General
Call for more visible policing on UAE roadways
The observation by Traffic Safety experts are true and actual. A certain share of drivers are relaxed on the traffic violation punishments measures enforced through electronic media such as radars and surveillance cameras. Obviously they form the majority in creating dangerous road situations. It was not the case previously. There used to be police patrol in car and motorbikes. They come from nowhere and drivers used to be alert about such presence and avoid neglecting the road safety rules. Fear of punishment is an important factor to deter dangerous driving.
I feel therefore that there should be intermittent presence by Police on all the major roads to show their physical presence and ensure safe driving practices are followed.
In addition, weather conditions will change soon to foggy mornings very soon. An occasional presence of patrol cars posted on the major highways will definitely deter dangerous driving during the foggy season ahead so that we do not have any traffic calamities.
Children should be taught from a young age to follow the rules. Co-passengers in public and private vehicles should remind and warn those drivers who ignore the safety of others. Let patience and safe driving sense prevail on our roads. Continuous campaign to remind the drivers of following the safety driving practices is the need for the hour.
Letters to the National on:
Experts call for more visible policing on UAE roadways
Shine a light on E10 roadworks
The continuing roadworks on the E10 from Shahama to Abu Dhabi are creating confusion, especially near the airport.
There is poor lighting in this area, where the road narrows yet many drivers continue to speed.
There is no signage to advise drivers to reduce their speed, adding to the dangerous driving situation.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Letters to the Editor: The National Dt 22 August 2016
Task in hand for the new school season
Shopping malls are ready with stock of “Back to School” items to welcome the new school season. Unlike the earlier season, the market doesn’t seem to be vibrant and lively this year.
For parents, there is lot to think about the season ahead. Life is not so easy as it used to be earlier.
Especially after reading the news in The National UAE parents worry over school costs as cost of living rises.
A change of outlook is required among parents and children and definitely will come in the days ahead. Spending on extravagance is bound to decrease. In a way, it will be good to see children get used to the age old basics – specially move away from the so called electronic gadgets and get back to traditional reading methods from print media. Concentrate on physical fitness and sports activities rather than confine themselves within the four walls of their home.
At the same time the difficult market conditions may not give options for inferior products to infiltrate into the market in the disguise of “Sale” to attract consumers.
#SafeCycling on a Friday #InAbudhabi.
It is my routine to explore Abu Dhabi’s beauty during the weekend, specially on Friday mornings.
It is silent and you will get to meet those who are enthusiastic and carry similar fitness objectives in life.
Try it out.
#Safecycling #inAbuDhabi
Attaching a cycling route map for those interested. This route is expanding.
Always be cautious for self and those others on your path.
#ClicksandWrites
#PassionatePhotographers
#SafeCycling
#InAbuDhabi
Weekend in Venice is now a flight away with Etihad
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will expand its services to Italy with a new daily flight to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. The new service will begin operations from 30th October, 2016 and be served by an Airbus A319, offering 16 seats in Business and 90 in Economy. Together with Alitalia, its code-share and equity partner, Etihad Airways will offer 35 weekly flights in and out of Italy, including double daily services to Rome and Milan.
One of the most beautiful travel locations to plan your weekend/long holidays made easier by this new route.
You will agree with me as you see some of my clicks taken during my visit.
Ramesh Menon given Ministry of Interior Excellence Award
Transcript of an interview taken for Arabic media after the Award Ceremony:
Age, job, number of years in the UAE?
I am 47 years and working as Communications Coordinator for Total, French Oil Company. I have been a resident of UAE since 1988. My wife, Rajashree Menon and myself live in Abu Dhabi.
The Award : Ministry of Interior Excellence Award
Why were you given an award by the MoI?
It was for my continuous contribution to the MOI on several subjects with a qualitative outlook intended to improve the harmonious living of the residents, both locals and expat in Abu Dhabi and UAE in general.
When did you receive a call from the police? What was your initial reaction?
The award ceremony was on Thursday, 5th February 2015 and I received a call from a lady Lieutenant colonel who introduced herself and verified me before she said to me about it.
It was a totally unexpected call and I was a bit surprised and made sure it was me she was trying to contact. I then asked her details about the award and which suggestion of mine has been selected. Her reply was that I am a regular contributor and hence there were more than one of merit that made them consider me for it.
When you were at the capital police HQ how did you feel, as the awards were for the police and other individuals? I believe there were a few or no Asians apart from you. How honored were you being among the award recipients?
It was indeed a special feeling to go to the premises of Capital Police on that day. Reaching there, I found myself to be the one of the only Asian expatriate among the lineup of police personnel in uniform and in civil dress.
I realized it was something special to be among them. They were from different emirates. Talking to some of them and watching them interacting with each other I realized, we all carried the same zest for Safety. We all considered it as our responsibility to act with diligence on whatever subject we handled.
It also confirmed one common truth that each one of us did our individual actions without ever thinking of any remote possibility of being selected for such a prestigious award!.
Now can you tell us when you started providing suggestions and proposals to the police? Were most of the suggestions pertaining to road safety? Can you tell us
It is a continuous process started way back from 2006, when I was awarded by Dubai Municipality as Distinguished Contributor for their Have Your Say Programmes. It was followed in 2007 too.
The dedicated Have Your Say programmes by the authorities are a useful platform for those who wish to contribute towards the betterment of community. Abu Dhabi Police’s website and the contact centre abudhabi.ae is of real help for community oriented persons like me. I use various options like the contact centre website and email, then over phone directly to the helpline numbers and also through the Community Police department.
Road safety is one of my primary target. However, it doesn’t end there. I contribute and communicate to them in various other subjects such as hygiene issues etc as and when I get to see an alarming situation, which needs to be highlighted to the authorities.
Some of them are at times considered risky and my sense of commitment to adhere towards community safety have prevailed over personal safety and resulted in me communicating with the authorities. It has never been done with a felicitation oriented approach.
My Objectives:
I have always strived myself to promote safety aspects at all time and believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to create a safe environment, whether it on the road, or elsewhere in the community.
My actions therefore have been initiated to support the authorities and administration to propagate effectively their messages to more public through writing or other communication means.
It is a two way process to alert the authorities whenever I witness and confirm authentically it is an anomaly which requires rectification. At the same time an alert is passed on to the community to warn them about any danger if it exists. Focus is maintained on this objective and all available platforms are utilized.
Other Awards and Achievements:
I am an active participant in various HAVE YOUR SAY Programmes happening within UAE and around. This has resulted in winning a few prestigious achievements over the last few years
Photo and Text Credits: MOI and Irene Leon (for The National) and WAM/HotelandRest.com
Fast forward for Abu Dhabi Emergency Service vehicles
The move by Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport to introduce emergency vehicle priority system that allows civil defence, ambulance and rescue services to send signals to lights as they approach them is meant to improve efficiency of emergency rescue operations in Abu Dhabi.
Many times I have witnessed, the emergency service vehicles from Ambulance and Fire services stuck and waiting for way to move ahead at the tip of the traffic junctions.
This may be either due to an ongoing flow of vehicle, which they are unable to intercept or even some who initiate a move even after seeing these emergency vehicles blocking them. They are clueless as to what exactly they should do.
With this improvisation of technology, if the emergency services vehicles can control the signals and block the traffic to continue and make their passage easy, there will be minimal waste of time due to obstructions.
More awareness to be created for the knowledge of all road users how to react when one is on the road ahead of emergency vehicles in such situations. This will definitely prove to be a an efficient traffic safety step.
Mind Speaks on the news in The National:
Emergency crews may control traffic lights at Abu Dhabi intersections
Scholarship by Dubai Health Authority to boost medical education in Dubai
The initiative by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to sponsor emirati medical students with Dh6,500 monthly grant, if they do a major in medicine and Dh5,000 per month if they want to continue studies in the field of paramedics and nursing is great!. 130 students are set to benefit from “Sponsoring Emiratis in the Medical Sector Programme.”.
Recent study news that came out in the regional press stated that GCC students place less importance to STEM subjects and this scholarship will definitely attract more students to take up medical education.
Medical education, unlike other, takes a longer period for students to complete and settle in and be financially self-sufficient and thus create less interest among students. This is obvious from DHA’s Annual Health Statistical Report for 2015, showing a total of 1,612 Emiratis currently working in the medical sector in Dubai. Category-wise statistics says 276 physicians, 106 dentists, 50 nurses, 29 pharmacists are working in Dubai hospitals and primary health centres.
Mind Speaks on the news in Khaleej Times: Dh6,500 monthly grant, job for Emirati medical students
70th Independence Day -Be Humane, Hi-tech & Happy
President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the nation on the eve of our 70th Independence Day. Here are some of the top quotes from his address:
- May our studies be brilliant; may there be no hostility amongst us; may there be Peace Peace Peace.
- We are in the process of forging new relationships based on shared values and mutual benefit with all countries.
- India’s focus in foreign policy will remain on peaceful co-existence & harnessing tech & resources for eco development.
- I respectfully bow to the heroes of independence struggle who fought & sacrificed their lives to win freedom.
- India will grow, only when all of India grows; the excluded ones have to be included in the development process.
- It is much more important to look to the future; it is time to join hands to cooperate, innovate and advance.
- We often celebrate the achievements of our ancient past but it would be wrong to rest on our laurels.
- We should promote scientific temper by questioning our beliefs which aren’t compatible with scientific way of thinking.
- Passage of GST bill is reason enough to celebrate our democratic maturity.
- World has witnessed a spate of terror activities having their roots in radicalization of people on basis of religion. These forces pose a danger to entire comity of nations; world will have to fight them unconditionally & in one voice.
- Attacks on weaker sections that militate against our national ethos are aberrations that need to be dealt with firmly.
- Disruptions, obstructionism & unmindful pursuit of divisive political agenda lead to institutional travesty
- We cannot call ourselves a civilized society if we fail in providing safety and security to our women and children.
- We must take destiny in our own hands to build the India of our dreams.
- As we build an India of smart cities, towns & villages, we must ensure they are humane, hi-tech and happy places.
Credits to text: Times of India / Photo © Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
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