Opinion 2014
Of writing skills and technology – Khaleej Times – 7 July 2014
Of writing skills and technology
/ 7 July 2014
This is in response to the write-up “Get it Write”. It gave an interesting reading and insight to a pressing problem. The advent of technology is already in its successful path of killing the art of writing using pen and pencil. It is, indeed, a dangerous situation.
Concurring with the observation of Nishad Sayyed, I really feel bad to see little children tagging along parents mending their ways either on the iPhone or iPad. To make children
familiar with the technology from an early age is good. However, making them totally addicted and dependent on them is to be pondered.
The result of the lack of interest in promoting writing at an early age is seen by the reduction of children participating in activities related to writing poetry or short stories. Time and effort has to be devoted to change this situation. How many parents and teachers take an effort in this direction may bring about the intended improvement. How can it be done has to be the next step of this important focus.
How difficult is it now for an expert to analyse a person when the art of writing itself is dying. I have been interested in this field for a long time and have been learning and collecting the handwritten scripts of those whom I come across for my study and analysis.
It is common these days that we get to see children not expressing their mind through pen and pencil and use abbreviated terminologies to communicate through mobile or social media. To read their mind is not so easy as they get them enclosed into a shell by themselves.
What can we do next to see
a change? Parents should make it a point to create an interest among children from a young age to start reading and writing in full and complete. On the other hand teachers and academicians of all types have a bigger role to teach them the importance of reading and
writing it right.
Community organisations too have an important role to come out with competitions to encourage the development of literary skills.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit Khaleej Times online.
For greater good – Short Take – Gulf Today, Dt. 05 July 2014
For greater good
It has been a routine for me since some years to meticulously photograph places that I visit and activities I participate in, and to then post them on my Facebook group or share it with friends or followers on various social networks.
I do it for various reasons. First, is to improve my photography skills. The second is to promote the artist or the activity I attend and give a kind of selfless contribution to encourage them.
However, the most important reason is to share with my parents and immediate family, who live far away, these precious moments so that they may enjoy them as well.
In order to meet professional and personal commitments, I tend to face a tight schedule, and this method has helped me avoid a detailed explanation of how my day evolved.
An interesting fact that came to my notice was the different reactions of those who chose to be in my friends or followers list. Some of them consistently encourage me. Some remain completely silent, although they keenly observe every post of mine. And some others come up with constructive criticism, which I always take note of in a positive way and act according to merit.
Many a time this has resulted in a positive contribution to the society, whether it is here in the UAE or in India.
Some actions were dangerous, since I would report abnormal practices or dangerous situations. Before submitting these to relevant authorities or the media I have asked myself a hundred times whether or not I should submit them as community reports of significance. The option chosen does prove to be right as they resulted in intended positive outcome.
At times, there were detrimental remarks that held my thoughts and deeds from moving ahead. Working on them again and again, weighing them in a balance, I chose the positives rather than the negatives and carried on.
Why should I let my feelings known to others? Why should I not?
A difficult choice, this is always on my mind, each time I come out with something new.
I strive my best to keep my mind and thoughts to contribute to the betterment of those with me and around me in my community. The choice is therefore theirs, to be with me or not.
Be supportive and an occasional like, a supporting comment, or a share of my post among your friends or family will not do any harm. It’s an assurance you can trust on.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today, online
Highway code is necessary – Letters to the editor – The National Dt. 1 July 2014
Highway code is necessary
I refer to the article Safety expert advocates UAE federal highway code (June 30). The code is particularly necessary to keep heavy vehicles under control. They should never be given the extra 10 or 20kph speed allowance.
The moment you give that opportunity to these drivers, they tend to break the rules. In other words, if the maximum speed limit is 100kph for heavy vehicles, they should stay below it.
Many times, I have been in situations where buses and lorries came flashing their headlights from behind. The RTA buses are no exception. They should also be made to stay within the last two lanes, so as to keep the rest of the lanes free for lighter vehicles.
There is a rule that public and commercial vehicles should display specific phone numbers on which complaints can be made in case of dangerous driving. But proper monitoring is needed to make this system effective. A dedicated centralised contact number will be more helpful. I am sure consistent efforts will help make our roads safer and better. Let us all work together towards this objective.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit The National online.
Fasting can improve your health – Gulf News Dt. 29 Jue 2014
Fasting can improve your health
It will be a good idea for non-Muslims to experience a day of fasting followed by iftar
• By Ramesh Menon
• Published: 16:08 June 28, 2014
It is a divine time to become engaged in the community by investing time, skills or other resources at a personal level. It is highly important that people abide by the dress code policy especially during Ramadan, as many visitors remain unaware of the cultural sensitivities of the country.
Malls, hotels, buses, taxis, train and airline centres should put up flyers, to remind people of the courtesy policies during Ramadan. Many tourists coming from Western countries are not aware of the dress code policies and as a result, they might end up touring the country wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts during Ramadan, unaware that this might disturb the people observing the holy month.
It will be useful to spread knowledge on how to keep healthy while keeping to religious obligations. Healthy fasting during Ramadan is of prime importance as people tend to get more obese and diabetic due to irregular eating and overeating after ending their fast. Fasting during Ramadan can improve a person’s health, but if a correct diet is not followed, it can possibly worsen your condition. Therefore, the important factor is not the fast itself, but rather what is consumed in the non-fasting hours.
Non-muslims should be considerate to the feelings of those who are fasting. For those who are new to the country, remember that eating, drinking and smoking in public during Ramadan is forbidden as Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during this time. It shows a lack of sensitivity if some people eat while others fast for over 17 hours. Don’t play loud music because neighbours could be fasting and/or resting.
It will be a good idea for non-muslims to experience a day of fasting followed by an iftar.
I am sure this will give a chance to learn self-restraint and will highlight the importance of caring and sharing.
Also, due to environmental changes, it will be the same time the date palm trees will be ready for harvesting the ripened dates, the nation’s hidden wealth.
Both join together as a double sign of good days ahead and let the country prosper in all ways.
To read it in original, please visit Gulf News Online
Safe driving – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 28 June 2014
Safe driving
It is the Holy Month of Ramadan and a blessed season when people tend to be more religious and show kindness to the poor and needy. This year, due to the long duration of daytime, the fasting hours will be more.
Summer is at its peak making life outside during noon hours difficult. Luckily, the school holidays have started. The roads may be less crowded as many people will be on vacation.
However, one factor that is a cause of worry is the driving habit of some people before Iftar timing. Whatever the reasons, the tendency to drive fast and furious is extremely dangerous.
The energy and alertness level during this time will be less for many due to fasting. It is extremely important to drive cautiously and carefully during this particular period.
Safety at all times should be kept in mind and practised as one of the core values in our lives.
Ramesh Menon
Gulf Today, Short Take Dt. 28 June 2014
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online.
Garnering support – Letters to the Editor – Gulf News 27 June 2014
Garnering support
It is impressive and highly promising to note the increased production forecast for UAE farm produce in the coming season (‘10,000 tonnes more vegetables grown at Abu Dhabi farms,’ Gulf News, June 23). The effort and amount of technology expertise added with financial support is huge and each of the participating farmers should be highly praised to keep the interest in the field of agriculture ongoing.
With the weather conditions not in favour, it is of great importance to encourage more people to come forward and actively participate in agriculture that suits the nation. With regards to garnering additional support, the produce should be allocated to special areas at all the leading supermarkets and be given prominence in terms of pricing and marketing.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit, GULF NEWS online.
No tolerance for drunks on planes – Letters to the editor – The National – 26 June 2014
No tolerance for drunks on planes
A friend of mine recently flew in to Abu Dhabi from Mumbai on a non-UAE airline.
On-board the plane were many workers who had been drinking before the flight took off.
Despite seeing them in that condition, the airline staff served alcohol to them during the flight. This resulted in them becoming totally intoxicated, spilling their food and causing inconvenience to other passengers.
I was very sad to hear of this scenario. Airlines flying to the UAE should have guidelines that ensure that people who have consumed a high level of alcohol before a flight are not allowed to board.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit The National online.
Silent reply – Gulf Today – Short Take – Dt. 21 June 2014
Silent reply
It was a quiet time at the supermarket and I was waiting at the weighing counter in the vegetable section.
A worker arrived and placed some boxes of vegetables that were to be displayed at one of the sections. At that time, another customer appeared and positioned himself between the boxes and me.
The person at the weighing counter had seen me standing earlier and hence collected my items and started weighing them.
Suddenly, the other customer who created a new queue started insulting the counter staff and me.
He went to such an extent that he started talking about my country and my roots.
I was in no mood to respond and chose to ignore him. Seeing me not reacting, he stopped blabbering.
His provocation could have created an ugly scene, but I am happy that I chose to be silent and it did make a difference.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Gulf Today, Short Take Dt 21 June 2014
From UAE to Venice – Gulf Today – Short Take – 14 June 2014
From UAE to Venice
I recently had the opportunity to attend the Architectural Biennale 2014 in Venice. Opting to travel from Abu Dhabi, I realised it was a multiple transportation option.
After the long flight to Malpensa Airport in Italy, I had to catch a train to Milan Central. Changing the platforms and hopping on to a fast train to Venice, I could relish the scenic beauty of the Italian countryside.
The place I wanted to visit was accessible only by water taxis. Stopping in between various boat stations, it was exciting to see people getting in and out at each places.
Once at my hotel, it was a different feeling. The scenic view from the window overlooking the canals and watching the gondolas take tourists through narrow water lanes were a treat to watch.
As days passed by, I started missing some things. The routine had changed and my desire to get some Indian food, the small items we get from our super and mega marts, started growing.
I was not successful due to time constraints and non-availability of the restaurants and shops that served them.
I remembered the UAE and felt that expatriates in the country are blessed as there are easy options available to make everyone feel at home, whether it is food, dress or any other.
My thoughts were concurred by an Indian couple from Belgium visiting Venice with their little boy, who was keen to have rice, idly and sambar every day.
Ramesh Menon
Gulf Today – Short Take – 15 June 2014
UAE pavilion – Gulf Today – Short Take – 7 June 2014
UAE pavilion
It was the partial realisation of a big dream. As the saying goes, if you dream, dream big, I was silently and consistently putting my efforts to rekindle the memories of the volcano fountain in Abu Dhabi.
The Architecture Biennale 2014 was officially opened on June 5 and the UAE pavilion stood out by displaying the right blend of modern and ancient architectural history of the UAE.
The curatorial team with the blessings of Sheikha Salama Foundation has done a great job.
Accepting and attending the opening ceremony also was an opportunity to meet several contributors who worked to make the UAE pavilion worth the visit for those interested in architecture and history.
The Venice biennale will run till Nov.23. Why not plan Venice as your holiday destination this year?
Train, boats, lovely canals and countryside and now the UAE pavilion in biennale.
Ramesh Menon, Venice
Gulf Today – Short Take, 7 June 2014
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