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Minutes of the General Body Meeting for the year 1999-2000-2001-2002-2003-2004- 2005-2006.2007

P.O. Box 41612 Jleeb Al-Shiyukh 85857 Kuwait

Tel & Fax No. 00965 4346934. Tel 7203939,6935862

Email: advpanicker@gmail.com

or lawyersforum@gmail.com

THE ASSOCIATION - INDIAN LAWYERS' FORUM KUWAIT

The Indian Lawyers' Forum Kuwait (Formerly known as Law Graduates' Forum Kuwait) is the association of Indian Lawyers & Law Graduates working in Kuwait. First it was formed in 1988. And again after liberation of Kuwait, it was rejuvenated in 1996.



(Reception to Justice Benjamin Koshy of High Court of Kerala, President Thomas Panicker addresses the function)


(INDIAN LAWYERS AT ONAM GET TOGETHER 2006)


(INDIAN LAWYERS AT ONAM GET TOGETHER 2007)


(INDIAN LAWYERS WITH MINISTER PREMCHANDRAN & Thomas Chnady MLA)


(INDIAN LAWYERS IN KUWAIT WITH JUDGE GOPINATHAN NAIR (Rtd) FM TRIVANDRUM)

PRESENT OFFICE BEARERS ARE AS FOLLOWS, 2007-08:-

President: Adv. Palavilayil Thomas Panicker- 7203939, 4346934, advpanicker@gmail.com
Vice Presidents : Adv. Twinkle Chacko, 5657058, 6447763, Adv. Suresh Pulikkal, 97260159, 24719565,
General Secretary: Adv. Thomas Stephen 6935862, stephenadv@yahoo.co.in
Secretaries: Adv. Anas Puthiyottil, 9858702
Treasurer: Adv. Tis Thomas
Executive Members: Adv. Aravindhakshan, Adv. Sashidhara Panicker, Adv. Bishnudas, Adv.Priya, Adv.Anjana, Adv.Thomas Daniel, Adv. Kunju Muhammed
Advisors: Adv. John Thomas, Adv. Laila Mohandas, Adv. Rajesh Sagar, Adv.Mathew Daniel
The general body meeting also unanimously passed a resolution moved by Secretary Adv. Thomas Stephen for the name change of the Forum, to INDIAN LAWYERS’ FORUM Kuwait.


(Famous Caricaturist, Artist JayarajVarrior entertains the Lawyers on ONAM celebrations)


(Minister Premachandran with Thomas Chandy MLA with lawyers on stage)


(President addresses)


(President Adv. Thomas Panicker Inaugurates Public function)



(President Inauguarates)



(INDIAN LAWYERS' SEMINAR IN JULY 2008)



Lawyers' Forum Reception to High Court Bar Assn. President Mr. Babu Varghese & His wife Susy Verghese, Cochin Income Tax Commissioner



President's Press Conference at Trivandrum Press Club regarding AIRFARE Case going on in the High Court of Kerala



Indian Lawyers' farewell to Adv. Baiju, Secretary )



Indian Lawyers' Forum Kuwait ('Law Graduates' Forum') is the social association of Indian Law Graduates and Lawyers residing in Kuwait.

Originally, Formed in 1988, by the initiative of founder President Palavilayil Thomas Panicker. He came to Kuwait in 1988, & when got introduced to 3-4 Malayalee lawgraduates in Kuwait, he thought of forming an assocaition of Malayalee lawgraduates in Kuwait. He singlehandedly took initiative and with great efforts found out nine Malayalee law graduates, working in different fields in Kuwait and shared this idea of forming an assocaition. Most of them were supportive & this culminated in forming this association as, 'Malayalee Law Graduates, Forum' Kuwait.

The activities of the FORUM was ceased in 1990 due to Kuwaiti invasion. After liberation of Kuwait he could come back to Kuwait in 1993, and settled in a job by 1995. Again after liberation by 1996 he took initiative and found out initally 15 lawgraduates working in liberated Kuwait and rejuvinated the present association of Indian lawyers & Law Graduates working in Kuwait, named, INDIAN LAWYERS' FORUM KUWAIT ('LAW GRADUATES' FORUM').

Now, the Association has 92 Indian Lawyers and Law graduates as members and the Forum is registered with Indian Embassy in Kuwait, the Govt. of Kerala NORKA Department & the Central Govt NRI Data Bank, and the scope of activities has been widened. We can confidently say that our Association is functioning very effectively and we are rendering required Legal information to the needy Indians residing in Kuwait in our humble way.

LGF is unique association in the sense that LAW GRADUATES’ FORUM is the only organisation exclusively for the NRI Indian lawyers working anywhere in the Gulf or any other countries. In this background it is great achievement for us that we have an association for the Indian Lawyers in Kuwait and it is going strong and stronger day by day.

We often meet and discuss legal development back home and used to conduct legal discussions for updating legal information,& we are rendering legal assistance to the needy Indian community in Kuwait within our limitations.

We are also successful in conducting legal seminars enabling us to update our legal information. Moreover, the FORUM acts as the binding force among the Indian lawyers and law graduates working in Kuwait. We often conduct get togethers, picnics, legal seminars, farewell meetings, receptions to legal luminaries, Onam, Vishu, Eid, Christmas, Annual, Newyear celebrations, etc.


Many of our members having more than 10 years of Court practice experience in India & many more still working with Local Law Firms as legal practitioners.

We, emphasize the necessity and utility of the Forum's activities to the Indian community in Kuwait. 'Indian Lawyers' Forum' believes that it has a vital role to play among the Indian Community in Kuwait.

Membership is open to all indian and NRI lawyers and law graduates, who is residing in Kuwait and graduated in law from any recognized university. The members' family members including wife and children will be associate members with no voting rights. Only law graduates will have the right to vote and participate in discussions in forum meetings. Every year elections are held to elect new office bearers.

The Forum members meet every second Friday of each month. All the legal inquiries received from the Indian community and the Indian Embassy are discussed in the meetings. Possible legal help is rendered & Legal informations are passed on. Many inquiries are presented to the Forum from needy Indians who are facing legal problems back home in India. The Forum members do tremendous service to the Indian Community by rendering legal assistance to the needy within its limitations. Minimum 25- 30 people appraocah the FORUM on a monthly basis and Forum help this members by solving, advising on their legal problems facing in India and Kuwait.

Our most important achievement is that we have successfully filed a case agaisnt Air India and Indian Airlines in the HIGH COURT OF KERALA, agaisnt the exorbitant airfare hike in the GULF-INDIAN Sector.

For many years , many individuals & associations from all over GULF tried to successfully institute legal action before various courts in India, against this unilateral Price increase. But all were rejected by the courts for various reasons.

In this context it is significant to note that,The Law Graduates' Forum Kuwait, the Indian Embassy registered, 90 members strong, unique NRI association of Indian lawyers working in Kuwait, under its President Adv. Thomas Panicker had successfully filed the Original Petition (OP19237/2000) before the Honourable High Court of Kerela challenging the unreasonable & unjustifiable airfare hike imposed by Air India & other airline companies operating from various Indo-Gulf sectors.

The O.P. filed by Law Graduates' Forum was admitteed by the Honourable High Court of Kerala after hearing the arguments of the Counsel appearing for The Law Graduates' Forum and overruling the various objections of the Air India, in the matter. The Honorable Judge, while admitting the petition observed that there is substantial question of law involved in the matter and the same to be decided by a larger Bench. Consequently, the Single Bench referred the matter to the Division Bench. The court was convinced of the law points borught forward by the LAWGRADUATES' FORUM. The OP was prepared in Kuwait by the FORUM, and tremondous amount of professionalism, efforts & research, study on IATA role on rate fixing, study on Regional Airlines Committees role on rate fixing were involved before preparing this successful OP. This was a land mark achievement for the LAW GRADUATES' FORUM, KUWAIT & for the entire NRI community in the Gulf region.

(Address of our Counsel, is as follows: M/s. S. Radhakrishnan, B. Narasimhan and Jean Vinitha Peter, Advocates, XL/249, IIIrd Floor, Kalathil Buildings, Cochin 1. Tel. 0091484 2334848, 00914842354848, fax 2374297.)

(Details of the case, our original petition, copies of some of the counters are also seen down.)

CASE FILED AGAINST INDISCRIMINATE PRICE INCREASE BY AIR INDIA.

The greatest achievement of the FORUM is that it successfully managed to get admitted original petition in High Court of Kerala against indiscriminate airfare in Gulf- Indian Sector. The court case is going on in the high court of Kerala.

Since many many law points, jurisdiction, commercial decisions, govts’ decisions, decrees, international conventions, covenants, constitutional clauses are involved, it may be difficult for the court to come to a conclusion in a given period.

From the time of its commencement of operations it has become a practice of our national carrier, Air India, joining hands with other airlines operating between Kuwait & India, increases the fare exorbitantly every year at a time when Indians normally proceed for their summer vacation and whereas at the same time they announce special price and incentives to their passengers to European, American & other Sectors.

Indian expatriate Travellers to India in Kuwait are discontent due to the following facts that :

1)Only in Indo-Gulf sector every year Air India and others increase the price exorbitantly at a time when most of the NRIs travel to India and no other alternatives available.

2)It is pertinent to note that only to Indian sector price hike is effected at a time when most of the international Airlines offer maximum lower price for summer vacations.

3)Compared to American, European and other Sectors', flying time, distance & operating costs are much less to Indo-Gulf sector. However ,the ticket fare to the Indo-Gulf sector is exorbitant and not in line with the above factors.

4) The price increase is not related to oil price increase. When oil prices went down also they have increased the prices.


Advantages of the Filing of OP in the court.

The filing OP has influenced the authorities and the Airlines and infact prevented them from fixing exhorbitant price as they have done in the previous years.It is apparent and evident from the lower ticket price and the nominal increase declared by them during the summer season for the last two years. Before filing of the case the price variations were in the range of KD185 -250. But for 3 years it remained steady 135- --- 180.-190.

The higher authorities and the legal departments of Air India & Indian Airlines, the DGCA, were forced answer all the contentios/ points raised in the said OP. Earlier they used to just receive and file or destroy our memorandums.

Recently the New Govt., AI and NORKA announced the setting up of a Budget Airline between India & Gulf, offering at least 25% cheaper fares, particularly for the benefit of the poorly paid labourers who cannot afford to pay the peak time Airfares.

The authorities had considered many of our suggestions and directly or indirectly implemented remedial measures in connection therewith .

All the Members of Parliament and Politicians visited Kuwait were apprised of this case and were provided with the copies of our OP and subsequent counters submitted to court by Air India and Indian Airlines.

They all were very supportive and told us to keep it up and many of them even commented that now this is the only alternative available to tame Air India. They said all other methods they tried their level best and exhausted.

Since many many law points, jurisdiction, commercial decisions, govt's decisions, decrees, international conventions, covenants, constitutional clauses are involved, it may be difficult for the court to come to a conclusion in a given period.

Where, for 20 -25 years all associations & individuals were trying there best to solve the Airfare Problem through political means, but till today failed, cannot be expected to solve soon through a court case. The importance is that the same time where everybody tried & failed to successfully get admitted a court case , we have succeded.

As you may all know, support from the community are needed for to continue fight of such nature.

The Law Graduates' Forum reiterate their commitment, & Determination to pursue the matter till a just, positive & favourable permanent solution is found in the matter of arbitrary airfare hike by the Airline companies operating in the Indo-Gulf sectors. The coordination of the case with the advocate in High Court is being organized by the Legal Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Law Graduates' Forum Kuwait's Chairman Advocate Palavilayil Thomas Panicker.

Law Graduates' Forum now appeal to all Indians & Indian associations in Kuwait to help them in their endeavours.

About five lakhs Indian are here now in Kuwait. All Indian-Keralite items are available here throughout the year. You are always connected to India, thanks to the modern communication facilities, Tel. Internet, fax and Television Radio & media net works. Every week there will be some programs connected with some association, political parties or church/prayer activities.

Indians are much sought after, preferred workers in the Gulf. More and more educated people started coming to Gulf now. You can see more Indians now in respected, highprofile, jobs. More Engineers, Doctors, Accountants and Mangers are from India.

To improve the status and respect of Indians in the Gulf the FORUM has the following suggestions:

1) Govt- to Govt level good relation to be maintained.

2) Maids visas should be completely stopped. Or stringent legal measures to be implemented for their safety and salary guarantee here. Indian Govt. should use its good offices to pass laws protecting the maids and their legal rights.

3) All recruitments of labourers should be after the approval of Indian Embassy In Kuwait. Indian Embassy should be authorized to interfere and fight against the violation of rights of these labourers.

4) Indian Embassy should have very effective legal measures, appointed lawyers to fight for the wronged labourers. All the legal problems faced by Indian poor labourers should be handled by Indian Embassy directly through their panel of advocates. A legal fund should be constituted for the purpose. All those who win cases of financial nature can be asked to contribute to this fund, all the legal expenses plus some more amount. All Indians will be ready to contribute to this fund, if govt. of India through its embassy constitute such a fund.

5) All labourer recruitment should be scrutinized by Indian Embassy.

6) No recruitment should be allowed below a certain prescribed salary.

7) Here Indian Nursing/professional/arts/commercial Degrees are not recognised as it should be by govt of Kuwait. Indian Govt & Embassy should do all efforts to get our all Degrees / Diplomas its rightful approvals, in par with others also by Kuwaiti Govt.

8) Govt. of India, Indian Parliament should pass an internationally accepted, comprehensive Immigration law, policy (Migration Laws) for the protection of migrant Indians.

9) Voting rights should be given to Indian passport holders (NRIs).

10) NRI quotas in educational institutions should be increased.

11) Govt. should formulate plans to rehabilitate the Gulf returnees.

Meetings

Ordinary Monthly general body meetings fixed for every 2nd Friday 11am of the month. All are expected to attend the monthly general body meetings. Members may Check with President or Secretary for venue, Programs & timings.

SEE/CLICK ABOVE FOR MORE ABOUT FORUM




(Memorandum to Civil Aviation Minister Arif Md Khan 1989)


(Thiruvathira at ONAM2006 by LGF Ladies, Mrs Manju Suresh, Adv. Twinkle Chacko, Adv Priyah Sasi , Adv Anjana Sanjay, Mrs. Jennifer Thomas ,)


(President inaugurates ONAM 2006--07.)


(PICNIC TO OGAILA BEACH 08)


(IDF President Dr Namboori, M Mathews, Lawyer & Church Father fm Kerala, Senior lawyer Eby Kuriakose, Hasan Thikkodi, Some of the members & guests participated in 2004 ONAM Celebrations)


(with adv Jameelaibrahim in 1989)


(LGF ladies prayer song)


(With Visisting Magistrate in 1989)


(Annual Function, Some of the Members of the Forum with Justice BENJAMIN KOSHY of High Court of Kerala)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS - Album 1 - Album 2
- Album 3

Other Related Links

1. AIRFARECASE ORIGINALPETITION FILED BY PRESIDENT AT HIGH COURT

2. ONE OF THE COUNTERS FILED BY AIRINDIA

3. COUNTER 2 BY AIRINDIA

4. ONE OF THE COUNTERS BY INDIAN AIRLINES

5. CONSTITUTION OF INDIAN LAWYERS' FORUM, KUWAIT

6. LIST OF INDIAN LAWYERS IN KUWAIT

7. EMBASSY REGISTRATION

8. AIR INDIA CASE DETAILS.

9.ILF PRESIDENT'S SPEECH ON RECEPTION TO JUSTICE.

10. PALAVILAYIL THOMAS PANICKER KUWAIT'S HOME PAGE

11. INDIAN JUDICIARY,

12. SPEECH BY INDIAN FORMER PRESIDENT DR ABDUL KALAM

13. KUWAIT PVT SECTOR LABOUR LAW

14. UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION OF SAUDI LABOUR LAW FOR PRIVATE REFERENCE

15. KUWAIT GOVT.

16. INDIAN LAWYERS' FORUM KUWAIT INTRODUCTION.

17. ILF MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM.

18. ILF PRESIDENT'S SPEECH ON 2007 ONAM CELEBRATIONS.

19. FINAL DRAFT OF INDO -US 123 NUCLEAR AGREEMENT.

20. CONTROVERSIAL WRITE UP ON US-INDIA 123 NUCLEAR DEAL.+ HYDE ACT

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