Month: April 2011
Personal Touch – Short Take – GULF TODAY Dt. 30.04.2011
Personal Touch – Short Take – GULF TODAY Dt. 30.04.2011
Personal touch
I have a Parrot named Mittu, which whistles back whatever we prompt. I also have a good collection of plants in my balcony. These two have become an integral part in my life since some time. It all started as an attempt by us to return home every night whenever we venture outside. Having the thought of these members who cannot speak remaining un-attended have definitely worked in favour and achieved our goal towards it.
There are times when we cannot remain pledged to this commitment and recently it happened that we all had to go on emergency for an unplanned period.
As usual, I had to rely on my caretaker, who came diligently and fed the bird and watered my plant every day.
On my return, I found that our pet was looking thin with most of its feathers gone and the plants also looking lifeless. I knew immediately what the reason was. Within two or three days, they were both looking fine and healthy as before.
The secret was the personal attention, care and a few minutes of special time spent for each one of them. With the parrot, in addition to his regular food of sun flower seed, we used to give it bits and pieces of whatever vegetarian food, biscuits, bread etc we were having.
Constantly, we were keeping it active by talking or rather whistling to it and it was this personal touch that was missing for it. For the plants, each time when I watered, I made sure, if ever there is any weed or dried leaf on them and made it look neat and clean. This personal touch was missing for both of them.
No wonder the old saying in our epics “a personal touch in our deeds is the best rejuvenating medicine for all living beings” remains true forever.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.
A welcome change – Promising actions by Abu Dhabi authorities
A welcome change – Promising actions by Abu Dhabi authorities
It is always a relief to see when the authorities carries pro-active measures towards suggestion for a better living environment. Here is one such example of a speedier action by Abu Dhabi authorities. Further to my Community Report in Gulf News dated 23rd April, I am happy to blog that both the dangerous spots have been marked clearly giving sufficient warning for pedestrians. What is left is a garbage bin issue, and I believe it will be also handled efficiently soon.
My sincere thanks to GULF NEWS and Abu Dhabi authorities.
Ramesh Menon
29.04.2011
To read my community report of 23.04.2011, please click here or visit GULF NEWS online.
Exploring Abu Dhabi through Clicks and Writes – Abu Dhabi police celebrates first patrol vehicle
Abu Dhabi police celebrates first patrol vehicle
Under the slogan, our past is our heritage, and our heritage is our treasure, Abu Dhabi police is celebrating the 49th anniversary of launching its first patrol vehicle in April 1962.
The celebration is held at the commercial centers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on Friday and continues until the end of April.
“This celebration comes in commemoration of the first patrol vehicle ever launched by Abu Dhabi police in order to promote security and deliver various services, thus increases public confidence in police and develop partnership with the public”, said Major General Mohammed bin Al Awadhi Al Menhali, director general of Police Operations at Abu Dhabi police.
As from 15-30 April the members of the public will view both old and modern patrol vehicles in a procession organized at the Abu Dhabi Corniche. The oldest patrol, a caprice, will be delivering traffic tips and awareness for road users by giving them brochures bearing “ traffic rules are made for your safety and safety of others”.
As part of the celebration, 12 vehicles of various historical stages, including thrilling F999 and the Falcon Bike will be showcased.
To read the original, please read Abu Dhabi Police website.
Recklessness is the root problem – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 26.04.2011
My Letters – Recklessness is the root problem – THE NATIONAL Dt. 26.04.2011
Congratulations to Abu Dhabi Department of Transport for reducing speed limits. Every afternoon, I witness minivans carrying school children without seatbelts, speeding at the signals.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
Dangers to shoppers and residents – Commuity Report – Gulf News Dt. 23.04.2011
Dangers to shoppers and residents – Commuity Report – Gulf News Dt. 23.04.2011
Dangers to shoppers and residents
Iron rods on the pavement, uncovered openings and an overflowing dustbin near a mall
Text and Picture by Ramesh Menon, Gulf News Reader Published: 00:00 April 23, 2011
The Tourist Club Area (TCA) is a prime tourist, office and residential spot in Abu Dhabi.
Apart from the numerous office establishments, the shopping mall in the area has a good collection of eateries and entertainment and thus attracts many visitors each day.
It is therefore important to keep the surrounding areas neat, clean and safe for all those who visit it.
The most dangerous thing I have found in the area is a set of iron rods projecting out of the pavement near the Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal in front of the mall.
Several elderly residents walk along this route and an accident could happen at any time.
The section nearer to the mall has uncovered openings, which is another cause for worry.
Adding to all these problems is a dustbin, which is usually full and causes surrounding areas to get dirty because the cleaning staff from nearby buildings dump waste materials on the floor near it before depositing the content one by one into the bin’s small mouth.
They do it every morning and this makes the area dirty the entire day.
Through this community report, I humbly request the authorities to tidy up this area as soon as possible.
— The reader is a technical officer based in Abu Dhabi
Be a citizen reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Write to us and send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com
To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
Caring hearts – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 23.04.2011
Caring hearts – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 23.04.2011
I was walking back along the long corridor when I heard a loud prompt from my back. “We know that you write regularly. Please write about our department.”
I turned and with a smile told the chief nurse on duty, “Sister, I had already put it as a topic on my writing list.”
Yes, for the last four years, the long drive to Mafraq hospital in Abu Dhabi and its long corridors leading towards the Oncology department have been a routine.
The doctors, the nurses, administration, support staff and the restaurant employees — They were all caring and were always willing to assist whenever we needed any emergency assistance.
As I collected the discharge report and medical history of my mother from the head nurse, we couldn’t speak to each other.
A wry smile eclipsed on our face. She knew very well that I will not be returning there for my mother’s purpose again.
While passing by the waiting area, I met a familiar patient, who has become a family friend by now. She was anxious to know why I had come alone. I did not tell her anything, as I said, I just came to collect some report.
But, she was smelling something, as we all knew each others’ treatment cycle and stage. Her eyes were speaking of anxiety as she turned her face not to speak further.
Yes, for the past few years, that long drive to Mafraq hospital from Abu Dhabi and the long walk through the scenic areas surrounding it were “our only picnic,” as it was told to me by mother during one of her trips.
It was a place bound to generate compassion but well maintained to conceal each individual’s privacy.
So, each of those patients returned from its exit gate, more revitalised and reassured with a prolonged stay in this world.
Thank you doctors and staff and let God give you more strength to serve patients suffering from the “Emperor of all maladies.”
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.
Solution for airport woes – My Letters -The National Dt. 19.04.2011
My Letters – Solution for airport woes – The National Dt. 19.04.2011
Travellers from Abu Dhabi airport are blessed with a choice of checking in 24-hours prior to their flight. But the current charge of Dh30 per person is on the high side, especially for those travelling in groups.
Passengers also don’t gain any extra on baggage allowance checking in that way. This service charge could be lowered so that more passengers are attracted to it, thus reducing crowding at the airport.
Secondly, boarding passes issued from the City Terminal don’t carry the gate numbers for departures. Passengers should be guided appropriately to avoid confusion and a last minute rush. A text messaging system could also inform passengers about their flights and gate numbers.
Thirdly, at the entry gate, staff on duty could allocate a priority line for baggage screening to those already carrying a boarding pass, or elderly passengers or those with special needs. This will avoid long queues.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
Mind Speaks – Arrival of Kochi Rajas – 2011 IPL T20
Mind Speaks – Arrival of Kochi Rajas – 2011 IPL T20
Well. Well. Well. A few weeks ago, I was writing against the domination of cricket and the prominence its players were getting when compared to other sports. Now, I am changing side. I haven’t got any bribe from the cricketing gods. It’s just because of the starting of the domination by some – individuals – underdogs like Paul Valthaty, Ravindra Jadeja, and – team – Kochi Tuskers Kerala playing in the 4th edition of IPL 2011.
A few days ago, everyone got carried away when Sachin Tendulkar got a 100 although getting out twice on his way to it. That day, while coming in to field, the whole of Mumbai Indian supporters including him and his team never believed the impossible to happen. They silently let loose a winning combination to perform and a team in its teething stages enjoy learning the “Will to Win”. With their bold decision to leave Muralidharan and Sreesanth out of the playnig eleven, Kochi Tuskers Kerala showed that the choice of playing good cricket is in the players hands. Wickets were falling at regular intervals and till the time Ravindra Jadeja hit those two powerful sixes, Mumbai Indians never really accepted that enemy have arrived in their front door, in fact already entered inside. I think it was an experience that would have taught Mumbai Indians to “never underestimate anyone” and today Chennai Super Kings too got a taste of this time proven mantra.
Every one might have thought that it was a one off display until the match that finished a few moments ago at Cochin with Chennai Super Kings. M S Dhoni and his team were unable to digest the fact that a team comprising of no big names when compared to theirs offering winning shake hands. Slow motion TV replays showed many of the players in yellow were unable to look at the face of Ravindra Jadeja. Its true, they just can’t believe or digest it. That was the effect of his sixes in this match that it could be termed the most outrageous act of recent cricket. It was as if he was proving a point or two to many.
Yes, this seasons T20 is proving out to be a commoners sports. Imagine any game that the village boys play with conviction and courage. It reminds me of my own younger days, when we used to play matches between village teams. Having left with limited cricket gears many times we go out to bat with one pad and one glows. We used to have a courageous young boy, Justin, amongst us, who worked part time as a taxi driver for his living. He was our trump card while playing bigger teams. He practiced with focus whenever he could get a chance that he was so accurate to hit the knee cap or toe end at any given opportunity to ball. He was thus lethal. When given the bat, the opposition had to always keep extra balls as his hits were outrageously huge to go far beyond our playground and reach the temple pond. Batters like Paul Valthaty and Ravindra Jadeja and our own RV Gomez with the ball brought back his memories. Its just a matter of will to win and winning ways.
Of course the rain gods kindness yesterday and the winning toss meant that it saved KTK from any further helicopter attack by MSD and company during the end overs.
For KTK batters like Brenden McCullum, Mahela Jayawardane, Parthiv Patil and Ravindra Jadeja have all stood up to the challenge they were thrown in. With no gimmicks or paints around, bowlers like RP Sing, R Vinay Kumar and Raphi Gomez comes in a bowl according to captains plans. We could see fielders throw in and “do all little little things right to get the final thing perfect”. I am sure these winning ways and cool approach by Mahela Jayawardane will give sufficient learning opportunities, self control techniques and winning ways to some of our temperamental players. This is a long series and if they re-learn those tricks fast, they too can join the party from within the ground.
Well done KOCHI TUSKERS KERALA. MY COLOR IS ORANGE AND PURPLE from now on. Good luck to all of you in the future games. For viewers these T20 matches gives a few management techniques along with sheer joy of power cricket within the shortest time. No two minds – this game is going to stay longer and its players with more money.
Ramesh Menon
19.04.2011
Good and bad signs at the mall – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 18.04.2011
Good and bad signs at the mall – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 18.04.2011
KT is my Choice – My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 17.04.2011
KT is my Choice – My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 17.04.2011
* Congratulations to Khaleej Times for turning 33. As a reader who was lucky to read 22 years of your print path and progress, I have only words of praise for each one of your team members.
Let it start from the newsboy who diligently delivers the paper at my doorstep before 5:30 am each day. He has been one of the reasons for continuing the subscription and keeping our interest in ‘Young Times’ all those years it existed.
The pages, content style, presentation, paper quality, photos, local and regional news coverage, sports coverage, online edition, all have improved over the period.
Indeed, KT can take credit for several innovative marketing ideas, which benefitted its readers like, the insurance scheme for subscribers, KT exclusive business card, KT subscription linked credit card, KT special travel bag deals etc are some that come to our mind straightaway.
One thing we all miss is the absence of ‘Young Times’ from its wings. With limited opportunity for children skilled in non-performing arts, ‘Young Times’ was a boon to display their writing or drawing skills. We sincerely wish the day is not too far to see it back on the newsstands.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
ClicksandWrites 
You must be logged in to post a comment.