India Sudan partners in collaboration and aspirations

“Many a times, people wonder as to what is it that India wants from its engagement with the country of two Niles – our simple response is, to assist the people and the government of Sudan to achieve what they aspire for” said the Ambassador of India H.E. Sanjay Kumar Verma. The Ambassador addressed a distinguished gathering of 300 people on the lawns of his residence on the occasion of the 65^th Republic day of India on 26^th January’14. Present at the dinner were quite a few Sudanese ministers, politicians, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassadors of several nations, distinguished Sudanese people from every walk of life and a sizeable number of members of the Indian community in Sudan.

His Excellency Sanjay Kumar Verma further said “Capacity building is one of the main tools for conduct of India’s bilateral relationship with Sudan. Capacity building in human resource, in infrastructure and in industrial processes.  Objective is to assist the people and the government of the Republic of the Sudan to enter into the phase of a better socio-economic development with sustainable growth.  India too passed through similar phases and we are ready to share our experience, as done in the past, with our interlocutors in this country.  We open our educational institutions to our friends from Sudan – about 225 of them go to study in India annually on the Government of India scholarships, for both long and short terms, another 1500 or more go on self financing basis every year.  Though, it is difficult to put a number on the Sudanese nationals, who would have graduated from India, a number of over 30,000 have been estimated by many.  In order to leverage our friendship further, we are also engaged in creating institutions of human resource development in Sudan.  Two such ongoing projects include a center for English language training and another one for vocational training.  There are many other projects in the pipeline. Under our initiative to assist Sudan in capacity building for its infrastructure and industrial sectors, we are engaged in the construction of a 500 MW power plant in Kosti and a sugar mill at Mashkour.  There have been many such projects completed in the past as well.  Lines of Credit have been used as one of the tools to implement such projects, keeping their ownership with the people of this land. We are one of the significant trading partners to Sudan and have also taken up sincerely in setting up of industrial units here.  Currently, we are engaged in sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, steel, pharmaceuticals, energy and mining.”

The Ambassador also added “The world would very soon, in a few months time, witness the largest democratic exercise on mother earth – about 800 million voters, about the same as the population of entire Europe, would be queuing up in India to cast their ballots, to have their say in who governs them and what should be the philosophy of the governance for the next five years.  Yes, India will have its general elections in next few months’ time from now.  An exercise, fully electronic and credible!  This is the largest event ever that the world would witness!  Of course, it will also be like a festival to celebrate the success of the Indian model of democracy”.

The Chief Guest and the official representative of the Government of the Republic of Sudan at the grand occasion was His Excellency Altayef Hassan Badawi, Minister of Culture. He conveyed felicitations and warm greetings from the President of Sudan to the Ambassador, Government and the people of India. Minister Badawi spoke of the historical ties between Sudan and India and referred to India as a symbol of rich cultural, historical and political civilization, as seen by the world. He was happy to announce that the relationship between Sudan and India is moving forward steadily in all sectors, politically, commercially and culturally despite international and regional changes taking place. It is important to point out the efforts taken by both the Governments at a top level meeting last November. As a result a meeting of senior ministers will take place soon. Another important meeting between the businessmen of the two countries will take place in the first quarter of the current New Year. He once again greeted the Ambassador of India and the people of India for their prosperity and development.

At the end all guests left with memories of a fine evening and delectable Indian cuisine.

65th Republic Day of India Celebrated in Khartoum

“2014 is a precipice moment in our history. We must re-discover that sense of national purpose and patriotism, which lifts the nation above and across the abyss; and back on to the road of prosperity. Give the young   jobs and they will raise the villages and cities to 21^st century standards. Give them a chance and you will marvel at the India they can create.” This is an abstract from the speech of the President of India on the eve of 65^th Republic Day. The Ambassador of India in Sudan H.E. Sanjay Kumar Verma unfurled the national tricolor with the national anthem and read out the President’s  speech to the Indian community gathered at India House, the residence of the Ambassador, at 9am on 26^th January’14. He concluded the President’s speech with “India’s true strength lies in her Republic; in the courage of her Constitution, and the patriotism of her people.1950 saw the birth of our Republic. I am sure that 2014 will be the year of resurgence”. The day in Khartoum was celebrated with children dancing to patriotic songs and ladies singing them. The invitees at the banquet hosted by the Ambassador in the evening will find Ministers, Diplomats, Distinguished guests and Indian community. An Embassy official mentioned that he is expecting 450 people. Jai Hind!

More Science, More Practice - 4th International Conference of Sudanese Society of Gastroenterology

The Sudanese Society of Gastroenterology (SSG) was the first interdisciplinary medical society in Sudan founded in 1975 with the initiative of Prof.Zaki Eldeen Ahmed. Since then the Society has achieved many milestones and acquired international recognition. The former President of the society Prof. Suliman Salih Fedail has been awarded ‘Master of Gastroenterology’ by the World Gastroenterology Organization.

‘More Science, More Practice’ is the theme for the 4^th International Conference of Sudanese Society of Gastroenterology presently being held in Hotel Corinthia, Khartoum. This conference is in collaboration with European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and with the representation from the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO).

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) is dedicated to the advance of skilled endoscopic practice through workshops, publication of guidelines, and research. 

The SSG conference was preceded by hands-on training workshops in abdominal ultrasound, laparoscopy and advanced endoscopy. The training workshops were conducted by leaders in advanced endoscopic techniques from Europe, Egypt, Asia and South America.

The scientific programme has international guest speakers as well as local experts and pioneers in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery. This conference is truly International and a golden opportunity for delegates to exchange local experience with international icons in the field of gastrointestinal diseases, endoscopy and surgery.

Christmas Painting Competition

What can be more memorable than to celebrate Christmas Day with children by organizing a painting and drawing competition! The Ambassador of India H.E.Mr Sanjay Kumar Verma and his wife Mrs Gunjan Verma spent Christmas Day with 52 children from the Indian community. The Indian Ladies Club organized this painting and drawing competition at the Ambassador’s residence. They split the children in three age groups with three different themes. The youngest group was of the age range 5-8 years and were given the subject ‘My Merry Christmas’ with crayons, sketch pens and pencil colours; the age group 9-12 years had the theme ‘Sudan through My Eyes’ in water colours and ‘A Glimpse of the Future World’ was the topic for the age group 13-16. The winners in the youngest group from first to third were Kritika Sharma, Mantasna Sheikh and Palak Sawan Kamdar. The winners in the middle group from first to third were Shakuntala Brahmam, Ronit Roy and M.V. Amalendhu. In the group from 13-16 years the first prize was won by Yasyasvi Murali, second by Divya Sekar and the third prize went to Prateek Samal. All 52 children went home with a certificate and a message that the most important thing is not winning but in taking part.

First Conference of Hypertension in Khartoum

When did you last get your Blood Pressure measured? The same question was asked by Prof. Mohamed Mustafa Kardash to a large group of Registrars of Medicine and found that very few had actually measured their BP in the recent past. Much awareness is needed in this country about Hypertension –the silent killer.

The first conference of Hypertension was held on 20^th & 21^st December at Hotel Grand Holiday Villa in Khartoum. At the inauguration on 19^th December Prof.Siddig Ibrahim Khaleel presented that the changing habits and life style due to urbanization was increasing the prevalence of Hypertension in Sudan. Our eating habits are changing from traditional food to eating out fast foods, diets with refined carbohydrates, high salt content, saturated fats with minimal physical activities, smoking and Diabetes. With these risk factors Hypertension is a major cause for Heart Attacks and Brain Attacks leading to sufferings and death. Prof.Siddig added that the prevalence of hypertension is almost 40% of patients seen in hospitals in Khartoum.

Consultants from different disciplines like Cardiology, Neurology, Radiology and others spoke with various perspectives and findings related to Hypertension. The two day conference was house full with junior doctors. Someone observed that 85% of the attendees were women.

Amna Abdalla Babiker from the department of Biochemistry made an interesting presentation about her study with fresh water melon juice which has the potential of reducing high blood pressure and reducing cholesterol.

Prof. Hassan Abu-Aisha shared that 87% of people in Khartoum are inactive with no physical exercise. His prescription is minimum half an hour physical exercise per day and has registered Sudan Safe Exercise for All (SEFA). In fact he made all attendees in the conference stand up and perform a few exercises. He emphasized the need to strengthen the musculoskeletal system and to potentiate the breathing by utilizing all the air sacs in the lungs. Prof.Abu-Aisha mentioned that regular physical exercises helped in both primary and secondary prevention of all diseases ranging from Hypertension, Diabetes to Cancer.

Everyone congratulated Dr.Ibtisam Ahmed Ali, President of Sudanese Society of Hypertension, for successfully organizing the conference. She encouraged the Young Sudanese Investigators by endorsing their innovation of Sudanese Stress Ring. The only regret was that the two foreign experts Prof.Peter M.Nilsson from Sweden and Prof.Daniel Lemogoum from Cameroon could not make it to the conference.

It takes all sorts…

My faith in humanity is restored everyday by incidents such as these. It takes all sorts to make a world.

Last night when I came back from work, I opened the boot and found that my professional bag had been stolen. But unfortunately for the thief there wasn’t much worth in the bag. Only a few physicians samples, brochures and papers. Not even a few Sudanese pounds.

Early this morning while I was having my first cup of tea, a quiet voice called me on my cell phone and asked whether this was the right number. He said he was Mohamed Fageer and had my bag. We decided to meet at the Shergy Bus Stop. He said he found the bag in his ‘Amjad’ the local van cab. Some men had got in last night. It was only this morning when the regular school children got in they showed him my bag. Luckily my business card was in the bag where he got my contact number. The thief  had left my bag in the transport.

I thanked Mohamed Fageer and gave him a small reward which he accepted reluctantly.

My faith in humanity is restored everyday by incidents such as these. It takes all sorts to make a world.

Indian Scholarships for Sudanese Students

From time immemorial, India has been a centre for learning. India can claim to be one of the leading countries providing quality higher education to its people as well as to students and scholars from countries all over the world. Indian Universities have made significant contribution in the frontiers of science and technology and these centres have been extending their cooperation to students of other developing countries.

Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi helps formulate and implement policies pertaining to India’s external cultural relations, to foster mutual understanding between India and other countries and to promote cultural exchanges with other peoples.

In keeping with the objectives, ICCR has Scholarship Scheme for Africa in the Academic Session 2014-15. The Embassy of India, Khartoum has announced twenty seven (27) Scholarships for Under Graduate/ Post Graduate Courses for Sudanese nationals resident in Sudan. Subjects of study encompass science,  engineering, technology, humanities, arts, music, dance and performing arts.

 Application form along with guidelines meant for the students are available on the website of the Embassy (www.indembsdn.com).Fluency in English is a pre-requisite. Students are required to pass an English Proficiency Test conducted by the Embassy during evaluation of their applications. Embassy of India will provide return economy class airfares to selected students to the airport closest to the place of study in India. The last date for receipt of applications is January 16, 2014.