People Places and Things
 

Top Goan Band To Perform At May Queen Ball Published: Sunday, 8 April, 2007, 08:47 AM Doha Time Staff Reporter Forefront members perform at a show THE Goan Welfare Association (GWA) of Qatar will organise the May Queen Ball, a dinner dance, at the Diplomatic Club on May 10. Top Goan band Forefront is to play during the 7th annual May Queen Ball. The highlight of the event will be the crowning of the May Queen by Bollywood stars attending the function. The names of the stars were being finalised, GWA president Simon D'Silva said. Forefront has held many performances in India and abroad and was featured on the MTV channel. The band's first album titled 'Always By Your Side'" was a hit. The band will play in Kuwait on May 3 for the summer ball, organised by Goan Cultural Centre in Kuwait. Goa's top host Updesh Swar will be flown to Doha to compere the show. The May Queen Ball has been getting better each year with the support of sponsors and participants, Simon said. GWA had always tried to organise events keeping the traditional Goan hospitality, cultural heritage and music in mind, he added. The celebrities who have crowned the May Queen in the past include Bollywood stars Aftab Shivdasani, Asrani, Rajeev Khandelval, Sameer Dharmaadhikari, Indian pop and rock star Remo Fernandes, and Indian ministers. Proceeds from the events were offered to charities like the Gujarat Earthquake Fund, the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, Child Relief and You (CRY), Girl Child Orphans and other social causes. Participants to the contest should contact the organisers for forms and invitation cards, Simon said. First-time contestants will be treated as guests. Tickets are priced at QR125 for adults and QR75 per child

Sarah - Jane Dias Wins Miss India crown http://feminamissindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1584986.cms MUMBAI: Mumbai girl Sarah Jane Dias was crowned 'Miss India World', Puja Gupta 'Miss India Universe' and Puja Chitgopekar 'Miss India Earth' at a glittering awards function of the coveted beauty pageant. Sarah, who is a Veejay and a model, won the title beating 24 other contestants in the finals of the event. The first runner-up was Puja Gupta and Puja Chitgopekar the second runner-up, an official of the event organiser Pantaloons said.He said the pageant this year had decided to declare the 'Miss India World' as the official winner. The event was judged by several celebraties including Bollywood actors Sanjay Dutt, Priyanka Chopra, director Subhash Ghai and model Ujwalla Raut and went for almost two-and-a-half hours. In the final round, the five finalists had to answer to the question - "If you had to convince a rural woman to participate in the Miss India contest, how would you do it?"

Nairobi attracts virtual offices http://www.eastandard.net/restate/index.php?id=1143966952 April 5, 2007, 12:00 am By Kenneth Kwama Kenya is proving to be an attractive destination for investors with a significant number of new entrants over the past one year seeking a stake in the country’s growing economy. The most prominent high-profile investor this year has been British tycoon Mr Richard Branson of Virgin Group, but there have been other major international companies who have made a quiet entry, attracted by opportunities in an improved investment climate. "We have seen a renewed interest by investors in Kenya over the past one year" says Mr Alex Andrewes, Executive Director Eden Square Business Centre (ESBC), which caters for local and international businesses seeking to break into or expand into the East African region. Serviced office specialist, ESBC has witnessed phenomenal growth since its inception one year ago and now has a stable of 45 clients based at the prestigious Eden Square Building along Uhuru Highway opposite Riverside Drive near Westlands. The centre is opening another location next month at the newly built Landmark Plaza opposite Nairobi Hospital. "Most of our clients are foreign companies and local start up businesses," says Andrewes adding: "The fact that we are doing well is a reflection that the underlying economy is doing well and that investors are showing confidence in the growth of Kenya’s economy." ESBC specialises in serviced offices, meeting rooms, Virtual Office packages and administrative support services that allow companies to focus on their core businesses without wasting time and resources needed to set up new offices.

Back by popular demand 99 TEGSA Members and Guests enjoyed an evening of Whist, which proved to be a smashing success. The evening started with the service of delicious and sumptuous plate of snacks served with Tea and Coffee – this kept the members energized and in high spirits and ready for an evening of whist. Everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and welcomed the opportunity to say Hello to friends and acquaintances. Our sincere thanks to Joe Lobo and Christine Rodigues who organized and ran the Whist enjoyed by all. 19 Tables were filled quickly and even a couple of novice players decided to pay - were made to feel comfortable and quickly adapted to the game. After 15 games of Whist – prizes were handed out – compliments of Joe and Bonita Lobo. The evening ended with a round on Bingo and the crowd parted on a very happy note. Zena Vaz