I believe that all great achievements and success in life, and all changes for the better, have one powerful characteristic in common: The First Step. Take the first step, and the journey has a way of taking care of itself.”
UAE is experiencing bad weather these days and it is our primary objective to value safety on the roads, not only for us, but also for our fellow drivers. Safety starts before you drive, and our goal should be to see and be seen. Replace windshield wiper inserts that leave streaks or don’t clear the glass in a single swipe. Make sure all headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are properly functioning so other drivers will see you during downpours. Turn on your headlights whenever you drive. Proper tire tread depth and inflation are imperative to maintaining good traction on wet roadways. Check each tire’s pressure, including the spare, at least once a month… and be sure to check the pressure when the tires are cold.
Also, please note to:
• Avoid Cruise Control • Slow Down and Leave Room • Respond carefully to a Skid
I have noticed an increase in number of people violating safety rules, including but not limited to the non-use of helmets and poor maintenance of the vehicles.
I have seen delivery men riding without any respect for their own their safety let alone that of other road users. They often tailgate at high speed.
The authorities should contact the companies that employ motorcycle riders to ensure that these people get regular road-safety briefings.
Road safety should remain a priority for everyone.
The Athirappilly Falls is situated 1000 ft above sea level
on the Chalakudy river, at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges of the Western
Ghats. Athirappalli is a scenic
combination of forests and little streams. Falling from a height of 80 feet,
this is one of the largest waterfalls in the state. Many endangered and endemic
species of flora and fauna are found in the forests of the
Athirapilly-Vazhachal area. This area is the only place in the Western Ghats
where four endangered hornbill species are seen. The Western Ghats is one of
the most important biodiversity hot spot in the world. This valuable natural
world is already degraded by mining and hydro electric projects.
Environmentalists claim that Athirapally is a one-of its-kind riparian
ecosystem in Kerala. V.S. Vijayan, Chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity
Board and former Director of the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural
History (SACON), Coimbatore, has been quoted in Down to Earth magazine as
affirming that the Vazhachal forest division is the second most biodiverse area
in the State. The International Bird Association has declared it an
"Important Bird Area" and the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation
has recommended that the area should be declared a sanctuary or a national
park, he points out.
Athirappilly is popular among tourists. Athirappilly Falls
is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Another popular waterfall to
visit is the Vazhachal Falls. Athirappilly Falls is a part of Chalakudy river
and it is approximately 80 feet in height. Athirappilly is easily reachable
from Chalakudy by taking a vehicle for rent or by bus from the Chalakudy
private bus terminal.
Proper precautions are taken on site to prevent mishaps
while swimming and a police camp is always positioned there. Athirappilly is
situated on SH-21 highway connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala, night driving is
not advised. But you can enjoy the adventurous drive in the middle of jungle.
Route through Valparai: Coimbatore-Pollachi 40 km-Valparai
65 km From Pollachi onwards, the road climbs up steeply through tea estates to
Valparai. From Valparai, the road goes through dense wild jungles after
Malakkiparai. Route is as follows: Valparai-Malakkiparai 22 km-Sholayar
24-Peringalkuthu Dam 25-Vazhachal 5-Athirapalli 5-Chalakudy 33 km.
Route through Angamaly: For tourists from Cochin and other
northern side of Kerala can take a short cut from Angamaly. After Passing
Angamaly take right turn after the bridge. This route will pass through
Mookkannoor, Edalakadu, Ezhattumugham, palm oil plantation and connect to
Athirapilly Vazhachal route. This route can save time, distance and you can
enjoy nature.
Route through Chalakudy: Tourists from Chalakudy and other
southern side of Kerala can take the Athirappilly route starting from Anamala
Jn. Chalakudy and pass through Kanjirapilly, Vettilapara Athirapilly route.
There is absolutely no human settlement between Malakkiparai
and Peringalkuthu Dam. Wildlife—elephants and bison—spill over onto the road,
and night driving is discouraged. Both Vazhachal and Athirapalli are on the
same Chalakudy river.
Athirapalli Falls is best visited during rains. The rest of
the year there is water flow but hardly the spectacle it is from June to
October.
There are two water theme parks (Silver Storm and Dream
Word) and many resorts on the way to Athirapilly.
A minute with ClicksandWrites is a series designed to
highlight various events that I attend or location that I visit through short
videos. The video also has a key safety message that is to remind each and
every one that safety is a priority for all, especially road safety.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely is the prime message that
is the need for the hour. Beware of other drivers mistakes and drive carefully
and cautiously see through to have a blessed day.
The Al Ain Air Championship (formerly known as Al Ain Aerobatic Show) is one of the longest running events held in the United Arab Emirates was held from 17-10 December 2015. The event is one of the world’s largest and prestigious aerobatic performance festivals, attracting a glittering array of the world's foremost military and civilian aerobatics teams and flying champions. Held in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi's heritage heartland, the event was designed to deliver a weekend of unforgettable family fun-- in the air, on the ground and across the destination.
Al Ain’s unique cultural heritage, natural assets and many attractions make it the perfect place to host such a dynamic championship event.
The show was organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and is supported by the UAE Air Force, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and Al Ain Municipality and partners.
A minute with ClicksandWrites is a series designed to highlight various events that I attend or location that I visit through short videos. The video also has a key safety message that is to remind each and every one that safety is a priority for all, especially road safety.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely is the prime message that is the need for the hour. Beware of other drivers mistakes and drive carefully and cautiously see through to have a blessed day.
It’s monsoon season in Kerala and raining heavily in most of
the parts. It is also coinciding with the summer holidays and Eid holidays and
the state is filled with tourists and residents visiting the state for short
holidays. Add to it the numerous student
communities who are on transitory phase moving from one course to another.
Every possible tourist destinations are full.
Due to heavy rains and the prevailing weather conditions,
the sea is very rough these days. At most of the places, statutory warnings
have been placed not to venture into the sea when it is rough. There are police
and safety personnel in place.
However, it is often noticed that certain young individuals
never follow these warnings. They do risk their life and then get themselves in
dangerous situations with no possible way to come out.
An incident happened last week during my visit where a group
of students from professional colleges drowned at Kovalam beach. 1 died and no
information about 4 others! It is sad to know that they were warned by the
safety wardens to stay away. But..
I was at another prominent beach on the same day and the
situation there too was not different. The sea was rough and many were risking
their life and playing in the rough sea.
This is not a one-off situation. We come across the same or
different life threatening situations many times.
Why is that our youth do not respond to safety warnings with
promptness and respect?
Does that show the need for including HSE as an important
individual subject in our curriculum and teach children from a young age to be
alert and be safe at all times.
Do you agree with me? (I value your comments).
As I update this post late night 5 days after the incident,
there is absolutely no news about the 4 young professionals who were swept away
by the tides of Kovalam beach. I also pray for their safe return, with little
hope, and for the courage of their friends and family for any adverse news.
The same day, as I visited another beach and watched the violent sea and numerous youth ignoring safety calls, I noticed this dog relaxing on the granite boundaries, in a no emotion mood. The photo illustrated portrays the feelings, one similar to
the helpless situation of the classmates of the students who went missing or
dead on that day. All efforts failed as
nothing could be done at this point of time except to remain silent at the
probable loss of valuable human life.
If you are in a group, the tendency to explore and enjoy
will be more. But remember always "SAFETY FIRST".
"Wherever you are, Whatever you do, Be alert, Be Safe and
think always about safety with an outlook – Safety for You, Safety for Me,
Safety for All."
This evening, I was casually looking through the windows down to the busy street of Abu Dhabi. Down to my building was a busy junction and vehicles passed to all side without any interruption.
After watching a few minutes, I noticed one thing. Each time the signal turns red, the drivers tend to maintain a safe distance from the pedestrian crossings!. I thought it was a one-off instance. My curiosity lead me to observe the flow of traffic for some more time. Each time the signal turned red, I found the vehicles maintaining a safe distance for pedestrians!
Isn’t nice to see this and term it as a success of the sustained effort of Abu Dhabi Police authorities to maintain a safe road!
Sincere appreciation and wish if the same attitude was maintained by all on highways too!
Each day, when we read the newspaper, there are reports of accidents due to speeding. A minute of careless attitude to safety of self and others on the road resulting in dangerous situation which may be fatal or lifelong.
How we can make things better was the thought that crossed my mind. More efforts required to make self discipline on the road a mandatory priority at all times.
Remember, “Safety First” and think “Safety for Me, Safety for You, Safety for All” when you are driving.
With the temperature consistently remaining high, I would
suggest the midday break be implemented with immediate effect. If you visit a
construction site, you will notice how exhausted the workers are. It’s also
necessary to ensure they get an adequate supply of water.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit The National online
I have seen workers in harnesses installing billboards or
putting stickers on high-rises. But when I looked closely, I noticed that most
of them did not have adequate safety gear. This has happened on more than two
occasions.
Once, I was frightened for a group of men who were working
on a seven-storey building without any protective gear whatsoever. I am sure
that these are not stray cases. People will continue to flout the safety rules
if such lapses are not reported.
At the same time, strict enforcement of rules is necessary.
It’s mostly smaller companies that ignore the rules as they
engage contract or part-time workers.
They need to be monitored all the time.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit The National online.
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
On Nov.3, we celebrated the UAE Flag Day. As part of the events of the
flag campaign “Raise it high… Raise it proud” we were hoisting the flag in
front of the mall where our office is situated. All management and staff were
present representing a high multi-national blend joining together to show our
solidarity to the country and its leaders’ vision.
The UAE national anthem was played at the end and we were just dispersing
when I suddenly noticed our vice-president Sultan Al Hajji rushing to the
middle of the pathway separating the main road from the mall.
I saw a group of school children running between the vehicles to a school
bus which had stopped wrongly on the middle of the road for them to alight.
I was shocked and my reaction was also as impulsive as my vice president.
I too rushed to the bus, stopped the children and went and requested the driver
to move the bus to a safe place for children to get in. All these happened in a
flash and we were able to control the children quickly.
We sent a request to the mall authorities and through them to the
government departments to have appropriate fencing immediately so that this
easy path that tempts drivers to stop midway ends.
We also came out with a plan to reroute the direction for larger groups,
especially children to board the bus in safety. End of the day, it became a
productive effort with excellent coordination from all concerned.
This spur of the moment action made our UAE Flag Day memorable. We felt
happy that we value safety.
Safety aspects cannot be given rest. Safety is everybody’s business.
That is the culture we wish to bring on in everyone’s mind.
Ramesh Menon
To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today Online
For all my readers:
If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Also explore the many 'previous articles' listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post.
You may also read similar articles at: Safety First
I am relieved to know that road accident rates in Abu Dhabi
have fallen (Deaths on roads decline by 17 per cent, November 2).
However, when I look at the way some drivers behave, I
cannot believe that we have made any significant achievement in terms of road
safety awareness.
For example, I regularly see school buses speeding through
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street, Corniche Road and through the narrow lanes of
Madinat Zayed. I see them being driven recklessly almost everywhere in the
city.
Are these drivers not bothered about the safety of children,
that of their own and other road users? Are they not even afraid of punishment?
More importantly, there is no way to alert the bus owners
about such dangerous behaviour as none of them carries the “Am I driving
safely?” sticker. This issue needs to be addressed urgently.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit The National online
If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Also explore the many 'previous articles' listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post.
You may also read similar articles at: Safety First
If not, start it as a habit. Health is one of Your Wealth.
Also, whenever you get an opportunity, feed animals.
It gives an immense feeling of joy, compassion and many more expression of known and unknown kind.
#PassionatePhotographers
#ClicksandWrites
#RameshMenonAbuDhabi
#InAbuDhabi
#HSE For all my readers:
If you enjoyed reading this post and wish to subscribe to my blog, please go to the left hand side and choose the last 'box' which says subscribe. Also explore the many 'previous articles' listed month-wise on the links above on the left side of the blog. Share the posts with your friends through Facebook, Twitter or other accounts using the buttons below each post.
You may also read similar articles at: Safety First
