Letters to the editor
UAE Together safety campaign urges more respect for pedestrians
UAE Together safety campaign urges more respect for pedestrians
Ramona Ruiz
ABU DHABI // Road safety experts have welcomed a call for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to have greater respect on the roads.
The Twitter and Facebook accounts of UAE Together have been inundated with road safety messages using the hashtags #Pedestriansfirst and #ShareTheRoad.
UAE Together is a campaign by Abu Dhabi Police to educate the public about traffic rules and regulations, and the need to look out for each other.
“This is brilliant because it is so true,” said Thomas Edelmann, founder of website Road Safety UAE, of the ShareTheRoad tag.
“The one simple way to get rid of all our traffic woes is to treat others like you want to be treated. We have to drive with each other, not against each other.”
All motorists, he said, must remind themselves that they are also pedestrians the moment they step out of their cars.
Brendan Halleman, deputy project director at International Road Federation in the US, was equally enthusiastic.
“Sharing the road is exactly the right message,” Mr Halleman said. “After all, everyone is a pedestrian at some point in the day.”
Worldwide, more than half of all those killed in crashes are pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists, he said.
Of the 63 traffic-related deaths in Abu Dhabi in the first three months of this year, 33 were caused by vehicle crashes, 22 pedestrians were killed and eight people died after the cars they were travelling in overturned.
Most fatal accidents were caused by drivers not giving priority to pedestrians crossing roads, sudden swerving, speeding in unstable road conditions, burst tyres and tailgating, said traffic police chief Brig Gen Hussain Al Harithi.
The road safety initiative also asks drivers to slow down “as a pedestrian may pop out of nowhere”.
It reminds motorists that they share the road with other users and that “traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility”.
“Simple as this: cars on roads, pedestrians on sidewalks and cyclists on cyclists’ lanes. #Sharetheroad,” read another tweet.
Residents were invited to share their thoughts under the hashtag, and asked to reply “yes” or “no” on Facebook if they felt a lack of respect between road users was the reason behind accidents.
“Motorists are self-centred and even oblivious to pedestrians who use designated zebra crossings,” said Roshanara Sait, director of Ciel Marketing and Events, which organises road safety awareness campaigns across the country.
UAE Together also tweeted hard-hitting messages such as “Road users have equal rights, respect my rights #ShareTheRoad” and “The road belongs to everyone. It’s road safety, not rocket science. #ShareTheRoad”.
Ramesh Menon, an Abu Dhabi resident for 25 years, said pedestrians should also be aware of their surroundings.
“In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, I have seen pedestrians showing little respect for their own safety while crossing the road in a hurry,” Mr Menon said.
Ms Sait proposed sustainable road safety campaigns to raise awareness and highlight the dangers for both pedestrians and the motorists.
“Pedestrians in the UAE are still uneducated as far as their safety is concerned,” Mr Menon said.
rruiz@thenational.ae
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Lest we forget – Short Take – Gulf Today, 17th May 2014
Lest we forget
It was a small gathering of people who came with passion and emotion for the nation. The Talk Show, “Lest We Forget – Structures of Memory in the UAE” was organised by the curator and research team of The National Pavilion of the UAE for the 14th International Architecture Exhibition at the 2014 Venice Biennale, discussing the upcoming exhibition that presents a retrospective of the architectural history of the UAE from 1914-2014, with an emphasis on modern heritage buildings.
Those who attended were of different age groups. Some as young as in the 20s and some others in their late 60s. The age difference made no difference to their emotional feelings towards the country they lived in.
The UAE grew steadily and strongly during these 100 years. During the process, all missed the transformation from the olden to modern times during which several changes were made within and outside cities and villages.
The once famous Toyota Crowns, Carinas and Cressidas gave way to new models. The fixed rate taxis gave way to metered taxis. Many traditional souqs gave way to modern markets.
The conventional camel race within the boundaries of once harmoniously spent joint family home and time was there to cherish. Some recollected with emotion how they, as little children, assisted then in the surveys that formed the basis of the modern developments.
All the prominent architectural structures of the emirates were remembered. The changes, however, were felt more deeply and emotionally on a major architectural structure of the country, that was once rated among the top ten fountains that existed in the world.
Volcano Fountain — all those who remembered it, said with one word, we would love to see it back. Little girls, who once played around it, shared fond memories of their childhood. Their thoughts and voice were unique in their wish to see it back in Abu Dhabi.
I am confident the hard work by the curatorial team of the UAE National Pavilion in Venice Biennale, that will open on June 5, will not fail in bringing the fond memories alive. It will be a great moment for the visionary leaders of the UAE.
Ramesh Menon
Short Take – Gulf Today, 17th May 2014
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online
Volcano fountain – Short Take – Gulf Today – 10th May 2014
Volcano fountain
I love the UAE and always think of ways to contribute to the society.
Of late, I have been wondering if there is any possibility for the restoration of the historic Volcano fountain, that was there in Abu Dhabi, from the period 1984 – 2004. It was demolished and gave way to the modernisation of Abu Dhabi Corniche.
As we say, when something is there, we do not find its value, and when it is gone, we miss it very much.
Volcano Fountain, rated as one of the top 10 fountains in the world, was one such fascinating attraction.
Since 2005, I am making humble efforts to attract the attention of the authorities about its prestigious value in the architectural history of Abu Dhabi. The campaign is gaining momentum slowly and steadily.
Whoever were here during the period, and whoever were not here and watched the videos of it, say that it is one attraction that should be recreated in modern Abu Dhabi. It was a place where all nationalities once turned up to exchange pleasantries, met family and friends during weekends.
I continue to dream too, placing the Volcano Fountain among various probable scenic spots being developed within the city.
As they say, if you dream, Dream Big, and one day I wish and hope that my hope of recreating a new Volcano Fountain will come true too.
Ramesh Menon
Short Take – Gulf Today – 10th May 2014
Precious moment – Gulf Today – Short Take – Dt. 26 April 2014
Precious moment
It was a very short notice call on Tuesday late afternoon from a friend inviting me to attend a function in Dubai. Normally, I do not rush up on things or commit myself to anything not in my schedule. Especially, if it is out of Abu Dhabi. But, when he explained to me the importance of it, I couldn’t resist myself and say no to him.
His son, Rohin Bajaj, along with two other girl students, Anagha Subash and Devayani Sainath, all from Abu Dhabi Indian School, were receiving the prestigious Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance. He wanted me to be there with him and the other proud parents to witness and capture the precious moment on my camera.
Children are always precious for me and I took off to Dubai, keeping my conscious approach and Safety First campaign always in my mind, Start Early, Drive Carefully, Reach Safely.
I paced myself in such a way that I was there in the auditorium well ahead of the scheduled start and witness the historic moment in the life of those three wonder kids and many other children and academicians who bagged this prestigious award.
In another interesting last-minute call on Thursday, I attended a family union of students from the college I graduated. It was after a long time that I was meeting some of my college mates and brought out memories of our good old days.
When asked to do a short presentation, I asked the audience, especially children, whether I should do so in English or in our native language, Malayalam. Many of the children asked me to address in Malayalam. I was impressed as some parents still inculcate in the minds of their children the need to connect with the mother language.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit, Gulf Today online.
Don’t be oblivious – Letters to the editor – Gulf News – 20.04.2014
Don’t be obliviousLast week, I witnessed a horrendous sight during lunch time at a parking spot in Electra Street, Abu Dhabi. From experience, I have always had the belief that drivers on our roads are and always will tend to be careless towards the safety of themselves and other living beings. This was confirmed when I was leaving from an apartment and noticed blood and crushed body parts of some small animals.
A closer look at the area really made me feel sad, as I found three kittens that had been run over and were breathing their last, thanks to a driver who had parked in the location, and then driven off, without any care. There was no one in the vicinity when I approached the kittens and I was having a hard time moving the two living felines out of danger by myself. By the time I brought a small supporting platform to lift one kitten and place it safely on the pavement, another driver came in a rush and ran over the remaining kitten! Convincing him to move his vehicle and taking the injured kitten to a suitable place and caretaker was not an easy task.
I wish our drivers cared a bit more about their surroundings, and paid attention not only to the road but also the obstacles they might come across the whole time they are on the wheel.
World Safety Day is on April 28. Let ‘Safety first’ be our motto – for all living beings.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
Gulf News – 20th April 2014
To read it in original, please visit Gulf News online
A taste of culture – Short Take – Gulf Today – Dt. 19.04.2014
A taste of culture
The UAE offers a perfect example of unity in diversity where an expatriate gets to know about various cultures, history and traditions.
It was such an occasion for me, being an Indian expatriate living in Abu Dhabi. The entertainment section of the Indian Social and Cultural Centre organised a cultural programme to celebrate the new year of various regional communities in a combined way.
It was a harmonious blend of various festivities like Vishu, Ugadi, Pohela Boishakh, Bihu, Maha Vishu Sankranti, Varshapirappu, Baisakhi and Gudi Padwa. It united all residents from East, West, North and South of India with unique performances related to their region.
It was such a great evening that gave all a chance to understand that, to whichever part they belong, there is only one derivative for harmony and that is melodious music and rhythmic performance of dancers.
All the artists deserve credit. The organisers gave an opportunity for children and adults to understand deeper the unexplored country they came from. It turned out to be an evening not to forget for a long time.
Ramesh Menon
Gulf Today – Short Take – 19th April 2014
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online
The National – 6th birthday edition – 17 April 2014 An exclusive photo
The National – 6th birthday edition – 17 April 2014
An exclusive
“Start Early, Drive Carefully, Reach Safely” Safety First campaign
“Start Early, Drive Carefully, Reach Safely” Safety First campaign through http://www.clicksandwrites.blogspot.com
Special Message @ Gulf News live coverage of IPL T20 2014 from Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
16th April 2014
Keep cyclists out of motorways – The National – 14 April 2014
Keep cyclists out of motorways
I was alarmed to see a group of cyclists on Sheikh Khalifa motorway last week. It was dark and they were not wearing any high-visibility clothing. Seeing them that way and realising the danger, I stopped at a convenient place and waited for them to arrive.
Upon checking, I found out that they were cycling enthusiasts who follow this route regularly. Some of them live in Musaffah.
While the intention is good, I thought it was extremely dangerous. I request the authorities to take stern action so that cyclists don’t jeopardise their lives and those of the motorists.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
The National – 14 April 2014
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