The eighteen years old Herathera Staff, Mr. Ahmed Suood Ali of Ujala, S.Hulhudhoo drowned away with the heavy open sea current that was passing through the channel at around 14:30 pm today.
He was walking along the channel with his picnic mate Ms. Mahin, whose cry for rescue prompted Suood’s cousin Ms. Sajidha about the helpless situation they were entering into.
“Just a moment after replying “NO” to Mahin and Suood request to join with them to walk along the channel, I heard Mahin shouting for help. I saw her drowning and Suood missing.” Fear struck cousin of Suood, Ms. Sajidha said.
A night view of the channel
Security guards at Herathera Island resort heard the shout for help by Mahin and they initiated the rescue process by sending their workshop staff Mr. Mohamed Niyaz and Mr. Affan. Niyaz rescued Malha to the safe area while search for Suood continued.
“Suood was found few meters way from the epic center near the bridge between Hulhudhoo and Herathera. They are believed to have started walking along the channel from the mouth facing open sea and his body had washed few meters west underwater.” Mr. Affan, who searched and lifted Suood’s body out of the sea bed stated.
Disaster point mouth facing open sea
Immediately after removing his body from sea bed, Hulhumeedhoo Hospital was informed about the seriousness and urgency of the situation. “I called up on Hulhumeedhoo Hospital to send their Ambulance” Ms. Zulaikha Manike said.
Ambulance arrived at the scene shortly, but just as a taxi. It was not prepared to cater for the emergency requirements. “It had no oxygen facility, no nurse, and no emergency facilities” Mr. Ahmed Lirar who rushed Suood with Ambulance to hospital stated. According to Lirar, Suood took two deep breathes on their way to hospital.
Huge crowed of Hulhudhoo boys and girls and members of family and relatives filled up the hospital to find out his situation. As Doctor confirmed his fatal demise, the frustrated crowed hammered the management of the hospital verbally.
During 2009 a 14 year old boy from Meedhoo died of a similar incident, where he was drowned in to the channel between Meedhoo and Ismehela Hera. Read
Since Maldives is surrounded by sea, knowing swimming and rescue techniques while at sea is largely important.
Male’, MALDIVES – VB sports won Milo Charity Shield game by beating 10-men Victory by 4-1. The game was deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of regular time but VB appeared too strong for Victory in the extra period of the game. Last season’s top scorer Ashfaaq started the season where he finished with some quality movements and two goals. It was Victory that took the lead. In the 16th minute Shimaz headed Mukhthar’s cross from close range to send the ball to the far corner. The whole game changed in the 30th minute when referee mistakenly red carded Victory defender Shafiu for a hand ball. But TV replay clearly showed the player headed Abu’s header from the goal line. Abu then stepped into take the penalty and made not mistake in the 34th minute. In the 52nd minute, Ashfaaq went close to his first of the season, but his shot missed by inches. In the 66th minute Ashfaaq’s effort to score was blocked by his brother Ashfaan. Just five minutes into the extra period, Ashfaaq scored from some individual skills as his shot found the net from the near angle. In the 108th minute, Assad Ali extended their lead taking advantage of some poor defensive display from Victory. Two minutes later Ashfaaq doubled his lead, this time he moved too quickly to be spotted by Victory defenders and send the ball past Faisal.
Hulhumeedhoo Community yet again proved their adherence and commitment to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the second consecutive election, this time in Local Council. History was rewritten yesterday where as similar land slide victory was made during Maldives first ever parliamentary election during 2009.
Both victories are similar in its nature. During parliamentary election Mr. Ilyas Labeeb was sworn in by the most votes in the Maldives for one constituency. Mr. Hassan Shahid became the his successor to gain the same number of votes for the same constituency, but for the city council. Right now one thing is very straight and clear. Hulhumeedhoo has barred entry of any political party other than MDP, and so is the mood of entire Addu City.
Another main lessons learnt over the last two elections were that Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP), less in number though, are strictly behind their leader who were ousted by people's referendum in the presidential election in 2008.
Hulhumeedhoo community is foreseeing a bright and prosperous future, being the forerunner in brining MDP and democracy to the Maldives.
Maldives offered the warmest welcome to participants of Miss France 2011, the organising committee said Thursday. Special Envoy to the President Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, Tourism Minister Dr Mariam Zulfa, Sunland Hotel Directors and senior officials of Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) welcomed the 33 participants on Thursday. Cultural activities were also held at Male International Airport. Organising Committee General Manager Sylvie Celia told journalists that Maldives offered an extraordinary welcome. “This is the best welcome we received in the past five years that we have been working with this company. The red carpet welcome, the small children there and Maldives is very beautiful,” Celia, who won the Miss France title in 2002, said.
“The photos taken in Maldives will be published on a French magazine from today onwards. The event is very much supported by the French public.” Miss France 2010 Melaka Menard said she never expected such a welcome from Maldives. “This is the first time I have been in the Maldives. I am very pleased to be here. Maldives offered us a very warm welcome. After the trip I will talk about Maldives in France,” she said. Miss France 2011 partner, Sunland Hotels, brought over 80 people along with the 33 contestants. A Sunland Travels official said a fashion show would be held in Coco Palm Boduhithi where the candidates will be staying from November 11-18. “Australian swimming wear and Maldivian designers’ dresses will be shown at the fashion show,” the official said. According to Sunland Hotels, video and photo sessions and learning to cook Maldivian dishes will take place in Coco Palm. The Miss France 2011 contest will be held on December 4 in Caen, France. Maldives also hosted a Miss World event earlier.
The biggest news all over the world on 25 June was the death of one of the most famous musical artists in recent history, Michael Jackson. As the hour long television specials, radio playlist tributes, and music video marathons already began on the same day, many Muslims are left wondering, “was Michael Jackson a Muslim?”
The short answer? It’s hard to say.
The long answer? Initially it began with rumors years back that he had joined the Nation of Islam. On top of that, Jermaine Jackson, his brother, is a known and confirmed Sunni Muslim, which added another ingredient into the mix. Read
June 26 marks the UN's International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a date which has been marked in the Maldives recently following the dramatic increase in the number of cases of drug abuse and its related crimes. The President’s radio address to the nation yesterday highlighted the government’s efforts to curb growth of drug abuse and trafficking and stressed on the issue of strengthening health services.
A rally calling for a permanent solution to the widespread drug abuse and trafficking problem in Maldives was held in Hulhumeedhoo on Friday afternoon. The rally was organized by the Seenu Atoll School (SAM) in association with Maldives Police Services and held to coincide with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.A stage show was also performed by Hulhudhoo youth to educate the youth and parents about the devastating effect of drugs and reasoned why to refrain from smoking.
Hulhumeedhoo councilors, Island Chiefs, other government officials, Police, students and teachers took part in the event. The march began at the Atoll School and proceeded through Bahaaudheen Magu to the both ends of Hulhumeedhoo, where students and others spoke out against drug abuse and its trafficking. Speakers highlighted that there is a direct link between drug abuse and growing social unrest in the society.
The trend of drug abuse and its trafficking in Hulhumeedhoo has multiplied in the last two years. The staggering number of fresh entries into this evil bewitchment in the island is frustrating. Government authorizes, police and other related agencies remain helpless in tackling and preventing its growth.
The drugs are gaining popularity among newly affluent young Maldivians who view the use of such substances as a status symbol and smart.
Hulhumeedhoo powerhouse has started works to provide electricity to Hulhudhoo farm fields today. This is in conjunction with the minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Ibrahim Didi’s promise during the opening ceremony of newly developed road that leads to farm fields in February 2009. Dr. Didi promised to Hulhumeedhoo people that he would enhance means and ways to develop agriculture in Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo and that he would prioritize providing electricity.
Hulhudhoo Today has learnt that the current power network expansion project carried out by Hulhumeedhoo powerhouse is to enable farmers to easily access to electricity needs at a reasonable cost. Under this project three distribution boxes near farm fields of each island would be setup and it depends of farmers to get connections from these boxes.
Some farmers are still dissatisfied. According to them, they would have to spent further Mrf10,000 to get power connection to their relevant farm fields. However ministry has recently announced that they would soon start providing soft loans, with 3% interest rates, to farmers. This is likely to ease the tension of the farmers experiencing short term financial difficulties in expanding their business.
During February ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has conducted a ten day workshop in Hulhumeedhoo to improve the knowledge of farmers. The workshop was a success as it had helped many farmers enrich their understanding towards various diseases to crops.
Power network expansion project to Meedhoo farms will kick off upon completion of the development of preceding roads. Unlike Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo is rich in farming and the scope for expansion of agriculture is higher.
Fuel Supplies Maldives have signed contract with southern province office yesterday to set up a fuel storage facility in Hulhumeedhoo. The contract was signed by the Deputy Managing Director of FSM Ibrahim Ziyath and Addu Atoll Councilor, Mr. Abdull Sadiq.
Storage facility would be set up adjacent to Public Works unit of Hulhumeedhoo and it is the most desirable place for setting up the facility. FSM requires 4900f2 of land for this facility. High profile citizens from Hulhumeedhoo along with their respective Island Chiefs accompanied the delegation of FSM to observe the site.
According to FSM the main aim of the storage facility is to make fuel available to Hulhumeedhoo community as they are distributed elsewhere in Addu. FSM have set up similar storage tanks in Hithadhoo and local distributors buy in abundance to resell to the public. FSM also indicated that the storage facility is temporary and will be replaced with a new facility close to the proposed jetty which would be common to Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo.
Setting up a fuel storage facility in Hulhumeedhoo would ease the shortage of fuel supplies in Hulhumeedhoo whereas community would enjoy reduced expenditure on fuel.
Tourism and hotel management is synonymous with Addu people since its birth in 1972. Tens of thousands of Addu people work at different hierarchical levels of tourism industry in the country. As the geography of the atoll and political stand of former administration hindered growth of tourism in Addu, children’s of Addu, at their very young age, sailed toward jobs in the hotel and tourism industry across the nation. However tourism has started to take effect in a larger scale in 2006 when Maldives Tourism Development Corporation made $44million investment to develop Herathera Island Resort, which latter failed to harbor the need of Addu community at large. Today one would wonder why on earth the people so dedicated to tourism is incapable of helping $100million worth investment by Shangri-La at Viligili?
Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa at Viligili, which is due to open in July 10, 2009, is seeking 30,000 m3 of white sand to develop its beach. According to Shangri-La, they would be able to open the hotel for business in July only if they get the required amount of white sand before monsoon. Dr. Simad Saeed, while meeting with the members of Hulhudhoo Island Development Committee and vessel owners last night, stated that Shangri-La might have to postpone the opening of the hotel until January next year if the problem of making beach is not resolved.
The quality and the quantity of white sand required by Shangri-La are available within Addu’s vast shallow lagoon west of Meedhoo “the Kedevaa Hera”. Kedevaa Hera is the area decreed by the members of Atoll Development Committee for extracting sand for civilian purposes and during the development phase of Herathera huge amount of sands were sold to Herathera by a group of Meedhoo people. Hulhudhoo Today has learnt on various occasions that two different parties had failed their attempt to extract sand from Kedevaa Hera and sell them to Shangri-La for unidentifiable reasons. Certainly the crux of the problem here is the huge amount of money involved in supply of white sand to Viligili and every party wants to grab most share of it. Ultimately none of the parties are able to undertake the project alone due to the pressure from other parties and islands.
Indeed, opening of Shangri-La Maldives Resort & Spa at Viligili is a long lasting dream of Addu people. Members of Hulhudhoo Island Development Committee and vessel owners collectively agreed that they are ready to accept extracting sand from Hulhudhoo lagoon. “Extracting sand might cause environmental degradations in the long run, but if Shangri-La guarantees environmental safety they could dug out sand from Hulhudhoo” stated committee. Committee further stated that Shangri-La could also dig the channel leading to deep sea as it has become shallow. “The channel needs to be dug 1.5 meters out to allow easy passage of the huge fishing vessels and cargo boats and I think Shangri-La would get huge amount of sand from there itself, apart from the proposed area for harbor”, suggested a member.
Dr. Simad Saeed, acknowledging the voice of committee and vessel owners being unified decision of Hulhudhoo community, stated that he would deliver this positive and uniform feedback to Shangri-La and that he would arrange a meeting with Shangri-La to further discuss the matter. He also assured to bring it to the attention of Shangri-La that none of the Hulhudhoo personals are taken for jobs at Viligili.
At 8:30pm on Saturday 28 March millions of people around the world will unite and switch off their lights for one hour, Earth Hour. This event is a global public awareness campaign about the effects of climate change.
In 2009, Earth Hour will take place in more than 80 countries around the world, proving that climate change really is a global threat and that it will take all of us to work together to solve it. We are hoping that Earth Hour reaches one billion people.
Maldives is to mark Earth Hour, an annual event organized by World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) to increase the awareness on the effects of global climate change. The main event will be to switching off non essential lights from 2030 hours to 2130 hours.
A deadly lightening struck the IT Department of Herathera island resort and a fishing vessel in the dock yesterday morning. Network and main server of the hotel was severely damaged and the fishing vessel was taken to Maradhoo Slipway for repairing.
“Network is totally uprooted, PABX system and main server is down since yesterday” reported a Herathera staff. Further he said “phone lines, mobile services and internet access is also down”. According to him they are unable to pursue their normal routine works since the incident occurred yesterday morning.
Hulhudhoo Today has learnt that the vessel was a fishing vessel from Huvadhoo Atoll who had come to sell fish to Herathera.
Lightening has become a threat to Herathera these days. A day before communication and network systems were destroyed by lightening, power house became the victim of it around 3:00am on Monday morning.
According Ibrahim Rasheed, GM of resort, it was unclear what had caused the blackout but believed that lightning strikes over night might have caused some damage to the power generator. He added that they are not able to find any damage or problems with the generator. Read
On the other hand there are rumors that the cause of the blackout on Monday morning was due to running out of fuel in the resort.
The scale of the damage caused by lightening and time for recovery is still uncertain however staffs and management of the hotel is working hard to ease the tensions that might surface up.
The quest for selecting most eligible and most potential candidate as ‘peoples’ envoy’ to the parliament is deviating the actual purpose of their candidacy today. In this year 465 candidates are contesting for 77 constituencies of the parliament and each candidate propagates his or her own way to serve people. Cash rewards, valuable assets, air tickets, job security, family intrusion and illusive obsessions are some of the depraved elements of campaign strategies adopted by most of the candidates in Maldives.
Any candidate elected to the parliament upon aforementioned elements is highly unlikely to represent the public. Indeed, for them their private benefit would outweigh those of public as they would have given bribes in some way or the other to grab most votes.
Today it’s a common phenomenon on the ground and various levels of campaign activities that candidates boast about things they, as natives, have done for the islands in the past. Some candidates claim that they have helped to develop infrastructure of the islands, promoted educational fields, enhanced job opportunities and granted money for the needy. Indeed it’s an obligatory duty of the riches and no candidate should claim parliamentary seat as a reward for that.
Honesty is the basic guide line to become a good MP. A good MP never promises the unattainable nor swank about what he or she has done well for the people in the past. Ability to give tough and rational feedbacks and capacity to reason on issues discussed at parliament floor, free from obsession, is instrumental for a good MP. Academic excellence and professional exposure is necessary to lead arguments at parliament. If he or she is hesitant or incapable of providing adequate justification on his or her believes and thoughts then he is incompetent. In the Maldives, Reeko Moosa Manik and Ibrahim Ismail are the two outstanding members of the parliament who had great hand in shaping and modernizing the constitution of the country.
We hope that our people choose a candidate who is second to none than those mentioned above. This is the first time in the history that a constituency for Hulhumeedhoo is placed and electing the right and competent candidate for the job is essential for the wellbeing of islands and the country at large.
