Tuesday, September 28, 2010

My Letters - Khaleej Times Dt. 28.09.2010 - Cricket mining gold at South Africa

My Letters - Khaleej Times Dt. 28.09.2010 - Cricket mining gold at South Africa

28 September 2010

As expected before the first ball of the finals played, Chennai Super Kings have won the finals of the CLT20 Cup. Watching the match and the entire series gave several interesting management perspectives. One man cannot win continuously matches for his team, especially highly competitive matches like this. This was proved by the performance of Davey Jacobs. He guillotined his and his teams chances the moment he played an over enthusiastic shot of Ashwin’s first ball. It proved several things for the bowler and all of us.

First of all, the value of following the basics, which he did, by keeping the ball straight to the stumps. Secondly and most importantly, keeping a calm and composed self on the field, even at times of victory or defeat.
I wish, video of his bowling efforts at this series to be showed as an example to our other bowlers, who swear, curse and do all sorts of emotional tantrums, while they lose focus and objectives.

The team spirit showed on field between all players, irrespective of their nationality, showed a harmonious feeling and optimism for world cricket. The encouragement to our young generation players from senior players was outstanding. The series really gave some players to stand tall amongst the crowd. I wish, the same strategy is employed by corporate organisations to promote other sports, especially football and hockey.

To read it in original, please visit KHALEEJ TIMES online.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Mind Speaks - Birthday wishes to Satguru Mata Amritanandamayi

Mind Speaks - Birthday wishes to Satguru Mata Amritanandamayi

Mind Speaks - Indian cricket mining gold at South Africa CLT20

Mind Speaks - Indian cricket mining gold at South Africa CLT20


Indian cricket mining gold at South Africa CLT20.

As expected before the first ball of the finals played, Chennai Super Kings have won the finals of the CLT20 Cup. Watching the match and the entire series gave several interesting management perspectives. One man cannot win continuously matches for his team, especially highly competitive matches like this. This was proved by the performance of Davey Jacobs. He guillotined his and his teams chances the moment he played an over enthusiastic shot of R Ashwin’s first ball. It proved several things for the bowler and all of us. First of all, the value of following the basics, which he did, by keeping the ball straight to the stumps. Secondly and most importantly, keeping a calm and composed self on the field, even at times of victory or defeat. I wish, video of his bowling efforts at this series to be showed as an example to our other bowlers, who swear, curse and do all sorts emotional tantrums, while they lose focus and objectives. Davey also erred in brining his new ball bowler Thoron after 5 overs, instead of bringing him fresh, which may have caused the bowlers confidence. Off color M Boucher, supplemented with luck favoring him on the d-day enabled M Vijay to walk away with the Golden Bat award.

Each and every player of CSK, proved their mettle at opportunities they received. This includes R. Ashwin, Murali Vijay, Aniruddh Sreekanth and Balaji, not to leave out others including captain M S Dhoni. He has shown once again, how he means business on the field for a particular match as well as for future of his team members. The way, he handled L Balaji was excellent, giving confidence not only to the bowler by giving options for him to play in a big final, but also to other Indian bowlers, the choice he has in future, of a silent and smiling performer to add to his team.

The team spirit showed on field between all players irrespective of their nationality showed a harmonious feeling and optimism for world cricket. The encouragement to our young generation players from senior players was outstanding. The series really gave some players to stand tall amongst the crowd. I wish, the same strategy is employed by corporate organisations to promote other sports, especially football and hockey.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Photo Speaks - THE NATIONAL Dt. 26.09.2010 - Abu Dhabi motorists face morning traffic chaos

Photo Speaks - THE NATIONAL Dt. 26.09.2010 - Abu Dhabi motorists face morning traffic chaos

Abu Dhabi motorists face morning traffic chaos

Traffic is grid locked on in this view of a Salam street intersection. Courtesy Ramesh Menon

Abu Dhabi motorists face morning traffic chaos

Last Updated: September 26. 2010 12:10PM UAE / September 26. 2010 8:10AM GMT

Accidents in the city centre and on the roads leading into the capital have caused chaos on the roads this morning.

Commuters on Sheikh Zayed Road heading towards Abu Dhabi are currently stuck in gridlock after the part of road opposite Al Rahba Hospital was closed forcing drivers to crawl along a two lane side street.

The Abu Dhabi police, through their twitter page have advised that motorists exercise caution in the tourist Club Area, Al Najda street, Al Salam street and Hamdan street, where there are heavy traffic jams.

Earlier this morning motorists were held up as much as an hour by a seven car accident on the interchange before Mussafah bridge. According to Abu Dhabi police twitter site, the area was clear by 9.40am.

* The National

To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Short Take - GULF TODAY - dt. 25.09.2010 - Exploration Future


A caricature was done as a best wishes card for all of us to write our future wishes to him and presented to him during the farewell lunch.



‘Exploration Future’ GULF TODAY Dt. 25.09.2010

It is hectic these days as the start of winter season after the summer holidays bring in many new staff. This is the time when some of the old hands say good bye after their assignment period in the UAE gets completed. It follows with a farewell lunch and welcome parties and one such event happened this weekend.

It was a farewell lunch for one of our managers, who, unlike others remained in this region for two terms, i.e. almost six years, which is not common among our expats. It is a professional environment at office. Seldom do we get to speak personal matters between colleagues as we all immerse ourselves in our own area and scope.

Considering the long interactions with him and the bond and team spirit, I thought I should know a bit more about him than I know as a colleague. I took time out before our normal start and spent a few minutes with him.

Talking to him gave interesting insights and remembrance of my mother’s retirement from work. Into his late fifties, he refused to say the word “retirement.”

He preferred to use “professionally provided long term leave.” With more than 38 years experience, he has worked in France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Brazil, Indonesia and now the UAE, his last professional stop.

Being a sport, he has travelled extensively in all these countries and their neighbouring countries on road and sea. In addition, he has also visited, Yemen, Oman, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain several times and all the roads and important places are easy for him as the lines on his palm.

With his children now settled, he and his wife, have already bought a boat and plan to explore the un-explored and explored locations for another 10 years. To keep himself fit, he plans to continue canoeing, kite surfing, mountaineering, skiing etc as he is an expert in all those.

I know well, but even then I asked him, do you keep any photos or write blogs about your expeditions so far? Or plan to do any such thing in the future? He answered, “No. I do them and forget them to look forward to the future one. May be a few photographs here and there, which my wife takes. But not on a regular basis. That encourages me to always look forward to the future and keep myself young.”

Well, I listened to him silently and wished him good luck in the new assignment of his life, which I termed, “Exploration Future.”

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Photo Speaks - Shopping at it's best

Photo Speaks - Shopping at it's best


I found this boy talking on the phone at a leisurely pace and pose at a shopping mall while his companions were busy shopping. It was interesting to watch him for a few minutes as he was totally in his own world, even after a sales person tried to disturb him from it.

Car flips over in Dubai crash - My Letters - THE NATIONAL - Dt. 21.09.2010

My Letters - THE NATIONAL - Dt. 21.09.2010 - Car flips over in Dubai crash

Car flips over in Dubai crash

DUBAI // Four vehicles, including a taxi, collided on Sheikh Zayed Road this morning.

The incident occurred in the Abu Dhabi-bound fast lane, near the Internet City exit. One of the vehicles was flipped onto its roof in the crash.

The accident, which occurred at 8am, caused congestion to Oasis Centre in the Al Quoz area.

Police cleared the wreckage from the scene and traffic was free-flowing by 10am. No serious injuries were reported, according to Dubai Police.

My comments as follows:

Added: 09/21/10 03:49:00 PM

These drivers, they will never learn. I think, only solution here is to have all the cars fitted with speed controllers which restricts a driver to speed above 120 kms.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

BACK TO SCHOOL 2010 – RADIO 4 ESSAY COMPETITION

BACK TO SCHOOL 2010 – RADIO 4 ESSAY COMPETITION

A message from Charu and Anirudh of Radio 4 FM.

OK, so you are back to school…. so it might be a little hard to get excited about getting back behind the desk, but would winning a share of AED 10,000 make you a little more excited?

Starting 21 September 2010, we are looking for some cool kids (or their cool Mums and Dads) who want to tell us how was their 1st day back to sc...hool and what was your Summer Vacation like? Just fire up the computer and pump out your finest 40 word essay on your Summer Vacation and 1st Day back to school. Send it us on Face Book as a message!

The 10 best entries will score a share in AED 10,000 per station. Just imagine how long it'd take to save that much pocket money!

Its the Radio 4 Back to School Promotion – think of it as your first essay of the year. Except you might earn a little more than a gold star sticker and a pat on the back from the teacher!.

So, please participate and send messages to CharuAni Hornokplease

Restart traffic safety campaigns - My Letters - THE NATIONAL - Dt. 23.09.2010




Restart traffic safety campaigns

I refer to Commuters back, schools back ... and tailback (September 20). Summer holidays are over and schools have started a new academic year. Back to work and back to the old problems. Traffic, traffic, traffic everywhere. The media should restart their traffic safety awareness campaigns as they did successfully last year.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Desktop PC's available for social / individual cause

Dear Friends,

Coming to you all with an update of social interest.

I have few Desktop PC's available in good/working condition. They are of the following configuration:

Acer
Intel PIV 3.2+ GHz
80 or 40 GB HDD
512 or 1 GB RAM
15" or 17" CRT Monitor
Keyboard \Mouse
XP Pro
If any of you interested to avail this opportunity for the purpose of utilising it for the functioning of charitable/social organisation or school libraries, kindly contact me urgently on e-mail : team1dubai@gmail.com.

You may have to provide details of the organisation and a request letter from it on it's letterhead signed by the responsible authority to collect it.

It will be provided free of cost to those deserving organisations/individuals (if any).

The PCs have to be collected from Abu Dhabi.

To all the Talent Share members, please continue to post your creative work. I am reading / viewing them. Not posting the comments because, it is an extremely busy period. But, I appreciate your good work and request you to look forward to more opportunities for you in the near future.

Regards,

Ramesh Menon

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Community report - GULF NEWS - Dt. 21.09.2010 - Coping with fog

Community report - GULF NEWS - Dt. 21.09.2010 - Coping with fog


Coping with fog

Road signs on Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway need an overhaul

Text and picture by Ramesh Menon, Gulf News Reader Published: 00:00 September 21, 2010

Gulf News reader Ramesh Menon predicts the return of foggy days and urged the authorities to plan ahead in order to make residents’ commutes smooth and hassle-free. He took this photograph last year on the Ghantoot highway. Image Credit: Ramesh Menon/Gulf News reader We witnessed one of the worst road accidents in the UAE back in 2008, on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot.

For regular road users of this highway, it was not a surprise. The sudden weather change and lack of visibility during early mornings is a regular phenomenon on desert roads.

Now, the weather seems to be changing once again to foggy days. Accordingly, during early morning drives on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway, we can see several fog pockets, especially after the Ghantoot area. It gets very dangerous to drive with less than 30 metres visibility.

Along the route, there are major exits from the highway and all these have signboards placed on the right side of the road. During foggy days and when there is heavy vehicle traffic, these signboards are difficult to spot.

In order to avoid this dangerous situation, I suggest that the authorities:

- Introduce a new road signage system. Signboards near major exits can have luminescent paint, along with clear markings on roads. These should be present well in advance, so that drivers do not get worried and are not misguided, even in case of extreme foggy or dusty conditions.

- An increase in the installation of electronic road signs so that drivers are cautioned if there is danger ahead.

- An increase in police patrols on foggy days, especially on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway and Emirates Road.

I am optimistic that this system will be very effective, specifically on Emirates Road, Shaikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi and Shaikh Rashid Road towards Dubai.

— The reader is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
Model of the suggestion as presented to the authorities for consideration.








Monday, September 20, 2010

Photo Speaks - Beauty of the falls - Athirappally Vazhachal waterfalls in Kerala

Photo Speaks - Beauty of the falls - Athirappally Vazhachal waterfalls in Kerala

Photo Speaks - Beauty of the falls - Athirappally Vazhachal waterfalls in Kerala

Photo Speaks - Beauty of the falls - Athirappally Vazhachal waterfalls in Kerala

Suggestion for customer service - My Letters - THE NATIONAL - Dt. 20.09.2010

My Letters - THE NATIONAL - Dt. 20.09.2010 - Suggestion for customer service


Suggestions for customer service

With the initiative of setting up business centres at shopping malls, Etisalat has made it easier for its customers to pay telephone bills and obtain new services.

One such centre working very efficiently is the one in Abu Dhabi Mall. However, the sheer popularity of it has created a new problem. Many business customers visit this centre, which has only one or two staff members to complete their transactions. This means more waiting for individual customers, who at times have to wait for more than 30 minutes till the customer in front completes a set of 15 or more bills.

The staff and system access at these counters are not meant for complex transactions and queries which create more delays.

I suggest that the Etisalat authorities provide more staff at business centres like Abu Dhabi Mall and also operate a separate counter for corporate customers so that individual customers need not wait for long.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To Read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Heavy tinting on Calicut Mayor's car - is it required for a public representative's vehicle

Heavy tinting on Calicut Mayor's car - is it required for a public representative's vehicle

The blockade of Calicut Mayor Mr. Bhaskaran's car by Youth Congress activists at Kolathur near Kondottye which was telecast by several news channels on TV brought out an interesting observation. The car windows have been heavily tinted. Looking at it, I felt, the grade of tinting used is much more than the permissible limit, even in countries where extreme hot weather conditions prevail (for example UAE).

This is an indirect invitation to conduct illegal activities and accompaniment of unwarranted personnel in an official vehicle during official and non-official time.

Authorities should initiate necessary measures to trim down the grading of tinting on all public vehicles and strictly make it a decent light tinting only.

True regards,

Ramesh Menon

To read the related news, visit THE HINDU online.

Youth Congress workers block Mayor's car

Staff Reporter THE HINDU Dt. 18 September 2010

MALAPPURAM: Youth Congress activists blocked Kozhikode Mayor M. Bhaskaran at Kolathur near Kondotty on Friday, alleging that he violated the model code of conduct for elections by using his official vehicle to attend a programme organised by Left supporters.

The Mayor was to inaugurate an airport march by the Malabar Chamber of Commerce and the Janakeeya Samiti of Calicut International Airport in protest against the alleged neglect of Malabar's passengers by Air India.

Mr. Bhaskaran claimed that he was heading for the airport to meet airport director G. Chandramouli and officials of the national carrier to discuss the problems caused by the recent rescheduling and cancellations of some Air India flights. However, Youth Congress activists insisted that the Mayor use his official vehicle to attend an agitation spearheaded by a group of people owing allegiance to the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Request to KMF society to reduce use of plastic materials for distributing Milk products

Request to KMF society to reduce use of plastic materials for distributing Milk products



As we climb the Chamundi Hills Banglore, we get to see a warning board requesting us to keep the place free of plastics. I was happy to see it as I drove up. A visit to the temple and then to the exclusive Nandini Shoppe let me down completely. The outlet is selling milk products in plastic sachets which are thrown around by customers after consumption. Why not they start using “Aseptic Packaging materials” to pack and distribute milk products. It will be environment friendly and more cost effective. I am sure Indian Packaging Industry has advanced technological know-how to come out with economically and environment friendly products for manufactures and consumers.

I request KARNATAKA CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS' FEDERATION LIMITED society to reduce use of plastic materials for distributing milk products.

Short Take - GULF TODAY - Dt. 18.09.2010 - Choose the right path

Short Take - GULF TODAY - Dt. 18.09.2010 - Choose the right path


Choose the right path

Summer holidays are over and schools in the region have started a new academic session. Most of the expatriates have returned from their holidays. Back to work and back to the old problems. Traffic, traffic, traffic everywhere.

Speeding, wrong parking and bullying by big cars.

Maybe it is due to the fact that some of the driving habits they witnessed in the country they visited, or maybe the roads have new expats who just arrived and do not know the regulations here.

It looks like, traffic wardens have to restart the campaigns they successfully conducted last year once again to remind one and all about safety aspects on the road.

Add to it, the weather is also changing to foggy mornings.

Hope good sense prevails on the road and this winter we do not get to witness major accidents.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Should car seats for children be mandatory? - My Comments - THE NATIONAL - Dt. 12.09.2010

My Comments - THE NATIONAL - Dt. 12.09.2010 - Should car seats for children be mandatory?

The Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi has now given away 1,500 car seats and educated parents on road safety. But should the seats be compulsory for parents anyway?

My comments as follows:

I think the law should be made strict to ensure all the rear passengers wear the seat belt in cars and all the passengers wear the seat belts in 15 seater vans. The habit of wearing the seat belt is very rarely practised here. In fact car seats or atleast seat belts should be the preferred mandatory options by default by all for own safety reason.

To read it in original, please visit, THE NATIONAL online.

My Letters - GULF NEWS - Dt 14.09.2010 - Parents tighten their purse strings as schools reopen

My Letters - GULF NEWS - Dt 16.09.2010 - Parents tighten their purse strings as schools reopen

Many parents said that from increased tuition fees to the cost of uniforms, stationery and extra curricular activities, the year ahead would strain their monthly budgets.
  • By Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter
Dubai: As children in the UAE start the school year today, parents will be tightening their purse strings to meet the escalating cost of education.

Many parents said that from increased tuition fees to the cost of uniforms, stationery and extra curricular activities, the year ahead would strain their monthly budgets.

Most Asian schools start their new term today, after their academic year started in April. All public school pupils, from kindergarten through to high school, will start the first day of their school year tomorrow. Some of the international schools commenced classes yesterday.

Patrick Gonsalviz said his family would have no more weekend outings due to the strain of education costs. The marketing manager from Sri Lanka said he had to pay Dh24,000 in term fees for his two children, going into grades three and four.

"This is in addition to the expenses of buying their school uniforms, books and stationery," he said.

"The school shopping itself cost me around Dh3,000 this year," Gonsalviz said.

He said he managed the back-to-school expenses using his credit card. "I had no other [option] but plastic money so that I don't end up borrowing from friends or colleagues," he said.

"My monthly payments on credit card will increase substantially, and I will have to cut down on my monthly budget."

Tuition fees for his children had gone up by 20 per cent this year, Gonsalviz said.

"My salary has not increased in the last two years. But the cost of education for my kids is always on an upward swing," he said.

Many parents said they were forced to do a tightrope walk between a quality education and an affordable one.

This year, many schools have increased their tuition fee up to 20 and 25 per cent. At least five GEMS schools and two of Taaleem's schools in Dubai have been granted permission to increase the fees for the new academic year.

Fee increases

In the American Academy for Girls in Al Mizhar, run by Taaleem, the second largest private education provider in the UAE, fees have gone up from Dh28,580 to Dh34,000 for KG1. For grades six and above, the fees have jumped from Dh38,980 to Dh47,000.

M.E., a parent with a student in Uptown Mirdiff school, said the increase in school expenses meant his two children had to discontinue their piano classes. The school raised its fees by 20 per cent.

"I had to explain to my kids that I can no longer afford it to keep them in the same school," said M.E., who works for a construction company in Abu Dhabi.

Are you cutting down on costs? How? Do you find the cost of raising a child high?

My Comments as follows:

Added 15:21 September 14, 2010

I believe, Ministry of Education should consider special concession to schools, for daily operating items, such as, Telephone, Electricity, Water, followed by discounts on school bus registration fees, staff immigration and naturalisation costs etc. This, if given by the authorities, will naturally bring down the operating costs of the school and allow them to opt for enhancing the existing facilities with a portion of the extra earnings. This will also stop their cry for raising the school fees. MoE can then give guidelines for them to opt for reduced fees structure for students than they charge currently.


It has to be noted that a country’s future lies in the youth and their development and these discounts will result in more parents opting for education and higher education of their children in UAE than sending him or her to abroad or to their home countries. It will definitely bear fruits in the long run to produce excellent citizen for tomorrows future, whether he is a resident or expat. The gratitude of a satisfactory school education is by itself a lifelong commitment. Thus, If school fees are structured within the affordable means of parents, definitely more children will join school and college in UAE.


School fee increase approval should therefore be the last thing in the wish list of items for consideration by respective Ministry.


I also do not understand why people are not coming out in open to discuss their opinion on this matter. It gives more leverage to those who act with business interest and inconsiderate manner ignoring the standard of education and service quality they claim to provide to their students.


Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates


To read it in original, please visit, GULF NEWS online.

Safety First - Do's and Don't for driving during foggy weather

Safety First - Do's and Don't for driving during foggy weather



Safety First - Do's and Don't for driving during foggy weather

Safe driving tips (source : GULF NEWS/Ministry of Interior UAE)


Dos:

  • Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits the conditions.
  • Use your low-beam headlights.
  • If you have fog lights, use them, in addition to low beams.
  • Be patient. Avoid passing, changing lanes and crossing traffic.
  • Use pavement markings to help guide you. Use the right edge of the road as a guide, rather than the centre line.
  • Increase your distance with the vehicle ahead.
  • Keep looking as far ahead as possible.
  • If the fog is too dense to continue, pull completely off the road and try to position your vehicle in a protected area from other traffic. Turn on the hazard lights.
Don'ts:
  • Don't drive with your hazard lights continuously on and flashing.
  • Don't stop on the road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision.
  • Don't speed up suddenly, even if the fog seems to be clearing.
  • Don't speed up to pass a vehicle moving slowly.



My Letters - Khaleej Times - Dt. 16.09.2010 - Good cvoverage

My Letters - Khaleej Times - Dt. 16.09.2010 - Good cvoverage


Good coverage
16 September 2010

The ongoing Champions League T20 match reports along with the photographs make for an interesting read. The matches played so far have generated valid points in terms of player values and team composition. It has proved that however old they are, experienced players like Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralidharan, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid still hold best techniques when it comes to business on ground.

Opportunities for emerging players, especially with the calibre of R Ashwin and J Vandiar can also be seen.

The games also show how different players from different countries handle pressure. An excellent example is the gesture of D Jacobs when he gestured to his partner Ashwell Prince to continue playing with confidence when he ran him out.

Millions of young players will be watching how some players gesticulate to opposition players when they get them out. Watching those, I feel, ICC should follow FIFA procedures and fine those players who use abusive local languages on field.
ICC websites should also be adapted to include options to rate and comment on players’ performance to consider the player of year award.

-Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi


To read it in original, please visit Khaleej Times online.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Reflections on UAE Statistics - My Letters - THE NATIONAL Dt. 15.09.2010

My Letters - THE NATIONAL Dt. 15.09.2010 - Reflections on UAE Statistics


Reflections on UAE statistics

I refer to the statistics provided in the Business article Snapshots of the Emirates … the numbers tell the story (September 13). Looking closely, the details give interesting insights. An average of 106 million barrels of crude oil is consumed per day for internal use in the UAE. A subsequent online review showed that the UAE ranks number two in terms of per capita oil consumption. This shows a heavy reliance on oil consumption and measures by authorities should be made to educate residents to resort to mass transport options, whenever possible.

Another interesting figure observed is the number of BlackBerry users within the country, which stands at number one in per capita use of mobile phones. Imagine the scenario if the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority puts a brake on BlackBerry usage here.

A US$10 billion reserve set aside by UAE banks against a rise in bad loans is an eye opener and shows that it is time for massive reforms by the Central Bank to stop excessive interest charges for bank customers which are directly increasing the alarming rise in the bad loans ratio here.

A total of 182 GCC newspapers and magazines closed since the start of last year. This is a sad note for the print media industry, which is shrinking each day, either due to cost factors or interest generated by online media. A realistic attempt should be made at school levels to initiate daily reading of news from printed sources.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi



To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Bus services for a city on the move - My Letters - THE NATIONAL - Dt. 13.09.2010

My Letters - THE NATIONAL - Dt. 13.09.2010 - Bus services for a city on the move



Bus services for a city on the move
It has been 27 months since Abu Dhabi Department of Transport started its brand-new, world-class, handicap-accessible buses.

Within this short time, it has grown into a service consisting of 12 main city bus routes and seven suburb bus routes extending its reach up to connecting town centres like Bani Yas, Shahama, Mussaffa and Khalifa City.

Public acceptance of this economic mode of transport can be clearly seen in the rush during peak travel hours. This is particularly the case on city routes that are fully packed to the limit with passengers.

This acceptance of public transport is very encouraging in terms of reducing the city traffic but at the same times calls for an upgrade on the frequency of buses operating within the city, especially on routes operating within the main city streets.

I request that the Abu Dhabi Department of Transportation initiates more bus services during peak hours to ease the travel difficulties of passengers in Abu Dhabi.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Team 1 Daily LAWS - Dt 11.09.2010 - A special thank you note

Team 1 Daily LAWS - Dt 11.09.2010 - A special thank you note

Short Take - Gulf Today Dt 11.09.2010 - Mail shock

Short Take - Gulf Today Dt 11.09.2010 - Mail shock

A few weeks ago, I was talking on the mobile with a friend based in Dubai. After 10 minutes, I received an email from him saying that he was stuck in Switzerland and lost his wallet, all credit cards and money.

The email continued requesting my help to rescue him out by sending a specified amount of money in US dollars which the author said will be given to me upon replying to the email. I knew then and there itself that his email account has been hacked.

I called him and he was shocked to hear this news. Within minutes he was receiving several calls from his friends who did not talk to him for some time and they all suspected the same or even thought whether it was real as he travels extensively. The damage had been done by then, and he was unable to recover the email address or thousands of contacts and records in it. Just the other day, the same thing happened to another friend based in Abu Dhabi. His friends too got a similar email and he too lost all details.

There is a new email hacking or threat happening now, which you may or may not be aware of. Please do not therefore use your email account from unknown computers or locations. Even if you have to use it, clear the cache, and history on the computer immediately.

Also, please do use a different password whenever you register yourself at new sites or promotional websites and keep it entirely different from your email password. Thirdly, please keep changing the password periodically. Hope, you do not get to become a victim the next time.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit, GULF TODAY online.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Eid Mubarak 2010

Eid Mubarak 2010


Wish all my friends a happy and prosperous Eid Mubarak and great year ahead.

Ramesh Menon
09.09.2010

Sunday, September 5, 2010

My Letters - GULF NEWS - Air India cancels flights to Gulf sector

My Letters - GULF NEWS - Air India cancels flights to Gulf sector

Services to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Muscat and Kuwait are affected by the decision.

By Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter Published: 20:14 September 4, 2010 Reader comments (1)

Flights to some of the sectors are curtailed, and not cancelled. It is mainly due to commercial reasons as Air India is already operating flights to all these sectors, said Abhay Pathak, the regional head of Air India. Image Credit: Gulf News Dubai: Passengers have been left high and dry after India's budget airline Air India Express announced plans to cut down more than 200 services to destinations including the Gulf Sector.

Services to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Muscat and Kuwait are affected by the decision.

Abhay Pathak, the regional head of Air India told Gulf News the decision has been taken considering both operational and commercial reasons.

"Flights to some of the sectors have been curtailed, and not cancelled. It is mainly due to commercial reasons as Air India is already operating flights to all these sectors," said Pathak.

He added that the decision was also taken because the unavailability of pilots. "The licensing of expat pilots is a long procedure and the needed numbers are not available now. Moreover we need to curtail the flying hours in order to continue the services," he said.

According to him, only the daily flight to Cochin-Sharjah has been knocked off. "From Sharjah to to Thiruvananthapuram sector, four-day week service is cut down to two days. Likewise, for the flights in the Calicut sector, the daily service is reduced to three days a week," said Pathak, adding that the number of cancellations quoted in the media is exaggerated.

For Air India Express operating from Dubai, flights to Thiruvananthapuram will operate six days a week and not daily. Flights to Lucknow have been reduced to three days a week from the current four days.

Pathak said all the passengers who are booked to these sectors "will be taken care of and will not be affected by the cancellations."

According to reports quoting airline officials from India, the decision will come into effect from next week. "Around 203 flights (73 from Kozhikode, 74 from Thiruvananthapuram and 56 from Kochi) stand cancelled

My comments as follows:

As a NRI, the news that Air India cancels flights to Gulf Sector is a great relief. In fact, they should entirely stop the operations to GULF region rather than knocking down a selected sector and reducing frequency of others as announced by regional head of the national carrier of India. This step will surely reduce confusion in the minds of thousands of Indian expats from this region before they plan there holiday or emergency travel as to whether they opt for Air India as their preferred travel partner. Not any more in two minds and will never be too, if this attitude of Air India continues towards one of it's maximum revenue generating sector. Whatever be the reason explained for this sudden reduction of flights just before the expat families return, this will definitely cause severe difficulties to the planning and scheduling of their return before the school starts after Eid holidays. Surprisingly, all representatives of the political parties show a harmonious honeymoon in keeping their silence towards these acts of Air India. Indeed for several of them, travel by Air India has never been an automatic choice whenever they travel out off the state even to other states or abroad destination. It is high time that regional organisations should raise their voice collectively and from, now on completely refrain from using Air India to protest against this step motherly treatment towards southern sector of India.


Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Passionate Photographers 2000 members and 7795 photos…Our journey continues

Passionate Photographers 2000 members and 7795 photos…Our journey continues

Dear Passionate Photographers,

2000 members and 7795 photos…

I am very happy to write to you today that we have reached 2000 members. As the name denotes, it is a small community passionate about photography. Thus, as a member, you may not get to see many communication to cheer or responses each time when you contribute out of Passion from fellow members. They may be keeping their comments within, out of sheer enjoyment or as pride possession of the value of their words.

Therefore, be inspired by yourself, be proud of your creativity and continue to click confidently and exhibit at Passionate Photographers group without inhibition. The moment it is displayed here, it will get noticed and will be enjoyed by one and all.

Like the goods train in this picture, let us all continue our journey here slow and steady. I repeat the golden words that came to my mind when I created this group. “Every photo clicked is a history. You will never be able to re-create that precious moment.”

Dedicate this group to all those who are passionate about photography. Invite them and encourage them to present their precious clicks.

Best wishes to all of you on behalf of all the Admin team members,

Ramesh Menon
04.09.2010

Invite your friends by clicking the link below:

http://groups.to/passionatephotographers/

Short Take - GULF TODAY Dt. 04.09.2010 - New Vigour

Short Take - GULF TODAY Dt. 04.09.2010 - New Vigour


New vigour

The Holy Month of Ramadan is almost getting over. Children and families have started arriving back to the UAE after their summer holidays. Many of them have had an extended stay this year due to additional holidays declared by educational ministry for children. The intensity of summer has also reduced. It is a new vigour and enthusiasm for all those who have taken this break. It should now be utilised to the year ahead.

Those memories, those beautiful scenes, interactions and travelogues should all be shared as positively as one can with friends and well wishers. Constructive methods and schemes observed should be tried to blend in to our society as far as possible. Readers should start transforming themselves from mere observers to active participants.

After all, the UAE is our home away from home, which gives us the opportunity to buy our daily bread and supplement ourselves for a future ahead. Let us be part of a contributing community that reacts to the needs of the hour as and when a necessity arises. Be active and interact with all the new energy you have gained during your summer break.

Ramesh Menon

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Photo Speaks - Keep clicking

Photo Speaks - Keep clicking



I found this Forest guard at Athirappally Waterfalls a very interesting person. He was assisting a couple from Middle East to explain the scenic beauty of the area in a detailed way with his bits and pieces of English. And many times, he helped them to click photos together. Observing him, I found that, he was observing others taking photos and did not well about lighting and areas specific to get the background beauty.

Passionate Photographers - 1999 members

Passionate Photographers - 1999 members


1999 members,7787 Photos, our journey continues.

Every photo clicked is a history. You will never be able to re-create that precious moment. Dedicate this group to all those who are passionate about photography. Invite them and encourage them to present their precious clicks.

http://groups.to/passionatephotographers/

Ramesh Menon
02 Sep 2010