In a move that will definitely get mixed reviews from Maldivians, the government has decided to postpone the distribution of vast amount of money they have hoarded in the wake of tsunami as foreign aid, to build cinemas in the islands of the atolls. Currently, not many islands can boast of having cinemas, or any buildings for that matter, as everything on some islands were totally destroyed during the Tsunami.
The news was received with cheers by the majority of the residents of Male, the Capital City, who had managed to survive the tsunami without any major losses. It is unsure what the reaction of the residents of the islands that were affected by tsunami are yet as they do not have access to TV or Radio or even a bed to sleep in since the tsunami destroyed their lives a few years back, and are quite probably not even aware of their great fortune, or misfortune if you want to look a gift yellow-fin tuna in the mouth.
Responding to a question by Bakhabaru reporters who were at the scene when Minister of State for Arts Hussain Shihab made the announcement at a news conference held at TVM, the Minister said that cinemas were definitely more important than building temporary shelters or even permanent ones.
"Look at the people of Male, for example," Shihab said. "They have all the amenities that a reasonable man could want or have, but does this stop them from riding around at high speeds and running into each other all the time. Does it stop them from gathering at street corners and chanting for the resignation of one person or the other? It does not and what is the reason? Entertainment! They need it, they crave it and they will do whatever they can to get it. Temporary homes and rebuilding islands can wait. With a cinema in each island they will forget about such sissy things as a bed to sleep on and food to eat."
He also said that the government was trying to further develop the film industry in the Maldives since it was the only industry that hadn't been seeing any developments for years and trying to attract foreign film companies by making arrangements for them to have easy access to production facilities.
"Once this goes through the money will flow into the country like a waterfall and the rich of the country will become even richer," said Shihab. "So you can imagine how much the wealthy merchants and politicians of Maldives want this done as quickly as possible. Forget about reconstruction of the islands and bouncing back from the tsunami disaster. That can wait. Cinemas are where it's at, baby!"
The news was received with cheers by the majority of the residents of Male, the Capital City, who had managed to survive the tsunami without any major losses. It is unsure what the reaction of the residents of the islands that were affected by tsunami are yet as they do not have access to TV or Radio or even a bed to sleep in since the tsunami destroyed their lives a few years back, and are quite probably not even aware of their great fortune, or misfortune if you want to look a gift yellow-fin tuna in the mouth.
Responding to a question by Bakhabaru reporters who were at the scene when Minister of State for Arts Hussain Shihab made the announcement at a news conference held at TVM, the Minister said that cinemas were definitely more important than building temporary shelters or even permanent ones.
"Look at the people of Male, for example," Shihab said. "They have all the amenities that a reasonable man could want or have, but does this stop them from riding around at high speeds and running into each other all the time. Does it stop them from gathering at street corners and chanting for the resignation of one person or the other? It does not and what is the reason? Entertainment! They need it, they crave it and they will do whatever they can to get it. Temporary homes and rebuilding islands can wait. With a cinema in each island they will forget about such sissy things as a bed to sleep on and food to eat."
He also said that the government was trying to further develop the film industry in the Maldives since it was the only industry that hadn't been seeing any developments for years and trying to attract foreign film companies by making arrangements for them to have easy access to production facilities.
"Once this goes through the money will flow into the country like a waterfall and the rich of the country will become even richer," said Shihab. "So you can imagine how much the wealthy merchants and politicians of Maldives want this done as quickly as possible. Forget about reconstruction of the islands and bouncing back from the tsunami disaster. That can wait. Cinemas are where it's at, baby!"
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