Hopes and Dreams 2015 - Peace and Harmony - Gulf News Dt 31 December 2014

Peace and harmony

The year 2014 was one with mixed feelings filled with disappointments and achievements. From a global perspective, I am saddened by the manmade calamities happening around for known and unknown reasons or ideologies. As educated people, we can stay focused on goodwill and harmonious living. There is no other alternate way to win over the current situation. Do not fall prey to the call for extreme actions at any cost.

Looking ahead into 2015 gives lots of hope and optimism for those who wish to bring good to their communities. Personally, I am keen on seeing a peaceful and prosperous world around. To fit in my humble role towards this goal, I will try my best to create positive vibes through my writings.

From Mr Ramesh Menon

Abu Dhabi

Avoidable anger - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 27-12-2014

Avoidable anger

The year that is passing by swiftly and silently has been one with mixed emotions and experiences. There were plus and minus aspects as always. Travelling around gave several opportunities for thoughts and photography opportunities, which led to many useful insights that I shared with interest through the Short Take column.

Last week, I was at the airport check-in. The line was long and the airline system was working slow due to some connection problem. A pregnant lady was at the counter handling the passengers. The delay made everyone restless. But, one passenger was more expressive. He reached the counter and as the process took extremely long, he started raising his voice and showering strong words at the girl. The lady was helpless and kept her silence and emotions well.

Standing behind him and watching all the actions, I asked him whether there was any need to raise his voice in such a tense situation unnecessarily as it raised emotions of others as well.

He said to me that it is his way of doing things and he felt comfortable by shouting at her. I smiled at him as well as the lady who was listening to the conversation, as she felt relieved to get some support.

We moved on to the security check point and a person ahead had some items inside his bag which was creating an alarm with the security system.

The screening process had to be repeated several times and it took time.

The man who created ruckus a few minutes before was behind and was standing without any option to show his emotions at the security staff.

We all who watched him shouting looked at him to see how he expressed his anger this time. He knew what we intended and gave us a helpless smile. It was sure he was sorry about what happened before.

A smile has several positive values at all situations. Let the year ahead be a positive one and let us all spread happiness and positive spirit with a sweet smile to those we meet.

Ramesh Menon

Gulf Today – Short Take Dt 27-12-2014

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

Life without a phone - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 20-12-2014

Life without a phone

Weekends are always special. But the last weekend was extra special. I got myself ready with my cameras early morning and set out to capture the sight of the race boats participating in the Volvo Ocean Race reaching Abu Dhabi. It was interesting as the non-favourable wind and weather delayed the arrival. What was supposed to be a two-hour boat trip got extended to more than five hours.

The experience was really good enough to understand the difficulties of the sailors out in the sea. It was all the more tough with limited facilities for those in the race boats participating in this extreme sport.

Closely covering and photographing the journey of the first three boats, I became friendly with the crew and wanted to have some personal shots and thought of taking it using my mobile phone instead of the professional camera. I was happy to pose with them and have some personal memorabilia shots taken.

Someone else had other ideas. As I moved along the crowd and got out to my car, I could not find my phone. I thought it would have fallen down. Reaching home, I searched all over and rang my number. It was ringing. In a few minutes it was giving a switched off mode and gone!

It took a few days for me to get a replacement SIM and phone and reorganise myself. At the beginning, I was feeling sad for the lost phone and the precious photos with the super heroes of Volvo Ocean Race. After a while, I did surrender to the reality and changed it to a blissful situation of absolute silence.

Life without a phone and calls. Unbelievable and absolute peace. Should I thank whoever took my phone and made it possible!

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today Short Take - Dt -20-12-2014

To bee, or not to bee - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 13 December 2014

To bee, or not to bee

Our life is full of predictable and unpredictable actions and activities. That is one thing that makes it interesting. For me, for you and everyone for that matter.

I have been fascinated by a beehive in my balcony that has  developed into a beautiful one in size and population.

As the number of bees started growing, we took more caution to leave them alone. What will happen if by chance, the hive was disturbed!

My interest in nature held me from taking any action to remove the hive. I kept on observing them, their lifestyle and routine. With still and video photography, I kept on recording their activities from morning till night.

At one point, it was sure that the hive had to be removed. I was feeling sad till the last minute, as we had to remove it completely from our area.

The action known to us was unknown to the creatures. It gave me an opportunity to think about various natural calamities that happen suddenly without any notice to mankind.

At times, however equipped we are, we are helpless in front of nature and its fury or even any other destructive force that is on us. There is a lot to think about this and am leaving it to your imagination.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online

Communal Harmony - Reader Pictures - Gulf News Dt 08 Dec 2014

Gulf News reader Ramesh Menon took this photograph in Bengaluru, India. The Abu Dhabi-based reader said: “Wherever flowers blossom, you are sure to see honey bees. Our apartment complex was no exception. Pictured is a bee hive getting bigger, better and more beautiful each day, in my balcony. It would be a disaster if they are disturbed or hurt. They exhibit true communal harmony, which is very important for peaceful living.”

To read and see it in original, please visit Gulf News online

Busy bee - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 06-12-2014

Busy bee

I like to travel and of course without fail my camera is always there with me. Visiting different places and meeting people known and unknown give me opportunities to explore new horizons.

Thanks to a long holiday in the UAE, I am currently exploring various cities.

This time my subject is not human beings but a colony of honey bees at a particular spot. Last time, when I visited, the hive was in a substantial size and shape. This time, they have become bigger and better. Without disturbing their habitat, I am exploring their life through different zoom lenses.

It is interesting and keeps me busy. Every story has to have an end and this one too. Very soon, the hive will be removed and harvested for honey and wax.

That makes me wonder if man is the greediest of living beings!

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit GULF TODAY online

Public speaking - Short Take - Gulf Today - Dt. 29 November 2014

Public speaking

Public Speaking is an art. Some people are very talented at it. So much so, that we love to hear them speak for any number of hours.

It may be natural for some but for others it may be developed over a period of years. Both require indepth knowledge on the subject they speak and also huge amount of preparation before.

It is also the same case when it comes to answering questions spontaneously after the speech on the subject they talked as well as various others.

I was lucky to listen to two such speakers recently. One was a US scientist, who elaborated his mastery and presented it in the simplest manner that even a layman could understand.

The other one was one of my own seniors. With experience in the industry for about 40 years, it is a treat to watch and listen to him on any day. It comes so natural that the audience will never realise how much time and topic is covered until he leaves the podium.

It doesn’t end there as he has a natural way to answer post-speech questions. I haven’t seen him carrying a manuscript for his speech.

However, it was new experience for me and all others gathered who listened to him the other day at a huge gathering.

As he came in front of the podium, he took out a set of papers. Before reading out the key messages from it, he said to all. “Today, I am a virgin! It is the first time I am reading out from a pre-written note!”

It was really an icebreaker to capture the huge audience. Though he ventured out from the note at times, it blended perfectly.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

Abu Dhabi’s F1 Grand Prix was a great specactle - Letters to the editor - The National Dt 25 November 2014

Fans applaud the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix. (Christopher Pike / The National)

Well done, Abu Dhabi, on a successful finale to the Formula One series (Hamilton takes Abu Dhabi GP, November 24).

The Etihad Formula One Grand Prix really was a treat to watch. The organisers did a great job from the issuing of tickets to the closing event.

Praise should be showered on the volunteers from Takatof who were well trained and well informed.

However, I have a wish list for next year’s event. It includes more television screens in the general stands, free earphones for following the commentary in English and Arabic, and a prominent display showing the lap number. Transport after the race is also an area for improvement.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit The National online.

Cancer battle - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt. 22 November 2014

Cancer battle

On a visit to India last week, I was at the lounge of Abu Dhabi airport waiting to board a plane. The renovation work happening there meant that the space was crowded.

Among the passengers I found a well dressed lady walking back and forth restlessly answering to phone calls and making her own calls.

At some point of time, she came close to where I was standing and I found that she was calling doctors at a Cochin hospital and enquiring about the health condition of someone in the ICU. Feeling for her stressful situation, I started a conversation with her just to make her relax a bit.

Talking to her I found out that she is a medical professional from Washington DC on an emergency visit to Kerala as her father has been admitted at a prominent hospital in Cochin.

She told me that her father was normal a few months ago and had visited her in the US.

Recently, he was found diagnosed with cancer and added heart and other conditions made things worse and his kidney had stopped functioning now.

It happened that there was lack of medical support and things have now turned out to be really worse.

To aid speedy recovery and assist with right medical guidance she decided to take emergency leave and fly down.

We talked about the recent increase in cancer of various types, especially in the region. Our topics also covered lack of proper medical guidance to the patients and their support system.

At the Cochin airport, I assured her all support if ever she required and left for home.

Next day, I was visiting Cochin for a personal reason and was driving in front of the hospital where her dad was being treated.

To my surprise, I found her coming out of the gate and I told my driver to stop.

She too was surprised to see me again. Her face was totally down and she told me that her dad’s condition had worsened and they did not have any hope. They would try and keep him in a ventilator till her husband and children arrived from the US in the next two days.

I felt too sad and consoled her. Having undergone similar situations in my life twice in the recent years, I know how distressing it is. I said goodbye to her, offering prayers for the speedy recovery of her dad.

Although, it was an unhappy situation we met, I never expected her to meet again when I left her at Cochin airport but we met again and hope we will meet again as her love and willingness for her dad left everlasting impressions in me.

Ramesh Menon

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

Learning experience - Gulf Today - Short Take - Dt 15 November 2014

Learning experience

It was a hectic week with Adipec 2014 celebrating its 30th anniversary.

The prestigious oil and gas exhibition and conference has gained immense popularity over the years. It was proved by the continuous flow of visitors with their quest to know more about technology and expertise present in each of the stands.

The event offered an opportunity to meet with colleagues who arrived for the exhibition from different parts of the world and also make some new friends who were first timers.

Observing them and many others in our and various other stands was a learning experience by its own. Some people make it a show and some others contribute significantly to make the show run!

For me, it was a month of long working hours and I needed a break. Off to the airport straight from the exhibition, I realised my dress was completely out of form.

I approached an outlet where an Ethiopian salesgirl gave me the right choice of shorts, jackets, belt and other accessories. In no time, I was relaxed and comfortable in my new dress.

Good customer service is an inborn art and a person like her should be congratulated and promoted to be role models. Our travel becomes all the more interesting when we come across such pleasant salespersons.

Ramesh Menon

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

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 would love to read your comments.

Thank you and best regards - Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi - Clicksand Writes

Noble cause - Short Take - Gulf Today - Dt 01 November 2014

Noble cause

Weekends are something one looks forward to. Come Sunday, and work keeps all busy. Occasional attendance to some public function may be the only diversion to this schedule. Come Thursday and things change. We look forward to meeting friends and a series of activities rejuvenate us.

One of the activities in my life is to assist a group of friends in serving the less fortunate and less educated within our society. Less fortunate is common to all. However, less educated is an interesting term I imbibed recently from an elderly person.

We were in the middle of a health awareness campaign and one among us casually checked his blood sugar level. He was well educated, a teetotaler, and had a disciplined life. However, he was found with a higher than normal blood sugar level.

That was a chance discovery, which in normal case would have gone unnoticed till it had aggravated. A casual persuasive talk by someone to have his parameters checked helped him avert a danger to his life.

This is an important lesson we learnt. This has given us more vigour to come all out and create awareness to the less educated and less fortunate about health and dangers of smoking. Added with a bit of awareness on road safety, our mission each week is full of bliss.

End of the weekend, we all say blessed when we are able to convince someone to stop smoking or drinking or even help diagnose an unknown medical condition and assist him to get appropriate treatment.

Ramesh Menon

Gulf Today - Short Take - Dt 1st November 2014

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: Short Take

I would love to read your comments.

Thank you and best regards - Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi - Clicksand Writes

De Margerie’s death a big loss - The National Dt 27 October 2014

De Margerie’s death a big loss

I refer to the article New boss assures Total’s commitment to Abu Dhabi (October 26).

The former Total chief Christophe de Margerie was a true leader who personified human values, professionalism and charisma. He was a very special man. He was at the forefront of major events such as Adipec and Formula 1.

He was a towering personality who will live forever in our memory.

He was famous for his quick wit, pleasant demeanour and warm handshakes.

I offer my condolences to his family and colleagues. May his soul rest in peace.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read it in original, please visit The National online

Drive Safe - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 25 October 2014

Drive safe

I am always worried when I get to see people driving dangerously. It has been a routine to talk and promote about safety on the road and elsewhere. From experience, I have felt people have to be consistently reminded of safe driving habits.

A moment of lapse in attention is enough to result in a major road disaster.

This is again and again proved when I drive on the Abu Dhabi – Dubai highway.

I was driving back from Dubai a few days ago and found the car in front of me not in control and wavering from one line to another. Feeling something dangerous going to happen as I watched a few distance from behind, I flashed and honked the driver to stop.

I went to him and talked to him whether he was ok. I found him exhausted and sleepy. It took some time for me to convince him to stop for some time, take enough rest and re-start his journey.

Many times, we may not get to be in that situation. I realised that it is not enough to drive carefully. But, we also need to watch out for others’ mistakes.

Beware of others’ mistakes. True to its word, at times we are really helpless.

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 would love to read your comments.

Thank you and best regards - Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi - Clicksand Writes

Key words: Road Safety, Safety First

Jaywalking on the increase

Jaywalking on the increase 

I would like to bring readers’ attention to the fact that jaywalking has increased on the streets of Abu Dhabi – especially along Sheikh Zayed the First Street (formerly Electra Road).

I find driving in the evening quite dangerous, because people of all ages cross the road at will.

I don’t know why they do this without any consideration for their own lives, but I do know that a lack of fencing is allowing them to do it.

I believe the distance between the pedestrian crossings is too far, so people take the easy option. I also think that some people avoid using the underpass because they feel unsafe doing so.

There should be an official campaign to fine people who jaywalk, and this fine should be increased if the person is talking on a mobile phone or listening to music through earphones.

I would like to see fencing along the median strip and signage to indicate the location of the underpass.

Let’s work together to make safety a priority.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi

To read this in original, please visit The National 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. Thank you and best regards - Ramesh Menon

Time to click - Gulf Today, Short Take Dated 18 October 2014

Time to click

Modern technology gives plenty of options for children to develop several hobbies. At times, I really wonder how children learn things on their own within no time.

The other day, I was attending a function and noticed a young girl sitting next to her mother. She was restless as the programme was meant for adults and she had tagged along her mother.

However, I knew from her actions that she was listening to the speech carefully. As it progressed, I watched her taking her mother’s Android phone. She opened in it an application to take photos. The next thing I saw was her taking a photo of the stage and the speaker. In no time, she edited the photo in different ways, added graphics and text and made a collage out of it. Sitting and watching her closely from behind, I was wonderstruck. How children expresses their mind in many different ways!

Photography is an ideal opportunity for children and adults to express their creativity. It is a way of looking things with a positive frame of mind. I also believe that photography is a way of putting your stamp on history. Every photo you click is an item added to the history of our life or even the world. We can never recreate the same again. The light, the expression and even the air pattern may change in the next second and you can never reproduce the same effect again.

In order to promote photography interest and also to create interest in the architectural history of Abu Dhabi, a photography competition is organised by the ADIPEC.

The theme “Abu Dhabi Architecture” encourages young photographers to uncover the splendor of modern Abu Dhabi as seen through their lenses by capturing rural or urban city scenes, landscapes, landmarks – both modern and classical, e.g. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace, Yas Marina, Capital Gate and also view of Corniche, Yas Island.

The theme focuses on uncovering the beauty that modern Abu Dhabi has to offer – be it a secret hideaway, a colorful graffiti wall, a bustling city scene, a unique attraction or spectacular views. Children in the age group 11-18 can participate. More details can be obtained at http://clicksandwrites.blogspot.ae/search/label/Young%20ADIPEC.

The deadline to submit the photos is Oct.31, 2014.

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. Thank you and best regards - Ramesh Menon

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

Marching ahead - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt 27 September 2014

Marching ahead

India has successfully launched an orbiter to Mars. But even during such good times, one can see grumblers raising their head. Someone opined that India should have put a national flag on the spacecraft!

These are not achievements that should be credited as individual or country-specific. These are for the welfare and progress of mankind.

There are other achievements happening too. A group of five Emirati students went on a scholarship programme organised by the French Embassy, Image Nation and Total to study film making at the prestigious La Femis Institute in Paris.

During their five-week stay, they literally learned the state-of-the-art technology and also what life is in a metropolitan European city suburb.

The funniest thing for them was the interaction one of them had with a group of local people. He was enthusiastic and made friendship with some people in his neighbourhood.  As he left them and moved to his apartment, he realised something missing. It was his mobile phone. He knew by then what happened with the new friends and their methods.

He used another phone and called on his number. Promptly, someone speaking Arabic answered. He said, “I know it is you calling for the phone. It is with me now and I took it from you.”

Our gleeful friend thanked him wholeheartedly.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online

Setting an example - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt. 20 September 2014

Setting an example

During a recent visit to Bangalore, I had the opportunity to meet the head of the department at the college where my son is studying.

I was expecting a senior man with a firm face and no smile. As the attendant took me to his office, I was pleasantly surprised. There sits in that responsible seat a man in the early forties, who greeted me with a welcome smile.

Talking to me about the student behaviour, he narrated an example. He quoted to me the sadhya, i.e. the traditional feast we have.

He said, “Education is like the rice in the sadhya served along with numerous other items like pickle and curries.”

One cannot fill his stomach by consuming the pickle or curries. He has to have rice to satisfy his hunger and be happy. Education is just like that. A student in a professional college should take it seriously and consider it the most important phase in his life till he passes out in the first attempt.

Other activities like partying etc. should be given a secondary spot in his daily life. Only then will he be able to enjoy life. Once he passes out with a good score and secures employment with a decent pay package, all the fun activities will follow suit.

If he ignored education, he will face enormous difficulties.

I was impressed by his attentiveness to minute details of each of his students, from first year to final year, in his department.

Having studied in the same college, worked outside and returning to the same college to head the Mechanical Engineering department, Prof. Ravishankar showed a complete belongingness of the institution.

Educationists like him are an asset to the community.

Ramesh Menon

To read it in original, please visit, Short Take, Gulf Today Dt 20 September 2014

New road will ease traffic - Letters to the editor - The National 15 September 2014

New road will ease traffic

I am sure commuters will be relieved when the road works are complete in the Al Wahda Mall area (Road works expected to ease access to Al Wahda Mall, September 14).

Apart from congestion, the bus stop dedicated to the shopping complex posed a visual obstruction for drivers exiting the mall. Another shortcoming was the lack of sunshades for bus passengers. These two issues, I hope, will be resolved.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi