Concrete Heart of Tourist Paradise

" The Maldives conjures up images of pristine white sand, shallow azure seas and unspoilt coral reefs.

Flying in from southern India, I could see all these - an entrancing sight as the plane flew low over wisps of atolls surrounded by crystal clear aquamarine waters.

But the capital, Male, is different. It is one of the most crowded places on earth.
A third of the Maldivian population of 300,000 lives there - in under four square kilometers. And that is not counting the thousands of Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis drafted in to do the menial work.

Male' is awash with building sites. There is only one way to go. Up. Eight- and 10-storey blocks are springing up.

The island has a busy, prosperous feel, with well stocked mini supermarkets, smart fashion stores, shops selling Hollywood and Bollywood DVDs as well as films, many of them horror movies judging by the posters, in the local language, Dhivehi.

It would not take more than 30 minutes to walk wherever you want in Male. But every self-respecting youngster has a motorbike.

Back streets have become huge parking lots. Traffic sometimes slows to walking pace. My taxi driver told me that tiny Male now has 20 sets of traffic lights.

Not many of the thousands of foreign tourists attracted to the luxury atoll resorts make it to Male. But their spending power has transformed the economy.

The country's average income - more than $2,500 (£1,260) a year - is well above the South Asian average

There is another side to the Maldives. I went there to attend a Unesco-sponsored conference on press freedom. There has not been much of that in the Maldives "
Courtesy of Mr.Andrew WhiteHead- BBC News.

Think Nation Without Maumoon

Born in Male' in 1937 to a middle-class family, he quickly demonstrated a sound academic potential and, following early schooling in the capital, went first to Al-Azhar University in Cairo and later to the city's American University; he obtained an M.A. in Islamic Studies at the former, where he also studied law and philosophy - academic disciplines in which he continued to have a keen interest.

His Degree in Islamic Studies earned him an academic appointment as a Lecturer in that discipline to Nigeria's Abdullahi Bayero College, a faculty of Ahmadu Bello University, a post he held from 1969 to 1971.

However he returned home to the Maldives soon and began his career of public service. His first important government appointment was that of Manager of the Republic's Shipping Department, which quickly led to his becoming Director of the Telephone Department. By 1974 he had well established his reputation as an able administrator and, consequently, was appointed Special Under-Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. His first overseas appointment was to the diplomatic post of Deputy Ambassador to neighbouring Sri Lanka. This was followed in two years by his appointment as the Maldives' Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

At his recall to Male' in 1977, he was appointed Minister of Transport, and then in November 1978 was nominated as Presidential Candidate by the Citizens' Majlis, winning a record 92.9% of the popular vote in the referendum, he succeeded Ibrahim Nasir as President.

He assumed office on 11 November of the same year and on completion of his first 5-year term as president, was re-elected on 30 September 1983 for a second term of office polling a record 95.6% of the popular vote. On 23 September 1988, he was re-elected for a third term of Presidency by the overwhelming majority of 96.4% of the popular vote. On 1 October 1993, he was elected for a fourth term of office winning 92.76% of the popular vote. Again, on 16 October 1998, President Gayoom was elected for an unprecedented fifth term of office with a clear majority of 90.9% of the popular vote.

His overwhelming victories in the aforementioned elections should be scrutinized however, as elections in the Maldives are conducted by a public referendum with "yes" and "no" being the only options. It should also be noted that political parties in the Maldives are prohibited and these elections only allow one candidate.

Gayoom and his wife Nasreena have four children, two girls, Dunya and Yumna, and two boys, Faris and Ghassan.

President Gayoom is a member of the Constituent Council of Rabitat Al-Alam Al-Islami (Muslim World League). He was awarded Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Alighar Muslim University of India in 1983, Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Jamia Millia Islamia of India in 1990 and Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Pondicherry University of India in 1994. He was also awarded the Global 500 Honour Roll by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1988, the International Environment Award by DRV (Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association of Germany) in 1998, and the Man of the Sea Award for 1990 by Lega Navale Italiana in 1991. In addition, he was awarded the Grand Order of Mugunghawa (the highest order of the Republic of Korea) in 1984, Knight Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG) (the highest order accorded to Foreign Dignitaries by the British Monarchy) in 1997, the World Health Organization Health-for-All Gold Medal in 1998 and the Shield of Al-Azhar University of Cairo in 2002.

His leisure interests include astronomy, photography, calligraphy, badminton and cricket.

According to Gayoom's official biography, he became friends after a state visit to Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 1980. Similar to Hussein, some of Gayoom's critics allege that he is not a believer in Islam, and uses Islam as a political tool to increase support. It is also alleged that some islanders actually believe he is third is the holy hierarchy.

Its pointless to talk about maldivian Present King(Maumoon Abdul gayoom) he makes the rules and he violates the rules and he beleives that he is the King of maldivian's where by he expect us to beleive it.. 30 years he has kept us in dark but i guess this want last too long, as every human being has to die one day. We all need a change. A Good change. No matter Gasim or Umar. Anni or Dr.Hassan... In otherhand, new Maldives or trip to another Maldives.. i dont know.. I am waiting for the next election..even this year election is just going to be another dark side election...guess so!!!!

*Note above photo took today morning...i saw it when i went to my dads place.

Rannamaari Challenge 2008

Rannamaari Challenge 2008 show already ended...winners are : 1st Kuda isse, 2nd Ibu, 3 Chin...
specially like today we shoud remember our loving surf legend The toni(Hussein). Tony "Hussein" Hinde died surfing on May,27th
Maldivian surf legend Tony "Hussein" Hinde died surfing on May,27th

Tony “Hussein” Hinde, the father of surfing in the Maldives has passed away, surfing his home spot at Pasta Point on May, 27th. He was found face down near shore and despite CPR, could not get back to life. What can be believed as a drowning happens only 4 months after the tragic death of his wife Zulfa. Which is an immense tragedy for their 2 kids, Ashley and Mishal.

In December 1973, Tony and his friend Mark Scaunlon shipwrecked in the North Malé atoll in Maldives aboard the Whitewings, a beautiful ketch where they were hired as crew. That changed Tony’s life completely. After a few months of refurbishing the boat, they realized how good the surf is. Tony once sent a postcard saying “I am thousand coulours away from home” And home became the Republic of Maldives where he turned muslim to be able to marry Zulfa and become a Maldivian citizen. For 15 years, he managed to keep the secrecy of worldclass surf in the atolls among a few friends. Which made it one of the best kept secret in the whole history of surf discovery. He was forced to launch Atoll Adventures in the mid-80’s and Tari Village because there were a few foreign plans to develop the surf over there. Tony Hussein always remain the landlord over the camp and changed to Dhonveli Beach & Spa in the early 2000.

Local surfers in Malé will have a paddle out ceremony outside Varunulaa Raalhugandu, the main surfspot in the capital to give a tribute to the memory of their surfing father after his funeral. He will be greatly missed by his family, Maldivian surfers and countless surfing guests that he took care personally at Tari Village and Dhonveli (now Chaaya Dhonveli)