Month: October 2012

‘Yellow in the UAE’.

Posted on October 8, 2012

Theme – ‘Yellow in the UAE’.

Where – At one of the prominent hotels as display

When – Sept 2012

Why – Beautiful yellow when mixed with a bit of white increased its beauty and appeal

If you like this photo, please like it in the following link

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151080834131088&set=o.143017562431177&type=1&theater

This entry was posted in Gulf News, Photo Speaks.

Magic words of Marlon Samuels

Posted on October 8, 2012

“The career has been up and down,” Samuels admitted. “There have been a lot of tough times. I dealt with them in simple ways and tried to let them pass.

“Being under pressure on a cricket field is nothing compared to what I’ve been through off the field.

“But as my mentor always said to me, everything that happened to me in life is because I am important. I’m not someone that will ever give up. I never say die.

“The person that I am deep down inside is the reason why I am still here playing cricket. I have a family that believes in me. If outsiders don’t, it doesn’t really matter to me.”

Marlon Samuels, after winning the 2012 T20 World Cup at Sri Lanka

To read the article in which he has quoted the above, please visit Cricinfo : Relief for Samuels after ‘a lot of tough times’. Photo Courtesy : Cricinfo.

This entry was posted in Mind Speaks, Sports +, TQM.

Jaywalking

Posted on October 8, 2012 Updated on June 6, 2015

Jaywalking

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi / 8 October 2012

Abu Dhabi Mall is at the centre of the city and there is always heavy traffic movement. Although there exists a pedestrian over bridge, some people still prefer to cross the road, without using it. At times, they do it even if they see oncoming vehicles. More alarmingly, people continue to talk on phone while crossing the road.
Abu Dhabi authorities used to have staff on both sides fining those who violate and jaywalk at this particular point. But, I believe, after the long summer and Eid holidays, all have forgotten this golden rule of not to cross the road at any point they wish, and seems like authorities have also forgotten about this prominent point.

May I kindly request Abu Dhabi traffic authorities to restart the campaign against jaywalking at busy traffic points. I also believe more education is required to update those who are new and also tend to forget. It should be followed up with appropriate fines so that they do not endanger their lives.

To read it in original, please visit Khaleej Times online.

This entry was posted in HSE, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2012.

Nutritional Value Of Drumstick And Its Leaves

Posted on October 8, 2012 Updated on April 4, 2022

Nutritional Value Of Drumstick And Its Leaves

Out of all green leafy vegetables available, drumstick leaves (Moringa Oleifera) contains 23791.91mcg total carotene and highest β-carotene content 16165.33 mcg/100gm FW and can be a suitable protocol for dietary diversification/improvement strategy especially to eradicate vitamin A deficiency.

Apart from β-carotene content they are also a good source of ascorbic acid, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and has low levels of oxalates. They are a rich source of protective nutrients essential for healthy vision, bones, blood and skin. The are also rich in various polyphenols, which act as antioxidants and are recommended for protecting against (Cardio Vascular Diseases) CVDs.

Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that high intakes of vitamin A/ carotenoids present in fruits and vegetables are associated with reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, age-related macular degeneration and some cancers.

Medicinal properties

Juice is used for treating insect bites and rheumatism. Leaf paste has healing properties when applied to wounds. Seed oil is used to treat gout and flowers are used as a tonic.

(Excepts from Dr Vanisha Nambiar’s presentation Nov 2006)

What is Drumstick?

Botanical Name :: Moringa oleifera

Indian Name :: Sanjana

Drumstick tree called the “Power house of minerals” is the most common tree in India. Its leaves,fruits, flowers, barks and seeds have medicinal values and are used in various manners in all dishes. Invaluable in preventing cardiac diseases; researchers have stated that the nutritional value of the leaves is equivalent to 7 times the Vitamin C in oranges plus 4 times the calcium in milk plus 3 times potassium in bananas plus 2 times the protein in milk plus 4 times the vitamin A in Carrot.

It is an exceptionally nutritious vegetable tree with a variety of potential uses. It is antibacterial and a wonderful cleanser.It is considered one of the world’s most useful trees, as almost every part of the Moringa tree can be used for food or has some other beneficial property. In the tropics, it is used as forage for livestock, and in many countries, Moringa micronutrient liquid, a natural anthelmintic (kills parasites) and adjuvant (to aid or enhance another drug) is used as a metabolic conditioner to aid against endemic diseases in developing countries.

A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known vegetable has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and support sustainable landcare.

The leaves are highly nutritious, being a significant source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, protein, iron, and potassium. The leaves are cooked and used like spinach. In addition to being used fresh as a substitute for spinach, its leaves are commonly dried and crushed into a powder, and used in soups and sauces. Murungakai, as it is locally known in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, is used in Siddha medicine. The tree is a good source for calcium and phosphorus

Moringa leaves and pods are helpful in increasing breast milk in the breastfeeding months. One tablespoon of leaf powder provide 14% of the protein, 40% of the calcium, 23% of the iron and most of the vitamin A needs of a child aged one to three. Six tablespoons of leaf powder will provide nearly all of the woman’s daily iron and calcium needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

It is commonly said that Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas,” and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs. However, the leaves and stem of M. oleifera are known to have large amounts of their calcium bound in calcium oxalate crystals, which is not a form of calcium available to the body. Whether the claim of “more calcium than milk” includes this non-bioavailable calcium needs to be addressed.

Food Value of Drumstick

Nutritionaly, drumstick pods and leaves are of great value as sources of acrotene, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C. The leaves, flowers and fruits of drumstick which are used as vegetable have great nutritional value. The tender fruit is used in samber and most dishes in South Indian homes. The leaves and flowers are used to prepare curry and cake.

Drumstick (Pods)

Food Value

Minerals and Vitamins

Moisture – 86.9%

Calcium – 30 mg

Protein – 2.5%

Phosphorus – 110 mg

Fat – 0.1%

Iron – 5.3 mg

Vitamin C – 120 mg

Fibre – 4.8%

Small amount of Vitamin B Complex

Minerals – 2.0%

* Values per 100 gm’s edible portion

Carbohydrates – 3.7%

Calorific Value – 26

Drumstick (Leaves)

Food Value

Minerals and Vitamins

Moisture – 75.9%

Calcium – 440 mg

Protein – 6.7%

Phosphorus – 70 mg

Fat – 1.7%

Iron – 7 mg

Vitamin C – 220 mg

Fibre – 0.9%

Small amount of Vitamin B Complex

Minerals – 2.3%

* Values per 100 gm’s edible portion

Carbohydrates – 12.57%

Calorific Value – 92

Natural Benefits and Curative Properties of Drumstick

Almost all parts of the drumstick tree have therapeutic value. The leaves are especially beneficial in the treatment of many ailments due to their various medicinal properties and their rich iron content. They are used as food also.

Tonic for Children:- The leaves serve as a tonic for infants and growing children. For better results, juice should be extracted from leaves, filtered and mixed with milk. This mixture becomes an excellent tonic for healthy and strong bones and for purifying bloodstream.

Pregnancy and Lactation:- Taking this tonic regularly by expectant mothers will provide them with necessary calcium, iron and vitamins. It will also help them overcome sluggishness of the uterus, facilitate easy delivery and reduce post delivery complications. A vegetable prepared from leaves increases breast milk after child birth. The vegetable is prepared by boiling the leaves with salt and water. The water is then drained off and they are smeared with ghee and eaten.

Respiratory Disorder:- A soup prepared from drumstick leaves is highly beneficial in the treatment of respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis and tuberculosis. This soup is prepared by adding a handful of leaves to 80 ml. of water and is allowed to boil for five minutes. It should then be allowed to cool. A little salt, pepper and lime juice may be added to this soup

Infections:- Drumstick soup made with leaves and flowers as well as boiled drumsticks are highly valuable in preventing infections of all kinds such as that of the throat, chest and skin. This is because drumstick has antibacterial properties very much like penicillin and other antibiotics.

Sexual Disorders:- A soup made with drumstick flowers boiled in milk is very useful as a sexual tonic in the treatment of sexual debility. It is also useful in functional sterility in both males and females. The powder of the dry bark is valuable in impotency, premature ejaculation and thinness of semen. About 120 gm. of the powder of the dry bark should be boiled in 600 ml. of water for about half an hour and 30 ml. of this. mixed with a table spoonful of honey, should be taken three times daily for a month to cure these conditions.

Digestive Disorders:- Drumstick is also valuable in digestive disorders. A teaspoonful of fresh leaf juice, mixed with honey and a glassful of tender coconut water, is given two or three times as a herbal medicine during the treatment of cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, colitis and jaundice.

Urinary Disorders:- A tablespoonful of coagulated fresh leaf juice, mixed with a glass of fresh juice of cucumber or carrot, is an effective medicine for scanty urination and constant burning in urethra due to high acidity of urine. A teaspoonful of the juice with 10 gm. of rock salt once daily, is used to cure excessive urination of non diabetics.

Beauty-Aid:- Fresh leaf juice applied with lime juice is useful in the treatment of pimples, black heads and keeps one’s face fresh.

{Source: Various reference materials. Photo courtesy – Arjun. Inspiration : KBG Menon}

If you are in Abu Dhabi and wish to have this tree for planting in your kitchen garden, feel free to contact me. I can have it arranged. The tree require minimal amount of water only and with good care you are sure to get good yield. (On Twitter: @rameshmenonauh)

Added reading:

Gujarat Govt. Will Soon Be Using This Desi Superfood to Fight Malnutrition!
The scientists of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) have been advocating for the inclusion of moringa leaves in one’s daily diet after discovering that these have miraculous healing properties.
The scientists of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) in Gujarat, who have been advocating for the inclusion of moringa leaves in one’s daily diet after discovering that these have miraculous healing properties.
Consuming drumstick leaves on a daily basis can not only improve one’s immunity and tackle malnutrition but also fight inflammatory ailments that have been identified as potent causatives to cancer, heart ailments and even diabetes (reports Times of India).

Based on this information, the state National Health Mission (NHM) department has now decided to widely publicise the benefits of Moringa across Gujarat and encourage the citizens to consume not just drumstick fruits but also its leaves and bark in a statewide bid to fight malnutrition.

This entry was posted in HSE, Information - Health +.

Its time to slow down. KBG, Can you do it? Temple elephants are living beings – please be kind to them

Posted on October 7, 2012 Updated on June 6, 2015

Its time to slow down. KBG, Can you do it? Temple elephants are living beings – please be kind to them

Once again, another temple festival season is due in Kerala. Especially, this is very prominent and predominant at central part of Kerala, specifically, in and around Trichur, Palghat and Ernakulam districts.

This is where we get to see, elephants being transported from one point to another to serve the requirement of temple festivities. This happens, more frequently and at fierce pace, during the March /April/May months, when temple festivals in and around Trichur Districts happens.

It is at this time, that elephants, are transported from far away places by agents to meet requirements of various temples.

Unfortunately, at times, these pachyderms have to silently suffer long journey by truck, who drive really fast to reach from one point to another and then get dressed up to be the focal point and then again move on to another destination.

I humbly request our government, necessary authorities to initiate the following rules:

To make sure, the elephant is loaded to a truck in the best convenient and safest possible way.
To make sure, the elephant is loaded to a truck in the best convenient and safest possible way.
To make sure, the elephant is transported from one place to another in a safe speed, say less than 40 kms per hour.
To make sure, the elephant gets sufficient time to relax before it is decorated and dressed for a long stay for a procession or festivity associated.
To make sure, the elephant gets sufficient time to relax before it is loaded once again to its next destination.
To make sure, it gets sufficient time to walk and stretch its muscles and body, before it has to travel or stand silently for any festivity.
To make sure, it gets quality food and water at each of the above point.
Absolutely, do not allow, Flash photography at close proximity where elephants are lined up for festivities.
Last and most important, to make sure, they get sufficient rest between one programme and the next.
These activities, should be strictly logged, monitored and controlled by respective Devaswom Officers, Forest and District Collector Level Officers to make sure, they are well taken care and protected.

For your information, am very well sure, the way they are transported from one point to another is the most cruel manner. The speed at which these trucks are driven to reach the next destination, I am sure, even some human being sitting at the carriage space, may not be able to withstand. To add more, if you want to watch and view by yourself, the way they are loaded to a truck, it is really pathetic. God save them and bless them to be silent as ever.

The scenes I witnessed during, just before the last Arattuppuzha pooram was horrendous. I felt extremely bad for these silent beings and feel it should not be the case in this festive season.

I kindly request honorable Kerala Government and Ministers concerned, both Devaswom and Forest Minister, especially, Sri K B Ganesh Kumar to make a note and issue necessary guidelines to the use and exhibition of tamed / temple elephants in Kerala for festivities.

(photos by Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi)

Watch this video, taken out from YouTube, thanks to Teetus P Samu (author of this video):

Imagine you are in its position to climb over to a cabin of an 8 ft heavy load truck!!

Nothing more to say, government and the ministry, and ministers have to act, well before this festival season, so that NO DEATH HAPPENS due to an elephant attack and NO TEMPLE ELEPHANT is treated or over worked during this season.

I sincerely hope all elephant lovers join me too in this campaign.

With due regards,

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

This entry was posted in Community Reports, Community Service, Stop Cruelty against Temple Elephants, TQM, TQM India.

Side view

Posted on October 5, 2012 Updated on June 6, 2015

This entry was posted in Photo Speaks.

Your future at their hand

Posted on October 5, 2012 Updated on June 6, 2015

A visit to a major temple festival brought my attention to an interesting activity happening out there. A line of about 50 or more ladies sitting out there waiting for customers. Some were with parrots, and tarot cards and some without. They are out there to predict the past, present and future of their prospective customers. I was out there to visit the temple festival after a long time.

This site brought out the memories of my childhood when as children, used to roam around freely during the festival times. Out of curiosity and interest to know more about these experts, I sat in front of one of them…My father, and my wife, amusingly watched me, as they very well know my intentions, and know that, there is no point they could stop me. They stood a safe distance away, but clearly they could hear my conversation.

As I sat in front of them, she started saying… oh… you just completed your studies with good marks. You will get a good government job.. I wanted to know more, where it will be, it will be abroad, sure. Oh, ok.. and then, before I stopped, she continued… you will get married with a beautiful girl…

I glanced at my wife, as I winked to her….smilingly…I couldn’t resist laughing, and told her… chechi(sister), I am already employed, married and have my son, who is in college….

Hiding her embarrassment but gutsy as ever, she was as cool as she had collected the fees in advance itself. Sir, sometimes these parrots, bring wrong cards, and we have a set answers for each cards. Also, we look at the customer in front. You never looked like a married man with a grown up child… A job abroad and marriage, those are the only two things important for the youth now. This is our livelihood.

As I enquired further, she said, we move on from one festival place to another.. Some times we hit bulls eye, which make our customers happy, but some times not. We just give only a vague picture only sir. From a coastal village in the northern part of Kerala, they have a team leader, who identify prospective venues and move them from place to place. After the festival season gets over, they go back to fishing or coir factory jobs….I said thanks to her and gave an additional note as token of my appreciation for being open with me to know more about them.

As I walked near to my wife, she was smiling at me and told me… which college are you studying? We thought about the numerous who followed after and thought about the life situations predicted for them!

Can we or someone else predict what is in store for us ahead? Of course, we can mould it as it happens in our own way and suitable style and convenience. However, there is something super natural and it is the grace and blessings that is really important to have our journey ahead smooth.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

05.10.2012

This entry was posted in Mind Speaks, Photo Speaks.

Keep a Personal Touch in Everything You Do

Posted on October 5, 2012 Updated on June 6, 2015

Interacting with very close and personal people help us to identify and acknowledge ourselves how sensitive they are to our attention towards them. I never really gave a serious thought to this element in my life and to this important point. Possessiveness and close presence is one important factor essential for the continuous survival of each and every living being. Whether it is you or me, it is not different.

I realized it all the more the other day, when I noticed plants in my small balcony garden. Not many items in the small space, but they were alive, fresh and lively and I had to be away from my home for some days. I entrusted the job of watering them and nurturing them to one of my friend. Back home after a week, I found one of the main items in my balcony, a Tulsi plant, almost dying. I felt really bad. Not giving up hope, I started watering it again, and within one day, it has regained its freshness and vigor.

The case was the same for my pet parrot, Mittoo. Although, he fed him well, it was missing an important element. My personal touch to it. It too shed its feathers and was looking skinny when I came back. But, the moment I was back, I saw it interacting with enthusiasm and heartiness. Within no time, it is fit and healthy as ever.

I believed and continue to believe that life and interaction with any living being is a bridge of emotions with two way traffic continuous and uninterrupted. What we give to the other living being, in any form, is returned in almost a similar or at times with double intensity.

Watch Mittoo, relish fresh fruits as also view the almost died Tulsi plant as well as its status after just a day of watering.

When, some people show affection towards me, and my family at strange and cruel life situations, I feel the magnitude of their action, many fold to what we did towards them. Just an assurance or “will be there” without asking, when you are really in need of it, is a great feeling and confidence booster to look forward to a life ahead.

I realized, there are living beings that are intensely possessive and passionate about the way about I care for them, and they themselves return the same possession and passion with true devotion.

I am sure; this life reality is the same in your case too.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
05.10.2012

This entry was posted in Mind Speaks, Photo Speaks.

One RED I couldn’t resist and never avoid

Posted on October 5, 2012

Theme – ‘Red in the UAE’.

Where – At one of the malls

When – Sept 2012

Why – This “Red” I couldn’t resist and can never avoid..Life without spice? – Is that what they say?

This entry was posted in Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, Gulf News, PassionatePhotographers, Photo Speaks.