Photo Speaks

Hindustan Ambassador – Forget me Not

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A tribute to Hindustan Ambassador 1957 – 2014
Forget me Not

This entry was posted in Autos, Photo Speaks.

Reader picture of the day – Rare sighting – Gulf News – 30th April 2014

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This entry was posted in Gulf News, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2014, Passionate Photographers, Photo Speaks.

Our Story of the Date Palms – Unearthing a hidden treasure

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Our Story of the Date Palms – Unearthing a hidden treasure

If you ask me, what is the most beautiful thing happening in the UAE currently, I will ask you to look at my photos herewith. It is purely natural and currently happening. If you postpone to observe this process for another, you will not get to enjoy it.

Can you see in it a crocodile with its mouth opened? Indeed yes, this crocodile has a big treasure of bounty for the UAE farmers!

A date palm tree with flowers, the branches have been captured as if nature is handing over the flowers to someone. Indeed, time for a new options to think for UAE farmers with date palm cultivation!

Date Palm Tree flower in close up. These look like the Jasmine flowers of our desert. Nurture them, harvest them, and let the nation prosper with another hidden treasure.

They say, there is always someone in a hurry among us. In this natural process too, if you observe, you will see, some flowers bloomed a bit earlier and already into the next stage. This is also a teaser of what awaits you, if you follow this process till the end.

Look at these bloomed flowers you will definitely admit, this is one of the best natural thing happening in the UAE right now. Take out your camera, enjoy the process with your family and friends. Let there be many more natural team building opportunities evolve.

As a long standing resident of the UAE, it is my interest in the local culture and tradition that led me to observe the flowering pattern and process of the date palm trees.
There is lot to learn when one observe it closely. History, culture, tradition, trade and commerce everything embedded in it. The result is an astounding 130,000 ton or more of dates sold and exported from UAE per annum!
For those interested in photography, I have an event “Our Story of the Date Palm Trees” created to photograph the process in the coming 4 months, submit them regularly along with a 300 words story in your language of the experience of following this natural process. Mind you, it is a challenge and it will test your determination and dedication to achieve a set goal. A good team building activity for parents with children, teachers with students and colleagues. All are welcome.
You may submit them at team1talentshare@gmail.com or in a dedicated event “Our Story of the Date Palm Trees” created at Passionate Photographers group on Facebook.
View each of the photos and start watching them from today. Follow the story at the online event “Our Story of the Date Palm Trees”https://www.facebook.com/events/599177313457758/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

Please share this post with friends and family, who, you think will be interested.

This entry was posted in Our Story of the Date Palms, Passionate Photographers, Photo Speaks, The National.

‘Beware when clicking your camera in UAE’ – Gulf News Dt. 03rd April 2014

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Abu Dhabi: Residents across the UAE are finding themselves on the wrong side of the law because they do not realise that they’ve unwittingly committed a cybercrime, leading judicial experts said in the capital on Wednesday.
A simple act such as taking a picture of a bystander or a friend without their permission and sharing it through social media could be construed as a crime in a court of law, Dr Omar Al Ghoul, a judge at the UAE Federal Courts, told Gulf News.
“These sorts of seemingly simple crimes are a result of the increasing proliferation of smartphone use, and the public’s general lack of awareness on the UAE’s stance on internet use,” he said.
“The use of the internet has grown in the UAE to such an extent that, in some legal cases, it is being treated as an addiction, and ‘patients’ are referred to rehabilitation facilities,” Dr Al Ghoul added.

Continue to read at GULF NEWS online.


Very important information for all those who love to click at random. The rules are not clear so that one is always in two minds whether or where to click. It is always good to take permission in advance before clicking pictures of strangers, especially women and children. A good reminder to all.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

This entry was posted in Gulf News, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Photo Speaks, UAE.

Have you ever tried to photograph a Mynah?

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Have you ever tried to photograph a Mynah. If not ask them to pose for you. They love to get clicked. Especially, when it is by a Passionate Photographer. Share the link, invite your friends and family who are interested in photography to join and present their clicks without inhibition.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Team1PassionatePhotographers/

This entry was posted in Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, Passionate Photographers, PassionatePhotographers, Photo Speaks.

A bench with no place to sit – Khaleej Times – Dt. 24 March 2014

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I believe and propagate through Passionate Photographers group on Facebook that every photo clicked is history. There will be a message or a story behind it. Some told, some untold. The above just an example of how some anti-social elements can damage public property that can be a danger to children and elderly. It is not an image wish to be seen around in a beautiful city. Hope, the authorities will repair and replace it soon as necessary requests have been made to highlight it to them.
Part of a Park, Ride and Click project. A Page 3 listing for an HSE effort.  Inspiring.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

This entry was posted in Community Reports, HSE, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Photo Speaks, Safety First.

From Tourist Club to Al Zahiyah

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Its weekend and time for all to explore Abu Dhabi. Tourist Club – no more the same as it is officially changed to Al Zahiyah. Many changes happening, starting with the name change, old buildings getting demolished in order to give way to new ones, new roads, more cameras…. it goes on. The good or bad thing about Abu Dhabi is once it is gone, gone for ever. You don’t see it again. All for good.
Abu Dhabi Mall from near and far

So once again another evening, another weekend, and time to take some rest and call friends and family. For many expats, a same routine.. In this photo above, a newspaper delivery boy sitting behind his cycle and calling someone. They work 7 days starting as early as 3:00 am. I know this as I get my newspapers delivered well before 4:00 am every day. Truly unsung heroes.

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

Everlasting innocent expressions of life

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Normally, I do not post photos of children. But, these two are exceptional. Vimala and Suraj from Rajasthan. Taking care of traditional family business when their parents stationed away in a different part of the Bangalore city. You might have met them if you are driving through a prominent road of the city. Brilliant business skills. Talking to them whether they would want to do school, they kept silence and said with silent voice, we have to take care of this spot. As we left, we wished them good luck and hope to see them again during our next visit. Everlasting innocent impressions of life.

This entry was posted in Life in Bangalore, Mind Speaks, Passionate Photographers, Photo Speaks.

Learn a lesson – Gulf News Dt. 13 February 2014 – Letters to the editor

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Learn a lesson
During my recent visit to Bangalore, I happened to watch a group of monkeys drinking water from taps set up in a small village temple near Bangalore. They were very clever and cautious as they operated the taps and drank water. They very sensibly closed the taps as they left. I was amazed by the way they solved their thirst without wasting even single drop of water. I think we all have a lesson here to learn.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online

This entry was posted in Gulf News, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Photo Speaks.

Renovation work hurts commuters – Letters to the editor – The National Dt 19 December 2013

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Renovation work hurts commuters



Letters to the Editor – The National 19 December 2013
Read more:http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/feedback/renovation-work-hurts-commuters#ixzz2nsonKboH
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook

A series of road and pavement repair work being carried out in sector 73 in Khalidiya is causing major inconvenience to the public.

The entire area is marked for repair by the contracting company responsible for the project. They have also dug up the pavement and removed the bricks that have been stacked up randomly. It’s a posh residential area with a high concentration of high-rises, restaurants, banks and other commercial establishments. In normal times, before the repair work began, availability of parking spaces was limited. So one can imagine the inconvenience it has caused to residents and visitors. The pieces of bricks and concrete also pose a grave danger to children.

Apart from that, the lorries that keep plying in the area cause traffic chaos as there is limited space for vehicle movement.

I humbly request the civic authorities to facilitate convenient passage for residents and vehicles. That could have been done easily by marking smaller segments for renovation, instead of marking an entire sector. It can still be done.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Read more:http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/feedback/renovation-work-hurts-commuters#ixzz2nsohbda3
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook

This entry was posted in Community Reports, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Photo Speaks, Safety First, The National, TQM.