Long time .. No See

Hi Guys. I am back again from my voluntary exile from Blogging. It has been quite some time since I posted any Blog. In between I had two tours to make. One to my mother land India for two weeks and another one to UAE for a week. Both the tours were very hectic, especially India, where I fell sick for few days.

Every time I visit India, even if it is within a gap of 3 months, I witness lot of change. I am still astonished by the way the youth throw their money around. We, as NRIs are hesitant to spend much, probably realizing the economic situation (ours and the global) plus putting a value to our hard earned money. I wonder when the youth will get into the habit of saving something for tomorrow.

Chennai is still buzzing with crowds in prominent shopping areas, showing immunity to the economic downturn. So is the soaring food prices which forces a relook at the way the Inflation is calculated. In my rough estimate, the food prices have gone up, on average, by atleast 10% in the recent past. Common man would wonder how the economists claim a negative inflation.

May be I am wrong, the Bars may be crowded because people try to burry their problems by drinking, the Jewelry shops may be crowded because people try to buy now expecting a price increase in the future. Whatever may be the case, the vendors keep increasing the price without sacrificing their margin and the crazy public are ready to buy as if there is no tomorrow.

Amidst all these, the purpose of my visit to India was accomplished and in fact, quite well, which is, performing the ceremony of my father and ceremony of my Pitrus. In addition to this I squeezed a day to perform several HOMAMS for the well being of my family.

For the Growth to sustain, in India, the Youth will have to start saving or else the Bankers are going to end up lending more in the future.

As for UAE, what can I say. Though I lived there for almost 3 years till Jan 2008, I saw a different UAE now. It was close to what I witnessed in 1997. I think that sums it all. Most of the Shopping Malls were busy catering the tourist while the locals were hunting for bargain deals trying to squeeze more value for their money.

The flow of negative energy is very high, with whomever I spoke to, in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The sense of Job insecurity and their financial commitments puts their life in lot of stress. Having said that, most of these people were from the Real Estate and Construction related Industries. I met quite a few IT guys who seem to be reasonably happy as their jobs are still safe.

One shocking thing I noticed this time, was that many people, especially in the IT field, are trying to make money freelancing, a thought which was a taboo until recently. Normally people working in the Gulf stick on to their respective Jobs and hardly have enough time to spend at home. Moreover, in many countries and companies, it is a no-no to work any where outside. With the current economic crisis in UAE, flexi timings have made this proposition, irresistible. Ethically, I do not encourage people taking up freelance jobs, while the same can be routed to their respective companies and billed by the company (If the company is in the same field). People might have different opinion on this.

My only concern now is the chances of corruption flowing into the work culture. Tight financial and economic situation would tempt staff to ask for cut-backs from vendors recommended by them. I have heard a few such cases amongst my known circles. I also have some friends who are into Trading and providing services (not IT related) and they are willing to pay their way in.

Observation: Indian Public – yet to learn from the economic downturn, UAE Residents – Plotting to survive.