TATA Aria – The first Indian crossover – Impressive
TATA Aria – The first Indian crossover – Impressive
Tata Aria – A new breed. The first Indian crossover. The finesse of a sedan with the muscle of an SUV
Impressive indeed. I got an opportunity to test drive TATA ARIA. Expansive exterior and interiors, great seating comfort, excellent turning radius. It comes with all modern features including reverse camera, Dual HVAC with climate control, Infotainment system, GPS Navigation system, Rain Sensing Auto Wipers and Darkness Sensing Auto Head Lights, Driver’s Seating Electrically adjustable and foldable outer mirrors, Cruise Control, Luggage Compartment light, Sunvisor Extenders, Glove box chiller, Puddle Lamps (Foot step lamps), Follow me home approach lights, Bonnet auto lift, Rear wiper autowipe while reversing, 12 V power outlets, Flexible seating, Roof Centre bone utility bins, Plenty of Storage and stowage options
A great car to drive. The gear shifts in the initial gears (3-2 and then lower) was not very smooth, however, the overall drive was excellent, especially in the top gears. The electronic folding side mirrors could have been little more bigger and wider. These were the only two shortfalls I noticed during my test drive of this new beauty from TATA. The Pearl White color was royal.
TATA ARIA is going to give a tough fight to it’s foreign competitors. Price at Bangalore approximately Rs. 16 lakhs.
For the benefit of those who are visiting Sabarimala this season- if possible, please avoid Swami Ayyapan Road if it is raining
For the benefit of those who are visiting Sabarimala this season- if possible, please avoid Swami Ayyapan road if it is raining
The following self explanatory pictures are added with brief narrations for the benefit of better understanding the situation I witnessed.
Rush of pilgrims on that day at Sabarimala
Here comes a heavily loaded tractor
Left with few contact numbers that came to my mind, I called up Amrita TV team in UAE, who in turn informed the reporters stationed at Sabarimala and captured the scene. Calls to Mathrubhumi helped me to get the direct number of Kerala Chief Minister Sri V S Achuthanandan and his Personal Assistant , after listening to me from the location, requested me to appraise the situation to the Devaswom Minister. A call to his office and talk with his Personal Assistant, I was assured, necessary measures will be taken with immediate effect.
With this community report, I kindly request those who read to circulate it amongst those who benefit from it on the dangers of using this road, when it is raining, and till the time the authorities define appropriate safety measures, for the tractor drivers, the dolly operators, the donkey operators and the poor animals and of course thousands of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala this season.
I also:
– request the authorities to kindly install necessary sign boards informing devotees not to rush and run down on the slopes as it is dangerous for them as well as those elderly or children who may be on their way.
– request the authorities to kindly place necessary police and ayyappa seva sangam volunteers on Swami Ayyappan Road to control the smooth passage of devotees and load carrying vehicles or animals till the time appropriate measures are in place for improved safety.
– request the authorities to kindly install ropes or other type of support system for devotees to hold and grip while they descend, especially on the numerous shortcuts which are extremely dangerous, and deceptive.
– although a repeat, I humbly request all young and regular devotees to patiently descend without rushing, as it is extremely dangerous for all those who use the same road for journey up and down.
More to be done and my personal efforts in this will be continued in this direction in the near future.
Abu Dhabi
12.12.2010
Latest update as on 15.12.2010
The above is the print screen shot of a news reported in Manorama Newspaper online and print dated 15.12.2010. Kerala Government have now approved a 5.5 crore budget to increase the width of the road from present 3.5m to 5 mts and build a wall on the dangerous edges enroute this road. There are plans to have additional or sufficient path for walking. It will be a concrete road. Since any expenditure above 10 lakhs needs special permission from an ombudsman and his approval is required, the proposal will be submitted to him shortly by the concerned authorities. I sincerely hope this will be approved and the road work will get done before the next Sabarimala Season.
Community Report – GULF NEWS – Dt. 06.12.2010 – A solution to the poster menace around Abu Dhabi
Community Report – GULF NEWS – Dt. 06.12.2010 – A solution to the poster menace around Abu Dhabi
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A solution to the poster menace around Abu Dhabi
Municipality could install notice boards at prominent places and charge fee
Sticking posters on walls and public bus stops has been an issue that spoils the image of cities all around the UAE. Motivated by the authorities’ new initiatives, I went around Abu Dhabi and decided to highlight a few cases.
I found that putting up bills and posters is not a one-off issue. They are pasted in all possible places at junctions and areas frequented by the public. A closer look brought out the content of most of the posters on display. They are either rooms for rent, tuitions or baby sitting jobs that are available.
This shows the need for a common, convenient and economic platform for the public who wish to advertise locally.
The same platform could also be used as an advertisement board to exhibit what is happening locally, within a short time frame.
Through this community report, I therefore call on the municipality and development departments to install simple notice boards at prominent corners in each neighbourhood.
People who wish to advertise could then do so after paying a fixed amount to the municipality or relevant authority. Inspectors could then monitor and also penalise those who post indiscriminately in non-designated places and spoil the beauty of our city.
A section of these notice boards could be used to post advertisements of programmes happening within the city, organised by the authorities as well as private parties. This option would bring in added revenue.
I sincerely hope this proposed system would help reduce the problem.
The reader is a technical officer based in Abu Dhabi
Be a citizen reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Write to us and send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 04.12.2010 – On ‘write’ path
Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 04.12.2010 – On ‘write’ path
On ‘write’ path
I was with a friend the other day. As we walked discussing several topics, we passed a post box. Suddenly, our topic changed to the tradition and forgotten art of letter writing.
It is Christmas and New Year time and we remembered and talked to each other about the olden days when we used to anxiously wait for the greetings from relatives and friends. Those days have gone and the tradition is already extinct.
What made me interested was the fact he told me about his parents. For the past 20 years, he regularly writes to them every week. Once in a month, he takes a demand draft for their monthly expenses and posts it along with a small note discussing the small things happening with him and at the same time curiously asking what’s happening in their world.
This happens without fail, even though he calls them frequently. He was telling me how happy his parents were when they received his letter and when he gets their thank-you note acknowledging and detailing the smaller things, which gets past their usual phone calls.
I wish I could emulate him. I am sure many others who read this will also envy him.
Ramesh Menon
Exploring Abu Dhabi through Clicks and Writes – Abu Dhabi all set for 39th UAE National Day
Exploring Abu Dhabi through Clicks and Writes – Abu Dhabi all set for 39th UAE National Day
24/7 helpline for Indian workers is a hit, already Sajila Saseendran
24/7 helpline for Indian workers is a hit, already Sajila Saseendran
26 November 2010 Mir Liyaqat Ali’s 15-year-old son, Ibrahim, was hit by a speeding car on November 7 and suffered a femur fracture. His right thighbone broke into two and he underwent two surgeries, the second one on Wednesday.
The driver of the car, which hit Ibrahim, is out on bail and Ali has been in the dark about the legal procedures to make a claim for the damages. When he read about the helpline of Indian Workers’ Resource Centre launched by the visiting Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Ali rang up the toll-free number 800 INDIA (80046342). “I was given a reference number and they said that they will get back to me at the earliest after consulting a legal expert. They were very nice to me,” he told Khaleej Times.
Devoted toll-free number for Indian expats
Indian expatriates needing help anytime now have a lifeline. All they need to do is call the toll-free number 800 India.
Several Indian expatriates like Ali have sought the help from the Resource Centre since its launch on Tuesday evening. Minutes after the helpline number was announced, a person who was identified as J. Jayakrishnan rang up the centre to ask for procedures to follow in the case of a damaged passport.
It was the beginning of a flurry of calls to IWRC, an initiative of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) to offer a 24/7 helpline and legal, financial and psychological counselling services to Indian expatriates, especially the unskilled and semi-skilled workers.
Amjad Auzam of VFS Global, which is running the Centre, said over 400 calls were received by Thursday evening. “Based on the statistics we collect over these initial days, we will consider increasing the number of agents attending the calls after consulting the Embassy and the Consulate.”
He said that the walk-in counter which functions from 3pm to 7pm daily at the centre in Bank Street in Dubai also received a handful of workers with miscellaneous petitions on the first two days.
Dr K. Elangovan, counsellor (Community Affairs) at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, said the initial response to the centre was “fantastic.”
“We hope the members of the community will also make use of the information provided on the centre’s website — http://www.iwrc-uae.com. The FAQ section on the site answers about 170 questions. These are pertaining to complaints that we regularly receive from people. We have formulated them into points and legally vetted them after consulting lawyers,” said Dr Elangovan, who is also in charge of monitoring the operations of IWRC for the Embassy.
Step-wise information related to passport and visa services, death formalities, emergency certificates, workers and housemaids have been given in the FAQ section.
According to Dr A Didar Singh, secretary in the MOIA, lack of awareness about the legal procedures and services is one of the biggest problems being faced by Indian workers. Secondly, they have individual problems pertaining to employment, salary disbursement, living conditions, financial issues and family problems.
These issues will be discussed during awareness classes to be conducted by the IWRC. “The campaign will begin from December 15. Our plan is to conduct at least two sessions on every Friday and hold about 10 sessions in different emirates in a month. From January, VFS Global will also take charge of the Shelter Home for maids and domestic workers run by the Indian Consulate in Dubai,” said Dr Elangovan.
The president also launched a website of the centre — www.iwrc-uae.com.
sajila@khaleejtimes.com
To read this in original, please visit Khaleej Times online.
Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 27.11.2010 – Creative Kids
Short Take – GULF TODAY – Dt. 27.11.2010 – Creative Kids
Creative kids
This was a busy week in which the UAE witnessed the visit of Indian President Prathibha Devising Patil.
A few days prior to her visit, Nov.14 to celebrate Children’s Day, a painting competition was organised by the Cultural Wing of the India Embassy. The event was held at Abu Dhabi Indian School. About 1,400 children from various schools in the UAE participated in this well organised event.
The senior participants were to choose any of the four themes – children of the world, save the girl child, the independence movement and the joys of childhood. Grades 1 to 4 pupils were given the themes of “Chacha Nehru” and “my school.” What made interesting insight into this event was the way the organisers made sure to make the children feel the presence of Jawaharlal Nehru. Those children who participated in the event thoroughly enjoyed it as they were well taken care of during the event.
Interests in non-performing arts like painting, drawing and writing give opportunity for children to express their mind and thoughts in simpler ways. Any given opportunity to conduct and showcase such talents should never be missed.
According to the organisers, the painting competition would be conducted every year.
One interesting factor came out of this competition was the fact that out of the 12 winners, 11 were girls and there was only one boy amongst the winners. Sunrise English Private School Abu Dhabi (4 prizes) came out with maximum winners followed by Abu Dhabi Indian School (3 prizes) and Delhi Private School Dubai (2 prizes). Delhi Private School Sharjah, St Joseph School Abu Dhabi and Gulf Asian School Sharjah bagged one price each.
An icing on the cake for the winners was that the Indian president distributed the prizes during her visit to Abu Dhabi Indian School.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.
A historic visit could lead to improvements – My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 24.11.2010
My Letters – THE NATIONAL – Dt. 24.11.2010 – A historic visit could lead to improvements
A historic visit could lead to improvements
Last Updated: Nov 24, 2010
Regarding US and India a defining partnership this century (November 8): I was thinking of the various landmark improvements that could come along with this visit after India was branded “a nation that has arrived” by the US president Barack Obama.
Yes, after a period of recession, India is coming out as a nation of importance. The UAE is also confidently emerging with economic and administrative capabilities as a regional leader of significance.
There are a few concrete steps India could take to improve its services. Air India could become more efficient and upgrade its quality in order to compete with other airlines. Exit surveys of passengers could be taken to update traveller information and improve the quality of service.
Universities such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences could also extend its branches to the UAE. Indian residents and international students could thus compete with each other without having to leave the Emirates. There could also be schools and universities in India teaching Arabic, Islamic studies and Islamic arts.
Such basics requirements – economically viable and punctual transportation, increased educational facilities, and a safe and secure working environment – are but some improvements that would capture the spirit of Mr Obama’s remarks.
I am thankful that I work in the UAE, where all my interests are well protected. I look forward to the add-ons that could further materialise from this historic visit.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.
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