Sunday, August 15, 2010

Gulf News Community reports published in July 2010: Winning entry - Spilt fuel can have dire consequences



Gulf News Community reports published in July 2010: Winning entry - Spilt fuel can have dire consequences





Taking a stand isn't always easy or exciting — but if it will make a difference, community reporters are prepared to come out of the shade and act as catalysts for change.

The newspaper recognises readers who raised their voice on issues that they felt were important, relevant and required immediate attention.

And what goes around comes around.

Today, we acknowledge and award those who shared their experiences and brought significant matters to the fore during the month of July.

Over the past few months, the Your Turn page's Community Report section has highlighted myriad subjects that concerned residents and helped alert the authorities about matters that required urgent attention.

Topics of concern ranged from misspelled signboards to street lights burning much-needed energy during the day.

Readers have found Community Reports to be the right platform to create awareness and turn the spotlight on situations that generate interest and truly impact their lives.

Raising important questions, seeking answers from the relevant authorities and highlighting social issues take effort. And community reporters do not hesitate to prod and poke, if it has a chance of making a real difference.

The community reports published in July were judged by UAE Editor Meher Murshed. The criteria for selection included content, issue, impact on community, responsibility and the quality of contribution.

FIRST PRIZE

Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
July 9
By: Ramesh Menon

Reason for selection:
The consequences of mistakes are magnified if they are made in places such as petrol stations.The community reporter highlighted the hazards of spilling fuel when trying to accommodate rush-hour traffic.
UAE Editor Meher Murshed said: “This is an excellent community report because it raises an issue that is relevant to all of us. We should all make an effort to be careful. I congratulate Mr Menon on his excellent civic sense and urge others to follow suit. Safety is a common concern.”

Profile:
Ramesh Menon is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi.
The reader actively promotes and exhibits community talent in the blogosphere through his blog: http://www.talentshare.blogspot.com/.
As a frequent reporter of community issues, the reader said: “I wish, in the future, more readers will find time to write in without holding back on their thoughts, as community reports are gaining immense popularity and attention, with the issues getting addressed and resolved at a faster pace than through normal routes.”





SECOND PRIZE

Danger of contamination
July 12
By: Boban Thomas

Reason for selection:
When temperatures soar, water is a crucial part of people’s day. But what if even that is under the risk of contamination?
UAE Editor Meher Murshed said: “The reader has raised a valid point. Quite often, we leave water in plastic bottles in our cars. Leaching of chemicals in water, in high temperatures, has been known to have a negative or bad impact on health. This is a documented fact. When we see such displays of ignorance, action should be taken.”

Profile:
Boban Thomas is a logistics supervisor, based in Abu Dhabi.
He repeated the need to safeguard water bottles and not leave them out in the heat.
The reader said: “This is a bad practice and I see it [happening] every day in front of small supermarkets wherever I go. I request the authorities to intervene at the earliest.”
Thomas said he hoped to have the issue addressed through his community report. “Also, thank you Gulf News for giving readers a good platform to highlight their concerns.”

THIRD PRIZE

Beach ruined by rubbish
July 22
By: Vijoy V.J

Reason for selection:
In most parts of the world, summer is synonymous with the beach.
When the community reporter came across a large amount of litter in one such spot in Ajman, he decided to write and call for a change in attitude.
UAE Editor Meher Murshed commended the reader’s initiative.
He said: “We should all make an effort to protect our open spaces. Keeping our environment clean is necessary to ensure future generations can still enjoy Nature. The report and pictures bring to the fore the gravity of the problem on Al Zorah Beach, in Ajman.”

Profile:
Vijoy V. J. is a marketing officer, based in Dubai.
A second-time winner of the community report competition, the reader said he was confident about being heard.
“If the relevant organisations and authorities come together with the people who raise their concerns, I am sure it will make a difference.”
However, according to the community reporter, the situation remains the same at Al Zorah Beach.
He said: “Nobody has looked into it yet, but I know it is a huge task to clean up the area. It has been in a sorry state for the past two years. I hope the authorities take action.”



To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.





22 comments:

  1. Dear Ramesh Menon Sir,

    Hearty congratulations! I read this in today's paper too. Your rare talents on environment awareness and concern over people around you are commendable. What you are contributing towards society can never go unnoticed and you deserve this appreciation and many more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rajesh Nambiar Congrats Rameshji...proud to be your friend....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Zatt Chacko
    Congratulations Ramesh, you deserve it, all the best.
    about an hour ago

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gireesh Vijayan
    Many many Congrats Ramesh Sir, saw the report @ Gulf News. You are doing such a great help to the UAE community & you deserve it. I wish you all success for the future reports.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Feeling great that your sincere efforts are gaining recognition also, that it rightly deserves.Keep up the good work and keep inspiring others to join your team!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Smita Sukumaran Conrgats!Saw the winning report!Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Allan Mathew Congrats Ramesh chetta... u deserve it !!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Potent Shinz waahaa.. Congrats.. god bless u..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sanish Cherian 17 August at 09:31
    Congrats on your achievement

    ReplyDelete
  10. Shoukath Ali Eroth Wow! Ramesh ji, your persistance and commitments paid off! God Bless you Ramesh Ji!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Biju Bhaskaran 17 August at 10:18
    Congatulations..........Ramesh ji

    ReplyDelete
  12. Franson Michael Edakulathur(EM)" Aug 15
    Congrats on your exceptional achievement...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Santosh to me Aug 16

    Congrats..I had read your artical on the spilling of petrol in the pumps..very impressive.

    Regards.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dear Rameshji, Please accept my congratulation on your new achievement
    and my very best wishes for your continuing success. Regards,

    Nalinakshan Erattappuzha

    ReplyDelete
  15. My Dear Mr. Remesh Menon,

    Congratulations!!! You deserve rewards - not only this one but will continue. Please continue your good work/writeing/community reports and assistance to the needy as usual.

    MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH GOOD HEALTH, WEALTH AND PROSPERITY TO CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK.

    Warm Regards

    K.M.Nair

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear Ramesh Menon,

    I appreciate your continues work for the betterment of the society and congratulate you for the recognition from Gulf News for that effort.

    With best wishes

    K.V Shamsudheen
    Director
    Barjeel Geojit Securities LLC
    Dubai-Abu Dhabi-Sharjah-Ras Al Khaimah
    www.barjeel.ae
    Tel: 00971506467801
    Email: kvshams@barjeel.ae

    Chairman
    Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust
    Overseas Contact: Post Box No. 940
    Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
    www.pravasibandhu.com
    Email:kvshams@gmail.com

    Vice Chairman
    Indian Business and Professional Council
    Post Box N.o 28336, Sharjah
    www.ibpc.org.ae

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear Ramesh,

    Congratulations on the recognition for your contribution to the society. You deserve to be awarded. Please continue to report on such topics for the betterment of society.

    Best regards,

    Shaji K.K.
    Gasco Habshan

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Mr.Menon.

    Congrats.

    Regards
    Ramesh Panicker

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sadhvi Sabherwal to cite-hr-uae-fo.

    Dear Ramesh,

    Good work always gets its due share of accolades.
    Many congrats!

    Regards,
    Sadhvi

    ReplyDelete
  20. GULF NEWS Letters dt 22.08.2010

    Community heroes

    After reading the community report awards, I would like to congratulate Mr Ramesh Menon, Mr Boban Thomas and Mr Vijoy V. J. for their excellent and significant impact on the community ("Readers help make a difference", Gulf News, August 15).

    I also applaud all those readers who are continuing to make an impact every day. I would sincerely like to thank Gulf News on this innovative and creative section.

    Time and again, we read suggestions posted by readers which are implemented by the authorities. We need to remind ourselves that the authorities cannot be at many places at one time. That's why Gulf News introduced this section so that residents can come forward and make a change.

    As Mahatma Gandhi famously said: "Be the change you want to see in the world". Never hesitate to click a photograph and write a report, which can bring a fresh awakening to our community and authorities.

    I always take my camera so I can capture anything that needs improvement. It's exciting, because we are the community heroes!

    From Ms Anureet Kaur
    Dubai

    ReplyDelete