Clicks and writes

Shorthand skills are a dying art – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 16.03.2011 –

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My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 16.03.2011 – Shorthand skills are a dying art

To read the original article about Shorthand reffered in this letter , please visit The National online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, The National.

KT Readerspeak – Is there a place today for reading and writing?

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KT Readerspeak – Is there a place today for reading and writing?

Welcome to the sixth edition of KT Readerspeak with a brand new topic for discussion to which our website readers, print loyalists and our Facebook community can contribute.

Just post your response below to the following question, write in to ktreaderspeak@khaleejtimes.ae or log on to www.facebook.com/khaleejtimes. This week’s question is:

Is there a place for reading and writing in today’s world?

My online comments as follows:

Volunteering and supporting remotely the 4th Used Book Fair organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services I was able to send across a good collection of English, Arabic and French books for all ages to Manzil, a participating charity institution in the Fair.

With interest, I keenly followed up with the organizers each day the progress of this event.

The organizers did not end their efforts by merely setting up the stalls. SCHS had two interesting pavilions for children to showcase their reading and writing talent. One was specifically marked for children to draw a picture and write a short story on a specially designed paper. Each participating child was given a framed certificate enclosing their own creativity in it. It was really motivating small children to come and try their own skill at drawing and writing.

Another opportunity for children at the fair was a pavilion by SCHS to try and spell their names using Sign Language. A graphical representation was given to them and looking at it they could try and spell out their names. It was really a great experience as children, and even adults of all ages were made aware by this the value of speaking ability given to all of us.

The days of read aloud stories is dying slowly with the new age electronic generation which encourages short worded communication. However, events and activities such as these stand out and tells us that there exists a few special people who try their best to generate an opportunity for children to find a place in their life for reading and writing.

To read it online, please visit Khaleej Times Online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Community Service, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Manzil, Opinion 2011, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

Dhoni’s blunder – My Letters – Khaleej Times – Dt. 14.03.2011

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My Letters – Khaleej Times – Dt. 14.03.2011 – Dhoni’s blunder

 

My Letters – Khaleej Times – Dt. 14.03.2011 – Dhoni’s blunder

Dhoni’s blunder
14 March 2011

A review cannot be expressed more precisely than done in ‘Reverse Appeal’ (KT, March 13) on the match between India and South Africa. The writer hit the bull’s eye straight and open. A very good start and advantage by the top end batters was lost washed away easily by senseless batting and thoughtless bowling by pacers, except Zaheer Khan.

Captain Dhoni was batting like countrywomen washing clothes near the banks of the village pond, as if either the bat will get hurt or the ball. Not to say the golden gift of the final over. Even Tendulkar was an option for him under the circumstances. Having clear knowledge of Ashish Nehra’s fitness, Dhoni persisted with him by taking him into the playing eleven and then picked him for the crucial over. With smiles and easily playable balls he obliged making Robin Peterson a hero from nowhere. Dhoni had to invent words to cover his own vendetta of not playing Sreesanth, who always had done well against South Africa. It is time Dhoni admits his mistake and selects players according to merit.

-Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in orginal, please visit Khaleej Times online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011.

Value of money – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 12.03.2011

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Value of money – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 12.03.2011

Whenever opportunity and time permits, I love to do voluntary work, supporting various social causes. Recently on travel, I had the opportunity to attend and serve in one such union of equal minds. It was a huge event happening inside a university compound and there were many volunteers from various parts of the world. Students from the university were also actively participating in it.
Food for all was supplied at a canteen installed for the purpose and had very delicious array of vegetarian food items with various fruit drinks and milk products.
During breakfast time, I was waiting in line for my turn, when I noticed a group of four boys, whom I had noted before for their enthusiasm, rushing in. They were in an adjacent queue and I observed one of them ordering four milkshakes for them. The cashier at the counter told the boy that it would cost him Rs. 60/ for four glasses. Suddenly, the face of the boy turned pale as he searched his pocket and then looked around at his friends, and then answered quickly. Sir, I will order only one, as we love to share our drink and it will taste better. It was obvious from his answer that they had only fifteen rupees within them as luxury to buy anything extra.
Watching this, tears rolled down from my eyes instantaneously, and I tried to intervene with the cashier and the boys asking them permission to buy them three more drinks so that each one can have one glass full. They were so persistent that they refused politely my offer and went on collecting the one single glass of milkshake sipping one after another its content.
It brought back memories to my college days where I had very limited pocket money and survived on whatever little available all throughout. It also brought memories to my own little son and his innocent demand of a vegetable burger long ago when I had not even Dhs5 in my pocket.
Value of money is one thing children have to be taught whenever an opportunity arises.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, Short Take.

Success of the Fourth Used Book Fair a “Treasure of Knowledge” – a motivational factor to encourage reading habit

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Success of the Fourth Used Book Fair a “Treasure of Knowledge” – a motivational factor to encourage reading habit

Success of the Fourth Used Book Fair a “Treasure of Knowledge” – a motivational factor to encourage reading habit

About 40,000 Visitors Attended The Fourth Used Book Fair a “Treasure of Knowledge”

The Fourth Used Book Fair under the theme “Treasure of Knowledge”, which was organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) a non-profit organization located in the UAE under the Director Generalship of Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, concluded on Saturday, March 5th, 2011.

SCHS aims at providing education, advocacy, and independence for people with disabilities.

The doors of the festival were opened until midnight Saturday 5th March 2011 in order to receive the energetic crowd, who came to buy books at nominal price and to enjoy an evening with cultural and social activities held in the open air theatre.

Children from various schools seized this opportunity to show their real talents onstage.

The purchase of books were made easy using a coupon system, which then went into a lucky draw.

According to Jihad Abdel Qader, the fair’s General Coordinator, 4 LCD TV sets, 3 electronic dictionaries, 10 dinner invitations to the Mega Mall, 4 invitations to Khalidia Resort in Sharjah, 3 mobile phones, and 1 invitation to Armani Restaurant at Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest building, were given as winning gifts to a number of visitors on Saturday evening.

The intensive presence of visitors from day one of the fair was highly motivational to volunteers, who dedicated a lot of time and effort to make the event a success.

The aim of the event was to raise public awareness of the importance of reading to increase knowledge and develop minds. In addition SCHS will allocate the revenue generated by the sales to continue the humanitarian services the organization provides.

Salah Odaa, SCHS Sign Language Interpreter, pointed out the importance of this happening in relation to culture and education. It has many goals such as bringing people together. Mr. Odaa handled the sign language interpretation for a number of SCHS deaf students, who volunteered to work in festival security. He considers the large number of visitors was a clear indication of people’s interest in knowledge and culture and grab the limited opportunities available to enhance them. Seeing the success of this years event, the public is demanding for more such festivals in the future.

It was Kholod Mohammed from SCHS’s Vocational Rehabilitation & Training Department first time in the festival, but it won’t be the last. She supports the goals of the festival. She thinks the idea is brilliant. Kholod suggested, in the coming circle of the festival, to create new activities in order to attract more visitors. These activities will target small children to motivate them to show more interest in reading. Some of the current festival activities include themes like “Know Your Name in Sign Language”, “Young Writer”, and the fictional character “Katoobah” were especially there to target the interest of children. The character was suggested by Kholod.

Young Writer: A Workshop of Innovation

This activity was the suggestion of Babris Abeash and Sandra Hassin from Sharjah Autism Center. The activity attracted children from ages 6 to 15.

Girls were more interested in the activity than boys. They appreciated the importance of this festival in relation to culture and socialization. The idea of the activity is to ask small children to write their own stories. Then, supervisors ask those children about the plot, the characters, and the theme of the story. English and Arabic stories were accepted. In order to stimulate kids, they were given small cards with “Young Writer” written on them.

Mothers of the Disabled Board Contribution

Mrs. Fatahia Abu Aqlean, the mother of Ahmed Sheqar, a down syndrome child, was grateful to mothers of the disabled, who volunteered to work in the festival with great enthusiasm. The fair has united the community in one activity. The festival aims at changing public’s misconceptions about people with disabilities and motivating parents to support their loved ones. Mrs. Majdah Hassim, the mother of Ahmed Hussain who is mentally disabled, was happy with this humanitarian initiative. She thanked SCHS staff. She said: “The initiative is good and effective. It is a very important kind of charity that serves the community and raises the value of books.”

Visitors Opinions

SCHS has always been a place for culture and science, but it is unique to provide books at reasonable prices with the intention of encouraging reading in order to continue the development of the community. All revenues from the festival will go to support the services provided for people with disabilities. This is really inspirational.

Mr. Mohammad Shaker, the father of Abdel Kareem who is mentally handicapped, confirmed the importance of the intensive presence of visitors in the success of the festival.

In addition, the festival accomplished its main goal, which is raising the value of books. He said: “The festival has several cultural meanings such as redistributing books for those who like to read but cannot afford that kind of luxury”.

He appreciated the work of volunteers, who were competing amongst each other to sell as many books as possible.

By each step it takes, SCHS is becoming a leader in organizing such events. It genuinely deserves much credit for spreading knowledge, culture, and supporting people with disabilities.

Mrs. Khadeja Bamakhramah, Personal Assistant of SCHS’s General Director, affirmed that many new charities were attracted this year to participate in the festival. Chinese residents in Sharjah volunteered to collect books and help sell them. In addition, the festival hosted two poets from Egypt.

A questionnaire was given out to visitors who were pleased with the activities and demanded to extend the duration of the festival for one week next year. Mrs. Bamakhramah said: “We hope to host representatives from Arab and gulf countries in the coming years. This year we managed to attract a huge crowd with different nationalities. The festival is indeed a “Treasure of Knowledge”.

Report and photos presented by:

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Volunteer for SCHS
Volunteer for Manzil

In co-ordination with:

Shaundel Sanchez
Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services
http://www.schs.ae/
Media and International Relations
Shaundel@schs.org.ae

PS:  The 4th Used Book Fair 2011 organised by SCHS is an excellent example for case study by Management students and organisations as to how an event of this nature could be successfully conducted generating huge interest with limited sponsorship offerings and unlimited, tireless and devoted volunteering by a group of dedicated individuals.

To know more about Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, please visit http://www.schs.ae/ 

To know more about Manzil, please visit www.manzil.ae

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Community Service, Manzil, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

Photo Speaks – Start of a new season

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Photo Speaks – Start of a new season

The date palm trees have flowered. It means a new season is beginning. Winter, although its cold these days, will be over soon. It will be gone with the dust storms and then the summer and the month of June, the summer holidays. By the time, one finishes his holiday and returns from home, it is time for the holy month of Ramadan. Then comes Eid Al Adha and by then the flowers will all be grown, full and ready to harvest.

A season completes its circle so fast and life also progress along, like that of a clock.

Wish you all great days ahead.

Ramesh Menon
07.03.2011

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Exploring Abu Dhabi, Photo Speaks.

Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 05.03.2011 – ‘Air’-ing it out

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Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 05.03.2011 – ‘Air’-ing it out

While travelling on a plane, we get to meet different people with different attitudes and approaches. Some get along very friendly and some act serious and remain like that throughout. On a flight recently, I was sandwiched between two gentlemen, who had all booked in advance and one even arranged his preferred meal choice.

As the plane took off and I made myself comfortable, I found my fellow passengers engrossed in a world of their own. There was an element of heaviness from both sides, which was not my kind of thing while travelling.

The stewardess came to serve us drinks and food. I found my co-passenger on the left asking for a Gujarati meal, which he had specially requested. The stewardess went in and brought him his special. It was the turn of the other passenger next and although not previously requested, he demanded for a Jain meal in an ‘I-must-get-it-or-else’ kind of tone. Although not available, the hostess said, she would try to get him one from the crew’s stock.

Watching all this, with a mischievous smile, I asked her, do you have a Menon meal. I will be happy to have one, as I feel very hungry and as you say, we serve homely food, so I can opt for it with all rights.

She knew, what I was up to, as did my co-passengers. Saying cheers to me, both started conversing with me, as the stewardess brought me a normal vegetarian meal available in her stock. The whole atmosphere lightened and we had a good flight and by the time we got off, we became good friends.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, Short Take.

Open Space – Khaleej Times – Dt. 02.03.2011 – The lessons we learn

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Open Space – Khaleej Times – Dt. 02.03.2011 – The lessons we learn

Open Space – Khaleej Times – Dt. 02.03.2011 – The lessons we learn
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

2 March 2011

Recently, I had an opportunity to participate in a birthday celebration. It was an important one because, it was the sixth birthday celebration of Manzil, a charitable institution for challenged children located in Sharjah.
I had to travel early from Abu Dhabi and just managed to reach there before the functions started. Having interacted and communicated with the institution only through phone and emails, the visit was very important for me to get to know them in person.
I was really overwhelmed by the enthusiasm with which those children and the staff planned the events. Meeting visitors was also exciting for the students of different age groups. Interacting with them, I felt really privileged and blessed to be among those pure and innocent minds. There were cultural events by students which included songs and drumming and a magic show. Among them one of the senior students got really excited at meeting me and started playing around with my camera.
I allowed him to click and as his demands increased, I quietly allowed him to explore its functions. Watching him one of the teachers told him to go back to his seat and watch the show. He went quietly to his seat and then suddenly came back to me and said, “Sorry Uncle, I played with it and might have damaged it.” I told him not to worry and it was not a problem.
I was however dumbfounded by his words and actions, which in the normal circumstances may not have come from an ordinary child. These were words which people of much wisdom and mobility have now forgotten.
My day became more blessed with the action of that child and the opportunity that I got being among a group of blessed children and those who care for them with such sincerity and devotion.
Incidentally, he and other students from Manzil are participating as volunteers in the 4th Used Book Fair under the theme, “The Treasure of Knowledge.” organised by the Sharjah City of Humanitarian Services, which runs from March 1-4, 2011 at the Palm Garden in Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon. ßYou may find good books at nominal prices and at the same time your visit may cheer them up for doing more for the society.
To read it in original, Please visit KHALEEJ TIMES online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Community Service, Events Covered and Reviews, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Manzil, Opinion 2011, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

KT and Sports – My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 01.03.2011

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My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 01.03.2011 – KT and Sports

1 March 2011

The coverage of World Cup 2011 by KT is gaining remarkable interest by each day. The amazing quality photos and the amount of interesting content covered within the shortest possible time is amazing.

‘First Slip’ calls for realistic criticism and the observations are what every reader wants to have from his 
own thoughts.

There is confusion in plenty about the umpiring and all these should have been tested, and probable errors should have been eliminated, well before this prestigious event. Multiple analyses for judgment is always good, and should have been the case here.

Talking about ‘Reverse Appeal’, it covers all elements of the matches that are played each day.

From an outsider’s perspective, away from the stadium, it is interesting to read them. Why not include a front appeal at the end with a short prediction of what is in store on the next day’s play. It will be then interesting for readers to see how and what the sports team predict in tandem with our own judgment on the forthcoming matches.

On the match between India and England played at Bangalore, it was made exciting by an absolutely poor bowling performance by the Indian bowlers. Barring Zaheer Khan’s lucky spell in the later part of the game, England won the game convincingly. Even the last partnership proved that India has a toothless attack hitting them for sixes at will.

With one strike bowler and seven batsmen, Indian Captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni has been riding on his luck for quite some time and looks like this is the borderline match that will drift his lucky ride down to a different level.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit, Khaleej Times online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011.

Exploring Abu Dhabi through Clicks and Writes – 120 years of Mercedes Benz

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Exploring Abu Dhabi through Clicks and Writes – 120 years of Mercedes Benz

A prototype of the first Mercedes Benz vehicle displayed at the Emirates Motor Company (Mercedes Dealers) Showroom and Service Centre at Mussaffah Abu Dhabi.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Exploring Abu Dhabi, Photo Speaks.