Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test : Regn from April 1

Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test : Regn from April 1

March 29 : Anna University Chennai has invited applications for the Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) 2009, to be conducted by it on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu, for admission to M.B.A, M.C.A, and M.E/M.Tech/ M.Arch/M.Plan Degree Programmes in Tamil Nadu for the year 2009-10 offered at University Departments of Anna University Chennai, Anna University Coimbatore, Anna University Trichy, Anna University Tirunelveli, Govt. Engineering, Arts and Science Colleges, Govt. Aided Engineering, Arts & Science Colleges, and Govt. Quota seats in Self-financing Engineering, Arts & Science Colleges/standalone Institutions. Some Universities and Self–Financing Engineering Colleges may also opt to admit the candidates on the basis of TANCET. Other State candidates can also appear for the entrance tests but, admission will be subject to the eligibility conditions of the admitting authority/University.

Applicants for MBA should have a pass in any Degree under 10+2+3 or 4 years or a pass in any Degree with 10+3 (Diploma) +3 years pattern.

Applicants for MCA should have passed in any recognized Bachelor’s Degree of minimum 3 year duration (10+2+3 or 4 years pattern) in any discipline with Mathematics or Business Mathematics at +2 level (or) should have passed in any recognized Bachelor’s Degree of minimum 3 years (10+2+3 or 4 pattern) duration in any discipline with Mathematics or Statistics as any one of the subjects.

The detailed eligibility conditions for admission to M.E/M.Tech/M.Arch/M.Plan courses are available at www.annauniv.edu/tancet2009

Those who are appearing for final year/semester examination of the qualifying examinations in April/May 2009 can also apply.

The Entrance Test for M.B.A will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on 30.5.2009 (Saturday).

The Entrance Test for M.C.A would be from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m on 30.5.2009 (Saturday).

The Entrance test for M.E./M.Tech./M.Arch./M.Plan couses will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on 31.5.2009 (Sunday).

The Test will be held at Chennai, Coimbatore, Chidambaram, Dindigul, Erode, Karaikudi, Madurai, Nagercoil, Salem, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Trichy, Vellore, Villupuram and Virudhunagar.

There is a common applications form for all the three entrance tests. Candidates have to submit only one application even if applying for more than one Programme. The Test fee is Rs.300/- (Rs.150/- for SC/ST candidates belonging to Tamil Nadu, on production of a copy of Permanent Community Certificate) for any one of the Programmes (M.B.A or M.C.A or M.E/M.Tech/M.Arch/M.Plan). For every additional programme applied, applicant has to pay additional Test fee of Rs.300/- (Rs.150/- for SC/ST candidates belonging to Tamil Nadu) along with the filled-in application.

Registration for the entrance test will be either through ‘Spot Registration’ or ‘Registration through Internet’, both of which will commence on 1.4.2009.

Under Spot Registration, Hall Tickets will be issued to the candidates registering in person at one of the following Co-ordinating Centres, with cash or D.D for the required amount towards Entrance Test fee and a copy of 10th Std. Mark Sheet.

Examination Centre, Anna University Chennai, Chennai
Govt. College of Technology, Coimbatore
Annamalai University, Chidambaram
PSNA College of Engg. & Technology, Dindigul
Institute of Road and Transport Technology, Erode
Alagappa College of Engg. & Technology, Karaikudi
Thiagarajar College of Engg., Madurai
Govt. Polytechnic College, Nagercoil
Govt. College of Engg., Salem
Kunthavai Naachiyaar Govt. Arts College for Women, Thanjavur
Govt. College of Engg., Tirunelveli
Anna University Trichy, Trichy
Thanthai Periyar Govt. Institute of Technology, Vellore
University College of Engg., Villupuram
Kamaraj College of Engg., Virudhunagar

Registration through Internet will be at www.annauniv.edu/tancet2009
Demand Draft should be drawn in favour of ‘The Director, Entrance Examinations, Anna University Chennai’, payable at Chennai, to be obtained from any nationalized bank, taken on or after 29.03.2009. The last date for Spot Registration at Co-ordinating Centres, other than Anna University Chennai, will be 20.04.2009. Last date for Spot Registration at Examination Centre, Anna University Chennai, is 25.04.2009.

The last date for Registration through Internet is also 20.4.2009.
The completed application in respect of those who registered through Internet, should reach ‘The Secretary, TANCET, Examination Centre, Anna University Chennai, Chennai 600 025’ latest by 5.30 pm on 25.04.2009.

For more details, visit www.annauniv.edu/tancet2009

Refresher course in Library Science at University of Kerala

Refresher course in Library Science at University of Kerala

April 1: Applications have been invited by the Academic Staff College for a refresher course in Library Science from 2nd to 22nd May and is meant for college teachers. Application forms can be downloaded from www.ugcasc.keralauniversity.edu Filled applications along with the certificate from the principal concerned will have to reach the Director, Academic Staff College, Golden Jubilee Building, University of Kerala, Karyavattom - 695 581 on or before 15th April 2009.

Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Courses at Dr DY Patil University

Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Courses at Dr DY Patil University

Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Dr DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai, has notified the admissions to their B.Tech/M.Tech/M.Sc Programmes for 2009-10. The Graduate Programmes include B.Tech in Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering and Integrated M.Tech in Biotechnology.

The Post Graduate Programmes offered are M.Tech in Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and M.Sc in Genetic Engineering, Biotechnology.

Admissions to B.Tech Programmes are based on the All India Entrance Test-AIET-B Tech 2009, and to the PG Programmes through All India Entrance Test- AIET-M. Tech to be held on 17.5.2009 (Sunday) at Padmashree Dr DY Patil University, Nerul, Navi Mumbai – 40070

Eligibility:

B.Tech (AIET-B.TECH 2009): Applicant must have passed HSC Science or equivalent examination from a recognized Board, securing minimum aggregate of 50% marks in PCB/PCMB group with English as a subject. Those with Mathematics will be eligible for B. Tech Bioinformatics/B.Tech Biomedical Engineering courses.

M.Tech (AIET–M.TECH 2009): Applicant should be a Graduate with minimum 50% marks in B.E/B.Tech Biotechnology/Bioinformatics/Chemical Engineering/Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Biomedical Engineering/Bioprocess Technology/B.Pharm/MBBS/BDS or M.Sc or equivalent.

M.Sc (AIET– M.TECH 2009): Applicant should be a Graduate in Zoology/Botany/Life Sciences/Biochemistry/Biotechnology/Microbiology or equivalent, with minimum 50% marks.

Application from and Prospectus for AIET B Tech 2009 and AIET M Tech 2009 can be obtained from Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Plot 50, Sector 15, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400 614 from 6.4.09. The cost of Application Form and Prospectus is Rs. 500/-. The Entrance Test fees is Rs. 1000/-.

Application form and Prospectus will be available at http://www.dypatil.in/ also from 6th April, 2009. Downloaded Application Forms from web site has to be submitted with a fee of Rs. 1500

Payments can be made by cash or by DD from a Nationalised Bank in favor of ‘Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil University’, payable at Navi Mumbai.

Last date for receipt of completed Application form at Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil University Plot no 50, Sector 15, CBD Belapur Navi Mumbai-400614, is 11th May, 2009 (Monday). It will be accepted with a late fee of Rs.500/- till 14th May, 2009 (Thursday).

Visit http://www.dypatil.in/ for more details

Biotechnology/ /Bioinformatics at Amrita

Biotechnology/ /Bioinformatics at Amrita

April 04 : Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Clappana P.O, Kollam, Kerala-690525, has invited applications for admission to various Under Graduate and Post Graduate Programmes for 2009.

The courses offered are (i) B.Sc. Biotechnology & B.Sc Microbiology (3 years, 6-Semesters) (ii) M.Sc Biotechnology (2years-4 Semesters) (iii) M.Sc. Microbiology (2 years-4 Semesters) and (iv) M.Sc Bioinformatics (2years -4 Semesters)

Eligibility:

(i) B. Sc. Biotechnology/ B.Sc Microbiology: Applicant should have passed the Higher Secondary Examination with a minimum of 60% aggregate in Biology, Physics and Chemistry from any State Board, CBSE or equivalent.

(ii) M. Sc. Biotechnology: Graduate Degree in any discipline of Science including Mathematics, Engineering or Medicine with a minimum of 60% aggregate. Background in Biology is preferred.

(iii) M. Sc. Microbiology: Graduate Degree in any discipline of Science including Mathematics, Engineering or Medicine with a minimum of 60% aggregate. Background in Biology is preferred.

(iv) M. Sc. Bioinformatics: Graduate Degree in any discipline of Science including Mathematics, Engineering or Medicine with a minimum of 60% aggregate. Background in Mathematics or Computer Science is preferred.
Selection will be based on Academic Record, Entrance Test (for M.Sc Biotechnology) and personal interview.

M.Sc. Biotechnology Amrita Entrance Examination will be held on 10th May, 2009.

Application fee is Rs. 550/- which covers the cost of Application form and Brochure. They may be collected in person from the Admission Office of School of Biotechnology Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Clappana P.O, Kollam, Kerala-690525 by paying cash.

Application materials can be obtained by Post from ‘The Admission Coordinator, Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Clappana P.O, Kollam, Kerala.-690525’, by sending a written request for the same, indicating complete postal address and a Demand Draft for Rs. 550/-, from any Nationalized bank drawn in favour of ‘Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’, payable at Kollam.

Application can be downloaded from http://biotech.amrita.edu/admission.html. Filled up downloaded application has to be submitted along with a Demand Draft for Rs. 550/-, from any Nationalized bank, drawn in favour of ‘Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’, payable at Kollam.

Applicants can register online at http://biotech.amrita.edu/admission.html. On submitting the form, a confirmation slip will be obtained, which should be mailed along with a DD for Rs. 550/-, from a Nationalized bank, drawn in favour of ‘Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’, payable at Kollam.

M.Sc. Biotechnology applicants, who download the application form from website, have to fill the Admit Card for the Entrance Examination and submit it along with the completed application form.

Filled-in application form can be hand-delivered or should be sent by Speed Post/ Courier to ‘The Admission Coordinator, Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Clappana P.O, Kollam, Kerala.-690525.

Last date for receipt of completed application form for M.Sc. Programmes is 30.4.2009 and that for B.Sc. Programmes is 16th May, 2009.

Visit http://biotech.amrita.edu/admission.html for details.

Refresher course in Music at University of Kerala

Refresher course in Music at University of Kerala

April 9: Applications have been invited by the Academic Staff College for a refresher course in Music from 1st May to 1st June and is meant for college teachers. Application forms can be downloaded from www.ugcasc.keralauniversity.edu Filled applications along with the certificate from the principal concerned will have to reach the Director, Academic Staff College, Golden Jubilee Building, University of Kerala, Karyavattom - 695 581 on or before 20th April 2009.

Refresher course in Environmental Science at University of Kerala

Refresher course in Environmental Science at University of Kerala

April 9: Applications have been invited by the Academic Staff College for a refresher course in Environmental Science from 9th May to 30th May and is meant for college teachers. Application forms can be downloaded from www.ugcasc.keralauniversity.edu Filled applications along with the certificate from the principal concerned will have to reach the Director, Academic Staff College, Golden Jubilee Building, University of Kerala, Karyavattom - 695 581 on or before 20th April 2009.

Short term course in Language Technology at University of Kerala

Short term course in Language Technology at University of Kerala

April 9: Applications have been invited by the Academic Staff College for a short term course in Language Technology to be held from 18th to 23rd May and is meant for college teachers. Application forms can be downloaded from www.ugcasc.keralauniversity.edu Filled applications along with the certificate from the principal concerned will have to reach the Director, Academic Staff College, Golden Jubilee Building, University of Kerala, Karyavattom - 695 581 on or before 20th April 2009.

Certificate in Yoga & Meditation at KU

Certificate in Yoga & Meditation at KU

April 9: Applications have been invited for a certificate programme in Yoga & Meditation and is offered by Centre for Continuing Education & Extension. Those with atleast Pre-Degree are eligible to apply for this three month course. Course fee is Rs 3500. Classes will be held from 7 to 9 am. The last date of receiving applications is 20th April 2009. For more details: Director, Centre for Continuing Education & Extension, Vikas Bhawan PO, PMG Junction, Thiruvananthapuram - 33

NRI Admissions for B.Tech/B.Arch at NIT- C

NRI Admissions for B.Tech/B.Arch at NIT- C

April 10 : National Institute of Technology Calicut, NIT Campus PO, Kozhikode, Kerala- 673 601, has invited applications from Dependants of NRIs for admissions to B.Tech/B.Arch Programmes for the session 2009-10.

Admission is offered only to sons/daughters of NRIs. Applicant in this category should have passed the final examination of 10+2 (Class XII) or its equivalent qualifying examination, given in Annexure I of the Prospectus available at http://www.nitc.ac.in/ and should be eligible for Central Counselling of the Central Counselling Board as per the results of the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE--2009).

For admission to B.Tech, applicant should have studied Physics & Mathematics (compulsory) with one among Chemistry / Biotechnology / Computer Science / Biology at the qualifying examination. For admission to B.Arch, applicant should have studied Mathematics as a subject at Plus Two and should have passed 10+2 level examination with 50% marks in aggregate.

Maximum age for admission is 25 years as on October 1, 2009. For applicants of SC/ST/PH categories, upper age limit is relaxable by 5 years. Maximum age for them will be 30 years as on October 1, 2009. There are 5 seats each in Civil Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, 2 in Chemical Engineering, 1 each in Production Engineering, Biotechnology and B.Arch, under NRI category.

Application has to be submitted online by clicking here . After submission of the details, a print out of the online application has to be taken. A passport size photograph taken not earlier than 3 months from the date of notification is to be affixed on the Application Form. The photo in the application should be self attested. (Eight more copies of the same photograph and one stamp size photograph should be produced at the time of Counselling/Admission).

The following documents should be enclosed with the print out of the online application form:

(i) Attested copy of proof of date of birth
(ii) Attested copy of the mark lists and pass certificate of the qualifying examination, if available
(iii) Course and Conduct certificate from the Head of the institution last attended
(iv) Attested copy of AIEEE-2009 Admit Card.
(v) Attested copy of NRI certificate, format of which is available in Appendix III of the Prospectus
(vi) Demand Draft for Rs.2000/- drawn in favour of ‘Director, NIT Calicut’, payable at State Bank of India, NIT Calicut Branch (Code No: 2207) towards Registration fee.

The attestation on the documents is to be done by a Govt. Gazetted Officer or Head of the Institution where the candidate has studied for the qualifying examination.

The print out of the online application form with the enclosures specified should reach ‘Chairperson-UG Admissions, National Institute of Technology Calicut, N.I.T.Campus P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala-673 601’, by Registered Post/Speed Post latest by 29.05.2009.

Admission will be based on the Rank obtained in the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE-2009), conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi.

The counselling/admission will be tentatively in July 2009. The date of counselling/admission will be notified at www.nitc.ac.in. The eligibility for counselling/admission and call letter for counselling should be downloaded from the website after login, using Application number and date of birth. No separate call letter will be despatched to applicants in this regard. Applicant will have to produce the original certificates and other documents at the time of counselling.

Those offered admission will have to remit the fees on the day of counselling failing which the offer shall be withdrawn forthwith. Tuition Fee (for 2 Semesters) is US$ 4000 (US $2000 for SAARC). Details of fee payable are given in the Prospectus.

Visit www.nitc.ac.in for more details.

Bracing up for the IIT-JEE?

Bracing up for the IIT-JEE?

Going by the sharp increase in applicants -- 3.95 lakh -- as against 3.2 lakh in 2008, the ‘IIT dream’ has certainly not lost its sheen, writes DEEPA KURUP

Photo: M. Vedhan

TAKING NO CHANCES: Students are busy with last-minute-cramming, strategising and brushing up on their year-long efforts for the IIT entrance test.

The joint entrance examination, used as a benchmark for admissions to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology, is just round the corner. Young IIT aspirants, who have just completed their pre-university or 12th standard examinations, are busy with last-minute-cramming, strategising and brushing up on their year-long efforts. Going by the sharp increase in applicants — 3.95 lakh students applied, as against 3.2 lakh in 2008 — the ‘IIT dream’ has certainly not lost its sheen.

And with 13 IITs to choose from, and two others in Indore and Himachal Pradesh set to open admissions this year, for many their dream college has only moved closer home. Needless to say, competition will be stiff; and with news reports constantly talking about the low recruitment scene in your average engineering college, the rush to Brand IIT is likely to increase. News reports have attributed this surge to more students applying under various reserved quotas — nearly 1.55 lakh, as against around 50,000 last year. Last year, there was a total of 6,752 seats on offer in the seven old IITs and the six new ones. However, with several of them not having separate campuses, students are sceptical about them. For instance, IIT Bhubaneswar is operating out of IIT Kharagpur. Bhuvana Anil Kumar of the Triumphant Institute of Management Education, a coaching centre chain, says that students were apprehensive last year. “Like any other brand when we have more chains – more valid in educational institutions – people look at it with a bit of caution,” she explains. However, she feels, that the IIT brand name will prevail, and those who don’t make it to the older institutes will pick the new IITs over a regional college.

Cut-offs

Until last year, subject cut-offs were not a matter of concern for this exam considering cut-offs were as low as zero and two. With the mode of calculating cut-offs back to the national-average method, the figure is likely to be a double digit number.

This means that students cannot afford to neglect any subject, and must do reasonably well in all sections. “Don’t forget that the subject cut-off will be higher this year. So don’t hesitate to give more attention to a subject in the Paper 2 if you have not attempted that subject to your satisfaction in Paper 1.

Tips to use

The difficulty of this exam is because the questions are unique, and requires both an in-depth knowledge of subjects and the skill to apply various questions in combination. Several websites forums provide data analysis of trends, section-wise break-ups and JEE pattern changes over the years. The Hindu Education Plus spoke to experts to put together some tips for the fresh IIT aspirant.

Firstly, relax. The pattern hasn’t changed for three years, and is not likely to change Ms. Anil Kumar says: “Only possible change could be in the type of questions in some sections. Last year, section 1 had questions with multiple right answers, and Section 2 had matrix-match type questions. Except for such minor changes, things will be the same.” Hence, the most important thing is to read the instructions carefully.

Use your model papers, that you have worked out, and go through the flow of questions and marking scheme, Experts remind students that marking schemes are subject to change. Saurabh Kumar, National Programme head, Career Launcher advices students to not study anything new in the coming week. “Revise important formulae, and step assumptions daily. By now students should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses, so they should decide what subjects to attempt first,” Mr. Kumar says. Also, eat healthy, sleep well and relax, he adds.

Don’ts

Do not attempt to do any lengthy problem that involves multiple steps. Do not study a new concept or a variant of a old problem. The last day has to be spent in skimming the material. Decide that you will not do any in-depth study. Never open a book that you have not seen till that day.

Do’s

Take the last three model examination papers that you have done and go through the flow of the questions and the marking scheme applicable Tell yourself again and again that the marking scheme in the actual examination could be different from the marking scheme mentioned in the model examinations

On exam day –Do’s

Last year, multiple correct answers did not carry negative marks. Students who did not attempt those questions for fear of attracting penalty missed out on easy scoring opportunity.

So do read the instructions given for every type of question.

After Paper 1, the only analysis that you should do is to understand the pattern of the question paper. No other analysis is worth doing during the two-hour break from 12:00 noon to 02:00 pm.

Use the restroom before entering the examination hall. Your mind needs to be completely focused on the examination paper.

Don’ts

Don’t forget that the subject cut-off will be higher this year.

So don’t hesitate to give more attention to a subject in the Paper 2 if you have not attempted that subject to your satisfaction in Paper 1 Don’t spend more that 90 minutes on any single subject in any Paper. That would be an overkill and could actually hamper your chances with respect to subject-wise cut-offs.

Do not trade last minute tips with friends or complete strangers on the day of the examination. nothing is achieved on the last day. You are what you have prepared for the last two years.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/edu/2009/04/06/stories/2009040650740100.htm

Learn through your handsets

Learn through your handsets

Indira Gandhi National Open University is aiming to promote mobile education in a major way. G. KRISHNAKUMAR outlines IGNOU’s plans in this regard.

HANDY MEDIUM: Indira Gandhi National Open University is planning to use the mobile platform for the delivery of educational content.

The prestigious Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is exploring the concept of M-education (mobile education) to take its academic programmes to the nook and corner of the country.

Aimed at fulfilling the country’s 11th Five-Year Plan motto, ‘Education for All’, the move is an effort to take education to the marginalised and disadvantaged people of the society.

According to IGNOU Vice-Chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, the use of mobile handsets for education delivery will help in the strengthening of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), which is extensively used by the university for its various programmes.

“The concept is novel, when the call is democratising education. Even as a number of ICTs have been pressed into service in the country for the same goal, expert educators and mobile service providers rightly think, it is always advantageous to boost the existing ICTs with an additional line of service for education delivery at the learners’ best reach,” he told The Hindu EducationPlus.

The university authorities had already initiated talks with service providers to deliver educational content through mobile phones. The plan is to deliver content in the form of text, audio and video to students.

The idea for tapping the potential of the mobile education concept was discussed in detail during a round table conference held in New Delhi during November last year. IGNOU had received the full support of the Communications and Manufacturing Association of India (CMAI) in this project.

Experts from the telecom and academic fields, who attended the programme, had suggested stepping up rural connectivity for capacity building of students and learners. The event had also recommended identification of other cost-effective communication technologies for education delivery that are best suited for distance education.

Prof. Pillai said that the CMAI was looking forward to build up on the opportunities which this new medium of M-Education has created by providing IGNOU study material. “When connectivity is combined with the contents of study material, access to education can become massive. The access to course content and class-room dissemination of lessons also can be developed into providing and taking of examination papers through mobile telephony,” he said.

Stating that the mobile medium would help students study at their own pace, Prof. Pillai said that they can do it from home. Students can have access to the most advanced learning infrastructure and at the end of the course corporates will be waiting with dream job offers, he said.

Bridging distance

According to CMAI, M-education can cover far-flung areas in the country and assist to bridge the physical distance using wireless technology. It will help make mobile phones a great leveller in the society.

Contents can be easily accessed though handsets, no matter wherever are you or whenever you want. A number of tests can be immediately identified. Besides reaching out to the rural marginalised people, a number of competitive tests—CAT, JEE, GATE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL among a slew of others—can be taken using the medium, it said.

ICT platform

IGNOU is also stepping up its ICT-based educational services offered across the country. The latest project is to set up study centres at 3, 000 railway stations in the country in association with the government-owned Railtel Corporation of India Ltd.

Prof. Pillai said that the university would offer its academic programmes through these study centres. IGNOU will utilise Railtel’s high-speed optic fibre cable network (OFC) to provide educational content. The project’s trial run had been successful. An academic programme in this mode was offered from Thiruvananthapuram for the Nagaland University.

Students can interact with teachers using the university’s distance-learning modules and online tests at these virtual colleges. The move was part of IGNOU’s efforts to extend its reach to the interiors of the country, Prof. Pillai said. The university will set up study centres at railway stations in rural areas, apart from tier II and tier III cities.

Railtel has laid about 30,000 km of OFC network. For the project, it will offer land, bandwidth and data centres to IGNOU.

Enhancing technology

Prof. Pillai said that the rapid expansion of education had necessitated several steps involving decentralisation and enhancing the available technology at the regional centres and study centres. Steps are being taken to provide broadband connectivity to all study centres.

IGNOU’s educational programmes are reaching over 8 million homes through the Gyan Darshan Channels, via the DTH (Direct-To-Home) platform and webcasting, he said.

The university also acts as a national resource centre for expertise and infrastructure for the open and distance learning (ODL) system. It has developed e-gyankosh, a unique digital repository giving open access to all its materials.

Steps toward strengthening research in the area of ODL and enhancement of the domain knowledge in all the core disciplines of humanities, social sciences, arts and basic sciences, using the technology-intensive ODL, are being given top priority now.

Convergence scheme

Prof. Pillai said that the convergence scheme was a major initiative of IGNOU with a great impact on the conventional system. “This brings together the strengths of technology-augmented conventional face-to-face education and the open and distance learning to enhance the quality of the teaching-learning process and to expand the reach of education with social inclusivity. The response to this new scheme is enormous.

Initiatives

Other new schemes related to improving educational access include community colleges; strengthening other available rural and urban resources; creating special study centres; and training and certification of several thousands of in-service school teachers.

Prof. Pillai said that the community colleges, more than 100 such across the country, were re-accredited to award up to two years of tertiary education. IGNOU plans to offer conditional recognition to the certification of these colleges, as well as offer its own associate degree programmes through them.

The university will also offer courses on school leadership management for senior and middle-level teachers in schools.

Short-term orientation and training programmes based on regional needs, offered independently by the regional centres, are some of the other significant highlights of the activities initiated recently.

IGNOU has also created several new centres towards fulfilling its role as a capacity builder for the nation. These centres are IGNOU Institute for Vocational Education and Training; North East Centre for Research and Development; IGNOU Institute for Professional Competency Advancement of Teachers through ODL; IGNOU Centre for ODL in Research and Training in Agriculture; the Advanced Centre for Informatics and Innovative Learning; and the Centre for Corporate Education, Training and Consultancy.

Licence ban unrelated to black points system

Licence ban unrelated to black points system

By Bassam Za'za', Senior ReporterPublished: April 07, 2009, GULF NEWS

Dubai: A four-year driving ban might await drivers who will be referred to a traffic court for driving under the influence of liquor, warned a senior prosecutor on Tuesday.

The Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution has started asking traffic courts to impose a two-year licence annulment and two years' ban on drunken drivers from applying for a new one or renewing their driving licences, Salah Bu Farousha, the Head of Traffic Public Prosecution, told Gulf News on Tuesday.

"Since April 1, the traffic prosecution started requesting, in its arraignment sheets, the Traffic Courts of First Instance and Appeal to revoke the licences of drunken drivers for two years and a similar period preventing drunk drivers from applying for or renewing a licence. We are very serious and strict concerning this request.

" More than 60 per cent of last year's 4,000 of traffic cases were cases of suspects caught driving under the influence of liquor. In this year's first quarter we registered 333 cases, the number of which has increased compared to the 297 cases in the same period of 2008," Bu Farousha said.
He said the driving licence of a drunke driver is revoked upon a court judgment.

"The system of deducting traffic points from someone's traffic file is different from a court judgment to revoke a licence& We request in the bill of charges to revoke a drunken driver's licence and impose a licence-renewal ban and the rest is up to the judge's discretion.

"Even if a drunken driver does not exceed 24 traffic points, the traffic law allows us to place the above request," he added.

Addressing drunken drivers, Bu Farousha cautioned: "Those convicts won't be able to sit behind a steering unless they place an official request to retain their driving licences at the Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution. I would like to clarify that we usually inform the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) about anyone's licence that has been revoked upon a court order. We do so to prevent anyone from re-applying for a new licence."

http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Traffic_and_Transport/10302225.html

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

Team1 Daily LAWS Dt 30 Mar 2009 - a few million NRI dreams

No News edition 14 - My World

Dear Friends,

Welcome to read the 14th issue of No News. From my childhood printed media has been an obsession for me. Except for the regional newspaper Mathrubhumi, it was rare to get and read variety of news and views. Periodic visit to the local libraries and occasional visitors from outside brought a change to the routine by adding pages of The Hindu or Illustrated Weekly, which was considered for the elite. The quest for reading continued as I grew older. As I moved on, it was happy hunting whenever I travelled to distant parts of India to explore the print media there and the style they released it. It never stopped even after reaching here. Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Gulf Today, and even those smaller editions, some of which died an early death.

Year 2008 saw a remarkable change in the newspaper industry by the release of THE NATIONAL. Print media became much more competitive and what was earlier a quick reading and throwaway task has now become a routine of devotion to complete the pages from start to finish. It is quite a task indeed for those who love to read. Several occasions pages have to be kept aside for week-end readings, which again saw quality output coming in to increase the knowledge power of word. Indeed, word power can be world power and it is one of the reason, I regularly read some columns without ever missing it. Mr. Saleh Al Shaibany was one such writer with Khaleej Times, whose articles brought huge interest amongst readers during his time with KT. Mr. Collin Randall is another journalist who generated literary interest with his commentary on English grammar and it’s usage. Although, very recently he has changed his base from UAE, he has continued his column in THE NATIONAL titled “my word”. As usual he allows debate on definite usage of English language each time. This time it was on the usage of comas and their need while writing.

To be or not to be is a question we ask several times when we write, read or do a thing. It happens in the grammatical usage too. As an advocate of TQM and Positive Thinking thoughts and deeds, I always contemplate for the liberty of right deed towards a right result. No matter whatever you do with orientation towards a positive result for you and the society, do it. In the case of comma too, just like an old person gasping for breadth while running a race as age catches, a comma can be lived with or without in usage styles. It all depends on how you look at things from various angle at different times. For example, if you are in the good books of your management, and you start an activity to control the number of drivers in rotation, it will be projected as brilliant and cost saving. Whereas, if your boss’s wife required a driver and he is not available on time for her due to your cost control measures, you are in line of fire.

Several times what we feel strange may look as necessary for someone and routine for some other. The other day a news item appeared about features of a Toyota Fortuner 4x4 and it’s lady owner who uses it’s ample luggage space for keeping about 40 pairs of her shoes. It was amazing to me. But, when I thought about my own car boot, fitted with a small picnic chair, my own digital camera and video camera kits, tripod, battery chargers, a full fledged First Aid Kit, fire extinguisher set, a pair of cricket bat, stumps, balls, badminton bats and a few bottles of water and a pair of jogging shoes, someone else may think, is he living in his car?.

It is all our on word and world and how we look at things we act up on. Talking about all these accessories, and it’s necessities, it is how we utilise what we have. For me, it is a routine to keep the battery of the photographic equipments fully charged and feel like a solider without his gun if I walk out with my camera battery down. Similar is the case of not carrying a pen, paper and my diary. I believe in the principle that opportunities come only for those who explore it.
An example is the cover page photo which is now an entry competing in the final stages of Malayalamanorama online news photography competition. It was a casual trip to the famous Athirappilli Vazhachaal waterfalls and it was like water and water falls everywhere, but not in a position to drink from anywhere. Splash of water from the falls which formed a stream and resulted in a small collection area was the only source of drinking point for some wild monkeys living in that area. It was his looks in the eyes and the style that captured my attention as he was drinking to save his life from danger of being attacked for fun by the tourists. It came handy now when the newspaper came out with a competition related to the Save Water – Water day on 22nd March. Talking about these competitions also reminds of a sustained effort which is required. A winner will be decided only after continuous online voting opportunities for one month. Contestants have to remain competitive and focussed on the objective of winning to remain in the race.

Winning is not the prime thing but it is to attempt for the win which is significant as far as I am concerned. Life is full of diversities and differentiations for each one of us. However, the space allotted to us is the same each day, i.e. 24hrs x 60 minutes. The weather, job, familial conditions are all in one way or other complemented to cater to our requirements and the resultant achievements signifies how we utilised those precious units.

Take the example of plants in the small balcony my mother maintains at home here. It is the same area for all tenants but we have a huge collection of Thulasi and other flowering plants and now even growing tomatoe, which are ready to harvest. What not?

Coming back to the commas, colons and semis, from the ancient time, “English” and the language has been munificent enough for taking onus to explore the civilisation across and guiding them to peril or prosperity. As in every field, it is how we utilise it each situation. In reality, I believe it is the cause for the true word order or world order which has united distant corner of the universe by it’s singularity and diversity. For me it is always to aim for positive word. I pass it on to you too.

God Bless and have a great week-end.

Ramesh Menon
28032009

www.talentshare.blogspot.com
www.team1uae.blogspot.com
e-mail: team1dubai@gmail.com

Heavy Storm lashes Dubai on Wednesday Night

Watch the video as Dubai is lashed by heavy rain as a storm moves across the UAE on Wednesday night - courtesy GULF NEWS


courtesy: gntv

Team 1 Daily LAWS Dt 24 Mar 2009 - IPL Shifts to South Africa

Team 1 Daily LAWS - Distance from Pleasant to Peasant

Photo Speaks - Following the small steps

Photo Speaks - Following the small steps

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

Talent Share - March 2009 - Campaign & Themes - A Safe Society

For the month of March 2009, we invite entries from children with the following important themes as the basis of their work:

- Importance of forming a Queue system in public places (taxi and bus stand in particular)
- Dangers of using mobile phones while driving
- Importance of using Pedestrian crossings

Children can draw, color or prepare poster on the above three or all the three and are free to send as many entries as they wish.

Act now and SHARE your child's creative talent to the world around. Send their works with the following details to team1dubai@gmail.com at your convenience:

Name:
Date of Birth:
Class:
School:
Place:
Parents Name:
Contact Telephone No(s):
Contact address : e-mail
Contact Address by Post:

Age group is from 04 to 15 years. However, all the others including Arts & Craft Teachers are welcome to submit their creative contribution.

Any corporate sponsors who appreciate this initiative and wish to support the Talent Share objectives to promote social conscience through the talent and creativity of children may write to me at team1dubai@gmail.com.

This is an initiative created to promote the creative talents of children and has no commercial motives.

Please note that when a creative work comes online, it automatically become an immortal profile for them for use and exhibit at a later point of time.

Sincere regards,

Ramesh Menon
team1dubai@gmail.com

Ready to Bless

A decorated temple elephant waiting for devotees to shower his blessings and in turn their offerings for his and his mahouts daily bread.

Sand Art by Sreekanth and Harish

Just one person can make a difference

3rd Indo Arab Cultural Festival 26th February to 7th March 2009, Abu Dhabi

3rd Indo Arab Cultural Festival organized by Kerala Social Centre Abu Dhabi started yesterday evening with a grand opening. The festival will be held from 26th February till 7th March 2009.

Excerpts of the inaugural function held on Thursday, 26th February 2009 at the Kerala Social Centre premises in Abu Dhabi








More videos and photo uploads follows:

Sri Sudhir Kumar Shetty giving his felicitation speech



Performance Satyana Rangeela by a group of Rajasthani singers







Release of Pravasi – an internal magazine by Kerala Social Centre Abu Dhabi




Sri C Radhakrishnan giving his felicitation speech



Sri D Raja, MP, giving his speech during the inaugural function



Mrs K Ajitha, giving her speech during the inaugural function

It's OJRA re time at Abu Dhabi

From 15th February 2009 Abu Dhabi Bus service is no more free. However, they have introduced an economically viable pricing system for public to travel taking tickets on a daily, monthly basis. The daily/monthly coupons are called OJRA. From the rush within the bus, it seems public find it convenient and useful to travel by these buses, even if they have to pay. So, it's OJRA re time in Abu Dhabi.

Towards and cleaner and healthier environment

Vow!! What a nice view. You must be thinking while looking at the picture immediately below. It was taken from the newly built pedestrian bridge on a Friday morning as soon as it was installed for the use of residents in Tourist Club Area Abu Dhabi.

A casual walk that morning, and it's beauty did not last long. I was really shocked to see the amount of garbage thrown on top of it.

Garbage items thrown carelessly everywhere. How is it possible to create an un-healthy environment so soon. That was my question? A few days passed and I found the amount of garbage increasing. As always, reacting to such issues, I tried to contact the relevant authorities. It didn't turn out to be a waste of effort.


Report in Gulf News - Your Turn community report page.

In an hours time after my email to the Abu Dhabi Municipality authority, the area was totally clean and they were reciprocative to my added request of initiating appropriate guidelines and notices to warn general public of use and misuse.

Thank you Gulf News, THE NATIONAL, ABU DHABI MUNICIPALITY and WWW.ABUDHABI.AE.

It is a different view altogether and happier environment for the public. All the more, we know now, you are live and respond to the well being of the residents.

Dual responsibility in road safety

Do’s and Don’ts When Driving in Foggy Conditions

Do’s and Don’ts When Driving in Foggy Conditions

õ While driving under foggy weather, motorists should reduce the speed gradually and drive at a controlled speed that fits the circumstances.

õ Motorists should make sure that all the lights of the vehicle are in good working condition, the instructions read.

õ They should use low lights as the head lights reflect water drops in the fog, thus making visibility difficult.

õ Motorists are advised to switch on the fog lights if available in the car and be patient avoiding overtaking and changing lanes.

õ The motorists have been advised to follow the traffic signals on the road and drive at the right end of the road and not in the middle.

õ They have also been instructed to leave double space than usual between two vehicles and be vigilant and alert for any possible mishap.

õ While driving under foggy conditions, motorists should keep themselves away from any distractions like mobile phones etc.

õ Motorists should be careful in listening and pay attention to any warnings and the road.

õ While driving, make sure that the window panes and mirrors are clean and use vipers.

õ If the fog is thick, motorists should stop the vehicles away from the road and vehicular traffic and turn the hazard lights on.

õ Motorists are also advised not to stop the vehicle on the road or they could get involved in a mishap leading to a serious pile up.

õ Motorists are advised not to speed, even if the fog starts clearing as the fog can get thick again.

õ One should not try to speed by overtaking a slow moving car and keep an eye on the speed.

õ If a motorist realizes that he is speeding, one should reduce it immediately.

õ Motorists have been advised to use low beam lights in poor visibility conditions.

õ Before starting a journey, motorists are advised to listen to the weather forecast bulletin and the condition of traffic.

õ They are advised to cancel the journey until the situation improves, the instructions said.

courtesy: Khaleej Times

Drunk driver gets co-driver jailed

Drunk driver gets co-driver jailed
By: Aditya Anand for Mid Day Mumbai

Mumbai:
The next time you are traveling with friends and know that the person at the wheel is drunk better stop him. Or else face the consequences.

In a first of its kind incident since Mumbai traffic police initiated the anti-drink-and-drive campaign in 2007, a co-passenger was booked and later ordered a day's simple imprisonment by the court for being aware that the driver was drunk and yet did not stop him from taking to the wheel.

Traffic police inspector, Mulund, Vinay Bagade informed that on February 4, the traffic police, during the anti-drink-and-drive campaign at Modella Check Naka in Mulund flagged down a Maruti Swift for checking.

As the driver Yogesh Bhoir (21) tested positive, the co-passenger Lokesh Gholap (22) was asked if he was aware that the driver had consumed alcohol; and he was violating the law by driving in a drunken condition. To this the co-passenger replied in the affirmative. Hence, the driver was booked under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA) and the co-passenger was booked under section 188 of the MVA.

Interestingly, Bhoir also did not possess a driving license. Since the duo abstained from visiting the court on February 5 summons were issued and they reported to the court on Wednesday.

Section 188 of the MVA, 1988 reads "Whoever abets the commission of an offence under section 184, 185 or 186 shall be punishable with the punishment provided for the offence."

Section 185 provides for a fine of up to Rs 2,000, suspension of driving license for minimum six months and; or imprisonment up to 6 months.

Book release - Cadeau - a guide to NRIs in UAE