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Eager for a happy, healthy and hopeful 2009

MUSCAT — As we say goodbye to 2008, and welcome the New Year, we are struck by the thrilling prospectus of an exciting year ahead and the spectre of challenges carried over from the previous one. Residents and citizens of Oman speak about their expectations and aspirations for 2009.

Hritik A. Khimji, director, Khimji Ramdas: “I hope the current economic situation improves and that the overall situation in the world improves with peace. The economic meltdown has been a learning curve for us all, and I hope we can all work together and move forward. Steady growth and lesser speculation are necessary. On a humanitarian level, I feel that education and mental stability are very important to combat terrorism. The youth today is our future. I hope and pray that we learn from all our past mistakes and ensure a brighter and stable future.”

Ross Cormack, CEO, Nawras: Nawras has had such a great year, beginning 2008 as Middle East Mobile Operator of the Year and finishing by being named the most popular telecom brand in Oman with 45 per cent market share. This customer-friendly company completed its first year of being the only 3G+ provider in the Sultanate and recently the first new brand, designed specifically for youth, was introduced through the launch of Shababiah, powered by Nawras. With 2009 here, we confidently look forward to another exciting year serving the people of Oman as we continue to build on the success in our mobile telecommunications and begin to unveil our pleasingly different fixed line offerings. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the Sultanate a very happy New Year”.

Yousuf Ahmed Al Balushi: My wish in 2009 is for peace in the world and my country. I also wish for good health for my family and His Majesty. I am looking to start my Ph.D soon and seek a new job.

Saloni Suri, senior account manager, Asdaa: I shall continue to maintain a positive outlook in life in the coming year. I anticipate a few challenges along the way but none which cannot be dealt with sincerity and dedication in intent and purpose. I hope peace in the region continues in times of economic and financial downturn. Environmental concerns such as climate change and seeking alternative sources of energy are my main concern and I hope to be able to do my bit towards energy conservation in the coming year.

Abdulla Al Abdul Salaam, chairman, Eight Services LLC: My expectations for 2009 are that the banks would have learned a lesson from the slapping they got in 2008. Instead of putting all their eggs in one basket by lending thousands, if not millions to a clique of a circle to speculate in real estates and shares, in 2009 they would be wiser and socially right by lending more to our youth and new graduates to start new small businesses and homes. I aspire to convince more of my friends and family that the lack of charitable attitudes and charity work in our societies is not due to lack of funds but rather lack of will to do so. The losses on our stock markets that at times were in billions-a-day prove that there is money around but people prefer to pile it rather than be charitable.

Sameer Kukreja, manager, Zahara Holidays: I expect global peace and well-being in 2009, I think that is what is the major need at this time.

P. Chandrasekhr, group general manager, Jawad Sultan Group of Companies: The year 2009 appears to be more challenging than ever since most of the current generation had not witnessed the Great Depression of 1930s, which the US faced. The financial and monetary systems will undergo a major overhaul and so also the regulatory mechanisms that will operate to thwart such ghastly repeat

While I aspire for the good times once again I do feel that all this will happen only gradually if decisive steps are taken in the right direction. Many nations have lost tremendously because of the financial meltdown and we must draw lessons from the fact that henceforth, it will be multipolar world with the influence of the US gradually eroding. The focus will now shift to the BRIC (Brazil, India and China) more increasingly than ever. The financial mess and its aftermath have left such deep scars that it will enable nations to do an introspection on their policies and not run after the West to solve their problems.

Stronger institutional mechanisms are a must to thwart a repeat of this mess. My aspirations are:

1. US must adopt a global view and learn to recognise the aspirations/objectives of various nations.

2. Speedy resolution of the Middle East conflict so that all the legitimate rights of Palestine get due recognition.

3. Stronger UN with solid systems to resolve world conflicts through collective means rather than relying on the Security Council to resolve all the conflicts, which in many cases, the private agenda of some of the nations had taken precedence.

4. Peace in the subcontinent and in the Middle East: They are on a stronger wicket notwithstanding the declining oil prices. This is because it has become an important centre of capital formation and hence, diplomacy and politicking will assume great significance. There will be a greater clamour amongst the nations to vie for the capital pie. The AGCC to my mind will be able to play a catalyst’s role between the east and the west and address problems of greater magnitude, through this leveraging tool.

I see peace for nations will be harbinger of prosperity and serene times. Let’s hope 2009 ushers in these.

Bhuvana Sankar, Higher College of Technology, Muscat: At the outset, let me thank God for having given a great 2008! I expect 2009 to be peaceful for everyone in this world. Let people forget their anger and grudge against each other. Let there be peace and harmony. Let people be united and let everyone lead a happy life. Again in 2009, I would like to be a good human being, liked and loved by everyone. I wish that my family members would continue to give their support so that I’m able to perform my multi-role efficiently. At work, being a teacher, I would love to give my maximum to the students. I feel doubly happy when the students appreciate my effort.

Jane Jaffer, author and counsellor: In 2009, I hope that the world leaders will do more to bring warring factions to the dialogue table. War and terrorism only lead to more hatred and violence. I am optimistic about the future. We are coming to the end of a difficult decade. The world is improving! But we desperately need to deal with the huge environmental threat of global warming. I hope we will all start working together on these issues in 2009. As we can really only change ourselves, my personal goal for the new year is to do something worthwhile and really make a difference to other people’s lives.

J.K. Arora, principal, Indian School, Sohar: We Indians, who have made Oman their second home, wish our host country and its people happiness and prosperity in 2009. The credit for the development and progress of Oman in the last 30 years can be given to its able leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. With the farsightedness of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and growing confidence and optimism of the Omani people, the country is on the path of progress and modernity in the 21st century. We expect further strengthening of ties between Oman and India in 2009 and always. Oman is an oil-rich country, but it has to look to alternative means of economic development as well. We hope in 2009 and years to come Oman will further progress in education for both men and women qualitatively as well as quantitatively; more tourism facilities; tapping alternative sources of energy; care of environment; agriculture; friendly relations with other nations; etc. Long live Oman! Long live His Majesty the Sultan.

Antje Manser, artist: I don’t have expectations. “I go with the flow” which is also a title of my artwork because at the end everything falls in place. I also quote my favourite poet Hermann Hesse (German), “in all beginnings dwells a magic force for guarding us and helping us to live...”

Nelson D’Silva, general manager, Bin Salim Enterprises: We live in a country that is blessed and we have so far been shielded from the upheavals experienced by the rest of the world. It is, therefore, essential for us to pray for those who are suffering from the impact of the economic slowdown and the political unrest and hope that the year 2009 will usher our troubled world into a phase of peace and economic growth. May good sense prevail and love conquer hate!

David and Helen Evans, haircare specialist: We look forward to the New Year as the start of another great adventure. We fully intend to ignore all the doom and gloom on the news and as always we will put our energy into encouraging health, happiness and peace. Businesswise we hope to have many trips to the Gulf promoting our health care products.

Shema Ranjay, manager, PR, ADINC: 2009 for me will be a year to introspect and look at life from a new angle. I plan to multi-task to achieve certain personal fulfillments while working towards my professional goals.

As related by our respondents, there is hope that out of the old year, 2008, a fresh breath of air will blow in to join the new one. Cheers to a happy, healthy and hopeful 2009.