Celebration time is approaching

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Celebration time is approaching



On April 17, The National is going to be five years old. It’s a date all news lovers in the UAE remember as they received their first copy of the newspaper and saw it online for the first time.
The newspaper stands out by virtue of its excellent content, both local and global, as well as clear presentation.
I am happy to have been a reader of The National from the very beginning. All of us should celebrate this milestone.
I wish you all the best.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi


To read it in original, please visit The National online.

This entry was posted in Letters to the editor, Opinion 2013, The National.

Stub it out

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Stub it out 
Smoking is an addiction. Several times we are in a work environment where colleagues like to smoke. For some, it is difficult to quit for whatever reasons. These days, fortunately, we have special smoking zones located away from the building entrance.
I have a colleague who is junior to me in age. Whenever I see him going out for a smoke, I request him to stub the habit out. He merely smiles and proceeds his own way. Our office is situated in a high-rise. We operate from different floors, his being in a lower one.
One day, as I was waiting for the elevator to go upwards, this colleague came rushing to go down for a smoke.
The lift that arrived was going up. I told him to join me up first and then go down to the basement. I continued, “You don’t stop smoking. By holding you back for some time, at least I could prolong some precious moments of your life away from your self- inflicted suicidal habit.”
He smiled and has promised to try quitting the habit.
Ramesh Menon
06.04.2013
To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online

This entry was posted in Gulf Today, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013.

Mandatory GPS

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Mandatory GPS Many of the leading airlines in the UAE provide the limousine service to pick up and drop off their business and first class passengers. However, recently it has become a nightmare to deal with the transport companies that carry out this service on behalf of the airlines. The guests are confirmed and then reconfirmed of their booking and address, two days prior to their departure. It is then followed up with a phone call, when the guests are given the contact number of their driver. Beyond all this, on the day of travel the driver usually finds it difficult to reach the passenger’s given address at the promised time, which leads to worries about the delay in reaching the airport on time.

Guests sometimes hire a taxi or ask a friend for an emergency drop off. This happens, I believe, when the transport companies use drivers based in Dubai to pick up passengers from Abu Dhabi or vice versa. I humbly request all major airlines functioning in the UAE to make it mandatory for their service providers to install a Global Positioning System (GPS) in their vehicles. This would save the hassle for both drivers and passengers. In addition, an effective implementation of GPS in all taxis within the cities should also be thought about and incorporated soon to make our transport system much more efficient.

From Mr Ramesh Menon,Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online

This entry was posted in Gulf News, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, TQM.

​Run to fight cancer

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​Run to fight cancer

The Pinkathon movement promotes awareness about breast cancerwhich has a high incidence rate amongst Indians. It is the second most common form of cancer with the number of new cases being reported rising yearly.

A majority of the new cases are caught in advanced stages, thereby increasing the mortality rates. Most of these cases are reported fromurban India with the metros of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata figuring prominently. Breast cancer in these areas is three times more than in rural India.

Apart from genetic causes, women with higher educational qualifications and an adaptation of the westernized lifestyle are more at risk of contracting breast cancer. A point to be noted is that breast cancer when detected in the early stages, is one of the most curable forms of cancer. Self-examination, clinical examinations and mammographic tests are the basic steps involved.

The Times of India presents Pinkathon in association with Times Foundation

To register SMS TOIBFW PINK YOUR NAME to 58888
Date of Marathon: 7th April 2013
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Time: 6.30 am Free:
First 500 registrations before 29th March
Registrations close on 31st March 2013

My comments as follows:

I sincerely wish it create the awareness in the most genuine way. Most of the time, these runs create only momentary awareness and all forget the danger that is slowly affecting most of the women. Awareness on Breast Cancer should be taken to all level through continuous Corporate and Social participation. Regular presentation to schools and colleges to make young girls and working women understand how to do a self examination and how to monitor if there is any signs of it. They should be also encouraged to pass on this knowledge to their family and friends. Let no life be lost due to Breast Cancer

To read it in original, please visit Times of India Online.

This entry was posted in Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, Times of India, TQM.

GPS systems can make life easier

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GPS systems can make life easier



Most of the leading airlines serving provide a limousine service to pick up and drop off their business and first-class passengers.
However, recently, it has become a nightmare to accept the services offered by the transport companies who operate these vehicles on behalf of the airlines.
The guest must confirm and reconfirm his or her location at least two days before departure.
However, in my experience, the driver often still has difficulty finding the location. Many of the cars do not have GPS – or, if a GPS is installed, the driver does not know how to use it.
In many cases, the driver is unable to reach the passenger’s home at the agreed time, meaning there is a delay in reaching the airport.
Sometimes, I have had to get a taxi or call on a friend or relative to drop me off at the airport when the car has not arrived.

I think that the major airlines should make it mandatory for the vehicles they use to have a GPS system and a driver who is trained to use it. This would avoid unnecessary telephone calls, arguments and frustration.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi


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

This entry was posted in Letters to the editor, Opinion 2013, The National, TQM.

Struggling Groceries

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Struggling Groceries

On: Gas cylinders being sold by grocery stores
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/community-reports/gas-cylinders-being-sold-by-grocery-stores-1.1159804

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

Bangalore is cancer capital of India

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Bangalore is cancer capital of India
TNN | Feb 23, 2013, 03.14 AM IST

My comments as follows:

Indeed, spreading of Cancer amongst all strata of population is fast paced than the advent of latest electronic gadgets.

The idea of organizers to conduct more awareness to common public is great and appreciated. However, the organizers and organization of conferences such as Afro-Asian Conference of Transitional Research in Oncology (ACTRO) should consider several important facts.
All proposed innovative and methodological treatment plans should be carried out with due approval and recognition from the Ministry of Health and regulatory bodies including Drug Contoller and Indian Medical Association. There should be a centralized data register for cancer patients and treatment plans. Personalised treatment and clinical trial experimentations by pharmaceutical companies in co-ordination with famous cancer treatment centres like HCG should be monitored thoroughly by these authorities. Monthly monitoring of such data by a governing body taking closer look at the patient data like, sex, age, stage of cancer he or she started receiving the trial medication, period of treatment, variation in condition during the course of treatment, acceptance rate, failure rate, mortality rate, conditions at which the patient failed etc, are all to be carefully monitored, registered and documented by these governing bodies. In addition, a major review of the cost of cancer medicines and treatment should be carried out by the authorities and a strict control should come on the pricing on medication and treatment.
Last but not the least, hygiene aspects prevailing in these cancer treatment facilities should be given a high priority and ICUs, radiation and testing units should be always maintained with highest level of cleanliness and standards.
I am writing this as a feedback of my own personal experience had to go through during the hospitalization, treatment and demise of a close relative in one of the famous cancer hospitals in Bangalore, which was way beyond the standard they project, projected and even now projects by promoting such conference. Let improvements begin at home.

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

Spirit of UAE – Yas Marina Circuit official Fan page winning weekly photo

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This entry was posted in About Me, Achievements, Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, Events - Photography, PassionatePhotographers, Photo Speaks.

Give a fresh life to your Used Books – Do Participate in a great Humanitarian Cause

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Do Participate in a great Humanitarian Cause.

Request all book lovers to participate and give a fresh life to your Used Books.

Story books, novels, fictions, reference books of all languages accepted.

However, school text books and magazines not accepted.

The last day to donate books is February 24.

Anyone wishing to donate books can contact SCHS on 06-5669966, SCHS Collection Supervisor Mihraj Abdul Rahim on either 06-5671117 or 050-7965576 or drop them at SCHS premises in the Al Yarmouk area of Sharjah.

This entry was posted in Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

Used Book Fair aims to encourage youth to read more

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Used Book Fair aims to encourage youth to read more


Fair promotes the vrtues of reading, volunteering and brings the community together
By Ramesh Menon, Gulf News reader
Published: 00:00 February 17, 2013

Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) is finalising preparations for the fifth Used Book Fair, which will be held from February 26 to March 1 at the Palm Garden by Khalid Lagoon. Books are currently being accepted from anyone who wishes to donate, provided the books are in good condition. One can donate books in any language, but magazines and textbooks will not be accepted.

Schools that donate less than 2,000 books will be allocated one booth and those that donate more than 2,000 will be allowed two. Participants will be given a certificate of achievement.

Students who donate more than 20 books will also receive a certificate.

The Used Book Fair is organised every two years and has a number of objectives, such as promoting the habit of reading by offering low-priced books, planting the spirit of volunteering in the minds of the youth and raising funds to support the services offered by SCHS to people with special needs. 

SCHS is a local non-profit organisation, which was founded in 1979 and aims to change society’s attitude towards people with special needs and effect policies regarding disability-related issues. It also aspires to pave the way to a brighter future for children with mental and physical challenges, giving them confidence and a chance to live in a society that provides equal opportunities.

During the four days of the fair, visitors will find books available for as little as Dh3.

The last day to donate books is February 24.

Anyone wishing to donate books can contact SCHS on 06-5669966, SCHS Collection Supervisor Mihraj Abdul Rahim on either 06-5671117 or 050-7965576 or drop them at SCHS premises in the Al Yarmouk area of Sharjah.

The reader is a technical officer based in Abu Dhabi. Be a community reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com 

 To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online

This entry was posted in Community Reports, Community Service, Gulf News, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2013, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.