Gulf Today
Ancestral tree – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 22.12.2012
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Gulf Today : Short Take dt 22 Dec 2012
Rhythmic treat – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 24.03.2012
Rhythmic treat
The group of artistes were from different parts of the world and the performance was harmoniously blended with the artistes complementing each other on traditional Indian and Spanish musical instruments and melody.
The theme Traveller turned out to be perfect as the rhythm and mood created a “gypsy feeling” in the audience’s mind.
What made the concert more interesting was the way they took off from one style to another using musical instruments that were non-conventional to those styles they attempted.
Pin-drop silence was what we experienced at the huge auditorium of Emirates Palace, except for the magical sounds coming out from them.
It is true that music has no boundaries.
I could relate this pride of watching her perform live at Abu Dhabi when after the programme some guests leaving the auditorium mentioned, “I watched her dad perform 40 years ago in New York and now her in Abu Dhabi. Both bring the same sweet smile, calmness and ease of quality music out when they sit to perform.”
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Election experience – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 17.03.2012
Election experience
Contesting as a candidate for a literary post, I realised I had to be more socio-politically conscious along with my literary abilities if I have to venture again.
Although, the election was done by voting of members.
I realised that there were only very few who opted to utilise their voting rights. It made me think about our general cry for voting rights to be part of national constitutional formations.
What will happen, if majority refrain from their civic rights to elect a candidate by way of a vote.
My share of advice after this interesting event is, if given a choice to participate in such an activity, do not miss it and vote it right.
Also as a candidate, one should keep a winning attitude and strategy to see the race through with smiles.
Plastic money – Short Take – Gulf Today dt 27.01.2012
Plastic money
I had a good friend, who was not responding to my calls for a long time. Earlier, we used to talk daily on all matters. I was able to reach him finally and he talked to me for a few minutes.
He said everything was OK with him, but the tone and reply did not sound so. I wish him well.
Another friend of mine was also missing from regular contacts. I was worried about him, and last week I met him at a function.
He hugged me and apologised for not keeping in touch. I asked him where he was all this time. He replied, “I am a free man now.”
I got more anxious and asked him what happened!
He continued, “I have closed all my credit cards. They were killing me day and night. Somehow, I sold off whatever I could and closed them. Now, I have peace of mind.”
I could feel it from the expression on his face.
Yes, he’s one who could come out of the clutches of plastic money that has destroyed several lives.
I wish others too manage to follow in his footsteps.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY Online.
Broken Link – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 14.01.2012
Broken Link – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 14.01.2012
I have been a regular contributor to this column, but I was forced to take a short break from Short Take due to unavoidable circumstances.
What made me look at the stark realities of communication channels is a vacuum created in my life due to the death of a close relative. I am sure, several of you have experienced it. When someone departs from this world without any warning, a link is broken.
There are several things that we closely communicate with that person, which the moment after, we find no one to refer to. It is a difficult situation indeed and, of course, it will change over a period of time, but with the changes associated and with missing personal touches of that special someone in your life.
Ramesh Menon
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Magical moments – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt. 22.10.2011
Magical moments
School days are the wonderful period in our lives. I believe so now, not then. During my school days, we used to have a monthly cultural programme for students and we all looked forward to it.
It used to be a screening of a documentary movie (mostly Charlie Chaplin’s), a puppet show or a special event we all looked forward to — the magic show.
More than any other event, crowds would flock to this event because of the element of mystery surrounding the show. We never missed any opportunity. The memories of one or two such shows are everlasting in my mind. One was by PC Sorcar.
The magician came in his special magic dress and brought out many things from nowhere. A rabbit, a dove, and lots of chocolate.
He even “cut” one of his team members into two pieces. And he pocketed our teacher’s wristwatch using his magic wand. It was amazing for all of us.
Since then, I haven’t had a chance to watch a magic show. I hear that the Indian Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi is organising a magic show by the famous Indian magician Professor Gopinath Muthukad on Oct.28 at the National Theatre, Abu Dhabi.
He is a magician with a mission. He has a stupendous way to interact with children and captivates their hearts and instils good values in them.
I am looking forward to see him perform in Abu Dhabi. It adds more significance, when it is being held as part of a series of events held in commemoration of the 40th UAE National Day.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online.
Please also watch a promotional video on this event.
Beauty of Bu Tinah – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 15.10.2011
Beauty of Beauty of Bu Tinah – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 15.10.2011
Off the western coastline of Abu Dhabi lies a unique wonder of nature, wild and undisturbed by human activity. The Bu Tinah Island.
It is now one of the 28 official finalists for the New7Wonders of Nature, a campaign where people worldwide can vote and nominate the seven most remarkable, beautiful or otherwise awe-inspiring natural locations and features on our planet.
Bu Tinah is host to critical marine habitats containing internationally important species. Seabirds such as the flamingo and the osprey, diverse species of dolphins and endangered turtles, including hawksbills and greens, are all found in and around Bu Tinah.
The island’s waters are also home to the planet’s second largest population of dugongs, a large marine mammal that is globally threatened.
Bu Tinah Island, rich in biodiversity, lies within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve. The biosphere reserve is the region’s first and largest Unesco designated marine biosphere reserve. Closed to visitors, fishing and the collection of turtle eggs are prohibited on Bu Tinah Island. Its continued survival and protection must be ensured.
A special campaign to vote Bu Tinah as one of the new seven wonders of nature has been initiated by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi. You may visit online http://www.vote7.com and use the “vote now” option to choose your seven wonders.
An exhibition with a daily presentation has also been organised by EAD at Abu Dhabi Corniche to intensify the campaign to vote for Bu Tinah. It is informative for children and adults alike. Visitors can vote in the designated kiosks set specially inside a dome-shaped replica of this nature’s treasure. Act fast, only 27 more days to end this campaign. Let us make Bu Tinah one of the seven new wonders.
Ramesh Menon
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Let us make Bu Tinah one of the seven new wonders.
You may visit online http://www.vote7.com and use the “vote now” option to choose your seven wonders.
“Do not forget to include Bu Tinah”.
Right Dream – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 08.10.2011
Right Dream – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 08.10.2011
Ticking Clock – Short Take – Gulf Today – 04.06.2011
Ticking Clock – Short Take – Gulf Today – 04.06.2011
Ticking clock
The other day I was watching a football match. The digital clock was flashing the time left for a crucial match, which was extended due to scores level till the full time.
Suddenly a thought came to my mind, how these players control their emotions and play out those final few minutes. The ticking clock was also visible to them as well as the viewers from all over the world. There was no display of panic or show of unwanted aggression. I wish some of our cricket players watch these matches and learn a trick or two for preserving the stamina and controlling it for a final go at their goal.
We come across several situations in life similar to this scenario where we are left with the final few moments of tackling a critical action and helpless to react not knowing what to do ahead. This brings us to the summarisation that follows and criticism in plenty as an aftermath of such a decisive event.
All of us are good at commenting what should have and not have done when it was happening in real. The advent of electronic media has opened up unlimited opportunities to observe and develop our skills and thinking pattern.
But, going out there and performing is a different ball game. Imagine the mindset of a player at that particular situation with the external heat, the match tempo and the target requirements. His mind has to be focused on his ultimate goal, i.e. the victory of his team.
For this he has to have a concentrated effort to break his goal into short-term and long-term goals. First set of short-term goals will be to settle down and get the feel of the ground and blend him to the tempo going on. Then work towards the larger goal of winning the game for his team. It is here his knowledge and perseverance to stay on without wasting energy for expressing unwanted emotion. This is where he wins his battle over the micro-seconds in case of a football match or the reducing no of balls to no of runs required target.
I listened to another captain who lost the other day and said, “In some matches, we win, but today we got an opportunity to learn.”
Isn’t it a good way to look at the future at all times.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.
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