Opinion 2010
Short Take – GULF TODAY Dt. 28.08.2010 – Surprise gift
Short Take – GULF TODAY Dt. 28.08.2010 – A surprise gift
Surprise gift
The other day, I was having dinner with an Indonesian friend of mine. He seemed to be very happy during our meeting. Conversing with him, I realised, he had just finished scheduling a Haj visit for him and his parents the next month. They were aged, and so he will go to Indonesia and from there fly to Saudi Arabia for Umra.
His parents have had a very normal life all throughout and they took care that their children did have good school and life, even forgetting about their own hardships.
Now, the son, who is here and well employed, is comfortable and thankful to hand over a surprise gift of their life to them this year.
I could see his joy as well as theirs while he conveyed this happy move from his side.
It brought out memories for me of many such parents who work all their life for the benefit of their children.
It was not a one-off instance, but it did create an impact in all our minds about what such actions can bring out in the life of those who get to receive it.
Ramesh Menon
Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 21.08.2010 – Elephant walk policy
Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 21.08.2010 – Elephant walk policy
Elephants – Temple elephants are an integral part in the life of Keralites. Especially, if you are from the Trichur area. The attachment towards the animal are so emotional and sensitive that people even address them by names and from ancient times there are several stories propagating the love and affection between man and elephant. An elephant’s walk is a beauty to watch.
However, imagine a situation if it gets wild. You just have to do a search on YouTube, you will see several videos of attacks by wild elephants killing their mahout or others who come across.
Out of love and passion for the animal, I have developed an important management principle based on elephants, closely following its gentle and beautiful walking style which is a beauty to watch and its actions scaring all when it is wild. I have termed it as Elephant Walk Policy. It is somewhat related to some of the age-old philosophies and principles we normally follow.
The first part of this principle follows non-violence. Be mild – as mild as you can till you cannot tolerate any more when you may change over and follow the other part and be wild and aggressive – as aggressive as you can. Create a wild impact and then let this impact force the results.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY Online.
Independence Day wishes – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 15.08.2010
My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 15.08.2010 – Independence Day wishes
India is getting ready to celebrate its Independence Day today. Since 1947, the nation has moved towards true independence through economic progress and continuous agricultural and industrial development. Strict controls by the Reserve Bank of India have made sure that India did not suffer much due to the global recession.
Let the coming days bring about more prosperity and free Indians from the perils of politically ambitious moves by a few. I wish all Indians a truly independent year ahead.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL Online.
Gulf News Community reports published in July 2010: Winning entry – Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
The newspaper recognises readers who raised their voice on issues that they felt were important, relevant and required immediate attention.
And what goes around comes around.
Today, we acknowledge and award those who shared their experiences and brought significant matters to the fore during the month of July.
Over the past few months, the Your Turn page’s Community Report section has highlighted myriad subjects that concerned residents and helped alert the authorities about matters that required urgent attention.
Topics of concern ranged from misspelled signboards to street lights burning much-needed energy during the day.
Readers have found Community Reports to be the right platform to create awareness and turn the spotlight on situations that generate interest and truly impact their lives.
Raising important questions, seeking answers from the relevant authorities and highlighting social issues take effort. And community reporters do not hesitate to prod and poke, if it has a chance of making a real difference.
The community reports published in July were judged by UAE Editor Meher Murshed. The criteria for selection included content, issue, impact on community, responsibility and the quality of contribution.
FIRST PRIZE
Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
July 9
By: Ramesh Menon
Reason for selection:
The consequences of mistakes are magnified if they are made in places such as petrol stations.The community reporter highlighted the hazards of spilling fuel when trying to accommodate rush-hour traffic.
UAE Editor Meher Murshed said: “This is an excellent community report because it raises an issue that is relevant to all of us. We should all make an effort to be careful. I congratulate Mr Menon on his excellent civic sense and urge others to follow suit. Safety is a common concern.”
Profile:
Ramesh Menon is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi.
The reader actively promotes and exhibits community talent in the blogosphere through his blog: http://www.talentshare.blogspot.com/.
As a frequent reporter of community issues, the reader said: “I wish, in the future, more readers will find time to write in without holding back on their thoughts, as community reports are gaining immense popularity and attention, with the issues getting addressed and resolved at a faster pace than through normal routes.”
SECOND PRIZE
Danger of contamination
July 12
By: Boban Thomas
Reason for selection:
When temperatures soar, water is a crucial part of people’s day. But what if even that is under the risk of contamination?
UAE Editor Meher Murshed said: “The reader has raised a valid point. Quite often, we leave water in plastic bottles in our cars. Leaching of chemicals in water, in high temperatures, has been known to have a negative or bad impact on health. This is a documented fact. When we see such displays of ignorance, action should be taken.”
Profile:
Boban Thomas is a logistics supervisor, based in Abu Dhabi.
He repeated the need to safeguard water bottles and not leave them out in the heat.
The reader said: “This is a bad practice and I see it [happening] every day in front of small supermarkets wherever I go. I request the authorities to intervene at the earliest.”
Thomas said he hoped to have the issue addressed through his community report. “Also, thank you Gulf News for giving readers a good platform to highlight their concerns.”
THIRD PRIZE
Beach ruined by rubbish
July 22
By: Vijoy V.J
Reason for selection:
In most parts of the world, summer is synonymous with the beach.
When the community reporter came across a large amount of litter in one such spot in Ajman, he decided to write and call for a change in attitude.
UAE Editor Meher Murshed commended the reader’s initiative.
He said: “We should all make an effort to protect our open spaces. Keeping our environment clean is necessary to ensure future generations can still enjoy Nature. The report and pictures bring to the fore the gravity of the problem on Al Zorah Beach, in Ajman.”
Profile:
Vijoy V. J. is a marketing officer, based in Dubai.
A second-time winner of the community report competition, the reader said he was confident about being heard.
“If the relevant organisations and authorities come together with the people who raise their concerns, I am sure it will make a difference.”
However, according to the community reporter, the situation remains the same at Al Zorah Beach.
He said: “Nobody has looked into it yet, but I know it is a huge task to clean up the area. It has been in a sorry state for the past two years. I hope the authorities take action.”
To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 14.08.2010 – New Age Pets
Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 14.08.2010 – New Age Pets
New age pets
If someone asks what is the most inseparable electronic gadget one loves to carry, you will easily be told by one and all that it is a mobile phone. Many times, we get to see people go crazy over this gadget and disobeying instructions and carrying out their conversations irrespective of the danger it could bring out to him or others near.
During my recent visit to India, I witnessed such an incident when a gentleman inside the flight kept on talking on his phone even after the pilot’s instructions came on for take off. He chose not to listen to the instructions of the staff and kept on talking of some silly business transactions he was able to carry out during the recent times. Co-passengers had to literally force him to switch off his mobile. Probably, every one had in their mind the recent air traffic tragedy at Mangalore.
In another incident, I was visiting a relative. As we were received and led inside the sitting room and started conversation, the host sat in front of us in his sofa.
Next to him lay, two phones, and as he talked to us, he was checking the phones one after another. It went on to an extent that we felt his mind was not there with us as he just tried casually to get in and out of the conversation happening without actually involving himself. Curious to know what was that urgent thing that kept him distracted continuously, I came to know that he was responding to his emails on one and on the other, he was doing online queries and trading. I was thinking of the earlier days, when pets used to sit near and the owner patted them and as they expressed their affectionate emotions enjoyed by all around.
Now, the new age pets converse with the owner only as others watch helplessly.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY Online.
My Letters ; GULF NEWS Dt. 13.08.2010 – Take a thoughtful stand
My Letters ; GULF NEWS Dt. 13.08.2010 – Take a thoughtful stand
I thank the readers who wrote against and in favour of my community report about men consuming alcohol in public (“Be a part of change”, Gulf News, August 8). Since I regularly take up quality issues with various Abu Dhabi authorities, I had the contact numbers needed to alert the police and the media. But, I marked the pros and cons in my mind before taking any steps. It was not [due to] fear. If that were the case, I would not have submitted the community report with my name given the possibility of angry reactions in one way or the other. If I were to report the wrongdoers, it would have resulted in the arrest of those individuals and a report to that effect in the newspaper. However, I strongly felt a community report through Gulf News would result in a wider impact and alert all concerned. So, be alert and act according to the situation.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
My Photos – Gulf News Dt. 11.08.2010 – RTA to revise speed limits on Dubai roads: official
My Photos – Gulf News Dt. 11.08.2010 – RTA to revise speed limits on Dubai roads: official
While warning signs about speeding abound, minivans and heavy truck drivers do not seem to care, according to Gulf News reader Ramesh Menon.
Image Credit: Ramesh Menon/Gulf News reader
Gulf News Dt. 11.08.2010 – RTA to revise speed limits on Dubai roads: official
The RTA would soon finalise the new “Speed Manual” containing details about speed limits on Dubai roads in accordance with the best and modern global standards
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
Published: 00:00 August 11, 2010
Dubai: Speed limits on a number of roads will be revised as part of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plan to ensure safety of all road users, said a senior official.
The decision is being taken in light of the recommendations of the Speed Management Strategy Project which is nearing completion. The project was launched in June last year to assess proper speed limits for Dubai roads in accordance with the road design and its utilisation.
“Implementation and compliance with the specified speed limits will contribute to a better traffic flow and minimise road accidents and consequently loss of life and property,” said Maitha Obaid Bin Adai, Chief Executive Officer of the RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.
She said that the RTA would soon finalise the new “Speed Manual” containing details about speed limits on Dubai roads in accordance with the best and modern global standards.
Maitha noted that there was an increase in road accident fatalities as a result of speeding.
Exercise caution
She called on road users to exercise caution during driving and not to exceed the speed limit as speeding risks have become a major cause of fatal traffic accidents in the city.
Maitha said that some 40 people have already lost their lives in 22 fatal accidents in the first quarter of the year. Some 63 people were killed in road accidents in 48 fatal accidents in the three months of last year.
Engineering standards
“Adhering to the fixed driving speed is the most effective way to minimise traffic accidents,” she said, adding that the speed fixing mechanism is based on accurate engineering standards including the designed driving speed for a road, actual driving speed level observed by most drivers, urbanisation level on both sides of the road, pedestrian movement, schools and mosques and traffic volume.
She said speeding renders the driver unable to control the steering wheel and deprives him or her of ample opportunity to identify appropriate options when suddenly confronted by a traffic situation.
“We, in the RTA, are seeking to share with all road users the results of traffic accidents analyses and studies to educate and acquaint them with the risks of speeding such as human and material losses,” she added.
She said that RTA would launch an awareness programme for safe driving focusing on providing relevant information and statistics together with examples of individuals hospitalised as a result of injuries sustained in traffic accidents.
Do you think the speed limits are suitable? Are there areas that should be reviewed?
To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE – A humble request to Abu Dhabi authorities to restore back the Volcano Fountain in Abu Dhabi
MAKING A DIFFERENCE – A humble request to Abu Dhabi authorities to restore back the Volcano Fountain in Abu Dhabi
GETTING THE VOLCANO FOUNTAIN BACK
Adopt a zoo animal scheme – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 06.08.2010
My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 06.08.2010 – Adopt a zoo animal scheme
My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 06.08.2010 – Adopt a zoo animal scheme
The UAE has some world-class zoo facilities available for residents to enjoy wildlife not normally seen in this region. It requires great effort and finance to maintain them. It would be a good idea to introduce an “Adopt an animal” scheme at the UAE zoos, especially in Dubai and Al Ain. Specified amounts can be set and individuals and organisations can then adopt an animal for a day, a week or a year according to their means.
This will provide financial assistance for their upkeep to help better maintain the facilities and the animals. It would also generate greater involvement among the public to visit them often. For schools and children in particular, it would open up an enriched way to know more about wildlife and nature.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
Community report – Gulf News Dt. 01.08.2010 – Men drinking alcohol in public
Community report – Gulf News Dt. 01.08.2010 – Men drinking alcohol in public
Gulf News reader Ramesh Menon said he was startled to come across a group of people drinking alcohol in a public park. He said: ” I call for more vigilance and increased community policing…” Image Credit: Ramesh Menon, Gulf News reader
Community report – Gulf News Dt. 01.08.2010 – Men drinking alcohol in public
As a passionate photographer, I love to explore the Capital city during the serene early hours of Friday and Saturday. As usual, I set out one morning at 7.30am and there were some activities awaiting my attention in the park at the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
As soon as I reached the location, a small hill surrounded by green fencing, I spotted a group of people in one corner sitting and talking. There were bottles scattered in front of them and one person was pouring something into a plastic container. I understood very clearly what they were doing from their behaviour.
As I moved around and continued clicking, I found myself back in the same spot after an hour and they were still progressing with their activities.
From the bold way in which this group of people openly drank alcohol at 8.30am, I felt that this was not the first time they had done it.
They may have had a steady supply of alcohol from someone nearby, or they would not have found such a convenient place and time to indulge in the practice. When I looked around, I saw families scattered around the park, and children playing in groups and by themselves, away from their families.
Fearful thoughts came to my mind. I remember the sad plight of young children I read about in the news, who had been abducted or molested.
This particular group soon reached an inebriated state and started drinking directly from the bottle. As I walked away, I saw them throwing and shattering the empty bottles on a nearby lamp post.
I strongly feel that this is not a one-off incident. Effective control measures are needed. I call for more vigilance and increased community policing in public parks and beaches during morning hours and evenings.
— The reader is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.
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