Photo Speaks
Wild Elephant on rampage
Photos of a wild elephant, which came down from the forest near Pathanamthitta in Kerala and created fear, damage and death (killed one person). Photos courtesy – Malayala Manorama
My favorite photo of the day – 13 August 2007
A painter getting ready to give a coat of aluminium paint to the lamp poll – a scene from Delhi
Coming back with more NIP (News, Information and Pictures)
Hello friends, I have been away for a few days of rest & recreation. I am back here in Abu Dhabi and invite you again to my e-Home with plenty of NIP (News, Information and Pictures)and of course the regular Team 1 newsletter. As usual a new topic is getting ready in the background of my mind while moving around and I hope you will enjoy reading it. Not to forget our little friends, Jajoo Jajoo stories will have an interesting story for them. Enjoy a few feeler photos while you get set to enjoy your coffee break at http://www.team1dubai.blogspot.com.
Petronas Twin Towers Malaysia
Go-carting – Genting Highlands
View from Batuk Caves – It was time to sit, relax & have a drink after a tough, fast and productive year. It was time for planning ahead too.
“Awareness”
It is not unusual for us to get so caught up in meeting our needs, desires, and goals that we lose sight of what is happening around us. From time to time, we may be stopped in our tracks by some unusual event that will cause us to pay attention to what is important. Those lessons can cause “dents” as happened in the following story.
A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching as kids darted out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.
As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a rock smashed into the Jag’s side door! He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot where the rock had been thrown. He jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid who was standing there and pushed him against a parked car shouting, “What do you think you are doing?”
Building up a head of steam he went on, “That is a new car and the dent from the rock you threw is going to cost a lot of money to repair. Why did you do it?”
“Please sir, please. I’m sorry, I didn’t know what else to do,” pleaded the youngster. “I threw the rock because no one else would stop…”
Tears were dripping down the boy’s chin as he pointed around the parked car. “It’s my brother, sir,” he said. “He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him.”
Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair, sir? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.”
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be okay.
“Thank you and may God bless you, sir,” the grateful child said to him. The man then watched the little boy push his brother toward their home. It was a long walk back to his Jaguar… a long, slow walk. He never did repair the car door. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a rock at you to get your attention.
Author Unknown
Everyday, we have the opportunity to be aware of what is going on around us and to notice who might need our assistance or attention. When we are so focused on ourselves or getting where we are going, it may take a rock to get our attention.
Let’s slow down and truly “see” what is around us. How many “dents” do we need before we make it a habit to “stop, look, listen, feel and care?”
Affirmation for the Week:
“I maintain awareness and vigilance in my life. I need only a feather to tickle me, not a rock to dent me, to bring my awareness back to the moment when my attention and focus strays.”
Have an observant week!
Photo Journalism
I always believe that a good photo portrays much more than a one full page article.
Here are some inteestig ones, taken from Khaleej Times dt05082007.
If you have a good picture from your region or which come across your way, do send it to me for posting.
The world of demolition
UAE may be the only place you will see so much of demolition happening around each day. Especially in Abu Dhabi. Most of the buildings are not even 20 yrs old. Many such old buildings are demolished for constructing new high rise buildings. As a result, there is a shortage of residential appartments and villas. Whatever available can be grabbed only with a premium rent. Enjoy viewing some demolition scenes. When you look at them, you may feel as if you are in Lebanon. At office, I have some Lebanese colleagues and tell them that they do not miss their country’s present status as they see these demolition scenes every day on their way to and from office. Only difference – there, it is due to war, here it is due to the different or sub-standard quality sand used for constructing older buildings in the late 70s which government is trying to replace by new ones. A different look, from the distance, you may think that you are at one of the historical sites of Jordan.
By using controlled demolition
By using normal methods
New Beach for Abu Dhabi
All those who are here in Abu Dhabi and all those who visit here say that Abu Dhabi has one of the best Corniche. In order to improve the facilities the authorities are in the process of completing a new stretch of 1.5 kms of beach front – recovering it from the sea. With the speed with which they do it, it is just matter of couple of weeks to enjoy it.
FOREST
Have you ever thought of living in a Forest – Athirappilly near Chalakudy in Trichur District Kerala is a nice place where you can plan if you have time. During the rainy season, it was looking more wilder – and this time too I couldn’t resist myself to skip this beauty.
Loyal member
Some people deserve to be mentioned for their dedication and loyalty. And we normally tend to give long service awards to such members to appreciate their efforts and support. I felt it should be the case for animals too. I am not an ardent fan or supporter of Maneka Gandhi’s animal protection movement where she conveninently close her eyes when it comes to matters related to rich and when it comes to middle class or poor where stray dogs attacking children and killing them in Bangalore – 6th such incident happened recently – and coming out with support for them and not allowing the authorities to take actions against. Result – bikers have to fear, small children and families – especially with infants have to fear for these dogs. As long as we do not react, everything is possible – in India and elsewhere.
Coming back to our Loyal Member, I happened to meet him at a friends house. I was very much impressed – 30 years + – he has been with them and still continuing his affection, support and loyalty. Look at his eyes, he has so many stories to tell you – and will pass on them to you through our Jaaju Jaaju section very soon.
Congrats man, may God bless you to have some more years of peaceful and dutiless life in this world.
ClicksandWrites 
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