Gulf News
My Letters ; GULF NEWS Dt. 13.08.2010 – Take a thoughtful stand
My Letters ; GULF NEWS Dt. 13.08.2010 – Take a thoughtful stand
I thank the readers who wrote against and in favour of my community report about men consuming alcohol in public (“Be a part of change”, Gulf News, August 8). Since I regularly take up quality issues with various Abu Dhabi authorities, I had the contact numbers needed to alert the police and the media. But, I marked the pros and cons in my mind before taking any steps. It was not [due to] fear. If that were the case, I would not have submitted the community report with my name given the possibility of angry reactions in one way or the other. If I were to report the wrongdoers, it would have resulted in the arrest of those individuals and a report to that effect in the newspaper. However, I strongly felt a community report through Gulf News would result in a wider impact and alert all concerned. So, be alert and act according to the situation.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
To read it 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.
Community report – Gulf News Dt. 23.07.2010 – Three-wheelers add to traffic woes
Three-wheelers add to traffic – They pose great danger to the rider and other motorists
By Ramesh Menon, Gulf News Reader
Currently, the inspectors of Mawaqif use the ‘Trikke’, or three-wheeled scooter, to inspect and report parking violations within the city of Abu Dhabi.
They are in uniform and remain on the pavements. However, I have been witnessing common folk using the same type of vehicles on the road, through the busy city streets of Abu Dhabi.
They are not uniformed, and do not wear luminous jackets so that they are not clearly visible at night to fellow road users. These vehicles do not have a rearview mirror or brake lights.
Those who use the Trikke do not wear helmets either. Hence, having such vehicles on busy streets without the necessary safety gear poses grave danger to the person riding it as well as other people around him or her. It raises serious safety concerns regarding the rider as well as fellow road users. The authorities should therefore restrict such vehicles from being used [by people] on the road and these vehicles should be made available for use in private areas only.
— The reader is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.
My Letters – GULF NEWS Dt. 15.07.2010 – Green Diet
My Letters – GULF NEWS Dt. 15.07.2010 – Green Diet
Community Report – GULF NEWS Dt. 09.07.2010 – Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
Community Report – GULF NEWS Dt. 09.07.2010 – Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
Community Report – GULF NEWS Dt. 09.07.2010 – Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
Unsafe practices at busy filling stations alarm reader
En route to Dubai from Abu Dhabi, when using the Saadiyat Island road, motorists have limited options to fill up their vehicles’ petrol tanks once they leave the city.
Either they have to drive to Shahama — which is 40 kilometres away — or get to the major petrol station near Samha, which is 56 kilometres away from the city.
The rush of motorists in the afternoon is on the higher side, as there are many daily commuters who reside in Dubai and work in Abu Dhabi. This makes refuelling an issue, as there is a long queue at both these petrol stations during the afternoon and later on in the day.
On my frequent trips to Dubai, during different times, I have observed some significant safety-related issues and other matters that pose an inconvenience to the public. I wish to highlight them here.
Firstly, there is no petrol station on this stretch of road for about 40 kilometres — and any motorists leaving the city without enough fuel are bound to get stuck. Incidentally, there is no petrol station in the Mina area, too, which has significant heavy vehicle traffic and thus a petrol station at the exit of Mina or somewhere in the Mina area next to vegetable market or the animal market would be welcomed by all motorists who use this road.
Heavy rush
Secondly, I have noticed several times that due to the heavy rush, motorists often go to the wrong side of the petrol-filling units. The attending staff then have to stretch the hose to fill the tank.
The drivers mostly sit inside their vehicles while the petrol station attendants connect the hose and then rush to the next vehicle. The weather is extremely hot and due to the pressure, fuel is often spilled all over the place until someone points it out and asks the attendant to stop and reconnect the hose.
This is an extremely dangerous situation as the engines of vehicles are usually running and a mere spark from any possible source could definitely lead to a major disaster.
Witnessing one such occasion, I made an effort to talk to the station supervisor of a major petrol station near Samha on the way to Dubai and was told that the arrangements of filling on the wrong side, using extended hoses, has been initiated to reduce the rush.
Also, I did not find an effort to neutralise the fuel spilt using sand or any other precautionary safety measures. Only half a bucket of water was poured and the attendants were of the opinion that in the heat, it would evaporate quickly.
Using Gulf News’ community report platform, I request the authorities to set up a petrol station in Mina area for the benefit of motorists and to also provide their staff with the necessary safety training. Safety equipment must be installed and made available at these units, too.
People should be given instructions not to leave their cars unattended if they are being filled at the wrong side of the petrol pump. Drivers also have a major role in ensuring safety as they have to keep an eye on the process and if there is any problem, should alert the staff immediately.
Safety is the responsibility of every individual. Let us not act after an incident has occurred — let us try and prevent it.
— The reader is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
My Letters – GULF NEWS Dt. 27.06.2010 – Congratulations
My Letters – GULF NEWS Dt. 27.06.2010 – Congratulations
Photo Speaks – GULF NEWS – Dt. 13.06.2010 – Fire breaks out in Abu Dhabi building
Photo Speaks – GULF NEWS – Dt. 13.06.2010 – Fire breaks out in Abu Dhabi building
My Letters – Gulf News Dt. 10062010 – Unauthorised food outlets
My Letters – Gulf News Dt. 10062010 – Unauthorised food outlets
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
A note:
Incidentally, this is my 201st published material in print media, after I started seriously keeping a track of them and blogging them each time they get published. As you may notice, each of them is a dedicated effort to highlight a good deed done by an individual or group, or a problem that may affect the society in general. A parallel effort to highlight them directly with the authorities is also being made and these letters give substantial support to those efforts.
Every time I blog it or publish it, questions are raised, how do you get time. It is by practise of observing things more closely, keeping a small note and pen with me and then allotting few minutes here and there dedicated to each one of those tasks. It’s an effort done with passion and hence the result.
Sincere regards and enjoy reading.
Ramesh Menon
10.06.2010
My Letters – Gulf News Dt. 24 May 2010 – Write it right, education body alerts Filipinos
Write it right, education body alerts Filipinos
Filipino students told to use proper English even when sending text messages or using social networking sites
By Gilbert P. Felongco, Correspondent Published: 00:00 May 24, 2010
Manila: In a bid to compel young Filipinos to toe the line on correct language and communicate effectively, the education department has ordered teachers to force students to use proper grammar when writing or keying in their messages.
Education Secretary Mona Valisno said the use of mobile phone text messages in daily communication, to a certain extent had been detrimental to Filipinos because text message users were forced to sacrifice message clarity for the sake of keeping up with pop culture.
Owing to the limited lines of text mobiles are capable of handling, some Filipino text message users tend to shorten their messages.
While limiting the amount of text is understandable for short messaging services, such a practice was being used more widely in non-formal avenues such as on social networking sites as Facebook, Multiply and Friendster, among others.
“I understand that shortcut texting helps save on cost of SMS,” Valisno said.
“Short messaging service is intended for delivering concise messages and not full conversation.
“This means you can properly compose a 160- character message in full spelling to get your message across.”
Another major issue that the education department was trying to address is the increasing number of young Filipinos who tended to veer away from conventional English and Filipino grammar and use typefaces that ordinary people found difficult to read, let alone understand.
But Valisno said Filipinos should stop the practice if they want to remain competitive.
My comments as follows:
This is an excellent move by the education department of Philippines. In reality, it should be followed by all. The Short Message Syndrome (SMS) is cancerous in tempting children to deviate from communicating in full and confine to a world of limited expressions. It is not easy to move away now from the world of Twitters and Facebooks, and however, authorities try to restrict, children and even will find it attractive some way or other suiting their intellectual or other worldly tastes. It is therefore, good to initiate measures to start conversing in full even within the limitation of word count restrictions. Train them young and well for future. Otherwise, it will be another catastrophe that we all will have to look up on in the future – a global tapering of language.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS ONLINE.
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