Oman National Day

Oman has a grandiose history. However, what is most relevant for the world to sit up and notice about, is what Oman has achieved since the 1970s.

In 1970, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos  Bin Said acceded to the throne, the growth in industry and infrastructure since then has been radical. In the 1960s, the same households that lived without electricity, roads and used water out of Falaj streams, had them all inclusive of free education and medical help by the end of the 1970s. By the early 1990s, the worst nightmare for an Omani is the AC not working, a necessity that did not exist just a few decades earlier.

How many of you have a picture in the Corniche back then and now?

Oratory and harangues by political leaders have either been cliché and archived to the ash heap of history and viral twitter humor or have been phenomenal and erudite, setting vision about the path of progress and inspiring listeners with an unrelenting hold encouraging them to action . Like PM Narendra Modi, President Barrack Obama to King George VI, HM Sultan Qaboos maintains this oratory ritual of delivering speeches every National Day ever since the first historical speech on July 23rd 1970  (which is often referenced by Omanis about the "new Oman").

With over 4 decades of Renaissance, Oman has put in place a world-class infrastructure in terms of roads, flyovers, hospitals, schools, universities, ports, airports, industrial estates, transport and communication and continues its march towards all-round development.

Oman is still in its early stages of setting up railway system.  Muscat International and Salalah International Airport including three regional airports are under development and several projects specifically leisure resorts, golf courses and hotels are planned / underway to boost the tourism sector.  Concentration on human resource development continues to be the base of sustainable development policies adopted by the Sultanate. Huge attention is being paid towards the welfare and development of citizens considering the basic role to be played by them as a resource in the continuing development of the Sultanate.

As we all enjoy the long weekend, city light up in decorations and fireworks this 44th National Day,  we wish His Majesty and everyone in Oman with peace, health, prosperity and success.

Read more at www.omanforamericans.wordpress.com

No More Excuses - by Vidya Ramaswamy

It’s that time of the year in Oman, when we can no longer hide behind our favourite excuse to avoid being outdoors. “But it’s too hot outside! Inshallah next month.” Well you better believe it, that month is here. It’s October, folks and soon the land of sun and sand will pretty much become the land of just sand (well not quite, but you know what I mean).

I’m sure that we have spent enough time in the air-conditioned shopping malls, the air-conditioned cinemas, the air-conditioned homes, the air-conditioned offices, not to mention the air-conditioned cars that take us to and fro. Our bodies must be starved for some much-needed fresh air, and there’s no better time to get loads of it.

“But everything is so far away!” What’s that? Is that another excuse I hear? When’s the last time you took a stroll down the Muscat Corniche? How about just lying down on the grassy areas along Shatti beach? Speaking of beaches, we are lucky to be surrounded by such clean, wonderful beaches. I don’t know about you, but I love the feeling of cold sand under my feet. It’s almost sort of therapeutic.

Of course, for the more adventurous, there are plenty of wadis and canyons and villages that need exploring. Sometimes, you don’t really even need a destination to get to. Find a nice secluded spot in the middle of the mountains, and camp there for a night. Tell me that watching shooting stars zoom by in the clear night sky doesn’t make you feel like a 5 year old again. However, when you’re leaving city limits, please only venture out in groups. It’s just safer that way.

“But all my friends are lazy. Where do I find people to get out of town with?” Aha! Nice try, you almost got me there. Guess what? You’re at the right place. All you need to do is…

MWCIF people who want to get out and enjoy the glorious Muscat winter with me?

… and watch the responses flow in!


Vidya is a member of the community Writing Team for Muscat - Where Can I Find.  Her email address vids249@gmail.com.