In olden times Historians basically express the views of the rulers. Even if it was bad and cruel, the historians justified as they had to survive in the kingdom.
However, with the freedom given by whatsapp, blogs and multiple media electronic outlets, the versions of history has become too many to really understand what is correct and what is fake. Thus while olden times had one narrow view of history, currently we have a kaleidoscope of history and each one looks from his perspective.
I want to write about Corona and the current times. I am no historian but looking at from the day to day lives of living currently in Kuwait, though an Indian citizenship holder.
Since March 14, when Kuwait declared and banned flights and imposed restrictions as the covid cases started increasing, life has been difficult but not too difficult. I am speaking from the generally salaried class. Salaries have been cut from 10-65% in companies, making it a survival without saving salary. Rents, except for few humane kuwaitis have not been reduced and the rent which constituted around 25-30% before salary cut , now constitutes 50-60% of salary.
I know people like drivers (cars and taxis have been banned from opening), barbers,mechanics (saloons, car repair shops have been banned from opening), waiters and small time labors( restaurants and other shops, except for grocery or cooperative like govt, or lulu or city center have been closed) are finding it far more difficult as their earning is based on daily income and do not have balances in bank to fall back upon. There are some good Samaritans who give some money or food items to a few of the known people to fall back upon these times, but all are not fortunate to receive it.
The covid-19 has also exposed the visa trafficking and brought immense problems for the expats who purchased the visa and now have no jobs as everything is closed. Kuwait govt. has, given the situation, given an amnesty and allowing free accommodation and food and travel to their home country. But many countries airports are closed and thus they are stuck here. Hopefully, in the next 15 days by May 15, things will start improving and some restrictions reduced.
Timings in office is also short as curfew time which was initially 5 pm to 4 Am has been tweaked to now 4 PM to 6AM and now 8AM. With Ramadan, this leaves little time for shopping except on weekends.
One of the biggest issue is the select medicines for expats. As the select medicines are not available for expats in hospitals, getting critical medicine is a huge issue. The same medicine that costs 30KD a month in India costs 1250KD in Kuwait, making it difficult for expats to buy here. Normally, they bring their medicine quota from India by themselves or friends coming from there. Now that option is stopped. Even the courier does not bring it. Kuwait govt. should at least provide some medicine till such time the issue is resolved or allow courier companies to bring them from India. Not everyone can get a really generous Kuwaiti owner like Mr. Fouad Alghanim who has assisted in getting the costly medicines.
Life otherwise is very uncertain about when things will become normal and when the financial situation will improve. Oil prices have also fallen a lot and strains the financials of the kuwait govt. This will have an impact on new projects and costs reduction which will impact on the salaries of staff. Many expats, particularly Indians, are looking to go back as the savings are evaporating and any medical costs here will be exorbitant for them to bear.
It is 2nd May today and things are expected to continue with lock downs till the end of month. One is not sure if there is going to be a relaxation after that. Most distressing in the world is near and dear one dying but close friends and relatives not able to go to the funerals due to lock down. Cases of parents dying, children dying in different cities/countries and the close relative like children or parents in another country and not able to go and console.
Zoom app has become the most popular for interactions with 30 or more people at same time. Being extensively used by schools, business meets etc. Concern is that it being a Chinese app and all data being doctored by china raises serious security and data privacy issue.
This brings to the issue of is China doing this to become the next super power replacing USA. At least USA had a semblance of democracy which Trump is destroying, but at least it exists. With China there is no democracy and all are monitored through camera, social media, GPS and thus puppets in the regime of China. You can disappear any time. If china becomes a super power, GOD help as they will grab economically (like loans to Malaysia, Burma, lanka, Pakistan, and so many african countries) or physically like the south china sea.
Only time will tell by 2021 who is the next super power. Many theories are floating like China new about this and ramped up production of ventilators and masks and other disinfectants which the world is buying in huge lots at a good price from them. People talk of moving business out of China to places like India or other south east asian countries. But innovation, disciplined and dedicated staff and with poor labor laws and making it cheaply are some of the factors business (which is already down)leaders will think when shifting from China.
However, with the freedom given by whatsapp, blogs and multiple media electronic outlets, the versions of history has become too many to really understand what is correct and what is fake. Thus while olden times had one narrow view of history, currently we have a kaleidoscope of history and each one looks from his perspective.
I want to write about Corona and the current times. I am no historian but looking at from the day to day lives of living currently in Kuwait, though an Indian citizenship holder.
Since March 14, when Kuwait declared and banned flights and imposed restrictions as the covid cases started increasing, life has been difficult but not too difficult. I am speaking from the generally salaried class. Salaries have been cut from 10-65% in companies, making it a survival without saving salary. Rents, except for few humane kuwaitis have not been reduced and the rent which constituted around 25-30% before salary cut , now constitutes 50-60% of salary.
I know people like drivers (cars and taxis have been banned from opening), barbers,mechanics (saloons, car repair shops have been banned from opening), waiters and small time labors( restaurants and other shops, except for grocery or cooperative like govt, or lulu or city center have been closed) are finding it far more difficult as their earning is based on daily income and do not have balances in bank to fall back upon. There are some good Samaritans who give some money or food items to a few of the known people to fall back upon these times, but all are not fortunate to receive it.
The covid-19 has also exposed the visa trafficking and brought immense problems for the expats who purchased the visa and now have no jobs as everything is closed. Kuwait govt. has, given the situation, given an amnesty and allowing free accommodation and food and travel to their home country. But many countries airports are closed and thus they are stuck here. Hopefully, in the next 15 days by May 15, things will start improving and some restrictions reduced.
Timings in office is also short as curfew time which was initially 5 pm to 4 Am has been tweaked to now 4 PM to 6AM and now 8AM. With Ramadan, this leaves little time for shopping except on weekends.
One of the biggest issue is the select medicines for expats. As the select medicines are not available for expats in hospitals, getting critical medicine is a huge issue. The same medicine that costs 30KD a month in India costs 1250KD in Kuwait, making it difficult for expats to buy here. Normally, they bring their medicine quota from India by themselves or friends coming from there. Now that option is stopped. Even the courier does not bring it. Kuwait govt. should at least provide some medicine till such time the issue is resolved or allow courier companies to bring them from India. Not everyone can get a really generous Kuwaiti owner like Mr. Fouad Alghanim who has assisted in getting the costly medicines.
Life otherwise is very uncertain about when things will become normal and when the financial situation will improve. Oil prices have also fallen a lot and strains the financials of the kuwait govt. This will have an impact on new projects and costs reduction which will impact on the salaries of staff. Many expats, particularly Indians, are looking to go back as the savings are evaporating and any medical costs here will be exorbitant for them to bear.
It is 2nd May today and things are expected to continue with lock downs till the end of month. One is not sure if there is going to be a relaxation after that. Most distressing in the world is near and dear one dying but close friends and relatives not able to go to the funerals due to lock down. Cases of parents dying, children dying in different cities/countries and the close relative like children or parents in another country and not able to go and console.
Zoom app has become the most popular for interactions with 30 or more people at same time. Being extensively used by schools, business meets etc. Concern is that it being a Chinese app and all data being doctored by china raises serious security and data privacy issue.
This brings to the issue of is China doing this to become the next super power replacing USA. At least USA had a semblance of democracy which Trump is destroying, but at least it exists. With China there is no democracy and all are monitored through camera, social media, GPS and thus puppets in the regime of China. You can disappear any time. If china becomes a super power, GOD help as they will grab economically (like loans to Malaysia, Burma, lanka, Pakistan, and so many african countries) or physically like the south china sea.
Only time will tell by 2021 who is the next super power. Many theories are floating like China new about this and ramped up production of ventilators and masks and other disinfectants which the world is buying in huge lots at a good price from them. People talk of moving business out of China to places like India or other south east asian countries. But innovation, disciplined and dedicated staff and with poor labor laws and making it cheaply are some of the factors business (which is already down)leaders will think when shifting from China.
