The answer is yes, provided, the pay is good.
Probably there are thousands of them, spread all over the Arabian Gulf, now called the GCC.
GCC stands for Gulf Cooperative Council.
An American worker costs more internationally, and even here, he is expensive. So Americans are not found here in the Middle East, the way you find Indians, Pakistanis, Bangaladeshis, and Filipinos.
Beware, as, America is known as pro-Israeli, Arabs, generally hate Americans. So, if you are working in Arab countries, never mind how friendly your employer, or the Government is, well, laddie, you are walking on quick sand, don't venture out alone.
I remember , Mohammed al Toki, British educated Arab, employed in an Oil Company, reading a book called, how to survive in Nigeria. That was a thick book, probably, 500 pages.
Wonder, if any one has written a book called How to survive in the middle East.
Well, you did not opt for a job, but there is a window opening, your employer has a branch in the Middle East, and voluntleers are offered a premium to work there. You are tempted. This hard ship allowance, is tempting, besides, the salary is tax free. That would mean you are getting real 30 percent extra on that count.
One oil service company offers 10 percent hard ship, 35days leave, for 35 days work, are you surely tempted? You are. You are surely tempted.
First things first.
Learn the language. Learn culture, and moods of people.
If you speak the language, you will be respected, admired and very often you can get out of trouble. If you speak the language, you are one of them.
Start with Assalam alaikum, That is what you say when you meet an Arab. Means, Peace on you.
Shalom for hebrews may be. The Arab will respond with aliakum assalam. Means, the same.
A typical Arab will not jump into business talk, even while speaking on long distance phone. He would ask about your family and welfare. Learn this as part of your language and culture induction.
Shell has a joint venture in Oman, in which the Oman Government has 60 percent stake, and shell and friends 40 percent. The Managing Director is always a Shell nominee, and there are few other senior officers as well. They , who come as Shell nonimees, mostly from Britain, and Holland, are given lessons, on how to deal with Omani Arabs. How to dress modestly, how not to drink and eat in public, during the month of Ramadhan etc.
In Saudi Arabia, there is a dress code, as soon as they are out of the immigration check, women cover themselves in Abaya, or the black cloak to cover them selves, bascially, if you are going to any country, find some one who had been there, talk to them, and get full instruction.
Learning Arabic not be difficult. Just 28 letters, Why not spend one month to read the alphabets and 150 words. Load something in your ipod, listen while you are not doing any thing special.
Ahlan wa sahalan, means welcome, even hello. Ah ha, that is good for starters.
Kaifa halauk, or how are you?
il hum dulil lah. (Thanks be to allah, ) is equal to I am fine.
When you are speaking English or for that matter American, watch your words, or mind your language. Carelessly, if you happen to use the F*** word, you might be reported to police, and you might spend few hours in the cooler.
Rene G ( an American ) was employed in a Arab country by an American Oil Service firm in one of the GCC countries. One day, he was discussing something with his Arab colleagues, guess there was something annoying. He used the F word, not intentionally, but, police was called, he spent several hours in the police station.
That hurt him so so much, he never recovered from that shock. He asked for a transfer, end of his assignment.
Back to communication skills, speaking the language, is like an extra degree. So, like Herman Gundert, start learning the language of your desitnation.
Who is Herman Gundert, you might ask, he was a German missionery, learnt Tamil language, while sailing in a ship to India, Landed in another part of India, where the language was Malayalam.
God knows when and where this padre Gundert learnt English, be it known, he, Herman (Hermann ?) Gundert wrote the first ever Malayalam - English dictionery.
Which place is better,?? Difficult to say. However, general opinion is Oman is better than Dubai for bringing in families. In Oman there is a British American school where British as well as Syllubus are follows.
What do you get, and what do you wont. Shops are full of things, in these countires, and they are much cheaper than elsewhere in Europe. May be even cheaper than, they are in America. That is because of the lower tax rates, and cheap labour from Asian countries.
So cost of living is much less than Europe / US, tax is almost nil, and that is why many Americans and Europeans come to work in the Arab countries.
If you have Indian and Filipino friends, and do not know any Americans, these Asians might be able to answer questions on Arab countires, ..
Oman has 1.5 million expats, and 600,000 are Indians. Of which 200,000 are from the state of Kerala. Every one from Kerala has a friend or relation employed in Oman, ( same applies to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar)
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Coconut water, good for your daughter
It is full of iyona, she will be like a layona !!!
This is some body else's song. Date is 29th September 2013 and subject matter is coconut.
If you are in a village, and want to sell your coconut, a dealer would offer you 5 rupees. Well what can 5 rupees buy.
Look prices today. ( conversion rate 67 rupees to US Dollar this morning)
Nendran type of banana 60 rupees a kilo.
Sardines 80 to 100 rupees
Beef 200 rupees
Palakadan matta rice 45 rupees
Most vegetables 50 rupees.
If you want to drink, coconut water while in Koch city, you would have to pay Rupees 25.
If you want to buy a coconut for cooking from a vegetable shop, you need to pay something between 12 to 16 Rupees.
In Kochi, Kerala, India, advertised rates for plucking coconuts is Rs. 15 to Rs25 per tree. Actually, if you ask one climber, he might ask you Rs. 50 to 75. So you need to sell fifteen coconuts to recover the cost of plucking it. Well, coconut farming is no longer a lively hood for many.
Years ago, those who had some land, never spent any money to take care of the trees, but just went around and got them plucked. They were known as land lords, and lived off coconut.
Then there was land reforms. Tenants who lived in these land became owners, land lords became coolies.
Slowly, palm oil form Indonesia and Malasia, invaded indian market. Price of rice moved up from one rupee to 40 or 50. Coconut price stagnated. Traditional coconut climbers were given scholerships and they all became Government Officials, there was no one to climb the palms. The rate for climbing , climbed the heights. Today, a climber can make Rs 500 to Rs 1500.
But where are the coconut palms. A farmer commented, only the stupid will ever plant a coconut tree. Who will climb? One with the land and time could plant cucumbers and capsicums in sheltered enviorments, for , Government gives away 75 percent subsidy for green houses.
Back to coconut tree / palm
There are varieties that, bear fruit, in 3 years, before they become tall to climb. Why not try them. When these coconut palms become unpluckable, even from a step ladder, why not chop them off.
There is lot of talk about Neera. That is the name from toddy when is not fermented. Toddy is delicious and nutritious.Only one cannot buy it anywhere in Kerala. There are plenty of toddy shops all over in Kerala, and they sell synthetic todday. God knowns what happens to the systems of chaps who drink in these places.
In Kerala, the coconut palm was considered, kalpa wriksha, or tree from heaven. It gives water, edible kernal, timber for house building, rope for various applications, fronds, or leaves for making a tatching, and finally, sugar from toddy, and intoxicants, from fermented toddy. Uses are many, but farmers get rs. 5 still, and trader sells it for Rs. 10 or 15.
Lesson number one. If you want to make moneny, don't be farmer. just be trader.
This is some body else's song. Date is 29th September 2013 and subject matter is coconut.
If you are in a village, and want to sell your coconut, a dealer would offer you 5 rupees. Well what can 5 rupees buy.
Look prices today. ( conversion rate 67 rupees to US Dollar this morning)
Nendran type of banana 60 rupees a kilo.
Sardines 80 to 100 rupees
Beef 200 rupees
Palakadan matta rice 45 rupees
Most vegetables 50 rupees.
If you want to drink, coconut water while in Koch city, you would have to pay Rupees 25.
If you want to buy a coconut for cooking from a vegetable shop, you need to pay something between 12 to 16 Rupees.
In Kochi, Kerala, India, advertised rates for plucking coconuts is Rs. 15 to Rs25 per tree. Actually, if you ask one climber, he might ask you Rs. 50 to 75. So you need to sell fifteen coconuts to recover the cost of plucking it. Well, coconut farming is no longer a lively hood for many.
Years ago, those who had some land, never spent any money to take care of the trees, but just went around and got them plucked. They were known as land lords, and lived off coconut.
Then there was land reforms. Tenants who lived in these land became owners, land lords became coolies.
Slowly, palm oil form Indonesia and Malasia, invaded indian market. Price of rice moved up from one rupee to 40 or 50. Coconut price stagnated. Traditional coconut climbers were given scholerships and they all became Government Officials, there was no one to climb the palms. The rate for climbing , climbed the heights. Today, a climber can make Rs 500 to Rs 1500.
But where are the coconut palms. A farmer commented, only the stupid will ever plant a coconut tree. Who will climb? One with the land and time could plant cucumbers and capsicums in sheltered enviorments, for , Government gives away 75 percent subsidy for green houses.
Back to coconut tree / palm
There are varieties that, bear fruit, in 3 years, before they become tall to climb. Why not try them. When these coconut palms become unpluckable, even from a step ladder, why not chop them off.
There is lot of talk about Neera. That is the name from toddy when is not fermented. Toddy is delicious and nutritious.Only one cannot buy it anywhere in Kerala. There are plenty of toddy shops all over in Kerala, and they sell synthetic todday. God knowns what happens to the systems of chaps who drink in these places.
In Kerala, the coconut palm was considered, kalpa wriksha, or tree from heaven. It gives water, edible kernal, timber for house building, rope for various applications, fronds, or leaves for making a tatching, and finally, sugar from toddy, and intoxicants, from fermented toddy. Uses are many, but farmers get rs. 5 still, and trader sells it for Rs. 10 or 15.
Lesson number one. If you want to make moneny, don't be farmer. just be trader.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
old age, lonelyness, sickness and children
Recently (July 2013) an advertisement in the Malayala Manorama classified ran an ad, that reads something like this.
" if you are above 55 and looking for old age shelter and care, we have plans for a retirement home.
We are located in Irinjalakuda.
Signed AB , lawyer
Signed CD, doctor
Signed EF, doctor "
In Kerala, this year 500,000 students will appear for matriculation examination.
This year admission in the first grade (first standard) is 250,000 only.
Signs of times. Many couple do not get children, many opt for just one child, and many couples are postponing. Many couples have migrated.
End result, the state is aging, very, very fast.
Today there was report in every Malayalam newspaper, that a woman died and her son and daughter never checked on her over one month.
The woman lived alone, and had no contact with neighbours, apparently died of a heart attack.
If you have a need to live alone, why not have a colony for old people, where, some one will check on you, every day, there will be a doctor on call, drivers to rush you to hospital, clean and cook for you. Cooking need be only in a community kitchen. Only you need to tell in advance, whether you need dosa, uppu mavu, or eggs, or cereals, what so ever. A community of 200 people will have reduced costs on food, laundry, house keeping, laundry etc.
house maintenance, like electrical works, plumping etc would be easy because, one could have dedicated workers for this. No worry on paying utilities either.
Why then, old people want to live alone, in big houses, even when there is threat to their lives.
Women, old women too, love to wear gold ornaments, all the time. There are instances, where, old couples are attacked, and robbed. In the process, death is a factor.
For your security, women, should avoid, wearing anything that looks like gold. Any takers?
Now need of the time is, good retirement homes, where one need not shop for provisions, go to various offices to pay utility bills, ... Some one should come to your accommodation, clean up the place, make beds, tend your garden, (if you are on the ground floor) cook for you in the common kitchen, the food that you like and told them one week in advance.
As a retiree,you should be able to read, join aerobic exercises, do yoga, plant garden, make flowers / vegetables grow, swim, play cards, or physical games like tennis , volleyball, even do social work.
Doing social work is something, every body should do to give back something to the society. You have lived so long, acquired many skills, that took many years. You could teach the community, what you have learned. You could be a consultant, on subject you have dealt with. A community of 200 could be gold mine of skills, and knowledge treasure. Ask a question, and someone among you will have an answer.
Don't give away all your money to your children, or don't spend your income on your children 100 percent.
If you are young, and or, if you family is young, you have long time to retire. You hope your children will take care of you when you are old. Well, you need a plan B. A secret reserve, that your family does not know. (some friend, or lawyer should know, just in case , some day you drop dead, or if a truck runs over you). The plan B is for comfortable retirement, without begging your children to look after you.
Whether you are young or old, start now. When you are old, and generate income, your children might not be able or willing to take care of you. Steady income from your secret investments would help.
" if you are above 55 and looking for old age shelter and care, we have plans for a retirement home.
We are located in Irinjalakuda.
Signed AB , lawyer
Signed CD, doctor
Signed EF, doctor "
In Kerala, this year 500,000 students will appear for matriculation examination.
This year admission in the first grade (first standard) is 250,000 only.
Signs of times. Many couple do not get children, many opt for just one child, and many couples are postponing. Many couples have migrated.
End result, the state is aging, very, very fast.
Today there was report in every Malayalam newspaper, that a woman died and her son and daughter never checked on her over one month.
The woman lived alone, and had no contact with neighbours, apparently died of a heart attack.
If you have a need to live alone, why not have a colony for old people, where, some one will check on you, every day, there will be a doctor on call, drivers to rush you to hospital, clean and cook for you. Cooking need be only in a community kitchen. Only you need to tell in advance, whether you need dosa, uppu mavu, or eggs, or cereals, what so ever. A community of 200 people will have reduced costs on food, laundry, house keeping, laundry etc.
house maintenance, like electrical works, plumping etc would be easy because, one could have dedicated workers for this. No worry on paying utilities either.
Why then, old people want to live alone, in big houses, even when there is threat to their lives.
Women, old women too, love to wear gold ornaments, all the time. There are instances, where, old couples are attacked, and robbed. In the process, death is a factor.
For your security, women, should avoid, wearing anything that looks like gold. Any takers?
Now need of the time is, good retirement homes, where one need not shop for provisions, go to various offices to pay utility bills, ... Some one should come to your accommodation, clean up the place, make beds, tend your garden, (if you are on the ground floor) cook for you in the common kitchen, the food that you like and told them one week in advance.
As a retiree,you should be able to read, join aerobic exercises, do yoga, plant garden, make flowers / vegetables grow, swim, play cards, or physical games like tennis , volleyball, even do social work.
Doing social work is something, every body should do to give back something to the society. You have lived so long, acquired many skills, that took many years. You could teach the community, what you have learned. You could be a consultant, on subject you have dealt with. A community of 200 could be gold mine of skills, and knowledge treasure. Ask a question, and someone among you will have an answer.
Don't give away all your money to your children, or don't spend your income on your children 100 percent.
If you are young, and or, if you family is young, you have long time to retire. You hope your children will take care of you when you are old. Well, you need a plan B. A secret reserve, that your family does not know. (some friend, or lawyer should know, just in case , some day you drop dead, or if a truck runs over you). The plan B is for comfortable retirement, without begging your children to look after you.
Whether you are young or old, start now. When you are old, and generate income, your children might not be able or willing to take care of you. Steady income from your secret investments would help.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
how much does it cost to die or rather bury one christian
First death in Cochin
This person died some three months ago. Sudden. One of my relatives mentioned about it, like "sad about death of XXXX. Well, I must not mention name. The person was young, so I assumed it was a road accident. Sent a text message to another guy, and came a reply. Heart attack.
Later received a detailed email, which also, said, cost 17K. 17 K is the cost of burial, including may be pashnikanji, sort of rice and lentle served to the visiting mourners after the burial.
Second death.
Another person died, and was buried, this time, old age. There is church fee for the mass, the grave, the silver cross, chaps who come with the cross, everything is detailed in the receipt from church. The coffin seller would sell a suit, gloves, shoes and so on. The pack will cost 5500. ( the currency is Indian rupees).
The third
This time the coffin alone cost 30,000 Rupees. Made of rose wood.
Some old case. I remember , two years ago, in a village, coffin cost some 2000 bucks or less.
Why do I write this. I happened to hear that, it could be less than 5000 or more than 25,000 for a coffin.That is why. Those in the middle class go for one that costs less than 5000 and the affluent would go for one one that costs 30,000 Rupees.
The family, and relations plus mourners who come from far away, might not have had a meal for a long time, they would be hungry, so some some boiled rice, spoon full of lentle sauce, a papad would keep their fire down. This food is served after the burial, the tradition is kept.
There are prayers, prayers, hymns are recited, that never ends. Constant rosary, the hail mary thing.
7th day mass after death, is to remember the dead, now, full vegetarian meal is served.
How much is does it cost. as on Sept 2012 it can cost some Rs 130 (or USD 2.5). Meal is served Kerala style, on banana leaf, ends with a liquid dessert called payasam, this payasam, is mixed with papad, and plantain, the small variety of banana.
After the 7th day mass, all the relatives who come from far away, like Vietnam, Singapore, Dubai, -- all fly away. Remember, in Kerala, all educated youngsters, or working class citizens, find jobs, outside, India, and they are to get to go to their workstations, battle stations.
30th day of death ( well, i am talking about Christians, do not know how Hindus and Muslims in Kerala go through this drill)
Those who are left in Kerala will organise another mass in the Church, visit to the grave, and a meal to the visiting friends and relations. This time there will be a meal, but non veg is the custom.
Completion of one year.
Those relations, including children, who could not make it to the funeral, now would gather in the home base, do a mass, decorate the grave and another gathering of lunch.
End story.
This person died some three months ago. Sudden. One of my relatives mentioned about it, like "sad about death of XXXX. Well, I must not mention name. The person was young, so I assumed it was a road accident. Sent a text message to another guy, and came a reply. Heart attack.
Later received a detailed email, which also, said, cost 17K. 17 K is the cost of burial, including may be pashnikanji, sort of rice and lentle served to the visiting mourners after the burial.
Second death.
Another person died, and was buried, this time, old age. There is church fee for the mass, the grave, the silver cross, chaps who come with the cross, everything is detailed in the receipt from church. The coffin seller would sell a suit, gloves, shoes and so on. The pack will cost 5500. ( the currency is Indian rupees).
The third
This time the coffin alone cost 30,000 Rupees. Made of rose wood.
Some old case. I remember , two years ago, in a village, coffin cost some 2000 bucks or less.
Why do I write this. I happened to hear that, it could be less than 5000 or more than 25,000 for a coffin.That is why. Those in the middle class go for one that costs less than 5000 and the affluent would go for one one that costs 30,000 Rupees.
The family, and relations plus mourners who come from far away, might not have had a meal for a long time, they would be hungry, so some some boiled rice, spoon full of lentle sauce, a papad would keep their fire down. This food is served after the burial, the tradition is kept.
There are prayers, prayers, hymns are recited, that never ends. Constant rosary, the hail mary thing.
7th day mass after death, is to remember the dead, now, full vegetarian meal is served.
How much is does it cost. as on Sept 2012 it can cost some Rs 130 (or USD 2.5). Meal is served Kerala style, on banana leaf, ends with a liquid dessert called payasam, this payasam, is mixed with papad, and plantain, the small variety of banana.
After the 7th day mass, all the relatives who come from far away, like Vietnam, Singapore, Dubai, -- all fly away. Remember, in Kerala, all educated youngsters, or working class citizens, find jobs, outside, India, and they are to get to go to their workstations, battle stations.
30th day of death ( well, i am talking about Christians, do not know how Hindus and Muslims in Kerala go through this drill)
Those who are left in Kerala will organise another mass in the Church, visit to the grave, and a meal to the visiting friends and relations. This time there will be a meal, but non veg is the custom.
Completion of one year.
Those relations, including children, who could not make it to the funeral, now would gather in the home base, do a mass, decorate the grave and another gathering of lunch.
End story.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Travel by boat, cheap and see back waters
If you are Cochin and pay pea nuts to see waterscape, use the Ernakulam Varapuzha ferry serv ice, for a trip that lasts 100 minutes, pay just Rs. 8 (46 rupees makes a us dollar today)
for more details, contact lonathoppil@gmail.com
This is free service, there no money in it for me
for more details, contact lonathoppil@gmail.com
This is free service, there no money in it for me
Friday, March 20, 2009
Roads in Cochin - rain water drains
Roads in Cochin are resurfaced in March, that is before the rains called monsoons. The official word is rebuilt. They LOOK, nice, and smooth. If, it is a matter of build, then how long would they last? Would pot holes reappear? Will some body dig the roads to lay cables, pipes and so on?
Most roads have rain water drains, or open sewers on the side, or sides, and sometimes some have none. None or some, there is huge budget to clean them. Clean them because, people throw all manner of rubbish into them. Some dispose of garbage into the drains, and burn them. This is dry season, not much dirty water in drains now (March 2009).
In some places , on Deshabhimani Road, while cleaing roads for so called "rebuilding" much and sand on the road, plus garbage were dumped in the drains, this drains will not drain rain water, - so the roads will be flooded soon!
Most roads have rain water drains, or open sewers on the side, or sides, and sometimes some have none. None or some, there is huge budget to clean them. Clean them because, people throw all manner of rubbish into them. Some dispose of garbage into the drains, and burn them. This is dry season, not much dirty water in drains now (March 2009).
In some places , on Deshabhimani Road, while cleaing roads for so called "rebuilding" much and sand on the road, plus garbage were dumped in the drains, this drains will not drain rain water, - so the roads will be flooded soon!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Is Malayalam a dying language
No never.
Just the same, one must realise, influence of other languages make malayalam much different from what it used to be.
Go the market place, one would never hear the word roti, for bread. Now malayalees use the word bread as if it is a malayalam word. Roti had it origins or rather came via Hindi, but is not fashionable in Malayalam.
Then there is the word keema , Malayalam had no single word for minced meat, and some how the Hindi word has been adopted. Malayalees never used to eat spinach, well the Hindi word palak is used for it, it is resident North Indians who brought spinach into Kerala markets and the word is part of Malayalam language. Spinach or palak is available in the city shops now. It is Tamil Nadu farmer who feeds kerala people and yet another north indian leafy vegetable has arrived in the kerala market. It is fenugreek leaves, no, not just leaves the whole plant has that has arrived here. The world uluvaa, used in Malayalam and Tamil is still used here, but in Ernakulam Market, Methi is understood. Popularised by North Indian customers.
Rice flour was just ari podi, there is yet another word for flour, it is mavu. Dosha mavu for example. Wheat flour was known as gothambu mavu and looks like now the hindi word atta is acceptable. Wheat flour milled and sold by Oman Flour Mills in Muscat Oman is sold as ATTA, so the word has moved to Arab countries as well. Fine wheat flour, bleached and used for biscuites, cakes and parathas, was once known as American mavu, initially this was imported from America. Now no one would know it means, maida has become acceptable name for so called refined flour.
Just the same, one must realise, influence of other languages make malayalam much different from what it used to be.
Go the market place, one would never hear the word roti, for bread. Now malayalees use the word bread as if it is a malayalam word. Roti had it origins or rather came via Hindi, but is not fashionable in Malayalam.
Then there is the word keema , Malayalam had no single word for minced meat, and some how the Hindi word has been adopted. Malayalees never used to eat spinach, well the Hindi word palak is used for it, it is resident North Indians who brought spinach into Kerala markets and the word is part of Malayalam language. Spinach or palak is available in the city shops now. It is Tamil Nadu farmer who feeds kerala people and yet another north indian leafy vegetable has arrived in the kerala market. It is fenugreek leaves, no, not just leaves the whole plant has that has arrived here. The world uluvaa, used in Malayalam and Tamil is still used here, but in Ernakulam Market, Methi is understood. Popularised by North Indian customers.
Rice flour was just ari podi, there is yet another word for flour, it is mavu. Dosha mavu for example. Wheat flour was known as gothambu mavu and looks like now the hindi word atta is acceptable. Wheat flour milled and sold by Oman Flour Mills in Muscat Oman is sold as ATTA, so the word has moved to Arab countries as well. Fine wheat flour, bleached and used for biscuites, cakes and parathas, was once known as American mavu, initially this was imported from America. Now no one would know it means, maida has become acceptable name for so called refined flour.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
പരാത്തയും ചിക്കന് kariyum
വഴിയില് കൂടി വൈകുന്നേരം നടന്നാല് കാണുന്നത് എന്താണ്?
എവിടെയും പറാത്ത അടിക്കുന്ന കാഴ്ച. ആരും ചോറ് തിന്നുന്നില്ലേ രാത്രിയില്?
Parathas are tasty and crunchy, but are they not hard on the digestive system, might even tear one's colons.
Add chicken to paratha, we are abusing our system
Why not use residual atta (wheat flour after seperating semolina and white flour) which is high in fibre?
എവിടെയും പറാത്ത അടിക്കുന്ന കാഴ്ച. ആരും ചോറ് തിന്നുന്നില്ലേ രാത്രിയില്?
Parathas are tasty and crunchy, but are they not hard on the digestive system, might even tear one's colons.
Add chicken to paratha, we are abusing our system
Why not use residual atta (wheat flour after seperating semolina and white flour) which is high in fibre?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Smoke gets into your eyes / Burnt offering
The neighbourhood is just like any Kerala suburb, roads that are not straight, roads that are not roads, just mud tracks, houses of different age, quality and size.
Yesterday, smoke got into my eyes, it came through my son's bedroom balcony. who his burning things this time? There are two possibilities, on the norhern side of my compound there are two neighbours, so it could be one of them. No, out of the two, only one regularly burns his garbage in the back yard.
Now people burn plastics, paper and anything with paper and board in their own compound. Chaps in flats may have contractors doing the job for them through their residence associations.
In burning plastic with garbage, the muncipal corporation is in the forefront, if one one think of a walk in the early hours of moring, one would think, he is in smoke street, the government appointed sweepers are found burning, leaves and plastic , on the street, some times under live trees, killing the trees.
organised, and each one is left to his own, when it is left to dispose off thrash (garbage)
Yesterday, smoke got into my eyes, it came through my son's bedroom balcony. who his burning things this time? There are two possibilities, on the norhern side of my compound there are two neighbours, so it could be one of them. No, out of the two, only one regularly burns his garbage in the back yard.
Now people burn plastics, paper and anything with paper and board in their own compound. Chaps in flats may have contractors doing the job for them through their residence associations.
In burning plastic with garbage, the muncipal corporation is in the forefront, if one one think of a walk in the early hours of moring, one would think, he is in smoke street, the government appointed sweepers are found burning, leaves and plastic , on the street, some times under live trees, killing the trees.
organised, and each one is left to his own, when it is left to dispose off thrash (garbage)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thoughts on food
Did anyone say that humanity marches on its belly?
Speakers of Hindustani ( Hindi Urdu mixed dialect) would certainly recognise the saying,
"daana daane mein likha hai, khana Khanawale kaa naa" - translated it means, on every grain, it is written who is going to eat it.
Malayalees say "annam kaathal aaru kadakilla" which means, if you wait for food, you will never cross the river"
Another Malayalam (language spoken in Kerala, India) proverb is
"anna vicharam, munna vicharam,
pinnay vicharam , karya vicharam"
(Think food first, then anything else)
In India and Pakistan, where Hindustani is spoken,
everybody has three priorities,
Roti, kapada and makaan.
(food, clothing and shelter)
So, very often, electioneering politicians, offer the masses,
"roti, kappada and makkaan"
Man is driven by the need for food. We often believe that, the human race, first ventured out of Africa, in search of food.
Any gathering of people, is not complete, unless it ends with a great feast.
Petroleum Development Oman, a Shell joint venture often organises "techtalk@
The talks are often scheduled at lunch break, so that people can be away without interrupting their work. At the end of the talk, lunch will be served. How to ensure that people will shop at the beginning? Serve food at the start time!
Jamal Fruitwala, an employee of Petroleum Development Oman, once visitied Taiwan. He was surprised to note that (so he says) there are no kitchens Taiwan houses! Taiwanese Government does not like the idea of women wasting time in kitchen, instead they should work in factories and add to the gross domestic output. Food could be eaten at food courts everywhere. There will be economy of scale when food is procured and processed for thousands of mouths together.
Singaporeans are Chinese, mostly, that is, there, houses do have kitchens. Since everyone in a family gets out of his house, at 6.30 am, they normally do not cook, rather on descend on food courts and eat their break fast.
Rest of the world could learn from these Chinese communities. When , in a family, both husband and wife are employed, there is no point in cooking food at home. Women need not necessarily go to an eatery, may be they could run a cooperative mess.
Expatriate workers living in camps, in various countries of Arabin Gulf, have no families with them in most case, they live in camps and eat in messes. A typical camp run by Suhail and Saud Bahawan (dealers of Toyota in Oman) had several messes in one camp. There is a South Indian vegetarian, South Indian nonvegetaina ( south Indians mostly prefer rice and curry) North Indian vegetarian, North Indian non-vegetarian (chapathi and dal are the mainstay of North Indians). Employers provide cooks, utilities and utensils, but employee nominated committe would collect money from members and do the buying or raw materials. This particular camp had no Filipinos, where and when there are Filipinos, there would be seperate mess for them.
Pakistanis normally identify and group with North Indians and Tamil Srilankans, if any, would jon the South Indians.
Back to Shell Oil joint venture with Oman Government, Petroleum Development Oman.
A new building was proposed and , part of the drawing had a dining hall which would seat 750 people. No cooking would be permitted in the office building, but precooked food will be served.
The company had 50 plus nationalities (total at Mina al fahal , where head office was) majoriety was Omani Nationals, expatriates were mostly from Shell Holland and Shell UK. There were few Indians and sprinkling of people claiming nationalities as varied as Aruba and Venezuela.
Omanis were themselves, speakers of Swahili, Arabic, Baluchi and Lotya languages. Some Omanis did not speak much Arabic, they were born and educated in Africa. All these people had varied likes and dislikes, so what kind of food would be served. The management had no clue.
An on line voting was conducted and the winner was _
rice and cury
Speakers of Hindustani ( Hindi Urdu mixed dialect) would certainly recognise the saying,
"daana daane mein likha hai, khana Khanawale kaa naa" - translated it means, on every grain, it is written who is going to eat it.
Malayalees say "annam kaathal aaru kadakilla" which means, if you wait for food, you will never cross the river"
Another Malayalam (language spoken in Kerala, India) proverb is
"anna vicharam, munna vicharam,
pinnay vicharam , karya vicharam"
(Think food first, then anything else)
In India and Pakistan, where Hindustani is spoken,
everybody has three priorities,
Roti, kapada and makaan.
(food, clothing and shelter)
So, very often, electioneering politicians, offer the masses,
"roti, kappada and makkaan"
Man is driven by the need for food. We often believe that, the human race, first ventured out of Africa, in search of food.
Any gathering of people, is not complete, unless it ends with a great feast.
Petroleum Development Oman, a Shell joint venture often organises "techtalk@
The talks are often scheduled at lunch break, so that people can be away without interrupting their work. At the end of the talk, lunch will be served. How to ensure that people will shop at the beginning? Serve food at the start time!
Jamal Fruitwala, an employee of Petroleum Development Oman, once visitied Taiwan. He was surprised to note that (so he says) there are no kitchens Taiwan houses! Taiwanese Government does not like the idea of women wasting time in kitchen, instead they should work in factories and add to the gross domestic output. Food could be eaten at food courts everywhere. There will be economy of scale when food is procured and processed for thousands of mouths together.
Singaporeans are Chinese, mostly, that is, there, houses do have kitchens. Since everyone in a family gets out of his house, at 6.30 am, they normally do not cook, rather on descend on food courts and eat their break fast.
Rest of the world could learn from these Chinese communities. When , in a family, both husband and wife are employed, there is no point in cooking food at home. Women need not necessarily go to an eatery, may be they could run a cooperative mess.
Expatriate workers living in camps, in various countries of Arabin Gulf, have no families with them in most case, they live in camps and eat in messes. A typical camp run by Suhail and Saud Bahawan (dealers of Toyota in Oman) had several messes in one camp. There is a South Indian vegetarian, South Indian nonvegetaina ( south Indians mostly prefer rice and curry) North Indian vegetarian, North Indian non-vegetarian (chapathi and dal are the mainstay of North Indians). Employers provide cooks, utilities and utensils, but employee nominated committe would collect money from members and do the buying or raw materials. This particular camp had no Filipinos, where and when there are Filipinos, there would be seperate mess for them.
Pakistanis normally identify and group with North Indians and Tamil Srilankans, if any, would jon the South Indians.
Back to Shell Oil joint venture with Oman Government, Petroleum Development Oman.
A new building was proposed and , part of the drawing had a dining hall which would seat 750 people. No cooking would be permitted in the office building, but precooked food will be served.
The company had 50 plus nationalities (total at Mina al fahal , where head office was) majoriety was Omani Nationals, expatriates were mostly from Shell Holland and Shell UK. There were few Indians and sprinkling of people claiming nationalities as varied as Aruba and Venezuela.
Omanis were themselves, speakers of Swahili, Arabic, Baluchi and Lotya languages. Some Omanis did not speak much Arabic, they were born and educated in Africa. All these people had varied likes and dislikes, so what kind of food would be served. The management had no clue.
An on line voting was conducted and the winner was _
rice and cury
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Add your name into the voters'list Kerala India
There was an announcement in the news papers that those who wish to have names listed in the voters list, (if your name is not already in) could do so, by visiting the nearest polling booth. The day is today, a Sunday.
Polling booths are, usually schools, so you drive past the one , the gnear you, but its gate is locked. What the heck. Contact the nearest cultural centre run by any political party, they would guide you. In this case, the main gate is closed, never mind, look for a side door and enter a deserted school compound. Indeed, a side door is open and you would ask the chowkidar or doorkeeper, he will show, the office where election officials are waiting for you. You show documents relating to the building where you live, maybe electoral cards of other residents so that, you could write your own data, including details of your residence. There is an application form, do fill it in with all the required data.
You will receive a receipt for your application, and an order to appear for an hearing before an electoral officer; place, date and time inclusive.
You are living in a city, therefore, local city authrities need to certify that you are a resident. start working on it. (Things should not be different in small towns and villages, but rather faster and easier because the people in the office might know you by your first name. )
If you own your own house, you need to pay arrears of house tax and produce the house receipt along with your application for certificate of residence.(Hey, pay your arrears man!) If you live in a rented accommodation, your contract, or landlord's letter would do.
A written application, on plain paper, wth one rupee court fee stamp on it, and a payment on challan in triplicate are necessary attachments. During process,you will see at least sx persons, clerk, cashier, heaven knows who else. What kind of proof do you have to support your claim that you live in the address you have mentioned?
If you have some solid document,(driving license, passport, insurance papers, telephoe bill) that shows your name and address to match the one in your application, presto, you will get Certificate of Residence the same day.
Now you are ready for the hearing, you might soon become a voter soon!
This line is being added on the 23rd March 2012
There is some new ID called Aadhaar and there are may ways to get it legally. Cant write all, as, this info could be used by crooks. Well this Aadhaar card will suffice as ID proof now. It is the mother of all cards!
Polling booths are, usually schools, so you drive past the one , the gnear you, but its gate is locked. What the heck. Contact the nearest cultural centre run by any political party, they would guide you. In this case, the main gate is closed, never mind, look for a side door and enter a deserted school compound. Indeed, a side door is open and you would ask the chowkidar or doorkeeper, he will show, the office where election officials are waiting for you. You show documents relating to the building where you live, maybe electoral cards of other residents so that, you could write your own data, including details of your residence. There is an application form, do fill it in with all the required data.
You will receive a receipt for your application, and an order to appear for an hearing before an electoral officer; place, date and time inclusive.
You are living in a city, therefore, local city authrities need to certify that you are a resident. start working on it. (Things should not be different in small towns and villages, but rather faster and easier because the people in the office might know you by your first name. )
If you own your own house, you need to pay arrears of house tax and produce the house receipt along with your application for certificate of residence.(Hey, pay your arrears man!) If you live in a rented accommodation, your contract, or landlord's letter would do.
A written application, on plain paper, wth one rupee court fee stamp on it, and a payment on challan in triplicate are necessary attachments. During process,you will see at least sx persons, clerk, cashier, heaven knows who else. What kind of proof do you have to support your claim that you live in the address you have mentioned?
If you have some solid document,(driving license, passport, insurance papers, telephoe bill) that shows your name and address to match the one in your application, presto, you will get Certificate of Residence the same day.
Now you are ready for the hearing, you might soon become a voter soon!
This line is being added on the 23rd March 2012
There is some new ID called Aadhaar and there are may ways to get it legally. Cant write all, as, this info could be used by crooks. Well this Aadhaar card will suffice as ID proof now. It is the mother of all cards!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thoughts on Death
Ernst Y passed away on the 4th. Funernal on the next day, at Saudi Church. Saudi, or Saude, as some spell it, is a small fishing village close to Fort Kochi, very close to the sea. Real sea not back waters here.
a band called St. Jude's Bank played music, apt for mourning family. Bands are no more vogue, but this gentleman was a traditionalist, and always admired bands. What is the current situation at funeral processions in Saudi Area? Well, they play a casette or recorded prayer.
At the house of the dead gentleman, a pandal is erected. Plastic sheets on the top, with a slope, just in case it rains. Under the plastic sheet, there is whte sheets sewn together, like a temporary false ceiling, with borders of black, like an inverse skirting, that is found around floors. Several wreaths were placed, on the leg side of coffin, there were one after another, could not read who were the senders. Individuals using their firms names. Firms include political parties. So , there was one from a Bombay firm, one from a bank, another from Communist Party Marxist, yet another from Communist Party Marxist. That floral offering from Communist Party shows that some member in the house of the dead gentleman has Communit connection (Currently, Communists rule the state).
At the church, the priest who said mass, mentioned the name of Ernst, plus a wrong surname. Not very nice. After a while, some one sent in a slip, and then, the name was revised.
Way back, we returned via the Fort Kochi, Vypeen ferry. The roads are bad, one cannot drive, just roll in and out of pot holes, the shakes and jerks almost did every one in. The aches and pains are awful. Had no energy to go for the evening walk.
a band called St. Jude's Bank played music, apt for mourning family. Bands are no more vogue, but this gentleman was a traditionalist, and always admired bands. What is the current situation at funeral processions in Saudi Area? Well, they play a casette or recorded prayer.
At the house of the dead gentleman, a pandal is erected. Plastic sheets on the top, with a slope, just in case it rains. Under the plastic sheet, there is whte sheets sewn together, like a temporary false ceiling, with borders of black, like an inverse skirting, that is found around floors. Several wreaths were placed, on the leg side of coffin, there were one after another, could not read who were the senders. Individuals using their firms names. Firms include political parties. So , there was one from a Bombay firm, one from a bank, another from Communist Party Marxist, yet another from Communist Party Marxist. That floral offering from Communist Party shows that some member in the house of the dead gentleman has Communit connection (Currently, Communists rule the state).
At the church, the priest who said mass, mentioned the name of Ernst, plus a wrong surname. Not very nice. After a while, some one sent in a slip, and then, the name was revised.
Way back, we returned via the Fort Kochi, Vypeen ferry. The roads are bad, one cannot drive, just roll in and out of pot holes, the shakes and jerks almost did every one in. The aches and pains are awful. Had no energy to go for the evening walk.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
coconut curries costs and labour for climbing
Balu my friend says that his daughter in a distant city came visiting. Instead of using a plane or train, she and her husband chose to drive all the way to Cochin. The stay in here was two weeks long, and while here they needed a car to move around. That was the reason why.
On return , the daughter wanted to take some coconuts. Papa has coconut palms, so why not fill the dicky with a month's supply.
Time was not right for bimonthly harvesting, yet, a climber was, arranged. Ad hoc job and ad hoc costs. Yield 20 coconuts, labour costs 200 rupees. It would have worked out cheaper for the family, if the daughter had bought her coconuts at Chennai. But how can a father tell his daughter such things. Hey lassie, hope you would read this.
If a land owner sells coconuts from his farm, these days (Nov 2008) he would earn Rs 5.25 per coconut. If I buy a coconut from Reliance, I would have to pay Rs. 9 per nut.
Tender coconut, ( young coconut, which is not seasoned, but has plenty of wanter in it) on the roadside vendor joints, would cost about Rs. 15 per nut. As usual, it is the middle men who makes the moolah. If you want to make money, you know what to be.
I went to my piece of land, some 6 kilo meters away, to harvest 7 coconut palms.
It cost me, petrol, time, labour, and 350 rupees to bring home 124 coconuts.
In Kerala, we need coconut in every dish, like fish in coconut milk, putty with coconut, chutney,
avial, you name it, there is coconut in it. Dont forget, all that seasoning of spices and frying of fish, are done with coconut oil.
Coconut prices have not kept pace with vegetables, inflation or cost of land. Basic reason, coconut oil cannot keep up with the attractive offerings from palm oil, mostly from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Plucking coconuts is such a headache, here, in Kerala that, some land owners do not even visit their coconut plantations.
Even where, one gets his coconuts plucked, the farmer, gets about 5 Rupees, or 10 Cents a coconut, while a consumer in a shop will have to pay 10 Ruppes (20 Cents a coconut). Young or tender coconut (where the coconut water is the star element, not the edible kernal) a fresh half peeled coconut will fetch 15 Rupees (30 Cents) a piece.
Price information as far as coconut oil is concerend, it is Rs 65 ($1.30) a kilo.
On return , the daughter wanted to take some coconuts. Papa has coconut palms, so why not fill the dicky with a month's supply.
Time was not right for bimonthly harvesting, yet, a climber was, arranged. Ad hoc job and ad hoc costs. Yield 20 coconuts, labour costs 200 rupees. It would have worked out cheaper for the family, if the daughter had bought her coconuts at Chennai. But how can a father tell his daughter such things. Hey lassie, hope you would read this.
If a land owner sells coconuts from his farm, these days (Nov 2008) he would earn Rs 5.25 per coconut. If I buy a coconut from Reliance, I would have to pay Rs. 9 per nut.
Tender coconut, ( young coconut, which is not seasoned, but has plenty of wanter in it) on the roadside vendor joints, would cost about Rs. 15 per nut. As usual, it is the middle men who makes the moolah. If you want to make money, you know what to be.
I went to my piece of land, some 6 kilo meters away, to harvest 7 coconut palms.
It cost me, petrol, time, labour, and 350 rupees to bring home 124 coconuts.
In Kerala, we need coconut in every dish, like fish in coconut milk, putty with coconut, chutney,
avial, you name it, there is coconut in it. Dont forget, all that seasoning of spices and frying of fish, are done with coconut oil.
Coconut prices have not kept pace with vegetables, inflation or cost of land. Basic reason, coconut oil cannot keep up with the attractive offerings from palm oil, mostly from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Plucking coconuts is such a headache, here, in Kerala that, some land owners do not even visit their coconut plantations.
Even where, one gets his coconuts plucked, the farmer, gets about 5 Rupees, or 10 Cents a coconut, while a consumer in a shop will have to pay 10 Ruppes (20 Cents a coconut). Young or tender coconut (where the coconut water is the star element, not the edible kernal) a fresh half peeled coconut will fetch 15 Rupees (30 Cents) a piece.
Price information as far as coconut oil is concerend, it is Rs 65 ($1.30) a kilo.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Mother and son
I was out with my wife, for a walk. Suddenly a a youngester appeared in front of me, smiling and grinning ear to ear. Hello young man, I greeted this boy of 13, who was as big as me, bigger than his mother, who was just bit infront of me in a car. When I asked him, where he was coming from, he simply said, mother is in the car, and pointed out to a car in front. Not quite sure what to say to this boy, I walked, on to a parked car in front of us. My niece steped out of the car, said that she was having an altercation with her son. The mother would not let her son, 13 to drive a car. Ï know my son could drive better than me," said my niece, "but I would rather remind him to obey the rule, he is not mature enough to drive now"
I wish every parent thought likewise
I wish every parent thought likewise
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Market place in Kerala, how we get cheated
From the market , Ramu bought three things. One kilo fish, two kilo vegetables and one kilo jaggery (raw cottage sugar bricks). These were from three different shops. First two vendors had used old balances, with weights. The third one, who sold jaggery had electronic scale.
Once home, for the heck of it, Ramu weighed his purchases. Fish weighed 900 gms, vegetable 1.800 kg and jaggery 1 kg. Yes the electronic balance was correct, and others, were used to overcharge customers by 10 percent.
Once home, for the heck of it, Ramu weighed his purchases. Fish weighed 900 gms, vegetable 1.800 kg and jaggery 1 kg. Yes the electronic balance was correct, and others, were used to overcharge customers by 10 percent.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
How much does it cost to build a house in India?
This is a bit dodgy.
Most people own their own land. Do they?
If they do, one could make a house at around Rs 1000 per sq. feet. (amendment on 23 March, 2012, in four years time, prices have gone up by 50 percent. Now it will cost you Rs 1,500 per sq feet. So, add 50 per cent to prices shown here under)
Depends on the material needed and used.
Here are some Trivandrum, Kerala, India prices on 30th October 2008
Sand for construction cu ft 1 Rs. 40
Sand for construction one truck load Rs. 8000
M sand (man made sand) cu ft 1 Rs. 35
rock pieces 40 mm cu ft 1 Rs. 25
rock pieces 40 mm truck load Rs. 4500
pcc(plain cement concrete work) cu mtr Rs. 4000
Random rubble ( huge concrete pieces) cu ft 1 Rs. 30
steel rods kg 1 Rs. 50
Sand for filling foundation 200 cu ft one truck load Rs. 2000
clay baked bricks one piece Rs. 4.75
brick wall plastered cu ft 1 Rs. 4200
bricks, clay, 600 ould make a cu ft Rs.
Interlock bricks wallone cu ft cost incl labour Rs. 2750
Concrete slabs cu mtr Rs. 5000
Ready mix cu mtr Rs. 5000
Tile roof with steel frame sq mtr Rs. 100
Tiled room with wood frame sq mtr Rs. 135
roofing tile cheap one Rs. 9
roofing tile dear one Rs. 12
tile costs for area sq mtr Rs. 150
tiles that could be pasted sq mtr Rs. 225
Roofing sheet asbestos/pvc sq ft Rs. 65
Roofing sheet aluminium sq ft Rs. 75
Roofing sheet G I sq ft Rs. 65
Powder coated ms sheet sq ft Rs. 100
Plastering inside walls sq mtr Rs. 150
Plastering outside walls sq mtr Rs. 160
Plastering ceiling sq mtr Rs. 175
Anti termite treatment sq mtr Rs. 70
Red oxide flooring sq mtr Rs. 190
Flooring with terracota tiles sq mtr Rs. 35
Mosaic tile sq ft Rs. 40
Ceramic tile sq ft Rs. 40
Granite slab 2 ft X 1 ft Rs. 200
Vitrified tiles sq ft Rs. 75 to 200
Marble sq ft Rs. 50 to 250
Kotah stone sq ft Rs. 50 and above
Teak parquet flooring sq ft Rs. 250 and above
Oak parquet flooring sq ft Rs. 200 and above
HDF boards flooring sq ft Rs. 100 and above
Wiring costs (fan lights extra) 1000 sq ft Rs. 30000 and above
Plumbing jobs for 1000 sq ft 1000 sq ft Rs. 40000 and above
Closet one Rs. 1000 ആന്ഡ് a
Most people own their own land. Do they?
If they do, one could make a house at around Rs 1000 per sq. feet. (amendment on 23 March, 2012, in four years time, prices have gone up by 50 percent. Now it will cost you Rs 1,500 per sq feet. So, add 50 per cent to prices shown here under)
Depends on the material needed and used.
Here are some Trivandrum, Kerala, India prices on 30th October 2008
Sand for construction cu ft 1 Rs. 40
Sand for construction one truck load Rs. 8000
M sand (man made sand) cu ft 1 Rs. 35
rock pieces 40 mm cu ft 1 Rs. 25
rock pieces 40 mm truck load Rs. 4500
pcc(plain cement concrete work) cu mtr Rs. 4000
Random rubble ( huge concrete pieces) cu ft 1 Rs. 30
steel rods kg 1 Rs. 50
Sand for filling foundation 200 cu ft one truck load Rs. 2000
clay baked bricks one piece Rs. 4.75
brick wall plastered cu ft 1 Rs. 4200
bricks, clay, 600 ould make a cu ft Rs.
Interlock bricks wallone cu ft cost incl labour Rs. 2750
Concrete slabs cu mtr Rs. 5000
Ready mix cu mtr Rs. 5000
Tile roof with steel frame sq mtr Rs. 100
Tiled room with wood frame sq mtr Rs. 135
roofing tile cheap one Rs. 9
roofing tile dear one Rs. 12
tile costs for area sq mtr Rs. 150
tiles that could be pasted sq mtr Rs. 225
Roofing sheet asbestos/pvc sq ft Rs. 65
Roofing sheet aluminium sq ft Rs. 75
Roofing sheet G I sq ft Rs. 65
Powder coated ms sheet sq ft Rs. 100
Plastering inside walls sq mtr Rs. 150
Plastering outside walls sq mtr Rs. 160
Plastering ceiling sq mtr Rs. 175
Anti termite treatment sq mtr Rs. 70
Red oxide flooring sq mtr Rs. 190
Flooring with terracota tiles sq mtr Rs. 35
Mosaic tile sq ft Rs. 40
Ceramic tile sq ft Rs. 40
Granite slab 2 ft X 1 ft Rs. 200
Vitrified tiles sq ft Rs. 75 to 200
Marble sq ft Rs. 50 to 250
Kotah stone sq ft Rs. 50 and above
Teak parquet flooring sq ft Rs. 250 and above
Oak parquet flooring sq ft Rs. 200 and above
HDF boards flooring sq ft Rs. 100 and above
Wiring costs (fan lights extra) 1000 sq ft Rs. 30000 and above
Plumbing jobs for 1000 sq ft 1000 sq ft Rs. 40000 and above
Closet one Rs. 1000 ആന്ഡ് a
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A Community Centre at Alwaye
The Krishna Temple near Alwaye Bank Junction is famous and popular.
I might even believe that Malayalam Film icons Dilip and Manju W,(arrier got married there.
If you can locate this place, go bit west, and you will reach a place called kadathu Kadavu, (ferry area). During Shivaratri, ferries used to transport worshippers and visitors to the sandbanks on the other side of periyar, for conducting prayers and relious rites.
At the kadvu (ferry) there was a park, a triangular one.
One of the generous chairperson (this time it was a woman) decided to build a community hall for the public.
The building is almost done, but remains unused. Apparently, this park was owned by Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the owners put a stop to furher activity.
Tax payers pay the GCDA and Alwaye Muncipality. Taxpayers should get benefit of the taxes paid.
How to bell the cat. Apparently GCDA is not the main operator in Alwaye and therefore give up the rights on the park.
What do you think? Have you seen such wastage of public money elsewhere. Write on about them and about solutions as well
I might even believe that Malayalam Film icons Dilip and Manju W,(arrier got married there.
If you can locate this place, go bit west, and you will reach a place called kadathu Kadavu, (ferry area). During Shivaratri, ferries used to transport worshippers and visitors to the sandbanks on the other side of periyar, for conducting prayers and relious rites.
At the kadvu (ferry) there was a park, a triangular one.
One of the generous chairperson (this time it was a woman) decided to build a community hall for the public.
The building is almost done, but remains unused. Apparently, this park was owned by Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the owners put a stop to furher activity.
Tax payers pay the GCDA and Alwaye Muncipality. Taxpayers should get benefit of the taxes paid.
How to bell the cat. Apparently GCDA is not the main operator in Alwaye and therefore give up the rights on the park.
What do you think? Have you seen such wastage of public money elsewhere. Write on about them and about solutions as well
Freebees with a lap top
This is a story from Muscat
One internationally famous retailer offers freebees along with a lap top.
Free mouse
Free 2GB flash drive
Free MP3 player.
A buyer discovers that the MP3 player has few prerecorded songs, there is no way one could delete them, or add anything to the play list. Not happy with that, but cant complain.
The mouse has some wire on a wheel like part, but no way one can pull it out. Short wire, restricts the movement of mouse.
Tried to use the flash drive, but the operating system warns user to stop intalling .
The buyer, let us call him Subbu, drives 40 kms to lodge a complaint. The sales persons are smart. After all " this was free, so please don't look into gift horse's mouth " was the attitude.
Subbu was not satisfied. "Why dont you look up the web and send an email" was the solution offered.
One would not think that such is the policy of Carrefour, but just bad sales people!
Whether it is Carrefour, Lulu, Sultan Centre or Fairtrade, you all should have better way of dealing with customers.
One internationally famous retailer offers freebees along with a lap top.
Free mouse
Free 2GB flash drive
Free MP3 player.
A buyer discovers that the MP3 player has few prerecorded songs, there is no way one could delete them, or add anything to the play list. Not happy with that, but cant complain.
The mouse has some wire on a wheel like part, but no way one can pull it out. Short wire, restricts the movement of mouse.
Tried to use the flash drive, but the operating system warns user to stop intalling .
The buyer, let us call him Subbu, drives 40 kms to lodge a complaint. The sales persons are smart. After all " this was free, so please don't look into gift horse's mouth " was the attitude.
Subbu was not satisfied. "Why dont you look up the web and send an email" was the solution offered.
One would not think that such is the policy of Carrefour, but just bad sales people!
Whether it is Carrefour, Lulu, Sultan Centre or Fairtrade, you all should have better way of dealing with customers.
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