There are a lot of places people get confused about spending their vacations at. Most of them prefer America or Europe. But there is so much unexplored beauty in Asia that slips people’s mind while planning their escape from tiring routines and polluted cities. The third world countries really look forward to promote tourism that can give a real boost to respective economies.
Amongst the under developed countries, Maldives is one place that is catching attention of the fun lovers and peace seekers. Maldives can be best described as a string of islands, with white sand, clear blue water and greenery that takes your breath away.
Geographically, politically and socially very close to India, the islands are blessed with the most colorful of reefs and coral gardens. Having such close attachment to the State of India, Maldives plan to target Indian tourists mostly.
Every country has its own style and strategy to attract tourist. In Maldives, which is home to 6.5 lakh people including 85,000 Indians, the main plan involves Bollywood as a soul promoter to Maldivian tourism. Yes, Maldives is a country that is not only a blessing to look at, but has recently offered the Indian Film Industry to shoot movies at the breathtakingly beautiful places at the Island. According to Maldivian Minister of Tourism Toyyid Mohammad, Maldives had proposed Bollywood during recent months to use one of its exotic places as a permanent location to shoot movies on.
Reason behind this, he commented, is also the popularity of Bollywood movies in the Maldivian population. The country survives mainly on tourism. Presence of celebrities like Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan, who already have a huge fan following globally, has the potential to attract a large number of tourists to the islands.
It seems that vowing Bollywood for tourism promotion with such offers will not be very difficult for Maldives.
Recently, Kites starring Hrithik Roshan was shot on one of these islands. The location in this movie left a mark not only on the minds of cinema goers in India but also became one of the favorite places of the star cast. Hrithik Roshan, having everything but a break in five years was stunned by the natural beauty of the islands. He spent quite some time with his wife on the islands too and claimed that though he had traveled to a lot of places and admires many of them, the Maldivian islands, of all the places are his most desired spot in the world.
With Bollywood as a tool for tourism promotion, Maldivian development strategists prove to be real smart. In the long run, it can have precious income generation opportunities for the Maldivian Islands. Several of the resorts, on their openings had already invited some of the hottest Indian actors and models to capture attention of the South Asian region. With high quality status and luxurious living standards, Maldivian resorts provide a wide range of exotic experiences. Another way of promoting resorts has been their frequent appearance as television advertisements. Since the place is full of natural beauty and human made extravagance, it does not escape the mind of the viewer for years.
The Maldives has also been visited frequently by Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise, Britney Spears and Fergie who have chosen the Maldivian islands as their favorite summer and relaxing spot. The tourism promotion authorities in Maldives must look forward to a great future, welcoming thousands of tourists from around the world and giving Maldivian economy an enormous boost. But caution needs to be exercised as cashing in on the beauties of nature may come easy but maintaining it can be a real task ahead.
Published in South Asia Magazine, November 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Jazba... the flame inside
A random write up, for today's youth and those who blame the system for everything
Jazba kia hai?
Jazba hai… dil se nikli aawaz
Bulandion ko jo choo jaye woh perwaz
Jazba hai aagay berhne ki chah
Jazba manzil ki rah
Jazba kuch kerne ki khuwahish hai
Jazba woh aag, woh aatish hai
Jo tum mein, mujh mein hum sab mein hai
Kaheen gum, hum sab mein hai
Gandigi, gussa, taasub, or in jaise masail
Yeh tou kisi or ki zimedari nahin
Jab sab ko inka pata hai
Tou aakhir badlne mein kis ka kia laga hai
Jazba naam nahin sirf kehne sunnay girebaan pakrne ka
Jazba tou naam hai, khud hi kuch kerne ka
Tou Jazba jagao, aitraz choro balke kerdo khutam
Karo sirf wohi kaam or baat, jis mein ho badlne ka dum
Jazba kia hai?
Jazba hai… dil se nikli aawaz
Bulandion ko jo choo jaye woh perwaz
Jazba hai aagay berhne ki chah
Jazba manzil ki rah
Jazba kuch kerne ki khuwahish hai
Jazba woh aag, woh aatish hai
Jo tum mein, mujh mein hum sab mein hai
Kaheen gum, hum sab mein hai
Gandigi, gussa, taasub, or in jaise masail
Yeh tou kisi or ki zimedari nahin
Jab sab ko inka pata hai
Tou aakhir badlne mein kis ka kia laga hai
Jazba naam nahin sirf kehne sunnay girebaan pakrne ka
Jazba tou naam hai, khud hi kuch kerne ka
Tou Jazba jagao, aitraz choro balke kerdo khutam
Karo sirf wohi kaam or baat, jis mein ho badlne ka dum
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
RGST: Another cross from the public to bear
The other day I was watching a show on Dunya TV that was discussing the latest General Sales Tax reform introduced by the government. To my shock, one of the proponents was renowned journalist Mr Ansar Abbasi.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Published: Express Tribune Blogs on 16th November 2010.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Published: Express Tribune Blogs on 16th November 2010.
RGST: Another cross from the public to bear
The other day I was watching a show on Dunya TV that was discussing the latest General Sales Tax reform introduced by the government. To my shock, one of the proponents was renowned journalist Mr Ansar Abbasi.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Published: Express Tribune Blogs on 16th November 2010.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Published: Express Tribune Blogs on 16th November 2010.
RGST: Another cross from the public to bear
The other day I was watching a show on Dunya TV that was discussing the latest General Sales Tax reform introduced by the government. To my shock, one of the proponents was renowned journalist Mr Ansar Abbasi.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Friday, November 5, 2010
A little prayer for the Pakistan cricket team
Shahid Afridi is trying to whip the team back in to shape
After being trashed and slashed by local and international media any team would have been in low spirits.
I don’t know about PCB and its support to our match winning bowlers like Mohammad Aamir. I cannot predict whether or not the ICC will lift the ban from our star players before the World Cup. But it seems now that after a short – unbearable – break, our players are gaining back their confidence.
May team Pakistan win this ODI series versus a strong and full of confidence competitor, South Africa. Only our support will motivate and encourage these players. I have always supported team Pakistan and will not comment on why ICC will sustain the ban on players accused of spot-fixing.
Our players have enormous potential. If only all of them could perform at the same time will they be able to realize what excellent professional cricketers they are – then let the experts critique them for their performance.
It is amazing how the crowd reacts when Shahid Afridi comes out in the field to bat. No matter how he handles his bat or throws a shot the his fans never get tired of cheering for him. No doubt he has worked hard but his confidence speaks of the support he gets from his homeland.
I hope our team gets back on track asap! I pray that they bring home the big cup!
After being trashed and slashed by local and international media any team would have been in low spirits.
I don’t know about PCB and its support to our match winning bowlers like Mohammad Aamir. I cannot predict whether or not the ICC will lift the ban from our star players before the World Cup. But it seems now that after a short – unbearable – break, our players are gaining back their confidence.
May team Pakistan win this ODI series versus a strong and full of confidence competitor, South Africa. Only our support will motivate and encourage these players. I have always supported team Pakistan and will not comment on why ICC will sustain the ban on players accused of spot-fixing.
Our players have enormous potential. If only all of them could perform at the same time will they be able to realize what excellent professional cricketers they are – then let the experts critique them for their performance.
It is amazing how the crowd reacts when Shahid Afridi comes out in the field to bat. No matter how he handles his bat or throws a shot the his fans never get tired of cheering for him. No doubt he has worked hard but his confidence speaks of the support he gets from his homeland.
I hope our team gets back on track asap! I pray that they bring home the big cup!
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