Is the world ignoring the signs of the so-called “end times”? Renowned philosopher and critic, Slavoj Zizek, explains what he thinks is causing the downhill slide, and points to the faltering economy, global warming and deteriorating ethnic relations as evidence.

Indian marker trees ‘living legacy’
It caught him by surprise and left him with an awe-struck sense of disbelief.

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My husband got an offer from one of the companies in jubail (SATORP). We are from India. They offered him ( Basic= 12500 SAR, transp allw= 10% , HRA= 25%, Family status, Medical, child education free, tickets). They are not providing Accommodation and Transportation.
We will be going to jubail and we are having 1 girl age 8 years.
He has 10+ years of experience in electrical maintenance engineering and earning around 9 lakhs (CTC) per anum in India, working in a middle management level. I am seeking an advice from the Indians at Saudi, about these points mentioned below

1) I am confused whether, it is worth a gamble, to leave the secure job environment back home and come down to Saudi. What will be the working conditions and hours on site?
2) Whether the offered package is in accordance with the persons working in SATORP having similar experience? Is there any possibility of negotiation in salary after joining the organization?
3) Where We should take accommodation and its cost for fully furnished house?

4) How will be cost of living (in SAR)?
a) Housing,
b) Electricity and water
c) Internet and mobile
d) Food/ Grocery (Veg only)
e) Purchasing cloths etc

5) Transportation from nearest accommodation and plant. Transportation for children to got to school.
6) General cost of living, leisure
7) School for my son near to accommodation?
What are the restrictions of living in saudi arabia for a woman? All I know is that it is very strict and woman can’t drive? Is there any limitation for indian TV channels?
9) Is there any limitation for performing hindu rituals/ worship in open or in house/compound also. Taking hindu idols alongwith to Saudi Etc.?
10) What is the procedure to visit nearby countries e.g. Behrain, Dubai, Qatar etc. and its approx. cost.
11) Can He get an opportunity to get job in another companies in Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain etc?
12) Any possibility of getting job for me? I am also B.E. in material science without any industrial experience. But taking tutions at home for CBSE 8th to 10th class students for english, maths and science.

Earnestly looking for a sincere piece of advice from Indian friends at Saudi Arabia?

Please reply as early as possible.

Dead Join the Living in a Family Celebration
AMBOHIMIRARY, Madagascar — With fanfare befitting a parade, the shrouded remains of 17 bodies were removed from the family crypt, some sprayed with expensive perfume, others splashed with sparkling wine. Five brass bands took turns belting out cheerful melodies, and each emerging corpse was lifted onto the shoulders of its own set of revelers. The celebrators then joyously trotted about …

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This the true picture of the country being projected as the emerging power and the group comprising Brazil,Russia,India and China called BRIC are endorsing it for a permanent member status in the UN security Council ???.They must be deluded to have done that !

“We want India, Brazil in UN security council: BRIC nations” http://www.indiavision.com/news/article/topnews/45557/

India now has 100 million more people living below the poverty line than in 2004, according to official estimates released on Sunday.

The poverty rate has risen to 37.2 per cent of the population from 27.5 per cent in 2004, a change that will require the Congress-ruled government to spend more money on the poor.

The new estimate comes weeks after Sonia Gandhi, head of the Congress party, asked the government to revise a Food Security Bill to include more women, children and destitutes.

“The Planning Commission has accepted the report on poverty figures,” Abhijit Sen, a member of the Planning Commission said, referring to the new poverty estimate report submitted by a government panel last December.

India now has 410 million people living below the UN estimated poverty line of $1.25 a day, 100 million more than was estimated earlier, officials said.

India calculates how much of its population is living below the poverty line by checking whether families can afford one square meal a day that meets minimum nutrition needs.

A third of the world’s poor are believed to be in India, living on less than $2 per day, worse than in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, experts say.

The Indian government spends only 1 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on healthcare facilities, forcing millions to struggle to get medicines, Oxfam and 62 other agencies said in a report called: “Your Money or Your Life” last year.

While India’s economy is slowly recovering from a global recession with a GDP growth of 7.2 per cent, millions of poor in rural India are finding it difficult to cope with around 17 per cent food price inflation.

Source http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/international/410-million-indians-living-below-poverty-line-940

Can anyone give a plausible reason for the discontent giving rise to insurgencies like Khalistan ,Kashmir, Maoists/Naxalite and Assam etc ?.Especially in a country which is known to be one of the biggest Democracy, about to become one of the new emerging economy in the world having a high rate of GDP and many Dollar Billi…on rich tycoons to boast.

It is really beyond my comprehension as what make India with the above picture of its true internal conditions can ever be deemed as an emerging power.Only on the basis of its High GDP.If that be the case Bhutan, has thrice higher GDP rate.

We are not at all envious of their, growth, nor would prefer to compete with in the manner they are achieving it….

Our leaders don’t have breakfast with the US leadership in the morning and dessert with the Russians at night. Our business community competes with honesty and does not wish to thrive on scams. To quote an example substantiating the aforesaid I append two links below:…

1) India’s Friends: Dinner in the U.S., Dessert in Moscow http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946236,00.html?iid=sphere-inline-sidebar#ixzz0Zgp7WmEh

2) Indian software/outsourcing company crashes after fraud exposed http://eideard.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/indian-softwareoutsourcing-company-crashes-after-fraud-exposed/

Moreover what good are such growth figures when the wealth is concentrated in a few hands, while the rest of the people are naked, homeless, under nourished, starving and dying of hunger and dreaded diseases?.

We are growing slowly but steadily with the resolve that Inshallah in due course of time we shall be far stronger and healthier, economically in all aspects, but with honor and dignity. We shall achieve this success due to our hard and honest work and not through conniving, fraudulent and boot licking methods. .

There is no denial that India’s economy is not better then that of Pakistan. Definitely it has increased manifold since the 1990.This is owing to the fact that Pakistan has suffered greatly due to setbacks brought upon it during the course of its history. Firstly it the eastern wing of the wing got separated in 1971.Secondly, being proxy for the US in the cold war fought to drive the Russians out of Afghanistan and then being left with the heavy burden of having to play host to the influx of millions of Afghan refugees till today. Last but not least the huge losses it is enduring since 9/11 for being the front line ally in the war against terror. Undoubtedly, the Indians have made great inroads in the software industry and their entertainment industry. Having said this you also must accept the fact that the economy maybe the best in the world yet if its benefits do not reach the masses and lays concentrated in few hands then it is like a treasure box buried somewhere with no map to locate it. Indians masses are poor, hungry and homeless, whereas their government maybe very rich or a couple of dozen families maybe having billions of dollars stashed away. No one can deny that US is the Nos.1 Super power, read the yesterdays news and you will be shocked to know that in spite of their world best economy their citizens are suffering from what I claimed India is:

Number of homeless soars in New York

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/international/number-of-homeless-soars-in-new-york-130…

Hungry in America Published: February 9, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/opinion/10wed4.html?th&emc=th

I could provide more such links, but I feel they should suffice enough to let you feel the drift

Please let me assure you that I have no heartburn for India or the Indians. I personally believe that it is in the best interest of both the neighboring countries and the whole region, to co-exist in a peaceful and harmonious manner. I personally am a great believer of freedom and justice and human rights.

My friend have been offered a job in saudi Aabia in Dammam. I will like to know the cost of living, viz.., Rent for a flat of 2 BHK, cost of education for a child in Indian school in std. 2nd. Food and other groceries. What is the way of Medical and accidental insurance.

In a nut shell, What shall be the salary to be asked after a experience of 8 yrs in Instrumentation field????

2010 Quality of Living worldwide city rankings – Mercer survey Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to occupy the highest ranks in the GCC in Mercer’s global Quality of Living survey, which was released today. With Dubai ranking at 75, and Abu Dhabi taking the 83rd spot in the list, Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively are also the Middle East’s best quality of living cities. Read more on Zawya