We show the facts. You know the rest.

Our National Day

2012-01-24T11:46:00.000+05:00

Today is the national Day of Maldives. A day to be proud of the nation we belong to. And a day to think about the nation. This is the moment for us to look at the nation, think and decide on what we need for the nation.

Early morning, we did host the national flag around the nation. We did pray for Maldives to be a prosperous nation. So I just opned the browser and checked the daily online newspapers. To my surprise, only one news paper reported anything about the National Day. That too was a report saying the national Day started with protest, and fierce confrontations between pro and anti government protesters. Let us look at the real picture of our nation.

The nations today is in a situation that everyone is so concerened of. Cheif judge of the criminal court is "taken" by the Maldivian military for the National security reasons. Protesters are on the road, conforntations between police and protesters, protesters from pro and anit government are on rise. Justice system, president says is almost on a halt and opposition accuses government of moving close to a dictatorship.

The paradise on earth turned to democracy yesterday, and now the same place is more or less moving away from rule of law and moving backwards on the road of democracy. Disrespecting the educated and the seniors in the nation, now has turned as a normal part of life. More problems and confrontations, many more accusations and abuse of pover on every angel is making people fedup and helpless of the dreams they had for thier nation with the rise of democracy.

I wish that is the end of the problems we have. Yet if one could believe me, that is just a beginning. Today, as we do all these very immature things just with the colour of party thinking in mind, OUR CHILDREN ARE LEARNING FROM US.

Today, on the TVs and Radio channels, we will talk about our nation. We will show our proud history and we will say we are proud to be Maldivians. We used to hear that we are so peaceful, we don't have fight, anyone can live here without any fear, we love each other, help each other and care each other. Yet! Alas!!! That is history.

We have too many problems, and too much to be fixed. Today, on the national day, I wish that everyone who belongs to the nation think about our future.

Our Nation begs from her children for an action. Let us show to the coming generations, a nation they could be proud of. Let us try to fix the national unity before it is too late. Let education system focus a lot to mold the minds of the children for a better nations. If we fail to do this today, tomorrow we will be faced with a nation that no more is a paradise on earth. God bless us. God bless Maldives.

Photo: Shaad Ali

Tackling Extremism

2011-12-15T14:49:00.000+05:00

Extremism- the holding of extreme political or religious views (Oxford dictionary)
Extremism-any ideology or political act far outside the perceived political center of a society, or otherwise claimed to violate common moral standards. (Wikipedia)

OK, Now the question is do we have extremism in Maldives. We claim we are a peaceful heaven on earth. Yet the hard to accept truth, is that we do have extremism in Maldives.

Here I'd divide the extremism on the basis of politics and religion.

Political Extremism

We have political extremism in Maldives. There are many people, who use a blind eye, when it comes to politics. I'd refrain from naming any, yet if you look at the Parliament of this country, you'd clearly see the proves of what I said on both sides. Example, for some of the government's supporters, from the natural disasters to economic down turns, from the household problems to the violations of laws by teenagers, everything is "because of Maumoon"!!!Believe me, for some of them, if the member in the next chair farts, it Maumoon who is to be blamed. Same applies to opposition. There are several situations where very solid economic reform actions by government was opposed and called as useless, ineffective or at times dangerous. For some members, they are not even ready to call the president as president just because he is from the other party. For them in the history of the present government, nothing, and just nothing was done right!!! I call both the sides political extremists. We need to get rid of it and move on to productive and constructive levels of thinking.

The same is applied to many members of the general public. Example, there are many houses in Maldives who rejects watching MNBC because it is a government channel or VTV and DhiTV because they support opposition. Yet the truth is, if you don't like them, first be patient enough to watch and observe what they say. I surely will not bother watching any of the channels or any newspaper either.

Many government supporters thinks and fully believes that opposition should not go for any protests and they believes opposition does protest only to "stop the government" Likewise, many opposition believed government members only should run the government and they are not supposed to go for protests. What really happen here is that there is no tolerance at all!!! Political extremism is high in Maldives and we need to address it before it gets too late.

Religious extremism

We have religious extremism in Maldives. There are some religious groups in Maldives who fully believed that the people who do not follow "their way" are NON Muslims. They are not ready to accept the moderate levels of religious thinking that we have followed for several centuries. No matter how much we try to hide this, there is high level of extremist religious thinking in Maldives. There are some who are not ready to give various vaccines to the kids because they are made by "Western Infidel". There are at least few who rejects to send their girls to the schools in the name of Islam. And there are some who are linked to the extremist groups from abroad. At least that is what I heard from government. Even now some of the "Islamic schools" operated in Maldives gives students extreme levels of thinking on some issues such as watching TV. Not to mention, there are situations where some of these schools are so capable that we feel like asking, "OMG where do you get all these funds"

The opposite is also true. There are some in Maldives who calls for freedom of religion. For me, I'd say that is another level of extremism. There are many situations where Maldivians including some government officials are accused of having too close a relationship with some groups who calls for such freedom in Maldives. At least on a blog once I came across a post calling for "gay rights" in Maldives.

Now the question is the outcome.

Some of the extremist acts, talks, banners, facebook statuses, comments to newspapers could really be a ticking bomb waiting to go off. The news media needs to address this. The educationist needs to focus this. And the politicians including the MPs needs to take urgent and solid action before the we lose our peaceful nation to the dirty and hands of extremists. We; the public first needs to accept that there is extremism and accept that we need to tackle it.

Catchment area: Catching the Addu City

2011-11-22T14:46:00.001+05:00

Two years back, I told you that there is a grave mistake in our education system which needs to be fixed. Now that story is gone.

A new era, a new situation and a new case is now on the table. Now the big talk is the catchment area talk.

This is a new policy implemented by the education ministry in Addu City under which, the students were entitled to enter the secondary schools of the geographical area they belong to. Under this system, Hithadhoo students will be divided between Hithadhoo School and Muhibbuddin School. In the other wards of city, the students should join the schools in that particular area. Sounds very fair. Yet problem arises when many students or more specifically their parents wants the kids to join Muhibbuddin School. So the catchment area has become a big issue. Here are some arguments on both sides.

Some arguments for Catchment area policy:

-The government of Maldives wants the education system to be in a way that from grade 1 to 10, the students should be able to study in a single school.
-Government has already established secondary schools in Addu enough that they could accommodate students under this policy.
- Given the present situation, the secondary schools in Addu can not be established if students are given option of the schools they wish to go.
-No school or no student could be given a special priority, and thus the entrance criteria to all schools should be same.

Some arguments against Catchment area policy:

- I will know where my kid should study!! Ministry simply can not decide the future of my kid!!
- New Schools are new to secondary education: my kids can not be sent there for "test driving". In other words parents do not have faith in the new policy or new secondary schools.
- Muhibbuddin has established resources. The already existing secondary schools in Addu city still lacks many resources.
- No other secondary school in Addu so far proved a success. There are many schools in Addu city where they have been teaching for secondary level, yet so far not much a success was seen.

Now the questions is, is the catchment area right or wrong? Well. excuse me. I am not the right person to say it. I was a teacher in Muhibbuddin School and also a teacher in Hithadhoo School (a newly established secondary school). So I'd rather not enter into that argument and just present what I see here and what I wish to see.

Facts that I could see around:

-Muhibbuddin has almost 2 decades of preparing students for O Level. It sure will be an under estimate to say the newly established schools could be better or even equal to Muhibbuddin School.
-New secondary school policy under which student study from grade 1 to 10 is good and has to be established at any cost. (I am not saying at the cost of the student's future)
-The teachers in the new secondary schools are qualified and perfect for the job just like in Muhibbuddin School.
-If the new secondary schools are left to stand on their own, and students are given the chance to join any school, the already established secondary schools too will be abolished.
-The resources in new secondary schools are not as week as some think. There is pretty good resource for a secondary set up, though there is a lot more that could be done.

My belief.
I am not saying miracles do happen in this 21st century. Yet, I believe, we need to do what has to be done for the betterment of all the students.

The first thing we need to do is to stop the unhealthy competition in Addu schools and move on in a way that we'd compete as a city, and not as individual schools. This will be good for both schools and students. The worse case that the secondary education in Maldives has faced is the famous Top 10. I am not saying it is bad to mark the success of the students, yet, it is leading to the sacrifice of too many. Throughout the nation, the schools are not allowing the low performing students to sit the CIE in the name of school, but rather asking them to join as private candidates, so that they get more points for "best schools award". With the introduction on technical science in schools, this has become ever easy. Don't expect even Muhibbuddin School to be a darling when it comes to it!!!

Second thing we need to do is to implement the catchment area. Yet that is not enough. We must come up with a mechanism under which, all the secondary schools in Addu city can learn from the lesson of Muhibbuddin over the past 2 decades. Let me tell exactly what I feel. We all are preparing the students for CIE. We all want our students to get good results. We all wish our performance to improve day by day. If then, let us break the invisible, yet strong walls between schools. We need to accept the fact of Muhibbuddin's success rather than trying to bring a school in Addu down to knees. What I really wish to see is a day when the same scheme of work is used in all secondary schools of Addu city,and at least once a month, all the subject teachers in Addu city get together and do a mass coordination for the whole month.

At last, the left outs. A lot of students are going out of our education system as failures. If you could believe me, with this present unhealthy competition in Addu city schools, the number is going to be increasing steadily. The technical science is a good concept. Yet, no school in Addu city, is equipped with any sufficient resource to cater the low ability students. As a last thing, let me ask you. Just like you think of top ten, will you not give a thought to the kids of this city who are sacrificed in the process yet ignored by all. Will you only bother the catchment area?

Home! Hassan's Sweet Home

2011-11-18T23:43:00.001+05:00

Its the dream of everyone to live in a beautiful home with best possible furniture and utensils. Yet not everyone have it, nor could all afford it.

Yet, that is not the end of the world! Let me share with you something that caught my eye. Its not a very new story. It has been there for a long while, yet I guess many just didn't bother to look at.

Everyday, many many people, go cross Medheaari maga from Ghaazee maga to visit the convention center and its beauty. Why dont you take a right turn this time rather than going a head. What do you see?? Well. you'd see a hut!! A small house. Or most easily I could say a "kolhonege" by some kids.
NO! NO! NO!. Thats a house. A real house!!!

It is Hassan Didi's house according to him.
I had a talk about the house and he was nice enough to show me the house and explain about it too.

The hut we see everyday.

He says this plot of land belongs to a brother (some relative I heard, though not an own brother). Brother lives in Male' and plans to give the plot to him. According to him, some people even tried to "take" land. He showed me the foundation that he claims they laid. "Maybe someone with a good post may ask them to do it" He was very careful with his wordings too. It maybe only 8ft to 10ft, yet its his sweet house, though he does not live in there.

Near the fence you could see the foundation.

This is not a normal house. Though built with sticks and some wood, its has a grownd floor and a first floor too.

Hassan Didi's house. Front view

Not only that. He has a garden too. I heard he is very good in gardening. There is a water apple(jamburoazu) tree that looks like planted recently. There are flowering plants as well.

Garden area. There are flowering plants too.

If there is a first floor, there shoud be a way to reach too. Yes, it is made of wood. And just like everything else in this house, Hassan Didi made it on his own.

The stairs

Just like any house, this house has a door. And there is no lock for the door, just the traditional type of rope that could be tied was there.

The door could be tied rather than using the expensive lock!!

Some beautiful flowers adds to the beauty of this small house.

flowers right in front of the house

There is a well too. Yes, "it doesnt have to look the same as the well in your house. Not every finger is equal". He justified.

The well in of Hassan Didi's house

There is a balcony too. Some days back there were flower pots hanging from balcony. But now it is not there. With a smile Hassan Didi said. "Maybe some boys didn't like it to be there.So they must have thrown off"

Balcony

One thing I noticed was that the work done was nice. There were windows too.

Nicely done work

This is the best thing I found in the house. The banana tree, just like the house was small, with just a 2ft or more, there was a bunch of banana too. Yes, even the banana was small.

The banana tree and banana in the backward.

I liked the way the house was kept, the idea and the way he justified what he did. I asked him.
Is this a "Juhaa mohora" so that the government can not take back the land that you got?

(Juhaa mohora- a local joke where Juha sells his house with exception of a nail in one wall inside the house which he used to hang rotten food, so as to indirectly send them off)

He was not ready confess. :) With a smile that looks like meaningful, he said, "See how big your house is. Its because your dad was able to do that much. See how small this house is. That is because this is the level I could reach to." I was speechless. I just could not believe how he persuaded me. Curious, I asked secretly. Were you able to register the land? He finished off his conversation with a nice smile by giving me the answer. "My dear boy, the constitution does not force to have a particular standard of house. This is my house, and yes the land is registered"

So here is Hassan Didi's house. His sweet little house.

Hassan Didi's sweet home.

Hope you enjoyed.

SAARC in Addu City- My report

2011-11-12T15:36:00.001+05:00

Today we are happy that Addu city was able to hold the 17th SAARC summit.

Everyone is celebrating its success and what the great work we did. So I'd rater speak of what we could not do.

Seventeenth SAARC summit was held in Equatorial Convention Center.

"A wonder brought up in 6 months from a marsh land" they say. The landscaping done by MNDF and police was just marvelous. Thank you MNDF and MPS. But, we say this is a nation. A nation with law and order. As far as my knowledge, such a huge change in a big ecology in Maldives requires Environmental Impact Assessment. (the well known EIA). I saw on TV president answering the reporter regarding the issue saying that a harm will not be done knowingly for sure. Yes Sir! Your right, they will not bring a harm knowingly, yet an unknown harm too is a harm. Where was the city council? Silent? Where was the environment ministry? At Male'? I don't know. All I know is it all happened "above the law"

Inside the convention center, I was able to enter as a media person. I was informed of around 118 expected media persons, yet saw not more than 3 computers and 5-10 internet ports. Excuse me if it was more. As for the security, mobile phones were not allowed into the ECC on 10th and 11th. But while I saw a media person using the phone he was "informed" it was strictly not allowed. Good security indeed. I saw 2 others using the phone too when the heads of states were inside the "Bodu kiba". When I asked if international media was given special priority, the answer I got was wonderful. "Even they are not allowed to bring phones. But it happened"

Thew names given to various rooms of the ECC...Well its good to give a name of each atoll to a room. But then let us not forget that this is a building in Addu City and Addu too has a history. I cant understand why names of the important people from Addu were not in there. And only few people from this 30,000 population were invited, even when there were no less than a 100 chairs vacant on the opening ceremony too.
Please don't tell anyone this secret. None of the city council members were to be seen when president Nasheed declared open the Equatorial Convention Center!!! ;)

Road construction was an important task that was to be done. As a person belonging to Addu city, it bothers me least if a country leader pass the car when compared to the quality and durability of the road. It is now very clear that the road construction did not go as planned.. Yesterday SAARC Summit was concluded. Even now, surely more than 70% of the pavement is yet to be paved. I heard so many times Southern Utilities promising that "the job will be done." Well. SUL, it was not done, and is still not done!

The monument became a huge issue after a monument from Pakistan was attacked by 2 people from Addu. Now who failed here? I heard our Mayor telling that nothing that goes against the faith of people will be fixed as a monument. Well sir! Islamic minister says that monument does not fit to our values and limits of constitution. Who is confusing us? You or the minister? A dhoni was supposed to be kept as a monument in the junction of Ghaazee maga and Medhe aari maga. Hello Addu City Council...SAARC summit is over! Leaders did pass that "empty" area. Where are you?

The quality of the work, I don't think anyone has to answer. Just this incidence speaks out. I asked an engineer who was having a close eye on the projects. "Just go and see the many very different sizes of gravel they used. How the thickness of the layers differ from place to place, the surface of the road. Then anyone will know that this is just a show off" He said. and added one more from his experience. "If link road lasts for 10 years, just pray to God, this bodu magu lasts for 5"

Many blamed Hithadhoo people did not give cooperation compared to other islands. Let me be very frank on this. In other islands (ooops, sorry wards of the city) the ward leaders, the constituency councilors were the first to do the work before asking people to do it. This encouraged the people. What did we see in Hithadhoo. I'd share two experiences I had. The "city cleaning day" was celebrated. All schools, offices and public were to participate. I wanted to see what our councilors were upto. In a short while I found at least one of them on his car and the other wearing tie. Excuse me! This is democracy according to you. If then, don't expect people to to something that you are not ready to do.
Second situation was the day Hithadhoo main road and city square was cleaned. Well, I may become the bad boy for speaking this out, but when president Nasheed was out in city square with cleaning work, our respected councilors were not there. Well, some may say they were on the main road doing the work, I bet not until 9:30. :P

I think the list could go on. Now I have a simple question. City square, ECC, monuments, main roads, harbours, banquet hall were the projects of government. What did the city council that we voted do for the SAARC summit? Did you really do enough.?

Define Cleaning please.

2011-10-03T21:54:00.005+05:00

It was 10th May 2010, when I posted on this blog an article under the name, 17th SAARC Summit in Addu............... Many laughed at me, many said it was almost impossible.

Today, Addu is too busy with the works to prepare the city for the international summit.

That is not what I am interested in. I am interested in the cleaning program that we are doing in Addu city. Many people, I heard saying that the leaders will not go from their roads or areas and therefore it is not so important to clean. Well, I don't think that will be an excellent idea. This is a momment Addu could really be proud to get. The Alhuhaa Eid, Vicotry Day, Republic Day and Saarc, all will be in a matter of a 2 weeks, if things goes well. Therefore it is very obvious that we expect many guests to visit Addu city.

Let us not just put the responsibility on the government or its authorities alone. Let us all ask ourselves the simple question. What did I do to my city for the Saarc?

Let us do what we could to ensure that the visitors to Addu city, sees the city as a clean, civilized and potential society. Let us not let down out forefathers for whom we are proud.

Yet, in this process, we also needs to keep in mind the words like environment, natural beauty etc...

Wondering why I said so?

This is a beautiful area that you could see near Hithadhoo Regional Hospital. Yes, the "kimbi vau". I sure love to go in that quiet and green area that is fully covered with leaves as if a garden.

Now, we cleaned the area!! So clean that its like your sitting room.

It is by seen this that I felt, we seriously needs to define cleaning. If cleaning is all about cutting down trees and removing every single leaf that falls down, I rather will love not to clean. Today, as I went for tea to a nearby restaurant from school, I saw many trees near the beach been "cleaned". I thought it is the roots of these trees that holds the soil tight in beach. Maybe I was wrong.

Now as for the Kimbi vau, I don't think anyone will say that the hundreds of thousands of leaves spread out there like a carpet is a garbage to be removed. Yet it is removed.

And almost all the small trees there are no more there. I am not saying that the area should be left like a garbage area. Nor I am saying that cutting a tree is a crime. But we need to do it in a way that the natural beauty is not lost. Now I am afraid that, tomorrow when I go to school early morning at 6:40, all the trees in Hitadhoo school will be "cleaned"

Maybe we need to define cleaning, or we may lose our natural beauty.

The Exchange Rate Story (1)

2011-04-12T20:23:00.008+05:00

Dollar rate is changed. Maldives currency lost the value. Our economy is going to collapse. We are getting poorer. These are some of the talks that has dominated our life in the past 3 days.

All these came after the government announced a controlled floating of the Maldivian Ruffiyaa by 20% higher or lower to the pegged value of MRF12.85. In other words, the government permitted buying and selling of US Dollars between MRF10.28 to MRF 15.42 instead of the fixed rate.

Many wonder what will be the outcome. Just like everything else is Maldives, several people decided the right or wrong of the decision taken depending on the political group or party they follow or believe in. Yet, this may not be the very right decision when it comes to our own economy. So, as someone who has interest in the topic, I thought of posting an article on this very matter. However, we need to know what this is, before we try to think of the impact it could bring on us.

What is exchange rate actually?

Exchange rate is the rate at which a currency can be changed to another currency. Lets make it simple. An "Addu Bondi" is sold at MRF12. A US Dollar is sold at MRF12. Ok, now it is MRF15 or so.

What is this change?

There are two ways in which the exchange rate is made.

1) Fixed exchange rate: In this system, the central bank of the country (our MMA) will fix a particular rate and peg it with one of the hard currencies. Hard currencies are the currencies like US Dollars or UK Pound which are from industiralised and stable economies and the currencies which are often accepted in international market.

In order to maintain the fixed rate, the central bank often will control by buying up the local currency if too much Dollar is in circulation or selling off them if there is shortage of Dollars to ensure that only enough money is in circulation. However, in Maldives this was done by making it illegal to sell at any other price, which was also a pracitced system. Fixed exchange rates were believed to be more stable and said to suit well for small economies and specially for economies like Maldives where import is very high compared to the exports. However, there are arguments against this too, most important of them that it hinders free trade and self regulation of market. Also if the fixed exchange rate is maintained by law like in Maldives, there will be chance of a black market.

2) Floating exchange rate: In floating exchange rate, the rate of exchange will be decided by the forces of demand and supply. The rate of exchange will be the market price of Dollars in Maldivians currency. More like our fish market, where the fish will be expensive if the catch of the day is less and vice-versa. The shortages or surplus of foreign currency in the market will be settled by the reactions in the exchange rates. It is often said as the invisible hands, that corrects the market instability.

Floating exchange rate, which is most common and often believed to be better for the economy than a fixed exchange rate, stabilizes itself in reaction to market instability. However many criticizes this as too volatile and may cause an unstable markets for the emerging economies.

What Happened in Maldives???

If the fixed exchange rate is changed, it will be either a devaluation or revaluation of currency. Devaluation means the rate of exchange gets lower. Eg: From $1=MRF12 to $1=MRF15 will be a devaluation and opposite will be a revaluation.

IF the floating rate changes it is known as an appreciation or depreciation of currency. Eg: From $1=MRF12 to $1=MRF15 will be a depreciation and opposite will be an appreciation.

Did we see any of these in Maldives? Well, talking in simple terms, we did not see any. Yet we saw something more. Since 2004, there was a shortage of US Dollars in Maldives. This shortage became quiet large in the last 2 years or so. As a result a well established black market for Dollars started in here, though it was more or less like a "public secret". What we saw was a switch from a fixed exchange rate to a floating exchange rate. To be more specific, its a switch to a controlled or managed floating where a band range is given for floating and the exchange rate will be permitted to float in that range.

Now that the question is what will be the outcome. There will be short run and long run effects which I'd continue in my second post, God willing.

A mega flight with mega idiots.

2011-03-26T16:13:00.006+05:00

After almost one hour of delay, we were asked to board the plane. Tired after having to wait so long, I was in a hurry to go and take my seat. Everything settled after around 10 mins. All were on board and the plane was about to take off.

A big plane with almost 220 or so people will not be just a simple thing. Surely there will be different types of people whom we could come across. Let me share what I saw.

Ok, There were three guys. One of them could be in his mid 40s, and the other 2 in early 30s.

Just few seconds after they got into the plane, they found a switch. "Hey what is this, there is a person drawn." the next person replied, that it must be something to "call those people"( cabin crew). They three observed this and decided to press it. WOW, there she came and said "kon kameh thoa beynun fulhu vanee" I just checked the switch. He replied confidently. She gave a smile and went off.

It was then the captain announced that due to the traffic, we will have to wait for 5mins. These 3 were two busy pulling down the tray on the seat in front of them. I dont think they heard the captain announcement or its translation. One more press.... and there comes a guy this time. He explained nicely that they will have to wait for 5mins due to the traffic. Cool, they seemed happy.

Then they found another switch. Oh My God, this time its not like that stupid Island Aviation!!!!!!! The seat can be moved back with the switch. :) They were too happy I guess, that they didnt realise there were passengers behind them. At least the lady who was behind these 3 with a kid had to ask the guy to move the seat front. I tried not to laugh, but I'd confess it sometimes did happen.

Safety measure were displayed. And they showed the emergency oxygen mask that would come down in case of any problems with pressure. Without a hesitation one of the three commented. "So we bought the tickets cheaply and have to wear gas mask?"

Eating time. The crew were busy distributing the food (khmm it was a sandwich and a packet of Mango juice) One guy asked for 2 sandwiches, and ya, no wonder a second guy did ask too. Luckily third didn't ask. As the crews were occupied with distributing the food, one got up and started walking. 3-5 mins later, there he comes with his announcement. "I went to kitchen of this plane, and I got this glass for water from the kitchen! I even went to toilet, but the flush tank is too noisy. Ladies will be frightened if they flush the tank" He explained his findings.

To my surprise the next guy wanted the same thing, and asked a crew who was passing if he can go to kitchen to take water. Smiled. Yes sure you can go, was the reply he got. He rushed. And then he came with his chance of experience. "I too entered the toilet and the kitchen is nice." He said, and agreed to the comment of the first guy that "flush system was not good." A serious discussion started. I was listening but very careful not to let them know sometimes I am laughing at them. Three of them agreed that the making of the plane was no simple a job. The size of the plane was wonderful. "Until it started moving, I thought that long extended part was part of the airport roof. When it started moving only, I realised it was part of the wing." Truly they were amazed with the size of the plane and its features. "But that flush thing is not good." It is OK even if such a "mistake in manufacturing" is there because making this big plane is a lot of work and money. The three agreed and reached the wonderful conclusion that there was a mistake of manufacturer.

Atlast these three happened to be ahead of me as we left the plane. "You have coffee machines also?" One of the guy showed the last part of the episode. And this time the crew who was not a Maldivian replied, in simple words."Yes this coffee maker" Happily they three left the plane.

Quietly I said to myself. You 3idiots.

Photo: http://8qblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/mega-global-air-aircraft-registered/

Writer's Block

2011-01-18T01:08:00.000+05:00

It was July 2008 that I started with this blog. Since then, I try to share what interests me, what disturbs me, or what I feel that people maybe interested to read. As days passes, as more and more articles comes and goes, there are times that I totally go blank. Times where I feel I ran out of topics to post on. At least the whole of June 2010 went without me writing a single article.

It was recently that I came to learn that this is something common. Well, a common factor known as Writer's block. According to dictionary a writer's block is "A usually temporary psychological inability to begin or continue work on a piece of writing."

So I tried to get some information regarding it and here is what I came to know.

Writer's block. Writer's block or the writer's temporary inability to continue with his/her writing is a situation very often faced by writers. A dream no writer wishes to see. Many are faced with this problem and some desperate to find a solution. Since I came to know about this, I have read several articles on different websites about writers block, though I am someone who somehow hates reading.

Some important things I learned from these readings are presented here.

1. Be who you are. Your writing what you think, what you feel and what you believe. If then, you do not have to avoid any idea thinking that others may not like it. Its your writing that you decide. If there are some who do not like to read what you wrote, there will also be many who will love to read what you wrote.

2. Just because you could not write today does not mean you can not write tomorrow. Often when we try to write an article and when we find that we just couldn't get any good idea, we get fed up. However, if we look back, we did write many articles before. So just because we could not come up with one today, it doesn't mean we cant do it anymore. So have faith and try once again always. Try, try and try, they say.

3. Make writing a habit. Not every thing that we write necessary have to be an excellent one. As simple as this. Every time you kick the ball, it does not have to score you a goal. Yet your still a player. It is a good idea to write something (though it may not make a good sense as a piece of work now) and make it a part of the daily life. Rule is simple. The guy in the bench can only watch, yet the guy playing MAY score sometime or the other.

4. Read. Oh I hate this!! Yet it seems this is an essential part. The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more you think. The more you think, the better ideas will follow out from what you read before. Guess I got to think of start reading. :)

5. Give time. If you feel you ran out of ideas, do not force yourself to come up with an idea on the spot. Go for a ride. Have a talk. Watch a movie. Play a game. And come back with a fresh mind. You'd find that you can think of a good idea and also in the process of doing what was just mentioned you may get an idea too. And yea, no need to try on an article after a fight with your boyfriend/girlfriend or wife/husband etc... It'd help you in nothing more than proving to yourself there is nothing in your mind.

6. Don't let the ideas go away. No matter where you are, if you get an idea, do save it. Remember that you may need an idea tomorrow. I use to write the ideas I get as drafts on my phone. Very often a good source for me to decide what to post on my blog comes while watching news or while yawning in a long meeting.

7. A particular topic is not a must. If unable to continue with a topic, leave it for the time and switched to another one, yet do not quit the first topic too, as the idea may come anytime.

8. Avoid too much of over editing. This will make you feel that all that your wrote does not make sense. Rather try showing to someone your comfortable to share with and seek an advice on where it is not going very well.

9. Ask your friends for ideas and feedback. Keep a contact with others who writes. Both will help you in avoiding to face the writers block.

10. Sometimes the article you write may not be good for you, yet an excellent one for the others. So if you have an idea and the information, do not give up a chance. From what I learned so far, some articles that I wrote and published thinking few will bother were most important for many readers and vice versa.

Photo:
http://www.sodahead.com/living/skills-basic-to-writing-well-are/question-905969/
http://www.fuelyourwriting.com/an-unusual-cure-for-writers-block/

HAPPY 100TH POST.... Happy 2011 and Happy Four Stars.

2010-12-31T21:42:00.011+05:00

Happy 2011
First of all, wish you all a very happy new year. I Hope this 2011 will be a better year for all of us in all the ways. I hope I was able to write some articles that you enjoyed in this year and hope I can write more in the year ahead.

HAPPY 100TH POST
Now, this post sure is an important milestone that I was able to reach. Reaching a 100 post, I feel is good level to reach. In the past two and half years as a blogger, I was able express my opinions in various different issues on different occasions. Mostly I tried to focus on political, economical, social and educational issues. I will not say I was able to write in every issue in the best interest of the society, but surely I tried on it.

It all began about a 30 months back when a close friend of mine introduced her blog to me and encouraged me to start with one of my own. Then came my own brother who showed his blog. That was the day the decision was made and the same day I put my 1st post on my blog. Today, I thank both of them, as it is because of them, that I reached this 100th post today.

Yes, surely one thing that always lead me to keep writing on my blog was the readers. For almost every single post I did, I used to get comments. The feedback I get from the readers when I talk or meet online keeps me on track and encourages me to write "one more post" always. Thank you all for reading my blog, and thank you for the feedback you provide.
Out of 99 articles I posted:
A Day in Addu City Hospital was the most commented.
Addu Education- Speaking the unspeakable was the article I like the most.
Adhaalath Party sponsored Islam was the article a lot of people questioned whether I made up a story.
So these three articles were the most noticeable 3 for me. I hope I could come up with more articles that readers will enjoy.

Happy Four Stars 2010
After I posted the 99th article, I asked several friends to give their ideas what I could include in the 100th post. This whole article is a mixture of some of those ideas. One idea was to chose the best politician 2010 in my view as I quiet often write on political issues. I found that interesting, and decided to come up with this FOUR STARS. Two from the government and two from opposition. Fare I guess.

These are four who I found played a big role in2010 and did come up with good results in what they tried for.

Government:

President Mohamed Nasheed has once again proved that he still is a start, not just the star of 2008 election. He has taken very unexpected and sometimes unbelievable decision that could have easily threatened his own government. The holding of the civil servants salary, the mass resignation of cabinet, the privatization of Male' International air port, the famous EYE camp, the "protection" to one leading opposition member Yameen were all decision where he proved he had the gut to do it. Maybe many people did not like it, yet he did all and did survive too. At least so for he is safe.

Dr. Amintha Jameel.How am I to describe? The quiet girl in government? Not a famous start for many people she maybe. However, she has proved herself as the star in government among ladies. The IGMH to Appolo international, the health corporations, the EYE camp, the resignation from cabinet, were the big issues that she faced. Yet she quietly did the job as she wanted. With all these issues provoking the opposition, she was once again able to come back to cabinet through a parliament where the same opposition was in majority. This makes her the star in government in this year.

Opposition:

Mr Umar Naseer. Some said he divorced his own party when he left IDP and asked the Elections Commission to remove IDP (the party he founded in 2005) from party registry. Yet, today, he has easily proved himself a star. Many calls him a political joker. Yet truth is he became one of the deputy leaders of the 2nd largest party in nation. Today he has challenged in court that Election Commission was wrong by not removing IDP from party registry. Yet, what makes him a start is he has challenged the leader of his present party DRP, gave a deaf ear to the dicipline committee, and with all those, he still have won the heart (for whatever reason) of Former president Maumoon in the whole process. Maybe he reached this far because he has backing og Maumoon, yet the point is he reached, thus he is a start of 2010 I will say.

Azima Shakoor. The law lady? It maybe true that she is practicing her profession. Yet, as a member of the opposition, it is also true that she has played a role in almost every time they won a goal. When some opposition members were given "protection. When cabinet went for the mass resignation, and in many such situation she stood up against the government actions or decision. As a member of opposition her win of the ministers approval from parliament sure was the best the opposition achieved in bringing government down to knees. These makes her the start among ladies in opposition.

At last, these are all what I felt and what i thought. What you feel or think maybe different. At the end of the day, if everyone thinks the same, I'd not be doing what I am doing now.

Finally, Thank you all for reading and commenting my blog. Hope you'd stay with me for another 100th post too :)

Photos:
Nasheed: http://www.lgnewsroom.com/newsroom/contents_main.php?category=3&product_code=5&product_type=5&post_index=529
Azima: http://www.miadhu.com/2010/07/local-news/yaameen-lodges-a-case-for-his-lost-constitutional-and-human-right/
Umar: http://www.haveeru.com.mv/english/details/32422/DRP_council_to_investigate_Umar_Naseer_case
Ainth Jameel: http://www.miadhu.com/2010/05/local-news/maldives-has-already-achieved-8-of-the-mdgs-health-minister/

What my nation didnt tell me...

2010-12-20T16:26:00.005+05:00

Did you know? The first bank we Maldivians had was a branch of State Bank of India in 1974.
And then, the first ever golf course in Maldives was a golf course in Kuredu Island resort. That was in 2002.

Once I came across this photo on facebook. Look at that photo carefully. The date goes something like 196.. Well, it is the first bank in Maldives. If people who write history thinks that was an unlawful bank by an unlawful government, fine, say so. Write that the first bank in Maldives was The People's Bank of Addu Atoll, and then write that this bank was made during a period where the four Atolls were calming themselves as an independent nation which the Maldivian government takes as illegal. However you may describe it, do not hide the fact that SBI was the second bank in Maldives. The bank been formed by an illegal government does not stop it from been a bank. You can not say I am not dead if someone kills me, just with the excuse that killing is illegal. :)

Then about the golf course. As I said before, the first ever golf course in Maldives was a golf course in Kuredu Island resort in 2002. How about this one?

As you could see from the photo it dates back to 06/05/1975. If so? I dont know. Maybe we can say the first commercial golf course was in 2002 and the first ever golf course in Maldives was by RAF who stayed in Gan, Addu.

Maybe and maybe, one day these will be questions for which we need to keep an answer for the next generations.

Note: the Photo of the cheque was taken from facbook. From the photos of Mr. Sheeraz Aziz

A Walk on "a journalist's slipper".

2010-12-13T00:56:00.004+05:00

It was the mid of the November. School vaccation. I was like bored to tears at home. I don't go out much. You could call me a kid, yet I don't care, I spend most of the time inside my home. One such day, as I sat in the sitting room, I saw this advertisement on MNBC about a basic journalism course.

God only knows if I even spent a single minute to think if I'd join it or not. I am sure, withing 5Min's after I saw the advertisement, I noted my name in the list.
Then I came here to Male'. Well, be frank, I was looking for a visit somewhere just for a change in environment. This sounds to me like killing two birds with a single stone. A small course that could add some knowledge to me as well as a change of the environment for a break.

Many questioned why I had to do this course. Are you mad to do a stupid certificate level course on journalism after your degree in teaching? Are you crazy to spend MRF2500 for a 10days course? Are you going to do a course on eating and drinking water tomorrow? Cant you do an accredited course? These are few questions that I came across from many friends of mine. Yet, I was never ready to give up. I knew two things for sure.

1. A knowledge gained will not be a harm to me. One day or the other I may need it.
2. Me doing just a bachelors degree in teaching does not make me "fit for everything". Maybe it prepares me for teaching, but surely does not and will not make me a mason, a carpenter, a journalist etc...

With this intention, I did the course. A basic journalism course organized by Shaheeb Media Consultancy with the cooperation of Polytechnic and MNBC. Tell the truth, I did enjoy the course. Surely with every lesson and every lecturer I did learn a lot. I am not here to promote the course, nor here to advertise the firm. So, let me share with you what I enjoyed the most.

The practical:
OK, The lecturer calls this as "walking on a journalist's slipper". I guess the name well fits. For the out door practical, we all were taken to K. Villingili (ok ok, Vilimale' as they say). Task was simple and very open ended. "Now your in an Island, each of your now having a journalist card. Make a good and valid newspaper report."

Here is my experience. I went with 2 other boys. We decided on making a report about the crimes in the island.
Around 9:15, we went to Police Station of the island. Oooooooooops. He corrected me even. Not an island, but a ward of Male'. Station in-charge was out for a break or something. Ya, just less than 2hrs after office hours began. Let it be, its police. After all, he came after about 10Min's when they called and informed him of our presence. He was cool. Answered every single question we asked. Anyway, he doesn't have to worry since we told him we are just students of journalism. He gave a pretty good picture about the problems and how it is arising. The basic idea was that crimes are there, yet, almost 90% of them are directly linked to the crimes in Male'. There is something like a branch for every single gang that operates in Male' to the Villimale too. Sports facilities are poor, and youth has nothing to do specially at night.

Around 10:00 we went to the social center, the place was closed, though the according to opening hours displayed it must be open. We did hear that the lights in the football pitch are out of order. We went to check on it. No it was not out of order actually. Some were not there, and even in the lights that were seen, there was no wire connected. From the public we came to know it is in the same condition for at least few months. We did talk with many people that we came across, just to get an idea what public thinks.

Around 11:00 went to the Villimale' Avashu Office. Met some seniors there. We asked about the crime rate. What should I say? OMG LOL :P ???? There is no crimes here, we can say this is almost a crime free place. The youth are good, we don't have any gangs. I repeated...no gangs??? Yes, we don't have gangs here, this place is more secure, more peaceful and more a social life you could see in this place. I was told. I thought to myself. So, this is what it is about, Police said there are gangs, there are crimes, there are problems, and it is increasing. After just an hour or so, these people are saying, we are crime free a place.

I asked about social center. "It is open, even now it will be open". When we told him it is closed and there is no one in there, the music changed, "we actually don't have much demand, so we open only at afternoon hours."
We went to the football topic. "Yes, it is very well used." Do they have lights? "Oh Yes! they does, and even now they use to play at night." When told there is no wire connected to it...."actually it is the sports ministry mandate to look after these things." That gave me enough of an idea, what I was doing, and what I will be doing if I take this as a carrier.

I did enjoy the first steps on this arena, looks interesting, but I am a teacher. :)

A Day in Addu City Hospital

2010-11-25T10:02:00.007+05:00

I belong to Addu. I love my atoll, and yes, my island too. What I love about Addu Hithadhoo the most is that we always know Hithadhoo is the second most developed island in nation. Yes the next best to the capital Male'.

So, a week back, i spent quiet a lot of time in Hithadhoo Regional Hospital as one my my aunts was admitted there.

Here, I'd like to share few photos that we got during our stay. Thanks to Shamin for the help.

BIO HAZARDS.

I'd not be shocked to see this label "BIO HAZARDS" in a hospital, but I couldn't understand how I could explain me seen this just next to the cot where a new borne baby was sleeping.
I don't know, the dictionary puts it this way. "a biological agent or condition (as infectious organism or insecure laboratory procedure)that constitutes hazard to human or environment"

Baalidhee Hospital

No comments!!!

...not to mention this is a common factor, and the computer used in the reception(which is said to be the face of hospital that brings the so called first impression) had to be moved aside to avoid it been damaged by the rain.

Disabled Toilet

I love this one. At least it is there.

BEST ALL ROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shall I read this for you? : Please do not lock NICU, Nicu key broken."
NICU- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
A new lock that you see in this photo costs MRF 90. in Naeemee Store, Fazaa and Multi Store if the hospital management couldn't find place to buy or couldn't get its price. :$

Photo: shamin

Learning the calender

2010-10-28T00:33:00.006+05:00

Long back, as a small child, I once heard my father citing Mr. Mohamed Jameel Didi (May Allah Bless him) as saying in a lecture in SAEC...... "One day, every single day of your calender will be named..."

I used to wonder if it will happen! If it happens, will we need a calender anymore!! Like now we say Sunday....Monday...Tuesday etc.. we could go on reading all the 365 names. Suddenly, this thought disturbed me tonight, and I just gave a try. Here it goes. :) And I have included 3 days that we celebrate in Maldives with according to the solar calender.

I guess its real long, yet for me, at least I felt its worth to have a list.

January

1- World Peace Day / Global Family Day / New year day

5 - World Environment Day

6 - World Day - War Orphans

10- World Laughter Day

26- International Customs day

27- International Holocaust Remembrance Day

28- Data Protection Day

30- World Leprosy Eradication Day

February

2- World Wetland Day

4- World Cancer Day

6 - International Day against Female Genital Mutilation

12 - World Day of the Sick

20- World Day of Social Justice

21- International Mother Language Day

22 - World Scout Day

23 - World Peaces and Understanding Day

March

4-World Day of the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation

8-International Womens' Day / International Literacy Day

13-World Kidney Day / World Rotaract Day

15-World Disabled Day / World Consumer Rights Day

20- World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People / International Day of the Francophonie

21- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination / World Sleep Day / World Forestry Day

22-World Water Day

23-World Meteorological Day

24-World TB Day / International Day for Achievers

25 -International Day of Remembrance - Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade

27-World Drama Day

April

2-World Autism Awareness Day

4-International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

7-World Health Day / International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda

12-World Aviation & Cosmonautics Day

17-World Haemophilia Day

18-World Heritage Day

21-World Creativity and Innovation Day

22-Earth Day

23-World Book and Copyright Day

24-World Lab Animals Day

25-World Malaria Day

26-World Intellectual Property Day

28-International Worker’s Memorial Day

29-World Dance Day

MAY

1-May day - Labour Day

3-Press Freedom Day / International Sun Day / World Asthma Day

4-Coal Miners Day / International Firefighters' Day

5-World Athletics Day

8-Remembrance and Reconciliation for Lost Lives Second World War / World Red Cross Day and Red Crescent Day

9-World Thalassaemia Day

10-World Mother Day

12-International Nurses Day

13-International Criminal Court Day

14-Bone and Joint Day

15-International Day of the Families

17-World Information Society Day

18- World Museum Day / World Hyper Tension Day

19- World Hepatitis Day

20- World Metrology Day

21- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

22- International Day for Biological Diversity

23- World Turtle Day

24- Commonwealth Day

28- Anti-Narcotics Day / Engineers Day

29- International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

31- World Anti Tobacco Day

JUNE

1-International Children’s Day

4-International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

5-World Environment Day

8-World Brain Tumors Day / World Ocean Day

12-World Day Against Child Labor

14-World Blood Donor Day

15-World Father’s Day

16-International Integration Day

17-World Combat Day to Desertification and Drought

18-International Picnic Day

20-World Refugee Day

21-World Music Day

23-International Olympic Day / United Nations Public Service Day

26-International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking / International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

JULY

1-International Joke Day / Doctor's Day

2-World Sports Journalists Day

6-World Zoo-noses Day

11-World Population Day

26- Independence day of Maldives

28-World Nature Conservation Day

August

1-World Breast-feeding Week

3-Friendship Day

6-Anti Nuclear Day / Hiroshima Day

9-International Day of the World’s Indigenous People / Nagasaki Day

12-International Youth Day

13-World Left Hander's Day

15-International Mourning Day

19-World Humanitarian Day / World Photography Day

20-World Mosquito Day

23-International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

26-Namibia Day

September

2- Coconut Day

8-World Literacy Day

10-World Anti-Suicide Day

11-World First Aid Day

15-International Day of Democracy / International Day of Engineers

16-World Ozone Day

19-International Talk Like a Pirate Day

21-World Peace Day / World Alzheimer's Day

22-World Car Free Day / World Rose Day - Welfare of Cancer Patients

24-World Heart Day / World Clean-up Day

25-International Grab Hand Day

26-Day of the Deaf

27-World Tourism Day

28-World Rabies Day / Right to Know Day

October

1-World Vegetarian Day / World Hepatitis Day / International Day of the Elderly

2-World Animal Day / World Ostony Day / International Day of Non-Violence

3-World Habitat Day

4-World Animal Welfare Day

5-World and International Teacher’s Day

6-World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

8-World Humanitarian Action Day

9-World Postal Day

10-World Mental Health Day

12-World Arthritis Day / World Sight Day

13-International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction

14-World Standards Day

15-World White Cane Day-guiding the Blind / Global Hand Washing Day / International Day of Rural Women

16-World Food Day / World Anesthesiologists Day

17-World Trauma Day

20-World Osteoporosis Day

24-UN Day / World Development Information Day / World Polio Day

30-World Thrift Day

November

1-World Vegan Day

3- Victory Day of Maldives

5-World Interact Day

6-International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflct

8-World Radiographer Day

9-World Freedom Day

11- Republic Day of Maldives

14-World Diabetes Day

16-International Day for Tolerence

17-International Students Day

19-World Toilet Day / International Men's Day

20-Universal Children’s Day / Africa Industrialization Day

21-World Fisheries Day / World Hello Day / World Television Day

25-International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women / International Meatless

29-International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People

December

1-World AIDS Day

2-World Computer Literacy Day / International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

3-International Day of Disabled People / World Conservation Day

5-International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development

7-International Civil Aviation Day

9-The International Day Against Corruption

10-Human Rights Day / International Day of Broadcasting

11-International Mountain Day

14-World Energy Day

18-International Migrants Day

20-International Human Solidarity Day

29-International Biodiversity Day

Therefore, in 153 days, we mark 197 different Observance Days. Jameel Didi seems to have said well.

Information from:
http://hubpages.com/
http://www.scribd.com/

Local Council Elections??? May Not be a very good news.

2010-09-01T16:51:00.008+05:00

Everyone is talking about the local council elections that we will face as early as November or a bit later than that. All the leading political parties of the country are getting ready for the race. The supporters of the parties are trying their best to make sure their party wins most of the seats.

The local councils mainly consists of Island Councils and Atoll Councils. For the capital Male' there will be a City Council. Here I present some facts and predictions that comes to my mind.

The Cost: Lets make some simple calculations.

There are 200 inhabited islands in the country, which means 200 island councils. Each island council have a minimum 5 members. So a total of at least 1000island councilors. Lets say the salary of a councilors is MRF12000. [1000×12,000=12000000] That was a MRF12million per month.
There are 20 atolls in the country, which means 20 atoll councils. Each atoll council have a minimum 5 members. So a total of at least 100atoll councilors. Lets say the salary of a councilor is MRF20000. [100×20,000=2000000] That was a MRF2million per month.

The Outcome:
The out comes of the local council elections could be taken in two ways.

1. The islands will be run and administered by a group of people elected by a direct vote of people rather than a mere selection. People will have a say in their developments and various other decision making processes. This sounds good, civilized and more democratic. The long hope of the people to see their former island chiefs replaced by elected members will come to a reality.

2. However, just like in the Parliamentary election, we will see party members dominating the election. The result will be.... many if not all, credible people will lose the chance to give a good competition in election, both inside and outside party. Inside the parties, the "activists"(as often called), will be able to get more support than the quiet educated people. At the same time, there will be less chance for the people to get a seat unless they get a party ticket regardless of the education, knowledge or credibility. As a result we will see the same power struggle that we see in Parliament. There we are spending MRF4.7million [77 × 62000=4774000] every month, though we hardly see any productive work done which is in the interest of people.

If the second situation that I mentioned happens, which I very much think will happen, the benefit we would get will far too be less than the cost we have to pay. If then it will mean more than MRF18Million, (18774000) been paid for the Parliament and councils every single month, which hardly brings anything more than a show of selfishness, mismanagement and power struggle.

Unless and until, we act wisely, the upcoming election is no a good news. It could easily turn into another money shredder.

Photo: http://www.fotosearch.com/FSD350/x13253657/

ATTENTION PLEASE: Look Here....Not There.

2010-08-24T17:15:00.006+05:00

Thinking, about what goes around the society is something I enjoy. These days, in our country, politics, is the most spoken topic of all. When it comes to politics, the politicians always look for attention of the people. However, this is the case only in the positive things. When there is a problem, or something not very favorable, they try a lot to divert the attention to something else.

The present government it seems is too good to try this technique almost everywhere possible.
Lets see how some situations arose and what followed.

End of 2008, Dr. Hassan Saeedh started openly criticising government and its aim to win majority in Parliament. He started questioning the faith of government. In just a week, to every one's surprise, President announced the famous 5 drug leaders information. Desperate to see a solution to drugs problem in nation, people and media immediately switched to the 5 dealer talks.

Mid- January 2009, the Civil service commission and finance ministry went into a big argument on the salary. Protest started. And as a last action, CSC went to court. Suddenly, the news of 168 bottles of Alcohol in MP (Rekkoa) Moosa Manik's car (even when he was aborad) diverted the attention once again. Add to this, police asked to end a live courage of a protest, making the media more concerned about themselves than the salary cut.

Parliament came to a dead lock regarding whether the impeachment of auditor general was going as per the constitution. Both parties were on road each justifying their side. Using this opportunity, while people and oppositions attention was on something else, government increased the electricity charges.

Then came the Israel case, government was not ready to answer to the questions of national security committee of Parliament. Suddenly education ministry came up with the idea of making Dhivehi Islam as optional subjects in A Level. People got real angry. Most if not all diverted the attention from Israel case to Dhivehi Islam.

Followed was something for which government took very unusual actions. No confidence of Dr. Musthofaa was on agenda. Hulhule Airport development and management transfer to an Indian company was under threat of been canceled by court or Parliament. When the situation got to this level, suddenly cabinet resigned. Yamin and Gasim taken to custody. A whole new situation was formed. Attention was diverted to the new developments. Huge protests started with in the name of ending corruption in Parliament.

The arrest of MPs and the sudden resignation of cabinet angered the opposition. As the oppositions came together government once again switched to a new talk of a mid term election, and tried to cool down the situation. As this process went, and polititions were busy doing this business, Addu Gan airport management agreement was signed with a Dubai company. The Dhoogus was handed over to MVK group.

At last, now. Opposition got back on track, asked the MNDF and Police seniors to attend the national security committee. Scheduled the interview to the ministers for the cabinet approval. Once again we see the attention been diverted. The toy guns (something that were used in Maldives even before) suddenly became dangerous and were confiscated by the Customs . To every one's surprise a threat letter was forwarded by an unknown source to some of the opposition members. Be very frank, I doubt the letter. Its logical that no government or military will spread such a news to media without investigation. Maybe and maybe, this as the reason the unknown source sent it to opposition.

This is how I see these situations. Your views may be different.

Inforations gathered form haveeru
Photo:http://studentbranding.com/the-early-brand-gets-the-worm/

Independence day............where are we?

2010-07-25T18:38:00.003+05:00

Tomorrow, we mark the 45th Independence Day of our beloved nation. Let me wish every Maldivian, a very happy Independence Day, 2010.

As we mark our 45th Independence Day, there are two questions that comes to my mind.

1. Is 26th July our Independence Day?
2. Are we independent?

The first question, I have already discussed why I have the question in my mind, in an article I wrote on 4th August 2008.

The second question is are we independent?
Back in the era of colonialism, if a nation is not under a colonial power, we say the country is independent. Today, however, those days passed. We are in 21st century. If then, there is no single reason to say that the definition and the meaning of independence should be as it was before. Today, a nation could be real independent, if she can have the sustainability and ability to govern the nation, its people and its problems. Today, we say freedom of people, human rights, media etc... are also pillars of a free nation, without which it is almost impossible to say we are independent.

Just answer few questions about your nation on her Independence Day.

Do we have enough of food production in our country for the people for a week?
Do we have the strength to stand up with our own economy and manage it, without day to day police of external powers?
Do we have the so called individual freedom?
Do we really and honestly feel free to talk openly on national and social issues, without the threat of been pointed fingers at us?
Do we have the guarantee that tonight the government will not have a mass crack down on the opposition? Or
Do we have the guarantee that even in the next moment, the opposition will not try to bring down the legally elected government?

In simple terms, are we really independent as a nation of this 21st century, or are we more of a name sake independent country. To be very honest, these are questions that disturbs me. Today, as we try to celebrate our Independence day, I see my nation too busy with the power struggles at the cost of the whole nations stake. Every where we see, laws been disobeyed, responsibilities been ignored and rights been misused. If then, I wonder where our future could lead us.

Tomorrow, we will see, beautiful poems been read, wonderful speeches been given, and , and reports on TVs and radios that give us goosebumps. Yet, what we will see on the other day seems to be so different. Tomorrow we will happily celebrate our Independence Day, the other day we will sadly see ourselves, still in the slavery of, hate, divisions anger and frustrations. On this Independence Day, I hope for a better day to my nation.

Digesting The Dirty Politics.....

2010-07-04T21:28:00.006+05:00

Last Tuesday, we saw the sudden resignation of the whole cabinet of Maldives leaving President Mr. Mohamed Nasheed and his vice Dr. Mohamed Waheedh Hassan Manik alone in the cabinet. Many says it is a planned media stunt. I don't care. What disturbs me is, why did this happen? What went so wrong? Why did the country move a step backwards in our process to reach a matured democratic nation?

The MDP stand:
The MDP or the present government says that the Parliament has failed to act in the interest of the nation and are trying to implement a selfish agenda, thus forcing the cabinet to resign. They say there is the dirty acts of corruption and bribery among some members of Parliament, specially some opposition members. Mr. Gasim Ibrahim (one of the richest man in the nation) the Jomhuree Party President, Mr. Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyom, the People's Alliance president( a half brother of former president Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom) who also is said to be having a huge wealth are said to be the masterminds of this scandal case. They say some of the Parliament members are purposefully trying to bring a government to a halt and trying to topple the legally elected democratic government. At least the former Tourism minister Dr. Ali Sawaadh puts it as, the "Majlis hijacked the government".

DRP stand:
The DRP and the other opposition parties are loud and clear in their stand. They say they act in the interest of the people and are trying to protect the nation and its wealth that government is trying hard to sell or use in wasteful manners. They claim that the government has failed and the sudden resignation of the cabinet is an evidence. Moreover the arrest of Mr. Gasim and Mr. Yameen, according to the opposition shows the autocracy of the government who came to power with the promise of taking the nation to "An another Maldives", where we live as a developed and democratic nation. Opposition points the finger at government MPs as the bribers and says the government tried to threaten them, yet has done nothing other than threatening the own survival of the government. The opposition now questions the future of Mr. Nasheed government which now has no minsters, and new ministers can only be approved from the Parliament where opposition enjoys the majority.

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This is the scenario of our nation today. Why did this happen?

1. Government:
- The government so far has not well delivered any of the 5 major promises of MDP in the past one and half year. This could be a stunt to bring the attention of people away from the real issues.
- The government believes they face too much of 'disturbances' from Parliament. This could be a warning to stop it, or even a desperate act to end the so called disturbances by getting the majority of Parliament.
- Or think positive!! This could be a genuine act of government to stop corruption and bribery.
- Thinking of the worst case, the government really failed to operate as a government and now things went upside down.

2. Parliament:
- Was corruption and bribery involved in Parliament? Honestly, I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not.
- The Parliament has failed to operate in the best interest of the people. They more operate in the best interest of the parties. At least, as a free citizen of this nation, and as someone who have a habit of watching the Parliament sittings often, that is what I believe.

3. The opposition:
- They have done a good job to make the government answerable.
- I am afraid they went too far in Parliament. Many believes the legislative power has crossed the borders at times and got into the borders of executive powers.
- The opposition I found has acted more like a rejecting group than an opposition party. I hardly see anything that opposition thinks government did well. So, rule is, if its from government, reject it!

.........................
With all these, I see few things people can do. Join one of the two sides and start shouting. Stay quiet and watch. Nothing more!!

Now, be it, the government, the opposition members, the Parliament as a whole, or whatever, somewhere things has gone really wrong. Some bad boys out there are playing a game which is to much for our nation. As someone, who thinks of the nation, and someone who hopes to see this nation in a better shape, just one thing comes to my mind.

This is democracy! In democracy, all powers begins and ends with the citizens. If then, this is high time we start thinking of using our strongest power in the best way. At least next time....Are you happy, with the VOTE you gave in the last elections? The presidential and the parliamentary elections!!! If not, learn from the mistake, and make a better decision next time, not for the sake of your pockets and party, but for this nation. Your beloved nation. The nation that your forefathers gave you yesterday. The nation that your children needs tommorow.

Photo:http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/rich-tehrani/ip-communications/a-tale-of-bribery-cockroaches-and-raid.html