Clicks and writes
Football Memories – Ground is Water
Football Memories – Ground is Water
It’s almost 30 years since I left this campus. But the memories still remain. The monsoon rain and the urge to play football before the class and after it. Surprisingly, even after so many years the playground at Don Bosco High School Irinjalakuda remains the same. With thick grass and water pool near the goal post, it was mischievously delightful to play there. Blue trousers and white shirts obviously ended up colorful after each time. Even if it doesn’t get dirty, we made sure, a hit to the most clean uniformed classmate gets an imprint on his shirt. Thomson, Franson, Nandan, Pradeep, Biju, Nandakumar, Jayachandran….. List of names never end….. A casual visit to the school brought back your memories. It was lunch time and drizzling. So the students were having food from their lunch pack within the classroom. Hmm, the smell of packed food from home was in the air throughout the corridor. I remember also the PT Sir, of that time, who used to tell us the special title here. Miss you all.
Adding some more passing shots…
An easy and safe Park and go option – Impose heavy fines for parking violations
An easy and safe Park and go option – Impose heavy fines for parking violations 
During my recent visit to Bangalore’s Commercial Street on two ocassions, I witnessed a series of parking violations. Although there are traffic wardens, parking bays and payment options, I noticed drivers parking at will ignoring the inconvenience of the other commuters.
A casual talk with the roadside vendors revealed an interesting information. The fines are too low that drivers ignore instructions and ignoring an civic responsibilities and park wherever they want and go finish there work and come back.
Even if there cars are locked they have to pay only a nominal fine and the lock act as a safety for their vehicles with added police protection.
I think it is time the authorities impose heavier fines and initiate stricter measures to curb such traffic violations causing inconvenience to road users.
Ramesh Menon
Volvo nights for travellers to Bangalore – A Suresh Kallada concern
Volvo nights for travellers to Bangalore – A Suresh Kallada concern
Vow! Impressive array of latest VOLVO buses from various districts of Kerala to Bangalore and other destinations daily evening.
It is a beauty to watch these beautiful buses at night. Gone are the days of Ashok Leyland’s who ruled the road. A few years ago, travel agencies like Madina, KPN etc lined up with latest Ashok Leyland buses for the benefit of travellers to Bangalore. Even now, they are there, but most travellers prefer now the luxurious Volvo buses. Whether the government repair the road or not, if you are in a Volvo, your journey is comfortable. And a smooth drive is ensured by these travels.
A Suresh Kallada Concern is one such operator who has several buses on this route and as the name denotes, the quality buses and it’s drivers make sure every passenger has a smooth journey each time they choose.
One way journey costs in these buses cost around Rs. 900 from Ernakulam, whereas the Karnatak State buses charge around Rs. 600/- On week-ends and holidays, seats are very hard to find as they are pre-booked well in advance. Train fare on these route is half the amount but again, booking has to be done well before. During holidays and festivals the rate increase will be between 300 to 500 per ticket.
Photo Speaks – Rain Tourism
Photo Speaks – Rain Tourism
Excellent rain added with choice of Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia flights to Kerala has shown an increase in tourists from Middle East to Kerala this season. One favorite spot for all has been the Athirappally and Vazhachal waterfalls which is situated in the middle of a thick jungle. The adjacent dam has become almost full and excess water opened out make the natural waterfalls all the more fierry and beautiful.
In this picture, a couple from Middle East is seen enjoying the scenic beauty from down the falls and also a warden helping them click a precious moment of their visit.
Photo Speaks – Flowers – A Water Lilly on a Rainy Day
Photo Speaks – Flowers – A Water Lilly on a Rainy Day
Wrong entry by motorists causing dangerous situation at new Kadugodi flyover
Wrong entry by motorists causing dangerous situation at new Kadugodi flyover
Wrong entry by motorists causing dangerous situation at newly opened Kadugodi flyover
The new flyover at Kadugodi opposite to Brindavan ashram is proving a great help to all commuters in terms of saving time and travel comfort. However, a minor design flaw has already created a dangerous driving situation there. Drivers, especially of autos and bikes are wrongly entering the bridge without taking the u-turn designated for them causing accidents. This bridge has considerable amount of truck traffic and already several minor accidents have been witnessed by residents nearby.
Before a major accident involving loss of life happens, I request the authorities to install necessary signage about the availability of a designated u-turn a few distance away from the entrance of the bridge. Installation of an extended road divider will also make it impossible for such dare devil drivers to access the bridge easily breaking the traffic rules.
Ramesh Menon
Also posted in Praja.in:
Wrong entry by motorists causing dangerous situation at new Kadugodi flyover
Golden Blossom memories 1 – A beautiful flower and a visitor on it.
Golden Blossom memories 1 – A beautiful flower and a visitor on it.
Banglore is indeed a city of flowers. Unlike other areas, Whitefield remains silent and serene from the disturbances of developments happening within the city. The picture is of a beautiful flower at the garden where my apartment is situated. Golden Blossom indeed. Click on the picture and have a close look who is visiting..
Independence Day wishes – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 15.08.2010
My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 15.08.2010 – Independence Day wishes
India is getting ready to celebrate its Independence Day today. Since 1947, the nation has moved towards true independence through economic progress and continuous agricultural and industrial development. Strict controls by the Reserve Bank of India have made sure that India did not suffer much due to the global recession.
Let the coming days bring about more prosperity and free Indians from the perils of politically ambitious moves by a few. I wish all Indians a truly independent year ahead.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL Online.
Gulf News Community reports published in July 2010: Winning entry – Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
The newspaper recognises readers who raised their voice on issues that they felt were important, relevant and required immediate attention.
And what goes around comes around.
Today, we acknowledge and award those who shared their experiences and brought significant matters to the fore during the month of July.
Over the past few months, the Your Turn page’s Community Report section has highlighted myriad subjects that concerned residents and helped alert the authorities about matters that required urgent attention.
Topics of concern ranged from misspelled signboards to street lights burning much-needed energy during the day.
Readers have found Community Reports to be the right platform to create awareness and turn the spotlight on situations that generate interest and truly impact their lives.
Raising important questions, seeking answers from the relevant authorities and highlighting social issues take effort. And community reporters do not hesitate to prod and poke, if it has a chance of making a real difference.
The community reports published in July were judged by UAE Editor Meher Murshed. The criteria for selection included content, issue, impact on community, responsibility and the quality of contribution.
FIRST PRIZE
Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
July 9
By: Ramesh Menon
Reason for selection:
The consequences of mistakes are magnified if they are made in places such as petrol stations.The community reporter highlighted the hazards of spilling fuel when trying to accommodate rush-hour traffic.
UAE Editor Meher Murshed said: “This is an excellent community report because it raises an issue that is relevant to all of us. We should all make an effort to be careful. I congratulate Mr Menon on his excellent civic sense and urge others to follow suit. Safety is a common concern.”
Profile:
Ramesh Menon is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi.
The reader actively promotes and exhibits community talent in the blogosphere through his blog: http://www.talentshare.blogspot.com/.
As a frequent reporter of community issues, the reader said: “I wish, in the future, more readers will find time to write in without holding back on their thoughts, as community reports are gaining immense popularity and attention, with the issues getting addressed and resolved at a faster pace than through normal routes.”
SECOND PRIZE
Danger of contamination
July 12
By: Boban Thomas
Reason for selection:
When temperatures soar, water is a crucial part of people’s day. But what if even that is under the risk of contamination?
UAE Editor Meher Murshed said: “The reader has raised a valid point. Quite often, we leave water in plastic bottles in our cars. Leaching of chemicals in water, in high temperatures, has been known to have a negative or bad impact on health. This is a documented fact. When we see such displays of ignorance, action should be taken.”
Profile:
Boban Thomas is a logistics supervisor, based in Abu Dhabi.
He repeated the need to safeguard water bottles and not leave them out in the heat.
The reader said: “This is a bad practice and I see it [happening] every day in front of small supermarkets wherever I go. I request the authorities to intervene at the earliest.”
Thomas said he hoped to have the issue addressed through his community report. “Also, thank you Gulf News for giving readers a good platform to highlight their concerns.”
THIRD PRIZE
Beach ruined by rubbish
July 22
By: Vijoy V.J
Reason for selection:
In most parts of the world, summer is synonymous with the beach.
When the community reporter came across a large amount of litter in one such spot in Ajman, he decided to write and call for a change in attitude.
UAE Editor Meher Murshed commended the reader’s initiative.
He said: “We should all make an effort to protect our open spaces. Keeping our environment clean is necessary to ensure future generations can still enjoy Nature. The report and pictures bring to the fore the gravity of the problem on Al Zorah Beach, in Ajman.”
Profile:
Vijoy V. J. is a marketing officer, based in Dubai.
A second-time winner of the community report competition, the reader said he was confident about being heard.
“If the relevant organisations and authorities come together with the people who raise their concerns, I am sure it will make a difference.”
However, according to the community reporter, the situation remains the same at Al Zorah Beach.
He said: “Nobody has looked into it yet, but I know it is a huge task to clean up the area. It has been in a sorry state for the past two years. I hope the authorities take action.”
To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
Ashtapadi by Oorakam Padinjaare Marath Krishna Marar – Devi Sthuthi
Ashtapadi by Oorakam Padinjaare Marath Krishna Marar
Ashtapadi songs are set in a special raga and tala. It is a rhyme of eternal love and supreme devotion.The literal meaning of “Ashtapadi” is “eight steps”. This video features Sri. Krishna Marar, of Padinjaare Marath, Oorakam, singing an ashtapadi praising devi.
Normally, Ashtapadi is sung, when the sanctum sanctorum (i.e the main door, where the presiding deity of temple) is closed for special poojas and decorations. It takes normally, 10 to 15 minutes to perform these special poojas and rituals. The temple artist, will sing a song playing “idakka” (the percussion instrument used here) praising the presiding deity during this period. Since, Sri. Krishna Marar is from Oorakam, this song is dedicated to Devi, as Oorakam temple is famous for a different form of Kanchi Kamakshi.
This particular song is very auspicious if one listens to it every day.
It was a long overdue task or dream to capture his singing. As he has retired from his official and temple duties, I invited him to home and he was kind enough to sing a few songs for me to record. A series of his Ashtapadis will be uploaded in the coming days as time permits.
This series is my humble dedication to all temple artists of Kerala.
If interested to keep in touch with him, you may contact him at:
Sri. Krishna Marar
Oorakam Padinjaare Marath,
C/o. Sukrutham Charitable Trust,
Kottanallore Post
Vellangallur,
Thrissur District,
Kerala.
Phone: 00 91 944 6777 966
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