Kuruba Jussiee & Kukulhu Bis!

One of the serious economic problems that exist in Maldives is depending our economy solely on Tourism.

Tourism could be great economic booster and revenue generator, sometimes. But it is just based on the status of other economies (mostly from where the tourists some). We all know what happened to tourism in 2001 after 9/11 attack. We all know the pitfall that our economy faced due to Tsunami on 2004. What we don’t know is what’s gonna happen in those countries tomorrow. This keeps on going and going. Tourism is just like an open-close-open-close-open door. We don’t know how long the door will be open.

Despite the fact that, tourism is not trustworthy to be a foundation of the economy, Maldivian government is spending high capital on development of the tourism sector. Why? Is it worth? I know, some guys like Sir Philips who come to Maldives one in a blue moon to celebrate their birthdays could bring a lot of income. But, are we going to rely on them forever.

Announcements and building of new resorts and new hotels in various areas of the country would cause more dependable people on tourism. Even a slight economic depression in Europe could leap to loss of jobs who work in tourism sector. So it would does effect our nation as a whole. Why can’t the government spend that money on something durable? Something long lasting without instabilities?

The closest competitor in income generation is fishing. I am sure it would be more beneficial and economic if the government is to spend that money on development of fishing sector. We own resources for fishing, and are less reliable on others. In recent years, fishing sector has faced a lot of problems and difficulties. We saw a time fishermen were unable to sell their fish stock and they showed angry feeling to government policies. Why has the government not taken proper actions to solve the discrepancies occurring in fishing sector?

Most of the Maldivian would tell we can’t produce anything here and my answer for that would be “Why not?” Have we ever noticed that we have around 900 uninhabited islands here? What is that land for? I guess now its just left for coconut trees, and Maldivian government is happy with monthly Rf 100 they get from other islands as varuvaa.

Here are some ideas. We can harvest vegetables and fruits in a broad way. (water-melon and handful varieties of fruits are not enough). We can make Maldivian packed eggs? Yeah! Some inhabited islands could be invested for that. Aren’t we tired of eating Indian eggs? We can export some kind of medicines and herbs? Has anybody think of other creatures in the sea except fish? We could make a good use of them? Pearl? We could introduce re-exporting business to Maldives. We can make various fruit juices – kuruba juice, banana taste, mango and guava would be just great. If we can make and fill coco-cola, we do can make fresh juice packets just like in the same quality of jussiiee…

Ideas are not enough! All we need is a change! And people who would lead change!

A visit to a bank branch of Maldives!

Another busy day ahead of me, though aware of the everyday hectic schedule had a rather late last night much as every night, owed to the social behaviour rehearsed by everyone. The time is 8.00 a.m. I enter the office in a rather weary state of mind and go through my task-in folder to determine how my energy for the day needs to be allocated.

On a normal day I contribute nothing fruitful till my breakfast cum coffee fix at ten thirty, however my work agenda for today seems that it needs some amendment. For I have the hectic task of transferring some funds for a project that I am responsible for, and that would mean getting involved into something productive before my mind switches on the ‘work’ button. As if I have am to even think of saving some energy and get along doing the rest of my work for the day I better start off going to the bank right away.

Stop right there! Hold your mockery! Despite how simple the task may be given that you have not carried out the certain task in Male’, the environment I live in requires any sort of dealing even the simplest withdrawal and deposit with a bank only possible for those in possession of the highest patience, guts of a primitive trader and free time of a kindergartner. I for one person sadly not encompassing any of the above mentioned characteristics, hence put me in such a situation to label this otherwise would be simple task on my top hectic list.

If you are thinking that you are reading the most blasphemous ideology given of a bank well, I do not blame you but let me define what a visit to the bank is like in the Maldives, so as you can have an understanding. First of all the bank starts to operate at 8.00 a.m. well nothing wrong with that, but then again similar to myself most employees who work there had a late last night and hence their mindset is not in the perfect state to operate. A more sever issue is that it stops operating at 1.30 p.m. and when I say it stops it fails to provide any service after that time frame. Meaning that the bank is only open comparatively for a short period given that government sector operates departments work from 8.00 a.m. till 2.30 p.m., around 5.00 p.m. for private sector firms and even up to 11.00 p.m. for some.

However the real issue being that, during this short time frame, despite some steps that bank branches had taken to get more organised in dealing with customers in recent years (automated allocation of queue positions) hardly would any one refer to the service as efficient. At any given time slot after 9.00 a.m. if you are to enter any given branch of any given bank, you would come across endless queues of customers waiting to be serviced and a waiting area filled with people trying to get hold of the attention of the bank teller. Sometimes you come to wonder if you are in a bank or at a primitive local fish market for all the pulling pushing and shouting that you might experience.

If you are wondering how come the allocation of queue positioning fails to address the issue, well the reason being is that there is such a demand for the services by customers that a typical waiting time for your turn if lucky could be between half an hour to an hour. If unlucky, which consists the most your number could be nothing anywhere close to a realistic position that would be serviced for the day. If by chance you had the free time of a kindergartner you could easily becomes a millionaire by obtaining appointment numbers from the system and selling them to the highest bidding customer, only if it was legal I am more than glad to shift career paths. A realistic and well practiced shot at getting your task done within a short time span at a bank branch would be to find someone who knows a teller or an employee at a bank branch who could carry out the task required ‘under the table’.

Snapping back to reality, well I see myself already running short of time to make my journey to the bank before everything starts going all berserk. Upon arrival I come to realise that I had been indeed arrived later than I projected for there seems to have gathered a considerable amount fellow myself who had come early to the bank. I take a respective queue number. Having had the rare opportunity to find an empty seat to sit in till my number comes up I shift to wonder, what can be done to change this hectic procedure, for myself being in the youth find this taking a toll on me everyday I practice this expedition.

Indeed thinking from a simple perspective the blame goes to the banks. For it is putting its customers on otherwise would be risky position, failing to provide their service anywhere close to an efficient level. Policies such as charging on conventional services such as using the ATM and introduction of new services well practiced around the world such as telephone and internet banking would bring some relief to this issue. I for one person would even for a nominal fee would opt for a more convenient option that what is open right now.

Leaving the world of fantasising about solutions to the many issues that need to be addressed I enter reality upon seeing my number on the screen, I approach the counter to be received by a jadedly smiling teller. After a simple procedure I am done transferring the required funds. Fifteen minutes had passed in the bank. Luckily managed to start off my day rather well having had achieved my task of the day. Time to head off for breakfast with friends and then head to work at 11.30 a.m. to contribute something productive to my company.

Original post by: Da Gadhdha @ vunadhaana

Special Majilis – A Million Dollar Dream!

Special Majilis was formed with 65 members with the primary objective of reforming Maldivian current constitution. The latest special majilis elected was particularly special in various views; it is the first special majilis which represents political parties; it is the first special Majilis gathered to reorganize and reform constitution; and what’s more; it is the first special Majilis that allowed high level of freedom in debating and conveying ideas of members elected from all the atolls.

However, lately, we have not seen a single meeting with a smooth on going. Every meeting of Special Majilis just ends up with the introduction of other unrelated problems. It seems just like an oral war… a cold war between members, between political parties (especially with the members of DRP and MDP). Sometimes, it seems that they (the members) are not working on reforming the constitution, but they are just building up political party issues on the floor of special Majilis.

It has been a big question that how far the special majilis members obey and work on the promise they made on the day of election, which includes;
Obey the rules of Islam and the current constitution
Protect the rights of public and to be honest with them
Shoulder all the responsibilities of being a special majilis member.

The most common scene at special majilis could be the empty sheets displayed. Yes! The lack of attendance; most commonly known as Coram Fever. This is the sole reason why many of the meetings are being cancelled. If some members feel that a vote is being against their parties, they just step out of meeting; just to cancel the meeting. Recently; a very few of DRP officials attended the meeting about discussion of lowering the voting age… So the meeting just failed.

One another common word we hear is “nizaamee nukuthaa” or problems of Majilis’ laws and regulations. Some members take these regulatory points so much that it seems some members are trying to become heroes and breaking a record on these points. It’s sometimes important to talk about regulatory points of Majiis, but not every day on every meeting. It just makes to put a cross on the prime objective.

The other remaining members do these things; calling for resignations of officials; shout; physically fight with other members or just keep themselves quite watching the hands of their watches. (just watch the show! no worries!)

Is this what expected from the members; Is this why they are paid a monthly salary of Rf 25,000 (approx. with all allowances!); Did we elect them to see this? How far the members want to go dragging the constitution?

Where is our dream? Where are their commitments?

source of information: Haveeru; Peoples Majlis; Khassa Majilis

Fat Ass!

This blog is created to publish various reports on Maldivian Current Affairs. Many may question about the name of the blog. It sounds as fat ass, but actually it is not. It is the fataas, (a tool used in fireworks). Though, it is one of the elements banned for importing to Maldives, it is used in some fireworks celebrations.

Those who want to write current affairs reports are most welcome. I may give permission to interested ones to post and publish on this blog.

Lets make this ass as fat as we can!