Month: December 2012
Christmas 2012 @ Sai Gokul Dham & Sai Ashraya Dham
Christmas 2012 @ Sai Gokul Dham & Sai Ashraya Dham
We also remember and thank all my friends and colleagues from TOTAL who donated clothes and books, Mrs. Uthara Ghosh and family, Mr. Sreenivas and family, Mr. Vipin and family and many others who showed kindness to join us in this scheme.
A day with God’s children at Sai Ashraya Dham
Ancestral tree – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 22.12.2012
To read it in original, visit Gulf Today Online
Gulf Today : Short Take dt 22 Dec 2012
WysiWyc – Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts – Old and still around
WysiWyc – Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts – Old and still around
You may also contact us for any medical guidance or assistance to cancer treatment and we will do our best to assist you in whatever way possible within our limits, to ease the situation you are currently in.
WysiWyc – Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts – Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal
WysiWyc – Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts – Total’s presence @ Abu Dhabi
SONY DSC-WX170
ISOSpeedRatings – 125
MaxApertureValue – F 3.30
LightSource – Auto
FocalLength – 4.45 mm
It was drizzling and I was impressed with Abu Dhabi Buses lined up on a Friday morning to take the passengers to various destinations. They were neat, clean and modern. I understand that now all the inter-city buses have wifi connections as well as catering. What more one need to travel in style and safe. Enjoy using Abu Dhabi Bus.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Friday, 14-12-2012
You may also contact us for any medical guidance or assistance to cancer treatment and we will do our best to assist you in whatever way possible within our limits, to ease the situation you are currently in.
WysiWyc – Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts – Reflections
WysiWyc – Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts – Reflections
(NIKON D90)
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm – 105 mm
ExposureTime – 1/60 seconds
FNumber – 5.30
ISOSpeedRatings – 1600
Flash – Flash not fired, auto mode
FocalLength – 70.00 mm
(SONY DSC-T900)
You may also contact us for any medical guidance or assistance to cancer treatment and we will do our best to assist you in whatever way possible within our limits, to ease the situation you are currently in.
Transluminescent signage and directions on Abu Dhabi roads
WysiWyc – Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts – Etisalat Tower Building
WysiWyc = What you see is What you click
Rain reflections – an unfulfilled wish
Rain reflections – an unfulfilled wish
This picture was taken during a recent monsoon time visit when I noticed the trees reflecting on the pool of water that remained in our garden at home. While clicking it my grandmother was sitting near the window and watching me. She loved to see the photos each time and showed it to her. I told her also that I will bring a print of it when I come next time. In fact during the next visit in October, I did bring the printed version, but in a hurry and due to short time limit, I forgot to show it to her. The click was published in Gulf News too. What to say, all saw it in print, except her as she left this world in November. Hence re-presenting it here once again, as a tribute for her appreciation and affection, which I am sure will remain as long as I am alive.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Monday, 10 December 2012
Outpass fees for Indian amnesty seekers may be waived
Outpass fees for Indian amnesty seekers may be waived
Ambassador asks Indian government to scrap Dh60 charge for amnesty seekers
Dubai: Illegal Indian residents applying for a UAE amnesty to exit the country without immigration fines or legal action may have the application fee waived under a new proposal by the Indian ambassador to the UAE. M. K. Lokesh said on Sunday he has formally requested the Indian government to waive the Dh60 charge for the “Emergency Exit Certificate,” informally called “outpass,” needed to exit the UAE under the amnesty. The amnesty lasts from December 4 to February 3 for all nationalities, and each nation’s foreign missions charge separately for the outpass. “I’ve written to my government to consider waving off the fee… Once the Government of India agrees, there could be relief,” he said during a press conference at the India Club in Dubai on Sunday. “The decision will come hopefully soon. It can take time, there are procedures in place.” There is an additional Dh9 service fee charged by outsourced company BLS that handles Indian passport and visa applications. There are also optional “value added services” like form-filling and on-site photography services. Lokesh said: “We’ve asked them (BLS) to reduce this for amnesty seekers by 30 per cent.” He added that during the last amnesty in 2007, “90 to 95 per cent of them (applicants) traveled at their own cost, each (air) ticket cost about Dh1,000… This time we expect 90 per cent of them to bear their own airfare.” Lokesh said financial assistance for those who cannot afford to be repatriated was an ongoing effort of the Indian missions even outside the amnesty. “We’ll try to help the destitute, we’re already helping them on a daily basis… The (Indian) civil aviation has been informed of this (amnesty) and maybe they’re going to give ticket concessions. And I’m also trying generally with Indian airlines.” Last amnesty, about 1,200 air tickets were arranged for applicants, he added. “Ultimately, only the deserving ones will get it.” Lokesh said that those being repatriated under the amnesty may be allowed to return to the UAE in the future. “We (Indian embassy in UAE) haven’t got anything in writing from local (UAE) authorities, but they’ve said there’s no formal ban. Formally, they haven’t told us there won’t be any ban,” Lokesh said. Last amnesty, about 46,000 Emergency Certificates were issued by the Indian missions in the UAE, Lokesh said. “We issue the travel document called Emergency Certificate, we don’t know how many people actually left.” This year, more than 220 Indians have applied so far. When asked how many applicants are expected this year, Lokesh said: “I can’t be speculative – hopefully less than last time. The initial response has been lukewarm, only about 30-50 people daily. In the final stages, more people may come… The bottlenecks may be the immigration centres – they also issue their own outpass – at the last minute, but there aren’t so many Indians there right now.” There are 14 BLS and Indian community group centres where amnesty seekers can apply in the UAE, he added. “There are 1.75 million to 2,000,000 Indian people here, depending on where you get your figures from. Indian’s are law abiding, their role here is appreciated. Some of them have become illegal residents due to some unforeseen reasons beyond their control.” For verification, Indian applicants who don’t have a valid passport or visa copy details can present their Indian ration or voter card, Indian driving licence or details for relatives and their address in India. “Even with a proper name and date of birth, in cases we’re able to find out from our records if they’re Indian citizens,” he said. After securing an outpass from their embassy or consulate, or the outsourced service provider, amnesty applicants have to approach any of 10 immigration centres handling the official pardon programme in the UAE.
My comments as follows:
It’s a pity that this kind act was thought about after other countries did so to their nationals. Any requirement or actions for non-resident Indians are always a source of revenue for the government and it happened in this case of amnesty too. Let all good actions and thoughts initiate proactively from our legislators and government representatives.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
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