Having fun with words on Kipp

The Kipp Report has generously used my comments on the current doom and gloom. It certainly brightened my day. Read it here.

Whodunnit?

The attack on the Sri Lanka Cricket Team in Lahore has benumbed the international cricket world and underscored the importance of security for high profile sportspersons.

The large haul of arms and ammunition showcased by the Pakistani police as having been abandoned by the attackers appears inconsistent with the fatalities and injuries reported. An inconsistency that we should all be thankful for, as the consequences of an attack using all the lethal capability of the weaponry displayed would have been horrendous.

Two reports suggest that the Sri Lankan Team Manager had in fact asked for additional security before the Lahore test and that it had been given. Television footage of the attack and the accusations leveled by some members of the Sri Lankan team and the Match Referee would indicate that this was certainly not the case.

With its long-running conflict, Sri Lankans are well aware of the sometimes frustrating security measures adopted in the country where entire localities are virtually sanitized prior to a VIP visiting the area or even simply passing through. When the visiting team was assured of being provided in Pakistan the security provided for a Head of State, they certainly would have expected no less.

In that case what went wrong?

The answer could well lie in the confusion that arose following the unseating of the PML governor in Punjab. Many questions arise: Why was the security insufficient? Did the attackers know that there would not be much security? Did the attackers have any link to the political demonstrators whose actions apparently prompted a call for more security by the Sri Lankan Team Manager?

The only reported security response in the immediate aftermath of the attack was where the stranded umpires were driven to Lahore Stadium by a Police Officer after removing the dead driver’s body from the minibus.

Cricket fans around the world, as indeed the cricketers themselves, would be waiting for a report from the Pakistani authorities.

The International Cricket Council should lay down minimum standards of security for all tours and these should be enhanced depending on separate threat assessments for each event.

Chinese Circus at Festival City

Its well worth the visit. A good night's family entertainment. Though the young performers make it look oh, so simple, it's a highly skilled performance that I intend going to see a second time.

Check it out:

http://www.festivalcentre.com/news_eventdetails.aspx?event=2&eid=137

Dubai rising!

A few days back (Early February 2009) it seemed as though the Emirates Towers and the other buildings on Sheikh Zayed Road were simply rising out of the clouds. It was surreal.

Check out these pictures.

Out of the Box ...

On a recent visit to Lamcy Plaza I was looking at some watches when my neice pointed out that the signboard had the name of the shop misspelt. Ever ready to do a favour, I quickly pointed out to the salesman at the counter that the letter 'U' was missing from the signboard. He quickly pointed to me saying, "Sir, that's you! We are missing you."

A clever way of engaging the customer and establishing a harmonius bond. I was well and truly taken in. My compliments on a clever ploy drew an even quicker response, "The credit goes to my boss, he's a very clever guy." No doubt.

Rare creativity in Dubai's communications landscape.

Will we lose the most valuable assets due to the financial crisis?

The global financial crisis is taking a heavy toll on human resources. Sweeping job cuts across continents have become as much a lead for the media as ‘bleeding’ stories. The attacks in Mumbai dominated the headlines, but only as long as the drama unfolded, soon to be replaced by falling oil prices, record falls in the stock indices and of course, bailouts. Even the hijacking of one of the biggest oil tankers with over one hundred million tonnes of the black gold is already off the radar.

Men and women across the world who lose their jobs are reduced to mere numbers much like the ‘casualty’ figures in a terror attack. Shattered lives and families without roof over their heads or income source to sustain themselves are only ‘human interest’ stories.

In this de-humanizing crisis scenario, Dubai, as indeed the UAE and the entire Middle East, being dependent on expatriate skills, needs to retain the human resources already available. A programme should be in place to evaluate and where possible locate them in new placements. It would be the human thing to do. It would also be the most pragmatic; considering that significant costs in both money and time will have to be expended during this crisis situation to recruit new staff for those companies that need to. Food for thought …

Emirates Identity Pre-registration form can now be downloaded from the EIDA website

The pre-registration application for the Emirates Identity Card can now be downloaded in Arabic and English and completed offline. The website opens fast and contains instructions for Online Booking and Complaints and Suggestions. Pass on ...