Month: April 2011

Unpredictable life – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 16.04.2011

Posted on Updated on

Unpredictable life – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 16.04.2011

At the beginning of each week, I set aside a point to express through Short Take and accordingly I had completed a write-up by this morning.

Reaching office, I came to know of the unfortunate demise of a little girl, Nandana, the only daughter of the famous Indian singer, KS Chitra. As a music lover, I like her songs since the time she started singing in movies and have a good collection of them. As a keen observer of things, I have been watching her closely too.

They say when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Chitra with her music was a true example of this. After a wait of 15 years in her marriage, she was given this blessed child, who happened to be with special needs. She had no regrets and during a transit through Dubai airport and speaking to a friend of mine on duty at the transit desk of Emirates, she clearly mentioned about it.

During an early morning with a long queue of transit passengers, my friend noticed a vibrant little girl wearing a green frock playing around with her mother.

Having a closer look at the person, she understood who it was and looking at the girl, my friend thought she would go and help her to reach the front of the queue. They were on their way to South Africa via Dubai.

Denying the help offer, Chitra told my friend, “I do not have any problem waiting or please do not think that my child is giving trouble to me. I was praying all these years for a child, irrespective of a boy or girl and I couldn’t believe even now that God has given me such a loving child.” Indeed, Nandana was an affectionate child as my friend narrated many things about Chitra and her daughter, in disbelief, after hearing the sad news. It is a shock to all of us.

As a person who interacts with schools and organisations like Manzil and the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services taking care of children with special needs, I know how important and affectionate they are. Let me join millions of Chitra fans in offering prayers as no words can fill the vacuum in her life.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, Short Take.

Motorists Warned

Posted on Updated on

Motorists Warned

For Notice Boards please…

This entry was posted in HSE.

Lessons from the last pile-up – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 13.04.2011

Posted on Updated on

Lessons from the last pile-up – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 13.04.2011

In reference to Fog blamed for Abu Dhabi pile-up (April 3), the horrific accident that happened on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway reminded me of the pile-up that happened in October 2008.

At various times between these two periods, the press and authorities have warned road users of the dangers that prevail in this sector during bad weather days. It is a very dangerous situation on this particular stretch from Abu Dhabi to Dubai when visibility is less due to fog or sand storms.

Drivers forget the basics and continue speeding even as they are well aware of the dangers.

On March 26, on my way to Mafraq hospital at 6.00 am, I witnessed three near misses from speeding cars exiting the eastern ring road from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. This scene convinced me that police and transport authorities are helpless even if they introduce progressive measures like LED signage and modern speed cameras.

Congratulations to the Abu Dhabi authorities for constantly monitoring the situation and making changes as necessary to avert road accidents. Those traffic violators who speed ignoring the safety of fellow road users should be given compulsory community service at emergency and trauma units of major hospitals.

Safety is not a one-time activity. It is a 24×7 activity for all to make sure no pileups happen again on our roads.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, HSE, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, The National.

Mind Speaks – Golden Music from a life without vision

Posted on Updated on

Mind Speaks – Golden Music from a life without vision


  

I see this blind couple every day during my walk towards the bus stop and railway station at Whitefield, Banglore. Both are blind and earn a meager income by singing songs and bhajans on the street. By now, they have a fixed stretch of their own world connecting the Railway Station and the bus station. 

The music is simple, rhythmic and slow. I make it a point, a stop for a minute, watch them, listen to them whenever I pass by. It gives me an unknown joy and also in turn a minute of relaxation and stillness in my life.

I am getting to know them more and they too.

Enjoy a few precious seconds from one such stop.

//www.youtube.com/get_player

Ramesh Menon
13.04.2011

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Mind Speaks, Photo Speaks.

Mind Speaks – Speed campigns should begin from individuals and organisations

Posted on

Mind Speaks – Speed campigns should begin from individuals and organisations

Reading from India, The National online the reports of the horrific accident that happened in Abu Dhabi – Dubai highway and then the new control measures initiated by Abu Dhabi police ( No more 160kph on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai motorway – The National Dt. 11.03.2011)  reminded me of the pile up that happened in October 2008.
At various times between these two periods, the press and authorities have fore-warned the road users of the dangers that prevail in this sector during bad weather days. It is a very dangerous situation on this particular stretch from Abu Dhabi to Dubai when visibility is less due to fog or sand storm.
Drivers forget the basics and continue speeding even they are well aware of the danger behind such an act.
What is more strange is the fact that even during good weather days the driving habits are no different. In fact on 26th March, on my way to Mafraq hospital at 6:00 am, I witnessed 3 near misses from speeding cars, exiting the Eastern ring road from Abu Dhabi to Dubai before the 23rd street and after it (where there is a fixed camera which works all the time). These cars are mostly driven by night shift staff returning to their homes away from Abu Dhabi.
The scene was no different and speed no less, nearer to the Mafraq hospital roundabout, closer to 08:00 am as I witnessed staff speeding to reach the hospital before an 08:00 am start, particularly nearer to the roundabout close to the hospital. Could the hospital authorities kindly make a note of this impending dangerous situation which can turn nasty on any given day.
These scenes and experiences clearly convince that police and transport authorities are helpless even if they introduce progressive measures like LED signage, modern speed cameras etc to control speeding and avert dangers on the road.
The onus remains on organizations and individuals to educate the after effect of such a man-made calamity. Congratulations to Abu Dhabi authorities for constantly monitoring the situation and making changes as necessary for averting road calamities. Those traffic violators who speed ignoring the safety of fellow road users should be given compulsory community service at emergency and trauma units of major hospitals.
Safety is not a one time activity. It is a 24x7x365 activity for all to make sure no such incident happen again on our roads.
I also suggest THE NATIONAL to start the road safety campaign once again in co-ordination with the police and road transport departments.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Monday, 11th April 2011

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Mind Speaks.

Mind Speaks – Are you an Indian – then a life without cricket is going to be difficult?

Posted on

Mind Speaks – Are you an Indian – then a life without cricket is going to be difficult?
Watching the ICC World Cup 2011 finals from the oncology ward of a hospital in Bengaluru, I realized one important thing. The sport and its players have the top most privileges and audiences in India. Every activity was suspended during the second session. Even operations were postponed and doctors, patients and bystanders all watched the game on tv screens with interest. The roads were almost empty and as the game progressed the discussions also. Why Sreesanth was played, and then why not he was not given a suitable slip field placement which would have given him one or two prize wickets, why not Ashwin instead of him were all valid discussions happening around till the time MS Dhoni hit the winning six. Then it was all jubilation, everyone forgetting their pain within for a momentary period.
It was interesting to see the after-effects of the victory too. Politicians competing with each other in giving money and then land to the players. I am also joining in the celebration with all my fellow Indians, and at the same time raising my concern about the neglect of other sports by top leaders and bureaucrats to support their development. This frenzy and festivities now followed immediately by the ongoing IPL 4 matches. The feel and fever for cricket is non-stop and persistent in our blood now.
Interestingly, cricket is also bringing in plenty of superstitious elements into the youth and adults alike. May be one may argue it is all statistics but again, is it all statistics? I am not sure.
One thing I am sure, every young player who takes up cricket cannot be as lucky as S Sreesanth or cannot be as hardworking and lethal as Lasith Malinga. Let all sports and personnel get equal coverage.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Monday, 11.03.2011

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Mind Speaks.

A Unique Weight loss Fundraiser : Lose to GAIN by Manzil

Posted on Updated on

A Unique Weight loss Fundraiser : Lose to GAIN by Manzil

Manzil is launching a unique Weight loss Fundraiser. The concept is to “Lose 2 Gain” which will be a collective fundraiser, open to all who want to lose weight. Participants will enrol in the competition and will have their team of supporters who will back them up with donation pledges for kilo they lose. So instead of one winner and a bunch of losers, what is unique about this competition is that, regardless of who loses how much, everyone is helping to benefit the larger cause. While it may be a personal goal for many of the participants, the larger goal that will have them signing up and keep them motivated is the money they are raising for charity.
We would really appreciate your participation in any form & support this cause.
Please pass on the campaign details to your family & friends.

Campaign for Corporates:

Campaign for Public

Please pass on the campaign details to your family & friends.

This entry was posted in Community Service, Manzil.