Opinion 2011

WORLD CUP FINALE – My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 27.03.2011

Posted on

WORLD CUP FINALE – My Letters – Khaleej Times Dt. 27.03.2011
27 March 2011

What at an exciting game of knockout matches happening at World Cup 2011. The Australian team was really floored by both Pakistan and India in consecutive matches. Each player acted responsibly and played a pre-defined plan to perfection.
Whether India wins the semi final match against Pakistan or not, the tournament has been given a momentum by the attitude of the attitude to win by those eight teams. They have already captured the hearts of millions of cricket fans, irrespective of whether they come from India, Pakistan, England, and Australia or wherever.
I hope Mahindra Singh Dhoni and Indian Team think tank take a final look at the non-performers before they go into the field for the match with Pakistan. By all means, Sreesanth deserves a chance to prove that it was a one-off day for him against Bangladesh. If Dhoni persists on sidelining him once again, it will be a demoralising factor for the player, who could come out with unplayable deliveries consecutively. Even if it does happen, for a player of his caliber, it will not be the end of the world. Looking forward to an interesting end to the World Cup.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit Khaleej Times Online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011.

Cool Factor – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 26.03.2011

Posted on

Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 26.03.2011 – Cool Factor

Cool factor

What at an exciting game of knock-out matches happening at WC 2011. Australian team were really floored by both Pakistan and India in consecutive matches. Keeping the nerves and keeping cool is an important element, required all the time in life to achieve success and victory.
Not many people practise this art or at least even attempt to learn it. Till some time ago, I myself was one who never achieved this target. Or even now, I can openly admit. It is easy to get intimidated or distracted and lose the focus of our objectives.
In life, everyone has to have a smaller objective and Bigger Objective. While working short term for the smaller objectives, our prime focus should be on the Bigger version of it.
The pace and methodology with which we should go about should be strategically developed for the execution of such a strategy. But many times, we tend to focus on the smaller objectives which will totally take us out and away from our Bigger objectives. We can illustrate this situation many times by small events happening in our life.
One such incident happened to me recently. I was driving down the highway early morning towards Dubai from Abu Dhabi. With not much traffic and with music on, my concentration was to watch out for a diversion to particular place I had to go. I was almost sure that I was nearer to that diversion and at this time, I happened to watch closely in the side mirror a beautiful car approaching mine. With a passion for automobiles, I was unable to take my eyes of her, slowed down the speed and watched the beautiful Blue Rolls Royce Phantom passing me like a race horse. I took a closer look at it, the number, the model and even the driver. All this happened within a matter of 1 or 2 minutes at the speed of 120 km approved speed limit on the highway.
In the same instance I realised I missed my important turning, crossing it, making me drive for a retour and valuable time of almost 45 minutes.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, Short Take.

Support is needed for non-profit community initiatives – Community Report – Gulf News Dt. 19.03.2011

Posted on

Community Report – Gulf News Dt. 19.03.2011 – Support is needed for non-profit community initiatives

The success of the Fourth Used Book Fair in Sharjah could have been even more far-reaching with help from sponsors and volunteers, reader says.

The recently concluded Fourth Used Book Fair in Sharjah, organised by the City for Humanitarian Services, calls for several interesting observations.
The intensive presence of visitors from day one of the fair was highly motivational to volunteers, who dedicated a lot of time and effort to make the event a success.
Visiting the fair and keenly following the activities showed that events of  this nature do not normally generate generous sponsors and sponsorships from organisations. They usually come forward to donate gifts and memorabilia in abundance when events involve film actors or other celebrities.
It was wonderful to see volunteers forgetting their physical challenges, carrying books to numerous stalls and neatly displaying them for sale. They were found competing with each other to showcase their skills in generating revenue for their own cause.
I wish major organisations take a cue from the collective efforts of the organisers of this event and the volunteers who made it a success and support them in the future by coming forward without hesitation in every possible way.

In addition, I feel a strong need by the respectable authorities to initiate a nominal ‘Social Service Contribution’ of say 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent on ticket costs for events that have a high expense. This could then be made a mandatory distribution to an established charity fund.

The fund could then be allocated proportionately and utilised for the day-to-day running of various charity institutions and organisations within the UAE, who are genuinely in need of more support. This way, everyone will become contributors to humanitarian causes, willingly or not.

It would also be a good idea to complement the effort of these charity organisations by providing them reduction in charges on utility services like telephones, electricity and water bills.

– 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

To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Community Reports, Community Service, Gulf News, HSE, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011.

Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 19.03.2011 – Nature’s wrath

Posted on

Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 19.03.2011 – Nature’s wrath

Life on a Friday usually is quiet and relaxed at home, helping with family and greeting and treating occasional friends. But, Friday March 11 turned out to be a different one. Switching on the TV casually around 11 am, I was alerted about the evolving news of the tragedy happening in Japan at that moment.
Japan experienced the worst ever earthquake disaster in its modern history followed by a deadly tsunami leading to massive destruction in the northern part of the country. All happiness suddenly vanished as we watched with awe the reality happening in front of us through available TV channels transmitting the tragedy — our helplessness in front of Mother Nature on fully fury.
Boats, ships and cars were floating like they were made of paper. There was absolutely no question of human power against that rage. Every witness remained silent without knowing what to do next. All available modern technology were used to forewarn the danger to its next destination and although it saved many life from other parts, what happened in those few hours in Japan will remain forever in our mind.
Several times we, mankind boast of our knowledge and technology power. This tragedy happened like a warning to us that Mother Nature is beyond our control. Our silent prayers, sympathy and condolences are with the entire nation. Japan will recover and come back from this tragedy very fast. They have the will power and mental strength to regroup from tragedies. They have proved it before and we pray silently for all those affected to rebuild themselves and their dreams once again.
Ramesh Menon
19.03.2011

To read it in original, please GULF TODAY online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, Short Take.

Shorthand skills are a dying art – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 16.03.2011 –

Posted on

My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 16.03.2011 – Shorthand skills are a dying art

To read the original article about Shorthand reffered in this letter , please visit The National online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, The National.

KT Readerspeak – Is there a place today for reading and writing?

Posted on Updated on

KT Readerspeak – Is there a place today for reading and writing?

Welcome to the sixth edition of KT Readerspeak with a brand new topic for discussion to which our website readers, print loyalists and our Facebook community can contribute.

Just post your response below to the following question, write in to ktreaderspeak@khaleejtimes.ae or log on to www.facebook.com/khaleejtimes. This week’s question is:

Is there a place for reading and writing in today’s world?

My online comments as follows:

Volunteering and supporting remotely the 4th Used Book Fair organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services I was able to send across a good collection of English, Arabic and French books for all ages to Manzil, a participating charity institution in the Fair.

With interest, I keenly followed up with the organizers each day the progress of this event.

The organizers did not end their efforts by merely setting up the stalls. SCHS had two interesting pavilions for children to showcase their reading and writing talent. One was specifically marked for children to draw a picture and write a short story on a specially designed paper. Each participating child was given a framed certificate enclosing their own creativity in it. It was really motivating small children to come and try their own skill at drawing and writing.

Another opportunity for children at the fair was a pavilion by SCHS to try and spell their names using Sign Language. A graphical representation was given to them and looking at it they could try and spell out their names. It was really a great experience as children, and even adults of all ages were made aware by this the value of speaking ability given to all of us.

The days of read aloud stories is dying slowly with the new age electronic generation which encourages short worded communication. However, events and activities such as these stand out and tells us that there exists a few special people who try their best to generate an opportunity for children to find a place in their life for reading and writing.

To read it online, please visit Khaleej Times Online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Community Service, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Manzil, Opinion 2011, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

Dhoni’s blunder – My Letters – Khaleej Times – Dt. 14.03.2011

Posted on

My Letters – Khaleej Times – Dt. 14.03.2011 – Dhoni’s blunder

 

My Letters – Khaleej Times – Dt. 14.03.2011 – Dhoni’s blunder

Dhoni’s blunder
14 March 2011

A review cannot be expressed more precisely than done in ‘Reverse Appeal’ (KT, March 13) on the match between India and South Africa. The writer hit the bull’s eye straight and open. A very good start and advantage by the top end batters was lost washed away easily by senseless batting and thoughtless bowling by pacers, except Zaheer Khan.

Captain Dhoni was batting like countrywomen washing clothes near the banks of the village pond, as if either the bat will get hurt or the ball. Not to say the golden gift of the final over. Even Tendulkar was an option for him under the circumstances. Having clear knowledge of Ashish Nehra’s fitness, Dhoni persisted with him by taking him into the playing eleven and then picked him for the crucial over. With smiles and easily playable balls he obliged making Robin Peterson a hero from nowhere. Dhoni had to invent words to cover his own vendetta of not playing Sreesanth, who always had done well against South Africa. It is time Dhoni admits his mistake and selects players according to merit.

-Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in orginal, please visit Khaleej Times online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011.

Value of money – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 12.03.2011

Posted on

Value of money – Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 12.03.2011

Whenever opportunity and time permits, I love to do voluntary work, supporting various social causes. Recently on travel, I had the opportunity to attend and serve in one such union of equal minds. It was a huge event happening inside a university compound and there were many volunteers from various parts of the world. Students from the university were also actively participating in it.
Food for all was supplied at a canteen installed for the purpose and had very delicious array of vegetarian food items with various fruit drinks and milk products.
During breakfast time, I was waiting in line for my turn, when I noticed a group of four boys, whom I had noted before for their enthusiasm, rushing in. They were in an adjacent queue and I observed one of them ordering four milkshakes for them. The cashier at the counter told the boy that it would cost him Rs. 60/ for four glasses. Suddenly, the face of the boy turned pale as he searched his pocket and then looked around at his friends, and then answered quickly. Sir, I will order only one, as we love to share our drink and it will taste better. It was obvious from his answer that they had only fifteen rupees within them as luxury to buy anything extra.
Watching this, tears rolled down from my eyes instantaneously, and I tried to intervene with the cashier and the boys asking them permission to buy them three more drinks so that each one can have one glass full. They were so persistent that they refused politely my offer and went on collecting the one single glass of milkshake sipping one after another its content.
It brought back memories to my college days where I had very limited pocket money and survived on whatever little available all throughout. It also brought memories to my own little son and his innocent demand of a vegetable burger long ago when I had not even Dhs5 in my pocket.
Value of money is one thing children have to be taught whenever an opportunity arises.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, Short Take.

Sharjah Used Book Fair to conclude today – Khaleej Times Dt. 04.03.2011

Posted on Updated on

Khaleej Times Dt. 04.03.2011 – Sharjah Used Book Fair to conclude today

4 March 2011 SHARJAH — The fourth edition of the Used Book Fair, organised by the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, will conclude today at Khalid Lagoon.

The book fair being held under the theme, “The Treasure of Knowledge,” aims to promote the value of books as well as to highlight the importance of facilitating, acquiring and developing a culture of reading in the community.

The used books are offered between Dh1 and Dh20, and all the books are provided by school students.

“Since last October, we distributed circulars in schools requesting students to donate their old books for the fair. We are open to all books in any language as long as they are not academic ones,” said Jihad al Taher, head of the organising committee.

The fair with 120 stalls by 52 schools and 53 organisations has more than 500,000 books on display.

The availability of quality readable books of different languages and topics at reasonable price has attracted lot of book lovers to the fair.

Children from schools visited the fair during the morning hours and families took the place during evening hours.

A centre stage is available for children to showcase the talent during the event days.

Notable amongst the stalls is one by the SCHS, where children can write their own stories with illustrations and get a certificate from the SCHS. There is also a stall set up by the SCHS whereby children can spell their name using sign language. Book displays include stalls by Manzil, Art of Living, Creative Mums, Embassy of Japan,
Chinese Community and other organisations and schools.

To read it in original, please visit Khaleej Times online.

This entry was posted in Community Service, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Manzil, Opinion 2011, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

വിജ്ഞാനനിധി പുസ്തകച്ചന്ത

Posted on

വിജ്ഞാനനിധി പുസ്തകച്ചന്ത

Posted on: 01 Mar 2011

ഷാര്‍ജ: ഷാര്‍ജ സിറ്റി ഫോര്‍ ഹ്യുമാനിറ്റേറിയന്‍ സര്‍വീസസിന്റെ ആഭിമുഖ്യത്തില്‍ മാര്‍ച്ച് ഒന്നുമുതല്‍ നാലുവരെ ഉപയോഗിച്ച പുസ്തകങ്ങളുടെ ‘വിജ്ഞാനനിധി – പുസ്തകച്ചന്ത’ നടത്തുന്നു.

ഷാര്‍ജ ലേക് ഖലീദിലെ പാം ഗാര്‍ഡനിലാണ് പുസ്തകച്ചന്ത. രാവിലെ പത്തുമണി മുതല്‍ രാത്രിപത്തുമണിവരെയാണ് സന്ദര്‍ശന സമയം.

നിരവധി സ്‌കൂളുകളും സര്‍വകലാശാലകളും പരിപാടിയില്‍ പങ്കെടുക്കും.

വാര്‍ത്ത രമേശ്

This entry was posted in Community Service, Letters to the editor, Mathrubhumi, Opinion 2011, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.