Road safety is a matter for us all – Letters to the editor – The National Dt 14 January 2014

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Road safety is a matter for us all


Road safety is a matter for us all

I regularly drive between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and concur with the views expressed about road safety in the UAE (Offences show a fatal disregard for UAE traffic rules, January 7).
It all comes down to the attitude of drivers on our roads. It seems to me that it is always the same set of drivers who speed.
If you observe the traffic coming back from Abu Dhabi on Thursdays, or any normal day after 3pm, you will see many cars driving at a fast pace, bumper to bumper, with the drivers trying to bully their way past other vehicles.
The authorities should show no leniency towards anybody, as the rules are meant for the safety of everyone on the road.
The police and transport authorities should join forces with all government and private institutions to make sure that everybody understands and obeys the traffic rules.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Road Safety, Safety First, The National.

UAE labourers seek shelter from the storm, but not from danger – Letters to the editor The National Dt 13 January 2013

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UAE labourers seek shelter from the storm, but not from danger


UAE labourers seek shelter from the storm, but not from danger
Letters to the Editor
January 12, 2014 Updated: January 12, 2014 17:17:00
Your coverage of the recent rainfall (In pictures: Rain sweeps across the UAE, January 8) was very good.
This is especially so for the one taken by Sarah Dea of a group of workers taking shelter under a parked bus on a construction site. This will stand out in my mind for a long time – mostly because it is scary from the point of view of health and safety.
What would have happened if the driver rushed to the vehicle and reversed it? This photo highlights the shortcomings in safety procedures that can be found on some work sites in the UAE.
I hope those involved in this site will take appropriate action about the hidden-danger aspect involved in such cases and prevent accidents of the kind that could have happened here through the casual approach towards safety demonstrated in the photograph.
Let our motto for 2014 be this one: Safety first.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, visit THE NATIONAL online


This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Safety First, The National.

A tribute to men in white – Indian Naval Band Orchestra performing at ISC Abu Dhabi

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A tribute to men in white – Indian Naval Band Orchestra performing at ISC Abu Dhabi 
17th September 2013
https://www.youtube.com/v/Yg71cG0j0L0?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata

An event organised by the Cultural Wing, Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi.

It was indeed a great evening of music. Apologies for the casual recording quality as I was totally unaware of the abundance of talent I witnessed. It was an experience to not underestimate any artist. Looking forward to their return to Abu Dhabi. Also looking forward to more interesting presentations from the Cultural Wing of Embassy of India Abu Dhabi. Sincere tribute to all our men in white.

This entry was posted in ISC, My videos, Passionate Photographers.

Searching for answer – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 11 January 2014

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Searching for answer

Recently, I met an old friend after a very long time. We talked about the years that have passed by. His children have grown up and are now in college.

I remember those kids when they were very young and carried the same memories of them even now. 

However, while speaking to him, I understood that they were no more small kids.

They had their own views and clear-cut conviction of life for them now and ahead. The new technologies like Internet and other online facilities available to enhance knowledge are their aids.

It reminded me of my childhood and the lack of such facilities then. We were dependent on teachers and elders for guidance to choose future paths.

After my friend left, I kept on thinking about which is the right method – the older or the new generation. Haven’t got an answer yet!

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online.

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, Short Take.

Cost-cutting of drugs raises hope

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Cost-cutting of drugs raises hope
With regard to your article, UAE slashes cost of diabetes drugs by more than 80% (December 31), this move could be termed as the parting gift of year 2013 by the Ministry of Health that might lead to reduction of the cost of several life-saving medicines, and especially those that deal with lung cancer.
Cancer treatment is one area which the ministry has to focus, specially as the medicines involved are extremely costly and many times not readily available.
As a result, there are many cases and instances where patients had to import them at their own risk.
The Ministry of Health and hospitals concerned, in tandem with the pharmaceutical companies, have to give special concession to patients who deserve compassion and care.
This move by the ministry is a great first step that will bring a ray of hope to many who are under prolonged and critical medical care.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit The National online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, The National.

Safety first – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt 28 December 2013

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 Safety first
The year 2013 just giving its way to a new year. It was a year of mixed fortune and feelings for many. Natural disasters beyond imagination that happened in Philippines and continuous man made calamities took several life known and unknown to us.
It was also an year of achievements and hope for many. Dubai getting Expo 2020 was one such great occasion, which all residents of the UAE are keenly looking forward to.
If there is a growth, it has to happen collectively and with all putting equal and combined effort. Road Safety is one important issue that I would wish everyone puts in a combined effort.
Let all of us decide to follow traffic rules strictly and do not show any road rage and do not violate pedestrian rules in the coming year. Let there be no man-made accident due to negligence. Safety first, let that be our motto for the year 2014

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Safety First, Short Take.

Rein in the rage – Short Take – Gulf Today Dt. 04 January 2014

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To write or not, has always been a mind teaser within me. Expression of thoughts as it comes has been an unwinding process for a long time.
From small topics to bigger ones, by now, it has indeed given me lot of space on the Web. As also, several contributions to the community.
Earlier days, they used to repeatedly say pen is mightier than the sword. In a way, it is true even now.
One such achievement is the effort for continuous campaigns on pedestrian safety.
The media and authorities are devoting more attention to streamline things to make our roads much safer.
However, there are a few who ignore the basics and cause destruction to themselves and others.
New Year eve was one such occasion where I witnessed road rage by many, for no reason whatsoever.
Some cars were moving at unimaginable speed and coming too close to the bumper.
I was imagining a driver who was new on the road to get in between these mad minds.
More needs to be done to alert authorities and control this tendency and try and curb it as much as possible.
There is no rest for me till then. I will continue to write, using all possible platforms. That’s the resolution for 2014.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Short Take : Gulf Today Dt. 04 January 2014

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, HSE, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2014, Safety First, Short Take.

Taxi campaign is important – Letters to the editor – Dt. The National 02 January 2014

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Taxi campaign is important

I refer to the article Dubai campaign offers visitors warm welcome and taxi advice (December 30).

Distributing information material to the public on illegal taxi service is a good move by the Dubai authorities. 

Illegal taxis pose many risks to those who use them, because those drivers are not registered and the condition of their vehicles is not known. Nor does anyone know about the type of insurance they have on these vehicles.

Furthermore, these illegal taxis operating at the airport create a negative impression on the country.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit The National online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2014, The National.

Abu Dhabi Police step up patrols in bid to stop drink driving during New Year celebrations – Letters to the editor

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Abu Dhabi Police step up patrols in bid to stop drink driving during New Year celebrations


 I am really happy that Abu Dhabi Police has been issuing notifications ahead of the New Year’s Eve, reminding drivers of the dangers of drink driving. Such road-safety campaigns should be sustained throughout the year. The National, along with the traffic police, has played an important role in the past to bring about an awareness on road safety through a series of campaigns. I urge The National to take road safety as one of its campaign themes for 2014. Together with traffic and community police departments in all emirates, a renewed traffic campaign should begin and that should continue with sustained interest throughout the year. Volunteers should also be encouraged to promote road and community safety among people. Thus, an alert group can be formed that can assist the police. Hotel employees, particularly security personnel, should be instructed not to allow a guest to drive away from their premises if they find he or she is under the influence of alcohol. Let “safety first” remain our motto in 2014. Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi To read the original article online, please visit The National online. To read this letter online, please visit The National online

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

Dubai to introduce new app to report food violations – Letters to the editor Khaleej Times

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Dubai to introduce new app to report food violations – Letters to the editor Khaleej Times

This will be a very good move as consumers can easily report violations with photo evidence directly. Supermarket chains have to be extra cautious from now on. Many instance I have noticed the ready to use fresh vegetable items in mixed pack have old items concealed at the bottom with fresh products at the top. This will not work as also many other negligence or even over sights. Wish and hope that the new application is used well and prove to be beneficial for consumers to get quality products.

To read the original article, please visit Khaleej Times online

This entry was posted in HSE, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013.