Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> When I first came to Bahrain 7 years back, I wanted to start an association of Kayalites. However, there were only 4 natives of Kayalpatnam working in Bahrain at that time. Over a period of time, I brought in about 20 people from Kayalpatnam to work in Bahrain. Some joined ETA Star Cement, others joined other companies. About 20 more came to Bahrain on their own. With the community expanding to 40 and more, we formed the Bahrain Kayal Welfare Association (BAKWA) towards the end of 2006.

With regard to our objectives, we differ from other Kayal Welfare Associations. Our first objective is to help the natives of Kayalpatnam working in Bahrain if they have issues with their sponsors. We try to sort that out. In some cases, we also help them find new jobs. Secondly, we try to bring in more people from Kayalpatnam (educated and uneducated) to work in Bahrain. We have brought about 20 so far. We do it free of charge, sometimes even paying for the ticket fare. Thirdly, we offer help in the field of education in Kayalpatnam - for both men and women.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> As I told you, almost 40 people are in Bahrain.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> All the Kayalites living and working in Bahrain are members of BAKWA.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> I am the President, there is one Vice-President, two Secretaries and one Treasurer. There is an Executive Committee comprising 9 members.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> BAKWA cannot be run with the subscription money only. We have about 35 active members and we collect One Dinar per month. If the member wants to pay annually, we collect 10 Dinars per year. This is equal to about Rs.1200 per year. This of course is not sufficient to run our organisation. The cost of organising Eid gatherings itself would exceed membership collection. So we are dependent on external contributions. As the CEO of a factory, I get the opportunity to convince a lot of people to donate to our cause.

Recently we organised a souvenir releasing function. This itself was a fund-raising opportunity. A lot of Kayalites came from Dammam and Dubai also. They appreciated the work we were doing (eventhough we had only 35 members). In fact, after seeing the effort we had put to bring out the souvenir, they wanted to release souvenirs for their own organisations too!

From Dammam, Dr.Idris, the President of Kayal Nala Mandram and Mr.Rafeek, the Secretary of Kayal Nala Mandram came for the souvenir releasing function. Mr.J.S.A.Bukhari, the President of Kayal Welfare Association, Dubai wanted to attend the function, but due to his work, he couldn't. Mr.Omer, the Secretary of KWA, Dubai attended the event.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> General Body meets once every 3 month and the Executive Committe meets once every month.

During both the Eids, we organise get-togethers for the members in the beach. We conduct programs for fun and distribute prizes.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> As I told you before, we differ from other Kayal Welfare Organisations. We try to find job for both educated and uneducated. Alhamdullillah, we have helped about 20-25 people find job. We have not only found job for them in Bahrain, but also in Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> My first aim is jobs. Secondly - education. Education is important for muslim community in the world and in Kayalpatnam. Kayalpatnam now is not like those days. We today have all kinds of professionals. We have doctors, engineers, computer scientists etc. You take me. I am entirely into a different profession. I was working in Saudi Arabia as a desalination plant Chief Chemist for 18 years. This is a rare profession in Asia, though there are many professionals in the Gulf. That is why, I want to make many Kayal Chemistry graduates get into this line. Future is very bright in this field.

I would like to give one example. Mr.Shahul Hameed is a son of Mr.Farook (Ahamed Abdul Kader Aalim's brother). Years back, I advised him to get into the water desalination line. I took classes for him for couple of hours when I was on vacation in Kayalpatnam. Alhamdulliah, he is in good position in Dubai. He regularly calls.

Infact, whenever I guide somebody to something, I tell them that - I do not expect anything in return from them. I tell them - after you settle down, in two or three years, you help other students to pursue education. Couple of guys have done that. I am sure others will do that too.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> They are doing very good. I wish there is unity, more co-operation, interlinking. I want people to forget about religious differences and work for the welfare of Kayalpatnam as a whole. Only then, we can protect ourselves from being targetted by others.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> This is a good idea. If we are explained about the initiative, we will also join the effort.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> For 2008-2009, I have been elected as Lions Club of Bahrain President. Normally, the rules of International Lions Club require that whoever is elected as President must have been a member of the association for at least 10 years. I was only a member for past 3 years. So the local Lions Club in Bahrain wrote to the International body - recommending my name, stating that I have done a lot of work in the short time. International body wrote back - saying if the choice is unanimous, they can elect me. In fact, the choice of me as President was unanimous, so they elected me.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> I am the CEO of ETA Star Cement, Bahrain. I am also a Director in ETA Metal Division.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> My achievement didn't come about in a day. I studied in New College, Chennai. Between 1970 - 1974, I was a lecturer in Kader Mohideen (KM) college, Adhirampattinam. Then I joined a water treatment plant in Chennai. I was there for 5 years. After this, I got selected by Ministry of Waters, Saudi Arabia - to work in one of their water treatment plants. I worked there as a Chemist and Chief Chemist for 18 years. While I was in Saudi Arabia, I helped about 80-90 people from Kayalpatnam get job in Saudi Arabia.

After that, I wanted to retire and settle down in Chennai. It was then, I got a call from a friend in ETA. ETA was having some problem in getting the right person to handle their water treatment projects in the UAE. So my friend asked me to join. I was reluctant, but he convinced me to join - stating I must put to use the knowledge Allah has given me. I was convinced and took the assignment for 3 months. That was towards the end of 1999.

After that assignment, I was offered the responsibility to handle Star Cement factory in Bahrain as the General Manager. When I took control, it was loss-making. Within a year, Alhamdullilah, the factory started making profits. For past 6 years, it has been doing well.

I want to retire and settle down. I am over 60 now. But my MD and Directors want me to continue.

Mr.R.S.M.Abul Hasan> I am fully satisfied with the job, the renumeration etc. I am able to do some services, help people find job etc. I am totally satisfied. It is just that I have been in service from 1970, for almost 38 years. I am not greedy about money. Money is required. If sufficient money is there, it is enough for us. That is my principle.