The entire Syria celebrated Eid on Sunday, except 20 odd Indians. We were denied a chance to enjoy the much deserved holidays by the management of Petrofac. Interestingly, the managers who decided the things this way, have enjoyed their holidays along with their near and dear. This is not the first time managers act indifferently like this. Last time when I was in Qatar, the management did never declare a holiday for Eid. We went to site only to see that no one has turned up. Many of the firms in the Arab world do this, out of sheer insensitivity towards their employees. Work is important, but an escape from the stressful routine is also important. Many manages turn a blind eye to this. This is a must for them to earn foreign trips and fat bonuses.
The management wants the project to be completed, come Eid or Bakrid. They are right in thinking so, because, in the project parlance, time is the essence of the contract. Still, no heavens would have collapsed if these 20 hapless souls were allowed to have some fun. After all they too have emotions, you know?
The bustling work site wore a deserted look in the midst of a desert. Hardly 10 people turned up to work and there were 20 engineers to supervise the job. And the output? Perhaps a naught. The workers would have had good overtime payment. That is the summary of the essence of managerial discretions. But, ultimately boss is right.
We had big plans for a visit to some historic places in Syria. Syria has a rich history. This is a country ruled by various European entities. There are castles, mummies, architectural marvels and monuments of the past to see. Thanks to European presence, there are several pockets of Christian population in Syria. Though they keep a low profile as a minority, we can see many of them decorating high positions here. Names like Ilyas and Habib are common among Christians.
Luckily, once I could visit one place called Palmyra after reaching here. Palmyra is an ancient city ruled by Roman rulers. This place was in the eye of attraction for the European countries as it lies on the silk route. There stands a dilapidated ancient city at the backdrop of a modern one. We will realize human apathy has no parallel if we look at the way this ruined city is maintained by the present day care takers. The pictures of the remnants of a supposedly great civilization were shared with you by me a few weeks back. Hope all of you saw them. The scene at this historic place is quiet disturbing. There is a road passing through this location that connects the modern Palmyra city to other cities like Damascus and Deir Ezzor. This road just runs through the middle of the town.
Everyone who passes by this place can have a passive look at the broken structures. Many people get down there for a photo op. Nothing beyond that. The pillars are broken into pieces, roof collapsed and structures in great danger of falling down anytime. Thankfully, the authorities have made the road rough, to prevent the vehicles from running fast. Imagine, tipper lorries were allowed to run! To know more about Palmyra, please click http://www.sacred-destinations.com/syria/palmyra.htm
We spent our time in the office in the company of excruciatingly unsteady internet the whole day. We were served in the mess the usual delicacies like daal sabji. Nothing unusual happened. Perhaps, management ensured that nothing unusual would happen in the mess too!
After the celebration, people will start pouring in from tomorrow. Things will go back to normal. The grind will resume. Black goggles and the hard hat will be in place. Cigarettes and work from dawn to dusk will be back. The rest of the high voltage drama will be enacted on the “silver screen”
The management wants the project to be completed, come Eid or Bakrid. They are right in thinking so, because, in the project parlance, time is the essence of the contract. Still, no heavens would have collapsed if these 20 hapless souls were allowed to have some fun. After all they too have emotions, you know?
The bustling work site wore a deserted look in the midst of a desert. Hardly 10 people turned up to work and there were 20 engineers to supervise the job. And the output? Perhaps a naught. The workers would have had good overtime payment. That is the summary of the essence of managerial discretions. But, ultimately boss is right.
We had big plans for a visit to some historic places in Syria. Syria has a rich history. This is a country ruled by various European entities. There are castles, mummies, architectural marvels and monuments of the past to see. Thanks to European presence, there are several pockets of Christian population in Syria. Though they keep a low profile as a minority, we can see many of them decorating high positions here. Names like Ilyas and Habib are common among Christians.
Luckily, once I could visit one place called Palmyra after reaching here. Palmyra is an ancient city ruled by Roman rulers. This place was in the eye of attraction for the European countries as it lies on the silk route. There stands a dilapidated ancient city at the backdrop of a modern one. We will realize human apathy has no parallel if we look at the way this ruined city is maintained by the present day care takers. The pictures of the remnants of a supposedly great civilization were shared with you by me a few weeks back. Hope all of you saw them. The scene at this historic place is quiet disturbing. There is a road passing through this location that connects the modern Palmyra city to other cities like Damascus and Deir Ezzor. This road just runs through the middle of the town.
Everyone who passes by this place can have a passive look at the broken structures. Many people get down there for a photo op. Nothing beyond that. The pillars are broken into pieces, roof collapsed and structures in great danger of falling down anytime. Thankfully, the authorities have made the road rough, to prevent the vehicles from running fast. Imagine, tipper lorries were allowed to run! To know more about Palmyra, please click http://www.sacred-destinations.com/syria/palmyra.htm
We spent our time in the office in the company of excruciatingly unsteady internet the whole day. We were served in the mess the usual delicacies like daal sabji. Nothing unusual happened. Perhaps, management ensured that nothing unusual would happen in the mess too!
After the celebration, people will start pouring in from tomorrow. Things will go back to normal. The grind will resume. Black goggles and the hard hat will be in place. Cigarettes and work from dawn to dusk will be back. The rest of the high voltage drama will be enacted on the “silver screen”
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