Mind Speaks

High-profile meeting will discuss Indian expats

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High-profile meeting will discuss Indian expats
Non Resident Indians (NRIs) from UAE keenly observe and participate in all progressive activities happening in India.
It can be visibly observed by the number of print, online and electronic media and associations that are operating within this region actively discussing the day to day actions.
Economic air travel facility is the first and foremost item of interest for the middle and lower income class population of the NRIs. The government operated airlines have turned out to be not reliable due to several reasons. At times, they have seen to be operating at costs higher than the competing airlines.
To ease up travel tensions to Kerala, the promised Air Kerala is looked up on by all malayalees. The assurance of having it set up and operated by Vishu (Malayalam new year) is two days from the date of this meeting, there are no signs of it taking up. Probably the CM of Kerala cleverly did not mention the year it will begin. So, how and when it will materialize and how far it will effectively reduce the cost of travel is to be seen as it happens.
Voting rights for NRIs from their country of work, if given will definitely bring about a phenomenal change to the outlook towards their demands and actual requirements.
Abolishing strikes or stoppage of educational hours should be a solution thought about and promoted by OICC and sold across to all parties to bring in a smooth flow of classes and curriculum once a student is enrolled. Peaceful protests and expression of freedom of thoughts should be allowed without interruption of classes should be implemented by bringing out an all party consensus to the current situation.
OICC should also work on measures to bring strict legal frame work to have a strict no-no to public damaging of properties by any protesters. This should be enforced by a joint political consensus discussed and finalized within shortest time of legal and legislative framework.
A single window processing channel for NRI investments which monitors the entire life span of each project and assist them till it become a success and after should become a reality.
Road, transport and infrastructure facilities are in pathetic conditions in several parts for a long time.  Considering the plight of Kerala roads, conditions of the roads connecting the border states are deplorable causing huge loss in terms of time, safety and convenience of lakhs of commuters every day.
On the health sector, NRIs and general public look forward to availability of quality medical services. Medical assistance for emergency and critical care illness should be made available at affordable cost and guidance cells should be created to route patients to such facilities with least hazzles.
Quota for NRI students in educational institutions should be increased and appropriate measures to safeguard them during the initial years to better adapt them to their home country should be taken care by Human Resources Development.
Hygiene issues and waste management problems in all major cities.
As this forum is being lead by Kerala Chief Minister and as Kerala State government is promoting various lotteries for developing different projects. Why not a lottery specific for the welfare of NRKs? It could be sold at all Airports and regular distributors and funds could be utilised for the overall welfare of activities aimed at NRKs and NRIs in general.
Collection centres should be opened within UAE for the processing of Pravasi Identity cards.
On a lighter note, through his Janasamparkam programme, we wish to see the Kerala CM periodically to interact and familiarise himself the actual problems related to NRIs/NRKs.
To read it in original, please visit Gulf News online

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

Emirates flies more Indian passengers than Air India

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Nothing special in this high acceptance by international passengers towards Emirates. It is just because of the quality and quantity of service provided by Emirates is way above reach than Air India could cater. Operating to most of the major destinations in India and then from Dubai connecting to all the major work and tourist destinations worldwide, Emirates offers a reliable and dependable option with service quality. Many occasion of fare comparison between Emirates and Air India, one get to see a better fare with added travel value for opting Emirates. Timely departure and arrival with extra offers for transit are added attractions. No wonder, majority or even all the Politicians, celebrities and government and corporate employees prefers Emirates for their travel from India to different destinations. If one gets to see any of these parties opting Air India as their first choice, that will be the big news to read.
To read the Gulf News article related to this post, please visit Gulf News online.

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

Old boats rested at Mina, Abu Dhabi.

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WYSIWYC – What You See Is What You Click – Daily Passionate Clicks of Abu Dhabi – Old boats rested at Mina, Abu Dhabi

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A reminder to the days when my mother in law recovered after her chemo treatment and we used to go for evening walks at this beautiful side of Abu Dhabi from where we could see a major part of the Abu Dhabi Cornichse. Memories – please Rest in Peace…

This entry was posted in Abu Dhabi - Must Visit Tourist Spots, Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, Exploring Abu Dhabi, Mind Speaks, Passionate Photographers, PassionatePhotographers, Photo Speaks.

Desert Delights

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Good decision

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To read the news behind this comment, please visit GULF NEWS online.

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

Hurray – Its raining in Abu Dhabi – 6th April 2013

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It started with dust storm and now it is raining. Good to moderately heavy rain with thunder and lightning, unusual for all Abu Dhabi residents. Enjoy the rain, but drive safely if you are on the road.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
06th April 2013, 09:40 pm

This entry was posted in Abu Dhabi - Today in UAE, HSE, Mind Speaks, Photo Speaks.

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.

Mandatory GPS

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Mandatory GPS Many of the leading airlines in the UAE provide the limousine service to pick up and drop off their business and first class passengers. However, recently it has become a nightmare to deal with the transport companies that carry out this service on behalf of the airlines. The guests are confirmed and then reconfirmed of their booking and address, two days prior to their departure. It is then followed up with a phone call, when the guests are given the contact number of their driver. Beyond all this, on the day of travel the driver usually finds it difficult to reach the passenger’s given address at the promised time, which leads to worries about the delay in reaching the airport on time.

Guests sometimes hire a taxi or ask a friend for an emergency drop off. This happens, I believe, when the transport companies use drivers based in Dubai to pick up passengers from Abu Dhabi or vice versa. I humbly request all major airlines functioning in the UAE to make it mandatory for their service providers to install a Global Positioning System (GPS) in their vehicles. This would save the hassle for both drivers and passengers. In addition, an effective implementation of GPS in all taxis within the cities should also be thought about and incorporated soon to make our transport system much more efficient.

From Mr Ramesh Menon,Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online

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

​Run to fight cancer

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​Run to fight cancer

The Pinkathon movement promotes awareness about breast cancerwhich has a high incidence rate amongst Indians. It is the second most common form of cancer with the number of new cases being reported rising yearly.

A majority of the new cases are caught in advanced stages, thereby increasing the mortality rates. Most of these cases are reported fromurban India with the metros of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata figuring prominently. Breast cancer in these areas is three times more than in rural India.

Apart from genetic causes, women with higher educational qualifications and an adaptation of the westernized lifestyle are more at risk of contracting breast cancer. A point to be noted is that breast cancer when detected in the early stages, is one of the most curable forms of cancer. Self-examination, clinical examinations and mammographic tests are the basic steps involved.

The Times of India presents Pinkathon in association with Times Foundation

To register SMS TOIBFW PINK YOUR NAME to 58888
Date of Marathon: 7th April 2013
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Time: 6.30 am Free:
First 500 registrations before 29th March
Registrations close on 31st March 2013

My comments as follows:

I sincerely wish it create the awareness in the most genuine way. Most of the time, these runs create only momentary awareness and all forget the danger that is slowly affecting most of the women. Awareness on Breast Cancer should be taken to all level through continuous Corporate and Social participation. Regular presentation to schools and colleges to make young girls and working women understand how to do a self examination and how to monitor if there is any signs of it. They should be also encouraged to pass on this knowledge to their family and friends. Let no life be lost due to Breast Cancer

To read it in original, please visit Times of India Online.

This entry was posted in Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Times of India, TQM.

Struggling Groceries

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Struggling Groceries

On: Gas cylinders being sold by grocery stores
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/community-reports/gas-cylinders-being-sold-by-grocery-stores-1.1159804

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