The Incorrigble

The Incorrigble

The miscreants - they are incorrigible. Authorities have placed neat and tidy boxes for waste disposals. And yet the miscreants prefer to places the wastes outside. The place is Central Souqe in Sharjah. The beauty of the place is marred by such heinous crime - yes it is a crime to make the place dirty. Those who are entrusted to make it clean goes on and on every day and the misdeed too continues. The patience of the workers are to be lauded.

So also placing advertisements on the walls. Municipality workers remove the papers pasted on the wall (especially near UAE Exchange in Rolla) and they appear again. The authorities can contact the phone number given there and get them red handed to warn and if it fail, punish.

Ardent campaigns should be conducted to inculcate  more awareness in the minds of the public, so our surroundings will be neat and clean, we will be more hail and healthy.

Flabbergasting

It was 3.30 PM on Thursday. I went to Rolla, Sharjah  to catch a bus to Dubai. Found a long queue and joined the same. It took some time and gave me time to observe and ponder. The first thing I noticed was that it was so orderly. Not a single soul was jumping the queue and everyone was so patient. No police man or any authority to man the queue. On return from Dubai to Sharjah on the same evening it was the same experience. The queue was longer but orderly too. Collecting passengers and leaving the station was also very efficiently in both stations. Cudos to the RTA.

Why can’t the drivers from Sharjah to Dubai (and vice versa) follow the method? Why should they jump the queue and make others’ life miserable and full of tension and anxiety?

If ordinary people can resort to such an orderly action, why some should ignore those on the queue and approach authority oblivious of the poor souls – in some offices and supermarkets? And why and how the authorities accept such actions and attend to the miscreants??

Also wondered way back in their own country will they be following the same pattern or make it most unruly??

What is the magic behind the orderliness, decent act??

Ti O Li

Not any far eastern name.  This is the trend of the time – “Take it or Leave it.”

On a doom’s day, the land lord skyrockets your rent – by 10000 -15000. If complained, you are old – “Ti O Li “

Rent of private parking is rising slowly but steadily. Place which caused 100 is now 500, when asked the how and why of it, the reply is “Ti O Li”.

Competitive marketing ends up in your obtaining credit cards with lots of coaxing and cajoling. Most of the organizations accept credit cards, free of commission. And yet some organizations both in public and private sectors charge commission. If protested their response is: Ti O Li.

You are welcome in the automobile show room . The customer executive is all smiles and friendly. Arrange loan in a jiffy. Agrees to deliver the car within no time with the preferred colour. But when the time comes no colour of your choice available. You are annoyed, and questions the guy. He shirks off his shoulder tells you “Ti O Li”

The private bus agrees for your transportation – to drop you near the office; gets the advance too. Yet on the very first day you are asked to get down and walk through the hot sun. When complaints, you are warned: “Ti O Li”

The restaurant you frequent for daily meals, uses too much oil and spices. In the best interest of all concerned you point out the after math. Your are looked down by the manager and are told “Ti O Li”.

And it goes on and on - that attitude and the phrase whether it is a favourite musical program, cultural events, shopping, travelling and what not!

Beggars are no choosers – are they? Hapless, poor public!

Sans sense of direction

The number of job seekers around the world are appalling -indeed a grave global issue. Each country has serious problems of unemployment and of migrating job seekers.

When we try to scrutinize the issue, we find that the main problem lies with the job seekers who are without any aim, sense of direction. Majority of the employees are not qualified; they do not know what type of job they can do and want to do - any job.

Apart from such uneducated guys there are qualified ones too – but without any definite aim. Because they took the certificate for their parents/eleders. How to assess a job seeker who is a Mechanical Engineer and apply for the position of Logistics Officer in Shipping industry? A Computer expert thinks he is fit to work in a restaurant. How about  a Medical doctor working as a receptionist ? Engineers, managers and many such qualified ones end up in petrol stations and super markets. What do they all indicate? They spend a lot of time and money  pursuing their studies; but  in the race of obtaining a job compromise with the availability. Is it a good trend?

If the youngsters do not have any sense of direction, who are to be blamed? Of course the elders. The elders with their experience could have guided the youngsters; helped them out in their lives. Maturity should come with age, and elders should not be selfish in guiding and equipping the youngsters to face the life. Instead of learning the interests of their wards, encouraging them to pursue their field of interest many a time the elders force their likes on the youngsters and the latter learn things half heartedly. How can they do justice to their studies if the interest lies somewhere else and are not properly guided and assisted during the delicate, fragile adolescent age? Net result is frustration, despondency which results in destructive tendencies. The desperate feeling felt in the family is carried over to society, and affects others too adversely. And it grows globally too in an alarming way.

But then all is not lost. There are still parents who try to understand the interest of their children, and help them out. And such youngsters are sure of their aim in life.  They even reject better paid jobs to pursue their field of interest – peace prevails in them, in their family and will be reflected in the society if things happens so.  Only that their numbers are few. Let us strive to increase that number- so peace and happiness will prevail in the family which  will be infectious and reflected in, society, country and the world as a whole, slowly but steadily.

Ruthless Villains & Innocent Victims

News of one more bomb blasts were in the latest news – this time near the place of judiciary and that too in the capital of a country. Many got killed and more were wounded. Soon after the blast one group claimed responsibility; and soon after another one – as if it was a great deed they did. Authorities as usual “expressed shock”. Well so what? Those victims were innocent and did not deserve  such a fatal fate. I feel so sad at those unfortunate souls, their families and friends; and absolute ire against those were responsible for the heinous crime and the callous authorities who waited till the last to happen the worst. Prevention is better than cure” goes the adage. When we had many such cases in the past, had efficient intelligent agencies who had forewarned, why remedial measures were not taken to avoid such tragedies?

I am a layman and have never been able to comprehend the purpose behind such crimes. What benefits the culprits intend to achieve by murdering the innocents and making their family and friends bereaved, turn the government against them and have to live in perpetual fear of man hunt?

Are there no other civilized ways to sort out the issues they wish to win than killing their human fellow beings? Those few who indulge in such inhuman deeds are psychopaths and need to be treated nor sent behind bars – so majority can live in peace. Their approach only aggravates the issues they want to solve. Such criminals should be shunned from the  society and made to be aware murdering their fellow beings will invite ire and punishment. The families and friends of the victims can never forgive them. The pang of separation will result in hatred and vengeance which will not be in the best interest of the criminals, their ideas and ideologies, Wish wisdom dawn on them sooner than later so all can live in peace and harmony.

Religion Vs Real Life (Sent on 18/07/2007; published on 20/07/2007)

The number of people attending Churches, Mosques, and Temples are in the increase. In many places there are serpentine ques and the statistics in the religious institutions boasts of the increase in numbers. Most unfortunately the atrocities in the name of religions too are increasing. It seems both are inversely proportional; but the proportion is alarming.

Friends, from all religions live together and move together in many places and one wonders why then the intolerance in the name of religion. No religion advocates hatred and violence. Yet it is that what is happening all over.

Who wants to live in perpetual fear and anxiety? Why can’t we follow the religious tenets religiously and lead a friendly peaceful life?? Instead of hatred and violence why can’t we resort to tolerance and love??

Who is the culprit? What is the solution? Who will bell the cat??

However, leave alone the religions; do not tarnish the great religions for some one’s petty little purely personal feelings.

Performance Appraisals

A friend of mine was terminated from his company due to his “poor performance”. Within a week he was selected for a job with more than double his salary and perks and made a manger shortly. While regretting the years he wasted in a poorly managed company, currently he is enjoying every moment of the time spent in the new office which is manned by real professionals. Another person was commented as not an indispensable one and was made to leave his company – he is now a manager, bestowed with best attitude award and is definitely indispensable to the company as well as colleagues. You too might have had such experiences.

In yet another scenario, the Boss was always the decision maker even for minute matters, thus affecting the decision making capabilities the juniors – managers and supervisors. When the house is on fire all have to wait for permission from the Boss. And yet in the appraisal form decision making capabilities of all was poor according to the rating. What do they all prove?? Performance and appraisals have no relation in most cases.

It has become a second nature to many managers to belittle their subordinates and infuse as much inferiority complex as possible so much so that the one affected feel really miserable and feel at a loss and as totally useless- starting from office, it is even taken to home too. Depression steps in and they even venture in the thoughts of suicides.

But then beware. Solution lies in not complaining and brooding over weakness, but in thinking of strength. Once we learn the nature of the bosses, we can always deal with them in a diplomatic way, either facing or tactically avoiding such occasions. If we cannot mend it then we can end it- either way it should be to be of our self-benefit and should not be self-destructive. Learn to outlive the criticism – for success comes to those who build up strong foundation with the bricks of criticism with which they are thrown at.

Gastronomical Musings

Can any other country except UAE boast of such variety of restaurants and cafeterias?? I wonder. At times each state of a country is represented by respective restaurants here it seems. But then there ends the matter.

The experiments to which the poor customers are subjected to at times is preposterous. The same dish can be named differently and taste too. Same name is given to varied dishes too! In one restaurant what ever be the funny name they give to each dish will have same gravy – be it vegetarian or non vegetarian. Chilli chicken. favorite of many will look and taste different in different restaurants.

Apart from the star hotels and their restaurants, are there qualified chefs/cooks who are qualified/experienced .In many places it is an adventure by those who came to this dreamland in search of some or any  job. And the poor customers are subjected to their trials and errors, daring experiments. They can use any amount of spices, oil and what not completely oblivious of the harm they are causing to the hapless customers.

How do we counter the situation, escape such cooks’ clutches???

On Peace talks

I am a layman and  have never understood the logic of conducting a meeting else where than the respective places where the problems persist – Sri Lankan/LTTE  peace talks are done in Switzerland. India/Pakistan talk is carried out in London and is continued in Paris or some other great cities. Palestine/Israel peace talks  too is undertaken in cozy places. And most of the meetings are conducted in posh, luxury hotels when innocent souls are massacred atrociously in the respective country- and the meetings go one. None of the meetings ever meets with the desired results, but all the participants are happy they had a nice time in a comfy atmosphere, shake hands and promise to meet again in the next venue, another posh luxurious place. The huge amount  spent over there can very well be used for better purpose – to feed the famished poor souls, to cloth them and shelter them. But then that is the way of the world. How to change the system for the better – one does not know.

 

Aimless souls

They have high education and certificates- many in entirely different fields! Some has many years of experience; many have none. Those who have experience has no correlation of it with their academic qualification. What do they all indicate? They are not sure of their aim in life. They got education not knowing, not trying to know what will be the use of that education. And once they complete the education they start job hunting absolutely unaware of the neck breaking competitive field. They take what comes in their way and thus will do something not matching with their qualification.

Where exactly the shoe pinches? Though there are career guidance counselors, not many are aware of them; and those who are aware do not make use of them. Result – the poor souls move like ships without rudder!

When parents themselves have no idea and cannot guide their wards, how the children will have the same? And if the children choose a course then the parents object to it for various reason. Perhaps it may be their likes and dislikes, perhaps financial aspects. End result is the same. Very few pursue their interest and achieve success in selection of career. And that is reflected very much when you look for a suitable employee/ suitable job.

Racial Discrimination

And so it is only when a film star is maltreated, it becomes a news. Even when Shilpa Shetty herself admitted the air is clear, the ire is still on. But then how many times in a day it happens in almost all parts of the world!. Here in UAE which hosts multinational, multicultural individuals it is routine and how many times it hits as news?  The hosts are meek and compassionate, decent and understanding the varied culture. What about the guests – many are arrogant.  Some are to be treated as class one citizens and all others have to take back seats. Indians cannot befriend with Pakistanis and vice versa. Africans are dark skinned; Europeans are white skinned. So what? All have same feelings and reactions – don’t they?? Local nationalities in their own place are looked down by many. Why is it so? Do their country, religion, upbringing teach them, train them to disrespect others, ill treat others? What is the chemistry, which makes such thoughts, words and deeds? When they go to bed and put their heads on the pillow can they sleep peacefully without guilty conscience and undue anxiety and tension after all the ill treatment of fellow bretheren? Why should we harbor negative thoughts, ill feelings towards others and spoil our own peaceful life? Can’t we all at least be decent, humane in our treatment of others- the way we want ourselves to be treated?

Parental Woes 2

What all hopes and aspirations the parents keep once they have a child. And how far it gets materialized or go shattered? The kids once reach the juncture for taking a decision to a clear cut career in life are totally confused and confounded. The wish of the parent is one things, that of the kids are different. It is their friends and not parents who influence them mainly. The result is utter chaos. They go with a current trend and end up in fiasco, for by the time they complete the course, saturation and super-saturation have happened in that particular field. Dejected the kids turn to easier fields. Sales, marketing, customer service, “any job”! So it is left to the company to choose the candidates suitability. Educational institutions too contribute to the confusion. Rather than equipping a student for a career, it is the course completion which matters to them.

Parental woe

Recently I heard parents standing in long queue in the biting cold to get admission for their children. I used to see them waiting both in the cold / hot and humid mornings to see off their wards to the school and wait late in the night to receive them. Some even carry food to the kids which is eaten a little or totally discarded.

Many are the sacrifices a parent undertakes – you may call it responsibilities. But then what happens after all the sacrifices and discharging of the responsibilities. Reach the adolescent age, the character of the children undergoes a sea change. They become rebellious and oppose anything and everything. Parents become their archenemies. At times they with their friends show respect in front of the parents; but behind they pooh-pooh them.

I have witnessed such plights of many a parent. The kids behave so decently in front of others. It is only with their own parents they have aversion.

It is termed as generation gap. I do not think it was there in the past – or not so severe. Many youngsters of these years look down upon their parents. To them the poor parents are all nincompoops. Only their friends and themselves are fit to fill the bill. In their attempts to ward off the parents they simply forget they too will have to be a parent once, have to pass through all the phases. And it is better for them to keep themselves in others shoes (a healthy practice!) and try to view things in a different perspective. As for parents earlier the better they come to a compromise with the truth – that they all have come alone to this world and they have to go alone. Do not get attached – practice detached attachment!

Plight of the Pedestrian

It is called the footpath – even if it is called pavement the dictionary defines the meaning as footpath near the road. However in many places the footpaths are invaded by mightier force- car owners, shop owners, hotels and restaurants and even construction companies and work - shops. Earlier the car owners were kind enough to leave some space for the poor pedestrian to pass through; but nowadays they occupy the entire space, so that the hapless lots are constrained to take a detour most of the times. Though there is a rule against parking on the footpath and warning of heavy fines are given out, they feel rules are there to be flouted and not adhered to. Who will help the walking lots???

Sense of belonging

Sense of belonging is a strange phrase nowadays; and loyalty an alien word;. And yet every one craves for them. They are rarely seen in many offices. There, you encounter undue favoritism, nepotism, enmity and apathy. If not lucky, you become the victim of office politics and gossip. 

Many are left with the feeling that they are ill treated and left in the lurch by few who are not qualified, deserving and professionals. Management theories are thrown to the winds and most of the time it is few men’s show at the expense of many. 

Because of a few negative characters many suffer the anxiety, tension and frustration. In a cordial atmosphere work becomes more productive which will result in betterment and progress of the organization as well as its people. Instead if harassment, exploitation is meted out to the employees, results too becomes negative. As long as there is no sense of belonging, you can’t expect loyalty.  

But who cares - those miscreants are ignorant of such feelings; and totally blind to the effects that affect all adversely.  

Pleasure of EDITING

If you write “he was working since”, the “EDITOR” changes it to … working from”- and if you change to “….from”  in the next letter, he reverts to “since”. If you use “many”, it is ‘corrected’ to “number of”; and if you make it “number of” next time, he promptly changes to “many”. If you write “further to “, it will be changed to “subsequent to” and if you use “subsequent to”, it is changed to “further to”… and thus it goes on and on…. .  

No doubt you feel bad -that your originality is not recognized, creativity is not acknowledged - it is just a passing phase, and hurts only initially. After some time, you get used to it- only if such changes are seen, you feel relieved. You will learn to take things stoically- that “even the best can be bettered” and that is what is happening to you! You too will learn soon to edit the “Editor”.  

Law Implimentation

 The place was AL Ithihad Park near King Faizal Mosque, Sharjah. Day – Thursday. Time- 7 pm. After a stroll we reached the park and was searching a place to sit and relax.

Found the place was flooded with football players. And just in front of them was big board saying “Football is not allowed in this place” The balls were flying like ballistic missiles. Many families were there with their kids including infants and it was a precarious situation. The missiles could have landed anywhere any time. And it happened- one of them landed on the back of an innocent visitor. The boy who went to retrieve the ball was not at all apologetic and the man being a soft fellow did not react.

If the place is for playing football then why the board reading it is not allowed is kept there; and if it is not allowed then why it is not implemented? Is it that the authority will take action only after some mishaps?

Credit Card Blues

The Sales Executives are highly professionals. Highly skilled and trained the lure the public into buying the beautiful Plastic cards promising earth ad heave and lavishly issue more than one card eve if you do not want even one. And they can give you as many supplementary cards too. You are impressed by their impeccable service – he fills up the forms for you ad run many an errand for you to ensure you get the cards at the earliest. Ad prompt come the cards by courier with lots and lots of offers, discounts and sales information. You are happiest – which is only the beginning of the problem. The gullible customer unknowingly, slowly but steadily falls into the self brought destructive trap and most of the time remain in the abysmal pit of debt.

The shops, malls all join hands with those professional sales guys – yet another professionals! Their advertisements are captivating – raffles, lotteries for the purchase of a “small” fixed sum. The greedy Customer king with his false prestige goes beyond his requirement and buys things whether he needs them or not just to reach the minimum amount so as to get the prize(s).

Unprofessional Professionals

A luncheon was to be offered in honor of some visiting guests, and the family head was recommended a prominent restaurant in Karama. Having seen the heavy crowd there on Friday, the invitation was postponed for the next day. The guests were informed accordingly and of course forewarned about the time to arrive so as to avoid the crowd and have some peaceful time during the lunch. Everything went smoothly until all entered the restaurant. They group consisted of almost 10 and was looking for tables to accommodate all. They saw two ‘gentlemen” occupy a table meant for 8 people and were simply sitting there chewing some snacks. The head of the family approached the manager and requested for the seats for the group. Instead of polite, decent dealing the manager was very rude. He simply looked around and uttered.  Six can sit here and 4 over there – “that is all possible”. All were shocked at the tone. He could have presented the same in a decent way. But why should he? He is fully aware that beggars are no choosers and if not this group, others will come. The head of the family had moved with his mob and so had to yield to the persuasion of the members and stay calml, patient. None was unaware there is more to come. There was no on to attend the customers promptly and it took more than 15 minutes for a supplier to appear.  He took the order and disappeared. It took another 45 minutes for him to attend to the tables from where he left.  Once the supply was done in a haphazard, hurried manner, he left again and the people had to wait again for him to reappear. Meanwhile the place was getting more and more people. The authorities were unmindful of that. They found a sadistic pleasure in making people sit and keeping others stand and wait.

From the professional point of view they were misfits. From the business point of view, they should have seen the food is served promptly and made the people leave, leaving chance for the next group. It will be good if the owners make some surprise checks, find out the drawbacks of the system and try to rectify them, so that all concerned will benefit out of it. Of course the bad elements will have to be weeded out – if they cannot be mend, then services will have to end.

Hapless Souls

The  Labour Laws concur with the International Labour Laws regarding the working hours – 8 hours. Exception to the rules are there for some categories  – but nor more than 9 hours.  However in practice many are forced to work for hours and hours continuously without any break which can stretch to 12 to 14 hours or perhaps more; and without any holidays. And there is none to complain about it. If complained they can leave the job; many are in the waiting list for lower salaries according to the employees.

Much is talked about the welfare of the employees and human resource development. The talk remains as talks only and the development ends in getting human resources on lower and lower pay and make them work as slaves. The poor fellows cannot complain; for then they will have to leave. Threatened with punishments, delayed/non payment, loss of job, ban for reentry for six long months, they are fully aware of the fortune they had shelled out to get this land of milk and honey and are constrained to lead the passive life.  Wisdom dawns too late and in many cases it dawns much delayed or at times never dawns at all! The realization comes too soon, that the hapless souls are helpless. The knowledge that they are aware of the pathetic situation makes it more painful.

In many companies increment is unheard for many years though the cost of living is skyrocketing. Bonus is shared among the preferred and unknown and unheard by many. Landlords are increasing the rent mercilessly and the employers simply turn a deaf ear, blind eyes to the plight of the employees. It is strange that it happens in many companies who boast high professionalism and multinational status.

Is this called professionalism? Is this much talked about Human Resource Development? While the authorities try to inculcate professionalism, welfare of the employees there are many who try to sabotage the purpose and the procedure. They are not qualified, have no idea about manning, managing. They are not interested in the common welfare but only of themselves; and are absolutely unaware of the adverse effects they bring about by demoralizing the hapless souls. The end result – mismanagement leading to poor productivity, bringing more red to the balance sheet. Who can and will bell those cats – when, how soon, so that all concerned can live in peace and harmony!

Drivers’ Dilemma

Whenever an accident occurs on the road, the drivers are always at fault. But then who can and does feel their plight – how they are distracted with the modern inventions, scientific advancement.

First it was the radio. By providing soothing melodious music, it made the drivers forget the world they are living in and transported them to the world of fantasy and many times asleep. And then came the advertisement, misleading, confusing like sirens of Police vehicles, Ambulance etc. Latest addition is TV in the car. With all the distractions how can the poor drivers concentrate?

The most unkindest cut comes with the mobile phones. Considered a boon to many most of the times, it becomes a bane while driving. As the vehicle rolls and gain momentum, the first call comes – it is from the wife and is regarding the list of things to be bought while returning home (She always forgets to write and prefer to tell the poor hubby while driving who is supposed to remember every item until he gets to the supermarket and get all of them). Next are the calls from the children; of course with more demands. The children are ‘gifted’ with mobile phones and can use it indiscriminately. And then comes the call from friends just to say hello and know your how about. Even if you politely tell them you are driving through the crazy traffic, they take it lightly and continue the chatter oblivious of the dire consequences their seemingly harmless chatter can lead to. Call from the office, your boss will never disturb you while you are in the office, but only when you start your return trip after a hectic day in the office. And they want information/statistics off hand as if you are better than computers. The demands are many and the pressure always mounts up.

And if nothing of the above happens, then the dutiful drivers will have to contact the wife, children, friends, office and boss to find their welfare, for any other work to be carried out. In either way the poor drivers have many a reason for distraction. Any wonder they miss concentration ending up in accidents. But then no one tries to feel the poor fellows’ pulse and the how and why which lead them to the accidents!

Beggars are no choosers

Rents are skyrocketing and getting unaffordable, and the poor public cannot do anything about it but to surrender to the avarice of the Landlord and real estate agents. Expense for education is getting exorbitant but the parents have to educate their wards. And yet entitlements remains stagnant for the majority and nothing can be done about that ! 

Roads are strewn with traffic chaos and the public is treated as guinea pigs with experiments on a daily basis; but the poor lots cannot do anything about it. Few officials in the offices and banks are introducing more and more rules making the already tough bureaucracy still tougher. They want not only the photocopies, but signature on all copies while submitting a simple application which hitherto went on smoothly. For different applications from the office the officials insist different Trade License & passport copies. Instead of simplifying the procedure and saving time and energy of all concerned some are bent upon creating more and more problems. And the affected cannot react. Depositing a cheque which used to take less than a minutes due to the innovation of the rule by some ‘cranky genius’ now takes almost an hour thus wasting  much precious time of customers.

Telephone Department is not charging any commission on Credit cards, but  Electricity Department are bent upon charging commission to the poor public for the fault of their using credit cards. Air Lines and Taxi drivers are hiking the charges; for they cannot afford to run with the old charges- their burden is conveniently thrown to the public again. Supermarkets, shopping malls, pharmacies, Restaurants all are continuously increasing the prices of commodities and again the public has to bear the brunt. Beggars are no choosers – are they?

Why Why Why ………….????

Many a time I am bothered by the following whys! My friends instead of giving me a convincing answer shirk their shoulders and take a resigned attitude.

·         Why is that many cannot stand in the queue and jump the queue oblivious of their fellow beings who dutifully stand without grumbling and patiently await their turn?

·         Why then the authorities attend to those who jump the queue, forgetting those are standing in front of them for quite some time?

·         Why when a customer stands in front of them, the service executive always are busy on the phone?

·         Why when a meeting starts, promptly the mobile sounds and why the person likes to talk over the mobile than the person in front of him/her?

·         Why we have the slowest moving personnel to man the busiest counters who never understand the situation and respond appropriately?

·         Why is that the slow moving driver chooses the fast track always and still drives slowly?

·         Why is that letters of relevance are thrown to the gutter and those of private interests are published?

·         Why many are bothered about other places, people and events when they do not do justice to their home, country and society?

·         Why is that people who toil and toil get less while those who do less work get  more?

·         Why is it that public employees work less and enjoy more holidays where as private sector employees have to work for more than the stipulated 8 hours and still have less holidays?

·         Why when the Municipality employees strive and strive to keep the place neat and clean many are bent upon keeping it dirtier and dirtier?

·         Why is that many parents behave so callously endangering the lives of their siblings and learning the same still many others continue to do so?

·         Why is it that the same product has different prices in the same area but different shops?

·         Why many prefer to pay more for a product and get it from big shops when it is available at a lower rate in smaller shops?

·         Why many prefer cheaper products than the costliest one even they can afford?

Still more whys are there ……… ! According to my friends “that is life” and “ we can do nothing about it.” Is that so? At least we can think about them, write about them and. ponder over them; and try to find some answer/solutions. Can’t we?? Shouldn’t we make a beginning somewhere, sometime???

Keeping the time

The market is flooded with the timepieces - wrist-watches, wall & table clocks. The prices vary from 5  to 50000 affordable to all and sundry. And they adorn the wrists of many, houses and offices too. So what ? Any one is interested in, concerned about keeping the time. Perhaps they are keen on keeping late. The more late, more important they are.

Be it to the school, office, to the meeting or any appointment, they prefer to reach late and do not feely any iota of guilty conscience about that. They come late because they are busy and had many other appointments. Traffic block is yet another excuse which is common and accepted without any objections. They can come late; but if others are, will object it vehemently.

We have accepted it as a routine in our life and are absolutely unaware of the adverse effects behind it. What happens if the doctor comes late for the emergency or for that matter the ambulance? What happens if you miss the flight and fail to meet your dear parents in the deathbed?  

Bad Joke

Bad Joke

It was a small function held to congratulate one of the Sales Executives. He was a versatile figure. Apart from selling, he had many other talents too and he had won a cartoon contest held by the company. The MD who flew down to give the gift was introduced to the extra artistic talents the winner has and was happy and impressed. And then came the comments from his manager- “ he is active in all fields except his selling!”

Many laughed a hollow laugh to ease the situation. The MD tried to make the ugly scene acceptable, by commenting the manager “did not mean what is said”. However the caustic comment marred the function. Many felt embarrassed and annoyed at the senseless comments- for he had proved his selling prowess and was the best in the company.

No doubt the joke was in very bad taste. And the result was really frustrating. But then that happens to be prerogative of the boss, absolutely unaware of the damage it can cause not only to the individual concerned, but to other employees as well. Even if he cannot motivate the employees he should ensure they are not dejected and de-motivated.

Second Class Citizens

IT has happened once more- holidays have come and the step-motherly treatment towards the Private sector has repeated as usual.

Why the segregation? In what way the employees of private sector are inferior and deserve the current discriminatory treatment? How much productivity can be increased by forcing the employees of the private sector to attend few hours on Thursday- when all others are enjoying continuous holidays for almost a week? Are the employees of private sectors second-class citizens and do not contribute to the growth of their organization and the country they live in? Those who have less work and more remuneration enjoy more holidays; while who have  to work more than the normal working hours are denied even half day holiday. Why the disparity, discripancy? Who creates such classes and why??

This is not a healthy trend at all. The frustration inculcated in the employees of the Private sector due to the ill treatment is enormous. It is high time the concerned authorities put an end to this once and for all.

The Incorrigible

The Incorrigible

Yes – they are incorrigible – wherever they are, whenever they act. Look at the street behind NBD Bank in Al Qasmiya Sharjah. Time is around 07.00 am. There is enough day light  (nowadays days break even around 6-15 to 6.30am – but not enough for the Electricity Departments – all lights are on and burning spending energy unduly. And the diligent department can switch off the lights when there is darkness putting the public into jeopardy. The same street was sans light for many days even during night, and now when it came it burns even during day when it is not needed.The department is not responsible for the power shortage which lands public and merchants in utter discomfort and great loss of business and can induge in such irresponsible activities.

Indeed incorrigible, are they not? Who can; and will bell those cats??

The Decision Makers

The Decision Makers

They are known by many names – Owner, GM, MD, Director, Manager, CEO, COO and what not! And all have the power to make decisions. They decide on the future and fate of the organizations, others, society. They can appoint few, disappoint many. What a decision they make most of the times. Justice delayed is justice denied goes the adage, so also the decision – delayed decisions, erroneous decisions can cause havoc, of which the decision makers are always oblivious of.

They hire and fire employees profusely, forgetting hire and retain is that what makes an organization establish, grow. Instead of boosting up the moral, their decisions end up in de-motivating the employees. Instead of team spirit, the decision makers promote office politics, moral deboosters which  end up n total frustration.

Do they indulge in rumination, retrospection – of the decisions they make – at least once?

When confronted the news of termination, the employee asked the GM – was it a sudden decision ? The GM answered coolly. He said – no, if I have to make decision on such issues, I think not once, twice, but many times. For when I go to bed, put my head on the pillow, I have to sleep peacefully.

No wonder, many decisions makers have restless,sleepless nights. Wish them right decisions, peaceful sleep.

Parental Responsibility

Parental Responsibility
Smoking among the teenagers, especially school going ones is becoming rampant and is taking an alarming proportion. I am pained to note early morning hours while waiting for the school bus, many kids resort to smoking.  It becomes contagious and if two smoke today tomorrow the number is increasing. Those who smokes entice others and others are curious and once commenced there is no going back.

A stitch in time saves nine – but then where are the parents of such children -they  are enjoying morning sleep in their cozy beds absolutely oblivious of their wards and their misdeeds. In many cases such children are those whose parents smoke while carrying the kinds or smoke in front of the kids.

What is the future of such unattended uncared children-they become  more stubborn,harboring more negativity, and later can become threat to the family and a bane to the society indulging in more vicious activities – all because of some forgetting their parental responsibility.

On another note I  found children standing  through the windows of running cars – parents either being unaware or uncared. Same is the case with callouse mothers who are on a shopping spree and children are unattended to run to the roads, get laid up by lustfull villains etc.

Is it that they learn only when the accident – unexpected event happens.  How sad.

Prevention is always better than cure – hope those concerned will remember this and practice too.

Time Management

Time Management

Everyone is busy- busy to the core – so much so that they don’t have time for anything else except to be busy!

·         No time for sleep for they get to bed late in the night and gets up early with a hangover!

·         No time to dress up properly – come out of home with unbuttoned shirt, with loosened tie.

·         No time for proper break-fast- taking tilting cups of coffee to the car, balancing to ensure it does not spill out,

·         Eating sandwich or fruits while driving- if on Sharjah-Dubai road, it is a time pass too

·         No time to read news paper at home, carries to office!

·         No time to answer the phone calls or reply the e-mails promptly

·         No time to keep up official obligations, social commitments and what not!

And yet many CEOs do find enough time to notice, attend the minute details of work, remember the birth day, anniversary of the sub ordinates greet them or send gifts, time to respond to or return the telephone calls or reply the mails by themselves promptly.

Where exactly does the shoe pinch?

We have not yet learned time management leave alone mastering it. Either we are totally ignorant of it or adopt a mode of escapism from the same. Once you give a small attempt you will find things are not that difficult. When you make a conscious effort and prioritize things you will have time for everything. With some amount of will power and self discipline life becomes easier.

Smile - You are in Sharjah

Smile - You are in Sharjah

 

Look at the two bus stops - one from Dubai and another from Sharjah Emirates. Those who pay only Dhs.2/- can enjoy an air conditioned bus stop in Dubai. Those who pay Dhs. 5/- has to stand in the un-sheltered stops -  be it summer, rain, winter or windy days in Sharjah. 

Buses too are different. The seats in Sharjah buses have strange arrangement. Young or old, Children or old women they should learn acrobats, climb up and down while inside the bus.The 'stop' switches differ from bus to bus.

Routes are also strange. You will find the same number going on the same road to different destinations. Number 14 or 14 X is moving through the GPO round about, some take a turn at the King Faizal Mosque towards the right, where as some go straight.The bus which turns to the right again turns and turns and come back to the GPO again and during the long distance travel not much passengers get in or get out. After stopping at the King Faizal Mosque Bus stop, some buses take a turn to the right and goes through a narrow road where on both sides vehicles are parked, and then again take turning to the left and right, while some goes straight and then turn to right.

All is not lost. There are silver linings in the dark clouds. Drivers in Sharjah Buses are experts -which is seen when manoeuvring through the narrow, congested roads. Also, they give out their service spontaneously - they call out the names of the near by places - Machi Market ,  Bus Station etc. to the passengers when approaching the concerned stops.

Smile, you are in Sharjah goes the slogan. Can we - sincerely???

The relentless war

The relentless war

The relentless war between the callous public and the hapless Municipality workers goes on, on and on. The vigor with which the workers try to clean the surrounding are countered with a sort of vehement vengeance by the public. Former is determined to keep the place neat and tidy, latter bent upon making it maximum dirty and stingy. Come Friday and Saturday – the beach, park and public places are littered with the left over – food, bottle, empty packets and what not! What a disgusting scenes the callous ones make! And the unfortunate workers have to toil and moil on a daily basis to keep the place net and tidy. So is the case with toilets- how they can make it so dirty when they themselves feel most uncomfortable for themselves to spend few minutes over there? Haven’t they got an iota of fellow feeling??

 It is high time we all give a serious thought on the subject. Prevention is always better than cure. Making the places – dirty and then having a cleaning campaign is like tying the cart before the horse, I suppose. What is the permanent solution? It is to create the awareness of hygiene, cleanliness and promote them regularly. Charity begins at home – so also sense of cleanliness and hygiene. Those who violate and cause discomfort to others can be first admonished, then taken to the most dirty places to feel the difference and when all such methods fail, punish with hefty fines. End justifies the means – does it not??