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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘We are not giving up': Families of Indian prisoners in Qatar demand justice and govt support
'I shifted my daughter from a private school to a government school since I cannot afford it anymore,' Kuldeep said, sobbing over a phone call, while boarding a bus from Delhi to Sangrur in Punjab. She was among the 50 families from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Karnataka who protested at Jantar Mantar Thursday, led by the Indian Pravasi Movement. They urged the government to immediately implement the 2015 India-Qatar agreement on the transfer of sentenced people to repatriate Indian prisoners and an audit of the Indian Community Benevolent Fund (ICBF). Approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2014, the agreement allows 'Indian prisoners imprisoned in Qatar or vice-versa to be near their families, for serving the remaining part of their sentence and shall facilitate their social rehabilitation'. Similar agreements have been signed with countries such as the United Kingdom, Mauritius, Bulgaria, Brazil, Cambodia, Egypt, France, Bangladesh, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, and Sri Lanka. The ICBF, under the auspices of the Embassy of India in Doha, Qatar, has been established to provide financial, medical, and other forms of assistance to distressed and underprivileged Indians. However, Kuldeep's husband, Sandeep Singh, 40, arrested on charges of possession of drugs in his car, has been in jail for two and a half years, serving 10 years of imprisonment. His wife and a fourteen-year-old daughter live alone. 'He shifted to Doha in 2007 and has been a taxi driver since then. Recently, he bought his private car. One day, a customer left a bag, which had drugs. Later, the police arrested my husband. Now he is lodged in the central jail, and earns money by washing the clothes of the officers, and then calls us with that money.' Kuldeep is angry with the government's lack of support. 'I have given multiple written complaints now, even to the PM office, the Indian and Qatar embassies. My husband calls me every Friday. On the last call, he said that to date, the lawyer assigned to him by the Qatar government has never come to meet him or present his case. The judge just gave the verdict.' However, she had learned about the protest through her husband a week earlier. 'I have come to Delhi multiple times to file complaints, have exhausted all my resources, and I don't have a job either. He told me over the phone that a group from Kerala is protesting in Delhi, as he had learned from other inmates. I have not given up hope, wherever they say, I will go,' she said. For Parveen Kaur, from Amritsar, her biggest challenge is to make her children understand their father's whereabouts. 'They cry when he calls, asking when you will come. My seven-year-old daughter has lost interest in studies,' she said while travelling along with Kuldeep. Her husband, Gurjeet Singh, also a taxi driver in Qatar, was arrested in a drug case on October 12, 2022. 'I had called him in the daytime, and he said he would call me back. But when he never did, I rang him multiple times at night, then he said he was in the police station,' she said. Now, raising her two children alone, she said that her parents are assisting her, but they are also taking a step back due to the expenses. 'I had sold my jewellery and collected Rs 4.5 lakh and did a direct bank transfer to the Qatar lawyer. His (lawyer's) wife, an Indian, translated to me what the lawyer was saying. They said my husband would be deported soon. But after that, they stopped picking up my calls,' she said, her voice shaking, adding that she, too, received no help from the Indian embassy and the Indian government. Ashraf Ponnain, from Malappuram district in Kerala, was once a prisoner in Qatar, but is now back in India. However, during his last visit, he was unaware that his son, Naushad, had also been implicated in a cheque fraud case. 'I found out that my son was in jail after I got out. They accused him falsel; the sponsor had planted everything. The sponsor made him sign a blank cheque of 1 lakh 40 thousand Riyal. I have lost all the resources now,' he said, adding that he had already paid large amounts to get himself out by selling his shops back in Kerala, and now he has no money left to help his son. R J Sajith, president of the Indian Pravasi Movement, said the prisoners, all coming from poor households, have already borrowed money to reach the foreign country. 'Why is there no implementation of the agreement? Where are the funds from the ICBF going? These people are voiceless, but the embassy and the government have offered no help till now,' he alleged.
Qatar Tribune
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Telugu community in Qatar extends strong support to ICBF's initiatives
Tribune News Network Doha In a heartening gesture of solidarity and compassion, the Telugu community in Qatar has extended generous support to the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), the apex community welfare organisation under the aegis of the Embassy of India in Qatar. Their contributions will significantly strengthen ICBF's ongoing humanitarian efforts aimed at supporting underprivileged Indian nationals, particularly blue-collar workers residing in the country. During a formal handover ceremony held at the ICBF office, leaders of various Telugu associations came forward to present their donations to ICBF President Shanavas Bava. The event witnessed the presence of ICBF office bearers and members of the Management Committee, reflecting the strong bonds between the Telugu community and ICBF. President Shanavas Bava expressed sincere gratitude for the community's support, assuring that every contribution would be used in a transparent and impactful manner to directly benefit those in need. Among the key contributors were Harish Reddy, president of Telugu Kala Samithi (TKS); Srinivas Gadde, president of Telugu People's Society (TPS); Sudha Sriramoju, president of Telugu Jagruthi Qatar (TJQ); and Vikram Sukavasi, acting president of Andhra Kala Vedika (AKV), all of whom were acknowledged for their proactive involvement and generouscontributions. Their active participation underscores the community's deep-rooted commitment to social responsibility and welfare. The event commenced with a welcome address by ICBF General Secretary Deepak Shetty, setting a warm and appreciative tone. ICBF Secretary Jafar Thayyil delivered the vote of thanks, expressing heartfelt appreciation for the Telugu community's meaningful contributions. Event coordination was seamlessly managed by ICBF Management Committee members Mani Bharathi, Shankar Goud, Irfan Ansari, Mini Siby, and Khaja Nizamudeen, along with Advisory Council Member Satheesh V, ensuring a smooth and dignified ceremony. ICBF extended its deep appreciation to the Telugu community and looks forward to continued collaboration in its future welfare initiatives, reinforcing the spirit of unity and collective goodwill within Qatar's vibrant Indiandiaspora.
Qatar Tribune
13-07-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
ICBF hosts 52nd free medical camp for expatriate workers
Tribune News Network Doha In a significant display of community service and humanitarian commitment, the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) successfully organised its 52nd Free Medical Camp under the theme 'Healthcare with Compassion, Service with Purpose' on Friday. The event was held at Imara Healthcare in Asian Town, Industrial Area, Doha, with the aim of offering essential medical care to underprivileged expatriate workers in Qatar. This noble initiative reaffirmed ICBF's longstanding mission to extend support to the needy sections of society by providing free medical consultations, checkups, basic diagnostics, and essential medicines. Hundreds of deserving workers from various communities benefitted from the camp, which featured expert consultations in general medicine, ENT, orthopedics, dentistry, dermatology, and more. The event was officially inaugurated by Sandeep Kumar, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India, in the presence of Eish Singhal, First Secretary, Labour & Community Welfare, who also serves as the Chief Coordinating Officer of ICBF. The event was presided over by ICBF President Shanavas Bava. In his welcome address, Deepak Shetty, General Secretary of ICBF, highlighted the organisation's efforts in ensuring medical access for those in need. Mini Siby, ICBF Managing Committee Member and Head of the Medical Wing, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating all partners and volunteers for making the event a success. Adding value to the camp, Nizar Cheruvath delivered a health awareness session, which focused on preventive healthcare practices and general well-being. The camp also featured basic blood tests, BMI checks, and Basic Life Support (BLS) awareness sessions, educating the attendees on crucial first-response techniques. Welcare Pharmacy partnered with ICBF to provide free medicines to the beneficiaries, while the camp was efficiently facilitated by IPHAQ (Indian Professionals in Healthcare Association Qatar). The synergy between medical professionals, volunteers, and support organizations made the delivery of care seamless and effective. Key ICBF leaders including Secretary Jafar Thayyil, and Managing Committee members Mani Bharathi, Irfan Ansari, Amar Veer Singh, Shankar Goud, and Neelambari played pivotal roles in leading and organising the event. Sumesh, CEO of Imara Healthcare, extended a warm welcome and presented a bouquet of appreciation to the guests during the inauguration. The event witnessed strong participation from prominent community figures such as ICBF Advisory Board Chairman Prasad Garu, Program Committee Chairman Varkey Boban, ISC President EP Abdul Rahman, ICC General Secretary Abraham Joseph, ICC Advisory Board Chairman PN Baburaj, and ICBF Advisory Board Member Satheesh Vilavil. Other senior community leaders including KK Usman, Hyder Chungathara, Mohan Kumar, Joppachan, Sadiq Chennadan, and Abdul Raoof Kondotty also graced the occasion with their presence, along with representatives of various affiliated organisations. The 52nd Free Medical Camp once again demonstrated ICBF's unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Indian diaspora and the broader expatriate workforce in Qatar. The event stood as a glowing example of how healthcare initiatives rooted in compassion and collective service can uplift lives and foster community solidarity.
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Genotyping reveals 17% of calves registered with incorrect sire
In the calving season rush, mistakes are inevitable, and these are being revealed by the National Genotyping Programme (NGP). This year, about 17% of tag samples submitted by farmers for genotyping revealed the wrong sire was registered, there were 5-6% dam errors, and 3.2% breed errors. The NGP offers free genotyping of all breeding stock in the first year, followed by mandatory €6 per calf genotyping thereafter. As well as correcting registration errors and the accompanying risk of in-breeding, genotyping identifies problem animals with chromosomal abnormalities. It also helps the agri-industry by improving the reliability of genomic breeding values; and by generating commercial beef value figures; enabling access to tools like Genocells, and discovery of genetically elite animals. 'For herds that sign up this summer, in year one, 2025, they would genotype all their ungenotyped breeding stock", said Gearoid. "That would be all the cows, in-calf heifers, heifer calves, any stock bulls they have on the farm. Anything that's ungenotyped, we would genotype them this year free of charge, using button tags. That would be completely free. We'd have all your existing herd genotyped then'. This is followed by genotyping of all calves at birth, from January 2026. 'That's the heifer calves, bull calves, beef calves, all get genotyped at birth using double tissue tags', Gearoid said. The farmer will register their calves online and send off their DNA. 'Any sires, dams or sex incorrectly recorded by the farmer will be identified by the DNA sample, and the DNA will correct it on the passport or blue card, before it is issued', Gearoid said. Since the NGP was launched in 2023, the share of the national dairy herd that is genotyped has increased very significantly. Herds of any size may join the NGP. 'This year, so far, we have about 745,000 calves genotyped through the programme. That would be the bones of 40% of the calves that have been born in the country. The average turnaround time, from when the sample arrived in the lab to coming out the other side with the genotype, was about four days. At times it was as low as three days. In terms of from birth to blue card, from the calf being born on farm to a blue card being issued to the farmer, the average is around 12 to 14 days'. While a very small percentage of samples have encountered delays for a variety of reasons, the ICBF has agreed to automatically issue the passport after 10 days in the lab. Gearoid explained, 'To genotype 100 cows is €18 per animal normally, that's €1,800 worth of genotyping that a farmer will get free of charge this year'. 'From 2026, when you're genotyping your calves, rather than paying €18 to genotype an animal, the farmer is only paying about €6, €4 of that to ICBF for the genotyping, and €2 to cover postage, and the cost of the additional double tissue tags. That's a big benefit'. 'All the herds in the National Genotyping Programme will have that extra information on the mart board, which will help make them that little bit more saleable', said Mark Waters, also of ICBF, in the podcast. 'Another side benefit is a service being launched by some of the milk recording services, called Genocells. That's a very novel service whereby from a single bulk tank sample, using the DNA in the milk, we can actually tell which cows are contributing the largest proportion of the Somatic Cell Count, without having to individually test each cow's milk', Mark explained. This is possible only where the cows have been genotyped. Genotyped herds will also be able to avail of other technological breakthroughs. 'We'll be able to identify cows in farmers' herds that are potentially carrying a copy of a lethal recessive gene ,and making sure that they are not being mated to a sire who's also a carrier, increasing the chances of producing a calf that may have an issue, or stillbirth or something like that', Gearoid explained. With the NGP, Ireland aims to be the first country to genotype the entire national cattle herd.
Irish Examiner
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Teagasc publishes guidelines for farmers thinking about contract rearing
Teagasc has launched a new booklet titled ' Guidelines to Contract Rearing' during an event in Sligo organised for farmer clients involved in contract rearing. The guide aims to inform farmers on both sides of contract rearing agreements about the key requirements to operate successful livestock rearing arrangements. Topics such as the impact on whole farm stocking rate, the contract agreement, animal performance targets, grass growth requirements, cost structure, disease control and a number of case studies are covered in the publication. Ruth Fennell, collaborative farming specialist with Teagasc, said: 'Contract rearing involves the movement of livestock from the owner's farm to be raised by another farmer. Typically, replacement heifers leave the dairy farm to be reared on a drystock farm, then return in-calf and ready for milk production. "Due to dairy herd expansion, reduced stocking limits for derogation farmers, and reductions in leased land availability, demand for contract rearing has grown. Recent ICBF data estimates over 780 dairy farmers rear heifers under contract, with a similar number providing rearing services.' From the dairy farmer's perspective, having the heifers contract reared simplifies the system, allowing more time to be allocated to managing the cows. It reduces not only the stocking rate on the farm, but also the requirement for slurry storage facilities if heifers remain with the contract rearer for one, or possibly two, winters. In addition, the reduction in stocking rate should result in greater availability of grass for the cows, thus reducing the cost of producing a kilogram of milk solids. From the rearer's perspective, there are numerous advantages associated with contract rearing, including removing the risks associated with volatile markets, better cash flow as payments are generally made on a monthly basis, no investment in livestock required, and it can often complement existing farm enterprises. It is not only important that the contract rearer has excellent stockmanship abilities, but they must also be able to manage grass so that growth rates can be maximised to ensure that heifers reach weight for age targets. The dairy farmer must ensure that calves arrive healthy and on target on the rearer's farm, and that payments are made in a timely manner. These arrangements need to be a 'win-win' for both parties. Teagasc has advisors within each of its advisory regions who are assigned the role of providing support and technical advice to those considering and operating under contract rearing arrangements. Many of these advisors also have discussion groups specifically established for those involved in contract rearing. Read More Contract-rearing pivot for former sheep farmer
