Opinions | Letters
April 18, 2009
Letters to the Editor
- Gulf News
- Published: 22:41 April 17, 2009
It is a common and convenient practice to order small items from the grocery located in our residential areas. For a change, I gave the jute bag provided by Gulf News to my grocery delivery boy to use instead of plastic bags. Initially, he found it difficult but now strictly adheres to using it. It may sound trivial and unimportant, but if more people could do this, it would make a huge difference in reducing plastic consumption. Let's do our bit for the future.
From Mr Ritvik Sinha
Abu Dhabi
To solve the problem of affordable housing, there should be a mandatory rule for all companies to provide accommodation instead of a housing allowance. By doing this, one could avoid daily traffic and woes faced by tenants reeling under the clutches of greedy landlords. There are many examples of companies that offer staff accommodation, with staff that is happy with the benefit on offer.
From Ms Vijaya Rajit
Dubai
Recently, while shopping at a mall, I picked up a cartridge for my printer and placed it in the shopping trolley along with other groceries. At the cash counter, while placing items on the conveyor belt to be billed, I realised that the cartridge was completely camouflaged under the promotion leaflets. It occurred to me then that I could move the trolley without anyone noticing the cartridge, which I eventually did. However, within two days my printer developed a problem for no apparent reason and I had to pay exactly the same amount in repair costs!
From A Reader
Name withheld by request
Dubai
I've been working in the UAE for the past seven years and am presently employed in a company in Al Ain. A year ago, I had opened a bank account and incurred a personal loan payable in instalments for four years. In February this year the bank deducted Dh108 from my salary, as was applicable. However, the problem started towards the end of March when my entire salary was deducted, with Dh1,242 displayed as a negative balance. For a week, I went to the bank's branch trying to resolve the issue. Finally, on the eighth day a representative and the bank manager addressed the problem and helped me in a very courteous and proper manner. I thank the staff for treating me as a valued customer.
From Mr Arun Kishor
UAE
Increasing the minimum taxi fare to Dh10 is unfair, especially taking into account that people are in the midst of a global economic crisis. Has the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) made an effort to monitor taxis and their commitment to providing a good service to passengers? First it was Salik [road tolls], followed by paid parking and now expensive taxis! Will these be done away with if the traffic on roads reduces? RTA, please realise that we don't get paid enough to use expensive resources such as these. Just like budget airlines, I guess it is time for budget taxis to hit the roads, too.
From Mr Sam Joy
Dubai
As a Grade 4 pupil, I along with my classmates attended a symposium on climate change recently. It was a great learning experience for me. Life on Earth began several millennia ago as a result of a unique set of climatic conditions. Any shift in these conditions would instantly turn Earth into another lifeless planet. Uncontrolled industrialisation and indifferent waste management, like in recent times, is threatening nature's delicate balance. The protective ozone layer around the Earth's surface is getting depleted at an alarming rate due to global warming. This is resulting in freak weather patterns across the globe - a warning for us to take note before it is too late. The problem facing us is global, and if we do not go beyond regionalism and take concerted action and appropriate measures, we might soon meet the fate of the dinosaurs.
From Ms Kehkashan Basu
Dubai
Being a long-time resident of Karama and having often used the parking lots at Karama souq, I was shocked to find a Dh200 parking ticket on my car, for illegal parking. Apparently several other motorists had been fined, too, even though the cars were in no way obstructing the movement of traffic or other cars. As there is neither a no-parking sign nor any notification to forewarn the motorists, the sudden action on part of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) was not justified. I would urge the RTA to rescind these fines at least in this instance and put up necessary signs in the future. From Mr Adityan S.
Dubai
I read Ms Anam Khwaja's letter to Gulf News which stated that the present politicians in India do not deserve our votes. If nobody votes and if there are no politicians, who will govern the country? All politicians are not bad. We have good and bad examples in every profession. It is our duty to find the good ones and vote for them, irrespective of any prejudice. India is a large democracy which needs active participation by its people. I think the need of the hour is for good people to contest in elections. Politics today has become very dirty and complicated - this is one of the reasons why it rarely attracts young, talented and honest participants. Let's try and clean the Indian political system. Let's choose good leaders who can inspire and eventually lead us.
From Ms Asha Thomas
UAE
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