[Bhaaten Bahraini

In the last two decades, I have visited Manama (Bahrain) thrice and I wish to share some of my impressions about the city and its people I met

First and foremost, I found that despite being the capital of an Islamic monarchy, there was good amount of tolerance of the faith and practice of other religious groups. Temples and churches function as normally as in other secular democracies. Second, institutions of governance comprising legislative houses, bureaucracy and judiciary are in place.  Third, my visit to the Grand Mosque in Juffair, when it opened its doors to visitors of all faiths and beliefs as part of Eid celebrations,   impressed me because of the smooth and systematic conduct of the tour with presentations on the history and teachings of Islam 

Let me also mention some other features I noticed.  The state of the highways and main roads in Manama   is indeed admirable. The roads are built to high standards of specifications, wide enough to take heavy traffic of thousands of vehicles and an efficient traffic control system with flyovers, multi lanes and   signaling. This facilitates free and speedy movement of a large number of motor cars and other heavy vehicles, what perhaps is available only in National Highways in India.

My acquaintance with persons in Manama was with a few middle-aged, white collar, professionally qualified South Indians and their families who have lived here/ Gulf region for about 15 to 20 years. The men are mostly employed in Banks and other financial companies in senior/middle level positions. With no income tax to pay and cheap fuel, they have prudently managed their finances to afford to live in large and well- furnished modern villas and flats with all amenities like air-conditioning, car park, garden sp ace, mini swimming pools, gym and owning high end automobiles.  They visit India almost every year during the oppressive Gulf summer season to meet their near and dear and carrying  the inevitable Bahraini goodies like almonds, dates and Arabian halwa as gifts,   They also go on holiday tours with family to many exotic destinations around the world in Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Russia, China, Africa and the Far East.

In my conversations I found them well informed about the current situation in India in all aspects like governance, economy, social dynamics and culture. However they seem to prefer to send their wards, after schooling locally, to western universities for higher education.  A possible reason for this, as I gathered in informal discussions, is the affirmative policy of caste based reservation at every level of education and employment and the frequent changes in the syllabi and examination systems in India.

About their social life. they represent a socially well knit community with smaller groups formed on the basis of mutual affinity. These groups meet often on the drop of a hat over sumptuous lunch/dinner regaled with funny anecdotes, Rajni jokes and Carnatic music. Besides, there are also get-togethers during Navratri, Deepavali, Pongal, wedding anniversaries, music recitals etc. Visits of parents and other senior relations from India are also utilized for organizing get togethers like the half a dozen invitations for lunch/dinner extended to my wife and myself.  Their affection, respect for the elders and the excellent fare they served on these occasions will be cherished by us for a long time.

On the eve of our departure from Bahrain, we wish them all a bright, healthy, happy and peaceful life.

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 [r1]