Labourers wearing masks report for the day's work at a metro rail construction site in Kochi, Kerala. AP Photo
Medics wearing protective gear examine a patient at a hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala. Reuters
Medical staff collect samples from people at a newly set up 'Walk-In Sample Kiosk' to test for Covid-19 at Ernakulam Medical College in Kerala. AFP
People wearing masks walk past a man selling face masks by a roadside in Kochi, Kerala. AP Photo
A woman waves a face mask to attract prospective buyers among commuters as she sells them outside a shop in Kochi, Kerala. AP Photo
A man wearing a mask reads a newspaper at a bus terminus that has been shut down for more than a month as part of measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Kochi, Kerala. AP Photo
Classrooms in Kochi, Kerala are empty after the state government ordered the closure of schools due to the coronavirus outbreak. Reuters
Migrant workers working in Kerala line up in Kochi to board a bus to their home state of Odisha. Reuters
Kerala is home to thousands of migrant workers from the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Reuters
Migrant workers greet Kerala state officials out of the windows as they sit on a train leaving to Odisha at Aluva railway station in Kochi. AFP
"The only thing worse than bad health is a bad name," lamented Lorenzo Daza in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's landmark novel Love in the Time of Cholera. Governments around the world, rich and poor alike, have experienced this first-hand, their reputations battered by their handling of the Covid-19 crisis on top of the human and economic losses.
Meanwhile, the government in the Indian state of Kerala has found itself winning praise from around the world for flattening the curve before the virus could even begin to threaten the healthcare system’s capacity.
At the time of writing, the number of deaths is still in the low single digits, despite Kerala recording its first Covid-19 case in January and having the third-highest population density of any Indian state as well as millions of foreign tourists. It has also seen the return of large numbers of its expatriates (more than two million live in the GCC region alone). Meanwhile, in the rest of India infection rates continue to climb.
Health minister leads from the front
Kerala's Health Minister KK Shailaja has proved decisive in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. ANI Twitter account
Kerala did not and still does not have a vast testing infrastructure or huge stocks of personal protective equipment. So how did a government in the developing world wage a daunting fight like this so successfully?
The Health Minister KK Shailaja called an emergency meeting the same afternoon as the first positive Covid-19 test on January 30, activating a ”Rapid Reaction Team” to execute plans that had been formulated weeks earlier.
This took place even before the World Health Organisation declared a global public health emergency, and at a time when governments around the world remained either dismissive or indecisive. Kerala implemented an early, high-level prioritisation of resources towards contact-tracing and the quarantine of suspected infected patients, combined with an organised disease surveillance programme. It was an aggressive push, complemented with a major campaign to communicate clearly and directly with the public about the nature of the threat and its part in defeating it.
All of this built upon strengths gained from a long tradition of people-centric governance that has produced literacy and hospital bed availability rates that resemble high-income countries more than those of the developing world.
Communicating with the people
The idea of popular sovereignty took root across South Asia in the half-century leading up to independence in 1947, and inspired people to rise up against colonialism. As soon as the British left, any deep democratisation of governance was blocked by entrenched elites – but not in Kerala, where the struggle continued. Thanks to high levels of social cohesion, it was the people that won.
The result has been a cross-party emphasis on investing in human development (education, healthcare, sanitation and electricity) and building strong, responsive institutions at the local level. This has led to an especially constructive political culture that manifests itself in the form of high levels of public volunteerism, a willingness to follow government advice, a relative lack of sensationalism in the media and a political opposition that acts in good faith.
India's massive repatriation programme
But perhaps by far the most important ingredient in making the right decisions early on was recent experience. The same government and health ministry leadership that Kerala has today led the response to the Nipah virus outbreak in May-June 2018.
Normally found in fruit-bat populations, in humans the highly infectious virus produces symptoms resembling viral encephalitis and a mortality rate of 75 per cent.
The Nipah virus first emerged in Malaysia in 1998, but outbreaks had unpredictably flared up in Singapore and Bangladesh as well. Starting with Ebola, the 1990s was the decade of ”emerging infectious diseases”, products of a human population rapidly expanding into natural habitats and moving people, products and animals more widely than ever before.
The painful experience of Nipah
Doctors and relatives carry the body of a man who died after contracting the Nipah virus in Kozhikode, Kerala. Reuters
There had been no known outbreaks of Nipah virus in Kerala when it suddenly emerged, and at the time much remained unknown about the disease. Nevertheless, recognising the prospect for disaster, the government moved switfly with the support of the national and international scientific communities to mobilise at every level in order to contain the epidemic.
Seventeen people died, but the urgency with which every level of Kerala's healthcare system treated the crisis produced quiet heroism, most tragically in the case of Lini Puthussery – the 28-year-old nurse and mother of two who treated the earliest cases and understood the risks, but refused to be taken off duty because of staff shortages. Her brief but moving farewell note to her husband from the isolation ward continues to circulate on the internet and WhatsApp.
The cultural impact of the outbreak was significant enough that Kerala's thriving film industry made it the subject of a successful movie, Virus, in 2019, further deepening its place in the public consciousness.
Lini Puthussery, a Keraliya hero
Lini Puthussery, a young nurse and mother of two who treated the earliest Nipah cases, died shortly after. She remains a hero in Kerala. Lini Puthissery's Facebook page
More significantly, the experience of battling the unexpected outbreak of a terrifying, new and highly infectious disease convinced the government that this could happen again, and that it might be worse next time. This is why Kerala’s government began formulating a high-level, aggressive action plan as soon as the WHO began publishing information on the Wuhan outbreak, rather than waiting for direction from above.
This has proven to be exactly the right attitude to take, but it is also one that is particularly difficult for most governments to adopt or retain. As Michael Leavitt, health secretary under former US president George W Bush, put it: "Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after will seem inadequate."
Kerala on the frontline of climate change
Residents are evacuated from their home to a safer place following flood warnings in Kadamakkudi near Kochi, Kerala. AFP
Consecutive years of flooding in Kerala killed scores of people and displaced hundreds of thousands more. AFP
A truck carries people past a flooded road in Thrissur, Kerala. AP Photo
People wait for aid next to makeshift raft at a flooded area in Kerala. Reuters
Aircraft are parked on the flooded tarmac of Kochi's international airport in Kerala. AFP
People walk through flood waters after a landslide in Meppadi, Kerala. AFP
A man wades through a flooded street in Kochi, Kerala. EPA
A man walks in a flooded street outside a house in Kochi, Kerala. EPA
A villager looks at the overflowing Kannappanakundu river in Kozhikode, Kerala. AFP
Volunteers serve tea and snacks to flood victims at a relief camp set up at Sree Narayana College Cherthala in Alappuzha, Kerala. Bloomberg
Residents collect food and water from a truck distributing relief to those stranded by floods in Pandanad, Kerala. AFP
A woman cries as she holds her son after they were evacuated from a flooded area in Aluva, Kerala. Reuters
Indian fire and rescue personnel evacuate local residents in an boat flooded following monsoon rains at Aluva. AFP
Breaking free of that fear of looking alarmist and avoiding the complacency that comes with success is perhaps the most alluring trap that Kerala eluded with Nipah, and has eluded again with Covid-19.
The redoubtable Mrs Shailaja, in a recent interview, indicated that Kerala's health ministry is already actively digesting its lessons learned from this pandemic and updating its guidelines so that it will be better prepared for the next potential pandemic, specifically stating that climate change makes it more likely, not less, that there will be a next time. This is precisely the kind of proactive style of leadership that health governance leaders around the world must adopt if the hard-won experience of this tragedy is not to be squandered.
Johann Chacko is a writer and South Asia analyst
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Would I ever find you again
You, the heaven of my love, my yearning and madness;
You, the kiss to my soul, my cheer and
sadness?
Would your lights ever break the night of my eyes again?
Would I ever find you again?
This world is volume and you're the notion,
This world is night and you're the lifetime,
This world is eyes and you're the vision,
This world is sky and you're the moon time,
Have mercy on the heart that belongs to you.
Lyrics: Al Hadi Adam; Composer: Mohammed Abdel Wahab
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 Transmission: six-speed manual Power: 325bhp Torque: 370Nm Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds Price: Dh230,000 On sale: now
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
