Gulf Today

Searching for answer – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 11 January 2014

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Searching for answer

Recently, I met an old friend after a very long time. We talked about the years that have passed by. His children have grown up and are now in college.

I remember those kids when they were very young and carried the same memories of them even now. 

However, while speaking to him, I understood that they were no more small kids.

They had their own views and clear-cut conviction of life for them now and ahead. The new technologies like Internet and other online facilities available to enhance knowledge are their aids.

It reminded me of my childhood and the lack of such facilities then. We were dependent on teachers and elders for guidance to choose future paths.

After my friend left, I kept on thinking about which is the right method – the older or the new generation. Haven’t got an answer yet!

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online.

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Short Take.

Safety first – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt 28 December 2013

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 Safety first
The year 2013 just giving its way to a new year. It was a year of mixed fortune and feelings for many. Natural disasters beyond imagination that happened in Philippines and continuous man made calamities took several life known and unknown to us.
It was also an year of achievements and hope for many. Dubai getting Expo 2020 was one such great occasion, which all residents of the UAE are keenly looking forward to.
If there is a growth, it has to happen collectively and with all putting equal and combined effort. Road Safety is one important issue that I would wish everyone puts in a combined effort.
Let all of us decide to follow traffic rules strictly and do not show any road rage and do not violate pedestrian rules in the coming year. Let there be no man-made accident due to negligence. Safety first, let that be our motto for the year 2014

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Safety First, Short Take.

Rein in the rage – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 04 January 2014

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To write or not, has always been a mind teaser within me. Expression of thoughts as it comes has been an unwinding process for a long time.
From small topics to bigger ones, by now, it has indeed given me lot of space on the Web. As also, several contributions to the community.
Earlier days, they used to repeatedly say pen is mightier than the sword. In a way, it is true even now.
One such achievement is the effort for continuous campaigns on pedestrian safety.
The media and authorities are devoting more attention to streamline things to make our roads much safer.
However, there are a few who ignore the basics and cause destruction to themselves and others.
New Year eve was one such occasion where I witnessed road rage by many, for no reason whatsoever.
Some cars were moving at unimaginable speed and coming too close to the bumper.
I was imagining a driver who was new on the road to get in between these mad minds.
More needs to be done to alert authorities and control this tendency and try and curb it as much as possible.
There is no rest for me till then. I will continue to write, using all possible platforms. That’s the resolution for 2014.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Short Take : Gulf Today Dt. 04 January 2014

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2014, Safety First, Short Take.

Noble path – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt 13 July 2013

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Noble path

The Holy Month of Ramadan is here now.

Incidentally, this year it has the longest duration of daytime added to it. I congratulate all those who observe the rituals of this divine month. 

Along with some friends, I am doing my bit to help those who are in need during this month.

We have convinced those who conduct Iftar parties in our circle to reduce the quantity of food display and utilise the spare amount generated to provide Iftar to those in need.  If about 100 members from our company participate in an official Iftar, we cut costs and make sure to feed 100 poor people for an Iftar.

Those at the top and friends have appreciated the idea and we are proceeding with it. 

The feeling within is immense happiness brightened by the glowing face of those who receive it. 

The joy of sharing has to be experienced at least during the Holy Month.

Ramesh Menon

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Short Take.

Maths in Daily Life – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 22 June 2013

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This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Short Take.

No Thanks – Gulf Today – Short Take – 15 June 2013

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No thanks



During a recent visit to India, I happened to meet a group of hospital staff who work at the intensive care unit of a prominent hospital. 

Always alert and attentive to take maximum care of the patients who arrive there, they all projected a high level of human kindness and positive attitude.

Patients arrive in all shapes and conditions of health, and the staff individually and as a group work day and night with a smile till those whom they attended get back to life and walk back to their home as normal as he or she can.

One day, a senior doctor who was in charge of the emergency and trauma unit told me that out of 10 patients who get discharged, we get a thank you from 1 or maximum 2. They do not even utter a word of appreciation or happiness on what they received all the time they were in. This specially when the majority of the patients are young, well-educated and working for high-end companies.

This is a question I myself ask several times these days with many recent incidents of heavy pay and free flow of money to jobs and sports derailing our modern youth. Is it that elevation to high paying jobs at a young age make our youth forget basic human values and social responsibilities?
Ramesh Menon

Gulf Today Dt. 15 June 2013
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/d4cb1397-ebd8-428f-a61f-371b3ea0687d.aspxNo 

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Short Take.

Joyful Name – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt. 08 June 2013

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What is in a name?

We all ask many times. I too have asked and wrote also on the same topic before. There is a lot. I have an uncle who is a retired central government employee and held a very senior position. A person committed to his work, he has never taken any bribe in his entire career either by cash or kind. He lives a modest life and is happy about the way it goes. Humorous and expressive in his thoughts, he is still called by his organisation for giving motivational speeches to the junior staff. One topic he speaks very often is about his own name. Like him, his father was also a respected person who was a headmaster of reputation in the region. He did the same with his eldest son. He never named him, till he was five or six years old. After thoroughly observing his first child and his characteristics and conducts, he named him Joy. True to his father’s wisdom, he remained joyous to him, and to all around, even during extreme situations in life. Looking at the current trend of naming a child before we get a glimpse of his nature, many times, our conviction on naming falls apart from the reality of the character the child grows in to become.

Ramesh Menon Short Take – Gulf Today, Saturday, 8th June 2013

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Short Take.

Mobile danger

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Mobile danger
I always thought that using mobile phones while driving is a dangerous activity. I am now convinced that using mobile phones while doing any other activity is equally dangerous.
I read about two deaths that happened when those involved were crossing the railway track while listening to music on their earphones. They noticed only the train from one side and missed the fast one from the opposite side.
Here in the UAE too, I have read about a recent incident when a driver tried to send an SMS while driving, lost control of his car and perished in a collision.
It doesn’t end there. Just the other day, I was walking on the narrow corridors of a residential building.
A mother with a child in a pram and a daughter along with her were walking in a zigzag manner while talking on the phone. Whenever I tried to overtake and pass by, the mother  unknowingly blocked that side.
She was also not careful about her child who was walking ahead. The child rushed as the lift arrived and stood in the middle of the door before it opened.
Suddenly a man rushed towards the exit while talking on his phone. He hardly noticed the little girl and literally ran over her. There was total commotion, argument and blame.
Don’t you feel talking on the mobile phone should not be done while engaging in other activities?
Ramesh Menon
for SHORT TAKE, GULF TODAY Dt. 20.04.2013
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online:

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Short Take.

Perseverance pays

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Perseverance pays

I believe having good language skills is essential for building communication with people.

As for me, it is part of my routine to master different languages through painstaking practice.

For most languages, I’ve managed to achieve mastery by learning from books and from Internet courses, without having to take recourse to formal tuitions.

However, for some difficult languages, extensive training is required for which I try and attend classes.

At a particular language institute the other day, I happened to meet my teacher who taught me French some years ago. After finishing my course, it was the first time we were meeting.

Along with her, was a girl – a local. Conversation took off in French, and suddenly I found this girl was conversing fluently in the language. I was quite surprised, which my teacher picked up — from my reaction. 

With a smile she introduced me to the girl and said that in addition to French, she could speak in quite a few other foreign languages, including Urdu and Chinese, which she was now learning.

She added that it was as a result of the girl’s interest and determination that she could devote a minimum of three hours daily — after her work — to study new languages. It’s no wonder that she showed amazing progress in foreign language skills.

I am sure, the country will have a bright future with this kind of determined youth.

For Gulf Today – Short Take Dt. 13 April 2013

This entry was posted in Education +, Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Short Take.

Stub it out

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Stub it out 
Smoking is an addiction. Several times we are in a work environment where colleagues like to smoke. For some, it is difficult to quit for whatever reasons. These days, fortunately, we have special smoking zones located away from the building entrance.
I have a colleague who is junior to me in age. Whenever I see him going out for a smoke, I request him to stub the habit out. He merely smiles and proceeds his own way. Our office is situated in a high-rise. We operate from different floors, his being in a lower one.
One day, as I was waiting for the elevator to go upwards, this colleague came rushing to go down for a smoke.
The lift that arrived was going up. I told him to join me up first and then go down to the basement. I continued, “You don’t stop smoking. By holding you back for some time, at least I could prolong some precious moments of your life away from your self- inflicted suicidal habit.”
He smiled and has promised to try quitting the habit.
Ramesh Menon
06.04.2013
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013.