Letters to the editor
Queuing system a must at bus and taxi stands
Abu Dhabi city is looking much more beautiful these days with more cycle tracks, walkways, places to sit and relax as well as children’s play areas. What we need now is a queuing system for bus and taxi passengers at every station. I routinely see passengers fighting among themselves to board the bus or taxi first.
There should be proper signs, instructions and marks that will compel people to honour the queuing system.
It’s not that these people are not educated. But they disregard the system in the absence of any guidelines or mechanism.
Abu Dhabi Mall Cooperative taxi stand is an example of an efficient system. This should happen across the city.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, visit, The National online. {Photo courtesy The National}
Fine ambulance chasers!
Readers write to Gulf News about issues affecting them and their community
I was travelling towards Dubai from Abu Dhabi on Shaikh Zayed Road, almost near the World Trade Centre when I noticed an ambulance trying to make way through the heavy traffic. Its driver was finally able to get to the emergency lane and was trying to gain speed to reach its destination. I was alarmed to notice that two bikers, one a delivery guy and another a normal rider were trying to follow it bumper to bumper.
This is an extremely dangerous driving habit and those found using emergency lanes and following speeding ambulances should be reprimanded and heavily fined. They are not thinking of the danger when or if the ambulance driver has to suddenly apply the brakes!
Let us think about road safety at all times. It is our responsibility to remain safe.
From Mr Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Dt 28 January 2017
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
WhatsApp: Use with care -Letter to the editor Gulf News Dt 09 Jan 2017
You will find at least 20 to 25 unread messages out of which, you will get a minimum 15 pictures or video forwards! What do you do if you are travelling or if you have a huge contact base in your phone? The odd members who don’t think about the inconvenience that can be caused to the receiver when he forwards pictures and videos. It spoils the significance and benefits of using the platform.
If a person is so fond of disseminating information through WhatsApp, my suggestion is to first upload the voluminous files to either a blog or YouTube channel and then share the link. The receiver can, at his convenience, look at them and it remains there permanently for later referrals. Whereas, if you end up sending too many photos or videos, imagine the situation of someone who is traveling and has limited connectivity and storage capacity? The inconvenience caused will prompt the receiver to exit from such groups or block the sender.
For me personally, WhatsApp is an efficient communication medium, but people are not using it diligently. So much so that recently I had to prepare a warning poster and share it as my keynote on phone and social media to inform my contacts to be considerate on their WhatsApp messages. I also had to exit from four important groups due to the excessive volume of non-relevant pictures and videos being shared to members by some individual members.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit Gulf News online
Don’t blame the fog for mishaps – Letters to the editor The National Dt 5 January 2017
An increase in accidents is common on foggy days (Accidents around UAE with visibility down to 10 metres, January 3). But then, I would say that more than the weather, it’s drivers’ carelessness and impatience that cause these accidents. It’s a matter of common sense that one will need to slow down and be extra careful in such weather.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read this in original, visit The National oline.
Share what you know – Letters to the editor Gulf News Dt 05th January 2017
I am just an ordinary expatriate who came to the UAE with lots of hopes and dreams in 1987. Life has evolved and revolved over the years of my stay in the UAE. I am happy to say that I lived most of my life here. The journey has not been easy for me all these years. I am worried about the number of people, close family members who have been affected by cancer. Some have already left this world and some are fighting it out. I want to support all those who are affected by cancer in some way or another.
Also, it’s important to me to promote talent and knowledge through my own initiative for sharing talent or knowledge from within us to others. What is the point of having a skill within you, if you are not willing to share it and pass it on to someone who is willing to propagate it? It is a challenge and many people who are talented hold on to it without passing on the skills to a second or third person. We have to share our skills, talents or knowledge to those around.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
UAE
To read it in original, visit Gulf News online
Taxi ranks would make life easier for commuters
It has become extremely difficult to find a taxi in Abu Dhabi in the mornings.
Many commuters have to wait for more than 30 minutes to find a taxi. Added to this problem is the absolute lack of discipline because there is no queuing system.
As people wait in the sun, you can hear their frustrations and sometimes see heated arguments.
I hope the authorities can increase the number of taxis on the road during peak hours. It would also be appreciated if they could implement dedicated taxi ranks with shelters throughout the city.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Letters to the editor: The National Dt 30 September 2016
Call for more visible policing on UAE roadways
The observation by Traffic Safety experts are true and actual. A certain share of drivers are relaxed on the traffic violation punishments measures enforced through electronic media such as radars and surveillance cameras. Obviously they form the majority in creating dangerous road situations. It was not the case previously. There used to be police patrol in car and motorbikes. They come from nowhere and drivers used to be alert about such presence and avoid neglecting the road safety rules. Fear of punishment is an important factor to deter dangerous driving.
I feel therefore that there should be intermittent presence by Police on all the major roads to show their physical presence and ensure safe driving practices are followed.
In addition, weather conditions will change soon to foggy mornings very soon. An occasional presence of patrol cars posted on the major highways will definitely deter dangerous driving during the foggy season ahead so that we do not have any traffic calamities.
Children should be taught from a young age to follow the rules. Co-passengers in public and private vehicles should remind and warn those drivers who ignore the safety of others. Let patience and safe driving sense prevail on our roads. Continuous campaign to remind the drivers of following the safety driving practices is the need for the hour.
Letters to the National on:
Experts call for more visible policing on UAE roadways
Shine a light on E10 roadworks
The continuing roadworks on the E10 from Shahama to Abu Dhabi are creating confusion, especially near the airport.
There is poor lighting in this area, where the road narrows yet many drivers continue to speed.
There is no signage to advise drivers to reduce their speed, adding to the dangerous driving situation.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Letters to the Editor: The National Dt 22 August 2016
Fast forward for Abu Dhabi Emergency Service vehicles
The move by Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport to introduce emergency vehicle priority system that allows civil defence, ambulance and rescue services to send signals to lights as they approach them is meant to improve efficiency of emergency rescue operations in Abu Dhabi.
Many times I have witnessed, the emergency service vehicles from Ambulance and Fire services stuck and waiting for way to move ahead at the tip of the traffic junctions.
This may be either due to an ongoing flow of vehicle, which they are unable to intercept or even some who initiate a move even after seeing these emergency vehicles blocking them. They are clueless as to what exactly they should do.
With this improvisation of technology, if the emergency services vehicles can control the signals and block the traffic to continue and make their passage easy, there will be minimal waste of time due to obstructions.
More awareness to be created for the knowledge of all road users how to react when one is on the road ahead of emergency vehicles in such situations. This will definitely prove to be a an efficient traffic safety step.
Mind Speaks on the news in The National:
Emergency crews may control traffic lights at Abu Dhabi intersections
Scholarship by Dubai Health Authority to boost medical education in Dubai
The initiative by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to sponsor emirati medical students with Dh6,500 monthly grant, if they do a major in medicine and Dh5,000 per month if they want to continue studies in the field of paramedics and nursing is great!. 130 students are set to benefit from “Sponsoring Emiratis in the Medical Sector Programme.”.
Recent study news that came out in the regional press stated that GCC students place less importance to STEM subjects and this scholarship will definitely attract more students to take up medical education.
Medical education, unlike other, takes a longer period for students to complete and settle in and be financially self-sufficient and thus create less interest among students. This is obvious from DHA’s Annual Health Statistical Report for 2015, showing a total of 1,612 Emiratis currently working in the medical sector in Dubai. Category-wise statistics says 276 physicians, 106 dentists, 50 nurses, 29 pharmacists are working in Dubai hospitals and primary health centres.
Mind Speaks on the news in Khaleej Times: Dh6,500 monthly grant, job for Emirati medical students
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