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Be enchanted by Siam Niramit
Manila Bulletin
ON WORLD’S LARGEST STAGE

On your next Thai Airways trip to Bangkok, meet enchantment at Siam Niramit (Siam meaning “the Enchanted Kingdom”), the Thai capital’s newest entertainment complex, now attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Siam Niramit, billed as a world-class spectacular show, takes the viewer on a captivating 80-minute tour through Thai culture and history, uncovering the customs and treasures that have come down through the centuries and continue to fascinate present-day visitors.

Set right in the heart of Bangkok and easily accessible by street and underground, the complex boasts of having the world’s largest stage, the Ratchada Grand Theatre. Measuring 6.6 meters wide with 15-meter wings on either side, 40 meters deep, a proscenium four stories high and incorporating over 100 sets, many, 12 meters high. Such scale and quantity make it possible to present extremely elaborate, super-realistic scenes, enhanced by high-tech sensurround audio system. Thus the venue combines modern with classic theatre techniques and equipment to immerse the audience in the events unfolding onstage.

As for the show itself, over 150 trained actors and actresses perform in elaborately produced and historically accurate costumes amid stunning special effects, such as angels floating in the Paradise scene, an artificial rain curtain on stage, rice fields changing color according to season, krathongs floating on an on-stage lake. There are live elephants, magicians, aerial artists, acrobats, pyrotechnics, and a spiral stage-lift that elevates a scene before the audience’s very eyes. In aid of it all are amazing, almost instantaneous scene changes.

While utilizing the latest technology available, Siam Niramit also proudly boasts its core cultural fidelity. The show depicts Thai history, customs and civilization as they have transcended in time and is lavishly designed to truly enchant all viewers.

Outside the theatre, there is a Thai Village covering 5,600 sq.m. of the complex. Here, visitors may view traditional Thai lifestyles and activities such as cloth-weaving and pottery-making. For a taste of Thai cuisine, there is a 700-seat restaurant and, for shoppers, there are souvenir stores galore selling selected handicraft from all regions of Thailand.

Siam Naramit is located on Tiam Ruamit Road, near the Thailand Cultural Center. Tickets are 1,500 Baht (excluding dinner). Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid Holidays tour packages include Siam Niramit and other new fun destinations in Thailand.

Brunei Pavilion: A Hit At Dubai Expo
By Rosli Abidin Yahya
BruDirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan – The pavilion of Brunei Darussalam at the 11th Gulf Food, Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinary (Gulfood) 2006, currently held in Dubai, UAE, has been well received by trade visitors who show keen interests in tie-ups with local establishments.

Dayang Siti Abidah Alli, an officer of the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR), said there has been encouraging responses to local products exhibited by the nine establishments in Brunei.

“One of the objectives of the ministry in getting local companies to participate in such expo is to help them create a network with foreign companies so their products can be distributed in the international market.

“We hope one day such objective can be achieved and our products can be found in other countries,” she said.

She also said the Brunei pavilion at Gulfood was visited by Brunei Ambassador to UAE Dato Paduka Hj Adrian bin Hj Zainal and his wife, as well as officers from the Brunei Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Dayang and another MIPR officer, Hj Damit Hj Mohd Arshad, head the Brunei delegation at the expo, which is being held at the Dubai International_ Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai.

Dayang added that local establishments have been participating in business-matching sessions with companies from Dubai, UAE, Egypt, Turkey and Iran.

Participating for the first time in the annual event, the Brunei delegation comprises MIPR and its companies, Nabhan Food Industry and Services, Perusahaan Aminah, Hussyn Rahman Enterprise Co, Halaqah Sdn Bhd, and Ridah Handicraft.

A total of 1,800 establishments from 80 nations are participating in the event which is divided into two categories: food, hotel and equipment exhibition, and salon culinary.

The expo was opened on February 19 by Sheikh Hashar, Dubai Communication Minister, who visited all participating country pavilions including a mini pavilion of Brunei.

The Gulfood 2006, which ends today, is considered a showcase of manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers around the globe.

Several events also run alongside the expo, including the Dubai International Food Safety Conference 2006, from February 20-22.

The conference, organised by the Public Health Department of Dubai Municipality, features international speakers from the CodexAlimentarius Commission as well as representatives from Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada and Gulf region.

The meeting focuses on crucial issues faced by food safety industry today such as international and local standards ahd regulations, food safety systems, food labelling and documentations, risk analysis, and ecertification. — Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

India, Pakistan willing to restore trade link via J&K: Azad
New Kerala

Kaman Post (J&K), Feb 20: India and Pakistan were willing to restore trade links via Jammu and Kashmir within next two months, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said today.

Both countries, during the recent foreign secretary-level meeting, have expressed desire to resume trade via Kaman and Chaken-de-bagh checkposts in the state within March-April, he told reporters after inaugurating the re-launched Baiely bridge connecting Srinagar with Muzaffarabad here.

He said the Centre was very keen to start trade links so that the road being used by those visiting their relatives here or in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) would also be utilized for trade and commerce.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is very enthusiastic to promote trade with Pakistan through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, he said, adding this link will also promote dry fruit and handicraft trade in the valley.

“Our priority is that trade between the two countries grow,” he said, adding this link would open new doors for people of both the countries.

About modalities for resumption of trade, Azad said “we have identified the items to be exported. Once you identify the items, I dont think there will be any problem”.

However, the chief minister said there was an urgent need to to create infrastructure for resumption of the trade between the two countries adding the basic infrastructure for this purpose will have to be constructed soon in Uri.

At Chaken-de-bagh in Poonch out of 13 km, nine kilometers road has already been mettled and remaining four will be completed in next two months, he said, adding permanent infrastructure like customs, tourist huts, cafetria etc is needed there also.

Business leaders honored
By Jamie Jones
Dalton Daily Citizen

It’s no surprise the five inaugural inductees into the Junior Achievement Northwest Georgia Business Hall of Fame have strong links to the carpet industry.

Today, 80 percent of the U.S. carpet market is supplied by mills within a 65-mile radius of Dalton, highlighting the carpet industry’s profound impact on the region.

Jack Bandy, Alan and the late Shirley Lorberbaum, V.D. Parrott and the late Catherine Evans Whitener all played different — yet important — roles in the growth of the carpet industry. They will be honored during an induction ceremony at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center on April 25 at 6:30 p.m.

“In essence, it’s to recognize individuals who have helped make our community successful, folks that have served as role models for our young people,” said Judy Norris, executive director of Junior Achievement’s Northwest Georgia District, which includes Whitfield and Murray counties.

Junior Achievement asked members of the community for nominations last year. Those suggestions were whittled down to the five inductees by a selection committee made up of community volunteers. They judged the nominations based on several attributes, including business excellence, inspiring leadership, community involvement and innovation.

The selection process was not easy, Norris said, because there are several deserving business leaders.

“The first year was very difficult,” she said. “We’ve just got a lot of good folks to recognize, but we can’t recognize everybody our first year.”

Norris said Junior Achievement plans to add three members each year.

“I think we have enough for the next five or 10 years,” she said.

Jeff Lorberbaum, chairman and chief executive officer of Mohawk Industries, said Junior Achievement should be commended for “helping young people better understand personal finance and providing encouragement to explore career opportunities.” Junior Achievement teaches children about business, economics and personal finance, reaching more than 4 million students nationally each year.

“My parents’ induction into the local Junior Achievement Hall of Fame is a wonderful recognition of their professional accomplishments and their commitment to this community,” Jeff Lorberbuam said. “They thoroughly enjoyed their careers in the floorcovering industry and took great pleasure in contributing to the success and personal growth of many individuals.”

Here are the first five inductees:

• Jack Bandy: One of three founders in 1956 of the tufted carpet business Coronet Industries, which was eventually bought by Beaulieu. Bandy’s family also donated land where the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center was built. Bandy resides in Dalton.

• Alan and Shirley Lorberbaum: In 1957 they started Aladdin Mills, which would later become Mohawk Industries. The Calhoun-based company is now the world’s largest floorcovering maker, employing more than 34,000. Alan lives in Boca Raton, Fla. Shirley passed away in 1999.

• V.D. Parrott Jr.: Served as general manager/president of Dalton Utilities from 1945 until his retirement in 1982, working with local industry to create an environment to help the carpet industry grow. Parrott lives in Dalton.

• Catherine Evans Whitener: Considered the “mother of the carpet industry,” Whitener revived the handicraft tradition of tufting patterns onto bedspreads in the late 1890s, which developed into the floorcovering industry. She passed away in 1964.

Parrott, who moved to Dalton in 1919, remembers the heyday of the “Peacock Alley” corridor on Dixie Highway where the fledgling bedspread industry began and proliferated. He lived across the street from Whitener and her husband, spending time on their front porch swing.

“To be honored alongside Mrs. Evans is quite a surprise, but is also very special because she was like an aunt to me,” Parrott said.

The dinner and reception will serve to raise money and awareness for Junior Achievement. Norris said the organization’s budget comes from business, foundations, donations and special events.

During the black tie (optional) event, students will introduce each inductee, a video depicting the inductees’ life and achievements will be shown. The inductees in attendance will have an opportunity to speak.

Junior Achievement plans to establish a permanent Hall of Fame display at the trade center, but the organization has not determined the specifics.

Norris said she has thought about establishing a local Hall of Fame for the past five years. Junior Achievement has a national business Hall of Fame, which has more than 220 members, including Warren Buffett (owner of Berkshire Hathaway, which owns Dalton-based Shaw Industries) and Dave Thomas (Wendy’s). This year’s inductees include Arthur Blank (co-founder of The Home Depot and Atlanta Falcons owner) and Herbert V. Kohler Jr. (chairman and president of Kohler Co.). Communities across the state have also established Halls of Fame, so Norris had a format to follow.

In Northwest Georgia, Junior Achievement has provided programs to students since 1964. Each year the Northwest Georgia District serves more than 8,900 students in 44 schools, with the bulk of those students in Gordon, Murray and Whitfield counties. The local district has more than 300 volunteer

Auckland beats to the heart of the Pacific
Tuesday, 21 February 2006, 1:56 pm
Press Release: Auckland City Council
MEDIA RELEASE
21 February 2006

Auckland beats to the heart of the Pacific

The Pacific Islands have never been closer – on Saturday 11 March Western Springs plays host to the vibrant colours, wide smiles and Island drum beats of Pasifika Festival 2006.

The festival, now in its 14th year, is the largest free community event of its kind in the world. It is a both a celebration of Pacific arts and culture and of Auckland as the home of the world’s largest Pacific Island population.

Pasifika Festival Day, held at Western Springs Stadium and Lakeside at the all-new time of 10am to 5pm, is a chance for attendees to totally immerse themselves in Pacific Island culture. Eight villages representing different Pacific Islands provide everything from workshops and demonstrations to traditional food, cultural performances and handicraft – each showing what makes their culture unique.

SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) is sponsoring the eight cultural villages, which feature everything from contemporary arts and music to traditional food, handicraft and cultural performances. Physical activity will be integrated into the programmes at all of the SPARC Push Play Villages to encourage people to remain active throughout the festival.

“SPARC is delighted to be Pasifika Festival’s village sponsor again this year. We are committed to getting New Zealanders to look after their general health and well-being so for us the festival is a great opportunity to show people ways they can be more active in a fun environment. Our aim is to get everyone in New Zealand to Push Play for 30 minutes a day most days of the week – it doesn’t have to be hard, it might just be getting off the bus one stop early or walking to the shops instead of driving” says Deb Hurdle, SPARC’s general manager of participation.

The ninth village, Niu Sila, has a slightly different focus, featuring information from government and tertiary institutions in addition to dance competitions, up and coming entertainers and craft and food stalls.

Highlights of each of the eight cultural villages include:

Samoa Village
– full ava (similar to Fijian Kava) ceremony
– traditional umu (earth oven)
– entertainment throughout the day provided by Merge Media
– traditional foods and handicrafts
– Samoan Trade and Tourism delegations on site including the Samoan Tourism Authority Dance Group and members from Samoa Garments and Elei Design Manufacturers Association.
Don’t miss Samoa’s signature dishes “Palusami/Luau” (corned beef and coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves) and “Pisua” (starch from grated cassava mixed with coconut cream and sugar).

Tonga Village
– Filipe Tohi (Tongan contemporary sculptor)
– Siasi Tonga Brass Band
– Tau’olunga (traditional dance) by Miss Vanessa Jones
– Performances by Avondale Junior Saints, Anglican Tongan Youth, Onehunga Catholic Youth and Tongan Mormon Youth Girls group
– Umu demonstration and a competition to win umu for lunch
– Melenau Lino (Tongan female artist)
– Learn how to weave your own traditional wear using traditional Tongan materials
Don’t miss Tonga’s signature dishes “Lu pulu” (corned beef and coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves) and “Ngou’a” (taro leaves mixed with cassava pudding in caramel sauce).

Niue Village
– Moota String Band
– Koli (traditional dancing) throughout the day by Brianney-li Poimafisi, Dreesana Gaitau, Lialagi Foou, One/Amber Patutaue and Shevalyn Poimafisi
– Village aerobics (music: Vihi Heka)
– Niue culturewear competition (12-15 year olds)
– Competitions in tapu togiapoe (ladies weaving), paleu (Niuean fan) and volu niu tufi fifine (coconut scraping)
– Malcolm Lakatani
– A display of traditional Niuean wear
Don’t miss Niue’s signature dishes “Takihi” (white taro layered with pawpaw and coconut cream) and the juice of young coconut.

Fiji Village
– Blowing of the conch shell to herald the Official Opening of the Fiji Village, opening prayer, followed by the singing of the Fijian National anthem by a choir
– Choral items
– Basket weaving demonstration
– Fashion show (Blast from the Past – Old Fiji)
– Coconut scraping and tasting
– Fashion show featuring original, traditional Fijian attire
– Fijian men dressed in the formal uniform of a Fijian policeman (white sulu and black tunic) helping around the village.
Don’t miss Fiji’s signature dishes “Kokoda” (fresh ocean fish marinated in lemons, garnished with seasonal salads and presented in a tasty coconut sauce) and “Vakalolo” (cassava cake/pudding with caramel sauce).

Kiribati Village
– Mwaie (traditional dancing)
– Te Kuaea (traditional songs accompanied by guitar)
– Kids’ weaving (chance for kids to come and weave their own hats, sunglasses, windmills, fish, balls etc.)
– Dance costumes (show on traditional dance costumes, how they are made, what they are made from and for which dances they are used for)
Don’t miss Kiribati’s signature dishes “Te tuae” (a preserved food made from pandanus fruit) and “Pancakes Kiribati style” (sprinkled with freshly grated coconut and topped with te kamaimai – coconut syrup).

Tokelau Village
– Traditional games being demonstrated and played – Tuiga music with the Tokelau community
– Women’s craft workshop (traditional weaving (mats and fans – fala and ili)) with the Tokelau Women’s Group
– Po te Pusa and Siva (Fatele drumming & dancing workshop) with the Tokelau community
– Men’s craft workshop with the Tokelauan Men’s Group
– Tokelau Youth Performance
– Traditional dancing (Fatele), Tokelau community
Don’t miss Tokelau’s signature dishes “Meika” (fresh ocean fish marinated in lemons, garnished with seasonal salads and presented in a tasty coconut sauce) and “Fekei” (grated cooked taro with coconut cream and ‘kaleve’, coconut juice).

Cook Islands Village
– Ukulele playing competition (for young amateurs or talented musicians)
– Dance-off competitions (traditional and contemporary)
– Sale of live tipani (frangipani) plants
– Sale of vai uto drink (yellow grated coconut kernels with sweetened coconut juice complimented with cabin bread)
– Miss South Pacific 2005
Don’t miss the Cook Islands’ signature dishes “Mitiore” (fresh shellfish mixed in fermented grated coconut and onions) and “Poke Meika” (banana pudding).
There is more live entertainment, top cultural groups, products and cuisine at the Cook Islands Trade Delegation site, situated by the APRA/NZMIC Stage and the Stadium Road park entrance.

Tuvalu Village
– Fatele performances followed by island songs played by a band
– handicraft demonstration and display
– Siva (dance) performed by the Funafuti youth
– Game of tui (played with coconut shells)
– Tui, a traditional indoor game using coconut shells will be demonstrated and played.
Don’t miss Tuvalu’s signature dishes “Ikafuluniu” (fresh ocean fish cooked in open fire and mixed with freshly grated coconut and cream) and “Poi” (mashed young coconut meat mixed with fresh toddy).

Pasifika Festival is one of more than 60 free events provided by Auckland City as part of the Ak@Play summer events programme. It is proudly sponsored by Air New Zealand, SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand), Radio 531pi, The New Zealand Herald, Ministry of Education’s Team-Up – Helping our kids learn, Flava 96one, APRA and the NZ Music Industry Commission, Families Commission, and Western Union Money Transfer. The festival is supported by Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Limited, McCallum Industries Palm Corned Beef, Spasifik Magazine and Niu FM, and funded by the Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand.

ENDS

Govt Panel Exploring Ways to Promote Folk Art
Javid Hassan & Ali Al-Zahrani, Arab News

RIYADH, 21 February 2006 — A multi-agency committee has been formed to focus on assistance to Saudi craftsmen, Arab News has learned.

Majid Al-Sheddi of the Supreme Commission for Tourism said members of this committee, comprised of representatives of 10 governmental departments, have visited many countries to study ways of developing folk art industries.

Saudi craftsmen who were interviewed by Arab News at the Janadriya Festival said that they had been contacted by the SCT two years ago as part of the registration of craftsmen for providing them financial assistance. “The SCT people have not come back to us, and we are still waiting,” Mohammed Al-Jamhan, a craftsman from Qassim, told Arab News.

Both Al-Jamhan and Saleh Abdulaziz Al-Saggouf, also from the Qassim area, said it would be a good idea if the SCT set up a handicrafts emporium in the model of the National Products Center of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“We really need a place where people could come and buy handicrafts,” said Al-Saggouf. “Since there are no conducted tours for visiting businessmen coming from abroad, a handicrafts showroom is highly desirable.”

The artisans felt the need for training facilities for newcomers into the field in order to save the handicraft industry from extinction. “Unfortunately, there is no such facility,” Yusuf Mehmood Al-Owaish from Al-Hasa told Arab News.

Asked to comment on the plight of the Saudi craftsmen, Al-Sheddi told Arab News that the SCT was fully committed to helping the artisans. “We always inform them beforehand about upcoming cultural festivals. This provides them an avenue for earning their livelihood,” he said.

The SCT official said that they are in talks with the Louvre Museum authorities of France for an exchange of ideas on the management of museums.

Referring to the high-level committee, he said its members have visited Turkey, Egypt, Syria and Morocco, countries that all have flourishing handicrafts industries.

“We want to draw on their experience in formulating a long-term strategy for the development and rehabilitation of the handicrafts trade in the Kingdom,” said Al-Sheddi.

He pointed out that French President Jacques Chirac is likely to visit the Kingdom in the near future. The presidential delegation will include a member of the Louvre who will identify areas of cooperation for establishing museums in the Kingdom.

Al-Sheddi said the private sector could play a major role in promoting domestic tourism. “Our long-term strategy is to involve the private sector in this regard,” he said.

Update skills, exhorts Governor
DH News Service Bangalore:
Deccan Herald

Governor T N Chaturvedi on Monday urged professionals in the handicraft sector to update their knowledge base to keep pace with international trends and face the competition effectively.

“Handicraft is an employment-intensive sector and therefore it’s necessary that the professionals are adequately paid. For this, it becomes imperative that they adopt innovations in design and new patterns,” he said while speaking at the State-level Gramodyog Shilpi/Artisan Award 2004-05 ceremony.

Pointing to the emergence of China as a tough competitor in the sector, the governor said the industry should also look at new ways of marketing the goods. “Aspects like machine production become really important in this context. Adopting new techniques and designs will be a challenge for artisans who have been operating traditionally for hundreds of years, but it’s necessary that they do it to meet the changing demands for handicrafts abroad,” he said. Mr K Mohan Raju, State Director, Office of Commissioner for Khadi and Village Industries and Mr K S Satya Murthy, CEO, Karnataka State Khadi and Village Industries Board spoke on the occasion. The awards, instituted by the State Commissionerate for Khadi and Village Industries, were given away by the governor to the following artisans: Khadi: Ms Gayakwad Sampa Bandu and Ms Angadi Basawa Umesh, Bee-keeping: Mr K Puttanna Gowda and Mr Acharya Monappa K, Pottery: Mr Raja Shekhar G and Mr G Ganeshappa Kumbar, Lime: Mr S Manjunath Acharya and Mr Vishwanathachar, Hand-made paper: Mr Thakur Raghuveer Singh and Ms Hudid Santoa Somangowda and Leather: Mr Kamble Tayappa Annappa and Mr Sannakki Topanna Ramani.

Lacklustre start to Taj Mahotsava
Agra | February 19, 2006
Webindia

The ten-day annual ‘Taj Mahotsava’ at Shilpagram, 500 m from the Taj Mahal, has opened to a cold reception from tourists.

Three UP ministers and a horde of senior government officials were present at the inaugural function Saturday evening that was enlivened by a music performance by playback singer Sudesh Bhonsle.

The Taj Mahotsava, which started more than a decade ago was planned to draw foreign tourists to Agra.

Tourism trade leaders of Agra however believe that the festival has failed in this respect.

“Foreign tourists come to Agra to see the Taj and half a dozen other monuments. Only a handful have the inclination and time to visit such cultural shows. The Taj Mahotsava remains a fun-fest for the locals,” says Surendra Sharma, founder president of the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Agra.

His views were echoed by other trade groups.

Tourism department officials however disagrees with this view. According to Uttar Praseh tourism department officials, the festival is now high on the tourism calendars of most countries and foreign tourists are visiting the ten-day fair to have a glimpse of India.

“Since most tourists visiting India do not have time to visit other parts of the country, this Mahotsava offers an excellent opportunity to showcase the rich cultural diversity of our country,” according to joint director of tourism D.K. Burman.

There is much to draw foreign tourists as the event attempts to showcase the best of Indian culture, including cuisine and musical shows at a single venue.

A black Taj Mahal model by Lucknow’s 35-year-old I.N. Khan is a major attraction at the fest. There is also a ‘Black Taj show’, a unique dance-drama that seeks to perpetuate the myth of a black Taj Mahal which Mughal emperor Shah Jahan planned to build across the river Yamuna opposite the white marble mausoleum.

Following last year’s fire disaster that gutted dozens of thatched stalls, the organising committee this year took adequate precautions.

Artisans and handicraft sellers from all over India have opened stalls at the Mahotsava hoping to do brisk business.

For the local people, the festival continues to remain a major attraction and a great opportunity to project Agra’s art and culture. More than 1,500 local artistes will get an opportunity in the next nine days to perform before a discerning audience.

The entire complex affords an opportunity to display artistic talent through paintings, crafts, designing to culinary skills.

(IANS)