Thank you – Kadugodi Pedestrian Overbridge Cleaning Campaign
Thank you – Kadugodi Pedestrian Overbridge Cleaning Campaign
Dear all,
Kadugodi Pedestrian Overbridge Cleaning Campaign – Saturday, 4th October 2014
We Did It! Thanks to the support of all those who volunteered, we did a campaign to clean the pedestrian overbridge at Kadugodi, Whitefield Bangalore. Starting at 09:30, it took us 3:30 hours to complete the job. Sincere thanks to Amit Das, Jayanth Bhat, Deepika Jayanth Bhat, Rajashree Menon and Suraj Menon. Of course, a respectable mention and thanks to Sri Anand Sivaram, Manager, Whitefield Railway Station and staff of Kadugodi Police Station.
It was an experience of a special kind. We received “Thank you”, “Good Job” and also Thumbs up sign from many who used the bridge during the time we were cleaning. It was nice to see some unknown people, readily volunteering and took the broom from our side and did cleaning for some time and then continuing to their work. As a coin has two sides, there were those who passing negative comments!.
It is just a beginning only.
Now, we need a few things in place:
1. BBMP support to keep the area neat and clean and fine those who post notices or flex boards on it.
2. If BBMP cannot maintain the bridge, a provision to handover it to the Railways, who are willing to keep the area safe and clean. (item 1 and 2 are my next objective).
3. About 20 dust bins to be kept on each corners of it (if anyone interested to volunteer and provide – welcome – need your help – any volunteers!).
4. During the campaign, I happened to discover a bigger issue issue that is happening in the area, which is not known to many. The toilets of the BMTC bus station are overflowing. BMTC are not listening to Railways requests to plug this problem. It will be an additional item in my agenda to get this hygiene issue resolved.
Temporary arrangement has been done to keep the area neat and clean for the time being on a daily basis. But permanent solution is what I am searching for with the co-operation of BBMP, Railways and BMTC.
Once again, thanks to all of you who supported, blessed us to take up this initiative.
Now, not as a challenge – but as an initiative – Are you interested to take up a similar campaign in your neighbourhood? If so, kindly share this and spread the word around. If a small team comprising few of us could try and do it, I am sure; you can definitely do it in a better way.
Sincere thanks,
Ramesh Menon
Saturday, 4th October 2014, Kadugodi, Whitefield, Bangalore
Click trick – Gulf Today – Short Take -Dt 04 October 2014
Click trick
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| New look arrival lounge Bangalore Airport |
A few days ago, I met some friends at the airport. Meeting me after a long time, one of them teased me. “Where is your camera? We get to see you posting on social media immediately wherever you go!”
I was in a hurry at that time and also this is a question I hear often.
During my childhood days, it was a routine for us children to go for sight seeing trips to distant towns in the southern states of India. Most of these trips were directed at pilgrimage centres and historic places of importance.
A family of my father’s friend and my family were part of the tour party most of the time. Nine passengers in a good old Ambassador car, which my father still maintains in a good condition!
It used to give us exposure to different places, culture, food and tradition. It went on till we children grew up and parted ways due to our own business or work.
Now my parents are old and cannot travel easily. Adding to their problems is poor eyesight. I realised the solution was to install a computer at home, provide them a Facebook ID and teach them the basics. Since then, it has become a routine for my parents to see the world through me.
Thus, there are some silent well-wishers out there who regularly read my posts.
It is the same way, I get to see and travel around many parts of the world through some good friends who share the world and news through their clicks and posts.
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online.
Total launches global campaign to develop its brand awareness
Abu Dhabi – Total on Thursday launched its new international multimedia advertising campaign simultaneously in 21 countries to develop the Group’s brand awareness.
The campaign highlights Total’s operations in oil production, refining and marketing, as well as its role as a major player in natural gas (50% of its output) and as the global number two in solar power, through its subsidiary SunPower.
The campaign provides a tangible illustration of the meaning behind the Group’s new baseline, “Committed to Better Energy”, which puts the emphasis on producing “better”, not “more”.
In this way, the Group is sharing its conviction that the path to a responsible energy future lies first and foremost in energy that is safer, cleaner, more efficient, more innovative and accessible to as many people as possible.
To help shoulder this commitment, a large number of Group employees were involved in producing the campaign, and most of the scenes in the commercial were filmed at Total sites.
“Total is a leading global energy company. It needs a powerful brand over the long term to support the growth of its businesses. This large-scale campaign is the first of its kind in Total’s history. It reflects both our size and our ambitions,” said Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Total’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications.
In another comment, Hatem Nuseibeh, President of Total E&P UAE and Group Representative, said:“our vision and our continuous improvement approach – always better – are seen in our work in the front lines, alongside and for our stakeholders.”
He added “This isn’t just a promise for the future, it’s the everyday reality for Total’s 100,000 employees.”
The campaign will be deployed in 21 countries and will run in successive waves over the next three years on television, in the press, on the web and on social networks. It will also be featured in airports.
It will be displays in 15 international airports (Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Dammam, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Lagos, London Heathrow, Luanda, New Delhi, Paris CDG, Paris Orly, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Shanghai.
Total is one of the largest integrated oil and gas companies in the world, with activities in more than 130 countries. Its 100,000 employees put their expertise to work in every part of the industry -exploration and production of oil and natural gas, refining, chemicals, marketing and new energies. Total is working to help satisfy the global demand for energy, both today and tomorrow.
Total has been operating in Abu Dhabi for nearly 75 years and is involved in eight joint ventures. It has also operated Abu Al Bukhoosh field for nearly 40 years.
On Facebook, like and share with friends TOTAL UAE
To learn more, visit Total in UAE and find us on Facebook.
Follow us on social media: #MakeThingsBetter
Key words: Total, Committed to Better Energy, Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, TOTAL UAE
New brand baseline and global Corporate advertising campaign for Total
Total is launching its new international multimedia advertising campaign simultaneously in 21 countries on October 2nd to develop the Group’s brand awareness. The campaign highlights Total’s operations in oil production, refi ning and marketing, as well as its role as a major player in natural gas (50% of its output) and as the global number two in solar power, through its subsidiary SunPower.
The campaign provides a tangible illustration of the meaning behind the Group’s new baseline, “Committed to Better Energy”, which puts the emphasis on producing “better”, not “more”. In this way, the Group is sharing its conviction that the path to a responsible energy future lies first and foremost in energy that is safer, cleaner, more efficient, more innovative and accessible to as many people as possible.
To help shoulder this commitment, a large number of Group employees were involved in producing the campaign, and most of the scenes in the commercial were fi lmed at Total sites.
“Total is a leading global energy company. It needs a powerful brand over the long term to support the growth of its businesses. This large-scale campaign is the first of its kind in Total’s history. It reflects both our size and our ambitions,” explains Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Total’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications. “Our vision and our continuous improvement approach – ‘always better’ – are seen in our work in the front lines, alongside and for our stakeholders. This isn’t just a promise for the future, it’s the everyday reality for Total’s 100,000 employees.”
On Facebook, like and share with friends TOTAL UAE
To learn more, visit Total in UAE and find us on Facebook.
Follow us on social media: #MakeThingsBetter
Key words: Total, Committed to Better Energy, Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, TOTAL UAE
Blood donation campaign with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank
Blood donation campaign with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank
A group of young volunteers celebrating the 61st birthday of their beloved guru and god mother conducted a blood donation camp at Abu Dhabi on Friday, 26th September 2014.
It was a huge success as residents from all sectors of life participated in it.
Each unit of donated blood saves the lives of three people.
There is a constant need for a regular supply of blood.
Medical staff from Abu Dhabi Blood Bank was present and the collection happened in the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Bus. About 120 people donated blood in this Social Responsibility initiative.
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| Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Bus |
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| Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Bus |
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| Volunteers donating blood |
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| Volunteers donating blood |
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| Volunteers donating blood |
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| Volunteers donating blood |
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| Volunteers donating blood |
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| Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Bus |
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| Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Bus |
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| Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Bus |
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| Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Bus |
Those who wish to conduct similar campaigns may contact Abu Dhabi Blood Bank on +971 2 8191700.
Onam Sadhya at India Social and Cultural Centre Abu Dhabi
Onam Sadhya at India Social and Cultural Centre Abu Dhabi
If I say, Onam is celebrated more abroad than in Kerala, it may prove to be true.
The photos here are just one example of a collective effort that keralites do to celebrate Onam in the Gulf.
At India Social and India Social & Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi it is extra special.
With all the utensils and ever ready volunteers and the guidance of experts, an Onam lunch for about 2000 plus guests is as simple as you make your breakfast at home in the morning.
I really have to praise the efforts of all those involved in serving a delicious lunch of this magnitude whenever it happens. Credits to all silent heroes who work hard and make these events a big success.
26 September 2014
Marching ahead – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 27 September 2014
Marching ahead
India has successfully launched an orbiter to Mars. But even during such good times, one can see grumblers raising their head. Someone opined that India should have put a national flag on the spacecraft!
These are not achievements that should be credited as individual or country-specific. These are for the welfare and progress of mankind.
There are other achievements happening too. A group of five Emirati students went on a scholarship programme organised by the French Embassy, Image Nation and Total to study film making at the prestigious La Femis Institute in Paris.
During their five-week stay, they literally learned the state-of-the-art technology and also what life is in a metropolitan European city suburb.
The funniest thing for them was the interaction one of them had with a group of local people. He was enthusiastic and made friendship with some people in his neighbourhood. As he left them and moved to his apartment, he realised something missing. It was his mobile phone. He knew by then what happened with the new friends and their methods.
He used another phone and called on his number. Promptly, someone speaking Arabic answered. He said, “I know it is you calling for the phone. It is with me now and I took it from you.”
Our gleeful friend thanked him wholeheartedly.
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online
TOTAL sponsors emirati students to study film making at La Fémis Film School
TOTAL sponsors emirati students to study film making at La Fémis Film School
in Paris
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From Left to right: Mr. Mohamed Bendjebbour, Regional Audiovisual Attaché – Embassy of France, Ms. Fatma AlKhumiri, Communications & CSR Manager TOTAL E&P United Arab Emirates, Shahad Alshehhi, Bader AlKetbi, Ayham Hasan Qayed Saeed AlSubaihi, Mohammad Ibrahim Ali Suwaidan, Shaqra Mohamed Ali Sultan Al Hameli and Ramesh Menon,Communication Co-ordinator, TOTAL E&P United Arab Emirates
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Abu Dhabi, August 6th, 2014: Five Emirati students will fly to Paris this week to embark on an intensive course at one of the world’s most prestigious filmmaking schools.
The students, who come from all over the UAE, will join the specially-tailored Gulf Summer University Program at La Fémis School. All five went through a rigorous recruitment process conducted by Image Nation in association with the French Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the French multinational oil and gas company Total.
As part of the program, the aspiring filmmakers will take part in an intensive five-week curriculum of creative workshops that are designed to give students a complete understanding of the roles and tasks that are part of filmmaking today.
The students: Bader Khalfan Mohammed Al Ketbi, from Abu Dhabi; Ayham Hasan Qayed Saeed AlSubaihi, from Sharjah; Shahad Alshehhi, from Abu Dhabi; Shaqra Mohamed Ali Sultan Al Hameli, from Abu Dhabi; and Mohammad Ibrahim Ali Suwaidan, from Dubai have varying levels of filmmaking experience , but share the same passion to learn more about every element – from storytelling to final production.
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| Ayham Hasan Qayed Saeed AlSubaihi |
“I have been lucky enough to study film in both the US and Australia, so to be given the opportunity to practice in the birthplace of cinema is really exciting,” said Ayham Al Subaihi, one of the chosen five.
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| Shaqra Mohamed Ali Sultan Al Hameli |
“Working at the executive council, I’m already gaining great experience as a media specialist, but to get some hands-on practice at the acclaimed La Fémis school will allow me to develop my skills further, so that I will be able to do an even better job.” Added fellow student, Shaqra Al Hameli.
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| Michael Garin |
Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation, said of the students: “These incredibly talented young filmmakers have an exciting journey ahead of them. Understanding the process of how films get made is just as important as the making itself, and this program is a great opportunity for these students to learn and practice the crafts of the industry. The filmmaking industry is one where teamwork is essential, so attending the program as part of a ready-made crew will allow them to understand the importance of working together to achieve a great end result – which ultimately reflects on them all.”
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| Mohamed Bendjebbour |
Mohamed Bendjebbour, Regional Audiovisual Attaché of the French Embassy added: “We are proud to be sending up and coming Emirati filmmaking talent to France for the Gulf Summer University Program.This is the first time that La Fémis has created a program dedicated specifically for the Gulf, so we are excited to see the outcome in five weeks’ time. This is both an educational and cultural experience for the students, so I encourage them to embrace Paris as much as possible – get to know the city, check out the outdoor cinema and learn as much as they can.”
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| Fatma AlKhumiri |
Fatma AlKhumiri, Communications and CSR Manager, Total EP, United Arab Emirates said “Nurturing young Emirati filmmaking talent is integral to the development of the industry here in the UAE and we are thrilled to be part of that, along with Image Nation and the French Embassy.”
Located in the historic Pathé Studios in the center of Paris, La Fémis is ranked as one of the top ten film schools by Hollywood Reporter. The students lucky enough to be selected for the program will be taught filmmaking theory and practical skills by top tutors in the industry. Trainees will also have the opportunity to discover contemporary French cinema through the study of important French directors.
My sincere congratulations and best wishes to this dream five, whom I wish to see among the pioneers of the film industry in United Arab Emirates in the coming years.
My sincere congratulations and best wishes to this dream five, whom I wish to see among the pioneers of the film industry in United Arab Emirates in the coming years.
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| Ayham Hasan Qayed Saeed AlSubaihi |
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| Shaqra Mohamed Ali Sultan Al Hameli |
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| Bader Khalfan Mohammed Al Ketbi |
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| Shahad AlShehhi |
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| Mohammad Ibrahim Ali Suwaidan |
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Photos and news courtesy: Image Nation & TOTAL
Charting an epic Arabian Voyage of Discovery
Charting an epic Arabian Voyage of Discovery –
Introducing the Abu Dhabi Ocean Race Sailing
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| August 11,2014. Five Volvo Ocean Race boats in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland race. |
©Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race
Ian Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing crew for the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 is a potent blend of experience and exciting new talent which includes several familiar faces from the last campaign as well as some newcomers.
New race rules have reduced the number of sailors from 11 down to just eight this time around. However, just like last time the teams will have an on board reporter to keep our fans up to date with everything that goes on while Azzam is at sea.
Donning Abu Dhabi crew uniforms for the second consecutive time are under-30 helmsman and trimmer Adil Khalid (United Arab Emirates), navigator and helmsman Simon Fisher (Great Britain) and bowman Justin Slattery(Ireland).
Making their first appearances in ADOR colours are helmsman and trimmer Phil Harmer (Australia), pitman & boat captain Daryl Wislang(New Zealand) and under-30 bowman and helmsman Luke Parkinson (Australia).
Completing Walker’s lineup is Spanish sailing legend and five-time Volvo Ocean Race veteran Roberto Bermudez de Castro. Better known as ‘Chuny’, the Spaniard has and amazing pedigree in the race, having finished outside the top three on only one occasion in his five campaigns.
The team’s second under-30 sailor is Australia’s Luke Parkinson whose track record includes a an Olympic 49er campaign and representing his country at the 2014 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in San Francisco. In contrast to his crewmates, this will be Parkinson’s first ever Volvo Ocean Race.
Backing up the sailing team in a non-sailing coaching capacity is ADOR Performance Manager Neal McDonald, one of the most highly respected round the world sailors who has five Volvo Ocean Races to his name.
Content courtesy: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing Team
Setting an example – Gulf Today – Short Take Dt. 20 September 2014
Setting an example
During a recent visit to Bangalore, I had the opportunity to meet the head of the department at the college where my son is studying.
I was expecting a senior man with a firm face and no smile. As the attendant took me to his office, I was pleasantly surprised. There sits in that responsible seat a man in the early forties, who greeted me with a welcome smile.
Talking to me about the student behaviour, he narrated an example. He quoted to me the sadhya, i.e. the traditional feast we have.
He said, “Education is like the rice in the sadhya served along with numerous other items like pickle and curries.”
One cannot fill his stomach by consuming the pickle or curries. He has to have rice to satisfy his hunger and be happy. Education is just like that. A student in a professional college should take it seriously and consider it the most important phase in his life till he passes out in the first attempt.
Other activities like partying etc. should be given a secondary spot in his daily life. Only then will he be able to enjoy life. Once he passes out with a good score and secures employment with a decent pay package, all the fun activities will follow suit.
If he ignored education, he will face enormous difficulties.
I was impressed by his attentiveness to minute details of each of his students, from first year to final year, in his department.
Having studied in the same college, worked outside and returning to the same college to head the Mechanical Engineering department, Prof. Ravishankarshowed a complete belongingness of the institution.
Educationists like him are an asset to the community.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit, Short Take, Gulf Today Dt 20 September 2014
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