Men in blue need proper place of rest

Posted on Updated on

Men in blue need proper place of rest

Mid-day break rule would help companies provide shade to workers
By Ramesh Menon, Gulf News Reader Published: 16:35 October 27, 2012

The summer holidays are over and work has returned to its regular routine. The mid-day break rule enforced strictly by the authorities was a success and apparently most of the companies involved in its implementation followed it strictly.

However, the heat has not fully disippated and thus, the unpleasant and totally appalling condition of a minority set of worker.

I am talking about a group of workers I happen to see every noon at a prominent sewage maintenance project happening in the heart of Abu Dhabi city.

These workers rest on the road and under the sun in a very sad state. From what I understand, now that the enforced rule is no more active, they are given a choice to rest wherever they can. If possible, companies involving construction workers should consider their field work conditions and assist them accordingly.

I humbly request the authorities to extend the rule as per the average monthly temperature prevailing in each region. I am sure this would provide sustained relief to workers who are involved. –

The reader is a technical officer, based in 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 2012.

Marina Mall from Abu Dhabi Corniche

Posted on Updated on

This entry was posted in Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, PassionatePhotographers, Photo Speaks.

Sabarimala season 2012 – 2013 – Virtual Queue Coupon – Booking started

Posted on

Virtual Queue Coupon – Booking started
Tuesday, 11 September 2012 15:32

Registration of Pilgrim profile for Sabarimala Virtual Queue started. Visit www.sabarimalaq.com

Sabarimala is the most visited pilgrim centre in Kerala. The number of devotees to Sabarimala is increasing every year exponentially. Kerala Police is responsible for the crowd management of the pilgrims visiting Sabarimala during the pilgrimage season starting from October to January. To regulate and streamline the devotees at Sabarimala, the Kerala Police had designed and developed a software titled “Sabarimala Virtual Q-System” which was introduced in the last season and will continue in the coming season also.
The Portal enabled the pilgrims to reserve their place in the Queue for the Sabarimala pilgrimage at a specified hour on any day when the shrine is open on a “First Come, First Serve” basis.  The pilgrims could select the date and time of joining the queue, by accessing the Web Portal and they were provided accommodation in the Queue subject to availability
This year, Kerala Police has further improved and refined the Application Software and introduced a new Web Portal for Virtual Queue in Sabarimala.  These services will be made available onwww.sabarimalaq.com, which will be on Cloud Environment.
Devotees from all over the world who propose to visit Sabarimala will  benefit by this portal.  It will have more details, information and guidelines which are very useful for the Sabarimala Pilgrims, with multi language support.
Booking in the Virtual-Q system will start from the first week of October 2012.  Pilgrims can book their slots 6 to 8 weeks in advance in the Virtual-Q system.  While registering, the pilgrims have to furnish their name, age, address, photograph, details of photo identity card, etc. The date and time of joining the queue can be chosen by the pilgrim according to the availability of hourly slots.  After successful booking pilgrims have to download and print their coupons.  The Virtual-Q Coupon contains the date & time of  darshan, name and photograph of the pilgrim, barcode, etc.  During the pilgrimage the  pilgrims are required to carry these coupons and the photo identity card used for registration.
Pilgrims have to produce the Coupon and Photo Identity Card at the Queue Coupon Verification Counters facilitated exclusively for this purpose at Pampa.  Only those who carry ‘Verified” coupons are entitled to avail the facilities of Virtual-Q System from Pampa to Sannidhanam.
Virtual-Q-Coupon facility is provided by Kerala Police as a part of Crowd Management which in turn saves precious time for the Pilgrims.  This facility is absolutely free of cost to the pilgrims as it is funded by advertisement revenue as permitted by the Govt. of Kerala. Pilgrims without Virtual-Q-Coupon can also have their pilgrimage as in the previous years, through the conventional queue.  Pilgrims coming through the Virtual-Queue System are allowed to join the queue at Sannidhanam Nadapanthal.
The portal has been designed and developed by professional team and would be using the cloud computing environment for continuous server availability.

Please visit also:
http://www.sabarimala.keralapolice.gov.in/

Call in Emergency

Police Control Room, 
Pampa

04735 203386

Police Control Room, Sannidhanam

04735 202016

Police Station, 
Pampa

04735 203412

Police Station, 
Sannidhanam

04735 202014

Highway Alert , 
Kerala Police

9846 100 100

Railway Alert , 
Kerala Police

9846 200 100

Highway Police, 
Pathanamthitta

04735 202101

SMS Centre, 
Kerala Police

9497 900 000

This entry was posted in Sabarimala, TQM India.

Blue in the UAE

Posted on

Theme – ‘Blue in the UAE’.
Where – Art for All exhibition held at Abu Dhabi Mall
When – 06 October 2012
Why – One among several excellent presentations by emirati artists at the Art for all exhibition by Sheikha Salam Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation. The way the artist Alia Z. Lootah used blue and black gave an amazing appeal to the theme “Still Waters” in this photo.

This entry was posted in Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, Events - Photography, Gulf News, PassionatePhotographers, Photo Speaks.

Give Your Book A New Life – SCHS announces the 5th USED BOOK FAIR – February 26th to March 1st 2013

Posted on Updated on

Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Vice President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, Director General of SCHS, and Head of Organizing Committee, gave her orders to evaluate the previous circulations of the Used Books Fair, study its advantages and disadvantages to set plans to improve and increase its organization. 
Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammad Al Qasimi confirmed that organizing the book fair corresponds to the cultural approach founded by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah, who believes that books plant noble values and raise awareness and knowledge of people which will have positive implications for the entire society. 
SCHS is preparing to organize the 5th Used Books Fair from February 26th to March 1st 2013. 
In October 2012 the fair’s various committees met twice to discuss, evaluate, and prepare for the event. 
Committees include Preparations Committee chaired by Mr. Jihad Abdel Qader, Attracting Public Schools Committee chaired by Mrs. Mona Abdel Kareem, Attracting Private Schools and Universities Committee chaired by Mr. Mohammad Faouzi, Media Committee chaired by Mr. Osama Mardini, Attracting Charities and Nonprofit Organizations Committee chaired by Mrs. Khadeja Bamakhramah, Secretariat Committee chaired by Mrs. MarymRaisy and Finance Committee chaired by Mr. Ezzat Alonchasa. 
In the two meetings, previous festivals were discussed thoroughly to determine weaknesses and strengths.  Committees will try to improve its weaknesses and enhance strengths according to a questionnaire given to participants to scan their opinions of many aspects such as organization, services, and contributions. 
The Used Books Fair is a project with enormous humanitarian, cultural, and noble values that corresponds to Sharjah’s educational and cultural priorities.  It raises awareness of disability issues in UAE and countries that are nearby.  It endorses the concept of volunteerism in the minds of younth, students, and community members and provides SCHS with a modest income. 
Mr. Jihad Abdel Qader stated the stage of collecting books includes several activities such as a promotional campaign under the theme “Give your Book a New Life” which encourages people to contribute. 
If someone wants to donate their used books, they can call SCHS at 06 5669966 and give their donations.
The campaign aims at collecting – non text book— books of different languages; reminding the community of the connection between the event and SCHS and giving a chance to those who want to support SCHS. As well as telling the general public about SCHS’smission and values. 
The promotional campaign will include the seven Emirates. 
SCHS is a leading institute in organizing such events which promote the habit of reading to increase people’s knowledge and expand their horizons. 
Mr. Osama Mardini believes the Used Books Fair enriches the cultural and social mentality of the general public by spreading the culture of volunteerism through an activity that is based on volunteers from schools, universities, and charities. 
He then mentions the historical background of the fair which began in 2006, than in 2007, after that in 2009, and the last one in 2011.  These four circulations were organized in collaboration with sponsors and SCHS’s partners. 
The 2011 festival was extraordinary.  It had a large number of volunteers, contributing organizations, and attendance.  The number of visitors had reached 40,000, while the books exhibited had reached over 500,000.  Books were displayed in over 120 tents.  The number of volunteers reached 500 mostly students from schools and universities in addition to individuals from charities and non-profit organizations.  The number of participating public schools reached 20, private schools 22, and 2 universities.  The number of charities, nonprofit organizations, and diplomatic missions reached 47.  Sales were 500,000 AED which was used to support the services and programs which SCHS provides to people with disabilities.  Hopes for this year event are high. 

This entry was posted in Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, TQM.

Breast cancer a year-round worry

Posted on Updated on

Breast cancer a year-round worry

The account about Peter Campbell and his family (Expat’s battle to fly dying wife home, October 14) was timely.

In October, breast cancer month, people try to paint everything pink. But afterwards, concern can fade away. I know this; we will soon mark the first anniversary of the death of my wife’s mother. whose breast cancer was detected late.

Women of all ages should carry out self-examination, and if any small irregularity is seen, they should come forward at once for a mammogram.

Most doctors are compassionate and experienced and will do their best to help.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online

This entry was posted in Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2012, The National.

Abu Dhabi Science Festival 10-20 October 2012 at ADNEC and Abu Dhabi Corniche

Posted on

A young student enjoying himself in the interactive session held by comedy juggler Rhys Thomas.

Abu Dhabi Science Festival is being held from 10-20 October 2012 at ADNEC and Abu Dhabi Corniche.

Do take your child, enjoy and explore the art of learning Science.

This entry was posted in Photo Speaks.

Abu Dhabi Science Festival 2012

Posted on

 
Abu Dhabi Science Festival 2012
10-20 October 2012
Do not miss to take your child to Abu Dhabi Corniche and ADNEC.
I am sure along with them you too will become SCIENCE LOVERS.
This is from the inaugural days presentation and just a teaser as I wish each one of you to visit and enjoy it in real.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
14 October 2012

This entry was posted in Photo Speaks.

Yellow in the UAE – 2

Posted on

Theme – ‘Yellow in the UAE’.
Where – At one of the best hotels in Abu Dhabi
When – 11 October 2012
Why – Who would like to say NO to this tempting Yellowish produce of UAE

This entry was posted in Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, Events - Photography, Gulf News, Passionate Photographers, PassionatePhotographers, Photo Speaks.

Yellow in the UAE

Posted on

Theme – ‘Yellow in the UAE’.
Where – At one of the best hotels in Abu Dhabi
When – 11 October 2012
Why – This Yellowish produce of UAE is really Tempting and ready to test the taste buds

This entry was posted in Events - Photography, Gulf News, Passionate Photographers, Photo Speaks.