Friday, June 18, 2010

1. CURRENT ACTIVITIES IN CHENNAI LEATHER MARKET 2. EXPO RIVA SCHUH, ITALY: A GREAT SHOW OF SHOE MANUFACTURERS

CURRENT ACTIVITIES IN CHENNAI LEATHER MARKET

V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN

There is good demand for tanned and crust goat skins particularly in grain, suede and lining grades in the local market. Shoe, garment and leather exporters are here covering their requirements. There is increased demand for wetblue cow hides also by shoe manufacturers. Prices have also registered about 10 to 15% rise. Even prices of raw hides and skins have gone up in many raw centres. Shoe factories are also engaged as ever in importing hides and skins from different countries for their requirements as higher grades are not available in the domestic market to the extent of their needs.

There is demand for finished leathers by overseas buyers but activities are somewhat restricted as they are not able to pay the asking prices of tanners and exporters here which are around the following prices:

S/C goat upper leather

Size : 3/5 sq.ft., Selection : A/B/C 20/40/40%, Price : US$ 1.80, Selection : D, Price : US$ 1.50, Selection : E Price : US$1.40

S/C goat lining leather

Size : 3/5 or 4/7 sq.ft., Selection : TR-1 Price : US$1.20, Selection : TR-2 Price : US$ 1.10 and Selection : TR-3 Price : US$1.00

Some tanners quote selection TR-1/2/3 combined at US$1.10 combined.

F/C goat suede leather for garment

Size : 4/7 sq.ft. Selection : ABC, Price : US$1.70

All prices are per sq.ft. C&F by sea and 10 Cents more for AIR delivery.

One feels that the above prices are most reasonable in the present time when prices of raw hides and skins, chemicals, labour charges etc. have shot up considerably.

CLRI to create fuel from tannery waste

It is reported that the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) researchers are to create fuel using tannery and slaughter house waste. They are thinking of setting up plants in Chennai and Ranipet to convert the waste into hydrogen and the hydrogen is then turned into fuel cells that can be used for running vehicles. When it comes into effect, it will be considered a big achievement of the Institute which has been playing a vital role in making the leather industry more and more progressive on scientific norms.

‘AISHTMA’ delegation to Syria and Iran pontponed

It is now learnt that the planned visit of a delegation of All India Skin & Hide Tanners and Merchants Association (AISHTMA) to Syria and Iran was postponed without mentioning a date.



EXPO RIVA SCHUH, ITALY : A GREAT SHOW OF SHOE MANUFACTURERS

Indian shoe sector plays an important role in the leather and leather products industry. According to the Council for Leather Exports, India is the second largest global producer of footwear after China on the basis of its production being 13% of global footwear production of 16 billion pairs. It is well known that the government of India has adopted a progressive policy and has been encouraging the leather products sector since about 25 years.

Indian footwear sector is de-licensed and the government is also establishing footwear complexes and footwear components parks in the shoe manufacturing clusters. There is no doubt that the Indian shoe industry has made a tremendous progress and earned a high reputation in Indian and overseas markets for its quality and reliability. Its share of export is US$1533.66 million or about Rs.7,500 crore i.e. about 42.62% of the total export of leather and leather products during 2008-09. This is the reason why many shoe companies in countries like Italy, Spain and Portugal have entered into collaborations with their counterparts in India. Even the U.S. Retail giant Wal-Mart has started sourcing footwear from India since the last two years.

Indian shoe companies have been making all varieties of footwear like Dress Shoes, Moccasins, Casuals, Sports Shoes, Boots, Sandals, chappals etc. for the leading brands in the world. Indian leather industry envisages an export target of US$3.37 billion or about Rs.16,000 crore for export of footwear by 2013-14.

In Tamil Nadu and some other states in the country more and more shoe units are being established making the leather and leather products industry a vital one in providing employment opportunities and earning foreign exchange for the country. Many shoe units have also come up in many places like Ambur for doing job works and are in good demand. Big shoe factories are interested in giving job works to such units for mutual benefits.

Only a very few Indian shoe manufacturers have entered the domestic retail market. It is learnt that some are thinking of opening their show rooms in big cities in our country, to start with. There is good market for footwear in the country.

The falling exchange rate of Euro is a big problem for exporters. Nobel laureate Mr. Joseph Stiglitz who was the World Bank’s chief economist has said recently that “The Euro will survive but it will probably be patchwork by patchwork, coming up with whatever is judged as the minimum amount required at the moment. That’s a real concern; global financial markets may be plagued by volatility for years to come”.

Many experienced exporters feel that the Indian leather industry has to see things in the proper perspective and move forward cautiously getting as much stimulus as possible from the government shunning their vested interest and burying their hatchet to safeguard the age old and highly potential leather industry and our national interests.

The Council for Leather Export is participating in the International Shoe Fair, 74th edition of EXPO RIVA SCHUH to be held from 12th to 15th June 2010 at Riva del Garda in Italy. As it is an important event, according to the Council sources, 57 leading Indian shoe manufacturers and exporters will participate and display their latest products for Spring-Summer 2011 in the pavilion organized by the CLE.

In spite of the year old world recession, the Indian shoe industry is on the move with its best efforts.

(Indian Leather, June 2010)

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Monday, June 14, 2010

“KARUPPU VELLAI” - A TAMIL MONTHLY WITH A DIFFERENCE


BY V.M.KHALEELUR RAHMAN

A popular medical practitioner Dr. M.M. Salahuddin who is connected with the Billroth Hospital here has brought out a clean and informative family monthly magazine named Karuppu Vellai – Black & White – without involving cinema and politics, the hot subjects for almost all dailies and periodicals everywhere. Its first issue (June 2010) is out now.

                                       FIRST ISSUE OF KARUPPU VELLAI

It contains several interesting and informative articles and some of them are under the following subjects

1. Water

2. Who has shattered the dream of Mahatma Gandhiji?

3. India’s double face

4. Salary increase for M.Ps.

5. Is God necessary?

6. Interview with the senior Tamil journalist Mr. Chinna Kuththoosi

7. Heart Attack

The magazine was released in a well attended function in Chennai recently. Its Editor and Publisher is Dr. M.M. Salahuddin, Executive Editor Mr. Prakash and Associate Editors are Mr. Tamiz Arasu and Mr. Pudu Surabi.



Audience in the inaugural function of the monthly at Dr. Jagannathan Memorial Hall in the Billroth Hospital, Chennai

In the following photos the well known journalist Mr. Chinna kuththoosi is seen handing over the first issue of the monthly to Mr. Meeran (Professional Courier), Dr. M.M. Salahuddin (Editor, Karuppu Vellai), Dr. Rajesh (Managing Director, Billroth Hospital) and Mr. Gopal (Editor, Nakkeeran) respectively after its release by him.


Interview with Mr. Chinna Kuththoosi

Some of the invaluable remarks made by Mr. Chinna Kuththoosi in the interview Mr. Mohideen and Mr. Tamizh Arasu had with him and published in Karuppu Vellai are interesting and hence given below:

Time was there when Tamilians were considered inferior. A section of the people thought that they were uneducated and they could not learn anything new. They must follow their family professions. At that time Dravidian movement was started. It appeared first as a Justice Party, contested elections, came to power and implemented many policies beneficial to 97% of the people. One of them was reservation. It was called community wise representation at that time. It has flowered now as reservation for the benefit of backward classes, schedule castes, schedule tribes, tribals etc. It brought great social reforms and created a self confidence in the minds of the people considered inferior.

There was a peculiar rule in the Madras University according to which one could not get a doctorate degree without passing an exam in Sanskrit. There was no connection between a doctorate degree and the Sanskrit exam. Nobody could question this meaningless condition. But the ruling Justice Party was able to abolish this clause.

There is no doubt that the Justice Party and all its offshoots like Self Respect Movement, Dravida Kazhagam (DK) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have been successfully endeavouring to reform the society and create equality among the people. The spirit continues even now. Anyhow how can we expect the same things to be in tact even now when we are in a changed society?

The Dravida movement has achieved step by step 60-70% of what it wanted for the welfare of the society but we cannot say that all the dreams of the founders of the movement have been fulfilled. However we can say with pride that the achievements and activities of the movement are more now in comparison with those of its initial periods.

Mr. Chinna Kuththoosi has also given his views on Sri Lanka, Tamil scholar Dr. Kalaigner M. Karunanidhi and Poetess Ms. Kanimozhi, World Tamil Conference to be held at Coimbatore, Books of poet Bharathiyar’s articles published in The Hindu, etc.

This magazine is priced at Rs.5/- and its annual subscription is Rs.50/- It can be downloaded freely from its website www.karuppuvellai.com. One hopes that it will make a mark in the Tamil journalistic world.

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Thursday, June 10, 2010

1. CURRENT ACTIVITIES IN CHENNAI LEATHER MARKET 2.EXPO RIVA SCHUH, ITALY : A GREAT SHOW OF SHOE MANUFACTURERS

CURRENT ACTIVITIES IN CHENNAI LEATHER MARKET

V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN

There is good demand for tanned and crust goat skins particularly in grain, suede and lining grades in the local market. Shoe, garment and leather exporters are here covering their requirements. There is increased demand for wetblue cow hides also by shoe manufacturers. Prices have also registered about 10 to 15% rise. Even prices of raw hides and skins have gone up in many raw centres. Shoe factories are also engaged as ever in importing hides and skins from different countries for their requirements as higher grades are not available in the domestic market to the extent of their needs.

There is demand for finished leathers by overseas buyers but activities are somewhat restricted as they are not able to pay the asking prices of tanners and exporters here which are around the following prices:

S/C goat upper leather

Size : 3/5 sq.ft., Selection : A/B/C 20/40/40%, Price : US$ 1.80, Selection : D, Price : US$ 1.50, Selection : E Price : US$1.40

S/C goat lining leather

Size : 3/5 or 4/7 sq.ft., Selection : TR-1 Price : US$1.20, Selection : TR-2 Price : US$ 1.10 and Selection : TR-3 Price : US$1.00

Some tanners quote selection TR-1/2/3 combined at US$1.10 combined.

F/C goat suede leather for garment

Size : 4/7 sq.ft. Selection : ABC, Price : US$1.70

All prices are per sq.ft. C&F by sea and 10 Cents more for AIR delivery.

One feels that the above prices are most reasonable in the present time when prices of raw hides and skins, chemicals, labour charges etc. have shot up considerably.

CLRI to create fuel from tannery waste

It is reported that the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) researchers are to create fuel using tannery and slaughter house waste. They are thinking of setting up plants in Chennai and Ranipet to convert the waste into hydrogen and the hydrogen is then turned into fuel cells that can be used for running vehicles. When it comes into effect, it will be considered a big achievement of the Institute which has been playing a vital role in making the leather industry more and more progressive on scientific norms.

‘AISHTMA’ delegation to Syria and Iran pontponed

It is now learnt that the planned visit of a delegation of All India Skin & Hide Tanners and Merchants Association (AISHTMA) to Syria and Iran was postponed without mentioning a date.

EXPO RIVA SCHUH, ITALY : A GREAT SHOW OF SHOE MANUFACTURERS

Indian shoe sector plays an important role in the leather and leather products industry. According to the Council for Leather Exports, India is the second largest global producer of footwear after China on the basis of its production being 13% of global footwear production of 16 billion pairs. It is well known that the government of India has adopted a progressive policy and has been encouraging the leather products sector since about 25 years.

Indian footwear sector is de-licensed and the government is also establishing footwear complexes and footwear components parks in the shoe manufacturing clusters. There is no doubt that the Indian shoe industry has made a tremendous progress and earned a high reputation in Indian and overseas markets for its quality and reliability. Its share of export is US$1533.66 million or about Rs.7,500 crore i.e. about 42.62% of the total export of leather and leather products during 2008-09. This is the reason why many shoe companies in countries like Italy, Spain and Portugal have entered into collaborations with their counterparts in India. Even the U.S. Retail giant Wal-Mart has started sourcing footwear from India since the last two years.

Indian shoe companies have been making all varieties of footwear like Dress Shoes, Moccasins, Casuals, Sports Shoes, Boots, Sandals, chappals etc. for the leading brands in the world. Indian leather industry envisages an export target of US$3.37 billion or about Rs.16,000 crore for export of footwear by 2013-14.

In Tamil Nadu and some other states in the country more and more shoe units are being established making the leather and leather products industry a vital one in providing employment opportunities and earning foreign exchange for the country. Many shoe units have also come up in many places like Ambur for doing job works and are in good demand. Big shoe factories are interested in giving job works to such units for mutual benefits.

Only a very few Indian shoe manufacturers have entered the domestic retail market. It is learnt that some are thinking of opening their show rooms in big cities in our country, to start with. There is good market for footwear in the country.

The falling exchange rate of Euro is a big problem for exporters. Nobel laureate Mr. Joseph Stiglitz who was the World Bank’s chief economist has said recently that “The Euro will survive but it will probably be patchwork by patchwork, coming up with whatever is judged as the minimum amount required at the moment. That’s a real concern; global financial markets may be plagued by volatility for years to come”.

Many experienced exporters feel that the Indian leather industry has to see things in the proper perspective and move forward cautiously getting as much stimulus as possible from the government shunning their vested interest and burying their hatchet to safeguard the age old and highly potential leather industry and our national interests.

The Council for Leather Export is participating in the International Shoe Fair, 74th edition of EXPO RIVA SCHUH to be held from 12th to 15th June 2010 at Riva del Garda in Italy. As it is an important event, according to the Council sources, 57 leading Indian shoe manufacturers and exporters will participate and display their latest products for Spring-Summer 2011 in the pavilion organized by the CLE.

In spite of the year old world recession, the Indian shoe industry is on the move with its best efforts.

(Indian Leather, June 2010)



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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

REMOVE THE DARKNESS OF IGNORANCE BY THE LIGHT OF EDUCATION: SIO

EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN – OBSERVED BY STUDENTS ISLAMIC ORGANISATION


BY V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN

Chennai : Student Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), Chennai observed a 9 day “Educational Awareness Campaign” from 29th May to 6th June, 2010 with the apt and catchy slogan in the regional Tamil language “Ariyaamai oru iruttu kalvi arivaal athai virattu - “Remove the darkness of ignorance by the light of education” by conducting 20 street corner meetings, making survey on the school going children in Dashamakan and Otteri areas, arranging a massive signature campaign under the theme “Read, Teach, Help to Read” near the Kannagi Statue at the Marina Beach in the evening on the 4th and conducting a public meeting on the final day on Sunday, 6th June after Maghrib prayers at Dashamakan, a predominantly poor Muslim area.

The meeting began with the recitation of Sura Iqra with its English translation by Mr. Sirajul Hasan, Secretary, SIO Chennai city, Mr. I.Jalaludeen, former Zonal Secretary, SIO Tamil Nadu Zone, welcomed the gathering and Mr. Mohammed Umair Siddiqui, City President, SIO Chennai city, delivered inaugural speech emphasizing the need for value based education for all giving importance to ethics and morality and not for just seeking placements. Many dignitaries spoke on the occasion.

Mr. Naseerullah, State Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Tamil Nadu said in his speech quoting the holy Quran and Ahaadees (sayings of Prophet Mohammed (sal-am) that “seeking education is compulsory for men as well as woman and that it should be based on discipline, honesty and morality”. He regretted that many people occupying high posts in different fields of activity including politics are indulging in so many anti people and anti national activities and in amassing wealth by hook or by crook without any care for the people and country. If they had been given proper moral and religious education along with their high modern education, they would not have been like that. He further said that the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind had been giving value based education along with the regular subjects to the students in the institutions founded and managed by it in the country bringing good results in their characters and mindsets.

Mr. Atheequr Rahman, former Zonal President, SIO Tamil Nadu Zone, said: Education is a basic and fundamental right of every person and without education one cannot lead a dignified life particularly in the present world. Islam encourages us to have more and more knowledge. Even Prophets were sent to make the people knowledgeable with a spirit and zeal for the betterment of the humanity. Prophet Mohammed (sal-am) used to say that he was sent as a teacher. It is therefore the bounden duty of parents to give good education to their children and in case they are not able to do so because of poverty, it is the responsibility of the community particularly the rich to help them by scholarships to seek education as they are the future builders of our community and our great country. He further explained that while the students in the Madrasas are mostly ignorant of the present world, those in the modern institutions are unaware of the Islamic values, which is really unfortunate and we must do something necessary to rectify this anomaly. Our ulema (Islamic scholars) should guide us to go in the right direction.

Dr. K.V.S. Habeeb Mohamed, Vice President, Islamic Foundation Trust, said that there is an urgent need to work, not just speak, for the educational and economical development of the Muslim community. There is no alternative to education. Education is more important than any other thing including natural resources. We must remember that once Muslims were great scientists and scholars. But time changed and a time came when the Arabs were not even aware of their own natural resource oil because of their lack of knowledge. It were the educated Americans who told them about oil, entered the Arab world and have been exploiting it for their advantages.


DR. HABEEB MOHAMMED ADDRESSING THE GATHERING

Indian Muslim community which is more backward than schedule castes needs education and our country needs educated communities for development, progress and prosperity. Education and education alone can bring good results for our dignified existence in the world. Why is it that we have forgotten the holy Quranic assertion that an educated and an ignorant person cannot be the same and its exhortations for gaining knowledge? We should note that even a country like Spain is more developed than the oil rich Arab countries because more educated people are engaged in so many developmental works there. It is only education which brings reputation and laurels to a community.

Some Muslims are giving lame excuses for their backwardness in education. They say that they are not getting jobs here. It is not fully correct. There are many companies which require talented people. Meritorious students are able to get placements in our country easily whatever may be their caste or religion. Our students should work hard and prove their mettle. We can earn more in our own country. There are also opportunities for them in some other countries including the Arab countries if they are interested or not able to get the jobs of their choice here. But one should not think that all the jobs available abroad are always good. Quite a large number of Indian people employed abroad are suffering due to some reason or it. We must prefer works in our country for some occupations.

There are also some Muslims who say that ours is a mercantile community and hence our educational backwardness. This is also a wrong notion. Education is not only for earning money. It is for our overall development. We can be in business after getting good education for its better performance.

Education is equally necessary for women also. We cannot keep them who constitute 50% of our community ignorant. Prophet Mohammed (sal-am) said that if one has three daughters and educate and marry them well, he will go to Jannah. Education is also necessary for the present day woman to give good training and education to her children. Parents should sacrifice their luxury, entertainment and wasteful expenditure for the sake of education of their children. The Jamaats of the Mohalla mosques should create cordial atmosphere for education, help poor students and prevent drop-outs which are as high as 20% among Muslims in some areas in Chennai according to the survey conducted by the SIO. Education also helps one in family managements. Parents should take troubles in educating their children and students should work hard to get better education and come out with flying colours without wasting their time in seeing useless TV programmes or films. It is said that “no pain no gain”. Students should work hard to achieve their goals.

Dr. Habeeb Mohamed regretted that the Muslim institutions which are getting advantages from government on the basis of their being “minority institutions” are mostly not helping the poor Muslim students. He asked the activists to maximize enrolments and minimize drop-outs of students. He also said that the government at the centre and in the states should implement the schemes they sanction for the upliftment of the minorities fully and we should do the needful for this for the sake of the community.




AN ACTIVIST OF SIO CONDUCTING A SURVEY

Dr. N.B. Nirmal, founder, Exnora, also spoke. He asked the students and parents to have positive outlooks and approaches and march forward. He said that we can achieve whatever we want with our determination and endeavours. He advised students to work hard and get good education for 20 years to be happy in the rest of their life. It is hard work that pays. There is nothing impossible. He criticized the U.S. and Mr. George Bush for many of the world problems including climate change. He appreciated the communal harmony prevailing here. He mentioned in detail the role played by him and his organization for this. He lauded one of his “disciples” Mr. Abdul Ghani for excellent works and wanted everyone present in the meeting to congratulate him over phone. He said that Mr. Ghani is young and hard working and one day he may even get a Nobel Prize.

Although Dr. Nirmal is a professional and busy with many activities, he announced his desire to teach poor Muslim students to make them self confident, study well and get good marks in exams.

In an interview with this correspondent Mr. Mohammed Umair Siddiqui said that the aim of the 9 day long Educational Awareness Campaign was to create awareness about the importance of education among the people in the city and to propagate the real objective of education, that is to inculcate ethics, morals and a sense of social responsibility in the students so that they can play an effective role in the reconstruction of a society. It also aims at re-admitting those students in the school who left it or were not able to attend due to different reasons.

The campaign started with the survey of Dashamakan and Otteri areas in Central Chennai on 29th and 30th of May, where the data of the students and dropouts was collected. Almost 325 families were covered as part of the survey and data of almost 700-800 students was collected from these areas. Based on this data, SIO will work on the re-admission process for dropouts and scholarships for the needy students.

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