Packing batteries with more punch
Indian researchers are working on cells that can store more energy, last longer
There is no panic among the Indians in Qatar, and the political stand-off is expected to be resolved soon - Shutterstock.com
For the almost five lakh Keralites in the diplomatically isolated West Asian state of Qatar, it is business as usual, according to multiple sources interacting with BusinessLine from different destinations in the Arabian Gulf.
They need to worry, if at all, on two counts only — the tickets booked months in advance for the trip home during the holiday season; and the fear of Big Brother scanning the social media for ‘politically sensitive’ comments.
For this reason, these sources were not willing to be quoted for this story. The fear was contagious in nature, and prevented another source based in the UAE also from going on record.
One of the sources recounted the experience of a fellow Keralite working with a bank in Doha who could not fly home to attend the cremation of his father who passed away a couple of days ago.
Cancelled flightsHe could not fly out since Qatar Airways is not allowed to fly over UAE airspace. The flight did not get permission to fly over Iran either.
Explaining the prevailing state of affairs, he said, for now, all the popular airlines from the Gulf — Emirates, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Etihad and Gulf Air — have all suspended operations to Qatar.
Qatar Airways is not allowed to fly into the UAE either. Meanwhile, the airline has started reimbursing the unused tickets. Qatar’s land borders are closed. Exchange houses have stopped accepting Qatari Riyal.
Anybody posting any material on social media supporting Qatar’s cause will attract fines in the UAE. The source there said that UAE-based companies fear an adverse impact on business due to suspended relations with Qatar.
However, the expats in Qatar haven’t shown any sign of panic just yet. Business is as usual everywhere.
Much at stakeAnother source speaking from Dubai said that the diaspora there expects the whole issue to be sorted out sooner than later. Qatar cannot afford to prolong the uncertainty for longer since is is preparing to host World Cup Football in 2022.
The Indian Embassy has offered any help in case of need. But there is no panic situation of any kind to trigger requests of any kind. In the initial days of the controversy, people had started stocking up food and essentials, fearing scarcity. Now the worries have eased.
Indian researchers are working on cells that can store more energy, last longer
To fix a broken bone, doctors often harvest another bone from the patient’s body or from someone else. It ...
Superconductors from IIScScientists at IISc Bangalore have invented a device with a nanocrystal structure ...
Engineering and construction giant L&T has won a licence from the Council of Scientific & Industrial ...
Will a stock continue its current trend or will it reverse? We tell you how you can read chart patterns to ...
Sensex and Nifty 50 saw selling interest on Friday and slumped; selling pressure could continue
Investors with a long-term horizon can consider this offer
Most AMCs have been sending out cryptic e-mails. We tell you how to read between the lines
In these isolated times when people yearn for a slice of the familiar, amateur and professional chefs are ...
With strokes of quirky humour, Partha Pratim Deb uses pulp, terracotta, glass and discarded cloth to create ...
Given the events in Washington DC on January 6, this week’s quiz is all about buildings that house or housed ...
While good writing wars against the cliché, television gives it a natural home
Digital is becoming dominant media, but are companies and their ad agencies transforming fast enough to make a ...
Slow Network, promoted by journalist-lyricist Neelesh Misra, pushes rural products and experiences
How marketers can use the traditional exchange of festive wishes meaningfully
For Fortune, a brand celebrating its 20th anniversary, it was a rude shock to become the butt of social media ...
Three years after its inception, compliance with GST procedures remains a headache for exporters, job workers ...
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of companies are altering the prospects for wooden toys of ...
Aequs Aerospace to create space for large-scale manufacture of toys at Koppal
And it has every reason to smile. Covid-19 has triggered a consumer shift towards branded products as ...
Please Email the Editor