JEDDAH: A prominent Indian academic and journalist has commended Saudi Arabia's quest for knowledge and its endeavors to achieve excellence in science and technology.
"Saudi Arabia is an example of how tradition and modernity can coexist," said Madhav Das Nalapat, UNESCO peace chair and director of the Department of Geopolitics at Manipal University in India.
He was delivering the keynote speech at the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Gulf Madhyamam, a Malayalam language newspaper published in six Gulf countries, in Jeddah on Friday night.
Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmed inaugurated the event, which was presided over by Hamza Abbas, chief editor of Gulf Madhyamam.
The ambassador stressed the role of the media in boosting Saudi-Indian relations. "We need a strong media base to usher in a new era of warm relationship between the people of the two countries," he said.
He referred to the landmark visit of Prime Minister Mahmohan Singh, which saw the two countries signing vital agreements and discussing ways to strengthen ties in the political, economic, cultural, security and defense spheres. He said the ratio of white color jobs among Indians working in the Gulf was increasing as a result of their technical and professional education. He said India would be able to contribute greatly to Saudi Arabia's drive to establish a knowledge economy.
Nalapat said a new golden age in Asia is in the making with India and China playing a major role. "In the past, countries in this part of the world were looking toward China and India for trade and knowledge. Later on, the focus shifted to Western countries. Now Gulf countries are again looking toward India and China. This is a new golden age," he said.
Nalapat said Asia's new golden age would benefit everybody, unlike the Western colonialism that thrived on the debris of others. "This will be a golden age for everyone where all countries and peoples will benefit from newly gained progress and prosperity. It will not be a golden age at the expense of others," he said.
He also predicted that India would become the world's second biggest economy in a couple of decades and that he wants to see the strategic relationship between India and Saudi Arabia reach new heights.
Nalapat emphasized the need for a peaceful environment to accelerate economic growth and attract investments.
He pointed out the flight of capital from Mumbai, India's commercial hub, to the southern cities of Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad after certain bigoted elements started sowing a culture of intolerance in the city.
In his felicitation speech, Editor in Chief of Arab News Khaled Almaeena commended the contributions made by Indians for the development of Saudi Arabia. He said he was happy to see closer Saudi-Indian relations covering all areas. Almaeena described Keralites as diligent, hardworking and honest.
Indian Consul General Sayeed Ahmed Baba praised the Keralite community for their unity, cohesion and continuous cooperation with the consulate.
Abbas highlighted the contribution of Gulf Madhyamam, which has eight editions in GCC states, to the welfare of Indians in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. He announced the plan to institute an annual award in the name of the famous Malayali novelist and poetess Kamala Surayya.
In his speech, O. Abdul Rahman, editor of Madhyamam in Kerala, said the media had failed to expose state terrorism in many parts of the world. "The media has often failed to stand with the oppressed sections of society as they are controlled by corporate entities and interest groups," he said, noting the role being played by Madhyamam daily as a force for change in this vital area.
Five prominent Malayalis -- Saeed Muhammad, Vallanchira Muhammad Ali, Palliveed Muhyuddin, Thenhippalam Babu Haji and Syed Omar Abdul Rahman Bafaqeeh -- were honored during the event.
By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR
© Arab News 2010
