KUWAIT CITY, Jan 19: The Indian Doctors Forum (IDF), Kuwait, affiliated to the Kuwait Medical Association, Friday, released, the IDF Health Guide Volume IX (which is based on the theme Globesity - Global Obesity) during a mega event which was held under the theme ‘Rainbow 2013’ at the Convention Center of the Regency Hotel, Al-Bida’a.
The event which was held under the patronage of HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was inaugurated by Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs.
The Health Guide was released by the Minister of Health, Dr Mohammed Al-Haifi, in the presence of the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Satish C. Mehta and guests of honor Dr Khalid Al-Sahlawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health; Dr Mohammed Al-Mutairi, President, Kuwait Medical Association and Prof Adel K. Ayed, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait.
The event began with singing of the national anthems of Kuwait and India, followed by a recitation of the Holy Quran by Dr Syed Mahoodur Rahman and a welcome address by Dr Jaganath R.C, General Secretary, IDF; followed by an address by Dr N. Nampoory, Chairman of IDF, address by Dr Amir Ahmed, President of IDF and the inaugural address by Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah.
Also Dr Mohammed Al-Haifi, Dr Khalid Al-Sahlawi and Satish C. Mehta addressed the gathering.
Commended
Addressing the distinguished guests and the audience, the Indian Ambassador commended the good work done by the IDF in spite of the tight schedule of doctors exerting time and selfless efforts in the service of the community.
He also commended the IDF for being the recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest civilian award bestowed upon Non-Resident Indians/Organizations.
The award was received by Dr Nampoory during a ceremony which was held in Kochi, India.
Dr Nampoory in his address said he is happy that the IDF is celebrating its annual event Rainbow Docfest 2013. “We have passed through various hurdles and hindrances in the past, but eventually came out victorious in all our efforts. Today, every IDF member is proud to be a part of this forum because of its unparalleled, committed, noble and highly innovative activities presented to the community and its family members.
He began with saying, “This year is very special for the IDF. We are very happy to inform that the IDF has been bestowed with the covetous, International Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (PBS) by the Government of India.”
Award
The award was presented by the President of India Pranab Kumar Mukherjee at Cochin last week. “It is a matter of great pride for each and every member of IDF and Indian community in Kuwait at large,” he said.
President Mukherjee and the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have both praised the humanitarian activities being performed and congratulated IDF.
Honourable Indian Ambassador His Excellency Shri Satish C. Mehta and all the officials in the Indian Embassy have always been leading, guiding and supporting us. Words cannot express our enormous gratitude and appreciation to them,” he said.
He disclosed the IDF conducts all “our activities” under the umbrella of the Kuwait Medical Association, “with which we are officially affiliated. We thank the president of KMA, Dr Mohammed Al Mutairi and all other officials for their unrestricted and continued support provided to us unconditionally.
He informed, the IDF has organized several health camps, health seminars, School Health Programs and published a lot of health related material for the benefit of the community.
“We also publish the health guides every year, of which thousands of copies are distributed free to the community. This year, the topic of the health guide is Obesity, which is a major health problem not only in Kuwait and India but also other parts of the world,” he said.
He went on to say, “It is a major cause of heart attacks, cancer, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Knowing the gravity and magnitude of this problem the IDF has decided to devote this year’s theme towards this cause. In addition to the health guide, we are also aiming at further spreading the information to different communities by means of various seminars, counseling sessions and online interactions.
“Several eminent senior Indian doctors have written meaningful articles in a very legible and coherent manner for the benefit of the common man, in the hope these activities will benefit the community at large,” he said.
He thanked HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Ahmed Jaber Al-Sabah for his kindhearted help for the IDF and patronizing this event. He also thanked Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah for his interest in the activities of the IDF and for “being with us this evening.”
Health Minister Dr Mohammed Al-Haifi is a very well-known bariatric surgeon, nationally and internationally acclaimed. “Your Excellency, your presence today means a great blessing for us since the topic of today’s Health Guide is Obesity. Your Excellency, on behalf of all the members of IDF I extend our warm greetings and pledge full support for all MoH activities.”
Last but not the least he thanked Anwar Al Mulla, CEO of Al Mulla Group of companies and Majed Al Ajeel, Chairman, Burgan Bank, for their continued commitment to IDF and interest in its activities.
The event was felicitated by Dr Mohammed Al-Mutairi while Dr Usha Rajaram, Vice-President, Indian Doctors Forum gave the vote of thanks. The event was followed by a cultural program.
The main theme of the cultural program was Rainbow — a sign of diversity and inclusiveness, of hope and or yearning.
It is a symbol of conveying a message of a new era, of unity and social change. It is a promise for brighter lives.
The participants in the program stressed on the importance of each color and how each plays a role in our lives.
The event was choreographed by Mrs Kalpana Patwari; Mrs Kalamandalam Priyam or Upasna dance academy with coordination by Dr Divya Damodar and Dr Rani Basheer; Mrs Rina Dev, Dr Arpita Chattopadhyay; Mrs Ayesha and Lawrence; Mrs Hema Shringi and Mrs Jyoti Patel of Dancing Divas.