Month: March 2014
Shining example – Gulf Today – Short Take – 08 March 2014
Shining example
Passion for photography has taught me a lot of things. From keen observation to contributions for the welfare of the society, there are no limits for a lensman.
Last week, with a view to unwind, I thought I should go out and play some sports. Cricket was an option. I went ahead and as usual carried my camera too.
I met a man, about 25 years old, and he was there with me to click along. I started a conversation with him. He is a student of Architectural Engineering in Dubai. His parents were here, but they had to leave when he finished school. In order to continue his education and support his parents, he stayed back, and took several part-time activities, including RJ jobs, computer graphics and photography.
Over a period of time, he became an established photographer doing independent events. With his pooled income from all these activities, he now continues his studies.
Talking to him, and rather allowing him to talk, I learnt quite a lot about photography, from his perspective and about his worldly experience, the experience of a 25-year-old trying best of his efforts to come up in his life.
This person, who introduced himself as Akbar, has proved to be an inspiring youth. With such ambition and determination, youngsters can sure shine.
Ramesh Menon
Gulf Today – Short Take – Dt. 08 March 2014
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online.
Letter on: I don’t blame my son, it is not his fault, grieving father says – Gulf News Dt 05th March 2014
The comment by a student here make a deeper insight to several things happening among the children including their thinking pattern. It also bring to our attention several questions. Why we see an increased suicidal tendency happening in children in the UAE. Is it due to parental negligence, lack of time or any other financial issues related to parents which are indirectly affecting children. Or is it due to some kind of unwarranted treatment or bullying happening at the school either by teachers or other students? Or rather is it due to an increased influence of tv or cinema showing suicides. Children are much knowledgeable these days as they have easy access to electronic media and are aware of everything happening in this world. Parents and schools have equally important role in grooming them to be a socially involved person, who does not get affected easily by minor or major situations affecting them in their day to day life. In the past, we grew up in an school system where a child from a very small age get proper attention from his teacher, who in all probability see him grow till he finishes his higher classes. The teacher also by his experience and close interactions with the parents, know what kind of upbringing the child gets from home. The frequent changes of teaching staff that may be happening within schools and shortage of experienced hands to impart value added education apart from the prescribed curriculum is a bigger threat to the future of our young generation. Since both the recent case of suicides involved Indian students and related to some unknown reasons connected with examinations, I humbly suggest the Community Affairs and Cultural Wing of Embassy of India to initiate necessary guidance programmes, talk shows to children at schools and at various community centres by eminent counsellors available within UAE and from India.
To read it in original, please visit Gulf News online.
Letter on: Special needs employees add life to work place
It is indeed a great humanitarian gesture to promote employment of those with special challenges in life. Having associated with such children and adults for many years, I know their feelings when someone appreciates their little efforts to be one among us in the normal daily activities. Opportunities should be considered for them in the field of ticketing at bus stations, registration desks, etc. Look forward to more support to this special group from all individuals and organisations. It should be included as one of their Social Responsibility objective. God Bless.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read the related article and this reply, please visit GULF NEWS online.
Letter on : Children rescued after Fujairah school bus blaze – Gulf News Dt. 03 March 2014
I sincerely congratulate the bus staff and teachers who managed the situation well to avoid any danger to the children present at the time of the incident. It is not an easy task to evacuate 30 plus kids with one exit door. As regards to the comment supporting villa schools, our children are already deprived of many sports and recreational activities if they continue to remain in the cramped villa facilities. More space to move around, play and breath fresh air is the need of the hour for our children. Indeed, traffic safety is a matter of concern when the schools does not follow proper regulation to transport children to and from school to home. However, it is not an impediment to their education. Think of our days, where we had to walk, change buses and study, and the new age kids, who get into the bus from the door step to the school door. I am sure, any child who is in a villa school will display the difference in overall attitude and educational progress, when he or she gets a move to a school with better space and infrastructure than the age old villas. Toilet facilities, danger of fire (there are several examples, which do not get reported) and other medical and psychological hazards of being in a tiny environment add more damage to the child’s growth. Safety does not remain alone, and it is a combined element along with Health and Environment, and definitely need greater awareness for it.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read the related article and this letter in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.
Window cleaner shows need for zero tolerance on safety – The National Editorial Dt. 02 March 2014
Window cleaner shows need for zero tolerance on safety
National Editorial
March 1, 2014 Updated: March 1, 2014 17:15:00
Nobody who saw the photograph taken by Ramesh Menon of the window cleaner untethered on a thin 13th floor ledge of the Abu Dhabi Mall building last week could fail to have been shocked by the man’s casual disregard of his own safety. This was all the more unsettling because the necessary safety equipment was provided but was not used.
An understandable initial reaction might be to lament what seems to be the lack of progress made to improve the safety of workers in the UAE but on reflection, there are positives that emerge from this incident.
One is that the photographer recorded the incident then reported it to the mall management rather than simply shrugging his shoulders at obvious dangerous conduct. Safety is everyone’s job and Mr Menon showed that members of the public are not going to turn a blind eye to it.
Another is that the cleaning company had its contract terminated. This zero-tolerance policy is essential, even though it might seem tough when the company provided all the equipment to do the job safely, only for it to be ignored by the worker. But employers must account for workers with little education who will be tempted to risk their own safety to make life easier. Only then will safety really improve.
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