Turn it off

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Turn it off

If everyone in the UAE turned off just one light for one hour a day, we’d stop 700 tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere every year. That’s the same as taking 400 cars off the road.

A public awareness campaign conducted by Environment Agency Abu Dhabi – display at Abu Dhabi Mall.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Exploring Abu Dhabi, HSE.

Moments of life – Short Take – Gulf Today – Dt. 07.05.2011

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Moments of life – Short Take – Gulf Today – Dt. 07.05.2011

It is very interesting to interact with different people as we get to observe and learn many new things from them.

The journey towards my office consists of a long time in a lift and it is a good opportunity to say “hello” and exchange short words between regular faces from different floors.

The other day, I was in a lift with a colleague of mine, who had returned from  holiday.

A good athlete, he took a short course in Para Jumping. The coaching and trial went well and the day came for real time performance to jump from an aircraft towards a picturesque valley.

The instructor explained to him all the basics to be followed and also rechecked the equipment and he was signaled to jump. He was telling me the moment after was one of the most memorable ones ever in his life so far.

The beauty of the valley was unimaginable as he looked and enjoyed while he lowered. However, suddenly he realised, his equipment was not opening up and then the joy turned out to be a panic situation. For moments, he said, he recapped his whole life, all the while trying to correct the equipment, and felt absolute helplessness towards the wind, the nature and the situation he was in. He thought, it was going to be the end.

Somehow, at the right time, before any danger could happen, the equipment opened and he managed to do a heavy landing, with minor bruises.

All the while he was narrating this, there was another passenger in the lift, who was blaring a music through his ipod and completely out of this world. People around were looking at him as the noise level was unbearable in that small and packed area. All kept quiet and left him on his own as he destroyed his own ear drum with that blistering volume.

Yes, life is full of controllable and uncontrollable situations and it is all how we act and react to it.

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.

Suggestion for Abu Dhabi buses – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt 06.05.2011

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Suggestion for Abu Dhabi buses – THE NATIONAL Dt 06.05.2011

The Abu Dhabi bus system is becoming more popular among commuters each day and each route that is added. This can be seen and experienced by the heavy rush for buses during morning and evening hours. Commuters find the buses extremely useful and economical.

However, in the city buses, when there is a large crowd, the front to middle half is full of lady passengers. Thus, it makes entry for male passengers inconvenient as they have to get inside through the main door, drop the coin in the box next to the driver and then get down and get inside through the door at the middle.

Could the Abu Dhabi bus authorities come out with a convenient system for passengers to drop their coins at a suitable place near the middle door?

It would make the Abu Dhabi buses more passenger friendly.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

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

Save Water For Our Future

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Save Water For Our Future

A could be implemented idea by all residents.

This entry was posted in HSE.

Charity event in Abu Dhabi – some queries – My Letters – GULF NEWS – Dt. 05.05.2011

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Charity event in Abu Dhabi – some queries – My Letters – GULF NEWS – Dt. 05.05.2011

In reference to “Charity event in Abu Dhabi for tsunami victims”. While I congratulate the team effort and humanitarian gesture involved, I feel, it is extremely alarming to see Yoga being commercialised, even if it is for the purpose of fund raising for a natural calamity. Yoga, as it says itself is never done for beating records or numbers. Doing 108 times of Surya Namaskars at one stretch will be a dangerous physical act. As experts say generally, 12 Surya Namaskaras are performed at one practice. If starting that practice for the first time, it is generally started with fewer (3 to 6) Namaskaras per day, and then gradually increased to 12 Namaskaras in a week’s time. So, is it a whole day event starting from 6:00 am with breaks after the Shavasana and then another set is repeated till they reach 108 times. An importanct concern thus about the participants yoga expertise and years of practise attained to display a 108 time of Surya Namaskar. Kindly address this concern before the events kick off for the safety of the participant.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

To read the original community report and my comment online, please visit GULF NEWS online.

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

Urumi – an epic unfolded with creativity and aesthetic beauty

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Urumi – an epic unfolded with creativity and aesthetic beauty

Expectations were really high when we entered the Eldorado Theatre in Abu Dhabi to watch the movie Urumi. A move directed by Santhosh Shivan having Prithviraj, Prabhu Deva, Jagathy and Genelia in main roles definitely bound to be. The initial oration by KPAC Lalitha did bring in the early interest to the almost 3 hours of picturesque and innovative picturisation of an ancient folklore about Vasco da Gama. Tell you, it did mark a strong “Santhosh Shivan” presence in each and every frame of the movie. An advantage for major part of the movie in terms of visual treat for the audience and a slight disadvantage at times in terms of flaws in directorial nuances.
The whole movie has been presented with beautiful permutations and combinations of every major artists in it. Prithviraj as Kelu Nayanar outshined his contemporary form Krishna Das by miles. Prabhu Deva excelled in both his different roles throughout the movie and presented once again for the movie world that, he is never going to get aged on his trademark movements, comedy and presentation style. Jagathi Sreekumar as Chenichery Kurup proved once again to us that he is one actor for whom characters are a cakewalk. Genelia as Ayesha with her excellent performance outshined at times even the male actors. Nithya Menen added an innocent and attractive variety to the movie and story line and perfectly justified her role throughout. This performance will definitely give her opportunities to fill in many open slots up for grab in South Indian movies.
Tabu in her cameo was beautiful as ever. However, Vidya Balan disappointed. Probably due to lack of frames she has in this story telling, at times, she was left seen with no expressions and emotions, which was inexcusable from an actor of her calibre in a classique of this nature.
Amol Gupte as Chirakkal Maharaja, Ankur Sharma as Chirakkal Crown Prince Bhanu Vikraman, Alexx ONell as Estêvão da Gama, Robin Pratt as Vasco Da Gama, Bharath J as Beeran Kutty, Arya as Chirakkal Kothuwal and Thandachan played individuals roles to perfections.
The camera throughout the movie presented a lush watery green that reminded a nostalgic memory for all those who love the gods own country.
The fight scenes were done excellently well and the narration at the beginning of the movie that “no animals were harmed in the movie” augmented a sense of responsibility by the producers and crew towards animal rights.
Costumes and make up, especially of all the female artists were simple and outstanding. Prithviraj and Prabhudeva’s make were natural.
Shankar Ramakrishnan’s script well conveyed the story throughout in a beautiful manner and took the viewers guessing till the end. However, at times I felt, he and Santhosh Shivan could have concentrated on dialects in the dialogue presentation, which seemed to be out of place.
Music by Deepak Dev scored brilliantly on background and one song “Chimmi Chimmi” done as a tribute to M. G. Radhakrishnan, will remain on the lips, caller tunes and memories of movie lovers for a long time for its beautiful presentation by the singers and actors in it. The folk, lullaby, ballad part of the music were interestingly audible and well presented.
A valiant and successful attempt by Prithviraj, Santosh Sivan, Shaji Natesan for producing a good movie to watch with family, especially children to give them a different version of struggle undertaken during the yesteryears by our unsung heroes.
An overall brilliant effort by Santhosh Sivan and Prithviraj and looks like the year ahead belongs to both of them.
Rating: 4/5
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
04.05.2011

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Movie Reviews.

Taste It – Sweet and Soft Coconut Vada

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Taste It – Sweet and Soft Coconut Vada

My first content publish in Yahoo as a content contributor.

Enjoy reading it at Yahoo online and pleaes post your comments.

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, Taste It, Yahoo.

Eco Friendly Transport – Exploring Abu Dhabi Through Clicks and Writes

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Eco Friendly Transport – Exploring Abu Dhabi Through Clicks and Writes

Eco Friendly Transport – a utility cycle displayed at the Friday Market at Masdar City. This seems to be very convenient for village use for children and adults. Its pack weight is approximately 18 kgs and costs about AED 600/+ in Abu Dhbai.
A tempting display.
Ramesh Menon
03.05.2011

This entry was posted in Clicks and writes, Exploring Abu Dhabi, HSE, Photo Speaks.

A dangerous game of cricket – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 03.05.2011

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A dangerous game of cricket – My Letters – THE NATIONAL Dt. 03.05.2011

A dangerous game of cricket
I happened to witness a dangerous act inside the pedestrian underpass opposite the Emax store on Hamdan Street. A group of teenage boys were playing cricket.
This was extremely threatening to the safety of pedestrians in the underpass as well as public property including the tiles, fire safety equipment and electrical fixtures.
Cricket is a game attracting immense attention from youth these days with an abundance of money and fame around for those who excel at the sport. It is no wonder that parents will encourage any child who shows an interest in it. But this game, I learnt, was not a one-off but is played regularly at the underpass and several times near misses have happened with the cricket ball.
When authorities strive to control jaywalking, I am sure that this is one particular area where people will refrain from using the underpass for fear of being hit by a cricket ball.
We all know it is nearly impossible to bring sufficient playground facilities to all localities. However, other empty playing places presenting no harm to persons or property could be easily found by the young players.
They shouldn’t be allowed to play cricket in an underpass meant only for commuting.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2011, The National, TQM.

Personal Touch – Short Take – GULF TODAY Dt. 30.04.2011

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Personal Touch – Short Take – GULF TODAY Dt. 30.04.2011

Personal touch

I have a Parrot named Mittu, which whistles back whatever we prompt. I also have a good collection of plants in my balcony. These two have become an integral part in my life since some time. It all started as an attempt by us to return home every night whenever we venture outside. Having the thought of these members who cannot speak remaining un-attended have definitely worked in favour and achieved our goal towards it.

There are times when we cannot remain pledged to this commitment and recently it happened that we all had to go on emergency for an unplanned period.

As usual, I had to rely on my caretaker, who came diligently and fed the bird and watered my plant every day.

On my return, I found that our pet was looking thin with most of its feathers gone and the plants also looking lifeless. I knew immediately what the reason was. Within two or three days, they were both looking fine and healthy as before.

The secret was the personal attention, care and a few minutes of special time spent for each one of them. With the parrot, in addition to his regular food of sun flower seed, we used to give it bits and pieces of whatever vegetarian food, biscuits, bread etc we were having.

Constantly, we were keeping it active by talking or rather whistling to it and it was this personal touch that was missing for it. For the plants, each time when I watered, I made sure, if ever there is any weed or dried leaf on them and made it look neat and clean. This personal touch was missing for both of them.

No wonder the old saying in our epics “a personal touch in our deeds is the best rejuvenating medicine for all living beings” remains true forever.

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.