getting up too quickly, stumbled over his own foot, and landed heavily. Then there was the sensation of being shoved off an airplane. 'Where am I?' The first question one asks when faced with new surroundings. But no, Henry feared that would be too clich? and therefore asked: "What the hell?" What he was concerned about was not his language, but the dull, bleary view of the present environs, which, for some reason, appeared to have lost all its colour. Yes, he thought to himself, I'm smack dab in the middle of a grey desert, in my boxers and a vest. Suddenly, a brief flash of wisdom bloomed in his brain. Or it could have been the sensation of blisters forming on his feet. He took the example of that certain curious desert lizard and began hopping from one foot to another, though he had two, whereas the lizard had four. It was a distinct advantage in these circumstances. But perhaps he was not so wise, he realized, for it came to him that he was performing a peculiar dance in the sweltering heat with an endless desert around him, and not a drop of water to be seen. The thought of water down his throat inflamed a terrible thirst, and the exercise had begun to severely wear him down, though it had been perhaps no more than three minutes since he had started jogging on the spot. With the sun beating his heat mercilessly down on him, the prospect of no water (or any refreshment stands), and his state of extreme unfitness, Henry collapsed. To a sleep-sodden mind already slow to take in anything, the sudden appearance of a hulking figure – muscled to proportions the eye had trouble adjusting to, with the skin as rough, dry and horribly cracked, never mind it being red – would be a bucket of cold water. As the sharp smell of sulfur pierced his nose, Henry's sanity lurched. That was when he looked at the being's face. With a thin bridge for a horrible nose that was more of a snout, the creature's scarred lips were slightly parted, revealing sharp teeth. Dark, burning orbs of amber stared back at Henry, studying him it seemed. Henry opened his mouth to scream, but his vocal cords did not comply. "Hullo," said the thing. Henry found his voice. "No, no, there's nothing to be gained from that," said the thing sadly. Without any visible effort, the creature picked Henry up by the shoulders and set him on his feet. There were burns on Henry's shoulders where the creature had touched him. Let us forgive Henry, for he could not have noticed the flowery dress at first, as he was in a state of shock. Now he took it in, and it calmed him somehow. If he was mad, then this was not real. "Where the hell am I?" he asked again, forgetting his manners. "Er, well, yes," said th

NEWSMAKERS: Niuma, Seezan under house arrest?

MALE, Oct 3 (HNS) - It's not gossip after all. Local film stars Ali Seezan and Niuma Mohamed are indeed under house arrest.The two were picked up together from a house by police, according to witnesses. Both stars are married (not to each other). Rumors abound on the morning of last Friday, and much speculation is now floating as to the future of some projects the two stars in. Seezan and Niuma have been the hot topic in entertainment circles since then as producers and directors, who are directly or indirectly affected, pondered: What to do next? EMA studio, where Seezan works, said that they would face "some difficulties" due to the fix Seezan is presently in. Both Seezan and Niuma have roles in a film EMA is producing. "Undoubtedly, we would have problems due to the unavailability of Seezan. But Niuma has completed all the requirements of the film," said Esa Shareef, a stakeholder in EMA. But the first film in which both stars will appear together is director Abdul Fathah's "Aanh… Aharen Ves Loabi Vin" ("Yes, I loved you, too") which is slated for release on October 10.However, Fathah is determined to complete the film against any odds. "I will complete it," he said firmly. "The only problems I'll face is that I won't be able to show on national TV ads that feature Seezan and Niuma. However, I'll compile some ads that feature the other stars in the film."Haveeru has been informed that since last Friday, any TV ads, songs or any scenes for that matter, are prohibited from screening on national television. Fathimath Nahula is another director who will be affected by Niuma's absence; Niuma is one of the stars of her film "Kalaa Aa Nulai" ("Without You") which Nahula is working on.Plus, there are numerous songs which feature Niuma and Seezan whose shooting has been postponed due to the mess they are in. Niuma was recently in the news when her husband forcibly cut her hair "from the roots" after an argument. The husband, who is also accused of beating Niuma occasionally, was convicted for the act.

Waste disposal sites ready for operation

MALE, May 18 (HNS) -- The waste disposal and incineration systems developed in the north and south of the country are ready for use and will become operational very soon, the planning ministry said. The ministry is in the process of selecting parties to do the waste disposal work at the two sites which were set up in Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuffushi island and Addu atoll Hithadhoo under the regional development plan. "Waste disposal work will be awarded to private parities on contract basis. We are in the process of selecting parties and a decision on this would be reached soon," the planning ministry said in written answers sent to Haveeru. The machinery needed for waste disposal and incineration have been send to Kulhudhuffushi while the machines for Hithadhoo would be sent on 21 May, the planning ministry said.

Dhiraagu to reduce Internet tariffs, charge flat rates

MALE, Feb 6 (HNS) – Dhiraagu is to reduce Internet tariffs and charge flat rates for all hours, the telecommunications company announced. "We cannot say as yet by how much the tariff will be reduced," Dhiraagu's Internet protocol and data manager Ibrahim Riyaz told Haveeru in an interview. When Dhiraagu goes for the reduced rate on Internet dial-up tariffs towards the end of the month, the telecom company is to charge a flat rate for all hours. There will be no off-peak or peak hours with regard to Internet tariffs, Riyaz said. "People will be able to use the Internet at a cheap price at all times of the day," he said. Since Dhiraagu -- Maldives' sole Internet Service Provider (ISP) -- started Internet service here in 1996, this will be the seventh time it has gone for a price reduction in Internet tariffs. Dhiraagu is presently working towards the introduction of digital subscriber line (DSL) technology in Maldives.

Taking care of the handicapped part of Islamic framework of solidarity: Gayoom

MALE, Mar 12 (HNS) - President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Monday said that Islam stressed the social obligation to take care of those with special needs through catering to their requirements and enabling them to become productive members of the society, and pointed out that providing such care was part of the Islamic framework of solidarity and civic responsibility. The President made the statement while addressing the function held at Giyaasuddin School to award certificates to the participants of the courses conducted by Care Society and to those who had helped the NGO in various ways. Gayoom said that Islam taught every member of the community to be equal and with inherent rights, and called upon everyone to safeguard the rights of each and everyone and to strive to achieve happiness, well-being and advancement for all. He said that undertaking charitable and philanthropic activities that benefited people with low incomes, the orphaned, the widowed, the elderly, the indisposed, and the differently able persons within the community, and helping them to become productive members of the society were incumbent upon the community under the principles of Islamic solidarity and civic responsibility. The President said that those with special needs can be fully integrated into the society as productive and happy members of the community through the support of their families and friends, and through the help of other members of the society. Pointing out that every individual was endowed with certain talents and aptitudes, Gayoom said that persons with special needs also could be trained to join the job market. He added that when the talents and the skills of an individual were developed and encouraged by others, he or she could make a meaningful contribution to the development of the nation. Further, the President said that it was incumbent on families and on the entire society to give extra care and devotion and to provide an education to differently able persons to help them become productive members of their family and citizens who contributed to national development. Praising the efforts being made by Care Society to assist in various ways those in the community with special needs, and to make them productive citizens, the President thanked Fathimath Afiya, Executive Director of Care Society and the executives and the members of the Society. He also congratulated the participants and those who achieved commendable results in the courses conducted by Care Society. Gayoom was presented a commemorative plaque on behalf of Care Society by Afiya and also was presented a Video Compact Disc of a song that he had composed for Care Society. The VCD was offered to the President by two students of Care Society. The certificates for commendable achievement and for participation in the courses conducted by Care Society and for assisting Care Society in various ways were given away by the President. Ijazulla Abdulla Ali provided a brief outline of the courses that had been conducted by Care Society. He noted the importance given by the President to the work of Care Society, and expressed gratitude, on behalf of the Society, to the President for gracing the function.

40 percent of nurses foreigners: Health Ministry

MALE, May 13 (HNS) - Nearly 40 percent of the nurses currently working in Maldives are foreigners, the Health Ministry said on Sunday. Of the 681 nurses 267 or 39.2 percent are foreigners. Maldivian nurses represent 60.8 percent, according to Health Ministry figures. Even among staff nurses, foreigners number 262 while Maldivians represent 169. The Health Ministry said that the number of youths seeking the profession has been increasing.

Asian tourism body launches region-wide travel index

SINGAPORE, July 13 (AFP) - The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on Friday co-launched a region-wide industry index to provide strategic information to policymakers and executives in the badly-hit sector. In a joint statement with payments giant MasterCard to announce the launch of the MasterIndex of Travel, PATA said the indicator was "specifically tailored to provide valuable information for the strategic planning needs of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries." "Amid the current global environment, the travel industry is changing rapidly," said John Koldowski, managing director of PATA's Strategic Intelligence Centre. "PATA is highly conscious of the challenges that confront the industry. The MasterIndex of Travel will deliver high quality information which will help travel operators make sound business decisions," he said. Covering 12 key regional economies, the index will provide six-month outbound forecasts twice a year in June and December. It will provide information relating to trends in the consumer and travel environments in the 12 markets covered as well as emerging trends, the statement said. The 12 economies included in the index are: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Tourism in the Asia-Pacific region has been severely affected by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis, the impact of which is still being felt despite a successful campaign to contain the viral epidemic. The September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States and the Bali bombings in October last year also caused a downturn in travel, but SARS was the worst crisis to hit the industry in decades.

Henry and Lucy: The Meeting

A short story by Andhu* It began as an afternoon like so many others. Henry noted a tickling in his nose from what appeared to be the waft of an overly ripe armpit. To imagine this sensation, we must depict a purple-brown tendril of smoke forming a hand at the end, its index finger stroking the man's nasal lining. His brain, unwilling to receive such hideous impulses, sent the horrid sensations via neurons to the pit of the man's belly, as it is oft wont to do. The titanic struggle not to retch began, a colossal battle between good and evil. Just when the little man overcame the greater urge, the source of the pang advanced upon him. Enter the fat wife in all her beauty, performing what seemed to be a grotesque ballet. Bile rising to his throat, the man still could not avert his eyes from the wobbling mass of rippling flesh that was his spouse. In a moment of impulse, he stretched out his foot. The lady, never once having seen the floor since her youth, could not have had a chance against this devious cunning on her husband's part. The shocked man gaped at what he had done as his wife took to the air for the first and last time in her life, her mouth resembling a rather large cave, crashing down on her neck with a resounding crack. The man, getting up too quickly, stumbled over his own foot, and landed heavily. Then there was the sensation of being shoved off an airplane. 'Where am I?' The first question one asks when faced with new surroundings. But no, Henry feared that would be too clich? and therefore asked: "What the hell?" What he was concerned about was not his language, but the dull, bleary view of the present environs, which, for some reason, appeared to have lost all its colour. Yes, he thought to himself, I'm smack dab in the middle of a grey desert, in my boxers and a vest. Suddenly, a brief flash of wisdom bloomed in his brain. Or it could have been the sensation of blisters forming on his feet. He took the example of that certain curious desert lizard and began hopping from one foot to another, though he had two, whereas the lizard had four. It was a distinct advantage in these circumstances. But perhaps he was not so wise, he realized, for it came to him that he was performing a peculiar dance in the sweltering heat with an endless desert around him, and not a drop of water to be seen. The thought of water down his throat inflamed a terrible thirst, and the exercise had begun to severely wear him down, though it had been perhaps no more than three minutes since he had started jogging on the spot. With the sun beating his heat mercilessly down on him, the prospect of no water (or any refreshment stands), and his state of extreme unfitness, Henry collapsed. To a sleep-sodden mind already slow to take in anything, the sudden appearance of a hulking figure – muscled to proportions the eye had trouble adjusting to, with the skin as rough, dry and horribly cracked, never mind it being red – would be a bucket of cold water. As the sharp smell of sulfur pierced his nose, Henry's sanity lurched. That was when he looked at the being's face. With a thin bridge for a horrible nose that was more of a snout, the creature's scarred lips were slightly parted, revealing sharp teeth. Dark, burning orbs of amber stared back at Henry, studying him it seemed. Henry opened his mouth to scream, but his vocal cords did not comply. "Hullo," said the thing. Henry found his voice. "No, no, there's nothing to be gained from that," said the thing sadly. Without any visible effort, the creature picked Henry up by the shoulders and set him on his feet. There were burns on Henry's shoulders where the creature had touched him. Let us forgive Henry, for he could not have noticed the flowery dress at first, as he was in a state of shock. Now he took it in, and it calmed him somehow. If he was mad, then this was not real. "Where the hell am I?" he asked again, forgetting his manners. "Er, well, yes," said th

Terrorism must end in Kashmir or no to SAARC summit: Vajpayee

NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has warned he would not attend a regional South Asian summit in Pakistan next month unless cross-border militancy stops in Kashmir. "I can consider going to the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit early next year provided infiltration and cross-border terrorism stops completely in Kashmir," Vajpayee told a news conference in this northern Indian city. India accuses Pakistan of pushing Islamic guerrillas into the Indian-administered zone of Kashmir, where a Muslim rebellion has left more than 37,500 people dead since 1989. Vajpayee also said that bilateral issues should not be raised up at the regional summit. "Pakistan does not like to talk on any other issue other than Kashmir and Kashmir is not a SAARC issue and so there is no point in discussing Kashmir at the summit," the prime minister said. Vajpayee said India's attendance at the summit also hinged on the SAARC making tangible progress in regional economic cooperation. "Pakistan has not acted on the recommendations in this area agreed upon in previous SAARC meetings," the prime minister said. SAARC has sought to forge two regional trade pacts, the SAARC Preferential Trade Agreement and the SAARC Free Trade Agreement, but India-Pakistan differences have hampered progress. India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, with a dispute over the Himalayan state of Kashmir sparking two of their three wars since then. India and Pakistan control parts of Kashmir and claim all of the scenic Himalayan region. Both sides until recently had hundreds of thousands of troops on their shared borders, sent there after the December 13 attack on the Indian parliament, which New Delhi blames on Pakistan-based militant groups. The South Asian regional club, which accounts for a third of the world's workforce, groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Cup Winners Cup, 1 May - New Radiant 0 - Victory 1 (Ali Haleem)

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Chili supplies dwindle in Male market as Thoddoo farmers turn to cucumber cultivation

MALE, May 15 (HNS) -- Chili supplies in the Male market are dwindling because farmers from Thoddoo island have turned to cucumber cultivation instead, according to suppliers. Thoddoo, in North Ari Atoll and famous for its production of watermelons and a host of other agricultural products, used to supply the capital of 70,000 people with an amount of 25,000 chilies on a daily basis earlier. At the time, combined with chilies from other islands, the price of a chili dropped to less than 50 Laari (cents). However, most farmers in Thoddoo have stopped chili cultivation and the island now delivers only about "two to three bags" of chili to Male daily, officials said. Thoddoo Island Chief Ibrahim Waheed told Haveeru that at any given time, Thoddoo people "preferred to cultivate the product which fetches the highest price in the prevailing markets." "Chili cultivation is a costly occupation. On top of that, it does not fetch us very good prices," he told Haveeru over telephone. "People have now turned to cultivating cucumber instead," he said. However, he said that a few farmers have returned to chili cultivation because prices of chili have risen again in the Male market due to the dwindling supply as a result of most Thoddoo farmers turning towards cucumber cultivation.

NEWSMAKERS: Niuma, Seezan under house arrest?

MALE, Oct 3 (HNS) - It's not gossip after all. Local film stars Ali Seezan and Niuma Mohamed are indeed under house arrest.The two were picked up together from a house by police, according to witnesses. Both stars are married (not to each other). Rumors abound on the morning of last Friday, and much speculation is now floating as to the future of some projects the two stars in. Seezan and Niuma have been the hot topic in entertainment circles since then as producers and directors, who are directly or indirectly affected, pondered: What to do next? EMA studio, where Seezan works, said that they would face "some difficulties" due to the fix Seezan is presently in. Both Seezan and Niuma have roles in a film EMA is producing. "Undoubtedly, we would have problems due to the unavailability of Seezan. But Niuma has completed all the requirements of the film," said Esa Shareef, a stakeholder in EMA. But the first film in which both stars will appear together is director Abdul Fathah's "Aanh… Aharen Ves Loabi Vin" ("Yes, I loved you, too") which is slated for release on October 10.However, Fathah is determined to complete the film against any odds. "I will complete it," he said firmly. "The only problems I'll face is that I won't be able to show on national TV ads that feature Seezan and Niuma. However, I'll compile some ads that feature the other stars in the film."Haveeru has been informed that since last Friday, any TV ads, songs or any scenes for that matter, are prohibited from screening on national television. Fathimath Nahula is another director who will be affected by Niuma's absence; Niuma is one of the stars of her film "Kalaa Aa Nulai" ("Without You") which Nahula is working on.Plus, there are numerous songs which feature Niuma and Seezan whose shooting has been postponed due to the mess they are in. Niuma was recently in the news when her husband forcibly cut her hair "from the roots" after an argument. The husband, who is also accused of beating Niuma occasionally, was convicted for the act.

Waste disposal sites ready for operation

MALE, May 18 (HNS) -- The waste disposal and incineration systems developed in the north and south of the country are ready for use and will become operational very soon, the planning ministry said. The ministry is in the process of selecting parties to do the waste disposal work at the two sites which were set up in Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuffushi island and Addu atoll Hithadhoo under the regional development plan. "Waste disposal work will be awarded to private parities on contract basis. We are in the process of selecting parties and a decision on this would be reached soon," the planning ministry said in written answers sent to Haveeru. The machinery needed for waste disposal and incineration have been send to Kulhudhuffushi while the machines for Hithadhoo would be sent on 21 May, the planning ministry said.

Postal money order exchange service established between Maldives and Japan

MALE, May 13 (HNS) – Maldives Post Limited has on Monday established postal money order exchange services between Maldives and Japan. A flat rate of 2.5 percent is charged as commission for the service, MPL's managing director Mohamed Shihab said. It takes about four to five days for money orders to be received to either of the countries, he said. International money order services are now given by Maldives to Japan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Shihab said that MPL is trying to set up money order services to other countries as well. MPL gives electronic money order services to many countries. Electronic money order is a fast service with money received on either end in about 10 minutes time. However, commission is charged as a percent of the money sent.

False news published in German newspaper concerning Maldives

Male, September 25 (HNS) – Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has denied telling a German daily that there are religious schools in Maldives that train terrorists. In its edition on last Thursday, German newspaper Bild published an interview of Bhutto in which it quoted the former Prime Minister as saying that there are religious schools in Maldives that train terrorists. Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party told Haveeru that Bild has not published the interview as Bhutto said. With reference to Bhutto, PPP told Haveeru that in her interview Bhutto said that students from various Islamic countries are studying in Pakistan. The statement from PPP said that Bhutto was not aware if there were schools in Maldives for training of terrorists. The government of Maldives has also issued a statement denying the allegations published in Bild. Maldives has denounced the terrorist attacks of September 11 on the United States. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in a message sent to US President George W. Bush, said that Maldives always denounces terrorist activities regardless of where they take place and who organises them.

More cooperation could help dictate dried fish market price: exporter

MALE, Sept 19 (HNS) - More cooperation among local exporters could ensure the continuity of high prices for dried fish, a local exporter said. The number of exporters of dried fish has increased, and it is important to have a common understanding among them in order to ensure that dried fish prices do not go down in Sri Lanka, said Huravee Maldives owner Hussain Maniku Dhon Maniku. "Buyers in Sri Lanka cooperate among themselves and thus are in a stronger position to dictate the prices of Maldives' dried fish exports. They can fluctuate the prices whenever they want. If we have such cooperation amongst us, we would be in a stronger position to dictate the market price of our dried fish exports," he said.There are three or four prominent dried fish exporters here in Maldives but bickering among them have resulted in some parties selling their exports at very low prices which results in the overall market price for Maldives' dried fish plunging many times."If all local exporters agree on a floor price and refuse to sell below that price, Sri Lankan buyers would have no choice but to buy at our dictated terms," said Hussain who has been in the business for the last 15 years. Maldives exported more than 6,000 tonnes of dried fish to Sri Lanka last year, fetching more than Rf140 million in revenue.

Report on public services quality released

MALE, June 4 (HNS) - The Public Service Division of the President's Office has released a report on the projects that were undertaken by government offices last year to improve the quality of services they provide to the public and to foster and promote the spirit of service among government officials.This report includes information on the work undertaken by the government to improve and speed up the delivery of services as well as information about the projects undertaken by various government offices to develop services offered to the public. Some of the important activities carried out by government offices for this purpose include improving counter services, establishment of websites to disseminate information about the offices, establishment of computer networks, preparation of databases, orientation programmes for new entrants, customer surveys and revision of regulations aimed at the public. In the Presidential Address of 2000, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said that the policy of the government was to improve the quality and accessibility of services to the public while instilling a spirit of service delivery and work ethic in all government offices. Additional projects to improve quality of service is to be carried out this year.

General decline in fisheries all over Maldives

MALE, Feb 3 (HNS) - Since the beginning of last week, Maldives has been experiencing a slump in fisheries throughout the country. The Haa Alifu atoll region in the north has been plagued with bad catches since last month, and the companies involved in buying fish in that region have said that they get to buy an average of only 10 to 15 tonnes of fish these days. The main reason for such poor catches is simply because the fishing season is over. Despite this, exporters are confident that mid-February will yield better catches. It has been sometime since fisheries declined in central Maldives, though the south does not appear to be experiencing as much trouble.

President appoints two new Atoll Chiefs

MALE, June 18 (HNS) – President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has appointed new Atoll Chiefs to Meemu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.Shuaib Yousuf of M. Dhessa was appointed as the Atoll Chief of Meemu atoll, while Ahmed Rasheed of M. Niyami was appointed as the Atoll Chief of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. The two Atoll Chiefs took their oath of office in the presence of the President at the President's Office on Tuesday morning. The oath was administered by the Chief Justice and the President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim.The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Atolls Administration, Abdulla Hameed, and Abdulla Shahid, the Executive Secretary to the President.

Third fisheries zone could be lucrative: investors

MALE, May 21 (HNS) -- Investors eyeing the new fisheries zone believe that, business may be very good in the area. The third fisheries zone, now open for bid, could be a lucrative zone, according to some entrepreneurs who have bought bid documents for the zone which covers some eight atolls in the south of the country. Haveeru learns that nearly 10 parties have bought bid documents for the zone which include the North and South Ari atolls, and Vaavu, Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu, Thaa and Laamu atolls. According to one potential investor, who had bought a bid document for Rf5,000 ($=12.85), the main problem of the zone is its vastness and poor fish catch. "In actuality, it is not that that fishery is not good, but as this is a major tourism zone, the number of active fishermen is very low. However, if fishermen can be convinced that they can generate good income, they would be motivated to venture into this zone," he said. The main aim of investors in this zone should be to "revive the fisheries" among the people in those atolls, he said. "Then one (investors) could get a good income from the zone," he said. Another businessman said that as the zone is extensive, investors could operate successful ventures. He said that this is a "golden opportunity" for the business community and that fishing is the "future of the country." The last date for submission of bid documents for zone three is June 16.

Bay of Bengal states seek free-trade pact

COLOMBO, Mar 9 (AFP) - Commerce ministers from five countries around the Bay of Bengal Friday called for a free-trade pact to boost regional economic cooperation. The ministers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand set up a group of experts to work out the details and ensure a framework treaty by February next year, Sri Lanka's Commerce Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. "We are positive that we can move towards an FTA (free-trade agreement)," Karunanayake told reporters after the one-day ministerial meet. "We are looking to the future and we see a lot of possibilities." The BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation) ministers also agreed to look at relaxing visa restrictions for businesspeople travelling between member states. They will also ask their ambassadors to work closely in Geneva to ensure a common position on World Trade Organisation issues, Karunanayake said.

Child sex abuse -- the enemy within

SELF-HELP by Fathmath Ibrahim (Iko*) While doing research for this article, I read a very graphic book on this topic called 'Bitter chocolate' by Pinki Virani. At one point, I couldn't go on. The stories were too real and too close to heart. A close friend of mine was abused at the age of 13 years. Part of her is and will always be retarded and in denial. But part of her, like so many of us, will always be fighting -- to stop this 'enemy within' from preying on another child! Child sexual abuse is a societal problem of staggering proportion and consequence in Maldives. Studies indicate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of sixteen. The personal and societal costs of this abuse are appalling. Child sexual abuse is a hidden and secretive affair. Less than one in ten victims ever "tells", and only a small percentage of sexual abuse cases are ever reported. Child sexual abuse is a society's dirtiest, darkest and most damaging secret. Of course, you may choose to deny it. But it is very much among us here in Maldives. Incest does occur. Pedophiles are lurking like vampires ready to draw blood. And like vampires, they are also invited guests. The enemy is therefore, within. They're in our homes, our neighborhoods and our communities. The statistics are climbing higher and we can no longer choose to ignore it. The latest data from the Units for the Rights of Children in Maldives show 22 cases of child sexual abuse (with an average age of 9 years!) has been reported during the months of January to April this year. This is only the figure reported; can you imagine the numbers out there who are unknown? Just think, as you are reading this, a child is being abused somewhere. Child sexual abuse is any inappropriate sexual behavior towards the child and could be anything from penetration, using an object, or even forcing pornographic material on the child. Based on the figures, it is evident that most abuse root from the child's home and by someone in the family or close to the family; 85% of the children abused are females and 96% of the offenders are males. Often the offender is someone the child knows and trusts and someone who knows the functioning of the household. Some caregivers are aware of such abuse but choose not to believe it or ignore it altogether. Sometimes the child tries to communicate his or her grief but it may not always be clear. Therefore, it is very important good communication is established from the start and children are given the confidence that they can tell their mommy or daddy anything. The abuser may have threatened the child, or the child may be hesitant to tell the parents in fear that they will not believe it. We need to empower our children with their rights and teach them how to say 'NO'. Parents and teachers need to know how to recognize signs of abuse and how to get help. We need to change societal attitudes towards sexual abuse – it is never acceptable and it's never OK. By trying to protect your family's izzath (honor), you're only hurting your child who has been deprived of his or her innocence and rights. So my appeal to you readers: please don't let the enemy within win. [*Iko is a psychologist working with the Narcotics Control Board (NCB). If you have any questions or concerns about drug abuse and related social or interpersonal issues, please email her at: fi4@waikato.ac.nz]

Dhiraagu to reduce Internet tariffs, charge flat rates

MALE, Feb 6 (HNS) – Dhiraagu is to reduce Internet tariffs and charge flat rates for all hours, the telecommunications company announced. "We cannot say as yet by how much the tariff will be reduced," Dhiraagu's Internet protocol and data manager Ibrahim Riyaz told Haveeru in an interview. When Dhiraagu goes for the reduced rate on Internet dial-up tariffs towards the end of the month, the telecom company is to charge a flat rate for all hours. There will be no off-peak or peak hours with regard to Internet tariffs, Riyaz said. "People will be able to use the Internet at a cheap price at all times of the day," he said. Since Dhiraagu -- Maldives' sole Internet Service Provider (ISP) -- started Internet service here in 1996, this will be the seventh time it has gone for a price reduction in Internet tariffs. Dhiraagu is presently working towards the introduction of digital subscriber line (DSL) technology in Maldives.

One in three under-5 children in Maldives underweight: UN agencies

MALE, Dec 16 (HNS) - Every one in three children of under five years of age in Maldives are underweight, according to the United Nations agencies here. The reason for this is lack of proper nutrition, the UN said in a leaflet titled "One Family One Voice." Other reasons include obstacles in access to healthcare facilities, lack of breastfeeding habit among women, poor hygiene among children and increased infection among them. The UN also noted lack of proper nutrition among expecting mothers as a cause of under-5 children being underweight here. This factor denies children healthy physical development. A cause of lack of nutrition in Maldivian people's diet may be the absence of healthy foods and a balanced diet in Maldivians' dietary habits, according to the UN agencies. Items such as fruits and vegetables are prominently lacking in Maldivians' diet. The UN noted that it is quite difficult for most Maldivians to integrate fruits and vegetables into their diet because it is difficult to get them in the first place, and expensive, too.

Taking care of the handicapped part of Islamic framework of solidarity: Gayoom

MALE, Mar 12 (HNS) - President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Monday said that Islam stressed the social obligation to take care of those with special needs through catering to their requirements and enabling them to become productive members of the society, and pointed out that providing such care was part of the Islamic framework of solidarity and civic responsibility. The President made the statement while addressing the function held at Giyaasuddin School to award certificates to the participants of the courses conducted by Care Society and to those who had helped the NGO in various ways. Gayoom said that Islam taught every member of the community to be equal and with inherent rights, and called upon everyone to safeguard the rights of each and everyone and to strive to achieve happiness, well-being and advancement for all. He said that undertaking charitable and philanthropic activities that benefited people with low incomes, the orphaned, the widowed, the elderly, the indisposed, and the differently able persons within the community, and helping them to become productive members of the society were incumbent upon the community under the principles of Islamic solidarity and civic responsibility. The President said that those with special needs can be fully integrated into the society as productive and happy members of the community through the support of their families and friends, and through the help of other members of the society. Pointing out that every individual was endowed with certain talents and aptitudes, Gayoom said that persons with special needs also could be trained to join the job market. He added that when the talents and the skills of an individual were developed and encouraged by others, he or she could make a meaningful contribution to the development of the nation. Further, the President said that it was incumbent on families and on the entire society to give extra care and devotion and to provide an education to differently able persons to help them become productive members of their family and citizens who contributed to national development. Praising the efforts being made by Care Society to assist in various ways those in the community with special needs, and to make them productive citizens, the President thanked Fathimath Afiya, Executive Director of Care Society and the executives and the members of the Society. He also congratulated the participants and those who achieved commendable results in the courses conducted by Care Society. Gayoom was presented a commemorative plaque on behalf of Care Society by Afiya and also was presented a Video Compact Disc of a song that he had composed for Care Society. The VCD was offered to the President by two students of Care Society. The certificates for commendable achievement and for participation in the courses conducted by Care Society and for assisting Care Society in various ways were given away by the President. Ijazulla Abdulla Ali provided a brief outline of the courses that had been conducted by Care Society. He noted the importance given by the President to the work of Care Society, and expressed gratitude, on behalf of the Society, to the President for gracing the function.

40 percent of nurses foreigners: Health Ministry

MALE, May 13 (HNS) - Nearly 40 percent of the nurses currently working in Maldives are foreigners, the Health Ministry said on Sunday. Of the 681 nurses 267 or 39.2 percent are foreigners. Maldivian nurses represent 60.8 percent, according to Health Ministry figures. Even among staff nurses, foreigners number 262 while Maldivians represent 169. The Health Ministry said that the number of youths seeking the profession has been increasing.

Asian tourism body launches region-wide travel index

SINGAPORE, July 13 (AFP) - The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on Friday co-launched a region-wide industry index to provide strategic information to policymakers and executives in the badly-hit sector. In a joint statement with payments giant MasterCard to announce the launch of the MasterIndex of Travel, PATA said the indicator was "specifically tailored to provide valuable information for the strategic planning needs of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries." "Amid the current global environment, the travel industry is changing rapidly," said John Koldowski, managing director of PATA's Strategic Intelligence Centre. "PATA is highly conscious of the challenges that confront the industry. The MasterIndex of Travel will deliver high quality information which will help travel operators make sound business decisions," he said. Covering 12 key regional economies, the index will provide six-month outbound forecasts twice a year in June and December. It will provide information relating to trends in the consumer and travel environments in the 12 markets covered as well as emerging trends, the statement said. The 12 economies included in the index are: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Tourism in the Asia-Pacific region has been severely affected by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis, the impact of which is still being felt despite a successful campaign to contain the viral epidemic. The September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States and the Bali bombings in October last year also caused a downturn in travel, but SARS was the worst crisis to hit the industry in decades.

Henry and Lucy: The Meeting

A short story by Andhu* It began as an afternoon like so many others. Henry noted a tickling in his nose from what appeared to be the waft of an overly ripe armpit. To imagine this sensation, we must depict a purple-brown tendril of smoke forming a hand at the end, its index finger stroking the man's nasal lining. His brain, unwilling to receive such hideous impulses, sent the horrid sensations via neurons to the pit of the man's belly, as it is oft wont to do. The titanic struggle not to retch began, a colossal battle between good and evil. Just when the little man overcame the greater urge, the source of the pang advanced upon him. Enter the fat wife in all her beauty, performing what seemed to be a grotesque ballet. Bile rising to his throat, the man still could not avert his eyes from the wobbling mass of rippling flesh that was his spouse. In a moment of impulse, he stretched out his foot. The lady, never once having seen the floor since her youth, could not have had a chance against this devious cunning on her husband's part. The shocked man gaped at what he had done as his wife took to the air for the first and last time in her life, her mouth resembling a rather large cave, crashing down on her neck with a resounding crack. The man, getting up too quickly, stumbled over his own foot, and landed heavily. Then there was the sensation of being shoved off an airplane. 'Where am I?' The first question one asks when faced with new surroundings. But no, Henry feared that would be too clich? and therefore asked: "What the hell?" What he was concerned about was not his language, but the dull, bleary view of the present environs, which, for some reason, appeared to have lost all its colour. Yes, he thought to himself, I'm smack dab in the middle of a grey desert, in my boxers and a vest. Suddenly, a brief flash of wisdom bloomed in his brain. Or it could have been the sensation of blisters forming on his feet. He took the example of that certain curious desert lizard and began hopping from one foot to another, though he had two, whereas the lizard had four. It was a distinct advantage in these circumstances. But perhaps he was not so wise, he realized, for it came to him that he was performing a peculiar dance in the sweltering heat with an endless desert around him, and not a drop of water to be seen. The thought of water down his throat inflamed a terrible thirst, and the exercise had begun to severely wear him down, though it had been perhaps no more than three minutes since he had started jogging on the spot. With the sun beating his heat mercilessly down on him, the prospect of no water (or any refreshment stands), and his state of extreme unfitness, Henry collapsed. To a sleep-sodden mind already slow to take in anything, the sudden appearance of a hulking figure – muscled to proportions the eye had trouble adjusting to, with the skin as rough, dry and horribly cracked, never mind it being red – would be a bucket of cold water. As the sharp smell of sulfur pierced his nose, Henry's sanity lurched. That was when he looked at the being's face. With a thin bridge for a horrible nose that was more of a snout, the creature's scarred lips were slightly parted, revealing sharp teeth. Dark, burning orbs of amber stared back at Henry, studying him it seemed. Henry opened his mouth to scream, but his vocal cords did not comply. "Hullo," said the thing. Henry found his voice. "No, no, there's nothing to be gained from that," said the thing sadly. Without any visible effort, the creature picked Henry up by the shoulders and set him on his feet. There were burns on Henry's shoulders where the creature had touched him. Let us forgive Henry, for he could not have noticed the flowery dress at first, as he was in a state of shock. Now he took it in, and it calmed him somehow. If he was mad, then this was not real. "Where the hell am I?" he asked again, forgetting his manners. "Er, well, yes," said th

Terrorism must end in Kashmir or no to SAARC summit: Vajpayee

NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has warned he would not attend a regional South Asian summit in Pakistan next month unless cross-border militancy stops in Kashmir. "I can consider going to the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit early next year provided infiltration and cross-border terrorism stops completely in Kashmir," Vajpayee told a news conference in this northern Indian city. India accuses Pakistan of pushing Islamic guerrillas into the Indian-administered zone of Kashmir, where a Muslim rebellion has left more than 37,500 people dead since 1989. Vajpayee also said that bilateral issues should not be raised up at the regional summit. "Pakistan does not like to talk on any other issue other than Kashmir and Kashmir is not a SAARC issue and so there is no point in discussing Kashmir at the summit," the prime minister said. Vajpayee said India's attendance at the summit also hinged on the SAARC making tangible progress in regional economic cooperation. "Pakistan has not acted on the recommendations in this area agreed upon in previous SAARC meetings," the prime minister said. SAARC has sought to forge two regional trade pacts, the SAARC Preferential Trade Agreement and the SAARC Free Trade Agreement, but India-Pakistan differences have hampered progress. India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, with a dispute over the Himalayan state of Kashmir sparking two of their three wars since then. India and Pakistan control parts of Kashmir and claim all of the scenic Himalayan region. Both sides until recently had hundreds of thousands of troops on their shared borders, sent there after the December 13 attack on the Indian parliament, which New Delhi blames on Pakistan-based militant groups. The South Asian regional club, which accounts for a third of the world's workforce, groups Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Cup Winners Cup, 1 May - New Radiant 0 - Victory 1 (Ali Haleem)

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Chili supplies dwindle in Male market as Thoddoo farmers turn to cucumber cultivation

MALE, May 15 (HNS) -- Chili supplies in the Male market are dwindling because farmers from Thoddoo island have turned to cucumber cultivation instead, according to suppliers. Thoddoo, in North Ari Atoll and famous for its production of watermelons and a host of other agricultural products, used to supply the capital of 70,000 people with an amount of 25,000 chilies on a daily basis earlier. At the time, combined with chilies from other islands, the price of a chili dropped to less than 50 Laari (cents). However, most farmers in Thoddoo have stopped chili cultivation and the island now delivers only about "two to three bags" of chili to Male daily, officials said. Thoddoo Island Chief Ibrahim Waheed told Haveeru that at any given time, Thoddoo people "preferred to cultivate the product which fetches the highest price in the prevailing markets." "Chili cultivation is a costly occupation. On top of that, it does not fetch us very good prices," he told Haveeru over telephone. "People have now turned to cultivating cucumber instead," he said. However, he said that a few farmers have returned to chili cultivation because prices of chili have risen again in the Male market due to the dwindling supply as a result of most Thoddoo farmers turning towards cucumber cultivation.

NEWSMAKERS: Niuma, Seezan under house arrest?

MALE, Oct 3 (HNS) - It's not gossip after all. Local film stars Ali Seezan and Niuma Mohamed are indeed under house arrest.The two were picked up together from a house by police, according to witnesses. Both stars are married (not to each other). Rumors abound on the morning of last Friday, and much speculation is now floating as to the future of some projects the two stars in. Seezan and Niuma have been the hot topic in entertainment circles since then as producers and directors, who are directly or indirectly affected, pondered: What to do next? EMA studio, where Seezan works, said that they would face "some difficulties" due to the fix Seezan is presently in. Both Seezan and Niuma have roles in a film EMA is producing. "Undoubtedly, we would have problems due to the unavailability of Seezan. But Niuma has completed all the requirements of the film," said Esa Shareef, a stakeholder in EMA. But the first film in which both stars will appear together is director Abdul Fathah's "Aanh… Aharen Ves Loabi Vin" ("Yes, I loved you, too") which is slated for release on October 10.However, Fathah is determined to complete the film against any odds. "I will complete it," he said firmly. "The only problems I'll face is that I won't be able to show on national TV ads that feature Seezan and Niuma. However, I'll compile some ads that feature the other stars in the film."Haveeru has been informed that since last Friday, any TV ads, songs or any scenes for that matter, are prohibited from screening on national television. Fathimath Nahula is another director who will be affected by Niuma's absence; Niuma is one of the stars of her film "Kalaa Aa Nulai" ("Without You") which Nahula is working on.Plus, there are numerous songs which feature Niuma and Seezan whose shooting has been postponed due to the mess they are in. Niuma was recently in the news when her husband forcibly cut her hair "from the roots" after an argument. The husband, who is also accused of beating Niuma occasionally, was convicted for the act.

Waste disposal sites ready for operation

MALE, May 18 (HNS) -- The waste disposal and incineration systems developed in the north and south of the country are ready for use and will become operational very soon, the planning ministry said. The ministry is in the process of selecting parties to do the waste disposal work at the two sites which were set up in Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuffushi island and Addu atoll Hithadhoo under the regional development plan. "Waste disposal work will be awarded to private parities on contract basis. We are in the process of selecting parties and a decision on this would be reached soon," the planning ministry said in written answers sent to Haveeru. The machinery needed for waste disposal and incineration have been send to Kulhudhuffushi while the machines for Hithadhoo would be sent on 21 May, the planning ministry said.

Postal money order exchange service established between Maldives and Japan

MALE, May 13 (HNS) – Maldives Post Limited has on Monday established postal money order exchange services between Maldives and Japan. A flat rate of 2.5 percent is charged as commission for the service, MPL's managing director Mohamed Shihab said. It takes about four to five days for money orders to be received to either of the countries, he said. International money order services are now given by Maldives to Japan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Shihab said that MPL is trying to set up money order services to other countries as well. MPL gives electronic money order services to many countries. Electronic money order is a fast service with money received on either end in about 10 minutes time. However, commission is charged as a percent of the money sent.

False news published in German newspaper concerning Maldives

Male, September 25 (HNS) – Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has denied telling a German daily that there are religious schools in Maldives that train terrorists. In its edition on last Thursday, German newspaper Bild published an interview of Bhutto in which it quoted the former Prime Minister as saying that there are religious schools in Maldives that train terrorists. Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party told Haveeru that Bild has not published the interview as Bhutto said. With reference to Bhutto, PPP told Haveeru that in her interview Bhutto said that students from various Islamic countries are studying in Pakistan. The statement from PPP said that Bhutto was not aware if there were schools in Maldives for training of terrorists. The government of Maldives has also issued a statement denying the allegations published in Bild. Maldives has denounced the terrorist attacks of September 11 on the United States. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in a message sent to US President George W. Bush, said that Maldives always denounces terrorist activities regardless of where they take place and who organises them.

More cooperation could help dictate dried fish market price: exporter

MALE, Sept 19 (HNS) - More cooperation among local exporters could ensure the continuity of high prices for dried fish, a local exporter said. The number of exporters of dried fish has increased, and it is important to have a common understanding among them in order to ensure that dried fish prices do not go down in Sri Lanka, said Huravee Maldives owner Hussain Maniku Dhon Maniku. "Buyers in Sri Lanka cooperate among themselves and thus are in a stronger position to dictate the prices of Maldives' dried fish exports. They can fluctuate the prices whenever they want. If we have such cooperation amongst us, we would be in a stronger position to dictate the market price of our dried fish exports," he said.There are three or four prominent dried fish exporters here in Maldives but bickering among them have resulted in some parties selling their exports at very low prices which results in the overall market price for Maldives' dried fish plunging many times."If all local exporters agree on a floor price and refuse to sell below that price, Sri Lankan buyers would have no choice but to buy at our dictated terms," said Hussain who has been in the business for the last 15 years. Maldives exported more than 6,000 tonnes of dried fish to Sri Lanka last year, fetching more than Rf140 million in revenue.

Report on public services quality released

MALE, June 4 (HNS) - The Public Service Division of the President's Office has released a report on the projects that were undertaken by government offices last year to improve the quality of services they provide to the public and to foster and promote the spirit of service among government officials.This report includes information on the work undertaken by the government to improve and speed up the delivery of services as well as information about the projects undertaken by various government offices to develop services offered to the public. Some of the important activities carried out by government offices for this purpose include improving counter services, establishment of websites to disseminate information about the offices, establishment of computer networks, preparation of databases, orientation programmes for new entrants, customer surveys and revision of regulations aimed at the public. In the Presidential Address of 2000, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said that the policy of the government was to improve the quality and accessibility of services to the public while instilling a spirit of service delivery and work ethic in all government offices. Additional projects to improve quality of service is to be carried out this year.

General decline in fisheries all over Maldives

MALE, Feb 3 (HNS) - Since the beginning of last week, Maldives has been experiencing a slump in fisheries throughout the country. The Haa Alifu atoll region in the north has been plagued with bad catches since last month, and the companies involved in buying fish in that region have said that they get to buy an average of only 10 to 15 tonnes of fish these days. The main reason for such poor catches is simply because the fishing season is over. Despite this, exporters are confident that mid-February will yield better catches. It has been sometime since fisheries declined in central Maldives, though the south does not appear to be experiencing as much trouble.

President appoints two new Atoll Chiefs

MALE, June 18 (HNS) – President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has appointed new Atoll Chiefs to Meemu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.Shuaib Yousuf of M. Dhessa was appointed as the Atoll Chief of Meemu atoll, while Ahmed Rasheed of M. Niyami was appointed as the Atoll Chief of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. The two Atoll Chiefs took their oath of office in the presence of the President at the President's Office on Tuesday morning. The oath was administered by the Chief Justice and the President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim.The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Atolls Administration, Abdulla Hameed, and Abdulla Shahid, the Executive Secretary to the President.

Third fisheries zone could be lucrative: investors

MALE, May 21 (HNS) -- Investors eyeing the new fisheries zone believe that, business may be very good in the area. The third fisheries zone, now open for bid, could be a lucrative zone, according to some entrepreneurs who have bought bid documents for the zone which covers some eight atolls in the south of the country. Haveeru learns that nearly 10 parties have bought bid documents for the zone which include the North and South Ari atolls, and Vaavu, Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu, Thaa and Laamu atolls. According to one potential investor, who had bought a bid document for Rf5,000 ($=12.85), the main problem of the zone is its vastness and poor fish catch. "In actuality, it is not that that fishery is not good, but as this is a major tourism zone, the number of active fishermen is very low. However, if fishermen can be convinced that they can generate good income, they would be motivated to venture into this zone," he said. The main aim of investors in this zone should be to "revive the fisheries" among the people in those atolls, he said. "Then one (investors) could get a good income from the zone," he said. Another businessman said that as the zone is extensive, investors could operate successful ventures. He said that this is a "golden opportunity" for the business community and that fishing is the "future of the country." The last date for submission of bid documents for zone three is June 16.

Bay of Bengal states seek free-trade pact

COLOMBO, Mar 9 (AFP) - Commerce ministers from five countries around the Bay of Bengal Friday called for a free-trade pact to boost regional economic cooperation. The ministers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand set up a group of experts to work out the details and ensure a framework treaty by February next year, Sri Lanka's Commerce Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. "We are positive that we can move towards an FTA (free-trade agreement)," Karunanayake told reporters after the one-day ministerial meet. "We are looking to the future and we see a lot of possibilities." The BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation) ministers also agreed to look at relaxing visa restrictions for businesspeople travelling between member states. They will also ask their ambassadors to work closely in Geneva to ensure a common position on World Trade Organisation issues, Karunanayake said.

Child sex abuse -- the enemy within

SELF-HELP by Fathmath Ibrahim (Iko*) While doing research for this article, I read a very graphic book on this topic called 'Bitter chocolate' by Pinki Virani. At one point, I couldn't go on. The stories were too real and too close to heart. A close friend of mine was abused at the age of 13 years. Part of her is and will always be retarded and in denial. But part of her, like so many of us, will always be fighting -- to stop this 'enemy within' from preying on another child! Child sexual abuse is a societal problem of staggering proportion and consequence in Maldives. Studies indicate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of sixteen. The personal and societal costs of this abuse are appalling. Child sexual abuse is a hidden and secretive affair. Less than one in ten victims ever "tells", and only a small percentage of sexual abuse cases are ever reported. Child sexual abuse is a society's dirtiest, darkest and most damaging secret. Of course, you may choose to deny it. But it is very much among us here in Maldives. Incest does occur. Pedophiles are lurking like vampires ready to draw blood. And like vampires, they are also invited guests. The enemy is therefore, within. They're in our homes, our neighborhoods and our communities. The statistics are climbing higher and we can no longer choose to ignore it. The latest data from the Units for the Rights of Children in Maldives show 22 cases of child sexual abuse (with an average age of 9 years!) has been reported during the months of January to April this year. This is only the figure reported; can you imagine the numbers out there who are unknown? Just think, as you are reading this, a child is being abused somewhere. Child sexual abuse is any inappropriate sexual behavior towards the child and could be anything from penetration, using an object, or even forcing pornographic material on the child. Based on the figures, it is evident that most abuse root from the child's home and by someone in the family or close to the family; 85% of the children abused are females and 96% of the offenders are males. Often the offender is someone the child knows and trusts and someone who knows the functioning of the household. Some caregivers are aware of such abuse but choose not to believe it or ignore it altogether. Sometimes the child tries to communicate his or her grief but it may not always be clear. Therefore, it is very important good communication is established from the start and children are given the confidence that they can tell their mommy or daddy anything. The abuser may have threatened the child, or the child may be hesitant to tell the parents in fear that they will not believe it. We need to empower our children with their rights and teach them how to say 'NO'. Parents and teachers need to know how to recognize signs of abuse and how to get help. We need to change societal attitudes towards sexual abuse – it is never acceptable and it's never OK. By trying to protect your family's izzath (honor), you're only hurting your child who has been deprived of his or her innocence and rights. So my appeal to you readers: please don't let the enemy within win. [*Iko is a psychologist working with the Narcotics Control Board (NCB). If you have any questions or concerns about drug abuse and related social or interpersonal issues, please email her at: fi4@waikato.ac.nz]

Dhiraagu to reduce Internet tariffs, charge flat rates

MALE, Feb 6 (HNS) – Dhiraagu is to reduce Internet tariffs and charge flat rates for all hours, the telecommunications company announced. "We cannot say as yet by how much the tariff will be reduced," Dhiraagu's Internet protocol and data manager Ibrahim Riyaz told Haveeru in an interview. When Dhiraagu goes for the reduced rate on Internet dial-up tariffs towards the end of the month, the telecom company is to charge a flat rate for all hours. There will be no off-peak or peak hours with regard to Internet tariffs, Riyaz said. "People will be able to use the Internet at a cheap price at all times of the day," he said. Since Dhiraagu -- Maldives' sole Internet Service Provider (ISP) -- started Internet service here in 1996, this will be the seventh time it has gone for a price reduction in Internet tariffs. Dhiraagu is presently working towards the introduction of digital subscriber line (DSL) technology in Maldives.

One in three under-5 children in Maldives underweight: UN agencies

MALE, Dec 16 (HNS) - Every one in three children of under five years of age in Maldives are underweight, according to the United Nations agencies here. The reason for this is lack of proper nutrition, the UN said in a leaflet titled "One Family One Voice." Other reasons include obstacles in access to healthcare facilities, lack of breastfeeding habit among women, poor hygiene among children and increased infection among them. The UN also noted lack of proper nutrition among expecting mothers as a cause of under-5 children being underweight here. This factor denies children healthy physical development. A cause of lack of nutrition in Maldivian people's diet may be the absence of healthy foods and a balanced diet in Maldivians' dietary habits, according to the UN agencies. Items such as fruits and vegetables are prominently lacking in Maldivians' diet. The UN noted that it is quite difficult for most Maldivians to integrate fruits and vegetables into their diet because it is difficult to get them in the first place, and expensive, too.

Taking care of the handicapped part of Islamic framework of solidarity: Gayoom

MALE, Mar 12 (HNS) - President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Monday said that Islam stressed the social obligation to take care of those with special needs through catering to their requirements and enabling them to become productive members of the society, and pointed out that providing such care was part of the Islamic framework of solidarity and civic responsibility. The President made the statement while addressing the function held at Giyaasuddin School to award certificates to the participants of the courses conducted by Care Society and to those who had helped the NGO in various ways. Gayoom said that Islam taught every member of the community to be equal and with inherent rights, and called upon everyone to safeguard the rights of each and everyone and to strive to achieve happiness, well-being and advancement for all. He said that undertaking charitable and philanthropic activities that benefited people with low incomes, the orphaned, the widowed, the elderly, the indisposed, and the differently able persons within the community, and helping them to become productive members of the society were incumbent upon the community under the principles of Islamic solidarity and civic responsibility. The President said that those with special needs can be fully integrated into the society as productive and happy members of the community through the support of their families and friends, and through the help of other members of the society. Pointing out that every individual was endowed with certain talents and aptitudes, Gayoom said that persons with special needs also could be trained to join the job market. He added that when the talents and the skills of an individual were developed and encouraged by others, he or she could make a meaningful contribution to the development of the nation. Further, the President said that it was incumbent on families and on the entire society to give extra care and devotion and to provide an education to differently able persons to help them become productive members of their family and citizens who contributed to national development. Praising the efforts being made by Care Society to assist in various ways those in the community with special needs, and to make them productive citizens, the President thanked Fathimath Afiya, Executive Director of Care Society and the executives and the members of the Society. He also congratulated the participants and those who achieved commendable results in the courses conducted by Care Society. Gayoom was presented a commemorative plaque on behalf of Care Society by Afiya and also was presented a Video Compact Disc of a song that he had composed for Care Society. The VCD was offered to the President by two students of Care Society. The certificates for commendable achievement and for participation in the courses conducted by Care Society and for assisting Care Society in various ways were given away by the President. Ijazulla Abdulla Ali provided a brief outline of the courses that had been conducted by Care Society. He noted the importance given by the President to the work of Care Society, and expressed gratitude, on behalf of the Society, to the President for gracing the function.