Life does has its meaning!

Did you ever felt "what the hell this life is for?" . Did you ever felt that "Is my life meaningful?". Did you ever felt "Is it worth living this life?".Did you ever felt "Do I have to live this meaningless life?". I have encountered these kind of situations so many times, until Aug 28,2010. It's a Saturday and it was a working day for me since I have been deputed to work at one of my clients place SAMBA based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Things went as usual until evening. After a hectic day I went to my room and joined with my friends to watch a movie on S-pix. The movie name is "Om Shanthi Om" where most of you might have watched already due to its start casts. It went good but when I finished watching the movie I had a very different feeling , say a kind of pain or something. The feel is strong and I couldn't control few tears too. I couldn't say “what is it for, why so, am I missing something” .. I don't know.

I didn't took my dinner too. I didn’t get sleep too. So again .. decided for a movie. Here I have to tell you guys something. After reaching KSA for my deputation, due to restricted access to funs, entertainments I got habituated for download the worst movies of Hollywood history and started watching it (since I have almost completed the IMDB good movies list though). There I had a movie called "As Good As it Gets". Don't know how it came in that path, but I started watching it.

The movie started slowly and when it goes on, I got lost in it. I am enjoying the movie and laughing like a mad person. Its all because I could relate it to a person in my real life. I have thought many times that the person is useless, doesn’t have any goals, remarkable things done. But believe me, the things I was up to that.. the movie has jus changed me. Even a stupid , ruthless person (What I thought, but I’m really sorry for it now) could make such an impact. May be its not he wanted to
be..But he could make such huge impacts in other lives. Simply , that’s the one which induced me to write this post.

From that moment I started thinking, actually started believing myself. I, Me, Myself would have also created some impression?! I don't bother now either I have done it or not. But I have started believing myself. The best way of living a meaningful life is, "Be As you Are". Never change it for anyone except if you feel that person is worth giving up everything. Be as reasonable as possible to you.

Some day, when you turn back.. U should feel that you have lived a good life so far. Never missed the joy of life. If some other person looks back his/her life, the person should remember you. The impact should be there. That’s creates a lots of meaning.

Note: Guys, I am not good writer, also this is just my idea. I have tried my best to put it on blog. Your comments and ideas are most welcome. If you like to share something that will be useful to many.

Living in Saudi Vs India

If you are a non-muslim, if you doesn't know arabic its quite difficult to survive here in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (AKA) KSA .Atleast you should know Hindi. Here 95 percent of people doesnt speak english / doesnt know english. So better be prepared for the language first,also for the change in week ends. Our week starts on Monday and ends on friday, but here its from Saturday to Wednesday. That makes your weekend as Thursday and Friday where as from normal Saturday and Sunday.

Here living expenses are considarbly good (Except the mobile services!! its too costly over here, you need to spend min 1 SR per min). You can live a good life with
1000 - 1400 SR. My sincere advise for you is better learn cooking before you come here. Because whom ever I knew over here are cooking themselves. Its the best way to
save money, though the restaurants costs you the same of our cities, we should remeber the only reason here we are for make some money!

In saudi there are so many super markets (they call it as hyper markets) where you can get all the groceries you need. They have computers to slippers in that place.
For the country people,We say it in Tamil as "Mannin Mayintharkaluku"!! You can see so many Indians out here. Not only Indians,people from Pakistan,Bangladesh and also
lankans and Philiphines. In short you can see most of the south east Asia people out here who's country's economy are not as good as UAE, KSA. We have separate area's
for differnt people's too. Like one of the Riyadh's (KSA Captiol is Riyadh) happening place like Baddah has differnt areas for Tamil,mallu restaurants. You can feel that you are in your home land when you enter those places. You don feel like you are in a Muslim country that too way away from your Native.

We have to remember to maintain our activities with our limits. This country is too sensitive. They follow all the rules as per King. That too a religious Muslim country, which has Medhina,Mekka you have to respect their customs. As our MNC's like TCS say, each and everyone of the employees is a Brand ambassidor. The same way,
here each and every citizen of KSA is a represntative, brand ambassdor of the country. They have all the rights to enquire you, search you if they feel. So better be respect all and keep things right.

Also know about the Ramadan period. In Ramadan month you wont see any one working for more than 6 hours. Banks, IT firms everything will be from morning 9.30 AM to
3.30 PM only. We don't get food , water at this time. No shops will be opened, no restaurants nothing.Food stalls and malls will become functional only after 9.30 PM.
So if you are not preparing food at home, be prepared for the fasting at Ramadan period. Lol

As I said earlier, this country is too sensitive. Each and every citizen of KSA has the rights to bust you out if they found you misbhehaving. No bird watching, No
boozing (also, they are not available here).The police here wont be nice to you since you are a foreginer, moreover they will be even more strict. Remember, if you
caught and thrown into prison it's very tough to come out. You wouldn't be allowed to contact outside. Better learn the rules, respect it and don't get into trouble.

Only god can help you out. May be you can read the below thread if you want to know more info.
http://speaktoshadow.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-experience-in-saudi.html

The sad thing about this Artical:

I have been keep on telling KSA is like this, rules are very strict, you have to obey them, respect the culture etc. Did I ever thought about those when I am in India? Do we?

A best example I can tell you.

This is about a business man (A big shot) in India. He use to take his dog for morning walk every day. On this time he makes sures that his dog finshes its natural calls by there, on the road. But the same guy, when he went to USA , who took the dog for a walk ensures that it completes the activities in home itself.

Its all because our mentality has changed all over the time due to laws that are not capable of shapping us. To be put in other words it has lead us to grow in a uncultured manner. If you are not accepting this fact, leave here a one good reason on the comment section. The laws are strict in USA, and it doesnt care about whom, so
the business guy does makes sures he is following the rules. Because he knows that rules are not like in India.

Guys..Don you think its high time to think? Also ..

http://speaktoshadow.blogspot.com/2010/05/mera-bharat-mahaan.html

Few things you might think off possibly .

என்றும் உன் நினைவுகள்..என்ன செய்வேன் நான்!!

உன்னை மறக்க நினைக்கும் இந்த மனதுக்கு தெரியவில்லை..
அது உன்னை நினைக்க வைக்கும் நினைவுகளே என்று..

எழுதும் என் கைகளுக்கு தெரியாது..
என்னவளுக்கு இது புரியாதென்று..

கவிதையாய் குரைக்கும் என்னினைவுகளுக்கு தெரியாது...
என் கவிதையே நீதான் என்று என்னவளுக்கு சொல்ல...

என் பேட்ச்சை கேட்காத என் மனதுக்கு எப்படி புரியவைப்பேன்..
என்னவள் என்றும் எனக்கில்லை என்று?

என் புத்திக்கு மட்டும் எட்டிய சில விசயங்கள்,
என் மனதுக்கு எட்டாமல் போனதேன்....?

என்றும் பசாமாய் இருக்கும் என் பெட்றொரை விட
தன்னை விட என்னை நேசிக்கும் என் தங்கையை விட
தோள் கொடுக்கும் என் தோழர்களை விட
அதன் உயிர்கும் மேலாய் பாசம் காட்டும் என் நாய் குட்டியை விட
தம்மை விட தன்னுடைய வம்சாவழிகள் மரியாதையுடன் இருக்க
உழைத்த என் முன்னோர்களை விட
என் கண்ணை விட மேலான என் மண்ணை விட
என் தாயினும் மேலாக மதித்த என் தாய்த்திரு நாட்டைவிட..
இவள் மட்டும் என்ன செய்தால் என்னை..
இவளுக்காக எல்லோரையும் விட்டு ஒட துனிந்தேனெ கடல் கடந்து...

கடல் கடந்தும் என் கண்னே..உன் நினைவுகள் மட்டும் அழியவில்லையடி..
என் கட்டை வேகும் வரை உன் கவிதை நினைவுகள் வாழுமடி...

இவன்,
..கிறுக்கன்(Dumbo)

My Experience in Saudi

My fellow Indians, if you got a soft nature, much respect to our mother India , and you respect yourself for being an Indian .. Pls don read this.

My KSA assignment started like this..!!

I got an offer for a reputed bank in KSA - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ( Please note I will follow KSA here after) through a consultancy from India. The package is good where I will be paid almost 1.5 lac per month and the company will provide me with fully furnished accommodation and transportation. I was thrilled to take the offer and I did!!

I have quit my previous company where I worked for 3.6 years. Its an IT giant in India, also in world market and I was working for its Client, a sister concern. So many requests, mails , All the bests from my colleagues and from my clients .With all those my last working day over there was 14 th of July 2010.

The Consultancy which hired me for the KSA assignment wanted me to Join immediately. I joined on 21 st of July 2010 as my offer letter said that the offer wont be valid only till on or before 21 st July 2010. So I joined, but as they promised they have given me a paid vacation so that I visit my family before I leave for KSA.

My planned travel date was 26 th of July 2010 (sadly it was only 2 days where I can be with family since I have to come back from home town and prepare my packing,finish purchase etc- (My friends are really great, everyone took responsibility and completed my purchase,packing). I am ready with my packing and stuff's and couldn't bring my family to Airport/Chennai since I had very little time to do this.

Every thing is set and I am ready to fly.But the Consultancy which hired me had some problems on my travel date. My Travel was postponed by saying you will probably leave "Tomorrow". Like this 3 "Tomorrow " passed,(Believe me, these days are hell...You cant really do anything...Since you don even know whats the date or whats next). After sitting and duck watching for 3 days with out doing 'Nothing' , I got a confirmation on 29 th July 2010 and ticket for KSA on 30 th July.

Again my Journey was on a hurry.The same day, no bringing family for send - off business, So I have started..Thanks to my friends who managed to come there for send-off.

The Journey started like this, I didn't had a direct flight from Chennai,India - Riyadh,KSA. I started from Chennai on 30 th July 2010, 12:30 PM IST to Mumbai by Jet Airways. Reached Mumbai at 2.45 PM IST on the same day. I had my flight(Saudi Arabian Airlines) to Riyadh,KSA at 6.30 PM IST, but its delayed by 4 hrs. Later I came to know that its very usual for them. Meanwhile I met with 2 other guys in Mumbai airport who are joining me for the same assignment.


The respect I got in KSA!!!

After Immigration check,security check and other stuffs, I have got into the Saudi Arabian Airlines flight SA747 on that day. It started by 30 th July 10.30 PM (IST) and reached 31st July 2010 2.45 AM (IST)[12.15 AM - Arab Standard time. I don't know how we Indians looks to them, even the Arabic crew they are treating like we are stray dogs. For them its seems that giving respect to us is a Sin..! They don even bother to respond us. Go to hell, after the 4.15 hrs of journey I am in KSA now ...

Anyway, I reached Riyadh Airport. The main picture was here for myslef and for my fellow Indians. In Immigration the security guy was treating all of us like a street dog. He don't even want touch us. To take finger prints, to keep our hands on the machine, he just guided it through a pen he had. I even see him hitting so many persons badly. Anyway I didnt want that A** #$&# to touch me since he was keep on smoking..!! I didn't know that in International airport these guys smoke.

Every security guard/ police men/ officials in the Airport of KSA, they are smoking inside like they are in a pub or so. Also the guy in the Immigration check made us to stand in a separate area after collecting our passport Just to show his authority. Only Indians were made to stand, he was clearing other country people immediately. We stood there for an hour or so, then he called a Muslim guy with in us and just dumped all the passports to him. He distributed it to us.

That's the kind of things happening in the great Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for every Indian. I don know what they have in their mind. Are they just showing off that " You guys are here for labor work.You are labor class only. Just be a labor and leave from here".

After coming to my Villa I heard from my fellows that, we were lucky that our immigration is completed in 2.5 hrs. Seems some were stood for hours and hours.(May be they don had a Muslim guy?)

And also I faced some issues in getting the Company car for my apartment.Have to tell something here. I tried to call the driver from Airport (after converting my 45 USD into 168 SR) , a Telephone both in Airport costs me 3 SR (39 - INR Approx) for 30 sec's local Call. And its of no use.

Then a Indian Brother helped me to call the guy again with his Phone. Somehow got into the car and reached my Room.

One thing I can say here is in KSA, People are rich, their mentality and Attitude is very Cheap.

Proud to be an Indian. We give respect to all. We tolerate all kind of problems. Also just think this,

" If our politicians are good , If we have the enough money and opportunities made by government , Why the hell we go out of our country?"

Why I quit..

Its been almost a month that I have given my resignation. I had a bad feeling for quitting my Job. I loved my company a lot. But today, the things that happened, happening made me to feel "What I am doing is the right thing".

Shit..Is this a account? Are these people are cultured? what a hell... I am the only crap sitting in office in late 9 PM and working like a donkey, though I have only 3 days to go for my last day in here. People takes for me granted. They have given me orders and happily left because it might rain today... "Evan petha pullaiyo theruvula summa kidakuthu ..??!!"

This kind of things making me mad. What should I do now? I have already screwed my company that I loved most for these !&#$%^%. What next? Should I make things worst? I really don wanna do such things. But these guys never understand. I feel like running outside saying "Please leave me now at least".

And above all... The $#&*^% followed over here..They call it as process. I am waiting for few approvals like a dog waiting for its bread.. after that I have to complete the tasks given to me..Validate..verify ..%^#&^ .. then leave.. This is not a once in a month scene.. everyday..every single day my life goes likes this.. its ruined almost..

I have cried also some times... I am the only Ass hole who got a 150 % hike in my next job with an On site and working in my current organization until last minute departure...

Believe me..I didn't even taken any documents to complete the formalities...People are keeping me busy..Shit.

What you guys suggest? Am literaly pissed off...really...