Community Reports
A welcome change – Promising actions by Abu Dhabi authorities
A welcome change – Promising actions by Abu Dhabi authorities
It is always a relief to see when the authorities carries pro-active measures towards suggestion for a better living environment. Here is one such example of a speedier action by Abu Dhabi authorities. Further to my Community Report in Gulf News dated 23rd April, I am happy to blog that both the dangerous spots have been marked clearly giving sufficient warning for pedestrians. What is left is a garbage bin issue, and I believe it will be also handled efficiently soon.
My sincere thanks to GULF NEWS and Abu Dhabi authorities.
Ramesh Menon
29.04.2011
To read my community report of 23.04.2011, please click here or visit GULF NEWS online.
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
Support is needed for non-profit community initiatives – Community Report – Gulf News Dt. 19.03.2011
Community Report – Gulf News Dt. 19.03.2011 – Support is needed for non-profit community initiatives
The success of the Fourth Used Book Fair in Sharjah could have been even more far-reaching with help from sponsors and volunteers, reader says.
– 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
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
My Letters – GULF NEWS Dt. 24.12.2010 – Baggage allowance
My Letters – GULF NEWS Dt. 24.12.2010 – Baggage allowance
Baggage allowance
Congratulations to Etihad Airways for being named the world’s leading airline for the second consecutive year at a travel industry event.
Etihad Airways now flies to many destinations from Abu Dhabi. Several new destinations, including those in South India, are being added in the near future.
A unified and standard 40 kilogram baggage allowance to all Indian destinations is a common wish-list among the passengers from Abu Dhabi. To travel by [Etihad] will then be a privilege for all to fly from Abu Dhabi, by the capital’s own airlines, from its state-of-the-art airport facilities.
I request Etihad Airways to kindly consider more baggage options on their flights to all Indian destinations alike.
It will also be a good idea for the airlines to partner with major electronic companies and shopping malls and provide special baggage vouchers on transportation of electronic appliances such as television.
This scheme will give a much required boost to revive the consumer sector.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
Mr Hareb Al Muhairi, VP Sales UAE, Etihad Airways, responds:
Many thanks for your congratulations on Etihad winning the “World’s Leading Airline” award for the second year in a row.
Etihad continually looks to add new and innovative features to enhance the travel experience for our customers.
These features currently include online check-in and self check-in at Abu Dhabi airport.
We also recently launched our “India Connect” scheme for members of our Etihad Guest programme travelling to and from India.
India Connect has a range of partners in India and around the world, who provide special offers for members of the scheme.
These partners include restaurants, hotels, retail chains, telecommunications services and financial service providers.
In terms of baggage allowances, this is a key commercial aspect of the airline industry and needs to be managed carefully. That said, the levels Etihad offers customers in all our cabins are among the highest in the industry.
Mr Menon responds:
I thank the management of Etihad for their response. I look forward to their extended effort to give more baggage allowance, than the existing 23 kilograms, to passengers [flying] to Indian destinations so that more families can opt for flying out from Abu Dhabi.
It is the major detrimental factor when travelling during holidays as a family or for that matter as a group with luggage for a long stay.
Gulf News’ intervention has highlighted this issue and I hope that the management of Etihad will consider this important factor in their scope for improvement for passenger comfort and convenience to attract more business to Etihad as well as Abu Dhabi airport.
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.
For the benefit of those who are visiting Sabarimala this season- if possible, please avoid Swami Ayyapan Road if it is raining
For the benefit of those who are visiting Sabarimala this season- if possible, please avoid Swami Ayyapan road if it is raining
The following self explanatory pictures are added with brief narrations for the benefit of better understanding the situation I witnessed.
Rush of pilgrims on that day at Sabarimala
Here comes a heavily loaded tractor
Left with few contact numbers that came to my mind, I called up Amrita TV team in UAE, who in turn informed the reporters stationed at Sabarimala and captured the scene. Calls to Mathrubhumi helped me to get the direct number of Kerala Chief Minister Sri V S Achuthanandan and his Personal Assistant , after listening to me from the location, requested me to appraise the situation to the Devaswom Minister. A call to his office and talk with his Personal Assistant, I was assured, necessary measures will be taken with immediate effect.
With this community report, I kindly request those who read to circulate it amongst those who benefit from it on the dangers of using this road, when it is raining, and till the time the authorities define appropriate safety measures, for the tractor drivers, the dolly operators, the donkey operators and the poor animals and of course thousands of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala this season.
I also:
– request the authorities to kindly install necessary sign boards informing devotees not to rush and run down on the slopes as it is dangerous for them as well as those elderly or children who may be on their way.
– request the authorities to kindly place necessary police and ayyappa seva sangam volunteers on Swami Ayyappan Road to control the smooth passage of devotees and load carrying vehicles or animals till the time appropriate measures are in place for improved safety.
– request the authorities to kindly install ropes or other type of support system for devotees to hold and grip while they descend, especially on the numerous shortcuts which are extremely dangerous, and deceptive.
– although a repeat, I humbly request all young and regular devotees to patiently descend without rushing, as it is extremely dangerous for all those who use the same road for journey up and down.
More to be done and my personal efforts in this will be continued in this direction in the near future.
Abu Dhabi
12.12.2010
Latest update as on 15.12.2010
The above is the print screen shot of a news reported in Manorama Newspaper online and print dated 15.12.2010. Kerala Government have now approved a 5.5 crore budget to increase the width of the road from present 3.5m to 5 mts and build a wall on the dangerous edges enroute this road. There are plans to have additional or sufficient path for walking. It will be a concrete road. Since any expenditure above 10 lakhs needs special permission from an ombudsman and his approval is required, the proposal will be submitted to him shortly by the concerned authorities. I sincerely hope this will be approved and the road work will get done before the next Sabarimala Season.
Community Report – GULF NEWS – Dt. 06.12.2010 – A solution to the poster menace around Abu Dhabi
Community Report – GULF NEWS – Dt. 06.12.2010 – A solution to the poster menace around Abu Dhabi
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A solution to the poster menace around Abu Dhabi
Municipality could install notice boards at prominent places and charge fee
Sticking posters on walls and public bus stops has been an issue that spoils the image of cities all around the UAE. Motivated by the authorities’ new initiatives, I went around Abu Dhabi and decided to highlight a few cases.
I found that putting up bills and posters is not a one-off issue. They are pasted in all possible places at junctions and areas frequented by the public. A closer look brought out the content of most of the posters on display. They are either rooms for rent, tuitions or baby sitting jobs that are available.
This shows the need for a common, convenient and economic platform for the public who wish to advertise locally.
The same platform could also be used as an advertisement board to exhibit what is happening locally, within a short time frame.
Through this community report, I therefore call on the municipality and development departments to install simple notice boards at prominent corners in each neighbourhood.
People who wish to advertise could then do so after paying a fixed amount to the municipality or relevant authority. Inspectors could then monitor and also penalise those who post indiscriminately in non-designated places and spoil the beauty of our city.
A section of these notice boards could be used to post advertisements of programmes happening within the city, organised by the authorities as well as private parties. This option would bring in added revenue.
I sincerely hope this proposed system would help reduce the problem.
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 it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
Community report – GULF NEWS – Dt. 21.09.2010 – Coping with fog
Community report – GULF NEWS – Dt. 21.09.2010 – Coping with fog
Road signs on Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway need an overhaul
Text and picture by Ramesh Menon, Gulf News Reader Published: 00:00 September 21, 2010
Gulf News reader Ramesh Menon predicts the return of foggy days and urged the authorities to plan ahead in order to make residents’ commutes smooth and hassle-free. He took this photograph last year on the Ghantoot highway. Image Credit: Ramesh Menon/Gulf News reader We witnessed one of the worst road accidents in the UAE back in 2008, on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot.
For regular road users of this highway, it was not a surprise. The sudden weather change and lack of visibility during early mornings is a regular phenomenon on desert roads.
Now, the weather seems to be changing once again to foggy days. Accordingly, during early morning drives on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway, we can see several fog pockets, especially after the Ghantoot area. It gets very dangerous to drive with less than 30 metres visibility.
Along the route, there are major exits from the highway and all these have signboards placed on the right side of the road. During foggy days and when there is heavy vehicle traffic, these signboards are difficult to spot.
In order to avoid this dangerous situation, I suggest that the authorities:
– Introduce a new road signage system. Signboards near major exits can have luminescent paint, along with clear markings on roads. These should be present well in advance, so that drivers do not get worried and are not misguided, even in case of extreme foggy or dusty conditions.
– An increase in the installation of electronic road signs so that drivers are cautioned if there is danger ahead.
– An increase in police patrols on foggy days, especially on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway and Emirates Road.
I am optimistic that this system will be very effective, specifically on Emirates Road, Shaikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi and Shaikh Rashid Road towards Dubai.
— The reader is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS 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.
My Photos – Gulf News Dt. 11.08.2010 – RTA to revise speed limits on Dubai roads: official
My Photos – Gulf News Dt. 11.08.2010 – RTA to revise speed limits on Dubai roads: official
While warning signs about speeding abound, minivans and heavy truck drivers do not seem to care, according to Gulf News reader Ramesh Menon.
Image Credit: Ramesh Menon/Gulf News reader
Gulf News Dt. 11.08.2010 – RTA to revise speed limits on Dubai roads: official
The RTA would soon finalise the new “Speed Manual” containing details about speed limits on Dubai roads in accordance with the best and modern global standards
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
Published: 00:00 August 11, 2010
Dubai: Speed limits on a number of roads will be revised as part of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plan to ensure safety of all road users, said a senior official.
The decision is being taken in light of the recommendations of the Speed Management Strategy Project which is nearing completion. The project was launched in June last year to assess proper speed limits for Dubai roads in accordance with the road design and its utilisation.
“Implementation and compliance with the specified speed limits will contribute to a better traffic flow and minimise road accidents and consequently loss of life and property,” said Maitha Obaid Bin Adai, Chief Executive Officer of the RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.
She said that the RTA would soon finalise the new “Speed Manual” containing details about speed limits on Dubai roads in accordance with the best and modern global standards.
Maitha noted that there was an increase in road accident fatalities as a result of speeding.
Exercise caution
She called on road users to exercise caution during driving and not to exceed the speed limit as speeding risks have become a major cause of fatal traffic accidents in the city.
Maitha said that some 40 people have already lost their lives in 22 fatal accidents in the first quarter of the year. Some 63 people were killed in road accidents in 48 fatal accidents in the three months of last year.
Engineering standards
“Adhering to the fixed driving speed is the most effective way to minimise traffic accidents,” she said, adding that the speed fixing mechanism is based on accurate engineering standards including the designed driving speed for a road, actual driving speed level observed by most drivers, urbanisation level on both sides of the road, pedestrian movement, schools and mosques and traffic volume.
She said speeding renders the driver unable to control the steering wheel and deprives him or her of ample opportunity to identify appropriate options when suddenly confronted by a traffic situation.
“We, in the RTA, are seeking to share with all road users the results of traffic accidents analyses and studies to educate and acquaint them with the risks of speeding such as human and material losses,” she added.
She said that RTA would launch an awareness programme for safe driving focusing on providing relevant information and statistics together with examples of individuals hospitalised as a result of injuries sustained in traffic accidents.
Do you think the speed limits are suitable? Are there areas that should be reviewed?
To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
Community report – Gulf News Dt. 01.08.2010 – Men drinking alcohol in public
Community report – Gulf News Dt. 01.08.2010 – Men drinking alcohol in public
Gulf News reader Ramesh Menon said he was startled to come across a group of people drinking alcohol in a public park. He said: ” I call for more vigilance and increased community policing…” Image Credit: Ramesh Menon, Gulf News reader
Community report – Gulf News Dt. 01.08.2010 – Men drinking alcohol in public
As a passionate photographer, I love to explore the Capital city during the serene early hours of Friday and Saturday. As usual, I set out one morning at 7.30am and there were some activities awaiting my attention in the park at the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
As soon as I reached the location, a small hill surrounded by green fencing, I spotted a group of people in one corner sitting and talking. There were bottles scattered in front of them and one person was pouring something into a plastic container. I understood very clearly what they were doing from their behaviour.
As I moved around and continued clicking, I found myself back in the same spot after an hour and they were still progressing with their activities.
From the bold way in which this group of people openly drank alcohol at 8.30am, I felt that this was not the first time they had done it.
They may have had a steady supply of alcohol from someone nearby, or they would not have found such a convenient place and time to indulge in the practice. When I looked around, I saw families scattered around the park, and children playing in groups and by themselves, away from their families.
Fearful thoughts came to my mind. I remember the sad plight of young children I read about in the news, who had been abducted or molested.
This particular group soon reached an inebriated state and started drinking directly from the bottle. As I walked away, I saw them throwing and shattering the empty bottles on a nearby lamp post.
I strongly feel that this is not a one-off incident. Effective control measures are needed. I call for more vigilance and increased community policing in public parks and beaches during morning hours and evenings.
— The reader is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.
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