Qatar is poised for meteoric growth and bustling with activity everywhere. Almost all sectors of the national economy are gearing up to host the FIFA Qatar 2022. It is obvious that the construction sector is in the forefront of the current developmental activities in the country and a lot of vehicles on Qatar’s roads belong to construction companies.
I have been driving in Qatar for the past 12 years. I am concerned, if not worried, with the unsafe driving practices adopted by the bus and pick-up drivers, who ferry workers from their accommodation to project sites and back. These drivers pay scant regard to lane discipline, speed limits and signals and have no patience to wait for their turn at roundabouts and inter-sections. Though several companies display prominently their names and contact numbers to report unsafe driving on their vehicles, some firms that I contacted did not respond to the calls.
All drivers have to be aware of the need to practice safe driving because many lives can be lost by careless people behind the wheel. Under all circumstances, drivers have to fully understand, appreciate and abide by safe driving practices and respect fellow drivers and pedestrians. Such conduct and behaviour will further boost the image of this great country. We have a collective responsibility to accomplish this noble objective. Innovative ideas need to be explored to ensure that the vehicles are properly, timely and thoughtfully maintained and checked for air pressure, tyre damage, faulty parts, etc.
Drivers must be imparted regular defensive training courses and regularly counselled on the topic. Company managements should listen to complaints about their reckless drivers and take remedial action.
Lives and limbs are precious and once lost cannot be replaced. The role and responsibility of construction companies in educating their workers on safe driving practices is the crying need of the hour.
Niyaz Ahmed
Doha
Kudos to Indian banks
Dear Sir,
Indian banks proved their mettle once again by living up to and in many cases, exceeding the expectations of the people in the face of challenges posed by the demonetisation of high value currencies. The banks played a pivotal role in replenishing the thousands of ATMs spread across a vast country like India and effectively utilised the human capital available with their branches for meeting the needs of their customers, in line with Reserve Bank of India’s stipulations.
The bank staff worked not only extra hours but days too during November and December last year to mitigate the sufferings of the people, who were caught unawares with the sudden withdrawal of Rs500, 1,000 notes. The employees’ contribution in this regard has been commended by renowned economists, men of eminence, industrialists, the Finance Ministry and the general public.
The RBI’s instructions were quite dynamic and fast paced, and the banks met the challenge with poise and team work in the larger interest of the nation. Besides, they have successfully completed their reporting to the RBI, the central bank.
The Indian banks’ appetite for growth and new technology is amazing. During September last year, ICICI Bank, India’s largest private sector bank, introduced “software robotics” to power banking operations. They, thus, became the first bank in India and among a few globally to introduce “software robotics”, that emulate human actions to automate and perform repetitive, high volume and time consuming business tasks cutting across multiple applications.
The more than a century old City Union Bank (CUB), a private sector bank, launched “Lakshmi”, an artificial intelligence-powered robot, in November 2016. CUB has become the first to launch the “robot banker” in India. Apart from responding to generic questions, this robot has been programmed to connect to the core banking solution. The robot is well equipped to flash answers on the display.
“Lakshmi” interacts in English, gestures, turns around and engages in a very life-like manner in conversations.
India’s top private lender HDFC Bank recently joined this race by introducing robots to answer customer queries, which also proved a hit in the industry.
Last but not least, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) incorporated as a public sector bank, was launched in January this year with 100% government equity. With the advent of technology, postal services faced a serious setback and now with the formation of IPPB, customers even in remote rural areas can avail themselves of banking services of international standards. IPPB is fully operational with digitally enabled services of all kinds between individuals.
The banking sector continues to play a crucial role in the impressive development of India by adapting itself to the emerging market challenges. As a person hailing from a “banking family” for the last four generations, I am pleased to witness the progress and confident of the sector scaling new heights.
V Kalyanaraman
Doha
