Time Flame

Pro Fish Cutter

2010-08-30T02:00:00.002+05:00

Pro Fish Cutter
Originally uploaded by mohlat

I see this guy quite often at the Fish market. He is one of those guys who cuts fish. I tell you, he is a pro! No matter how big the fish is, he would cut it in no time!

People. Each one has a story.

2010-08-29T10:57:00.008+05:00

People. Each one has a story.
Originally uploaded by mohlat

Here's the most recent pic uploaded to Flickr.

It's interesting how your preferences change with time. You see, earlier, I liked taking nature pics alot. Then it changed to portraits and now it's street photography! And i think i'm liking the latter more, than the rest.

Not all Maldivians...

2010-08-22T00:05:00.001+05:00

It was a typical day for me. I finished work at 4.30 and was heading home. Halfway, I saw a man dragging a suitcase on Ameenee magu. From his features, I assumed that he was a Bangladeshi. He was probably on his way to catch a ferry to the airport. I wondered why he was on foot. I wondered why he didn't find a taxi etc. Maybe he didn't have enough money?
I went near him and stopped my bike. I asked him if he needed any help. At first, he gave me a blank look. Then quickly it changed to a more suspicious sort of look. I asked him again and tried to sort of talk to him in a way he could understand what I was saying; in broken dhivehi. Again, he said no and started to walk away. He didn't look back.
I was upset that he didn't accept my offer for help. But surely, he had his reasons not to. Maybe he had met too many Maldivians who offered him "help" and finally he had no other choice but to go back home after failing to find a job or been cheated. Probably he had lost trust in all Maldivians. Probably he thought I would show him a knife and take all his remaining cash and flee.
Maybe I would never know the real reason. But that's my guess.
I wish I had the chance to explain to him that not all Maldivians are bad or would cheat on him.
It was just a small incident that spoiled my day.

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A Forgotten Fairy-tale

2010-08-18T00:49:00.001+05:00

Sticks, stones and torn paper,
Worth diamonds all put together
Dried flowers, leaves and shells,
Priceless to those hearts on fire
Those blissful moments,
Felt by the heavens above
The angels wept,
As time drew near
For they knew it would soon be over.
The departure filled the Iris,
With it's ocean overflowing
The moon left asunder
Pulses raced n the adrenaline gushed forth,
As the final meeting took place
The twilight lasting only seconds.
All left for the stars to witness..
It was yet another fairy tale
Lost in the sands of time.

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Digital Newspapers Vs Printed Newspapers

2010-08-14T00:00:00.015+05:00

Alot of debate is going on whether Digital Newspapers would replace the traditional printed Newspapers. If not now, in the near future.

Today, almost all printed newspapers have online editions. These days, it's a must sort of thing. There should be an online presence or a replica of the edition available online. If not, the edition would simply be regarded as "cheap". High income Nations are keen to have newspapers read online but the printed newspapers are not going to go away soon due to the number of people who have a high preference to read from printed newspapers. Still.

For the question whether Digital Newspapers would replace the printed Newspapers; I would say that there's no definite answer to it at this point of time. However, I think that the scale weighs more on other side; that it's not going to happen anytime sooner.

Why?

I'll try to list down a few reasons I think, It would not happen anytime sooner.

1. Digital Newspapers holds a very small market compared to the market for printed newspapers.

2. Digital Newspapers (or the internet) is considered as a luxury for the larger population of the world. Millions of people live on less than a dollar per day. And it's much cheaper to get a printed newspaper.

3. A Digital Newspaper is not portable! If you are thinking an I-pad or an E- Book reader, it's still expensive for the millions and millions of people out there!

4. The Print Industry or Publishers are very strong businesses and well established; holding the majority of the world's market. It is said that about one-third of publishers in the United States are newspaper publishers!

5. And also, Who wouldn't enjoy reading a printed newspaper with a cup of coffee in their hands! Would you rather read your morning newspaper online, glued to a LED or LCD screen, your eyes start to irritate after sometime or feel the Newspaper texture in your hands and slowly go flipping the pages! :)

6. And the last point, but not the least on the importance of it! An interesting point. Reading a newspaper has a lower impact on global warming than reading the news online for 30 minutes! Click here to see what they said Now I'm not going to go on a debate on that!

Having said all this in favor of the traditional printed newspapers, the problems faced by the publishers is also not to be ignored.

Due to the recession, in recent years, the number of newspapers slated for closure, bankruptcy or severe cutbacks rose very high and the effects of recession is still having a very negative effect on the publishing Industry.

To conclude; The digital newspapers are here to stay. And as for the traditional printed newspapers, they are not going to go away or be replaced by the digital newspapers completely and not anytime sooner!

Sources of reference:
* Wikipedia
* Slash Gear

Seven Social Sins

2010-08-12T09:39:00.027+05:00

A colleague of mine shared this with me today. The "7 Social Sins - Quoted by Mahatma Gandhi in "Young India" 1925. - A weekly journal published in English by Mahatma Gandhi from 1919 to 1932.

I was really moved reading this... Thought I would share this with you all too!

Click here for a brief visual presentation

1. Politics without principles

2. Wealth without work

3. Pleasure without conscience

4. Knowledge without character

5. Commerce without morality

6. Science without humanity

7. Worship without sacrifice

Sources:

http://sharifezzat.com
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.care2.com
3.bp.blogspot.com

Boduberu FTW!

2010-08-10T08:36:00.012+05:00

I had heard there was going to be "Boduberu" at Seahouse cafe' last night. So I went there with a friend of mine. I never liked "Boduberu" that much, but.. thought I would still go there to enjoy the atmosphere, if not the "Boduberu".

For those who don't know what "Boduberu" is: It's a traditional musical performance unique to Maldivians, believed to to have actually originated from Africa with some elements of it coming from Sri Lanka. In Boduberu, it's just the traditional drums plus the vocals. No other musical instruments used. The drum beating is slow at the start, and then gradually, as the song leads to the end, it gets faster and faster.

I had always wondered why people (Maldivians) liked Boduberu so much. Maybe thats because I never liked it! It was sooo boring for me. For me, it was just a bunch of guys singing with no "music" in it!

But last night, all that changed! It was very different from what I had imagined it would be like! It was a very young group unlike the old boduberu groups I'm used to seeing perform. Around 15-20 young men stood there on the stage. The Boduberu Band! There was a leader as usual. He had a drum that came down in front, held from the strap around his neck. Two others also had drums. The rest of the group were singing, clapping or dancing to the beat.

What I liked most was about the group was that they were standing unlike the old traditional way of sitting together on the floor in a bunch. They all were standing together! They were not really wearing the typical traditional clothing. Some of them from the group danced & a few came from the audience. Those guys who danced up there on the stage seemed to be in an ecstatic state! completely "swallowed" by the music! Even one of the drum beaters, I could see that he could hardly open his eyes or move his hands in his ecstatic state! They were like drunk! or worse! hehe

I loved the atmosphere around me! It was wonderful! The crowd was oohing and aahing as the drums rolled and the rhythm of the drum beating got quicker. The Group was given an uproarious approval from the crowd there. It's not that common to see a Maldivian audience applauding a music band so enthusiastically. But this night, it was different. Maybe things are changing? I saw that the crowd really enjoyed themselves; clapping their hands together with the Boduberu band. I was feeling euphoric myself and right there, i felt really proud of myself being a Maldivian! This is not to say I'm not proud being a Maldivian. But It's not that often I feel it or get the chance to feel it!

I realized then, if one single group of young Maldivians performing boduberu could change the whole perspective or view of boduberu for a Maldivian who didn't like it, then there's so much the youth could do to foster other types of traditional & cultural performances or practices for the young generation. Our youth got so much talent to make things happen! And to take Maldivian entertainment to great lengths!

This again, makes me think of all the things the Ministry of Youth or the Ministry related to Youth could do for the Youth. Also, all that the Ministry could have done over the past years!

Let's hope for the best!

Say NO to all Forms of Abuse To Build a Healthy Society

2010-08-05T18:37:00.009+05:00

We all have heard about abuse. And most commonly, its child abuse, abuse of women by their husbands, drug abuse or abuse of authority.

It's rare that people talk about other types of abuses taking place in the society. Everyday, within houses, families, offices, restaurants, cafe's, on the streets, different forms of abuse takes place and is ignored as if it's a norm. Emotional, verbal, psychological, social, financial abuse has become part of our daily lives.

We see waiters being treated like dirt. We see people abusing money with disregard to its value. We see expatriates being pushed away, sometimes making them fall from their bicycles when they are on their way to throw our own garbage. We see girls walking on the streets who cannot reach their destination without getting a comment or two on her clothes or her looks. We see children being 'forced' to study. We see so many forms of abuse in our society.

If we go through the definitions of abuse, according to many sources, Abuse is defined as improper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; perversion. Physical or verbal maltreatment; injury. Sexual assault; violation; rape. An unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime; fault and so on.

All forms of abuse has it's negative effects; psychological effects, long term depression; behavioral changes; attitude problems and the list goes on.

Hence, all forms of abuse must be addressed. Abuse in any form should not be excepted in any society. It's not only one type of abuse that victims requires psychological support or counselling. In almost all types of abuse, psychological support or counselling is required and all forms of abuse has it's negative effects on the society.

For example: If a person (male or female) doesn't like to be called by a certain name and hates it; and when people calls this person by that name, then it would be verbal abuse or verbal harassment. The person might not show signs of psychological depression from the face, but it's a fact that the person would be going through mental depression and could take a toll that would have it's negative effects on the society. Different people get psychologically effected to different degrees.

The point I'm trying to make here is that we shouldn't ignore the realities of the different types of abuse taking place (everyday) in our society & it's negative impacts. It's time we realize that punishing boys with sticks shouldn't be taken as a norm just because they are boys and physically stronger than girls. It needs to be stopped. It's time that threats is recognized as abuse. It's time that bullying is accepted as abuse and schools start teaching students on all forms of abuse. It's time parents teach their children about all forms of abuse. It's time we all realize that we shouldn't give room for abuse to have it's negative effects to foster in the society.

United, we would be able to build a healthy society.

Say NO to all forms of abuse!

Gangster's Paradise

2010-08-03T19:06:00.005+05:00

Maldives, the paradise on earth for millions of people around the world has also become a paradise or haven for gangsters and criminals. A gangster's paradise.

It has come to the point where you can't walk on the streets without fear of being mugged; or becoming a victim of the gangs. You are not sure you can reach home safely after having a cup of coffee with your friends.

Gangs were there even before; but those days, they were controllable under the previous system and you didn't hear of stabbings or killings. However, with the political turmoil between 2001 and 2008, the gangs were used for dirty politics, and they got more powerful with the backing of some powerful people; and thereafter, the gangs could not be controlled.

Let me try to elaborate on this.

The police is doing their job and so is the Judiciary. So what could possibly be wrong?

What I believe where the problem lies is how the constitution was crafted. Due to flaws in the constitution. The MP's in the parliament failed to make laws that support the work of the Police in harmony with the judiciary, to compliment the objective of preventing criminals escaping justice.

While the police make the arrests, the judiciary; the courts is " seen" to order the release of the criminals or "suspects". It's either lack of "strong" evidence or the defending lawyers are too smart in tampering with the constitution as there are loopholes. Hence, the judges are helpless. Corrupt judges is another issue so I won't go into details on that.

What can be done?

As I see it, it's the obligation of the elected government to take all necessary steps to prevent the matter going out of hand, which, infact, already has. The lawmakers need to make new or amend laws as found necessary to ensure that justice is served and criminals are not let on the lose in the society.

To make a safe place for it's people to live and for the visitors too, the MP's need to set aside their differences, whichever party they belong to and work together to find the right solution to this crisis.

As I understand, there are bills, already submitted and without further delay, these bills need to be passed urgently.

I hope that, before too many young people die and before it has very negative effects on tourism, all that's necessary will be done by all relevant parties to prevent this nation becoming a paradise for gangsters and criminals and put a stop to the "reproduction" of gangs, once and for all.

Ofcourse, much can be done apart from the proper laws in place. Life skills incorporated into the education system, more awareness programs, establishing of rehab centres, good parenting, and so much more.

Where there is no rule of law, progressive development is impossible and social disharmony imminent.

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A fresh start

2010-08-01T12:18:00.013+05:00

Here's a fresh start to my blogging.

That's right! I did blog sometime back. But it was way back in 2007 and 2008 and It had a different title. The blog posts, mainly on Maldivian politics.

This year, thought I would have a fresh start with a different touch to it with new content.

With this blog, I hope to express my views on the Maldivian society, it's social issues, politics, and all that. Also, I hope to share my photography plus some of my other interests as well. I also intend to share all sorts of news from the globe: Current affairs, science, new discoveries, Tech news etc etc.

Pls do visit sometimes. Hope you'll enjoy visiting this blog. :)

Cheers!