The National Day, November 18, marks the day of honour and pride to all Omanis for being residents of this beautiful land. November 18, is the day of expressing tribute to our benevolent leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for his great efforts to make Oman a prosperous country for both citizens and residents alike. Since his first day of ascension to the throne, he has been dedicating his time and efforts to build the nation and ensure a better life and bright future to his people.
The Sultanate today stands out as an oasis of peace, security and stability in the world thanks to the wise policies ushered in by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos over the past 41 years of the blessed Renaissance.
Reflecting on his promising era, His Majesty in one of his earliest speeches said: "My people, I will proceed as quickly as possible to transform your life into a prosperous one with a bright future." His Majesty inspired and promised Omanis from his first words to them. The people listened to him and believed in him and those who had migrated abroad to make a living came back to their homeland to help rebuild the nation.
Therefore, His Majesty left no stone unturned to fulfil his promise and transformed Oman into the peaceful and prosperous haven it has become. Today, Oman is known as a land of hospitality and an oasis of peace and tranquility; it is branded world-wide as a politically stable and liberal country.
Looking back over the past 41 years, we can understand how far the Sultanate has reached and developed. In one of His Majesty's speeches, he said that "Yesterday it was complete darkness and with the help of God, tomorrow will be a new dawn on Muscat, Oman and its people". The great achievements of the Blessed Renaissance have been spread in every corners of Oman and flourished all spheres. All the fruitful outcomes of the country's rapid progress are a result of His Majesty's sincere dedication to serve the nation and its people.
In a very inspiring speech, His Majesty declared: "The land of Oman and its people are in my heart and in my thoughts, and the job I have taken on is a duty, not a ceremonial honour". These words reflect the sincerity of His Majesty to help his people to get a better life. In fact, the National Day reflects the prosperous journey of Oman's blessed Renaissance brought about by our devoted leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos is indeed a gifted man who worked hard and dedicated himself to make the dreams of the country a tangible reality. Along with His Majesty's personal commitment to the national development, he called upon all Omani citizens to shoulder the responsibility and play an active role in building their country. He believed it was an essential policy that the people should work closely with the government like different organs.
As Oman celebrates its 41st National Day Anniversary, all citizens express their thanksgiving to His Majesty's wise governance during the past four decades of the blessed Renaissance. This auspicious day is also time to renew our pledge to the great and open-handed leader and to safeguarding; consolidating and taking active part in the constant efforts in building the nation.
Nothing can be said in response to the great efforts and achievements made by His Majesty to his loyal people throughout the past 41 years, but expressing profound gratitude to the loving father of this nation. All words of thanks and appreciation are insufficient to value His Majesty's gestures to the citizens since his ascension day to the throne.
We Omanis have many reasons to be grateful and proud of our country. Oman is the land that defines our identity, it is the land we belong to and will die for. Our homeland continues to be always a safe and picturesque haven for travellers and provides a traditional, warm and hospitable welcome to its visitors. Wishing one and all a very Happy National Day.
People-focused leadership
A flurry of Royal Decrees that began in February this year has since set the tone for a reign that aims to reinforce the bedrock principle of His Majesty's domestic policy. It enjoins the government to ensure that the Omani individual is the focal point and ultimate beneficiary of all policies and programmes.
Further, it mandates the Council of Ministers and all public servants to serve as vital lifelines with the Omani people and to work strenuously for their uplift and welfare.
In a series of steps aimed at tackling unemployment, His Majesty issued orders for the immediate employment of 50,000 citizens.
While two-thirds of this number were incorporated into various military, security and other government establishments, the rest were absorbed by a number of private sector organisations operating in oil, gas, telecommunications, transport, electricity, water, maritime and services sectors.
In conjunction with the employment directive, His Majesty also announced a grant of RO 150 per month for each job-seeker registered at the Ministry of Manpower until they find employment.
For its part, the private sector has pitched in by raising the minimum wage of Omani employees to RO 200 per month. Sectoral committees tasked with promoting Immunisation also pledged to accelerate efforts to take on more citizens on their rolls.
Separately, His Majesty issued a series of orders decreeing a 100 per cent increase in the monthly pensions paid to families covered by the Social Security Law, as well as increases in retirement pensions payable to certain categories of Omani retirees. The doubling of the social security payout benefits a total of 51,442 recipients, while the increase in retirement pensions benefits a total of 35,729 pensioners.
Bader Al Kiyumi
Source:Omanet
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