Fill it, Dig it, Forget it! - Kadugodi Whitefield Road that WORKS

In an year how many times this small stretch of road at Kadugodi Whitefiled has been filled, digged again and then left like that! Pathetic! Even the tractor guys are finding it difficult to drive. So you can imagine how difficult it is for cars and two wheelers. The way the work for pipeline is being carried out at one point here, I feel, very soon, they will find oil here! No one can drive. Not to forget the speed at which the two wheelers ride on these roads. So, imagine the plight of those elderly or children who walk through this stretch to the Volvo Bus stand or Whitefield Railway station. Authorities - please open your eyes and do a neat job, once and for all.

             

Surprise(d) – Only 1 Indian University in the ARWU World top 400 ranking!

I am surprised to note that there is only 1 Indian University among the World top 400 in the ARWU ranking. 

The 2015 Academic Ranking of World Universities , most commonly called Shanghai Ranking is now available. Although often debated, its presentation of the world top 500 universities is known worldwide.

 The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) is conducted by researchers at the Center for World-Class Universities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CWCU). CWCU has been focusing on the study of world-class universities for many years, published the first Chinese-language book titled world-class universities and co-published the first English book titled world-class universities with European Centre for Higher Education of UNESCO. CWCU initiated the "First International Conference on World-Class Universities" (WCU-1) in 2005 and organizes the conference every second year, which attracts a large number of participants from all major countries. CWCU endeavors to build databases of major research universities in the world and clearinghouse of literature on world-class universities, and provide consultation for governments and universities.

http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU-Statistics-2015.html

Shanghai ranking - Statistics by University 1st 10

Shanghai ranking - Statistics by region

 

Shanghai ranking - comparison of universities with Indian Universities

Do you think there something wrong with our educational system compared to other top universities worldwide?

Hard work - Short Take - Gulf Today - Dt 8th August 2015

Hard work - Short Take - Gulf Today - Dt 8th August 2015

I love to visit Mumbai whenever I get a chance. The place has a lot of specialities, which no other city in India can boast about. First and foremost I value is the way people work hard to earn their daily bread. One will get to find people living and enjoying with even a meagre daily income.

My regular visits have helped me connect with a special friend in Mumbai. I met him six years ago during a rainy season, when I was waiting for a taxi outside my hotel.

Many taxis passed by but I was not comfortable as I felt they might stop in the submerged roads. Then came the old model van. Its poor condition with open windows made it convenient for me to explore my photography opportunities. The driver was familiar with the city and took me around for the next three days.

The rapport continued from then on and every time he was my driver to take me around in Mumbai.

This time too I called him, but he arrived in a different car. His owner had sold his favourite (mine too) vehicle and given him a different model.

While travelling, several topics came up for discussion. I asked him whether he wanted to have his own car one day. He said he was happy with the daily earnings he got after paying a fixed amount to the owner.

With his earnings, he takes care of his wife and children, who live in another state. He said, “I believe in hard work and may be one day I would buy a bigger car to take tourists around. I don’t pray for a lottery win or any other way that I do not deserve.”

I am looking forward to the time when he would drive around in his own vehicle.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

Hard work – only way to success

I love to visit Mumbai whenever I get a chance. The place has lot of specialties in it which no other city in India can boast about. First and foremost I value is the way people work hard to earn their daily bread. You will get to find people living and enjoying with even a meager daily income.

My regular visits have made me connect with a special friend in Mumbai. I met him 6 years ago during a rainy season, when I was waiting for a taxi outside my hotel. Many taxis came and I was not comfortable to stop them as I felt they may stop in the rain submerged roads. Then came one very old Maruti high roof van. The van’s poor condition with its windows opened made it convenient to explore my photography opportunities. He was familiar with the city and took me around for the next three days.

The rapport generated continued from then on and every time since then he was my driver to take me around when in Mumbai.

As usual this time too I called him and there he comes with a different car. His owner had sold his favorite (mine too) Maruti and now given him a Hyundai Getz.

We travelled around in it and several topics came up for discussion and one item was progress in one’s career. I asked him whether he wanted to have his own car one day? He said to me, he is happy with the daily earnings he gets after paying the owner Rs 500. Some days are good and some days bad. Minor works to the car will be done by him and any major repair by its owner. With it, he takes care of his wife and children, who live in another state.

He said, “Sir, I believe in hard work and may be one day, if I am able to save more, I will buy a bigger car – an Innova or something, where I can take tourists around. I don’t pray to god to get me a lottery or any other things which I do not deserve. Give me my daily bread and take care of my family. That is my prayer always”.

I felt great to hear from him those words, as of course, I have already found him to be a honest person from his interactions all these years.  I move around in the city with all my cameras and electronic equipment and not even once I felt insecure with him.

My driver and local guide Sandip Dubey (Mobile: 08080183510 / 08108453706) proved once again that there are good human beings everywhere. You can try him too if you are visiting Mumbai next time (he will be mostly near the International Airport). (Of course, all normal statutory warnings associated with self precaution connected to this citation).

I am looking forward to the time when he will drive around in his own Innova car.

Clean work - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 11 October 2014

Clean work

We did It! That was the feeling that joyously kept overflowing in our mind at around 2pm last Saturday.

While boarding on the plane to Bangalore from Abu Dhabi for Eid holidays, I had set some clear plans to act upon my arrival there.

Prior to my departure, I had messaged friends and well-wishers through email and social media about the cleaning of a highly-used pedestrian over bridge built an year ago over the Whitefield Railway crossing.

It was built after a Herculean media and public effort to highlight the difficulties and dangers of people getting killed often while crossing dangerously. Once built, the scenario changed. As any other public utility items, no one cared for it.

A handful of us, including my family and close friends, started the campaign at around 9am.

Not used to such acts, we had no idea how it would progress. However, we were prepared with brooms, garbage bags, gloves, cleaning clothes, bleaching powder, and other necessary items. We kept few brooms here and there on the stretch that anyone interested could join us.

As we progressed, Anand Sivaram, Manager of the Whitefield Railway Station and his staff joined us as also a few members of Kadugodi Police Station.

It was indeed an experience of a special kind.

We received “Thank you”, “Good Job” and also Thumbs up signs from many people who used the bridge during the time we were cleaning.

It was nice to see unknown people readily volunteering and taking the broom from our side and do cleaning work for some time. As a coin has two sides, there were those who passing negative comments too!

At the end of our effort, we landed up with 8 huge garbage bags full of leaves and other carelessly thrown away items on the sky walk. A sad thing was that that people who saw us cleaning and progressing ahead, walked further and threw paper and other waste without any civic concern.

Everyone should contribute to the welfare of the community, wherever we are.

Ramesh Menon 

To read it in original, please visit:

Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 11 October 2014

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. Thank you and best regards - Ramesh Menon

Guidelines for Indians - released by Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has issued a set of guidelines for Indian expats, giving them a list of do’s and don’ts for hassle-free living in the UAE.

The 34-page booklet titled Guidelines for Indians covers practical tips on a range of issues from general conduct, accommodation and driving to employment, finance, debt and import of medicines. It also spells out the services offered by the mission, the Indian Government’s welfare schemes and key contact numbers within the UAE. These guidelines will soon be available on the Indian Embassy website http://www.indembassyuae.org/

“The publication of the guidelines is yet another initiative to improve access to services by sharing information with the general public and enhancing a culture of transparency,” Indian Ambassador T.P. Seetharam said.

The in-depth section on employment spanning six pages covers everything from what an employment contract is and stipulated leave entitlements to sponsorships and how you can get labour disputes resolved.

Similarly, the check-list on accommodation advises expats to ensure they rent it “preferably from owner directly”; look for “24-hour security and availability of proper supply of water and electricity, preferably in pest-free buildings”, etc. Tips like “onus on payment of air-conditioning fees must be clarified” are also included.

Driving guidelines warn against throwing trash out of the car; hand gestures and taking to the roads under the influence of alcohol as it can lead to imprisonment and deportation. It also offers advice on how to get an international licence.

The list for general conduct say women can wear Indian/western clothes “but conservatively”; roads must be crossed only through zebra crossings and that residents should not eat or drink in public during Ramadan.

The financial tips are more detailed, warning Indian nationals not to blindly jump at credit card offers, withdrawing cash from them, using them to pay for investments or signing blank cheques to get credit cards. It reminds them that interest on these cards is very high and is charged on a monthly basis. “So do not take a personal loan unless it is for family emergencies such as medical expenses. While these loans are at low interest rates of 8-10 per cent, often people find it difficult to service them,” it says, adding: “If you really need to take cash loan, your priority should be a salary transfer loan or loan against assets like gold, fixed deposit or car.”

News Text courtesy: Gulf News online :

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/indian-expats-issued-guidelines-on-living-in-the-uae-1.1395848

Soft version of the guidelines: as provided by Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi

Please share it online with as many Indian residents as possible.

Thanks and regards,

Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi - Clicks and Writes

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. Thank you and best regards - Ramesh Menon

Overflowing toilets - a serious hygiene issue at Kadugodi Bus Station.

Overflowing toilets - a serious hygiene issue at Kadugodi Bus Station.

On Saturday, 4^th October 2014, a few of us came out with a plan to clean up the Kadugodi Pedestrian Over Bridge. It is almost a year since this structure became a reality. As regular users and also concerned community members, we were worried by the amount of waste materials being dumped on it. Added to it, the roof of the connecting side of the bridge to the railway station was heavily dumped with falling leaves, thrown away food and plastic materials.

It was an effort carried out by only few of us but we made sure the objective was well achieved.

A huge support was extended from the Whitefield Railway Station Manager, Mr. Anand Sivaram and his staff.

However, carrying out the cleaning campaign, we were shocked to observe an extremely serious hygiene issue.

At the side of the bridge connecting the BMTC station, we found, heavy leakage and clogging from the toilets of the bus station. As you may see from the photo attached, it was extremely disturbing site to see.

Checking with the Railway Station Manager, we found that, repeated plea from Railways to cement the leakage has been ignored and have seen no favorable action from BMTC side till now.

With frequent rain and with the waste accumulate increasing by each passing day; the situation is turning to a serious hygiene issue for public. There are many cases of dengue and other diseases getting reported and this will be another reason for spreading such cases.

It has to be noted that more than 10,000 people use the sky bridge for reaching the bus or railway station every day. 

Thinking more about it, I now find the reason why I get to see BMTC drivers and conductors relieving themselves on the road. The male staff can get away like that. But, what about the female staff? Where do they go, if the facilities are not properly maintained and managed?!

Organisations like BMTC should act proactively for the welfare of the public and their staff.

I humbly request BMTC Management through the office of BMTC MD, Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, to consider urgent repair of the toilets at Kadugodi BMTC station and plug the leaks and work hand in hand with Railway authorities to avoid any hygiene issues.

Sincere regards,

Ramesh Menon

Additional reading: 

Thank you - Kadugodi Pedestrian Overbridge Cleaning Campaign

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. Thank you and best regards - Ramesh Menon

Need for increased "speed control measures" by BTP in Kadugodi area

The connecting road from Hoskote to Hope Farm area of Whitefield Bangalore has been relayed beautifully by the authorities.

The work has been done in such a way that the road till the Kadugodi Over Bridge is smooth and in a drivable condition.

There is a danger awaiting here at all times.

With the completion of the road work, the traffic has gained momentum in terms of speed. This includes the buses and heavy trucks.

A U-turn exists near the bridge making it easy for residents of nearby communities to cross over to the other side of the road.

However, the removal of a speed breaker that existed is now causing lot of inconvenience and near miss situations for the drivers to turn and proceed.

The bikes, trucks and buses are all in a hurry and neither stops nor reduce the speed!

Another serious danger of children from an apartment complex nearby crossing over the road to take their school bus. On either side, these vehicles never reduce the speed. Coming down the narrow bridge, the vehicles tend to speed and proceed. Going towards the bridge, the vehicles compete with each other to reach the bridge first!

It doesn’t end there. Many vehicles coming from the Hoskote side, take advantage of the U-turn and cut across wrongly and proceed towards the market side or residential communities located there. This is extremely dangerous and has to be immediately controlled.

I humbly request BTP on this serious safety issue and resolve it by:

- Having appropriate reduce speed signage kept in this area.

- Having BTP patrol presence in the morning, especially when children go to school.

- Having increased BTP patrol presence, on first Sunday of the month where a regular function is held at Sai Vrindavan Ashram and heavy traffic and people movement happens.

- Kindly reroute the heavy trucks from this road and using the bridge, which causes regular traffic blocks.

Accidents have to be averted by taking necessary safety measures before and not after they have happened and valuable life lost.

Ramesh Menon

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. Thank you and best regards - Ramesh Menon

Sai Gokuldham Bangalore – an abode of a different kind

Sai Gokuldham Bangalore – an abode of a different kind

Sai Gokuldham

Sai Gokuldham, situated at Vaghatta agraha, about 18 kms from Kadugodi, Whitefield A divine place to visit. It is one of my favourite places to visit and didn't want to miss this time too. Run by Sri A P N Sharma ji, Sai Gokuldham takes good care of old, disowned, injured animals.  The village is also called Yogapuri, and said to be a chosen place  where yogis meditate.

In its final days, our time spent with this bull was really worth

During our visit, we met a few animals who are very young and another stet very old, and one of them in the last stage of its life.

Due to water shortage, the facility is being shifted to a new location at Maloor shortly, which will have more space for the animals. There will be also option for farming the grass required for the animals at the new facility.

Sri APN Sharama is looking for support for setting up this new facility. If anyone is interested to support, may contact him on +91 9845024039 or email: mayur_elecblr@rediff.com, cool_n83@rediffmail.com.

Sri APN Sharma

options for children to feed the animals

a retired guard dog has now found is home at Sai Gokuldham

It will be a good CSR activity to visit and spent half a day there supporting his great effort.

Recreation and refreshments can be arranged on request.

God bless and sincere regards,

Ramesh Menon