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The legend of Oman

MUSCAT — When the legend of a country is taking shape, everything happening there will count. While people, places, culture, tradition and values could be the most important chapters in the story, it’s the triumph of good over bad in daily life that would determine the image of a nation. When people say the Sultanate is a sanctuary of peace and security, they don’t say this without reason. They experience this first and then form an opinion. Peace, progress and security cannot be ensured without being agile and efficient. Only a timely action, or reaction, would result in sustainable order in society.

Take this incident for instance.

The above substation in the Wadi Adai Grid station, next to Hattat House and Shell filling station, caught fire on Tuesday, January 20 at around 3.30pm. The ensuing explosion was so powerful that it shook the buildings and blacked out all of the surrounding area. The fire intensified as the rubber burnt and the metal melted. Within minutes the flames could be seen reaching as high as 40 feet into the air.

According to those living and doing business close by, the reason was probably shortcircuiting of wires, though the grid station officials could not be contacted for details.

“I did not see it myself but my friends told me it was handled quite efficiently by the firefighting authorities, Thank God there is no damage to life and property,” Said Nasser, an Omani national living in Al Amerat, told Times of Oman, standing outside the grid station.

“Putting out the fire and restoring power so quickly was really smart,” enthused a resident of Hattat House.

It was quite scary until the firefighting unit arrived within minutes. Within no time the fire was brought under control.

In a remarkable proof of agility and efficiency, they not only reached the scene in no time but also put out the fire quickly. The electricity was restored to the nearby commercial area at around 6pm and to the adjacent residential area a few hours later.

How’s that?

Don’t be stumped, the legend of Oman has many more tales to tell.

In some countries, a fire of this magnitude would have resulted in considerable loss of life and property. A complete blackout of at least that area for a few days was certain to follow.

None of that happened here. Hats off to those who work tirelessly to ensure the system runs smoothly and people live in complete peace and harmony. The indomitable human spirit has almost always had the last laugh here.

To all the tourists in town: When you go back home having seen a haven of peace and security, don’t forget to add another adjective to the legend of Oman: Efficiency.