Showing posts with label 02 Gulf News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 02 Gulf News. Show all posts
Thursday, July 15, 2010
My Letters - GULF NEWS Dt. 15.07.2010 - Green Diet
My Letters - GULF NEWS Dt. 15.07.2010 - Green Diet
Friday, July 9, 2010
Community Report - GULF NEWS Dt. 09.07.2010 - Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
Community Report - GULF NEWS Dt. 09.07.2010 - Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
Community Report - GULF NEWS Dt. 09.07.2010 - Spilt fuel can have dire consequences
Unsafe practices at busy filling stations alarm reader
En route to Dubai from Abu Dhabi, when using the Saadiyat Island road, motorists have limited options to fill up their vehicles' petrol tanks once they leave the city.
Either they have to drive to Shahama — which is 40 kilometres away — or get to the major petrol station near Samha, which is 56 kilometres away from the city.
The rush of motorists in the afternoon is on the higher side, as there are many daily commuters who reside in Dubai and work in Abu Dhabi. This makes refuelling an issue, as there is a long queue at both these petrol stations during the afternoon and later on in the day.
On my frequent trips to Dubai, during different times, I have observed some significant safety-related issues and other matters that pose an inconvenience to the public. I wish to highlight them here.
Firstly, there is no petrol station on this stretch of road for about 40 kilometres — and any motorists leaving the city without enough fuel are bound to get stuck. Incidentally, there is no petrol station in the Mina area, too, which has significant heavy vehicle traffic and thus a petrol station at the exit of Mina or somewhere in the Mina area next to vegetable market or the animal market would be welcomed by all motorists who use this road.
Heavy rush
Secondly, I have noticed several times that due to the heavy rush, motorists often go to the wrong side of the petrol-filling units. The attending staff then have to stretch the hose to fill the tank.
The drivers mostly sit inside their vehicles while the petrol station attendants connect the hose and then rush to the next vehicle. The weather is extremely hot and due to the pressure, fuel is often spilled all over the place until someone points it out and asks the attendant to stop and reconnect the hose.
This is an extremely dangerous situation as the engines of vehicles are usually running and a mere spark from any possible source could definitely lead to a major disaster.
Witnessing one such occasion, I made an effort to talk to the station supervisor of a major petrol station near Samha on the way to Dubai and was told that the arrangements of filling on the wrong side, using extended hoses, has been initiated to reduce the rush.
Also, I did not find an effort to neutralise the fuel spilt using sand or any other precautionary safety measures. Only half a bucket of water was poured and the attendants were of the opinion that in the heat, it would evaporate quickly.
Using Gulf News' community report platform, I request the authorities to set up a petrol station in Mina area for the benefit of motorists and to also provide their staff with the necessary safety training. Safety equipment must be installed and made available at these units, too.
People should be given instructions not to leave their cars unattended if they are being filled at the wrong side of the petrol pump. Drivers also have a major role in ensuring safety as they have to keep an eye on the process and if there is any problem, should alert the staff immediately.
Safety is the responsibility of every individual. Let us not act after an incident has occurred — let us try and prevent it.
— The reader is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
En route to Dubai from Abu Dhabi, when using the Saadiyat Island road, motorists have limited options to fill up their vehicles' petrol tanks once they leave the city.
Either they have to drive to Shahama — which is 40 kilometres away — or get to the major petrol station near Samha, which is 56 kilometres away from the city.
The rush of motorists in the afternoon is on the higher side, as there are many daily commuters who reside in Dubai and work in Abu Dhabi. This makes refuelling an issue, as there is a long queue at both these petrol stations during the afternoon and later on in the day.
On my frequent trips to Dubai, during different times, I have observed some significant safety-related issues and other matters that pose an inconvenience to the public. I wish to highlight them here.
Firstly, there is no petrol station on this stretch of road for about 40 kilometres — and any motorists leaving the city without enough fuel are bound to get stuck. Incidentally, there is no petrol station in the Mina area, too, which has significant heavy vehicle traffic and thus a petrol station at the exit of Mina or somewhere in the Mina area next to vegetable market or the animal market would be welcomed by all motorists who use this road.
Heavy rush
Secondly, I have noticed several times that due to the heavy rush, motorists often go to the wrong side of the petrol-filling units. The attending staff then have to stretch the hose to fill the tank.
The drivers mostly sit inside their vehicles while the petrol station attendants connect the hose and then rush to the next vehicle. The weather is extremely hot and due to the pressure, fuel is often spilled all over the place until someone points it out and asks the attendant to stop and reconnect the hose.
This is an extremely dangerous situation as the engines of vehicles are usually running and a mere spark from any possible source could definitely lead to a major disaster.
Witnessing one such occasion, I made an effort to talk to the station supervisor of a major petrol station near Samha on the way to Dubai and was told that the arrangements of filling on the wrong side, using extended hoses, has been initiated to reduce the rush.
Also, I did not find an effort to neutralise the fuel spilt using sand or any other precautionary safety measures. Only half a bucket of water was poured and the attendants were of the opinion that in the heat, it would evaporate quickly.
Using Gulf News' community report platform, I request the authorities to set up a petrol station in Mina area for the benefit of motorists and to also provide their staff with the necessary safety training. Safety equipment must be installed and made available at these units, too.
People should be given instructions not to leave their cars unattended if they are being filled at the wrong side of the petrol pump. Drivers also have a major role in ensuring safety as they have to keep an eye on the process and if there is any problem, should alert the staff immediately.
Safety is the responsibility of every individual. Let us not act after an incident has occurred — let us try and prevent it.
— The reader is a technical officer, based in Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
My Letters - GULF NEWS Dt. 27.06.2010 - Congratulations
My Letters - GULF NEWS Dt. 27.06.2010 - Congratulations
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Photo Speaks - GULF NEWS - Dt. 13.06.2010 - Fire breaks out in Abu Dhabi building
Photo Speaks - GULF NEWS - Dt. 13.06.2010 - Fire breaks out in Abu Dhabi building
Thursday, June 10, 2010
My Letters - Gulf News Dt. 10062010 - Unauthorised food outlets
My Letters - Gulf News Dt. 10062010 - Unauthorised food outlets
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
A note:
Incidentally, this is my 201st published material in print media, after I started seriously keeping a track of them and blogging them each time they get published. As you may notice, each of them is a dedicated effort to highlight a good deed done by an individual or group, or a problem that may affect the society in general. A parallel effort to highlight them directly with the authorities is also being made and these letters give substantial support to those efforts.
Every time I blog it or publish it, questions are raised, how do you get time. It is by practise of observing things more closely, keeping a small note and pen with me and then allotting few minutes here and there dedicated to each one of those tasks. It’s an effort done with passion and hence the result.
Sincere regards and enjoy reading.
Ramesh Menon
10.06.2010
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
A note:
Incidentally, this is my 201st published material in print media, after I started seriously keeping a track of them and blogging them each time they get published. As you may notice, each of them is a dedicated effort to highlight a good deed done by an individual or group, or a problem that may affect the society in general. A parallel effort to highlight them directly with the authorities is also being made and these letters give substantial support to those efforts.
Every time I blog it or publish it, questions are raised, how do you get time. It is by practise of observing things more closely, keeping a small note and pen with me and then allotting few minutes here and there dedicated to each one of those tasks. It’s an effort done with passion and hence the result.
Sincere regards and enjoy reading.
Ramesh Menon
10.06.2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
My Letters - Gulf News Dt. 24 May 2010 - Write it right, education body alerts Filipinos
My Letters - Gulf News Dt. 24 May 2010 - Write it right, education body alerts Filipinos
Write it right, education body alerts Filipinos
Filipino students told to use proper English even when sending text messages or using social networking sites
By Gilbert P. Felongco, Correspondent Published: 00:00 May 24, 2010
Manila: In a bid to compel young Filipinos to toe the line on correct language and communicate effectively, the education department has ordered teachers to force students to use proper grammar when writing or keying in their messages.
Education Secretary Mona Valisno said the use of mobile phone text messages in daily communication, to a certain extent had been detrimental to Filipinos because text message users were forced to sacrifice message clarity for the sake of keeping up with pop culture.
Owing to the limited lines of text mobiles are capable of handling, some Filipino text message users tend to shorten their messages.
While limiting the amount of text is understandable for short messaging services, such a practice was being used more widely in non-formal avenues such as on social networking sites as Facebook, Multiply and Friendster, among others.
"I understand that shortcut texting helps save on cost of SMS," Valisno said.
"Short messaging service is intended for delivering concise messages and not full conversation.
"This means you can properly compose a 160- character message in full spelling to get your message across."
Another major issue that the education department was trying to address is the increasing number of young Filipinos who tended to veer away from conventional English and Filipino grammar and use typefaces that ordinary people found difficult to read, let alone understand.
But Valisno said Filipinos should stop the practice if they want to remain competitive.
My comments as follows:
This is an excellent move by the education department of Philippines. In reality, it should be followed by all. The Short Message Syndrome (SMS) is cancerous in tempting children to deviate from communicating in full and confine to a world of limited expressions. It is not easy to move away now from the world of Twitters and Facebooks, and however, authorities try to restrict, children and even will find it attractive some way or other suiting their intellectual or other worldly tastes. It is therefore, good to initiate measures to start conversing in full even within the limitation of word count restrictions. Train them young and well for future. Otherwise, it will be another catastrophe that we all will have to look up on in the future - a global tapering of language.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS ONLINE.
Write it right, education body alerts Filipinos
Filipino students told to use proper English even when sending text messages or using social networking sites
By Gilbert P. Felongco, Correspondent Published: 00:00 May 24, 2010
Manila: In a bid to compel young Filipinos to toe the line on correct language and communicate effectively, the education department has ordered teachers to force students to use proper grammar when writing or keying in their messages.
Education Secretary Mona Valisno said the use of mobile phone text messages in daily communication, to a certain extent had been detrimental to Filipinos because text message users were forced to sacrifice message clarity for the sake of keeping up with pop culture.
Owing to the limited lines of text mobiles are capable of handling, some Filipino text message users tend to shorten their messages.
While limiting the amount of text is understandable for short messaging services, such a practice was being used more widely in non-formal avenues such as on social networking sites as Facebook, Multiply and Friendster, among others.
"I understand that shortcut texting helps save on cost of SMS," Valisno said.
"Short messaging service is intended for delivering concise messages and not full conversation.
"This means you can properly compose a 160- character message in full spelling to get your message across."
Another major issue that the education department was trying to address is the increasing number of young Filipinos who tended to veer away from conventional English and Filipino grammar and use typefaces that ordinary people found difficult to read, let alone understand.
But Valisno said Filipinos should stop the practice if they want to remain competitive.
My comments as follows:
This is an excellent move by the education department of Philippines. In reality, it should be followed by all. The Short Message Syndrome (SMS) is cancerous in tempting children to deviate from communicating in full and confine to a world of limited expressions. It is not easy to move away now from the world of Twitters and Facebooks, and however, authorities try to restrict, children and even will find it attractive some way or other suiting their intellectual or other worldly tastes. It is therefore, good to initiate measures to start conversing in full even within the limitation of word count restrictions. Train them young and well for future. Otherwise, it will be another catastrophe that we all will have to look up on in the future - a global tapering of language.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS ONLINE.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
My Letters - GULF NEWS - Dt. 28.0.50.2010 - Pray for the departed
My Letters - GULF NEWS - Dt. 28.0.50.2010 - Pray for the departed
Friday, May 14, 2010
Speak your mind - GULF NEWS - Be Heard - Dt. 14.05.2010 - Fixing the problems in schools
Speak your mind - GULF NEWS - Be Heard - Dt. 14.05.2010 - Fixing the problems in schools
country's future lies with the youth and their development
By Ramesh Menon, Gulf News reader Published: 19:38 May 13, 2010
The talk of the town is school transportation. Should school buses have tinted windows or curtains? Also, once children reach school, what should we do to prevent abuse — from other students and teachers? A tough task indeed.
Let’s think of some viable options that are safe and harmonious.
There should be women drivers for school buses that transport girls. They will be more cautious drivers and students will be transported to and from school without being leered at. I am not generalising that all drivers are bad, but this is an option that could be taken into consideration.
It seems that putting cameras in classrooms will have to wait. At present, schools are hard-pressed to make ends meet and this isn’t a feasible option under the present economic scenario.
Therefore, to prevent children being bullied by other students or teachers, I would suggest:
• A committee should be formed for each school, comprising school management, teachers and parents. On a monthly basis, they should meet to assess the situation. Sealed complaints and suggestion boxes should be kept in schools, to be opened only by committee members.
• A higher committee comprising members from this team and from the school governing body, the Ministry of Education and police (a counselling or special team) should be formed. The school-level lower committee should submit a monthly report of any incidents.
• A daily or weekly duty officer should be appointed from among the lower committee with a contact number. Urgent matters should be handled immediately by the duty officer, after properly logging it and informing the committee. They should then try to resolve it amicably.
• If there are any serious cases, they should immediately call for an emergency meeting with the members of the higher-level committee and then analyse it thoroughly. At this time, they should take strict disciplinary action against both the student and his or her parents, who are equally responsible.
• Additionally, I suggest that the authorities consider special concessions to schools, for daily operating items. This will naturally bring down the operating costs for the schools and allow them to enhance their existing facilities or reduce school fees.
A country’s future lies with the youth and their development and these efforts will definitely bear fruit in the long run.
I submit this suggestion to the Ministry of Education through Gulf News’ column. Are there any like-minded readers out there?
— The writer is an Abu Dhabi-based technical officer and Gulf News reader
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.
country's future lies with the youth and their development
By Ramesh Menon, Gulf News reader Published: 19:38 May 13, 2010
The talk of the town is school transportation. Should school buses have tinted windows or curtains? Also, once children reach school, what should we do to prevent abuse — from other students and teachers? A tough task indeed.
Let’s think of some viable options that are safe and harmonious.
There should be women drivers for school buses that transport girls. They will be more cautious drivers and students will be transported to and from school without being leered at. I am not generalising that all drivers are bad, but this is an option that could be taken into consideration.
It seems that putting cameras in classrooms will have to wait. At present, schools are hard-pressed to make ends meet and this isn’t a feasible option under the present economic scenario.
Therefore, to prevent children being bullied by other students or teachers, I would suggest:
• A committee should be formed for each school, comprising school management, teachers and parents. On a monthly basis, they should meet to assess the situation. Sealed complaints and suggestion boxes should be kept in schools, to be opened only by committee members.
• A higher committee comprising members from this team and from the school governing body, the Ministry of Education and police (a counselling or special team) should be formed. The school-level lower committee should submit a monthly report of any incidents.
• A daily or weekly duty officer should be appointed from among the lower committee with a contact number. Urgent matters should be handled immediately by the duty officer, after properly logging it and informing the committee. They should then try to resolve it amicably.
• If there are any serious cases, they should immediately call for an emergency meeting with the members of the higher-level committee and then analyse it thoroughly. At this time, they should take strict disciplinary action against both the student and his or her parents, who are equally responsible.
• Additionally, I suggest that the authorities consider special concessions to schools, for daily operating items. This will naturally bring down the operating costs for the schools and allow them to enhance their existing facilities or reduce school fees.
A country’s future lies with the youth and their development and these efforts will definitely bear fruit in the long run.
I submit this suggestion to the Ministry of Education through Gulf News’ column. Are there any like-minded readers out there?
— The writer is an Abu Dhabi-based technical officer and Gulf News reader
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.
Friday, May 7, 2010
My Letters - GULF NEWS - Increase in prices
My Letters - GULF NEWS - Increase in prices
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor Sunday, April 25, 2010
My Opinion : Gulf News - Dt 25.04.2010 - Recycling should replace scavenging
My Opinion : Gulf News - Dt 25.04.2010 - Recycling should replace scavenging
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
Thursday, April 22, 2010
My Opinion : Entire police force to watch roads for unsafe drivers
Dubai: Drivers beware. The next time you weave through lanes, be aware that chances are now greater for a police officer to flag you down for violating Dubai's traffic rules.
A new rule implemented beginning this week gives the approximately 20,000 members of the Dubai Police force the authority to issue traffic fines and impound vehicles whose registration has expired.
Earlier, only traffic police officers totalling about 800 could issue such fines.
The new regulation is aimed at curbing the number of road violations and ensure motorists are more conscious of their driving, said Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police.
All access
"Any officer stopping a motorist for any road violation will have access to his/her traffic violation record and will be able to issue a fine or take action in coordination with the traffic department," said Al Zafein.
Senior traffic officers will monitor the roads day and night. "I will personally take to the roads to monitor the driving of motorists and issue fines. This is being done to change the general perception about senior officers and that it is the duty of every officer to monitor driving habits. And I believe when motorists see that officers are present to ensure they follow the rules they will be more conscious," Al Zafein said.
In the first quarter of 2009, the total number of traffic fines issued totalled 727,054. This year, the figures dropped to 608,776.
This drop in fines is attributed to many reasons but one of them is due to the increase in patrols monitoring the streets.
"Patrol units from police stations backed-up traffic officers to curb violations," he said.
According to Al Zafein, the number of on-the-spot fines issued to motorists in the first quarter this year reached 278,964, compared to 251,336 in the same period last year.
Truck drivers committed 6,416 offences in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 1,852 during the same period in 2009. There were 3,884 motorists who were caught jumping red lights in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 2,612 in 2009.
"The number of accidents and injuries has decreased, and that is because a lot of people are taking more precautions now, such as fastening their seatbelts," said Al Zafein.
800: traffic police officers in Dubai
20,000: approximate number of personnel in police force
608,776: traffic fines issued in first quarter
278,964: on-the-spot traffic fines issued
First quarter traffic violators
The three most dangerous roads with the highest number of fatalities are Emirates road, Dubai Bypass road and Dubai-Al Ain road.
In the first quarter of 2010, 62 people were killed whereas it was 69 in the first period of 2009
"The most dangerous road in the emirate so far is the Emirates road which holds the highest number of fatalities. This is for several reasons such as the existence of both trucks and cars on one road, and the reckless driving that occurs there," according to Maj Gen Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police.
The indicator of traffic fatalities that the department aims to reach is 11.8 person for every 100,000 of the population a decline to last year's indicator which reached 12.9.
"From the statistics of the first quarter of 2010 it is idealistic to meet this indicator thus we have a range from 11.8 to 12.5," said Maj Gen Al Zafein.
My Comments as follows:
I am happy to see this move, may be a side effect of constant effort to highlight such cases of rash driving happening around through community reports, letters and suggestion options at the Dubai Police site. Many times I have felt, life was at the mercy of some reckless driver who ignore his life as well as of the others on the road. Congratulations to sustained efforts by authorities to ensure a safe road for us.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS ONLINE
A new rule implemented beginning this week gives the approximately 20,000 members of the Dubai Police force the authority to issue traffic fines and impound vehicles whose registration has expired.
Earlier, only traffic police officers totalling about 800 could issue such fines.
The new regulation is aimed at curbing the number of road violations and ensure motorists are more conscious of their driving, said Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police.
All access
"Any officer stopping a motorist for any road violation will have access to his/her traffic violation record and will be able to issue a fine or take action in coordination with the traffic department," said Al Zafein.
Senior traffic officers will monitor the roads day and night. "I will personally take to the roads to monitor the driving of motorists and issue fines. This is being done to change the general perception about senior officers and that it is the duty of every officer to monitor driving habits. And I believe when motorists see that officers are present to ensure they follow the rules they will be more conscious," Al Zafein said.
In the first quarter of 2009, the total number of traffic fines issued totalled 727,054. This year, the figures dropped to 608,776.
This drop in fines is attributed to many reasons but one of them is due to the increase in patrols monitoring the streets.
"Patrol units from police stations backed-up traffic officers to curb violations," he said.
According to Al Zafein, the number of on-the-spot fines issued to motorists in the first quarter this year reached 278,964, compared to 251,336 in the same period last year.
Truck drivers committed 6,416 offences in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 1,852 during the same period in 2009. There were 3,884 motorists who were caught jumping red lights in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 2,612 in 2009.
"The number of accidents and injuries has decreased, and that is because a lot of people are taking more precautions now, such as fastening their seatbelts," said Al Zafein.
800: traffic police officers in Dubai
20,000: approximate number of personnel in police force
608,776: traffic fines issued in first quarter
278,964: on-the-spot traffic fines issued
First quarter traffic violators
The three most dangerous roads with the highest number of fatalities are Emirates road, Dubai Bypass road and Dubai-Al Ain road.
In the first quarter of 2010, 62 people were killed whereas it was 69 in the first period of 2009
"The most dangerous road in the emirate so far is the Emirates road which holds the highest number of fatalities. This is for several reasons such as the existence of both trucks and cars on one road, and the reckless driving that occurs there," according to Maj Gen Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of the General Department of Traffic at Dubai Police.
The indicator of traffic fatalities that the department aims to reach is 11.8 person for every 100,000 of the population a decline to last year's indicator which reached 12.9.
"From the statistics of the first quarter of 2010 it is idealistic to meet this indicator thus we have a range from 11.8 to 12.5," said Maj Gen Al Zafein.
My Comments as follows:
I am happy to see this move, may be a side effect of constant effort to highlight such cases of rash driving happening around through community reports, letters and suggestion options at the Dubai Police site. Many times I have felt, life was at the mercy of some reckless driver who ignore his life as well as of the others on the road. Congratulations to sustained efforts by authorities to ensure a safe road for us.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read this in original, please visit GULF NEWS ONLINE
Saturday, April 17, 2010
My Opinion - Gulf News - Dt. 16.04.2010 - Focus : Civic Sense
My Opinion - Gulf News - Dt. 16.04.2010 - Focus : Civic Sense
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
Monday, April 12, 2010
My Letters - Gulf News Dt. 12.04.2010 - Take away the temptation
My Letters - Gulf News Dt. 12.04.2010 - Take away the temptation
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
Saturday, April 10, 2010
My Letters & Photo Speaks - Gulf News - Dt. 10.04.2010 - Unsung heroes
My Letters & Photo Speaks - Gulf News - Dt. 10.04.2010 - Unsung heroes
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor My Letters - Gulf News - Dt. 09.04.2010 - Designated areas needed
My Letters - Gulf News - Dt. 09.04.2010 - Designated areas needed
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
Thursday, April 8, 2010
My Lettes - GULF NEWS - Dt. 08.04.2010 - Seeking authorities' attention
My Lettes - GULF NEWS - Dt. 08.04.2010 - Seeking authorities' attention
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
My Letters - Gulf News - Dt. 07.04.2010 - Move smokers away from UAE mall entrances
My Letters - Gulf News - Dt. 07.04.2010 - Move smokers away from UAE mall entrances
Shoppers are being forced to inhale second-hand smoke at malls and near designated smoking areas causing health fears
By Bashir Mohammad Hijas, Gulf News Reader
I have been noticing a problem which I think should be highlighted in a community report.
My issue is with the "designated smoking area" in shopping malls. The entrance from the parking lots to the malls is often dotted with smokers, who fill up the air with exhaled smoke and endanger passers-by.
The designated area is in a place where [it affects everyone], including women and children. Often, this location is either not adequately ventilated or not ventilated at all, and the low roofs of the parking areas prevent the exhaled smoke from rising up in the air.
Passive smoking
Thus, the exhaled smoke and its smell lingers in the area for a long period of time.
Most importantly, this smoke endangers the health of passers-by due to the passive smoking effect.
There are several suggested remedial actions:
• Relocate the designated smoking area to a secluded place, away from the exit and entrance gates, so that it does not affect non-smokers.
• Build a glass wall around the smoking area to contain the smoke.
• Install heavy-duty smoke suckers, to trap the exhaled smoke. This would prevent others from inhaling exhaled smoke.
— The reader is a business analyst, in Dubai.
Be a citizen reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Write to us at readers@gulfnews.com
My Comments as follows:
I thank Mr. Bashi Mohammed Hijas for highlighting this issue of smokers crowding the entrance of the malls. It is a common scene, not only for malls, but other office buildings, whether you are in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. I had highlighted a similar situation happening in Abu Dhabi through one of Community report dated 06 April 2009 (strange!!). I followed it up vigorously with the authorities including mall managements and replies received were not promising as they had to find solution for a separate smoking area, rooms etc, which are costly. Rather than the amount of smoke inhaled while one pass by, I was concerned about the temptation, the younger generation gets by watching grown up men and women smoking away fumes waiting in front of the malls. It is a dangerous precedence and it will create an instinctive attraction to try for a cigarette in young minds. Authorities have to find solutions to these exhibitionism outside the premises as and when they introduce control measures to stop smoking inside malls and building.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read this letter in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
Shoppers are being forced to inhale second-hand smoke at malls and near designated smoking areas causing health fears
By Bashir Mohammad Hijas, Gulf News Reader
I have been noticing a problem which I think should be highlighted in a community report.
My issue is with the "designated smoking area" in shopping malls. The entrance from the parking lots to the malls is often dotted with smokers, who fill up the air with exhaled smoke and endanger passers-by.
The designated area is in a place where [it affects everyone], including women and children. Often, this location is either not adequately ventilated or not ventilated at all, and the low roofs of the parking areas prevent the exhaled smoke from rising up in the air.
Passive smoking
Thus, the exhaled smoke and its smell lingers in the area for a long period of time.
Most importantly, this smoke endangers the health of passers-by due to the passive smoking effect.
There are several suggested remedial actions:
• Relocate the designated smoking area to a secluded place, away from the exit and entrance gates, so that it does not affect non-smokers.
• Build a glass wall around the smoking area to contain the smoke.
• Install heavy-duty smoke suckers, to trap the exhaled smoke. This would prevent others from inhaling exhaled smoke.
— The reader is a business analyst, in Dubai.
Be a citizen reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Write to us at readers@gulfnews.com
My Comments as follows:
I thank Mr. Bashi Mohammed Hijas for highlighting this issue of smokers crowding the entrance of the malls. It is a common scene, not only for malls, but other office buildings, whether you are in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. I had highlighted a similar situation happening in Abu Dhabi through one of Community report dated 06 April 2009 (strange!!). I followed it up vigorously with the authorities including mall managements and replies received were not promising as they had to find solution for a separate smoking area, rooms etc, which are costly. Rather than the amount of smoke inhaled while one pass by, I was concerned about the temptation, the younger generation gets by watching grown up men and women smoking away fumes waiting in front of the malls. It is a dangerous precedence and it will create an instinctive attraction to try for a cigarette in young minds. Authorities have to find solutions to these exhibitionism outside the premises as and when they introduce control measures to stop smoking inside malls and building.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read this letter in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
Sunday, April 4, 2010
My Letters - Gulf News - Dt. 04.04.2010 - Lazy pet owners must be more considerate
My Letters - Gulf News - Dt. 04.04.2010 - Lazy pet owners must be more considerate
Lazy pet owners must be more considerate
we donated some of our valuable time to certain aspects of our surroundings, the rewards we reap would be plentiful.
Obviously, these aspects are not about humans and the reward is not money.
I refer to animals and Nature as a whole and the prize is happiness.
However, such creatures demand a great deal of patience and perseverance.
That is why everyone from experienced environmentalists to nature-loving individuals, veterinarians and pet owners deserves applause!
Especially when the topics of major discussions [in political arenas] are to do with climate change and species extinction, conserving certain breeds of pets without depriving them of their natural habitat is the best service rendered to nature.
In distress
But when such services are done, it surely does not mean that other people living in the same community are put into distress.
Many lazy pet owners in Dubai have found a convenient place for their pets to relieve themselves usually in nearby gravel areas. This results in unclean and unhealthy surroundings. Surprisingly, these pet owners do not even realise that the same areas are constantly being used by many [other people].
Unless such areas are privately owned, this immoral attitude is [inconsiderate] and quite disturbing to others. There is nothing wrong in allowing pets to relieve themselves in open areas, provided that they are sandy and the area is suitably cleaned before leaving.
Finally, while performing a good deed, it is not appreciable to cause an inconvenience to the wider community
My Comments as follows:
Its really interesting to read the Community report on a simple but highly unhygienic issue. Well done to Meghna Tony. The children are suffering from shortage of play grounds and areas nearer to their home, and whatever available, should be kept aside for them with special care and should not be allowed to be encroached by their four legged friends and owners. Why not devote some time and give them proper training? Or why not authorities let a designated relieving area for pets? Well, it is too difficult to find solution to install and implement the automated public toilet facilities in place for moving public and so, let our four legged friends and owners enjoy for the time being.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read this letter in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
Lazy pet owners must be more considerate
we donated some of our valuable time to certain aspects of our surroundings, the rewards we reap would be plentiful.
Obviously, these aspects are not about humans and the reward is not money.
I refer to animals and Nature as a whole and the prize is happiness.
However, such creatures demand a great deal of patience and perseverance.
That is why everyone from experienced environmentalists to nature-loving individuals, veterinarians and pet owners deserves applause!
Especially when the topics of major discussions [in political arenas] are to do with climate change and species extinction, conserving certain breeds of pets without depriving them of their natural habitat is the best service rendered to nature.
In distress
But when such services are done, it surely does not mean that other people living in the same community are put into distress.
Many lazy pet owners in Dubai have found a convenient place for their pets to relieve themselves usually in nearby gravel areas. This results in unclean and unhealthy surroundings. Surprisingly, these pet owners do not even realise that the same areas are constantly being used by many [other people].
Unless such areas are privately owned, this immoral attitude is [inconsiderate] and quite disturbing to others. There is nothing wrong in allowing pets to relieve themselves in open areas, provided that they are sandy and the area is suitably cleaned before leaving.
Finally, while performing a good deed, it is not appreciable to cause an inconvenience to the wider community
My Comments as follows:
Its really interesting to read the Community report on a simple but highly unhygienic issue. Well done to Meghna Tony. The children are suffering from shortage of play grounds and areas nearer to their home, and whatever available, should be kept aside for them with special care and should not be allowed to be encroached by their four legged friends and owners. Why not devote some time and give them proper training? Or why not authorities let a designated relieving area for pets? Well, it is too difficult to find solution to install and implement the automated public toilet facilities in place for moving public and so, let our four legged friends and owners enjoy for the time being.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To read this letter in original, please visit GULF NEWS Online.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
My Letters - GULF NEWS - Dt 09 March 2010 - Energy efficiency for a better tomorrow
My Letters - GULF NEWS - Dt 09 March 2010 - Energy efficiency for a better tomorrow
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor Wednesday, March 3, 2010
My Letters - GULF NEWS - Dt 03 March 2010 - Prepare for Emergencies
My Letters - GULF NEWS - Dt 03 March 2010 - Prepare for Emergencies
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
To read my letters to the news, please bookmark and visit Letters to the Editor
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