On the occasion of the 62nd Anniversary of the Independence Day of India, I would like to greet my fellow citizens in Bahrain and wish you an active role in building our nation.
In six decades of development taking place within the twin coordinates of Parliamentary democracy and economic planning, our nation has achieved much. But, there are miles to go before we can reach the goal.
As Indian expatriates working in this hospitable land, there are many ways in which we can compliment the national effort to maintain an inclusive growth -
*India has over half a million villages. The scope is tremendous for building rural infrastructure, whether it be in education, roads and transport, sanitation and medical care.
* Our qualifications and professional experience, exposure to the best industrial practices, familiarity with the use of the latest techniques and, above all, a commitment to repay the nation for the education and the protection it has given us, could be deployed with immediate and telling effect.
As individuals with qualities of the head and heart, each of us does matter. But our effectiveness will grow exponentially when we coordinate our approach.
Today, it may be that we belong to a place in India, simply because we have inherited it from our parents. Today, when we go home to India we are guests there, but unless we do something to add value to that place, we could be mistaken for pests, very easily. Besides, what claim will our children have tomorrow to the place we call home?
Let us remember, development is not a question of how many people per square mile, but how many people per square meal. .
Dr George Joseph
Ambassador of India, Bahrain
Dear Stan,
I read the article on Trading Places where the managers at the Crowne Plaza swapped jobs for the day and I was particularly impressed with James Hewitson (pictured) becoming a staff driver for the day.
My husband was a driver for many years and worked very long hours and it was a very stressful job. I'm sure Mr Hewitson discovered it is not easy to be a driver, and that his normal job in charge of food and beverage is actually extremely easy compared to driving on Bahrain's roads every day.
Since my husband is now retired, and it's our wedding anniversary coming up I was wondering if Mr Hewitson would consider being hired for the day to drive my husband around on a surprise island tour of Bahrain? I would very much appreciate it if he would volunteer his services - to make a fellow driver happy?
Thank you.
Mrs J Taylor,
Budaiya.
Dear Stan,
This is in reference to Marie-Claire's recent column headlined 'Farrah just couldn't beat it'.
I would like to tell you that you have no right to judge a personality like Michael Jackson if you don't know him well.
As for your comments in reference to Farrah Fawcett, whoever she was. I'll be honest; I have neither seen nor heard about her.
However, I have seen and heard about Michael Jackson. He was a legend and he will live on in our hearts and will be remembered all over the world. He was the 'King of the Pop'.
I appreciate that whatever happened in his later years was sad but, let me tell you something, nobody is guilty of any offence unless it is proven.
I think you don't have any idea what a famous celebrity is, and how they live their lives in the world of paparazzi and media. It is people like you who write articles like this that could make people view a celebrity in a bad way.
Michael Jackson gave the world music, singing and his dancing. People try but cannot match him.
Michael Jackson fan,
wellwisher21me@ hotmail.com
Marie-Claire's reply: If fans have a right to praise someone, others have the right to disagree.
Dear Stan,
During childhood we all became involved in some form of team - be it football, cricket or cultural - but little did we know about the importance of teamwork.
In college most of us were members of some team activity such as drama, social services, studies and camps etc.
Here we understood some aspects about teamwork and its importance to others, and ourselves.
Years later in the workplace our very existence depends on this one word ... teamwork.
And why is it so important? Teamwork is a joint activity, by two or more persons contributing different skills to achieve a common goal. For teamwork to succeed one must be a team player.
Teamwork is important simply because only a few things in life are achieved individually.
In the workplace, football ground, or in the community, a strong teamwork approach produces incredible results. With effective teamwork we can move mountains. Some world-class examples are the Ferrari F1 racing team, the Australian cricket team, Chelsea FC, the NASA space team and the Chicago Bulls basketball team.
A team is only as strong as its weakest member. This simple law has to be understood to make any team a strong one.
However, many invariably neglect the weakest link and focus on the strongest ... but the very survival of a company depends on how good or bad the whole team is.
Both employees and companies benefit from teamwork. Employees learn their job faster, have job security, a sense of ownership and strive for excellence.
And, companies can improve productivity, save costs, reduced employee turnover and low implementation time. It is a win-win situation.
Teamwork helps to divide the tasks and multiply the successes. Managements and companies with dream teams are the ones who will always come out top in these changing and challenging times.
A dream team comprises members having complimentary skills, a defined approach and a meaningful purpose to achieve clear goals and a willingness to share values.
It is never too late to be a part of a dream team. In short, we can say Together, Everyone, Achieves, More.
Ajit B Khadilkar,
Marketing manager,
Lebanon Trade Centre, Isa Town.
email: ajitbkhadilkar@yahoo.com
Dear Stan,
Pakistan emerged as an independent country on August 14, 1947. It was after a long and hard struggle that the Muslims of the South Asian sub-continent gained their long sought for freedom.
This independence came to us as a blessing from Allah Almighty and the wisdom, vision, relentless efforts and sacrifices of our leaders and elders, especially the sagacious leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the vision of Allama Dr Mohammad Iqbal.
Pakistan has come a long way in the last 62 years of its inception with many a times facing insurmountable odds both internally and externally, but with the Grace of Almighty it has always overcome the adversity. Let us rededicate ourselves to the principles of the freedom movement and pray to Almighty for His eternal kindness and bow our heads to Allah for His blessings of Independence.
On this momentous day in the history of Pakistan, I congratulate my fellow Pakistanis in the Kingdom of Bahrain and our Bahraini well-wishers.
I am proud of our community who are real representatives of Pakistan. They are not only playing an important role for Pakistan for remitting valuable foreign exchange, but tremendously contributing towards the development and progress of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Pakistan and Bahrain take pride in the fraternal bonds that rests upon our common faith, cultural values and shared interests.
I am sure this bond will be further strengthened and cemented in the days and years ahead with existing goodwill and mutual trust expressed by our leadership on regional and international issues.
HE Mr Ikramullah Mehsud, Ambassador of Pakistan, Bahrain
