Opinion 2013

Mobile danger

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Mobile danger
I always thought that using mobile phones while driving is a dangerous activity. I am now convinced that using mobile phones while doing any other activity is equally dangerous.
I read about two deaths that happened when those involved were crossing the railway track while listening to music on their earphones. They noticed only the train from one side and missed the fast one from the opposite side.
Here in the UAE too, I have read about a recent incident when a driver tried to send an SMS while driving, lost control of his car and perished in a collision.
It doesn’t end there. Just the other day, I was walking on the narrow corridors of a residential building.
A mother with a child in a pram and a daughter along with her were walking in a zigzag manner while talking on the phone. Whenever I tried to overtake and pass by, the mother  unknowingly blocked that side.
She was also not careful about her child who was walking ahead. The child rushed as the lift arrived and stood in the middle of the door before it opened.
Suddenly a man rushed towards the exit while talking on his phone. He hardly noticed the little girl and literally ran over her. There was total commotion, argument and blame.
Don’t you feel talking on the mobile phone should not be done while engaging in other activities?
Ramesh Menon
for SHORT TAKE, GULF TODAY Dt. 20.04.2013
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online:

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

Gold in short supply in Dubai

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XPRESS reports:
Gold in short supply in DubaiBuyers come in droves to buy coins and biscuits

My comments as follows:

I believe the unexpected drop in gold price in UK market have forced the wholesale dealers in Dubai to hold their stock as reserves and wait for the market to move up again. If not, they will be incurring huge loss on stock they bought for high price which they have to release to the market to meet the demand created due to the current global scenario. I am sure it is the case in all the major gold markets, including India and in particular Kerala, where there is always a huge demand for gold. Those who have invested in gold, it is a time to hold on to it as prices will move up again. Those who have not invested in it, take advantage of the situation and buy some yellow metal for keep, only and only if you have reserve cash. However, caution to NOT USE YOUR CREDIT CARD for buying gold. You will regret heavily later.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

To read it in original, please visit XPRESS online.

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

Taxi ranks would beat queue-jumping

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The summer is here already, and the heat is creating problems for those Abu Dhabi residents who have to wait for buses and taxis.
There are no sunshades available at many stops, and no discipline among those trying to board buses or taxis.
A lot of people jump the queue for taxis, while slower or more patient people have to wait forever.
I’d like to see dedicated taxi ranks in Abu Dhabi, with clear signage indicating where cabs should stop and where people should form queues.
Eventually I’d like to see state-of-the-art bus and taxi stops all across the city. And, if such a system comes, I hope all commuters abide by the rules.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

17th April 2013



To read it in original, please visit The National online.

This entry was posted in Abu Dhabi - Today in UAE, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, The National.

Well done!

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Well done!
(Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi) / 14 April 2013

Best wishes to Khaleej Times on its 35th birthday.
As a regular reader, I wish to congratulate the entire team for the excellent change brought in to the newspaper in print and online during the recent times.
The online edition is attractive and easy to read and save. Local and regional contents of importance are well covered in print. Sports coverage is one of the best with excellent tabulations and graphics whenever there is any prominent event happening.
To read it in original, please visit, Khaleej Times online.

This entry was posted in Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, UAE.

Tips for emergency situations

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

Perseverance pays

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Perseverance pays

I believe having good language skills is essential for building communication with people.

As for me, it is part of my routine to master different languages through painstaking practice.

For most languages, I’ve managed to achieve mastery by learning from books and from Internet courses, without having to take recourse to formal tuitions.

However, for some difficult languages, extensive training is required for which I try and attend classes.

At a particular language institute the other day, I happened to meet my teacher who taught me French some years ago. After finishing my course, it was the first time we were meeting.

Along with her, was a girl – a local. Conversation took off in French, and suddenly I found this girl was conversing fluently in the language. I was quite surprised, which my teacher picked up — from my reaction. 

With a smile she introduced me to the girl and said that in addition to French, she could speak in quite a few other foreign languages, including Urdu and Chinese, which she was now learning.

She added that it was as a result of the girl’s interest and determination that she could devote a minimum of three hours daily — after her work — to study new languages. It’s no wonder that she showed amazing progress in foreign language skills.

I am sure, the country will have a bright future with this kind of determined youth.

For Gulf Today – Short Take Dt. 13 April 2013

This entry was posted in Education +, Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Short Take.

Tremor reminds us of the need for emergency drills

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I felt the tremor at Abu Dhabi Mall on Tuesday (High-rises evacuated amid quake tremors, April 10), and I would like to make some observations.
If ever such an alarming situation happens again, and instructions are given to evacuate, people should not prolong their stay within the premises by asking questions such as “When can I come back?”, or continue with their meetings, coffee or telephone conversations.
They should leave immediately, taking the suggested route to the safest location in the open.
Equally important is that people should not rush towards the basement car park to move their cars out of the building.
This created chaos and confusion. I think the doors to the car park should have been blocked.
With the number of high-rises increasing, I think building owners and the civil defence authorities should conduct regular exercises to educate people how to act in such situations.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

This entry was posted in Abu Dhabi - Today in UAE, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, The National, TQM.

High-rises evacuated amid quake tremors

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

Roundabout raises curiosity

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This entry was posted in Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, The National.

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.