43rd UAE National Day Decorative lighting at Abu Dhabi

Celebrate UAE Flag Day on Monday 3rd November 2014

UAE Flag Day will be celebrated tomorrow Monday 3rd November 2014.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced the Flag Day campaign, urging the public to express their patriotism. Patriots across the country will raise the United Arab Emirates flag high over homes, businesses and government buildings in honor of Flag Day.

The UAE flag will be raised at 12 :00 pm as a show of national unity. The Flag Day honors the anniversary of the accession of H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed as the UAE President.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan further explains that all the events organized by the Ministry as part of the Flag campaign aims to emphasize the vision of the ministry, and its mission to promote the national identity and community cohesion with the need to focus on the participation of all segments of society in the campaign, and organizing appropriate activities for all segments of the society.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan further explains that all the events organized by the Ministry as part of the Flag campaign aims to emphasize the vision of the ministry, and its mission to promote the national identity and community cohesion with the need to focus on the participation of all segments of society in the campaign, and organizing appropriate activities for all segments of the society.

The Flag campaign kicks off on the third of November and continues over seven days in all emirates through the ministry's in all emirates through cultural centers affiliated to the ministry, schools and shopping centers, in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, targeting and reaching all segments of the society..

The Ministry is keen this year on the participation of all citizens and residents of the country in the Flag campaign, through the various events, activities and programs the ministry offers.The events of the flag campaign includes workshops, lectures and cultural seminars addressing the value of the flag, its symbolism and history, in addition to events and carnivals for children including coloring, shows and competitions in various shopping centers, as well as radio contests throughout the campaign days.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development focuses to reach all citizens and residents of the state, either through media or direct communication with the public or through social networking websites, so as to achieve the greatest possible participation and interaction from different categories and age groups, symbolizing loyalty and belonging to this country and its wise leadership.

The Flag campaign under the slogan "Raise it High… Raise it Proud" is considered an opportunity for citizens and residents to express their feelings towards the UAE Flag, which is an embodiment of the meanings of greatness, pride and sense of belonging to the homeland, establishing the value of the flag and its symbolism as an essential component of the national identity. The UAE flag, moreover, symbolizes our Union, around which we all stand, as an evidence of the continuation of this generation and subsequent generations to follow the footsteps of the founding fathers of this nation who have unified all the seven Emirates..

The Flag campaign kicks off on the third of November and continues over seven days in all emirates through the ministry's in all emirates through cultural centers affiliated to the ministry, schools and shopping centers, in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, targeting and reaching all segments of the society..

The Ministry is keen this year on the participation of all citizens and residents of the country in the Flag campaign, through the various events, activities and programs the ministry offers.The events of the flag campaign includes workshops, lectures and cultural seminars addressing the value of the flag, its symbolism and history, in addition to events and carnivals for children including coloring, shows and competitions in various shopping centers, as well as radio contests throughout the campaign days.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development focuses to reach all citizens and residents of the state, either through media or direct communication with the public or through social networking websites, so as to achieve the greatest possible participation and interaction from different categories and age groups, symbolizing loyalty and belonging to this country and its wise leadership.

The Flag campaign under the slogan "Raise it High… Raise it Proud" is considered an opportunity for citizens and residents to express their feelings towards the UAE Flag, which is an embodiment of the meanings of greatness, pride and sense of belonging to the homeland, establishing the value of the flag and its symbolism as an essential component of the national identity. The UAE flag, moreover, symbolizes our Union, around which we all stand, as an evidence of the continuation of this generation and subsequent generations to follow the footsteps of the founding fathers of this nation who have unified all the seven Emirates.

To know more, please visit my source for this post: http://www.uaeflag.ae/en/FlagStory.aspx

Total launches global campaign to develop its brand awareness

Abu Dhabi - Total on Thursday launched its new international multimedia advertising campaign simultaneously in 21 countries to develop the Group's brand awareness.

The campaign highlights Total's operations in oil production, refining and marketing, as well as its role as a major player in natural gas (50% of its output) and as the global number two in solar power, through its subsidiary SunPower.

The campaign provides a tangible illustration of the meaning behind the Group's new baseline, "Committed to Better Energy", which puts the emphasis on producing "better", not "more".

In this way, the Group is sharing its conviction that the path to a responsible energy future lies first and foremost in energy that is safer, cleaner, more efficient, more innovative and accessible to as many people as possible.

To help shoulder this commitment, a large number of Group employees were involved in producing the campaign, and most of the scenes in the commercial were filmed at Total sites.

"Total is a leading global energy company. It needs a powerful brand over the long term to support the growth of its businesses. This large-scale campaign is the first of its kind in Total's history. It reflects both our size and our ambitions," said Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Total's Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications.

In another comment, Hatem Nuseibeh, President of Total E&P UAE and Group Representative, said:"our vision and our continuous improvement approach - always better - are seen in our work in the front lines, alongside and for our stakeholders."

He added "This isn't just a promise for the future, it's the everyday reality for Total's 100,000 employees."

The campaign will be deployed in 21 countries and will run in successive waves over the next three years on television, in the press, on the web and on social networks. It will also be featured in airports.

It will be displays in 15 international airports (Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Dammam, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Lagos, London Heathrow, Luanda, New Delhi, Paris CDG, Paris Orly, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Shanghai.

Total is one of the largest integrated oil and gas companies in the world, with activities in more than 130 countries. Its 100,000 employees put their expertise to work in every part of the industry -exploration and production of oil and natural gas, refining, chemicals, marketing and new energies. Total is working to help satisfy the global demand for energy, both today and tomorrow.

Total has been operating in Abu Dhabi for nearly 75 years and is involved in eight joint ventures. It has also operated Abu Al Bukhoosh field for nearly 40 years.

On Facebook, like and share with friends TOTAL UAE

To learn more, visit Total in UAE and find us on Facebook. 

Follow us on social media: #MakeThingsBetter

Key words: Total, Committed to Better Energy, Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, TOTAL UAE

New brand baseline and global Corporate advertising campaign for Total

Total is launching its new international multimedia advertising campaign simultaneously in 21 countries on October 2nd to develop the Group’s brand awareness. The campaign highlights Total’s operations in oil production, refi ning and marketing, as well as its role as a major player in natural gas (50% of its output) and as the global number two in solar power, through its subsidiary SunPower.

The campaign provides a tangible illustration of the meaning behind the Group’s new baseline, “Committed to Better Energy”, which puts the emphasis on producing “better”, not “more”. In this way, the Group is sharing its conviction that the path to a responsible energy future lies first and foremost in energy that is safer, cleaner, more efficient, more innovative and accessible to as many people as possible.

To help shoulder this commitment, a large number of Group employees were involved in producing the campaign, and most of the scenes in the commercial were fi lmed at Total sites.

“Total is a leading global energy company. It needs a powerful brand over the long term to support the growth of its businesses. This large-scale campaign is the first of its kind in Total’s history. It reflects both our size and our ambitions,” explains Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Total’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications. “Our vision and our continuous improvement approach – ‘always better’ – are seen in our work in the front lines, alongside and for our stakeholders. This isn’t just a promise for the future, it’s the everyday reality for Total’s 100,000 employees.”

On Facebook, like and share with friends TOTAL UAE

To learn more, visit Total in UAE and find us on Facebook. 

Follow us on social media: #MakeThingsBetter

Key words: Total, Committed to Better Energy, Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, TOTAL UAE

Photography Opportunity - "Our Story of the Date Palms"

Photography Opportunity - "Our Story of the Date Palms"

Have you ever watched the Palm trees flowering process. If not, watch them from now on. The trees have started flowering.

Normally, the process happen after the 2nd quarter of every year. But the last year, weather and nature was not kind enough and as a result, the palm trees did not flower during that time and now only they are flowering. These two important factors, Weather and Nature, always influence photography.

Now, they are in favour blessing the UAE weather and it’s natural vegetation.

It is time for you to take out your camera, identify a palm tree of your choice, photograph it every week, as it flowers, and the flower grow and become a full fledged date fruit and then it ripes and then it is harvested. You may get almost 12 - 16 weeks to see the process. Enjoy clicking as much as you can, post them here. 

Do not finish it there, do write your experiences, as you click the process, the life that happens, during the time, interesting period, as winter give way to summer and all the related events happens. Best wishes, Each one of you can submit as many photos as you can, but per week only one best click of you will be selected and then end of the project, 16 best clicks as a collage.

It will be a good observation cum photography experience if you track it and great team activity with your friends and family.

You may click them from wherever you are in the UAE. Opt to choose the growth sequence in one or two selected trees.

A display of this wonderful natural event and the result of your efforts submitted to Passionate Photographers group on Facebook is planned in mid 2014 when this seasonal cycle gets completed with the dates ripe, mature and fall down announcing the arrival of Christmas and another year end.

For parents with children and schools interested or not interested in Photography, this will be a very good exercise to have them observe the nature, the seasonal changes and to observe and realise how nature announces the arrival of the seasons in its own way. Since it is spread out during a period of four months, it will be also a test to find out how patient you are towards your short term and long term objectives.

Thus, to create an interactive interest among parents/children/teachers, photos of participating children below age 16 will be separately displayed and appreciated.

At the end of the project, those children who are participating in this event are welcome to write a short story - not less than 300 words - on their experience of capturing the season that passed by while photographing for this event.

A maximum of 16 photos, i.e. 1 photo per week for the next 4 months on the subject. 16 photos selected by each member / each month, ie March, April, May, Jun, clicks could be submitted. All photos will be exhibited digitally and best ones will find its way into an exhibition scheduled during a special occasion. 

Photos taken using Mobile Phones also can also be submitted.

Time Frame for clicking : 4th March 2014 – 4th July 2014.

Please post your clicks marked for this event on to the special event created at Passionate Photographers group and also email the soft copy of it to team1dubai@gmail.com with the subject line:
 Photo Competition - "Our Story of the Date Palms" 

Please note to observe the time and date you click along with the GPS location of your object, for jury to identify it before the exhibition.

Original high resolution files will be required to be submitted at a later stage with full information of the photo and photographer.

Files should not be modified or altered with.

Please share it with your friends and family who may be interested.

Please do not hesitate to contact me in case you have any further clarifications.

 To view the event page on Facebook, please visit Passionate Photographers group on Facebook.

For any further queries, please contact - Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi on Phone 050 8122319

Welcome to participate and Best wishes in advance.

Youth power - Gulf Today - Short Take Dt. 22 February 2014

Youth power

I had an opportunity to attend a forum “Big Achievements. Early Starts” conducted by the Salama Bint Al Nahyan Foundation. The five youth achievers, Abdul Muqeet Abdul Mannan, Adeeb Al Blooshi, Cameron Oliver, Dubai Abulhoul  and Hamda Al Bana were honoured.

They made individual presentations to the audience and followed it up with a one-to-one conversation. They talked about the rationale behind their ideas, how they accomplished them and the difficulties they faced.

All of them were crystal clear about their chosen path and had definite vision for their life ahead.

It also highlighted that these children are definitely an asset to the society and inspire many others as they progressed ahead.

No wonder, the forum opened up the hidden wealth of the nation - that is the “youth.” All those who attended left with confidence that the leaders of the country are rightly investing in local talents with a vision far ahead to make the UAE stand tall and proud among the nations of the world.

Ramesh Menon

Gulf Today, Short Take Dt. 22nd February 2014

To read it in original, please visit Gulf Today online.

UAE and India National Anthems by Naval Orchestra Band of Indian Navy

To all those who missed it:

UAE and India National Anthems by Naval Orchestra Band of Indian Navy

Enjoy the lively performance of Naval Orchestra Band of Indian Navy presenting both the UAE and Indian National Anthems. A very rare piece for all Indians in UAE. Share it with your friends as much as possible. Long live India - UAE friendly relationship.

Sincerely thank the Cultural Wing of Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Management Committee of India Social and Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi for organizing this rare event at Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, 17th September 2013.

I take this opportunity to salute all the men in white who guard our waters.

http://youtu.be/8c93PZEDAE4

Well done!

Well done!

(Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi) / 14 April 2013

Best wishes to Khaleej Times on its 35th birthday.

As a regular reader, I wish to congratulate the entire team for the excellent change brought in to the newspaper in print and online during the recent times.

The online edition is attractive and easy to read and save. Local and regional contents of importance are well covered in print. Sports coverage is one of the best with excellent tabulations and graphics whenever there is any prominent event happening.

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

5th Used Book Fair, an Invitation to Donate Books

5th Used Book Fair, an Invitation to Donate Books

Volunteer and Partner with SCHS to Endorse Reading & Preserve Books

Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) is finalizing preparations for the Fifth Used Book Fair which is going to be organized from February, 26th to March 1st 2013, in the Palm Garden at Lake Khaled in collaboration with Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). 

Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Vice President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Director General of SCHS, directed heads of organizing committees to evaluate previous book fairs, find advantages and disadvantages, and set up plans in order to improve this year’s Used Book Fair. 

With a number of objectives, including promoting the habit of reading through low priced books, planting the spirit of volunteerism in the minds of youth as well as raising funds to support the services and programs which SCHS provides to people with disabilities 5th Used Book Fair will begin on the 26th of February, 2013.  

It provides cultural and educational services to the entire community through recycling books. 

SCHS aims at integrating people with disabilities, encouraging volunteerism and introducing disabled students to public and private schools.

Jihad Abdel Qader directed his sincerest thanks to SCHS’s partners and 5th Used Book Fair sponsors and asked individuals and organizations to contribute to the event, which is organized to advance the academic knowledge of people through donating books.  He commented, “before collecting and receiving donated books, SCHS organizes a number of activities such as an informative campaign to get in touch with the public and motivate them to donate books. 

We receive donations at SCHS premises in Al Yarmouk Area. 

There is also the following number 06-5669966 for those who are interested or have the desire to participate or donate books”. 

To conclude, Jihad asked individuals and institutes to protect the accumulative knowledge of human beings and endorse the value of books as a source of information.

This year the Used Book Fair is targeting a variety of organizations, schools, universities, centers, and charities in partnership with Sharjah Educational Zone, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, and Youth Centers.

The partnerships and event maintains several objectives including; promoting the reading as a habit through offering low priced books, planting the spirit of volunteerism within youth and raising funds to support the services and programs which SCHS provides to people with disabilities.

Mona Abdel Kareem, Head of Public Schools Committee, believes the event provides cultural and educational services to the entire community.  She stated, “SCHS aims at integrating people with disabilities, encouraging volunteerism, and introducing disabled students to public and private schools.  Moreover, the Used Book Fair will provide financial support to SCHS through its revenues”. 

She also mentioned participation conditions which include donating books that are in good condition. Magazines and periodicals are excluded. 

Students who donate more than 20 books will receive a certificate in order to motivate them for further participation in such activities as well as allow them to feel the value of books.  Individuals, bodies, and institutes assisting in collecting books will be honored as well.

Another privilege for taking part in the Used Book Fair, according to Mona, would be the organizations or entities ability to be advertised before and throughout the event on fliers, banners and various other forms of media. 

Al Khaleej Newspaper will publish a quarter add page in color for the Used book Fair including its name and logo of these schools. 

As for pricing, it will begin from 3 AED for stories and books to 20 AED for references. 

Decorations will be left to participants to decide within the Organizing Committee standards.

February 20th 2013, is the current deadline to receive books and register participants.  

Furthermore, a special brochure with information about participants will be given to visitors in order to facilitate their certificate. 

Public and private schools can coordinate with Mohammad Bakr, Head of Activities and Programs Committee, for supplementary activities. 

Mona asked participating individuals and volunteers to commit begin at 10:00 AM and ends at 10:00 PM for their participation. 

They should work in harmony and cooperation in order to reflect a positive image of this cultural, intellectual and educatiional activity.  She recommended organizing shifts within the concept of team work. 

Khadeja Bamakhramah, Head of Centers, Institutes, and Charities Committee, spoke about participation standards. 

Schools which donate less than 2000 books will have one booth and those which donate over 2000 will have two booths and a certificate of their achievement.

Receiving books will be conducted directly through organizing committees. 

SCHS is going to organize the closing ceremony to honor its partners, sponsors and participants.  Commemorative gifts and certificates will be given to schools with the best organization, sales and commitment. 

Ahmed Shaheen Hosni, from Youth Centers, invited educational institutes to contribute and take part in the 5th Used Book Fair for the entertainment activities which will take place on the fair’s main stage in order to amuse and attract visitors.  He confirmed Youth Centers’ desires to cooperate and support this activity. 

Mona Abdel Kareem renewed her invitation to all schools, universities, centers and charities to work hard and volunteer to protect books, spread the habit of reading among the general public and raise funds to support the services SCHS provides to people with disabilities.

Jihad Abdel Qader, Coordinator for the Fifth Used Book Fair taking place on February 26th to March 1st 2013 in the Palm Garden at Lake Khaled in collaboration with Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), believes the fair will raise people’s awareness regarding culture, knowledge and volunteerism. 

The event is an invitation to collect the largest number of new, used, non-school books in order to instill the importance of volunteer efforts by students, parents and professionals. 

A number of objectives hold importance including: promoting the habit of reading through low priced books, planting the spirit of volunteerism in the minds of youth as well as raising funds to support the services and programs which SCHS provides to people with disabilities.

The 5th Used Book Fair will begin on the 26th of February, 2013.  It provides cultural and educational services to the entire community. 

According to the instructions of Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Vice President of Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Director General of SCHS, books should be classified according to subject, not according to the institutions or individuals who donated it.  For example, there will be a section for literature, humanities and politics.  This will make it easy for visitors to locate books.  Donators are going to be notified in order to classify books according to this system. 

Jihad encouraged schools, institutions, and charities to contribute to the event.  Books are to be received at SCHS.  There is also the following number 06-5669966 for those who are interested or have the desire to participate or donate books. 

Senior management for the fair has called upon public and private bodies, sponsors and other organizations to support this cultural, social and noble activity.

They’ve also invited individuals to donate books in order to spread knowledge among the largest number of people. 

Mohammad Faouzi, Head of the Private Schools Committee, mentioned his committee has managed to attract 25 private schools and two universities since October, 2012. 

It is working to attract more schools and universities. He mentioned the press conference which SCHS organized on December to explain the main idea and objectives of this fair to over 50 representatives of schools, clubs, universities and other institutes. 

He also invited everyone to contribute to this event.  Mohamed Al-Nabulsi, Head of the Volunteer Committee, said that his committee aims at recruiting volunteers from the age of 14 and above to work at the 5th Used Book Fair. 

There is much work to be done in order to present a positive image of this event.  Volunteers are welcome to work in any division at any time.

Mohamed provided the following number (050-1704250) and e-mail (Nabulsi@sch.org.ae) for those interested or those who maintain the desire to volunteer in this event which endorses the culture of volunteerism in the United Arab Emirates.

If interested in participating, you may also contact me on + 97150 8122319 to know more about this event and how you can volunteer and participate.

Give Your Book A New Life - SCHS announces the 5th USED BOOK FAIR - February 26th to March 1st 2013

Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Vice President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, Director General of SCHS, and Head of Organizing Committee, gave her orders to evaluate the previous circulations of the Used Books Fair, study its advantages and disadvantages to set plans to improve and increase its organization. 

Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammad Al Qasimi confirmed that organizing the book fair corresponds to the cultural approach founded by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah, who believes that books plant noble values and raise awareness and knowledge of people which will have positive implications for the entire society. 

SCHS is preparing to organize the 5th Used Books Fair from February 26^th to March 1st 2013. 

In October 2012 the fair’s various committees met twice to discuss, evaluate, and prepare for the event. 

Committees include Preparations Committee chaired by Mr. Jihad Abdel Qader, Attracting Public Schools Committee chaired by Mrs. Mona Abdel Kareem, Attracting Private Schools and Universities Committee chaired by Mr. Mohammad Faouzi, Media Committee chaired by Mr. Osama Mardini, Attracting Charities and Nonprofit Organizations Committee chaired by Mrs. Khadeja Bamakhramah, Secretariat Committee chaired by Mrs. MarymRaisy and Finance Committee chaired by Mr. Ezzat Alonchasa. 

In the two meetings, previous festivals were discussed thoroughly to determine weaknesses and strengths.  Committees will try to improve its weaknesses and enhance strengths according to a questionnaire given to participants to scan their opinions of many aspects such as organization, services, and contributions. 

The Used Books Fair is a project with enormous humanitarian, cultural, and noble values that corresponds to Sharjah’s educational and cultural priorities.  It raises awareness of disability issues in UAE and countries that are nearby.  It endorses the concept of volunteerism in the minds of younth, students, and community members and provides SCHS with a modest income. 

Mr. Jihad Abdel Qader stated the stage of collecting books includes several activities such as a promotional campaign under the theme “Give your Book a New Life” which encourages people to contribute. 

If someone wants to donate their used books, they can call SCHS at 06 5669966 and give their donations.

The campaign aims at collecting – non text book— books of different languages; reminding the community of the connection between the event and SCHS and giving a chance to those who want to support SCHS. As well as telling the general public about SCHS’smission and values. 

The promotional campaign will include the seven Emirates. 

SCHS is a leading institute in organizing such events which promote the habit of reading to increase people’s knowledge and expand their horizons. 

Mr. Osama Mardini believes the Used Books Fair enriches the cultural and social mentality of the general public by spreading the culture of volunteerism through an activity that is based on volunteers from schools, universities, and charities. 

He then mentions the historical background of the fair which began in 2006, than in 2007, after that in 2009, and the last one in 2011.  These four circulations were organized in collaboration with sponsors and SCHS’s partners. 

The 2011 festival was extraordinary.  It had a large number of volunteers, contributing organizations, and attendance.  The number of visitors had reached 40,000, while the books exhibited had reached over 500,000.  Books were displayed in over 120 tents.  The number of volunteers reached 500 mostly students from schools and universities in addition to individuals from charities and non-profit organizations.  The number of participating public schools reached 20, private schools 22, and 2 universities.  The number of charities, nonprofit organizations, and diplomatic missions reached 47.  Sales were 500,000 AED which was used to support the services and programs which SCHS provides to people with disabilities.  Hopes for this year event are high.