Walking reminds of an older time - The National Dt 27 February 2015

Walking reminds of an older time

Your article, Taken at walking pace, Abu Dhabi becomes a very different city (February 23), has prompted nostalgic memories of earlier days in Abu Dhabi.

There were limited taxis and buses so most people used to walk to work and back home. This provided the opportunity to see the city progressing and also led to more sun exposure. I believe there were fewer cases of vitamin D deficiency then than there are now.

Back in those days, the electronic gadgets of the modern era did not exist so people lived in the present more. It meant it was easier to meet people, possibly starting long friendships.

Now people are so distracted that I feel concerned when I see them ignoring their own safety by walking or crossing the road while using mobile phones.

I believe The National’s #startwalking campaign will be a great success, but it is also important for the authorities to ensure the streets and pathways are more user-friendly for pedestrians.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit The National online

Bus stops should be inspected - Letters to the editor - The National Dt 26 February 2015

Bus stops should be inspected

Bus stops should be inspected Thank you for highlighting the need to keep our city’s bus stops clean (Clean cities not cleaned enough, February 24).

That’s not the only problem. There are some covered bus stops where doors are damaged. They should be inspected regularly.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

The National 26 February 2015

Fountain of joy - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 21 February 2015

Fountain of joy

The famous Qasr Al Hosn Festival 2015 is happening in Abu Dhabi now. The event has a deep-rooted history connected with the country and in particular Abu Dhabi.

It was my honour to be associated with it as the festival had a special section to recreate and present the Lest We Forget: Structures of Memory in the UAE exhibited at the famous Venice Architectural Biennale.

The national pavilion of the UAE was the exact replica of what was exhibited and my exhibits on one of the architectural marvels that existed in Abu Dhabi from 1984 – 2004: the Volcano Fountain were present in it.

On one of the days, I was invited to a presentation and an interactive workshop on it to share my memories and exhibits.

It was a working day and I was keen to be there early and awaited my audience. The crowd started coming in small numbers. As we started interacting, an elderly national and his children came to attend. He was not comfortable following the English presentation and a lady volunteer helped him with the translation.

As he blended with the subject, there came a chest of knowledge treasure from him. He was in the army for a long time and told us about those days when there was absolutely no modern facilities. The then Ruler late Sheikh Zayed is said to have drawn plans with his sticks on the sand and corrected the architects whenever things were not done as per his plans.

By the end of the session, it was one of the most memorable interactions we ever had on the subject in the recent times. We were excited to listen to the way he carried his memories and conveyed to us as well as his children and grandchildren who were with him.

We all wished and enlivened the day when the new Volcano Fountain will come into existence in the new developments happening in Abu Dhabi.

Ramesh Menon

Gulf Today - Short Take - Dt 21 February 2015

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

Death puts focus on road safety

Death puts focus on road safety

The death of Lucy Monro once again highlights the fact that road safety should be our utmost priority (Tributes pour in for British cyclist killed on UAE tour, February 16).

Not long ago, cyclist Roy Nasr died in a similar accident. All this points to the need for an increased road-safety awareness. Drivers need to be particularly cautious when there are cyclists on the road.

Those riding cycles should make sure they put on their protective gear before hitting the road.

Recently I saw a cycling enthusiast riding without a helmet and reflective jacket. Let’s try to avoid making such mistakes.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, visit The National online

Workshop on Volcano Fountain @ Qasr Al Hosn Festival 2015

On Monday, 16th February 2015, 3 sessions were held yesterday. More photos to follow. Thanks to all those who participated.

Lest We Forget - Interactive Workshop on Volcano Fountain

Dear Friends,

You are invited to attend an interactive workshop conducted by me on "Volcano Fountain".

Date: Monday, 16th February 2015

Time: 7:00 to 09:00 pm

Venue: Lest We Forget exhibition section at Qasr Al Hosn (Cultural Foundation)

Organised by: Michele Bambling, Curator for the UAE National Pavilion at Venice Biennale.

Share your experiences, bring photos or videos of the nostalgic architechtural marvel which once used to be the happening place in Abu Dhabi.

Looking forward to see you,

Ramesh

Ten UAE residents share their experiences with road rage - Gulf News Dt 15 February 2015

Dubai: Those who pick up bad road habits seldom consider the consequences of their actions which may lead to severe road hazards.

Though texting while driving, among other bad road habits, has become as frequent as using car indicators, the action remains unjustifiable.

Gulf News reveals some bad experiences of UAE residents on the road, including their reaction to some of the incidents they encountered.

Colonel Jamal Al Bannai, Acting Director of Dubai Traffic Police, said that Dubai Police urge people to follow traffic rules and regulations. “People should not underestimate those violations, even if they think it’s minor, because they can lead to traffic jams and accidents.”

He added that people put their lives and the lives of others at risk by committing these offences, because they are not fully aware of the dangers of what they are doing.

Dubai Police, Al Bannai said, do not go easy on offenders and issue them fines.

RAMESH MENON, INDIAN, 46, BASED IN ABU DHABI

“Speed thrill and impatience are two of the worst driving habits I’ve witnessed on the roads in the UAE. When it’s winter and foggy, early morning hours on highways are dangerous due to poor visibility. Poor visibility added with impatience of some drivers becomes one of the main reasons for accidents during this time. But, fog is not always the case. Two recent instances still haunt my memory and were caused by speeding. One day, a speeding car ignored the warning signs on the road and ended up colliding with the roadwork barriers on the highway. The car later caught fire. In another incident, a young man on a motorbike was speeding and weaving through the traffic that was halting due to an accident. He was driving so fast that he couldn’t brake. He ended up hitting another vehicle ahead. Both situations could have been averted had they been patient on the road.”

Speed limit - Gulf Today - Dt 14 February 2015

Speed limit

The other day, I was in a car driven by a young colleague. She was keen to show her driving skills to us and was driving well. At some point of time, I felt she was going a bit fast or above the limit. Not to discourage her, we started talking about the road safety issues, particularly speeding.

She was too fast to understand the point of view and said to us, “I am driving through this road every day. I know where the cameras are placed and where to reduce the speed. Do not worry.”

Do we get to read the mind of the other drivers on the road at the same time with us! Do we get to know in advance, if they do a dangerous fast move cutting across our pathway? Will it be possible to control the vehicle at that point if we too are speeding? No, will be my answer at all times. Road safety is of utmost importance, particularly caution towards speeding. After a particular speed, it would be impossible to control the vehicle, how much ever skilled one is. It is, therefore, advisable to stay within the speed limit and adhere to the road safety instructions set by the authorities.

Let safety for you, for me and for all, be remembered and reminded whenever we are on the road.

Ramesh Menon  

Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 14 February 2015

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

Flowers that Speaks - The Weather is Changing

The Date Palm Trees have started flowering. It means that the weather is changing and a whole new season is all set to start.

From the time they flower to the time, the date fruits are grown and fully ripen, a whole lot of activities happen within our surroundings. It is a beauty to watch them grow each day or week till they are harvested.

Do not miss out this nature's wonder happening around us silently.

Take your camera and set out for a walk with your children and capture them. Share this joy with friends and family.

Regards,

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

Prize for dedication - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 07 February 2015

Prize for dedication

I have expressed this particular emotional feeling within me before. It keeps coming back. To be or not to be a socially committed person? To address or not my observations for improvements to the authorities or not?

I keep saying to myself. No, I will not act or react any further when I get to see negative or even threatening responses at times. I tell myself, do not see things as you see, close your eyes and walk away from the realities.

Can I do that? Honestly, No, is the answer.

I was in the middle of a meeting two days ago and my phone rang. It was an unknown number and the lady at the other end, an officer from the Abu Dhabi Police, verified me and said, you are selected for an award. “Please attend and receive it on Thursday at a function to be held at our premises.”

I asked her what was it and what did that made them select me for it. She answered to me saying, “You have contributed with several valuable suggestions and hence you are one of the recipients for it.”

I went to receive it on Thursday and found myself among a group of officers from the Abu Dhabi authorities privileged to receive the prestigious Ministry of Interior Excellence Award.

Interacting with them I found one common thing, we all carried the same zest for quality and social commitments to make sure safety is of utmost importance at all times.

There was also one thing I noticed, we all did our personal or professional contributions, which paved the way for this award, without aiming for any recognition.

However, it turned out to be a winner for each one of us at a time, when we all literally forgot them. For me specially, when a time, when I was thinking of weighing the pros and cons of such initiatives carried out by me.

It proved the old saying, what you sow is what you reap. Make it a practice to give your best efforts to do good things and a time will definitely come with its reward.

Ramesh Menon

Gulf Today, Short Take Dt 07 February 2015

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

Ministry of Interior Excellence Award

I wish to inform you that today 5th February 2015, I received the "Ministry of Interior Excellence Award" from Abu Dhabi Police for my safety / community issues related contributions and suggestions.


The function was held today at 10:00 am in their premises at Capital Police Station, Abu Dhabi.

I just wanted to share with you this personal moment of achievement, as a community conscious resident and all the more a committed member towards Safety and welfare issues of the society I live in.

Sincere thanks and regards for your continuous support.

Ramesh Menon
Thursday, 5th Februray 2015

"Lest We Forget - Structures of Memories" at Qasr Al Hosn Festival 2015

Happy to inform that my clicks are included in the "Lest We Forget" exhibition to be held as part of the prestigious Qasr Al Hosn Festival happening in Abu Dhabi from 11-21 February 2015.


The national pavilion of UAE exhibited at the 14th Venice Architectural Biennale is coming back to the UAE.

To know more visit www.qasralhosnfestival.ae 

Do make it a point to visit the festival and UAE pavilion if you are in the UAE.

Bangalore Days - Flowers

When one think of Bangalore, one of the first thing that comes to mind is the beautiful flowers at various places within the city. When it is within the premises of an extremely divine abode, it is extra special. Here are some presentations captured from here and there, the most prominent among them from Brindavan Ashram Whitefield and then goes to an educational institution of prominence and the last one from our own garden (of sort) to say! Looking at this, I felt, these flowers and creatures live only for a few days, but they bring joy to those around in abundance. We, mankind, live for many years, and do we achieve what they could? Point to ponder?

Bangalore Days - Branches

Bangloare - not same as the old Bangalore that once it used to be. Roads with big trees at the side covering the road with its branches. Gradually, it is becoming a history and thought of capturing them before they are brought down. I am sure it will be an opportunity to bring back your nostalgic memories of the city, if you have been there during the olden days.