Clicks and writes
Dangers to shoppers and residents – Commuity Report – Gulf News Dt. 23.04.2011
Dangers to shoppers and residents – Commuity Report – Gulf News Dt. 23.04.2011
Dangers to shoppers and residents
Iron rods on the pavement, uncovered openings and an overflowing dustbin near a mall
Text and Picture by Ramesh Menon, Gulf News Reader Published: 00:00 April 23, 2011
The Tourist Club Area (TCA) is a prime tourist, office and residential spot in Abu Dhabi.
Apart from the numerous office establishments, the shopping mall in the area has a good collection of eateries and entertainment and thus attracts many visitors each day.
It is therefore important to keep the surrounding areas neat, clean and safe for all those who visit it.
The most dangerous thing I have found in the area is a set of iron rods projecting out of the pavement near the Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal in front of the mall.
Several elderly residents walk along this route and an accident could happen at any time.
The section nearer to the mall has uncovered openings, which is another cause for worry.
Adding to all these problems is a dustbin, which is usually full and causes surrounding areas to get dirty because the cleaning staff from nearby buildings dump waste materials on the floor near it before depositing the content one by one into the bin’s small mouth.
They do it every morning and this makes the area dirty the entire day.
Through this community report, I humbly request the authorities to tidy up this area as soon as possible.
— The reader is a technical officer based in Abu Dhabi
Be a citizen reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Write to us and send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com
To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
Caring hearts – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 23.04.2011
Caring hearts – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 23.04.2011
I was walking back along the long corridor when I heard a loud prompt from my back. “We know that you write regularly. Please write about our department.”
I turned and with a smile told the chief nurse on duty, “Sister, I had already put it as a topic on my writing list.”
Yes, for the last four years, the long drive to Mafraq hospital in Abu Dhabi and its long corridors leading towards the Oncology department have been a routine.
The doctors, the nurses, administration, support staff and the restaurant employees — They were all caring and were always willing to assist whenever we needed any emergency assistance.
As I collected the discharge report and medical history of my mother from the head nurse, we couldn’t speak to each other.
A wry smile eclipsed on our face. She knew very well that I will not be returning there for my mother’s purpose again.
While passing by the waiting area, I met a familiar patient, who has become a family friend by now. She was anxious to know why I had come alone. I did not tell her anything, as I said, I just came to collect some report.
But, she was smelling something, as we all knew each others’ treatment cycle and stage. Her eyes were speaking of anxiety as she turned her face not to speak further.
Yes, for the past few years, that long drive to Mafraq hospital from Abu Dhabi and the long walk through the scenic areas surrounding it were “our only picnic,” as it was told to me by mother during one of her trips.
It was a place bound to generate compassion but well maintained to conceal each individual’s privacy.
So, each of those patients returned from its exit gate, more revitalised and reassured with a prolonged stay in this world.
Thank you doctors and staff and let God give you more strength to serve patients suffering from the “Emperor of all maladies.”
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.
Solution for airport woes – My Letters -The National Dt. 19.04.2011
My Letters – Solution for airport woes – The National Dt. 19.04.2011
Travellers from Abu Dhabi airport are blessed with a choice of checking in 24-hours prior to their flight. But the current charge of Dh30 per person is on the high side, especially for those travelling in groups.
Passengers also don’t gain any extra on baggage allowance checking in that way. This service charge could be lowered so that more passengers are attracted to it, thus reducing crowding at the airport.
Secondly, boarding passes issued from the City Terminal don’t carry the gate numbers for departures. Passengers should be guided appropriately to avoid confusion and a last minute rush. A text messaging system could also inform passengers about their flights and gate numbers.
Thirdly, at the entry gate, staff on duty could allocate a priority line for baggage screening to those already carrying a boarding pass, or elderly passengers or those with special needs. This will avoid long queues.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
Mind Speaks – Arrival of Kochi Rajas – 2011 IPL T20
Mind Speaks – Arrival of Kochi Rajas – 2011 IPL T20
Well. Well. Well. A few weeks ago, I was writing against the domination of cricket and the prominence its players were getting when compared to other sports. Now, I am changing side. I haven’t got any bribe from the cricketing gods. It’s just because of the starting of the domination by some – individuals – underdogs like Paul Valthaty, Ravindra Jadeja, and – team – Kochi Tuskers Kerala playing in the 4th edition of IPL 2011.
A few days ago, everyone got carried away when Sachin Tendulkar got a 100 although getting out twice on his way to it. That day, while coming in to field, the whole of Mumbai Indian supporters including him and his team never believed the impossible to happen. They silently let loose a winning combination to perform and a team in its teething stages enjoy learning the “Will to Win”. With their bold decision to leave Muralidharan and Sreesanth out of the playnig eleven, Kochi Tuskers Kerala showed that the choice of playing good cricket is in the players hands. Wickets were falling at regular intervals and till the time Ravindra Jadeja hit those two powerful sixes, Mumbai Indians never really accepted that enemy have arrived in their front door, in fact already entered inside. I think it was an experience that would have taught Mumbai Indians to “never underestimate anyone” and today Chennai Super Kings too got a taste of this time proven mantra.
Every one might have thought that it was a one off display until the match that finished a few moments ago at Cochin with Chennai Super Kings. M S Dhoni and his team were unable to digest the fact that a team comprising of no big names when compared to theirs offering winning shake hands. Slow motion TV replays showed many of the players in yellow were unable to look at the face of Ravindra Jadeja. Its true, they just can’t believe or digest it. That was the effect of his sixes in this match that it could be termed the most outrageous act of recent cricket. It was as if he was proving a point or two to many.
Yes, this seasons T20 is proving out to be a commoners sports. Imagine any game that the village boys play with conviction and courage. It reminds me of my own younger days, when we used to play matches between village teams. Having left with limited cricket gears many times we go out to bat with one pad and one glows. We used to have a courageous young boy, Justin, amongst us, who worked part time as a taxi driver for his living. He was our trump card while playing bigger teams. He practiced with focus whenever he could get a chance that he was so accurate to hit the knee cap or toe end at any given opportunity to ball. He was thus lethal. When given the bat, the opposition had to always keep extra balls as his hits were outrageously huge to go far beyond our playground and reach the temple pond. Batters like Paul Valthaty and Ravindra Jadeja and our own RV Gomez with the ball brought back his memories. Its just a matter of will to win and winning ways.
Of course the rain gods kindness yesterday and the winning toss meant that it saved KTK from any further helicopter attack by MSD and company during the end overs.
For KTK batters like Brenden McCullum, Mahela Jayawardane, Parthiv Patil and Ravindra Jadeja have all stood up to the challenge they were thrown in. With no gimmicks or paints around, bowlers like RP Sing, R Vinay Kumar and Raphi Gomez comes in a bowl according to captains plans. We could see fielders throw in and “do all little little things right to get the final thing perfect”. I am sure these winning ways and cool approach by Mahela Jayawardane will give sufficient learning opportunities, self control techniques and winning ways to some of our temperamental players. This is a long series and if they re-learn those tricks fast, they too can join the party from within the ground.
Well done KOCHI TUSKERS KERALA. MY COLOR IS ORANGE AND PURPLE from now on. Good luck to all of you in the future games. For viewers these T20 matches gives a few management techniques along with sheer joy of power cricket within the shortest time. No two minds – this game is going to stay longer and its players with more money.
Ramesh Menon
19.04.2011
Good and bad signs at the mall – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 18.04.2011
Good and bad signs at the mall – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 18.04.2011
Unpredictable life – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 16.04.2011
Unpredictable life – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 16.04.2011
At the beginning of each week, I set aside a point to express through Short Take and accordingly I had completed a write-up by this morning.
Reaching office, I came to know of the unfortunate demise of a little girl, Nandana, the only daughter of the famous Indian singer, KS Chitra. As a music lover, I like her songs since the time she started singing in movies and have a good collection of them. As a keen observer of things, I have been watching her closely too.
They say when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Chitra with her music was a true example of this. After a wait of 15 years in her marriage, she was given this blessed child, who happened to be with special needs. She had no regrets and during a transit through Dubai airport and speaking to a friend of mine on duty at the transit desk of Emirates, she clearly mentioned about it.
During an early morning with a long queue of transit passengers, my friend noticed a vibrant little girl wearing a green frock playing around with her mother.
Having a closer look at the person, she understood who it was and looking at the girl, my friend thought she would go and help her to reach the front of the queue. They were on their way to South Africa via Dubai.
Denying the help offer, Chitra told my friend, “I do not have any problem waiting or please do not think that my child is giving trouble to me. I was praying all these years for a child, irrespective of a boy or girl and I couldn’t believe even now that God has given me such a loving child.” Indeed, Nandana was an affectionate child as my friend narrated many things about Chitra and her daughter, in disbelief, after hearing the sad news. It is a shock to all of us.
As a person who interacts with schools and organisations like Manzil and the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services taking care of children with special needs, I know how important and affectionate they are. Let me join millions of Chitra fans in offering prayers as no words can fill the vacuum in her life.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.
Lessons from the last pile-up – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 13.04.2011
Lessons from the last pile-up – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 13.04.2011
In reference to Fog blamed for Abu Dhabi pile-up (April 3), the horrific accident that happened on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway reminded me of the pile-up that happened in October 2008.
At various times between these two periods, the press and authorities have warned road users of the dangers that prevail in this sector during bad weather days. It is a very dangerous situation on this particular stretch from Abu Dhabi to Dubai when visibility is less due to fog or sand storms.
Drivers forget the basics and continue speeding even as they are well aware of the dangers.
On March 26, on my way to Mafraq hospital at 6.00 am, I witnessed three near misses from speeding cars exiting the eastern ring road from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. This scene convinced me that police and transport authorities are helpless even if they introduce progressive measures like LED signage and modern speed cameras.
Congratulations to the Abu Dhabi authorities for constantly monitoring the situation and making changes as necessary to avert road accidents. Those traffic violators who speed ignoring the safety of fellow road users should be given compulsory community service at emergency and trauma units of major hospitals.
Safety is not a one-time activity. It is a 24×7 activity for all to make sure no pileups happen again on our roads.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
Mind Speaks – Golden Music from a life without vision
Mind Speaks – Golden Music from a life without vision
The music is simple, rhythmic and slow. I make it a point, a stop for a minute, watch them, listen to them whenever I pass by. It gives me an unknown joy and also in turn a minute of relaxation and stillness in my life.
I am getting to know them more and they too.
Enjoy a few precious seconds from one such stop.
Ramesh Menon
13.04.2011
Mind Speaks – Speed campigns should begin from individuals and organisations
Mind Speaks – Speed campigns should begin from individuals and organisations
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