Letters to the editor
Recklessness is the root problem – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 26.04.2011
My Letters – Recklessness is the root problem – THE NATIONAL Dt. 26.04.2011
Congratulations to Abu Dhabi Department of Transport for reducing speed limits. Every afternoon, I witness minivans carrying school children without seatbelts, speeding at the signals.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
Dangers to shoppers and residents – Commuity Report – Gulf News Dt. 23.04.2011
Dangers to shoppers and residents – Commuity Report – Gulf News Dt. 23.04.2011
Dangers to shoppers and residents
Iron rods on the pavement, uncovered openings and an overflowing dustbin near a mall
Text and Picture by Ramesh Menon, Gulf News Reader Published: 00:00 April 23, 2011
The Tourist Club Area (TCA) is a prime tourist, office and residential spot in Abu Dhabi.
Apart from the numerous office establishments, the shopping mall in the area has a good collection of eateries and entertainment and thus attracts many visitors each day.
It is therefore important to keep the surrounding areas neat, clean and safe for all those who visit it.
The most dangerous thing I have found in the area is a set of iron rods projecting out of the pavement near the Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal in front of the mall.
Several elderly residents walk along this route and an accident could happen at any time.
The section nearer to the mall has uncovered openings, which is another cause for worry.
Adding to all these problems is a dustbin, which is usually full and causes surrounding areas to get dirty because the cleaning staff from nearby buildings dump waste materials on the floor near it before depositing the content one by one into the bin’s small mouth.
They do it every morning and this makes the area dirty the entire day.
Through this community report, I humbly request the authorities to tidy up this area as soon as possible.
— The reader is a technical officer based in Abu Dhabi
Be a citizen reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Write to us and send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com
To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
Caring hearts – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 23.04.2011
Caring hearts – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 23.04.2011
I was walking back along the long corridor when I heard a loud prompt from my back. “We know that you write regularly. Please write about our department.”
I turned and with a smile told the chief nurse on duty, “Sister, I had already put it as a topic on my writing list.”
Yes, for the last four years, the long drive to Mafraq hospital in Abu Dhabi and its long corridors leading towards the Oncology department have been a routine.
The doctors, the nurses, administration, support staff and the restaurant employees — They were all caring and were always willing to assist whenever we needed any emergency assistance.
As I collected the discharge report and medical history of my mother from the head nurse, we couldn’t speak to each other.
A wry smile eclipsed on our face. She knew very well that I will not be returning there for my mother’s purpose again.
While passing by the waiting area, I met a familiar patient, who has become a family friend by now. She was anxious to know why I had come alone. I did not tell her anything, as I said, I just came to collect some report.
But, she was smelling something, as we all knew each others’ treatment cycle and stage. Her eyes were speaking of anxiety as she turned her face not to speak further.
Yes, for the past few years, that long drive to Mafraq hospital from Abu Dhabi and the long walk through the scenic areas surrounding it were “our only picnic,” as it was told to me by mother during one of her trips.
It was a place bound to generate compassion but well maintained to conceal each individual’s privacy.
So, each of those patients returned from its exit gate, more revitalised and reassured with a prolonged stay in this world.
Thank you doctors and staff and let God give you more strength to serve patients suffering from the “Emperor of all maladies.”
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.
Solution for airport woes – My Letters -The National Dt. 19.04.2011
My Letters – Solution for airport woes – The National Dt. 19.04.2011
Travellers from Abu Dhabi airport are blessed with a choice of checking in 24-hours prior to their flight. But the current charge of Dh30 per person is on the high side, especially for those travelling in groups.
Passengers also don’t gain any extra on baggage allowance checking in that way. This service charge could be lowered so that more passengers are attracted to it, thus reducing crowding at the airport.
Secondly, boarding passes issued from the City Terminal don’t carry the gate numbers for departures. Passengers should be guided appropriately to avoid confusion and a last minute rush. A text messaging system could also inform passengers about their flights and gate numbers.
Thirdly, at the entry gate, staff on duty could allocate a priority line for baggage screening to those already carrying a boarding pass, or elderly passengers or those with special needs. This will avoid long queues.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
Good and bad signs at the mall – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 18.04.2011
Good and bad signs at the mall – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 18.04.2011
KT is my Choice – My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 17.04.2011
KT is my Choice – My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 17.04.2011
* Congratulations to Khaleej Times for turning 33. As a reader who was lucky to read 22 years of your print path and progress, I have only words of praise for each one of your team members.
Let it start from the newsboy who diligently delivers the paper at my doorstep before 5:30 am each day. He has been one of the reasons for continuing the subscription and keeping our interest in ‘Young Times’ all those years it existed.
The pages, content style, presentation, paper quality, photos, local and regional news coverage, sports coverage, online edition, all have improved over the period.
Indeed, KT can take credit for several innovative marketing ideas, which benefitted its readers like, the insurance scheme for subscribers, KT exclusive business card, KT subscription linked credit card, KT special travel bag deals etc are some that come to our mind straightaway.
One thing we all miss is the absence of ‘Young Times’ from its wings. With limited opportunity for children skilled in non-performing arts, ‘Young Times’ was a boon to display their writing or drawing skills. We sincerely wish the day is not too far to see it back on the newsstands.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Unpredictable life – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 16.04.2011
Unpredictable life – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 16.04.2011
At the beginning of each week, I set aside a point to express through Short Take and accordingly I had completed a write-up by this morning.
Reaching office, I came to know of the unfortunate demise of a little girl, Nandana, the only daughter of the famous Indian singer, KS Chitra. As a music lover, I like her songs since the time she started singing in movies and have a good collection of them. As a keen observer of things, I have been watching her closely too.
They say when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Chitra with her music was a true example of this. After a wait of 15 years in her marriage, she was given this blessed child, who happened to be with special needs. She had no regrets and during a transit through Dubai airport and speaking to a friend of mine on duty at the transit desk of Emirates, she clearly mentioned about it.
During an early morning with a long queue of transit passengers, my friend noticed a vibrant little girl wearing a green frock playing around with her mother.
Having a closer look at the person, she understood who it was and looking at the girl, my friend thought she would go and help her to reach the front of the queue. They were on their way to South Africa via Dubai.
Denying the help offer, Chitra told my friend, “I do not have any problem waiting or please do not think that my child is giving trouble to me. I was praying all these years for a child, irrespective of a boy or girl and I couldn’t believe even now that God has given me such a loving child.” Indeed, Nandana was an affectionate child as my friend narrated many things about Chitra and her daughter, in disbelief, after hearing the sad news. It is a shock to all of us.
As a person who interacts with schools and organisations like Manzil and the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services taking care of children with special needs, I know how important and affectionate they are. Let me join millions of Chitra fans in offering prayers as no words can fill the vacuum in her life.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.
Lessons from the last pile-up – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 13.04.2011
Lessons from the last pile-up – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 13.04.2011
In reference to Fog blamed for Abu Dhabi pile-up (April 3), the horrific accident that happened on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway reminded me of the pile-up that happened in October 2008.
At various times between these two periods, the press and authorities have warned road users of the dangers that prevail in this sector during bad weather days. It is a very dangerous situation on this particular stretch from Abu Dhabi to Dubai when visibility is less due to fog or sand storms.
Drivers forget the basics and continue speeding even as they are well aware of the dangers.
On March 26, on my way to Mafraq hospital at 6.00 am, I witnessed three near misses from speeding cars exiting the eastern ring road from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. This scene convinced me that police and transport authorities are helpless even if they introduce progressive measures like LED signage and modern speed cameras.
Congratulations to the Abu Dhabi authorities for constantly monitoring the situation and making changes as necessary to avert road accidents. Those traffic violators who speed ignoring the safety of fellow road users should be given compulsory community service at emergency and trauma units of major hospitals.
Safety is not a one-time activity. It is a 24×7 activity for all to make sure no pileups happen again on our roads.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
WORLD CUP FINALE – My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 27.03.2011
WORLD CUP FINALE – My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 27.03.2011
27 March 2011
Cool Factor – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 26.03.2011
Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 26.03.2011 – Cool Factor
Cool factor
ClicksandWrites 
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