Features | Online edition of Daily News

Kuwait City is located at the heart of the country on the shore of the Persian Gulf. Courtesy: Google

Kuwait

The State of Kuwait is a Arab emirate situated in the NorthEast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the South and Iraq to the North and lies on the NorthWestern shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the Arabic ‘akwat’, the plural of ‘kout’, meaning fortress built near water. The emirate covers an area of 20,000 square kilometres (6,880 sq mi) and has a population of about 2.9 million.

The Bani Utbah tribe were the first permanent Arab settlers in the region and laid the foundation of the modern emirate. By 19th Century, Kuwait came under the influence of the Ottoman Empire. Kuwait’s large oil fields were discovered in the late 1930s. After it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, the nation’s oil industry saw unprecedented growth.

Kuwait is a Constitutional monarchy with a Parliamentary system of government, with Kuwait City serving as the country’s political and economic capital. The country has the world’s fifth largest oil reserves and is the eleventh richest country in the world per capita. Petroleum and petroleum products now account for nearly 95 percent of export revenues and 80 percent of government income.

Worst winter in Europe

Did you see on TV children in European countries playing in the snow, skating and throwing snowballs at each other. But according to news reports countries like England, Germany, Poland are experiencing the worst ever winter since 1962. The severe weather condition has adversely affected the economy. Schools have been closed indefinitely in these countries and people are asked to stay indoors.

So, it’s not all that fun to have winter. We are fortunate to have good climate conditions in our blessed country.

Enter the Human world

- Part 6

Four children, Pramodaka, Nalaka, Champika and Chinthaka, go on a trip to the woods with their parents for their school holidays. In the middle of the night the children are awakened by a strange noise. On following their dog, Scooby, Chinthaka is snared by the spell of the ‘luring stones’. Pramodaka departs with Ruwi, a pixie, to recall a book of spell to cast off the spell while the others remain behind with Sachi, a gnome. A storm breaks and the kids are scattered.

Meanwhile Sulo, the goblin who is always trying to make trouble for the mythical creatures, comes up with a nasty plan. She rushes off gang up the rest of her pack and reveals an age old secret.

However the group discovers that it is not only Sulo’s secret that is uncovered by the storm. Something dark and deadly had been hidden in the depths of the earth waiting to release itself and return for revenge...

“It must be that scamp Zira. If I ignore him maybe he’ll leave me alone,” he thought to himself.

However the kid seemed to refuse to do just that as Sachi heard a noise of someone clearing his throat from behind. Turning around slowly he came face to face with a brownie from the Admin. “I thought you were only a bit hard at hearing, Sachi. You seem to have lost your power of feelings too. I have been waiting here to speak to you for sometime,” the brownie sniffed.

“What is it?” Shamilka and Ruwi chorused. Zira grabbed the end of the copy and poked his head over Sachi’s shoulder.

“Oh, goody, goody,” he gurgled. “Uncle Sachi has to go to the Human world. Bring me some human toys, wouldn’t you?”

Ruwi looked upset as she realized that she will have to deal with HE alone. “Jay’s orders. It has been pending for weeks and I was just beginning to think that I will not be able to get there this time. Fancy turning up at this hour!” Sachi muttered.

Sachi glanced at Zira’s figure dancing round the room yelling ‘bring me human toys’ for a second. He hated to leave Ruwi in the middle of the mess but...

“If you are worried about the ‘Mythicscope’, then don’t. I’ll try to do my best. No doubt Dina, Emida, Suzie and Jenny will help,” Ruwi’s voice floated into his thoughts.

“Are you sure. See, I can ask one of the others to go. I am not that keen either and it might take more than a few hours...”

“Forget about it, Sachi. All the leaders had nominated you for this because they have faith in you. You did not ask for it like some of the others or sneak behind their back to get there...”

“Ok, ok. I get it. I’ll go...” Sachi signed the document and handed it to the brownie. Zira let out a whoop of joy.

HE who had been advising one of the gnomes to put finishing touches to a part of ‘Mythicscope’ looked up.

“Why is that set quite all of a sudden? What are they cooking up this time? I must speak to Jay about these sudden ideas they come across and try to disturb the flow of the ‘Mythicscope’,” he thought with irritation, making a metal note to ask the chief to put it down on paper and send the complaint across to Russell.

To be continued

We wish our Hindu readers a happy and prosperous Thai Pongal

Dear Children,

Today is a significant day for our Tamil friends. Thai Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated globally as well as in Sri Lanka.

Our Hindu readers will be preparing to celebrate this festival in grand style specially with the dawn of peace, ending three decades of war.

Traditionally celebrated at harvest time, it is a celebration of prosperity associated with the harvest by thanking the rain, sun and the farm animals that have helped in the harvest.

In villages, new clothes are worn and people owning cows find this festival important.

The most important event on the day is the cooking of the Pongal dish which is done during the auspicious time.

The Thai Pongal festival being held in North and East this time is significant as our friends can engage in their religious activities freely and peacefully.

Have you visited our ancient cities like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa? I am sure most of you children have visited these culturally important cities not once but several times. But how about visiting Jaffna? Jaffna town has transformed into a bustling city with thousands of thronging in to mostly worship historic religious places like Nagadeepa and the Nallur Kovil.

Environmental pollution

When we talk about environmental pollution, we can avoid many disasters in life. Environment pollution is the main cause for global warming, in which many scientists are trying to prevent.

Environment consists of water, air, soil, sunlight, trees, forests and everything else in our surrounding, that is useful for existence of all living beings. The human race is the main cause for environmental pollution. People pollute the land, water and air mostly by throwing garbage all over without dumping them in a particular place or burying them. Even the smoke and fumes that come out of hospitals, factories and vehicles disturb the atmosphere around us.

We can prevent environmental pollution by being an example to the society by keeping our environment clean as well as helping the society to clean their environment and prevent it from getting polluted again.

Zaakir Mishah, Uzman Salim, Sajith Faizer, Rimas Rizvi, Rushdy Jiffry and Ishan Siddique

Tourist attractions in Sri Lanka

There are several places which attract the tourists such as the beaches, wildlife and historical ancient monuments. One famous and recognized place is the Sigiriya rock. It was built by King Kashyapa.

The frescoes and the environment are very famous throughout the world and much has been written about them. The ruins of the centuries old kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are also very attractive to the tourists. The beaches down South are also very attractive. Most tourists prefer the beaches and places like Bentota, Hambantota and Negombo.

There are hotels which cater to the tastes of tourists of all shades. The wildlife places like Yala also attract most tourists.

The tourists are guided by experienced guides in these wildlife places like Vilpattu, Yala and residential places are built inside the jungle. Most European tourists spend their winter season in Sri Lanka.

My school

There are twenty eight teachers and three hundred and fifty students in my school.

My school principal is Mrs. A. Jayawickrama and Primary Section Head is Mrs. Mala Atapattu.

Venura Santhush Hettiarachchi /Grade 5 A/Ramasingha Vidyalaya,/Dalugama,/Kelaniya.

Design	Butterfly

Udeepa Wijemanne 2E, Royal College, Colombo 7	Himan Perera 2E, Vidura College, Nawala
Birthday Party	Beautiful Duck

Thevni Weerasekara Nursury D, Bishop’s College, Colombo 3	V. A. Faraq Grade 5, Kingston College International, Wellawatte

Children of Anandi Pre-school Athurugiriya performing a Kaavedi dance.

The annual concert and 30th anniversary of Yoshida Nursery Institute, Sapugaskanda, Kelaniya organised by its Principal Shemila Lankathilaka and staff was held at BMICH, Colombo recently. Pictured is presenting Wes Natuma (Wesdancing) by the students. - Picture by Edward Weerasinghe, Kelaniya group corespondent