Achievements
Just one person can make a difference
Just one person can make a difference
The on-going road development works and the parking worries give me occasional opportunities these days to travel by the Abu Dhabi Bus or Taxi during office hours and outside. I consider this as an opportunity to move away from my driving responsibilities and also from the crazy road behaviours for some time and opportunistically utilise the view and life around from a different angle and height. However, many times, these waiting, ends up in frustration looking at the senseless behaviour of fellow road users to rush in for the taxi or the bus, irrespective of others who have been waiting there before them. Like the situation in the movie Saveage Harvest, it reminds me of a predatory instinct in human being each time it happens. However, a chance drive to a city suburb in Ajman on a Friday afternoon made me realise it is not the case everywhere. I was waiting after a sumptuous lunch from a restaurant inside my car and noticed this act of decency by a group of ordinary passengers most of them labourers working in camps. As usual, my camera did not miss the opportunity of recording a series of precious acts and opportunity for me to promote TQM and Positive Thinking values around. Watching them, I thought, how good it be, if the same social conscience and sense prevailed with the fellow users in the more cosmopolitan cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Immediately after the visit, I send the story to Gulf News for their new section Community Report, with a different version. Yeah, English is one language which we can manipulate according to our moods and swings. Thank you Gulf News for accepting it and continuing to allow me to test my writing skills. Together, it proves, You too can make Us create a world of difference.
The photos will tell you the complete story.
QUEUE PLEASE and Have a great week-end.
Ramesh Menon
05 03 2009
It’s OJRA re time at Abu Dhabi
From 15th February 2009 Abu Dhabi Bus service is no more free. However, they have introduced an economically viable pricing system for public to travel taking tickets on a daily, monthly basis. The daily/monthly coupons are called OJRA. From the rush within the bus, it seems public find it convenient and useful to travel by these buses, even if they have to pay. So, it’s OJRA re time in Abu Dhabi.
Dubai Ruler promotes Lootah as director general of municipality
Dubai Ruler promotes Lootah as director general of municipality
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter GULF NEWS Published: January 07, 2009, 12:30
Dubai: The Quran Park, shaded walkways and rooftop greenery are some of the new projects approved by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Mohammad approved the projects after his visit to Dubai Municipality where he was given a presentation on the projects by the civic body’s chief engineer Hussain Nasser Lootah.
Shaikh Mohammad also promoted Lootah, Acting Director-General of Dubai Municipality, to Director-General.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, was present on the occasion.
Lootah explained the components and targets of the vital projects including the Quran Park in Khawaneej. Shaikh Mohammad issued instructions to commence the implementation of the projects. He also approved the development of markets in remote areas.
Shaikh Mohammad expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the municipality and its capable Emirati employees.
The promotion came as a reward for the sincere efforts and constructive ideas of Lootah, who contributed to enhance the standard of civic services and oversaw the implementation of several ambitious projects.
Lootah expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the trust placed in him by Shaikh Mohammad.
He vowed that he would spare no effort to serve the nation and people. He noted that the municipality would go ahead and implement its development and service projects in the best interests of the nation.
As acting director-general of the Municipality, Lootah unveiled a strategic plan for the civic body (2007-2011) which was coordinated with the Dubai Strategic Plan for 2015.
His accomplishments during this period also included signing of twinning or partnership agreements with several cities worldwide including Barcelona (Spain), Busan (South Korea), Qingdao (China), and Lyon (France). He also signed strategic deals with local and federal agencies.
Works of impact
– Quran Park: The park to be built in the Khawaneej area will be the first educational cultural park of its kind. The 65-hectare park will be designed in a traditional way with pedestrian and cycling paths.
– Al Nahda and Al Mamzar Corniche developments: A pedestrian bridge will connect Al Nahda and Mamzar parks.
– Shaded pedestrian walks: The project aims to provide cool walkways for pedestrians on a number of open roads and markets.
Able administrator
Engineer Hussain Lootah has been appointed Director-General of Dubai Municipality.
As Acting Director General, Lootah managed the civic body, helped by a team of six assistants, who heads sectors consisting of 20 departments. Three departments and an independent office and section reported to him directly.
A civil engineering graduate from the US, Lootah began his career as an engineer with the Federal Ministry for Electricity and Water. He joined the municipality in 1985 as assistant head of a section, and was later promoted Drainage Department head.
He was appointed assistant director-general for Environment and Public Health Affairs with the departments of Public Health, Environment, Public Parks and Horticulture and Drainage and Irrigation reporting to him. In 2004, he was made the assistant director-general for Planning and Building Affairs to look after departments of the Planning and Survey, Building and Government Housing, Geographical Information Systems Centre and Statistics Centre.
Personal Note:
As a person who regularly participate in the HAVE YOUR SAY programme of Dubai Municipality and having been selected for the award from them for the last two years consecutively, I personally have very high regards for the efficient Administrative style and Innovative approach of Mr. Lootah. I wish him achieve many maure laurels in the coming years.
Ramesh Menon
08 01 2009
List your blogs at Indian Bloggers Nest
Dear Blogger,
List your blogs at Indian Bloggers Nest. It is a great pleasure in inviting all my fellow bloggers of Indian origin to submit their blog links at Indian Bloggers Nest.
http://www.indianbloggersnest.blogspot.com/
Indian Bloggers Nest, is created as a virtual place to list blogs created by Indians based in India and abroad. Once you submit your blog URL here, your blog will be categorised and listed to give it maximum visits to successfully meet the objective you created it.
To get your blog listed here, please send your blog URL to team1dubai@gmail.com and also a short profile with the following details:
URL of your blog:
Your Name:
Location:
Category/topics :
Blogger since:
E-mail:
Contact Address:
Contact Phone:
This is also an initiative to form an online gathering of creative minds. Therefore it is absolutely necessary to update the above information while and before we upload your blog URL to the Indian Bloggers Nest listing. Also, at no time blogs with un-ethical or adult content will be listed.
Thank you and hope to see you soon. Feel free to list or link my blogs to your site, if you find them interesting.
Regards,
Ramesh Menon
E-mail: team1dubai@gmail.com
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