Month: October 2014
Time to click – Gulf Today, Short Take Dated 18 October 2014
Time to click
Modern technology gives plenty of options for children to develop several hobbies. At times, I really wonder how children learn things on their own within no time.
The other day, I was attending a function and noticed a young girl sitting next to her mother. She was restless as the programme was meant for adults and she had tagged along her mother.
However, I knew from her actions that she was listening to the speech carefully. As it progressed, I watched her taking her mother’s Android phone. She opened in it an application to take photos. The next thing I saw was her taking a photo of the stage and the speaker. In no time, she edited the photo in different ways, added graphics and text and made a collage out of it. Sitting and watching her closely from behind, I was wonderstruck. How children expresses their mind in many different ways!
Photography is an ideal opportunity for children and adults to express their creativity. It is a way of looking things with a positive frame of mind. I also believe that photography is a way of putting your stamp on history. Every photo you click is an item added to the history of our life or even the world. We can never recreate the same again. The light, the expression and even the air pattern may change in the next second and you can never reproduce the same effect again.
In order to promote photography interest and also to create interest in the architectural history of Abu Dhabi, a photography competition is organised by the ADIPEC.
The theme “Abu Dhabi Architecture” encourages young photographers to uncover the splendor of modern Abu Dhabi as seen through their lenses by capturing rural or urban city scenes, landscapes, landmarks – both modern and classical, e.g. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace, Yas Marina, Capital Gate and also view of Corniche, Yas Island.
The theme focuses on uncovering the beauty that modern Abu Dhabi has to offer – be it a secret hideaway, a colorful graffiti wall, a bustling city scene, a unique attraction or spectacular views. Children in the age group 11-18 can participate. More details can be obtained at http://clicksandwrites.blogspot.ae/search/label/Young%20ADIPEC.
The deadline to submit the photos is Oct.31, 2014.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online.
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
Top regional drivers primed for Abu Dhabi Rally
Top regional drivers primed for Abu Dhabi Rally
New two-day event begins on Thursday, with home hero Khalid among the favourites
Abu Dhabi: Some of the region’s top motorsport stars are gearing up for the first two-day Abu Dhabi Rally on Thursday and Friday.
Fifteen teams will compete in the competition, which begins at Yas Marina Circuit and which is a candidate event for the 2015 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC).
The rally is being held by Abu Dhabi Racing and Yas Motor Racing Club and begins with a spectator stage on Thursday, where motorsport fans can watch elite drivers from the UAE, Qatar and Lebanon battling it out.
Among the favourites to clinch the Abu Dhabi title are Shaikh Khalid Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Racing, who was one of the first drivers to register for the event.
Shaikh Khalid said: “This event will enhance the Middle East Rally Championship calendar.”
He has also ensured that the Abu Dhabi Racing youth drivers Mohammad Al Motawa’a, Mohammad Al Sahlawi, Mansour Bel Helei, Saeed Bin Touq and Juma Al Falasi will be participating in the 2WD Citroen DS3 R3 class.
Shaikh Khalid shot to prominence in 2002, when he won the Group N title in the Middle East Rally Championship.
He is currently second in the MERC table and is participating in selected World Rally Championship rounds with the Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team.
Shaikh Abdullah Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Shaikh Khalid’s elder brother has also confirmed his participation in a Ford Fiesta RRC.
Shaikh Abdullah should be a serious contender for the AD Rally title, having won the UAE crown in 1993, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2008 and 2010. He also won the MERC Group N title in 1998, 2000 and 2003.
Another leading contender is expected to be Qatari champion Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari, who had a two-year winning streak in the Qatar National Rally from 2010.
Abu Dhabi Rally 2014 consists of nine stages, kicking off with an asphalt stage (3.51km) at Yas Marina Circuit on Thursday, to be held after the ceremonial opening of the rally at 8pm.
The spectator stage will be held on the North Handling Circuit at Yas Marina, where each driver will have two attempts at recording his fastest time.
Access to the stands will be free of charge.
The second day of the event will consist of eight special stages on gravel roads. The first stage is Ghantoot (18.7km), followed by Al Jarf (20.55km), Al Maha (12.7km) and Al Taweelah (21.1km). The competitors will then repeat the same stages.
For more information log on to www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en/motorsport/yas-motor-racing-club/abu-dhabi-rally-2014
News & photo courtesy: Gulf News
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
Clean work – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 11 October 2014
Clean work
We did It! That was the feeling that joyously kept overflowing in our mind at around 2pm last Saturday.
While boarding on the plane to Bangalore from Abu Dhabi for Eid holidays, I had set some clear plans to act upon my arrival there.
Prior to my departure, I had messaged friends and well-wishers through email and social media about the cleaning of a highly-used pedestrian over bridge built an year ago over the Whitefield Railway crossing.
It was built after a Herculean media and public effort to highlight the difficulties and dangers of people getting killed often while crossing dangerously. Once built, the scenario changed. As any other public utility items, no one cared for it.
A handful of us, including my family and close friends, started the campaign at around 9am.
Not used to such acts, we had no idea how it would progress. However, we were prepared with brooms, garbage bags, gloves, cleaning clothes, bleaching powder, and other necessary items. We kept few brooms here and there on the stretch that anyone interested could join us.
As we progressed, Anand Sivaram, Manager of the Whitefield Railway Station and his staff joined us as also a few members of Kadugodi Police Station.
It was indeed an experience of a special kind.
We received “Thank you”, “Good Job” and also Thumbs up signs from many people who used the bridge during the time we were cleaning.
It was nice to see unknown people readily volunteering and taking the broom from our side and do cleaning work for some time. As a coin has two sides, there were those who passing negative comments too!
At the end of our effort, we landed up with 8 huge garbage bags full of leaves and other carelessly thrown away items on the sky walk. A sad thing was that that people who saw us cleaning and progressing ahead, walked further and threw paper and other waste without any civic concern.
Everyone should contribute to the welfare of the community, wherever we are.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit:
Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 11 October 2014
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
Young ADIPEC – Photography Competition – Take your best shot and win
The Young ADIPEC Photography Competition is easy to enter – it’s open to anyone between 11-18 years old who lives in the UAE. The theme being “Abu Dhabi Architecture”; we are calling on all students to pick up their cameras and uncover the beauty of modern Capital City.
The theme “Abu Dhabi Architecture” encourages young photographers to uncover the splendor of modern Abu Dhabi as seen through their lenses by capturing rural or urban city scenes (2) landscapes (3) landmarks – both modern and classical, e.g. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace, Yas Marina, Capital Gate and also view of Corniche, Yas Island. This year’s theme focuses on uncovering the beauty that modern Abu Dhabi has to offer – be it a secret hideaway, a colourful graffiti wall, a bustling city scene, a unique attraction or spectacular views.
There are four categories* and the three winning entries of each category will win great prizes:
First Prize: A DSLR camera
Second Prize: 500 AED Sharaf DG Gift Voucher
Third Prize: 250 AED Sharaf DG Gift Voucher
*Categories: Boys 11-14, Boys 15-18, Girls 11-14, Girls 15-18
To enter the competition, please take the following steps:
1. Take one or more photos that fit the theme ‘Abu Dhabi Architecture’. You can use a camera or your phone, but try to select the best possible quality
2. Download the submission form here www.adipec.com/yapc
3. Fill in the form and send it, along with your pictures, to
youngadipec@dmgeventsme.com
before midnight on 31st October 2014
Judging will take place on 6th November and winners will be notified shortly afterwards. The 3 shortlisted entries of each age group will appear on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and in the Photography Competition Zone at the Young ADIPEC stand, during ADIPEC 2014 (10-13 November at ADNEC).
To get inspired, please visit the Young ADIPEC social media pages:
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
Guidelines for Indians – released by Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has issued a set of guidelines for Indian expats, giving them a list of do’s and don’ts for hassle-free living in the UAE.
The 34-page booklet titled Guidelines for Indians covers practical tips on a range of issues from general conduct, accommodation and driving to employment, finance, debt and import of medicines. It also spells out the services offered by the mission, the Indian Government’s welfare schemes and key contact numbers within the UAE. These guidelines will soon be available on the Indian Embassy website http://www.indembassyuae.org/
“The publication of the guidelines is yet another initiative to improve access to services by sharing information with the general public and enhancing a culture of transparency,” Indian Ambassador T.P. Seetharam said.
The in-depth section on employment spanning six pages covers everything from what an employment contract is and stipulated leave entitlements to sponsorships and how you can get labour disputes resolved.
Similarly, the check-list on accommodation advises expats to ensure they rent it “preferably from owner directly”; look for “24-hour security and availability of proper supply of water and electricity, preferably in pest-free buildings”, etc. Tips like “onus on payment of air-conditioning fees must be clarified” are also included.
Driving guidelines warn against throwing trash out of the car; hand gestures and taking to the roads under the influence of alcohol as it can lead to imprisonment and deportation. It also offers advice on how to get an international licence.
The list for general conduct say women can wear Indian/western clothes “but conservatively”; roads must be crossed only through zebra crossings and that residents should not eat or drink in public during Ramadan.
The financial tips are more detailed, warning Indian nationals not to blindly jump at credit card offers, withdrawing cash from them, using them to pay for investments or signing blank cheques to get credit cards. It reminds them that interest on these cards is very high and is charged on a monthly basis. “So do not take a personal loan unless it is for family emergencies such as medical expenses. While these loans are at low interest rates of 8-10 per cent, often people find it difficult to service them,” it says, adding: “If you really need to take cash loan, your priority should be a salary transfer loan or loan against assets like gold, fixed deposit or car.”
News Text courtesy: Gulf News online :
Soft version of the guidelines: as provided by Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi
Please share it online with as many Indian residents as possible.
Thanks and regards,
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
WRC – Rallye de France – Alsace 2014 – Day 2
Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle strengthened their grip on third position on day two of the Rallye de France-Alsace, as they edged closer to a fourth podium finish of the season. Meanwhile, Mads Østberg and Jonas Andersson lie seventh overall in the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team’s second DS3 WRC.
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
Overflowing toilets – a serious hygiene issue at Kadugodi Bus Station.
Overflowing toilets – a serious hygiene issue at Kadugodi Bus Station.
On Saturday, 4th October 2014, a few of us came out with a plan to clean up the Kadugodi Pedestrian Over Bridge. It is almost a year since this structure became a reality. As regular users and also concerned community members, we were worried by the amount of waste materials being dumped on it. Added to it, the roof of the connecting side of the bridge to the railway station was heavily dumped with falling leaves, thrown away food and plastic materials.
It was an effort carried out by only few of us but we made sure the objective was well achieved.
A huge support was extended from the Whitefield Railway Station Manager, Mr. Anand Sivaram and his staff.
However, carrying out the cleaning campaign, we were shocked to observe an extremely serious hygiene issue.
At the side of the bridge connecting the BMTC station, we found, heavy leakage and clogging from the toilets of the bus station. As you may see from the photo attached, it was extremely disturbing site to see.
Checking with the Railway Station Manager, we found that, repeated plea from Railways to cement the leakage has been ignored and have seen no favorable action from BMTC side till now.
With frequent rain and with the waste accumulate increasing by each passing day; the situation is turning to a serious hygiene issue for public. There are many cases of dengue and other diseases getting reported and this will be another reason for spreading such cases.
It has to be noted that more than 10,000 people use the sky bridge for reaching the bus or railway station every day.
Thinking more about it, I now find the reason why I get to see BMTC drivers and conductors relieving themselves on the road. The male staff can get away like that. But, what about the female staff? Where do they go, if the facilities are not properly maintained and managed?!
Organisations like BMTC should act proactively for the welfare of the public and their staff.
I humbly request BMTC Management through the office of BMTC MD, Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, to consider urgent repair of the toilets at Kadugodi BMTC station and plug the leaks and work hand in hand with Railway authorities to avoid any hygiene issues.
Sincere regards,
Ramesh Menon
Additional reading:
Thank you – Kadugodi Pedestrian Overbridge Cleaning Campaign
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
Need for increased "speed control measures" by BTP in Kadugodi area
The connecting road from Hoskote to Hope Farm area of Whitefield Bangalore has been relayed beautifully by the authorities.
The work has been done in such a way that the road till the Kadugodi Over Bridge is smooth and in a drivable condition.
There is a danger awaiting here at all times.
With the completion of the road work, the traffic has gained momentum in terms of speed. This includes the buses and heavy trucks.
A U-turn exists near the bridge making it easy for residents of nearby communities to cross over to the other side of the road.
However, the removal of a speed breaker that existed is now causing lot of inconvenience and near miss situations for the drivers to turn and proceed.
The bikes, trucks and buses are all in a hurry and neither stops nor reduce the speed!
Another serious danger of children from an apartment complex nearby crossing over the road to take their school bus. On either side, these vehicles never reduce the speed. Coming down the narrow bridge, the vehicles tend to speed and proceed. Going towards the bridge, the vehicles compete with each other to reach the bridge first!
It doesn’t end there. Many vehicles coming from the Hoskote side, take advantage of the U-turn and cut across wrongly and proceed towards the market side or residential communities located there. This is extremely dangerous and has to be immediately controlled.
I humbly request BTP on this serious safety issue and resolve it by:
– Having appropriate reduce speed signage kept in this area.
– Having BTP patrol presence in the morning, especially when children go to school.
– Having increased BTP patrol presence, on first Sunday of the month where a regular function is held at Sai Vrindavan Ashram and heavy traffic and people movement happens.
– Kindly reroute the heavy trucks from this road and using the bridge, which causes regular traffic blocks.
Accidents have to be averted by taking necessary safety measures before and not after they have happened and valuable life lost.
Ramesh Menon
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
Brand power: Total unveils ad campaign in 21 nations
French energy giant Total SA does not consider itself a leading energy brand.
The name suffers from “a significant lack of recognition in a number of countries that are critical to the development of Total’s current and future operations”, according to Jacques Emmanuel Saulnier, who sits on the company’s Management Committee.
In a bid to rectify this, the company has launched an international multimedia advertising campaign simultaneously in 21 countries.
The campaign highlights Total’s operations in oil production, refining and marketing, as well as its role as a major player in natural gas.
“Total has decided to invest over the long term to develop its brand awareness and create a more powerful brand that can support our businesses more effectively,” said Saulnier, who is the Senior Vice-President, Corporate Communications.
Saulnier, who reports to Chairman and Chief Executive Christophe de Margerie, told BusinessLine on the phone from France that the last ad campaign was in 2008.
The budget then was of €24 million , and the campaign was aimed at 11 countries.
The company has already invested €50 million (around ₹388 crore) this year.
“For the print and online advertisement, we will adjust for the next waves, depending on the results,” he said, adding the poster campaign in most airports is permanent.
The multimedia campaign would feature a commercial that would air on TV, across 80 channels in 16 countries, and the Internet over six-week waves over the next three years.
In a few months, a ‘recruitment’ spin-off of the campaign would debut in the print media and on the Web. It would target occupational groups that are critical to Total, such as drilling specialists, technologists and line managers, said Saulnier.
The global corporate campaign would also include the new brand baseline: ‘Committed to better energy’.
India focus
Speaking about the importance of India in Total’s marketing and promotional efforts, Saulnier said: “India needs to be present in the company’s development strategy for the future, as per India’s economic growth.
Today, Total’s operations in India include marketing and services, gas and power, new energies and refining and chemicals.”
Adding that Total India’s Technical Centre signalled the firm’s commitment to better energy in the Asia-Pacific region, Saulnier said Total has been active in India since 1993.
(This article was published on October 5, 2014)
(Courtesy: BusinessLine)
Brand power: Total unveils ad campaign in 21 nations | Business Line
Article courtesy: AMRITA NAIR-GHASWALLA
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
Total Develops a New Deep Offshore Project, CLOV, in Angola
DEEP OFFSHORE INNOVATION AND EXPERTISE ON DISPLAY WITH CLOV
DEEP OFFSHORE INNOVATION AND EXPERTISE ON DISPLAY WITH CLOV
Once again, Total has met a challenge offshore in Angola. This one is two-fold. It involved drilling 34 subsea wells to simultaneously extract and process two different types of oil in a sensitive natural environment from four new oil fields — Cravo, Lirio, Orquidea and Violeta, or CLOV for short — in 3,609 to 4,593 feet of water. Given the project’s environmental stakes, we marshaled all our expertise in deep offshore projects, defined as oil and gas developments located in more than 500 meters of water. We are using more efficient, innovative equipment and emphasizing local content.
Read more at:
Total Develops a New Deep Offshore Project, CLOV, in Angola
For all my readers:
(If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last ‘box’ which says subscribe. Also explore the many ‘previous articles’ listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post. Thank you and best regards – Ramesh Menon
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