F1’s Loss or Bahrain’s??

F1 Commercial Chief Bernie Ecclestone returned the multi-million Dollar Cheque to Bahrain in a refund of the license fees the Gulf State paid in hosting the annual event and this is what he said, “I want to be loyal to the King (Of Bahrain), because he is doing everything he can to put things right with his people. He doesn’t need people like me stabbing him in the back. Right from the start, we talked about the problems there, and he was straight with me. I am not there and I do not know properly what problems they are having. But the King was concerned about Formula One and our Safety, which is why he took the decision to call off the race”

This few lines are not something a die hard Formula 1 fan like me would want to hear and that too the host being my 2nd home “Bahrain”. It’s just too unfortunate that the event will not happen as scheduled but sources say that once the civil unrest in the Kingdom comes to an end the race will happen in the month of November provided the racers and the teams are agreeing to it. Formula1 governing body in its part is estimated to be loosing $100 million from the cancellation in revenues and being the season opener it’s considered to be a very important affair. The news came in the early hours on Monday, the 21st of February just 3 weeks before the green signal in the Sakhir Circuit was lit.

The last 10 days in Bahrain has not been the typical Bahrain I had known for years and it was reported that people came on to the streets and have gripped the country. Several protesters have been killed in the anti-government demonstrations. Some of the protesters has protested telling that the government was trying to defuse the situation only to ensure that the race can go ahead but the Crown Prince on behalf of the King cleared the allegations and announced the cancellation of the big event. The Crown Prince stressed on the importance of Political stability in the country and having the Sport a secondary concern.
The whole issue revolving Bahrain started in 1999 when the then Aamir of Bahrain Sk.Isa passed away and Sh Hamad took charge as the Aamir of Bahrain. A referendum poll was held the next year as to the need of Bahrain to be a Kingdom and Sh. Hamad became King Hamad of the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2001 with the referendum poll 97% YES in favor of the King. What I don’t understand is that very percentage of people are now against him putting charges that he has not been loyal to the Shia’s who comprise of the majority of the population of Bahrain.
How much Bahrain loses from the cancellation of the race depends on whether it can stage the race later in the year or not. If it can, presumably the race fee takes care of itself and the only expense Bahrain would have to incur the $20 million for the inconvenience of moving the calendar around. It is understood that the already issued tickets online and other media will be reimbursed by the organisers. (Its obvious that they have to do itas Formula1 being an expensive sport)
Now as far as tourism is concerned it could loose atleast $700m in revenues and this is because of the civil unrest in the Kingdom. Hotels, travel agents and toursim operators in the country stand to lose millions during this period and this is evident from the drastic drop in the number of foreigners coming into the country over the last 2 weeks and this will continue if the situation remains the same. The whole country’s economy is affected & Bahrain being a small country it cannot afford to loose this share of the Nations Income. Things get worse for small time vendors like restaurants where the weekend business is stopped from people coming from other neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The civil unrest has to stop and for the benefit of the country they need to come to terms and negotiations have to happen in full swing to keep the spirits of “Long Live Bahrain” alive.

Avenue with a Difference!!

Express Avenue!!

The new mall which opened last week in Chennai has lots to offer as far as retail is concerned. Spread over 15,00,000 square feet, Express Avenue is South India's largest lifestyle Shopping Mall. Entertainment is something EA has a lot to to offer as this is something the average household will look for on a weekend. Some of the features which they are planning to propose is to have for the 1st time in Chennai-Entertainment zone by international formats spread over 70,000 sq. ft., 8 screen multiplex with capacity to entertain 1300 people. Express Avenue is a strategic venture of Express Infrastructure Pvt, Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of Express Newspapers Pvt. Ltd (The reputed Indian Express Group) founded by the Late Mr. Ramnath Goenka. Kavita Singhania, Grand Daughter of Ramnath Goenka is the Managing Director of EA Infrastructure Pvt Ltd.

Now let me go into my review of the mall in person. All in all it looks in great shape, heart of the city, Anna Salai and so many residential areas as well in the nearby surrounding's which will induce them to come to the mall and make a visit once in a while. In the beginning like in any other malls, not many shops have opened and its difficult to actually review the crowd gathering. During my visit yesterday, the crowd was much more than my expectation considering only 'Lifestyle' has opened up its 80,000 Sq Ft outlet which also includes 'Splash' a famous outlet based out of Dubai if i am not wrong. I was really amused with the Entertainment Zone and the Food Court both in the same floor which is a great move by the EA Group. They both always go hand in hand and unlike other malls in the country i felt space was something EA has looked on, everything was very well organised that space did not become an issue at all. Another interesting fact about EA Mall is that it looks similar to the City Center in Bahrain which i guess no one would have thought of. If you look closely the resemblance is mainly with the 2 buildings they have attached to the mall and same is the case with the City Centre in Bahrain where one of the Building is used as a multiplex and the other one as office purpose which is similiar to what they have it here in Express Avenue as well.

All these are not said to criticize of anything of that sort but just giving my personal views on the Mall. I also feel that Chennai is going international and with the kind of progress the city has been witnessing no doubt this will be the most developed city in India in the near future.

Sakhir Fantasy

Date : 04/04/04 Venue : Sakhir International Circuit...For those who did not quite get what this is, its the day the world renowned sport "Formula1" set foot in the tiny little island in the Middle East 'Bahrain' also known as the Island of Pearls. Lucky me for that matter i happened to visit the extravaganza the year i was leaving that great country after my schooling. The reason i write this blog now is because of the extreme craze i have with this sport and it took me 6 years after the event to start blogging. Along with me was Mohsin Mohammed, my classmate right from childhood and a family friend. The event lasted only for a couple of hours but the excitement and the roar of the 2400CC cars was mind blowing and lucky me i happened to get the seats in the grand stand which was right across the 1st sharp turn wherein all the cars would decelerate from the 7th gear to the 1st and had a view of all the machines without having to turn your heads now and then. The circuit was built in the desert which was later evident with the hot desert breeze running in and around the circuit which further increased the temperature of the drivers with spectacular over takings and fights which finally the legend of all "Michael Schumacher" sprayed the specially made drink as The winner will not celebrate the victory with the traditional champagne, but with a non-alcoholic drink produced especially for the occasion!! All in all it was an awesome day wherein my dreams came true in witnessing an international event.

More on the Bahrain International Circuit : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain_Grand_Prix