A saviour from overseas

A saviour from overseas

Asha PrakashFirst Published : 03 Feb 2010
Rev Linse cannot pronounce words like ‘Irinjalakkuda’ or ‘Annamanada’ properly. But that doesn’ t stop him from speaking animatedly about his life mission - to serve the poor, the sick, the physically and mentally challenged and the homeless in India.


It was a chance meeting with a priest from Kerala in 1972, who told him about the scenario in India, that made Monsignor Rev Rolfe Linse, a native of Duisburg, Germany, chart the entire course of his life. 38 years and 24 visits to India later, Rev Linse has been responsible for funding 52 charity institutions spread over 10 states in India, among which are vocational training institutes, schools, orphanages and medical clinics.

The All Saints Centre, Pullur, Pratheeksha Bhavan, Irinjalakkuda and Asha Bhavan, Annamanada, are some of them. And where does he find the enormous amount of funds needed for maintaining these institutions? He generated 70 percent of it by himself, incredible as it seems, by selling spices, tea etc from India in the open air markets in Germany.

His work has inspired a group of students to take up the cause and help him, but even when there is none, Rev Linse can be found pressing passersby to buy something, say his coworkers, even in cold winter days. At times he collects waste paper, used books and other materials to sell or conducts charitable walks. The funds collected thus have crossed a whopping 15 crore in Indian rupees so far.

But what makes him so passionate, to the point of being obsessed, about the cause? “Because I’ve experienced hunger first-hand,” he says, showing white marks on his feet, remnants of past malnutrition. Rev Linse had to flee from home with his mother and brother during the II World War when Germany came under the attack of Britain. They had nothing with them but the clothes on their back and had to spend 11 years in misery. Both he and his brother later entered the Ministry and before long, Rev Linse started charity work.

A feature of Rev Linse’s work is that his focus is always on making the poor and the deprived self-sufficient, whatever their disability.

The children at the homes funded by him are trained to be tailors, blacksmiths, welders etc.

Rev Linse is now 76 years old and retired but has no plans of retiring from his work. “Given a choice, I would like to settle in India, I have nobody in this world but my brother. But here they don’t need my hands, they need only my finances.” But the poverty levels in India are so huge and despite the staggering number of people he has rehabilitated, isn’t it all just a drop in the ocean? “When you are in a desert, even a little greenery is welcome.

That greenery is what I try to achieve,” he says. For details about Rev Linse’s work, or to donate, look up www.indienhilfe-bottrop.de

by ashaprakash@expressbuzz.com

To read it in original, please visit, A saviour from overseas

DynaMix of 80's - Don Bosco Irinjalakuda past pupils gather to honour Sri P R Lonappan Master

DynaMix of 80's - Don Bosco Irinjalakuda past pupils gather to honour Sri P R Lonappan Master



Don Bosco Past Pupils Irinjalakuda, India, Middle East Chapter is organising DynaMix of 80’s to honour Sri P. R. Lonappan Master, a veteran teacher of the school, who studied and served his entire career as teacher with the institution till he retired recently.

The event will be held on Friday, 11th December 2009 at Sheraton Deira from 5:00 pm onwards.

All patrons and past-pupils of Don Bosco School Irinjalakuda are kindly requested to contact Mr. Franson Michael (Ph: 050 875 13 16) for participating in this event and make it a success.

Towards more responsible days.....

Dear Friends,

Towards more responsible days.....

Sharing with you an achievement that happened today.

Please do visit http://www.hit967.com/

http://www.hit967.com/English/Music/Pages/LatestOnHitDetails.aspx?eventId=189

Please pray for more creative thoughts and willingness to work with social consciousness without inhibition.

Regards,

Ramesh Menon

No News 20th edition - To or Not to?

No News 20th edition - To or Not to?

Drivers get chance to shed black point

NRI fights for voting rights

NRI fights for voting rights

By BEGENA P PRADEEP, Posted on » Sunday, May 31, 2009

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=251855

BAHRAIN resident Sihas Babu is hoping to rewrite Indian law by winning the right for millions of people to vote.

The 35-year-old has already filed a landmark case in India against an act in the Indian Constitution, which does not allow Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to take part in national or state elections.

Although he is effectively waging a one-man campaign, any victory would be celebrated by Indian expatriates around the globe.

He filed a case in the Kerala High Court against India's Election Comm-ission, the Kerala State Government and Indian Central Government last Monday.

The Indian public can only vote in an election if they live in a constituency in India, while government employees posted abroad are the only expats who can vote.

Mr Babu, a manager at a building materials company, told the GDN he decided to file the case after flying home to vote in recent parliamentary elections, only to find his name had been taken off the electoral roll.

"The clauses in Section 19 and 20 of the Indian Constitution's R P (Representation of the People) Act, 1950, does not allow us NRIs any voting rights if we have been away from India for more than six months," he said.

"I went to Kerala on April 9 to take part in the parliamentary elections but was told that my name had been removed from the list of voters.

"The Election Commission's presiding officer will check with all constituencies if the person is a resident of that particular constituency - this is how my name was removed.

"However, I know of many NRIs whose names are still on the list just because they have the influence with different political parties.

"NRIs play such an important role in developing India and there is so much money coming into the country from Indians working abroad.

"But when it comes to choosing leaders and a government who will be responsible for making decisions affecting NRIs as well, we are nowhere in the picture.

"This is not at all acceptable and it's about time things changed.

"We should also have the right to choose our leaders.

"The government may argue that NRIs are not being allowed to vote to avoid malpractices of voting with a fake identity and double voting.

"But technology is so advanced these days that such practices can be caught or avoided."

Mr Babu claims to be the first person to file a case against the Indian government with a view to overhauling its domestic law.

The court has now given the state and central governments, as well as the Election Commission, a month to respond to the case.

"This law was drafted in 1950 and with changing times, necessary amendments should be made," said Mr Babu.

"I contacted leading Kerala High Court lawyer Kaleeswaran Raj and filed a case on May 25.

"If the concerned parties reject the petition, it is up to the court to pass the verdict of whether to change the clause or not.

"However, if the court rules against me, I will take the case to the Supreme Court of India."

Mr Babu has lived in Bahrain for around 15 years and is now hoping to drum up support for his case among Indian associations and clubs here.

More links to this news:

http://www.indlaw.com/search/news/default.aspx?9391191f-1933-489c-8456-16176278ce05

If you feel NRIs should have voting rights and support his move, please generate necessary momentum to this move. Mark your opinion (vote Yes/No) in the poll at the left side of this page.

Abu Dhabi successfully hosts DTAC 2009

Abu Dhabi successfully hosts DTAC 2009

Abu Dhabi, May 24, 2009: Abu Dhabi, the land of sunshine hosted a mega event; DTAC 2009 with the theme "Journey Towards Excellence" under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh. Nayhan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, for 3 days from 21st - 24th May 2009. The Toastmasters from GCC countries and Jordan (more than 700 delegates) participated in this event. The Toastmasters, is the forum that enhances communication and leadership skills. The strong arm of Toastmasters - Division H, Abu Dhabi an active member of NMC Community chapter, TM Praveen Rao, was the Chief-Sergeant of arms for all the three days carrying his slogan "JAI HO" (derived from Indian Movie Slumdog Millionaire). This MEGA annual event of Toastmasters was held in Abu Dhabi, hosted by Division H of Abu Dhabi with DR. Nasef Dhafari as the DTAC 2009 Chairman. The Qualifier Round Inauguration was held on 21st May at the Grand Hall of India Social and Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi (ISC).

The qualifier round Inaugural Keynote Speech "Performance under pressure" was delivered by International speaker: Darren LaCroix. This was followed by Qualifier Rounds - Humorous Speech Contests, Table Topics Contests and International Speech Contests which were held at the ISC Mini Auditorium . Awards Ceremony was held in the evening for those who qualified for the final round.

Final session was held on 22nd May, at the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi. H.E. Sheikh Nayhan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research was the chief guest. His Excellency in his address to the DTAC 2009 audience disagreed that the communication and leadership skills are inherited. His Excellency said, that these could be built, developed or cultivated. Toastmasters is the testimony for it. The audience amply applauded.

The winner of Table Contest: Sujit Sukumaran, Div B.

Winning Moments

div>

Report courtesy:www.mangalorean.com

For more photos and detailed report, visit:

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=126178

Sharjah airport add fun area on 11 year olds request

Web survey to gauge schools in Abu Dhabi

Web survey to gauge schools in Abu Dhabi

Jen Gerson, THE NATIONAL Last Updated: May 20. 2009

Education officials announced an online questionnaire yesterday allowing parents to comment on their children’s schools.

“This is the first step towards the instillation of the culture of transparency between the school, the home and Abu Dhabi Education Council,” said Mughair Khamees al Khabeeli, the general director of Adec, which is conducting the survey.

“The questionnaire covers all the aspects of the education paradigm in Abu Dhabi schools.”

The site asks parents whether the questionnaire should be offered permanently and what makes them satisfied with their school’s performance.

“Based on optional answers, the questionnaire covers such aspects as the school environment, curricula, administrative and teaching staff performance, communication between parents and schools, equipment and amenities,” Mr al Khabeeli said. The results of a similar survey were released this month.

Adec said 70 per cent of parents were satisfied with the schools. That survey queried almost 5,000 parents, who were asked to grade a variety of factors.

The results of a similar survey of Dubai parents were recently released by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

The questionnaire can be found at www.adec.ac.ae, according to the state news agency WAM.

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090521/NATIONAL/705209803/1010

To participate in the survey, visit: http://www.adec.ac.ae/en/default/survey.html

Comments: The survey is very detailed and there are options to include the name of school and your own telephone number and email to get the result of this survey. It is therefore advisable to participate in this TQM opportunity provided by Abu Dhabi Education Council.

Nominations for UAE Appreciation Award for Science, Arts and Literature Begin

Nominations for UAE Appreciation Award for Science, Arts and Literature Begin

DUBAI — The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development on Wednesday announced the launch of the fourth session of the UAE Appreciation Award for Science, Arts
and Literature.

Bilal Al Budur, Executive Director for Culture and the Arts at the ministry, said the award’s objective is to stimulate the intellectual, cultural and creative people in the UAE, to highlight and honour them and motivate the younger generations to improve
knowledge of science.

In its fourth session, the award this year consists of five key areas: science (Electronic Engineering), literature (Al Faseeh poetry), field studies and research (Management Studies), field of plastic arts (Spatial Configuration), and field of performing arts (Directing). August 31 will be the deadline for accepting nominations, and the names of the winners will be announced in December to coincide with the UAE National Day celebrations

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2009/May/theuae_May518.xml§ion=theuae&col=

Safety in the Heat Plan Launched

‘Safety in the Heat’ Plan Launched
Olivia Olarte 21 May 2009 KHALEEJ TIMES

ABU DHABI — A comprehensive safety regime programme aimed at creating awareness and enhancing health and safety of workers who are exposed to high temperatures and humidity during the summer months was launched in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The ‘Safety in the Heat’ programme, launched by the Heath Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD) in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour (MoL) for the first time in the UAE, targets those who work in the construction, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and heavy industry sectors.

“HAAD and MoL are strongly supporting this programme and want to see this rollout and implemented to as many companies in Abu Dhabi as possible. Companies and organisations from other emirates and countries in the region are welcome to participate in the programme,” Dr Jens Thomsen, Section Head, Occupational and Environmental Health at HAAD, told company representatives at the launch.

The programme will support employers through offering a comprehensive package of educational and awareness materials in English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam. It focuses on the prevention of heat-related illnesses such as rash, cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke caused by exposure to the hot environment.

The ‘Safety in the Heat’ recommendations are validated by HAAD and are applicable to workers in Abu Dhabi and the GCC region.

The programme has been developed following a two-year scientific research by the UAE University and Curtin University of Technology in Australia, sponsored by HAAD and participated by select companies in Abu Dhabi 
and Dubai.

A few hundred workers were engaged in these studies which include monitoring the workers’ heart rate for three continuous days, measuring their hydration status, recording of workers’ core temperature throughout the work shift and documenting environmental conditions.

“We found that the hydration status of the workers when they come to work is generally poor, and they tend to stay that way during the day... there is a lack of general awareness among employers and workers on how to prevent heat illness,” said Dr Graham Bates, Medical Physiologist from Curtin University of Technology.

The heat management programme also introduces a new heat stress index called Thermal Work Limit (TWL), which was developed by Dr Bates. TWL monitors all environmental factors such as the dry bulb, radiant heat, wind speed and humidity to assess working conditions and determine the thermal risk to the employee.

In addition to the protection of workers, the programme is also aimed at improving productivity of companies and reduce the time loss due to injuries by workers, said Dr Bates.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2009/May/theuae_May529.xml§ion=theuae&col=

Lifts to carry pedestrians to safety

Lifts to carry pedestrians to safety
May 14. 2009 THE NATIONAL

Traffic passing the mall is heavy because lorries and cars have been diverted to the road by construction on Salam Street. Sammy Dallal / The National
ABU DHABI // Lifts will be installed on the footbridge in front of Abu Dhabi Mall, and the traffic signal removed, in an attempt to stop pedestrians making dangerous crossings at the spot, a city official said yesterday.

Khaled al Junaibi, project manager for the Salam Street underpass project, said the lifts had been ordered and should be installed by the end of the summer at the bridge on the street that runs in front of the mall.

Pedestrians going to or from the mall often walk and run across five lanes of one-way traffic at a signal crossing designated for “handicapped only” rather than use the footbridge just steps away. Many of them cross the street against the light during breaks in traffic rather than wait for a “walk” signal.

Mr al Junaibi said city planners did not want people to cross at street level in front of the mall.

“When they cross the road we are forced to give less time for the traffic. If we give less time for this traffic, it will be backed up.”

The one-way traffic has been divided by bollards, leaving three lanes for vehicles going towards Al Meena Road and the Corniche and two lanes for local traffic, going to sites such as the mall or the Beach Rotana hotel.

Traffic passing the mall is particularly heavy at present because lorries and cars have been diverted on to the road by construction on Salam Street.

Some pedestrians make it only as far as the bollards and then wait as vehicles drive by within touching distance on either side of the pedestrians.

“We know about this issue,” Mr al Junaibi said. “We have ordered some elevators, and by the end of the summer they are supposed to be fixed.”

The crossing and signal were meant to be used by the disabled and the elderly who could not use the bridge, Mr al Junaibi said.

At about 5pm on one recent weekday, large groups of pedestrians crossed at street level with just a few opting to climb the flights of stairs to the bridge.

The traffic showed red against traffic for about 50 seconds to allow pedestrians to cross. Some impatient people crossed illegally, and many were forced to run. Motorists could be seen slowing down. The driver of a silver taxi slammed on his brakes and screeched to a halt to avoid hitting a young boy.

Kailash Tiwari, a road safety specialist with 30 years of experience as a traffic engineer, said the municipality was right to encourage people to use the footbridges. But he said a pedestrian-controlled signal should be installed at the crossing to give priority to the disabled and elderly who need to use it.

Mr al Junaibi said planners try to have pedestrian crossings at street level where possible. “It’s an equation we have to manage between the traffic and the pedestrian. It is OK for them to cross at certain locations, but we don’t want them to affect the quality of the traffic.”

He said staff at the traffic centre at Abu Dhabi Municipality were able to monitor the timing of the signal and adjust it if necessary. He added that lifts might be installed at other temporary footbridges.

Last month Col Gaith al Zaabi, the director of the Ministry of Interior’s traffic department, called on municipalities to install lifts at footbridges. He also said municipalities should add control systems for pedestrians in front of crossings with traffic lights and do more to deter jaywalkers, such as ensuring broken construction barriers are fixed promptly.

Twenty-six people were killed crossing roads in Abu Dhabi in the first 71 days of this year.

With few mid-block crossings in the capital, pedestrians have a choice of walking sometimes a kilometre between traffic signals or dashing across the road during breaks in traffic. Motorists rarely slow down for them.

Several pedestrians yesterday said they chose to cross at street level near the mall because it was easier than climbing the footbridge.

Hamed Ali Ahmed, 22, who works at the mall, said he sometimes used the bridge, but that when he was in a hurry to get to work he would cross at street level.

Leigh Bracken, 36, from Australia, who works for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said he found it quicker to cross on the street but he would do so only if he felt there was enough time to get across all the lanes. He worried that someone would be struck while waiting to cross in the middle of the road.

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090514/NATIONAL/705149956/1021
Report by Matthew Chung, Photo by Sammy Dalal THE NATIONAL

***********
I sincerely thank THE NATIONAL for listening and highlighting the safety issue and following it up with the concerned authorities. Look forward with excitement to the new state-of-the-art facility to carry pedestrian across the road in the city centre. At the same time, I keep my fingers crossed that no untoward incidents happen and no life is lost till the time this is implemented.

Dubai taxis hail plan to limit speed

Dubai taxis hail plan to limit speed
Eugene Harnan for THE NATIONAL

Last Updated: May 15. 2009 2:56PM UAE / May 15. 2009 10:56AM GMT DUBAI // Taxis roaring along the city’s roads at high speeds may soon be a thing of the past as devices that prevent them from going faster than 100kph have been installed in 200 of the vehicles.

By the beginning of next month, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will assess the results and consider placing the speed limiters in every taxi in Dubai.

The move follows a similar initiative in Abu Dhabi, where devices limit the capital’s silver taxis to 120kph.

“We need drivers to change their attitude to speed and reduce it,” said Ahmed Mohammed al Hammadi, director of resources and support at the RTA’s Dubai Taxi Corporation.

The initiative is expected to cut emissions and fuel consumption as well as speed.

“We need to save our environment and this machine can measure the carbon dioxide emissions output of the engine,” Mr al Hammadi said.

The Dubai Taxi Corporation has 3,500 cars in its fleet and if the trial goes well, they will all get the speed limiters.

Taxis belonging to other franchises will also be fitted with the new device, bringing the number of vehicles with it to more than 6,000.

Currently, there is a system that notifies head office if a driver is speeding and a penalty is automatically issued. But under the new system, they will be restricted to speeds below the national limit. Some parts of Dubai have speed limits of 120kph, but the engines will be fixed not to break the 100kph barrier, irrespective of the restrictions on the road.

“We have done the studies on where our fleet is going and at what time of the day, either at peak or off-peak times and found we don’t need to open the limit more than 100kph,” said Mr al Hammadi.

Only cars that leave the emirate regularly, for example airport taxis that travel to Al Ain or Abu Dhabi, will be permitted to go at a higher speed.

Taxi drivers backed the limiters yesterday. “It’s a good idea. There are no more worries for speed cameras if I am tempted to break the speed limit,” said Yaal Shah, from Pakistan.

“The only problem is when I drive a customer to Jebel Ali or the airport along Sheikh Zayed Road and they are late, they ask why I am only doing 100kph,” he added.

Mr Yaal said he had been given only two speeding fines in his 12 years as a taxi driver in Dubai.

“It’s not a problem in the city as you don’t go any faster than that, but when I’m out on Emirates Road, I can see it as a nuisance.” Govendam Sanana from India said he very rarely broke the limit so the new move did not affect him.

“When I am on my own in the car, it is OK to go a bit faster but if I have a family with children or even tourists, I do not want to frighten them,” he said. “There are enough crazy drivers on the road and I try to keep them calm when I drive by going at a safe speed. A normal speed is better for everybody’s health, but there are a lot of crazy drivers out there.”

Adil Sadak, from India, said the power of his car, a Toyota Camry 2L, was sometimes too tempting.

“I know when I am on my own on a big, open, empty road I would like to get to the other end of it quicker. We have a problem with speed cameras so if we do not know the road, we will not do it,” he said.

In Abu Dhabi, all seven firms operating the newer silver taxis have had to fit their cars with speed limiters that restrict cars from exceeding 120kph. Gold and white taxis, which are being slowly phased out, are exempt.

The limiter is a small device attached to the engine and controlled through a monitor inside the car. It works by limiting the flow of fuel to the engine when 116kph is reached, causing the car to level out at 120kph.

Drivers can override the system for 10 seconds by pressing a button near the car radio controls or on the gear shift, allowing them to accelerate when they need to.

Drivers could in theory hit the button continuously, but the companies can track the number of times it is pressed and could reprimand those who overuse it.

http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090515/NATIONAL/705149827/1040

*****************
I sincerely thank the DUBAI RTA authorities for listening to this quality suggestion of mine to introduce speed limiters on vehicles. They were willing to listen and also kind enough to call and inform back about the test phase which is on currently. I hope this will be a success and will gradually implemented on to medium vehicles, mini vans, heavy vehicles, espcially buses carrying school children and workers and even government public transport buses.

No News edition 17 - Crossing the Barriers

Dear Friends,
 
Enjoy reading the No News 17th edition - Crossing the Barriers.
 
God Bless and have a great week ahead,
 
 
Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
06052009

When prison is not the right penalty

When prison is not the right penalty
Mahmoud Habboush, THE NATIONAL, 22 APRIL 2009

Last Updated: April 21. 2009 / A minister yesterday said that two types of common offences – traffic violations and antisocial behaviour – could soon be punishable by community service.

A draft law was recently approved by the Cabinet that would give courts the power to order people convicted of minor crimes to work in the community instead of serving jail time.

Speaking to members of the Federal National Council yesterday, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, the Minister of Interior, for the first time specified the category of offences and types of community service that could be included.

It remained unclear, however, exactly what crimes would be covered.

Referring first to antisocial behaviour, he said community service could help address the fact that the federal Government had no plans to follow some emirates in introducing a code of conduct.

He was responding to a question by an FNC member from Abu Dhabi, Ahmad al Dhahiri, who complained about the lack of a federal code of behaviour.

Dubai, for instance, has introduced such a code. Among other things, it says that people can be warned or fined for public displays of affection.

In severe cases, they can face jail terms and deportation.

The emirate’s code also calls for people to respect the local culture and religion, and urges visitors to avoid wearing clothing that “exposes parts of the body”.

“The ministry has taken an important step which is the alternative penalty law that will be brought before your council ... soon,” Sheikh Saif said.

“Community service was suggested for simple crimes committed by individuals instead of sending them to prison.

“People who face penalties are members of the society, and sometimes prison doesn’t achieve the punishment that the Government is seeking, and therefore community service is suggested.”

Responding to a suggestion by Mr al Dhahir that the Interior Ministry distribute a booklet explaining to foreigners how they should behave in the UAE, Sheikh Saif said: “I can’t make people read the criminal law.”

Instead, he said, a new department at the ministry, expected to start operating in the second quarter, would be responsible for promoting respect for the law.

He suggested it would take some time to educate visitors: “We can’t educate people in one or two years.”

Turning to community service for traffic offences, Sheikh Saif said: “They would be sent to schools to talk to pupils about their mistakes or would be told to spend time in the emergency rooms at hospitals to see for themselves the danger of their actions.” In the US and the UK, among other countries, community service is imposed for a range of offences.

Service can involve working in teams with other offenders, tidying up scenic spots, removing graffiti or carrying out anti-crime measures, such as installing gates and security locks. Others could be ordered to work in charity shops, for instance.

Also during yesterday’s session, the Minister of Health, Humaid Mohammed Obaid al Qattami, promised that more jobs would be created in the coming year for doctors and nurses in hospitals and clinics across the country.

Mr al Qattami was answering a question by Salem al Naqbi, a member of the Federal National Council from Sharjah, who said that Emirati doctors were doing jobs that were below their qualifications. The member also said hospitals and clinics were understaffed.

The minister said measures were being taken to “improve the conditions” of ministry staff. He said the ministry had more 1,766 job openings in 2008, most of which have been already filled.

“Hopefully, in co-operation with the Ministry of Finance in the coming weeks the conditions of more than 700 employees will be improved,” Mr Qattami said.

The FNC members also passed a draft amendment of some articles of a 2006 law on the banning of production, storage and use of chemical weapons. It calls for the creation of a national committee to monitor and regulate the use of dangerous chemical substances and chemical weapons. The committee would be also responsible for enforcing the law.

No News 16th edition - Reflections of Warriors

Dear Friends,

Welcome to read the 16th issue of No News. In the olden days, it was a tradition for elders to sit with children and tell them stories. Mostly this happened in the evening and a group of 7 to 8 children gather around to listen a story, a short one with a moral ending. In those days, it was the natural formative way to groom the children to a responsible citizen. As we progressed and as the combined families shrunk to single family and single child, this tradition had a slow death. The busy schedule of both working parents and limited opportunities to interact with relatives and friends killed the age old tradition of story telling. Children, where do they go and what do they do to pick up precious pearls of wisdom?. TV cartoons or serials?. The importance of school libraries and regular reading lessons gets prominence at this stage. More libraries and reading opportunities should be made available for our children. A point to ponder.

It is not easy to preach and not at all easy to practise what we preach. I myself had a good experience two days ago. As a strong advocate and follower of traffic and safety rules, I try and make sure to follow the rules. They say, there is always a secret eye watching you and this happened after I parked my car in front of a road side villa. After finishing my work, I was taking my car and there comes a hand stopping me. A traffic warden walked from nowhere and handed over to me a parking violation ticket. He continued, Sir, you have parked in front of a no parking zone!. I looked around and could not locate any no-parking signs. Enquiring a little more about the locality I discovered that previous day, many drivers double parked in that area and created traffic obstructions for the residents and their complaints caused this decision of reinforcing an old no-parking situation in that area. I drove away accepting it as a good source of permanent reminder to stay away from future violations.

Participating recently in a photography competition by Malayala Manorama newspaper gave me an opportunity to experience the intensity associated with all those children taking part in various reality shows and events. Apart from having talent, they and their entire team should have the motivation to sustain their interest and efforts during the period they compete. To generate continuous interest amongst the audience is not an easy task. It is at this challenging time that innovative and inventive creative qualities within a person blossoms. This automatically becomes a grooming ground of future real time man management for the child. A look at the leading participants of any of the major competition will give you an idea about them and their academic skills and added value of extra-curricular talent.

Incidentally, this also brought in front of me another startling factor from a series of music reality shows concluded recently. As many as 5 children belonging to a small community – warrier’s - came to the finals of various regional singing reality shows. Arun Gopan, Mridula V R, Durga Warrier, Parvathy and Rashmi Vijayan. It is nice to see parents promoting children and their talent to blossom along with their academic progress. A new set of real life winners are being groomed and let out to the society to rule the future world of talent. How important is the role of parents here in the success achieved by each one of them? I really applaud them for supporting their children to come out and perform to their best.

On a similar platform, I look at the opportunities available to our children and those left un-explored by them. In our specific case, www.talentshare.blogspot.com initiative gives children the perfect platform to expand their non-performing talent. With a small effort of sending a creative work by email in jpg form, a child’s expressive thoughts gets into a history of his/her life. Imagine the feeling he/she gets after sending it across to his favourite uncle or grand parents across the world. Regular participation in it provides a self progress report for the growth of their creative career as they could analyse by themselves the creative efforts before, now and after. Please do not miss this opportunity to groom your child to participate in future at bigger venues whenever it is made available.

Higher education options for children are getting competitive than ever. The current economic scenario world-wide have reprioritised the demand in the field of education. Interests in arts, economics and language have gained back prominence. Specific job oriented courses have come up and even professional courses have direct admission facilities for students to join them straight from their high school. www.cbseplus.blogspot.com is dedicated to bring out the best support role for students. Several links with the objective of giving maximum guidance to children have been included in it. Parents, teachers and students are kindly requested to utilise this site to the maximum benefit they could reap from it. Nothing comes easy and free. Here, all the above are free for use. May be that is the reason it does not get the right value expected out of it. This is why each time a parent support his child to participate in the Talent Share objective gets rewarded. Because, without their support, children will never be able to participate in it.

With immense honour, I include a part of the answer provided to the media by H.H.Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Ministre of UAE. On asked about how he juggles his political and non-political roles and what he does for fun, he answered: “The day has 24 hours or 1,440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds. For me, this is sufficient time for work, hobbies and sports. It works if you respect time and you know how to organize your schedule. Whoever enjoys his work, it seems that you add five days to your week. I enjoy my work, which is my existence in my life: the service of my homeland and my people. My joy increases when I see the progress and prosperity of my homeland and my people. I do not work alone, I have a team whom I lead and encourage and on whom I rely. Within each human being there is an inexhaustible source of potential, but there is no human being with unlimited capacity. What is important is to know your capacities - and how you should use them. For fun, I spend my time with my family at the beach or in the desert. I love to read. I ride horses. My love for horses is indescribably enormous; it is part of my soul and history.

True words of wisdom from a leader who utilise each minute of his life for himself, his family and the society. Reflection of a true warrior. As do all the others who devote time for their children, family and society. What more one need? See the whole picture, enjoy it’s complete beauty and give your best positive efforts to your life and society around.

God Bless and have a great week ahead.

Ramesh Menon
22042009 / e-mail: team1dubai@gmail.com

No News 15th edition - KITs for success

No News 15th edition - KITs for success





Dear Friends,

Welcome to read the 15th issue of No News. I had an opportunity to attend an international conference a few days ago. It became another opportunity to meet two remarkable personalities.

Immediately after the lunch on day one was a presentation by the CEO of a company based in Washington. We all know it is very tough to get attention of the delegates during the session after lunch. His profile was very impressive as his personality. We noticed in the beginning itself that he was stammering and it was difficulty to speak at a stretch. It did not bother him at all. He took control of the situation and in few minutes gained momentum to give an Xxtra-ordinary presentation. Whenever he was feeling he will get stuck he diverted the attention of the audience by showing the details on the slide and then regained his momentum and continued from thereon. Next was the turn of a physically challenged expert with several Doctorates in her name. It took several minutes for her to reach the podium with the help of her electronic walker. All those limbs with limited movements were not a hindrance at all for her presentation style or content.

It created plenty of thoughts in my mind looking at them and the techniques they employed to reach their destinations till this time. Both were highly placed and if ever they had held themselves to their challenges?. They would not have moved an inch ahead in their life.

I have written here before also. English is not my mother tongue. I try using it in simpler ways to convey messages and thoughts passing by. Several progressive things evolved out during this journey of communication. Some of them have been significant from my point of view and wishfully list them here. They include the quality initiatives and numerous suggestions and write ups generated to create awareness on safety. The effort is a continuous socially conscious process and there are some other ongoing issues for which I am trying my best efforts.

One of them is to reduce the disparity of the salary structure of the school teachers and administrative staff with other government service employees within the country. Teaching is a noble profession and I feel there is lot more to be done in this country for the welfare of teachers and schools. Comprehensive insurance coverage to private and public school staff is one such item submitted and followed up with various TQM bodies of the government.

Another interesting request is to provide free utility services to educational institutions. This includes Water and Electricity and telecommunication services. I feel this will aid the schools and universities in the country to reduce the cost of education and therefore attract more students from abroad and also retain those existing here. There are some other items like introducing a bus stop near to the Bird market and ISCC Abu Dhabi for the convenience of general public visiting these places.

Last but not the least of the items on these suggestive communication is to restore the volcano fountain in to the scheme of developments of the new look Abu Dhabi.

It is interesting to continuously participate in progressive activities happening around. The loss and sufferings of a few friends and relatives due to different types of cancer really keep my objectives focussed. Life now is a race against time. The carcinogenic cells within a person knowingly or unknowingly attacks from nowhere and then hardly no time left. The need for speed is therefore to leave some good memories and deeds to the society we exist.

I would like to sincerely thank 4 children and their parents who participated in the Safety campign organised through the Talent Share initiatives. I deliberately did not disclose the detail of a beautiful gift hamper set aside for each one of the participating children. I am happy that there was response generated to this important initiative of social interest. The parents of these children are kindly requested to contact me and collect their gifts during the next week. It will be interesting for you all to visit the Talentshare blog and mark your comments on the safety thoughts of these children.

cbseplus is a new initiative started this week for the benefit of CBSE students studying in 11th and 12th.. We all know that eating of nutritious fruits will supplement the growth in our children. http://www.cbseplus.blogspot.com/ has been created to serve as a catalyst to the educational and career needs of students in addition to the relentless and devoted efforts of their teachers.

Team 1 blogs principle of “committed to continuous improvement” will be the mantra followed here and over a period of time children will get to read and learn a variety of Knowledge, Information and Talent with an intention to share them without any apprehension. Sustained effort will be made to make this site part of the several first hand KITs we currently have.

Padmashri Dr. B. R. Shetty was given a felicitation by all the major associations and community groups to honour him for the highest civilian award by India Government. During the function his son Mr. Binay Shetty was asked to say a few words about his father. He quoted his grandmother’s advise to his father. Don’t try to make everybody happy. Try to make 10 people happy and they will in turn try to make another 10 happy and the chain will progress. Padmashri Dr. B. R. Shetty has his own inimitable style of speaking. He speaks from his heart. He pointed out the visit to his mother’s tomb immediately after receiving the honour. It was an act done to dedicate the laurels to her and also to remind himself that blessings from the family and loved ones is the most important thing in life.

Almost the end of this write-up and did you notice a difference?. I have deliberately avoided usage of commas till now. Just tried how much additional effort is required to avoid the usage of commas as Colin Randall said in his write up for THE NATIONAL about the use and misuse of it. The world of communication is changing and it is not an easy task to follow traditional ways as the exchange of communication is getting shorter and shorter. Let us try to do our best efforts for the benefit of our society with the blessings of our parents, teachers and family. As Mrs. Sarah Belhasa rightly said in her interview with Wknd “You don’t need to see the entire staircase to know where it goes. Just take the first step. It will lead somewhere..”

Please do continue to vote for the photo below presently competing in the www.malayalamanoramaonline. com’s competition.

Direct links to important Quality initiative suggestion programmes existing in UAE are created in the http://www.team1uae.blogspot.com/ site. It is to be noted that the suggestions on each of these focal points are well logged and immediately responded to by relevant authorities. Why not visit and give a try of your own TQM skills?

God Bless and have a great week ahead.

Ramesh Menon
02042009 / e-mail: team1dubai@gmail.com

No News edition 13 - a few Barbaric Thoughts

Dear Friends,

Welcome to read the 13th issue of No News. It has taken a longer time this time to come out with this issue. The title tries to convey the reason. The thoughts are all there, but it is all mixed up, like the meat coming out of a mincing machine. Activities happening around too does not differ. Day by day, the life and people around getting different. Are we also affected by the global recession? Some months ago, it was the turn of the environmentalists to cry about the global warming. But, the heat is on now with a much higher degree and severity that makes those environmental voices become no cries in the current context.

The week starts and ends at a much higher pace these days and I look forward to the Friday’s as it gives some time to catch up with the leftovers from print media collected over the week. Luckily, these days, the bulk has been reduced and what is available comes out with quality. For some time now, it has been a routine to visit my barber on this free day. The visit has multiple objectives. Muhammad bhai as I call him affectionately is a long timer in Abu Dhabi. With two wives and about 6 children living at his village home in Karachi, he has always some or other story to convey about what has happened during the week in the surrounding locality here and also in his home town. It is a one man show now, as he is waiting for his brother as his reliever to come back from Pakistan and take turn for him to start for his long holiday. However, it seems he has decided not to and Muhammad Bhai is helpless as he finds it difficult for a trustworthy handover. His small saloon is a union for some of his friends, who are now familiar to me and other regulars. One among them is Aslam, who is from Bangladesh. Aslam bhai comes to the shop to watch TV which is situated at one corner of the shop. The moment he enters the shop, Aslam bhai consider it as his own empire and takes possession of his weapon of mass alteration, i.e. the remote control of the TV. From then on, any customer within, will have to watch, one minute Pakistani news, the other minute a Bengali channel and then all the different channels of Zee and in between various Arabic channels. Probably, a problem with his hearing or deliberately not wanting to hear Muhammad bhai’s or others please to stop or reduce the volume, he will continue fiddling on the remote and then finally stops when he gets Sahara channel and the Ramayana or Mahabharata serial playing in it. It doesn’t matter what the previous days episode was, he finds some unknown pleasure in the conversation happening and then we could see him laughing his heart out. In between or at the end, if someone asks him, Aslam bhai, tell us what happened, where are we and what next? He will smile showing all his 20 odd teeth with a gentle answer, If I know, what will happen next, do you think, I will watch it this long? True to him, otherwise, he would have definitely changed the channel.

Many times, the same situation repeated, and I find certain realistic and sincere conversation happening in that Muhammad bhai’s small saloon touching my inner thoughts. While he continues solely with his job, his mobile phone rings repeatedly and looking at the number, he will tell us, this is my first wife and I will call her after I finish your job. He cuts the phone with a short answer in his local dialect. In few minutes again the phone rings and he answer in short sentences, in an altogether different tone for a little longer time with a brighter smile and glowing eyes. Brief but short and he keeps the phone and revert to us saying that it was his younger wife. On one occasion, a channel was showing how various states where getting ready for the forthcoming elections. In some context, they showed the martyrs of the Mumbai attack and among them the neatly cut NSG Commando Sandeep. Seeing him, and with a sigh, he tells me, Ramesh bhai, after certain age, it is only we, barbers, who get to touch the head of a person and pamper him the way ones parents does to a child in his childhood? Probably, he was missing his own children whom he has not seen for a longer time. Definitely, in many ways, Muhammad bhai helped me to open my eyes into un-explored directions each time I visited him.
Life goes on and it’s another bright and sunny morning and it is time to go to school. It is board exam time for my son and to revisit the thoughts of my schooling days and exam times and compare what is happening around now, I didn’t miss this opportunity of dropping my son to his exam centre. Children are the same everywhere, and many of them were seen tensed on the first day and teachers assisting them with last minute doubts and preparations. It was interesting to see many of them seeking blessings from their teachers and parents. With most of the subjects covered, it was the English Exams yesterday, and I found literally all of them very relaxed. What made more interesting thoughts was the conversational style happening around. It seems like most of them are talking in terms of Short Term Memory Loss happening to them, following the recent Hindi movie Gajini.
Wheels of my clock moves faster these days and evening we all gather to watch one particular show these days. It is currently on in the Amrita TV channel and is called Super Talent. Into it’s 3rd round, the show has gained considerable ground in terms of quality approach in presentation by the contestants and the subsequent reviews by elite panel of judges. It is giving it’s worth on time spent before going to bed.

Wining is not always possible. However, if we do not attempt, the probability of a win will be nowhere. In the recent times, I happened to come across two winners in lucky draws. One was a regular e-mail friend, a famous RJ, who won a lucky raffle in the recently concluded DSF draws. Another, happened to be a known person, who won an equally or more amount from a Duty Free Raffle. It is good to see both continuing their life and efforts promoting Positive vibes around. May god bless them to motivate many through their own simple ways.

I am excited to include and inform that quality initiatives are taking a high rate of acceptance from the authorities as well as the news media these days. Government authorities and suggestions sites like www.abudhabi.ae, Dubai Municipality Have Your Say programmes, Dubai RTA, Road Transport Authority of Abu Dhabi, and the news media like THE National and GULF NEWS are coming out with many new initiatives to promote participation of general public and to get their views and suggestions for overall improvement in the society around. Why not spare a few minutes and visit these portals and be a part of the society and it’s progress.

My thoughts are getting complex each time I take my car out on the street. Even with all the campaigns happening, stricter fines and points, some are continuing to seek wild pleasure in showing their might on the street. With cigarette on one hand and phone on the other and legs up or even a child on the lap safety doesn’t seem to be nearer. I feel, they will learn only by getting a chance to visit for themselves the casualty departments of hospitals. Spread the word around, follow the speeding rules do not use mobiles while driving and reach home safe be the mantra to follow.
God Bless and have a great week-end.

Ramesh Menon
19032009
www.talentshare.blogspot.com
e-mail: team1dubai@gmail.com

Indian Consulate to display compassion at bus stops

Indian Consulate to display compassion at bus stops
Praveen Menon / THE NATIONAL

Last Updated: March 16. 2009

The Indian Consulate in Dubai plans to use information signboards at air-conditioned bus shelters to reach out to expats who need help.Signboards with counselling hotline numbers for those suffering from work-related or social stress will soon be displayed in 600 bus shelters across Dubai.The scheme will provide information on the services offered at the consulate and any new initiatives being launched.
At the inauguration of the first bus shelter today, Venu Rajamony, the consul general of India, said: “The idea is to reach out to as many Indians as possible, especially in these times of financial crisis. This is a great opportunity to publicise consulate services and the hotline numbers to those Indians who commute via buses, especially the construction workers and labourers.”Right Angle Media, which is setting up more than 600 bus shelters for the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, offered the free advertising space to the public service. The consulate said the signboards, which will display various hot line numbers, have already been prepared.

Mr Rajamony added that the mission’s initiative is part of its broader effort to help Indians in their time of need. “In these times of financial crisis, it becomes even more vital for Indians to have such information handy. It is part of the wider outreach plan of the consulate to extend help to as many Indians as possible. The consulate officials will be even more proactive and take adequate steps during this period of economic downturn in identifying Indians in their time of need,” said Mr Rajamony. The consulate said the signboards will be in Arabic as well as English.
Indians are the largest expatriate community in Dubai, with Indian men and women working in a range of fields including construction and hospitality. Patrick Chaundy, the president and COO of Right Angle Media, said, “We aim to provide many such public facilities via the outdoor medium which can benefit people living in Dubai.” The consulate said the signboards will display contact numbers for those in need of free counselling for work/social stress (050-9433111); people who need help in the event of a family member’s death during holidays and after office hours (050-7347676); and passport and visa enquiries (600522229).

All signboards will also display the website address of the Indian Consulate in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority launches website to enhance e-service

Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority launches website to enhance e-service

By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS /Published: March 18, 2009

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (Adfca) launched its web portal in an attempt to provide e-service to the public and businesses. Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Adfca, launched the portal at a ceremony at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi late on Tuesday. He also distributed the awards to Adfca employees who excelled in their performance. For more information: www.adfca.ae