Mind Speaks
Task in hand for the new school season
Shopping malls are ready with stock of “Back to School” items to welcome the new school season. Unlike the earlier season, the market doesn’t seem to be vibrant and lively this year.
For parents, there is lot to think about the season ahead. Life is not so easy as it used to be earlier.
Especially after reading the news in The National UAE parents worry over school costs as cost of living rises.
A change of outlook is required among parents and children and definitely will come in the days ahead. Spending on extravagance is bound to decrease. In a way, it will be good to see children get used to the age old basics – specially move away from the so called electronic gadgets and get back to traditional reading methods from print media. Concentrate on physical fitness and sports activities rather than confine themselves within the four walls of their home.
At the same time the difficult market conditions may not give options for inferior products to infiltrate into the market in the disguise of “Sale” to attract consumers.
Weekend in Venice is now a flight away with Etihad
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will expand its services to Italy with a new daily flight to Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. The new service will begin operations from 30th October, 2016 and be served by an Airbus A319, offering 16 seats in Business and 90 in Economy. Together with Alitalia, its code-share and equity partner, Etihad Airways will offer 35 weekly flights in and out of Italy, including double daily services to Rome and Milan.
One of the most beautiful travel locations to plan your weekend/long holidays made easier by this new route.
You will agree with me as you see some of my clicks taken during my visit.
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
70th Independence Day -Be Humane, Hi-tech & Happy
President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the nation on the eve of our 70th Independence Day. Here are some of the top quotes from his address:
- May our studies be brilliant; may there be no hostility amongst us; may there be Peace Peace Peace.
- We are in the process of forging new relationships based on shared values and mutual benefit with all countries.
- India’s focus in foreign policy will remain on peaceful co-existence & harnessing tech & resources for eco development.
- I respectfully bow to the heroes of independence struggle who fought & sacrificed their lives to win freedom.
- India will grow, only when all of India grows; the excluded ones have to be included in the development process.
- It is much more important to look to the future; it is time to join hands to cooperate, innovate and advance.
- We often celebrate the achievements of our ancient past but it would be wrong to rest on our laurels.
- We should promote scientific temper by questioning our beliefs which aren’t compatible with scientific way of thinking.
- Passage of GST bill is reason enough to celebrate our democratic maturity.
- World has witnessed a spate of terror activities having their roots in radicalization of people on basis of religion. These forces pose a danger to entire comity of nations; world will have to fight them unconditionally & in one voice.
- Attacks on weaker sections that militate against our national ethos are aberrations that need to be dealt with firmly.
- Disruptions, obstructionism & unmindful pursuit of divisive political agenda lead to institutional travesty
- We cannot call ourselves a civilized society if we fail in providing safety and security to our women and children.
- We must take destiny in our own hands to build the India of our dreams.
- As we build an India of smart cities, towns & villages, we must ensure they are humane, hi-tech and happy places.
Credits to text: Times of India / Photo © Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Donations for a Cause
A temple at a small village Mudapuram, near Chirayinkeezhu, Trivandrum in Kerala have created a trend setter to emulate by all religious institutions.
They have placed a special “Hundi” (box for putting dontations). Whatever collections coming in this donation box will be utilized for the benefit of “Cancer patients”.
The initiative is getting good response from devotees and well wishers as the temple authorities have so far been able to donate Rs 2000/- each to 5 cancer patients. A small amount though, but not bad as every small step leads to a bigger and brighter destination of success.
I wish all the religious institutions and Corporate Organisations follow their thoughts and keep aside a small amount to assist cancer patients. It is a reality that one in ten we meet have a story tell about someone close within his/her family/friends circle suffering or lost life due to cancer. And 3/4th of them and their families struggled for the treatment!.
Why hesitate, Start today itself!
God bless.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
12th August 2016
Based on a story published in Mathrubhumi Newspaper. Photo credits to Mathrubhumi.
UAE’s STEM education objectives foster positive results
The study results on pupils interest in STEM subject is interesting but not surprising.
The two category of students evaluated speaks for the results itself.
Expatriates children normally come from parents of high professional background and will have always an orientation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects as these are part of their daily life, whereas local pupil are gradually getting in to the STEM world as the generation progress.
Irrespective of this, children now know really well that there is no more “Wasta” culture for success in life. They have to study and work hard, be innovative and keep on improvising and adapting to the changes.
There is a lot of interest among local students to take up STEM subjects. This can be seen by the active participation of students in the annual Think Science Competitions organized by Emirates Foundation. Child prodigy and emirati inventor Adeeb Alblooshi is an inspiration to many young local pupil to follow STEM for their success in future. Destination Medicine Summit by Al Jalila Foundation inspires Emirati youth to pursue medicine under the slogan “today’s students, tomorrow’s doctors.
All these shows that a conducive environment that supports science, at home and at school is being created for the young with sustained and dedicated efforts. I am happy to see that corporate bodies are actively supporting these initiatives to make it a success. Total, is an example, by partnering with Emirates Foundation and Al Jalila Foundation through its Corporate Social Responsibility objectives.
Thoughts on :
Study finds GCC pupils place less importance on Stem than expat peers
Are you angry? Then, Relax & Think Back!
It was weekend and as usual I took my cycle for a ride along the newly created track in our community. As I came out from the lift, I noticed the weather outside was dusty and not conducive for riding. So, I parked my cycle and thought, sit inside the waiting area and watch for some time before returning home. My mind was disturbed due to something and thought cycling was a good option, I thought it could calm me down and change the disturbing thoughts. But, I couldn’t, due to the bad weather.
It was a hot day and there was a cat, lying outside the glass door. Then came a little girl with a pet dog. She too was planning to take it for a walk. Seeing the outside weather, she also cancelled her plan. The dog had a belt which was of extendable type and the girl had left it loose so that it has lot of space to move around.
Suddenly I noticed, both the cat, which was outside and the dog, standing inside started a fight with each other. It became so furious that if the glass barrier was not there, one of them would have finished the other! The girl played around with their furious emotional outpour for some time and then took it back to her home in the lift. As it left, it was still panting and growling.
Many times, we tend to be in such situations. Knowingly or unknowingly, we get carried away and start conversation or acts that lead to angry outpour of words, which may lead to physical actions!. Here in this case, the glass door was the strong physical barrier that prevented any mishaps. But, what will help us in such real life situations? A good friend? a a more relaxed and calm family member?, more than that a good family and school upbringing? a self discipline that is practiced?
Yes, control of anger is something that has to be consistently worked on and made a habit to not react to such unwarranted and unwanted situations instantaneously. If ever you happen to be in it, relax, take a deep breath. Think back and solutions to your disturbances will follow. It will save you!. God bless and wish you a great day.
More options needed to alert dangerous driving
Once again an accident involving a mini bus happened resulting in the death of a passenger. Although, this time, it was not due to the speeding or mistake of the bus driver!.
There is only one way, I see to end this catastrophe. More education to our public transport users to immediately alert the police as well as warn the driver, if they witness any incident of dangerous driving.
These drivers who speed and neglect the traffic signs, signals and rules may be pressurized by tight deadline from their company or their on personal financial pressures to earn more each day!.
Driving from Abu Dhabi on the Emirates Road as well as the Mussaffah Road during the last two Saturdays, I witnessed several instances of 15 seater mini vans speeding. Some even on the 2nd lane from left, which they normally should not be present.
I humbly request the authorities to have a foolproof and easy communication system like a mobile contact for whatsapp or sms for road users and passengers to alert the authorities whenever they witness dangerous driving. More awareness and calls should be made by the authorities to encourage public to be their voice to avert more such death resulting situations.
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