"When truth is hurled against falsehood, falsehood perishes, for falsehood by its nature is bound to perish". Ch. 21, V.18, Holy Quran.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Hyderabadi Ramadan in Saudi Arabia

Like many Hyderabadis, I had the opportunity to live and work in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has become a home away from home. Ramadan is the blessed month for Muslims and a time to earn great rewards. It is spiritually and physically the best month for Muslims. As Muslims follow the Hijrah (Lunar) calendar, which is shorter by 11 days as compared to Gregorian (Solar) Calendar. This allows the sliding of the Ramadan each year by 11 days and it comes in different seasons over a long period. This gives Muslims an opportunity to fast in different weather conditions. Saudi Arabia provides a conducive and congenial atmosphere for fasting and it is one of the best places for fasting.

Having spent fifteen years in Saudi Arabia, we had an opportunity to fast in Spring, Winter and now Summer. This year Ramadan is in Summer i.e., during the months of August/September. Over 90% of the population in Saudi Arabia fasts and there are restrictions on public eating during the period of the fast, this facilitates easy fasting. The Masjids are bustling with the devout during this month. For many bachelors breaking Iftar at Masjid is a boon, as there are a variety of food is provided at the Masjids. This helps them from strains of making preparations at home.

However those with their families have a different strategy they break the fast at homes, Iftar parties are held for friends and relatives. Some Iftar parties are held outdoors or near the Corniches. The Maghrib and Isha prayers are held in the open areas.

There are many attractions of Ramadan, the month it selves, fasting, tarawi, Lailatul Qadr, Umra, Zakat, Fitra, Eid and the routine Iftar Parties.

During the last ten nights of Ramadan mid-night prayers are held. It is for Lailatul Qadar, which is explored during the last 10 odd nights. It is equivalent to 1000 months and no Muslim wants to miss this blessed night.

Another blessed aspect of Ramadan is that people plan and go for Umra. It is said that an Umra during Ramazan carries a reward equivalent to Haj, even though Umra is optional whereas Haj is mandatory upon meeting certain conditions. Quran is read as and when there is an opportunity especially after each prayer. Maximum charity, Zakat and good deeds are done during Ramadan to reap the best returns as promised by Allah.

The Hyderabadi community, which is the second largest community among Indians in Saudi Arabia, has its own unique way of making preparations for Iftar parties.

A typical Iftar Party preparation starts a day before, with two to three items readied for the Iftar party. Rest of the items, are prepared on the day of the Iftar party. For Iftar the families start arriving half an hour before the Iftar time. Ladies and children are sent to separate room and the Gents sit in a separate room The dining sheet is spread and gets filled with a variety of food items but the common ones are Dahi Vada, chickpeas, Laban with Rooh Afza, Samosas, Haleem, Dates (khajoor), fruit juices and water. As soon as the Magrib Azaan is heard the fast is broken with the Khajoor (Dates) and the delicacies are devoured. The eating session last between 10 to 15 minutes then everyone rushes for Magrib Prayers. After the prayer everyone is back at their respective places. Few minutes later, it is time for a good filling meal. Once again the dinner sheet is spread, but now the items are totally of different variety. People try to follow the typical traditional hyderabadi menu like biryani, roti, mirchiyon ka salan (sweet chilly curry), Dahi ki chatni (made of Curd), dry chicken and chicken 65. On the top of it a standard Double ka metha (sweet made of bread, sugar and other ingredients) and or Kheer is made. Once the dinner is over then tea is served. The tea is with a good amount of milk and sugar. After dinner there is a time for little chat and usually revolves around as to the payment of Zakat and Fitra (which has to be provided to the less fortunate people) and other noble acts, then time to go for Isha and Tarawi prayers.

The night prayers are one of the best opportunities for earning rewards from Allah. Once the prayers are over then every one gets into their routine of next day's fast.

The sighting of moon not only brings about a joy of Eid, but also a bit of disappointment as the blessed month has ended. A large number of Hyderabadi's plan for vacation during Eid Holidays and celebrate Eid in Hyderabad.


Mohammed Sadullah Khan, is a Faculty Member and a Freelance writer based in Saudi Arabia and can be contacted at mosakhan40@gmail.com.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Insurance of Construction and Erection Projects in Saudi Arabia and Different types of Insurance Policies.

Answer Key Sample Test - II***11 c 12 c 13 b 14 d 15 b 16 a 17 c 18 d 19 a 20 a
Photo by Mohammed Sadullah Khan - Massive Construction Project





















As lot of construction activity is taking place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The following information will be useful to the Principals, Contractors, sub-contractors and other interested parties.

In most of the Civil Engineering or Machinery Erection Projects the Project Management faces the problem of fixing the responsibility for insuring the risks to which the project is exposed and for administering the insurance policies. The Project Manager and the Risk Manager has to assess the risks they face in the Project and shall have to make a decicion on the extent of insurance covers needed. Even when the other parties are obliged to insure various risks relating to the Project ultimately the cost will have to be borne by the Employer directly or indirectly.

2. THE EMPLOYER'S RISKS:

2.1. The Employer has the highest stake in completing the Project and hence in its insurance covers.

2.2. In most of the cases, contracts can be better dealt with by the Employer assuming the responsibility for insurance. The Employer should foresee contingencies such as insolvency of the contractor, default by the Contractors, suspension/ termination of the Contractor replacing him with another Contractor etc while providing the insurance requirements.

2.3. The factors in favour of the Employer carrying the insurable risks are:

(a) The Employer has to pay the premium either directly or indirectly (costs built in the contract price). By combining the insurance requirements of various Contractors the volume of premium will be high enough to secure better insurance terms from the market.
(b) The Employers has the highest stake in completing the project since his investment is exposed to the perils
(c) The Contractors tend to cover their exposure only
(d) Cover can be continued with the Fire Insurers for the completed sections
(e) No gaps or grey areas as in the policies procured by the Contractors
(f) Employer is protected in case of insolvency or termination of the Contractor and apponintment of another to complete the contract
(g) Employer is protected against under-insurance if the insurances are properly arranged
(h) Employer's insurance can take care of common facilities and utilities which may be used by many contractors
(i) Employer can cover the risks of price escalation and replacement escalation where as the Contractors will be unwilling to cover such escalation in price
(j) Coordination and completion of restoration works following a major loss to works carried out by different contractors will be easy if the indemnity is provided by one insurer
(k) Following major losses it may not be possible to replace a machinery with another one of the same kind due to changes in technology. Employer's policy will be able to deal with the situation better in such a contingency

(l) Employer is familiar with the local law and the import and customs law. Hence he can arrange protection needed to meet their reqirement.
(m) If the Employer purchases the materials and supplies the same to the Contractor for Erection disputes may not arise between the Marine Insurer (of the Employer) and the Construction Risk Insurer as to when the damage occurred (when the materials are not checked as soon as they land or at the site) if both risks are covered by the same insurer
(n) Administration of the insurance function will be easier and less expensive if the Employer effects policies including the interest of the Contractors and manages the risk using one centralised office for the whole project. Coordination will be easier with this type of centralised administration. This will also avoid time and effort spent on actions for recovery by different Insurers insuring different interests of the same subject matter affected.

2.4. Even if the responsibility for managing the risks is passed on to the Contractors and the Employer is named as an insured, the Employer will continue to carry the following risks:

2.4.1. MATERIAL DAMAGE AND LIABILITY:

(a) Loss, damage or liability arising out of faulty design of the works by the Engineer
(b) Loss or damage arising out of or aggrevated by the "excepted risks" such as the war, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), invasion, act of foreighn enemies, revolution, insurrection or military or usurped power,civil war, riot, commotion or disorder, ionising radiations or contaminations by radio-activity from any nuclear fuel or from any nuclear waste from the combustion of nuclear fuel, radio-active toxic explosive or other hazardous properties of any explosive, nuclear assembly or nuclear component thereof, pressure waves caused by air craft or other aerial devices travelling at sonic or super sonic speeds, or any other operation of the forces of nature as an experienced contractor could not foresee, or reasonably make provision for (force majeure)
(d) Loss or damage arising out of riot, strike or civil commotion or disorder
(e) Loss or damage to the works or part of the works taken in to use or is occupied by the Employer
(f) Non disclosure or misdescription of any material fact affecting the risk or any material changes affecting the risk
(g) Loss or damage arising out of or aggrevated by wilful act or wilful negligence of the insured (Employer) or his responsible representative
(h) Loss or damage arising out of or aggrevated by cessation of work whether total or partial
(i) Loss or damge occuring after commencement of tests on the second hand machinery installed

2.4.2. MATERIAL DAMAGE SECTION:

In addition to the above risks mentioned in paragraph 2.4.1, the following risk are also to the account of the Employer even if the responsibility for insurance is passed on to the contractor:

(a) Financial, consequential and trade losses such as the loss of anticipated profits due to delayed completion of the project, additional capital to be invested due to escalationin the project cost, penalties, fines, failure to secure special priviledges from the authorities due to delays (eg. concessional customs duties available during a period), loss of the targeted market etc.
(b) Faulty design or defective material if these are supplied by the Employer
(c) Loss or damage to materials supplied by the Employer due to normal wear and tear, corrosion oxidation or other normal atmospheric conditions

2.4.3. THIRD PARTY LIABILITY:

In addition to the above risks mentioned in paragraph 2.4.1, the Employer is exposed to the following risks in case of bankruptcy or closure of the Contracting Company the following risk are also to the account of the Employer even if the responsibility for insurance is passed on to the Contractor, unless each of the following risks is adequately insured by the party directly liable for the loss under specific policies such as the Workmen Compensation Insurance Property All Risks Insurance, Aviation Liability Insurance or the Motor Vehicle Insurance.

(a) Legal liability to pay compensation for damages consequent up on accidental bodily injury to or illness of third parties not connected with the project work (whether fatal or not) and accidental loss of damage to property belonging to third parties occuring in direct connection with the erection, construction or testing on the insured project work and happening on or in the immediate vicinity of the of the site during the period of the cover
(b) Legal liability to pay similar compensation for damages to one party involved in the construction work caused by another party involved in the same contract work
(c) Liability consequent upon bodily injury to or illness of Employees or Workmen of the Principal, Contractors or any other Firm connected with the Project
(d) Liability consequent up on loss of or damage to property belonging to or held in care, custody or control of the the Principal, Contractors and any other Firm connected with the Project
(e) Liability consequent up on any accident caused by vehicles licensed for general road use or by waterborne vessel or craft
(f) Liability assumed by agreement unless such liability would have attached also in the absence of such agreement

(A) DAMAGE TO MATERIALS USED IN THE PROJECT:

Construction Projects involving Civil Engineering Works and Machinery Erection are exposed to the following risks:

1. Materials forming part of the construction work:

(a) Construction/ Erection Risks while carrying out exploratory and/ proto type testing works such as drilling of test bore holes, exploratory excavations etc

(b) Storage risks at the suppliers' and manufacturers' premises for imported and locally supplied materials which have already been sold but not delivered to the Contractor/ Principal
(c) Marine/ transit risks from the suppliers'/ manufacturers' premises to the site of erection for materials to be imported including the risks of incidental & or intermidiate storages
(d) Storages in bonded warehouses and/ or Project warehouses near the port of entry
(e) Transits to and from the fabricators premises outside the construction site (for materials procured by the Contractor/ Principal and sent for fabrication/ assembly/ further process prior to Erection at site)
(f) Risks during storage and fabrication/ assembly/ process at the intermediate fabricators premises mentioned in (d) above
(g) Off site storages and inland transit from such storage locations to the site
(h) Storage at site
(i) Storage risks of materials procured for contracted/ subcontracted work but in custody of the Principal/ Contractor waiting to be handed over to the Contractor/ Sub-Contractor
(j) Normal construction/ erection risk at site
(k) Risks due to defective material and/ or defective workmanship
(l) Risks due to faulty design
(m) Completed portion of the work handed over to the Contractor but not handed over to the Principal
(n) Completed sections taken over by the Principal but not taken in to use due to delay in completion of other sections
(o) Risks during testing of each section of the Machinery on load
(p) Integrated final testing of the complete line of Machinery on full load resulting in achievement of commercial production
(q) The period of test run on load
(r) Risks during the Period Of Maintenance
(s) Risks during the Period Of Guarantee

2. Materials used for or inconnection with the Project but not forming part of the work (temporary works not fully written of in the Project, Constructional Plant, Equipment and Machinery and Temporary Buildings such as Stores, Labour Camp etc):

(a) Risks during transit from the storage premises of the owner to the site of Erection/ Construction
(b) Risks during storage off site
(c) Transit to and from such storage location to site and back daily/ periodically
(c) Risks during storage at site.

3. Unless specifically insured a normal Contractors/ Erection All Risks Policy will indemnify the Insured the cost of rectifying or replacing the item affected to the extent insured provided the loss did not occur due to any excepted peril. Such cover is provided for items 1(g) and 1(i) above if only the total contract value is declared for insurance. Even for these the following losses and/ or costs are not covered unless specifically agreed at the inception of the policy:

(a) Architects, Surveyors and Consulting Engineers Fees to be incurred for reinstating the damaged property
(b) Riot, strike and civil commotion risks
(c) Cost of removal of debris following an indemnifiable damage to the contract work
(d) Express freight (other than air freight) for replacements/ spares following an occurrence
(e) Overtime, night work and holiday wages for repairs/ replacements following an occurrence
(f) Air freight for replacements and spare parts to be procured following an occurrence
(g) Additional customs duties for replacements/ spares to be procured following an occurrence
(h) Escalation in prices of replacements/ spares to be procured following an occurrence (escalation may be due to inflation, incresed demand, reduced supply, increased cost of production, exchange rate fluctuation, original discounts not available for replacements etc; estimation of this should be based on the replacement cost of the project following a major catastrophic loss at the end of the construction period)
(i) Escalation in the cost of the project due to the reasons stated in (h) above (limit of indemnity being the Escalated Project Value)
(j) Cost of new parts for repairing second hand machinery and equipments
(k) Loss of or damage to existing or surrounding property (not forming part of the contract work) caused by the construction work
(l) Cost of removal of debris following land slides/ erosions and the cost of repairing the erroded slopes
(m) Cost of replacement with newer/ improved model of the machine in the place of the destroyed (total loss) machine when the same model or its equivalent is not produced any more
(n) Financial losses such as the loss of expected profits to be generated caused by the delay in completion of the project on account of an indemnifiable material loss or damage
(o) Guarantee for the works following the maintenance period (5 years or 10 years guarantee for Buildings and Civil Engineering Works and additional 1 or 2 years guarantee for Machinery)
(p) Loss of or damage to the Material Handling Equipments and other Machinery when they are being used for the Construction/ Erection activity after such equipments have been installed unless such equipments are insured as "Construction Plant and Machinery" for the period they will be used for the erection work by the Contractor or the Principal. Such equipments should also be insured as part of the Contract Work (the Contract Work sum insured also should include the value of such equipments) if such equipments will be taken over by the Principal as a part of the Main Project). An example is a gantry crane installed in a production bay and used for lifting the production machinery during installation.


(B) LIABILITY TO THIRD PARTIES ARISING OUT OF THE WORK:

Third party liability risks to which the Principal is exposed to are:

Liability for accidental bodily injury or illness and for accidental loss of or damage to property caused by

(a) The Principal or his representatives and employees to Third Parties and the Property of Third Parties not connected with the Project
(b) The Principal or his representatives and employees to other Parties engaged in the Contract Work and to their Property

Liability for accidental bodily injury or illness and for accidental loss of damage to property caused by

(a) The Contractors and other parties employed by the Principal in connection with the Construction/ Erection Work to third parties not connected with the project
(b) Any of the Contractor or the other parties employed by the Contractor in connection with the Contract Work caused to another party or another Contractor employed for the same project

Liability for loss of or damage to property in care, custody or control of the Principal

CHECKLIST FOR RISK MANAGERS OF CONSTRUCTION/ ERECTION PROJECTS:

DESIGN & CONSULT:

Insurance cover for Architects, Design Engineers and Consulting Engineers:

(a) Professional Indemnity cover to be producured by the Architects, Design Engineers and Consulting Engineers: limit of indemnity to be specified by the Principal depending on the exposure

Name of the specialist Period of cover Limit of indemnity


(b) Personal insurances for these officials and their assistants:

Cover Period of Limit of Schedule of
required insurance indemnity items

Motor vehicle insurance
Workmen Compensation insurance
General liability insurance

Insurance covers for the employer/ principal:

(a) Contactors all risks and third party liability covers including the following extensions:

Risks to be covered:


Insurance covers for the contractors and the sub contractors:

(a) Marine/ inland transit cover for materials supplied
(a) Contractors all risks and third party liability covers including the following extensions
(b) Plant all risks cover
(c) Motor vehicle insurance
Cover to include:
(d) Workmen compensation insurance
(e) Medicare and personal accident covers
(f) Bonds
(g) Fire and perils covers for off site accommodation, offices, warehouse buildings etc (permanent buildings taken on lease and the contents not absorbed in the contract price)
(h) General liability cover

Courtesy - S A Khan, General Manager, Creative Associates

Most of the type of Insurance Policies available in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. India and world over.

All risks insurance,
Aviation insurance,
Accidental Insurance
Business interruption insurance,
Construction insurance in Saudi Arabia,
Construction All Risks Insurance,
Casaulty Insurance,
Credit Insurance,
Credit Guarantee Insurance,
Directors and Officers Insurance,
Domestic maid insurance in saudi arabia,
Employee dishonesty insurance,
Erection insurance in saudi arabia,
Fidelity guarantee insurance in saudi arabia,
Fire insurance in Saudi Arabia,
Fisheries Insurance,
Group life insurance,
General insurance,
Health insurance in Saudi Arabia,
Insurance education in saudi arabia,
Liability,
Life insurance in saudi arabia,
Loss of profit,
Poultry Insurance,
Machinery insurance,
Machinery all risks insurance in saudi Arabia,
Marine Insurance in Saudi Arabia,
Medical insurance in saudi arabia,
Medical malpractice insurance,
Money insurance in saudi arabia,
Motor,
Personal possession insurance,
Professional insurance education in saudi arabia,
Property insurance in saudi arabia,
Property all risks insurance,
Third party insurance in saudi arabia,
Travel insurance in saudi arabia,
Workmen compensation,

Insurance Industry in India is also booming. After Privatisation there are more opportunities in Indian Insurance Industry and the regulatory examinations are helping in building of Insurance awareness among the general public in India.


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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Afghanistan – towards a credible Democracy

The end of election process over the reports of death destruction, intimidation, vote-rigging, fraud and even cutting the fingure's of the voters needs a bit of pondering.. The pre election brazen suicide attack by Taliban, which killed eight at NATO's headquarters, did not deter the democratic election process.

The low turnout of the voter's, reflects that more than half of the population is not a part of this process. The results, which are expected to be declared soon, will announce the winning candidate. The winner President will have the support of less than quarter of the over-all population. Like previous elections the ethnic background has come into play in this election too.

There are also instances of proxy voting and biased elections workers. The efforts of the foreign troops and the election observers to lead the country into a credible democratic process should not be undermined. The voters were also wary of the situation and felt that their vote will hardly matter. They were assured of the same old faces and the continuation of the corruption and cronyism.

Whoever wins the election, in-order to make the country a better place he needs to be more dynamic and should take radical steps to provide security and the services to the common man. A vast majority of the country's population is illiterate and lacks common amenities. No doubt Afghans are the tough people and are not afraid of fighting for a cause. The years of battle has almost destroyed the entire infrastructure. The mines have killed many and maimed many, who find difficult to get the medical aid. Many have been orphaned and homeless. They have and are becoming easy victims of abuse.

The problem of drugs and money is one of the major problems of this region and it has flourished during the regime of Hamid Karzai. Illegal money creates war lords, who control various regions with the support from their ethnic groups. The rivals are usually at loggerheads with one another; this has lead to the easy availability of weapons, used in killings.

The current process of democratization looks too crude. It is a type of pre-historic democracy and still in its evolutionary phase. In earnestness this process must continue after the leaving of the foreign troops from Afghanistan. There is a possibility of the country getting into chaos at the earliest opportunity. The women empowerment is still a pipe dream. Few beauty saloons in the city and participation of few women athletes may not bring about the freedom and empowerment of the women as the western world wants to see. The average people are highly religious and the holy month of Ramadan has a very high significance. One of the major concern is that Dr. Abdullah Abdullah the strong contender to the Presidential position has made pre-emptive allegations of fraud and rigging. The declaration of result should not put Karzai in the Ahmadinejad's position Hope the results of the elections and the blessed month of Ramadan brings about peace and credible democracy to the country.

Mohammed Sadullah Khan is a Faculty Member and a Freelance writer based in Riyadh and can be contacted at mosakhan40@gmail.com.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Fire Prevention

The Kuwait fire incident during wedding was really unfortunate. It is being suspected that the cause of fire may be the malicious intent. Irrespective of the cause of fire had the Fire Prevention appliances were in place most of the lives could have been saved. The lack of adequate number of exit doors is also one of the major reasons for deaths. To avoid these types of incidents the premises for weddings should be adequately ventilated, tiles should be preferred instead of carpets, with sufficient number of fire exit's, kitchen should be at a safer distance from the partying area, good fire safety equipments should be available along with necessary training for safety. The guests should also be made aware of the safety facilities as a part of the Preventive measures. (17-08-2009).
Mohammed Sadullah Khan.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Collaborative Culture

The current culture of conglomerates is to go for specialization and super specialization. This has given rise to isolation and a breeding ground for lack of co-operation and co-ordination. The deficiency of these two aspects of work culture has created a new breed of ignorant and alienated workers with individualistic goals. The ultimate sufferers are the entire stakeholders of an organization. The innovative consumer feels that he is in a limbo. The concept of Mentor is still alien to a vast majority of current Organizations. No doubt these have resulted in the failures of many Organizations. Every management should make sure to implement the concept of co-operation and co-ordination in their work culture in-order to synergise the efforts of its team.

16-09-2009

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Umra and the Ugly virus H1N1

For over a year my family was pestering me for taking them to Mecca for Umra. But due to various circumstances I was unable to take them for Umra. Finally a decision was taken in late April to visit Mecca and perform Umra (popularly known as lesser Pilgrimage) in the last week of July.

Since early June the Swine flu hype was escalating and it actually started spreading throughout the world with each and every case being reported and monitored by the World Health Organization. This caused a flutter and nightmare in me. The swine flu had already reached the jurisdiction of Saudi Arabia. I was more concerned visualizing the impact it may have at the holy places. With fear in heart and faith in God, I did not want to disappoint my family members. I went to the local transporter for booking the seats and hotel for Umra, the rates were comparatively cheap. On enquiring about the swine flu and restrictions, I was informed that there is no problem so far. Money was paid to the transporter and the seats were booked.

On the day we were supposed to leave, it was reported in the Newspapers that a women who had come to perform Umra, had died of swine flu. The news made me jittery. Some of my colleagues feared for my visit and requested me to carry masks. I explained to them that the virus can enter our body from any source even by handling a knob at the door, touching the office desk or trolley at a super market. Finally I told them that Allah Karim. Later on I contacted my brother, who is a Medical doctor about my visit to Mecca for Umra and the case of the Egyptian women. He encouraged me to proceed without worry as we have come to an advanced stage of travel and explained about the types of Flu and their precautions.

With initial confidence, I was hoping for the last minute rescue by imagining that the government will cancel all the buses to Mecca or advise the pilgrims not to travel to Mecca, but nothing of that sort happened. When we saw the bus, it was bustling with pilgrims. Two Indian families, two Sudani families, two Pakistani families and rest of them were bachelors. Among bachelors almost eighty percent were Pakistanis, the rest were Bangladeshis and Indians.

As the Bus started moving ahead my fear galloped and was mindful of any kind of sneeze or cough. But fortunately in the entire journey no one sneezed or coughed. Finally we reached Mecca. Still my mind was acting like a surveillance camera, installed at the airports, scanning for persons with red eyes, temperature, cough or sneezing. Fortunately this time I did not see anyone coughing or sneezing nor suffering from fever.

The moment we stood in front of Kaaba, we were overjoyed, filled with excitement, felt fully blessed and forgot about everything related to the journey. It was a real breathtaking experience after a long time. The feeling was liberating and pulsating. For two days we were engrossed in prayers with attendance to minimum daily needs. During our visit to Kaaba, it was being washed and the door was open, we had a rare opportunity to have a glimpse inside the Kaaba.

Our successful mission was over. Unlike in the past, I used to get flu after going to Umra, this time I did not have any symptoms of Flu. After our return, we realized the havoc caused by the virus. Day after day the virus was becoming more virulent. The spread of Swine flu really got out of control. The WHO had decided not to count the number of affected persons. Restrictions were being imposed by certain clerics and countries in-respect of Haj and Umra. The Swine flu Pandemic was going ahead unabated with more infections and deaths being reported on daily basis. A new challenging question was lingering in our minds, whether to proceed on our annual vacation?


Mohammed Sadullah Khan is a Faculty Member and a Freelance writer based in Saudi Arabia and can be contacted at mosakhan40@gmail.com.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Fire Safety

It is a really unfortunate incident. Most of the fires reported either emanates from the kitchen or electrical materials. The summer time is usually dangerous for porta cabins as their combustibility increases during these periods. Unfortunately we find most of the workers are usually crammed into these unsafe accommodations. To avoid these types of incidents the workers should be provided adequately ventilated accommodations, fire exits, kitchen should at a safer distance from the accommodation, good fire safety equipments and training for safety. The Safety department should conduct regular training for the workers in the use of safety equipments, precautions for preventing fires, actions to be taken during the fire and awareness of various other hazards during and after work.

05-08-2009 Published 06-08-2009

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Swine Flu Scare

The swine flu scare has reached alarming proportions with the reporting of each and every death case. It is almost impossible to identify the swine flue from the ordinary flue without doing a proper test with the right equipment. The arrival of flue season and pilgrimage season is going make things more nightmarish. The virus can enter the system through air, food and other contamination. It will be more beneficial if the face masks are worn by the persons who are infected with flu of any kind and are made to follow more precautions than the suspecting victims. A right educational campaign will be more helpful in curbing the Flu. \
(30-07-2009)

Knee Jerk Reaction

The hype created by swine flu is really causing nightmares to many. Many questions are left unanswered, especially the questions relating to vacation, schools, umra and Haj. The decision of the Iran to cancel all flights to Saudi Arabia emanates from the facts and fear of swine flu. On daily basis, the deaths are being reported from many corners of the world and it is sparing none. However inspite of this we find Airports, Railway stations, Supermarkets and Bus stations are crowded as usual. Precautions are essential but impossible to implement under normal circumstances. Hope the virus gets decimated naturally with time.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Job Oriented Training

The churning of graduates and postgraduates by various educational institutions initially gives an opportunity for them to qualify for the job markets. However during the recessionary period, when the jobs are dwindling there will be more competition and the routine education is of very little help. In such time more short-term job oriented courses should be offered in-order to compete in the job market. As far as Small Enterprises are concerned, well developed Entrepreneural Development Programmes should be offered to the suitable candidates so that they do not waste their time waiting for the elusive jobs but can start their own businesses as soon as they finish their course with the help of promoting bodies.

06/08/2009

Type of Insurance Policies available in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. India and world over.

All risks insurance,
Aviation insurance,
Accidental Insurance
Business interruption insurance,
Construction insurance,
Casaulty Insurance,
Credit Insurance,
Credit Guarantee Insurance,
Directors and Officers Insurance,
Domestic maid insurance in saudi arabia,
Employee dishonesty insurance,
Erection insurance in saudi arabia,
Fidelity guarantee insurance in saudi arabia,
Fire insurance,
Fisheries Insurance,
Group life insurance,
General insurance,
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