A happy ending for all
I am thankful for many things. I love being in Dubai as I have a good job and am paid well. But as we are always busy at work, we do not realise how quickly the years pass.
I respect those who work hard for their family and future, but at times I feel they turn into machines: always, working, with no time for themselves.
Most people feel exhausted and look older than they really are.
It might be easier said than done but finding happiness in whatever we do will bring back life in our routines and provide a happy ending to all our hard work.
From Ms Sangeetha Subba
UAE
Sorting is essential
Plastic bags continue to be in great demand as they are essential for wrapping and disposing of wet garbage.
Gulf News' campaign against ordinary plastic bags will have very limited success unless the municipalities step in.
It must be made mandatory to sort garbage into wet and dry. If plastic bags are not to be used for wet garbage then a building's garbage disposal chutes should be designed to suck in the same.
Additionally, the management of most buildings in Dubai currently state that garbage should be tied in plastic bags prior to disposal.
This should be changed. Detachable stainless steel garbage bins can be used in our kitchens for storage of wet garbage until it is transferred to the central suction chute.
Dry garbage must be disposed of through a separate parallel chute.
From Mr Ralph Rau
Dubai
Now for later
Most children are unaware of nature's value and the need to protect our environment. Without knowing the real source, they are under the impression that everything is available from the market.
As part of their education, if the authorities could arrange for an educational visit to various farms, water desalination or bottling plants and food industries, it might be quite helpful.
Additionally, there should be exhibitions and short films based on the necessity to protect the environment, promoting a healthier lifestyle, selection of food and the negative effects of smoking.
If the authorities start teaching children now, it could lead to a better future.
From Mr Majeed K. M.
Abu Dhabi
More lanes might help
It is commendable that the time taken to cross from Al Khail road to Nad Al Sheba has reduced by at least 10 minutes with the launch of the new bridge.
Unfortunately, this was until last week. With the exit to Nad Al Sheba reduced to a single lane, a delay is being caused, especially when a single truck takes forever to cover a long distance.
This causes tailbacks on Al Khail road all the way up to Ras Al Khor sanctuary. Unless the situation is altered, the problem could worsen.
My suggestion would be to extend the exit from Al Khail road to Nad Al Sheba after the bridge. Additionally, creating more lanes might help further.
From Mr Ebby John
UAE
Not clear
Unscrupulous real estate agents and owners are fleecing middle-income families in Sharjah who are trying to make ends meet, by increasing the rent.
People should make the authorities aware of the difficulties we are facing.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Not absolute
Being a student of management, I have learnt that with authority comes responsibility. Therefore, who is responsible when people are stuck in traffic for hours or when one can't find taxis or buses to go home?
On whom does the accountability lie when a unilateral service charge is imposed on water and electricity, which is more than the cost of the consumption of the utility?
Not sure where we are headed but the positive is surely getting lost. Does the remedy lie in respecting the sacred principle of management?
That the authority should not be absolute and must be coupled with responsibility, answerability and accountability?
From Mr Dhruv Vishal Saxena
Sharjah
Die trying
I started my venture for a driving licence in June 2007 and haven't got one as yet ("Dubai slashes driving licences by 43%," Gulf News, April 16).
During this period I could only avail three road tests and am frustrated. Moreover it has become too expensive to take training classes.
I feel if you are lucky enough, then you may make it in the first test itself, or else you continue trying.
From Mr Farooq
Dubai
Discouraging
My only concern is if the driving test students fail, why do they have to wait for another two months for the next test? Why can it not be on a weekly or bi-weekly basis?
This results in bringing down the confidence level of an individual and some students end up discontinuing the test.
From Mr Hitesh
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Waste of resources
This is sad news! What a waste of time and money. Being a good driver cannot be measured from the time you spend in a driving school.
And this is not the solution to lessen traffic and accidents!
From Kathy
Dubai
Better ways
Arduous test procedures are obviously a clever ruse to dissuade the common man from getting a driving licence.
Even the best drivers who may have been driving on more complex and modern roads in Western countries often have to go through this rigmarole.
The official assertion that examiners go by the book, is not entirely true.
From Mr Robert G.
Mumbai, India
Cumbersome affair
I also flew to the US a few months ago with my family and we were detained for six hours (“A visa for America'', Gulf News, March 12). But the twist in my story is that I am a US citizen.
I have come across several airlines in which staff members are inexperienced; with some people making decisions based on racial profiling. I think all travellers from Dubai should be patient and careful when traveling, as it can often become cumbersome.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
No difference
I have been driving on the roads of Dubai for the past 35 years (“Motorists need education on road safety, says official'', Gulf News, April 13). In my experience road violations are not just due to the lack of knowledge about road rules and regulations.
Often, motorists who are involved in accidents are those who have no value for the lives of other motorists and pedestrians. They do not care about radars and pedestrian crossings. I don't think educating them about it will make any difference.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Reuse plastic
I truly appreciate the campaign against plastic bags that was recently launched by Gulf News (“‘Say No to Plastic Bags': Gulf News launches campaign'', Gulf News, March 23).
I suggest the authorities make it mandatory for supermarkets to recycle old newspapers into paper bags. They can then print their logos on them and reuse on a regular basis. This practice is often seen in parts of India.
Additionally, many of the products that are used regularly, such as milk and yoghurt, are sold in hard plastic containers, which are thrown after use. They should be made of biodegradable plastic instead. I also suggest banning plastic bags in smaller grocery stores. Simply charging for them will not suffice.
From Ms Prafulla Choudhary
Dubai
Unfair charges
As a resident of Sharjah, I truly believe that the service charge introduced by Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) is completely unjustified (“Residents upset over new Sharjah service charge'', Gulf News, April 6).
The revised tariff slabs are such that in the summer months, every household is sure to exceed the minimum consumption of 2,000 units.
I urge the authorities to consider the present status of residents. We are already having a hard time with the rising cost of commodities. Even parking is charged up until 10pm as opposed to 9pm in Dubai.
From Ms Anupama
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Turn off cars
This is a very good move (“Police campaign highlights dangers of leaving vehicles on'', Gulf News, April 14). In fact, people should have the habit of turning off their car engines at signals that have a long waiting time. This helps cut down on emissions to a very great extent. There are certain signals that stay red for at least four minutes.
From Mr Hanoz Dadrewala
Dubai
War for food
The whole world is busy focusing on unnecessary endeavours. Several countries are making military weapons to gain power, enhancing information technology industries for easier working conditions, and making faster or sleeker vehicles.
They are thinking along these lines, but they forget that these do not help in providing food. Our priority right now should be to cultivate more and more food. Otherwise there might come a day when nations will be at war for food.
From Mr Alfred John Rebello
UAE
Unacceptable
It is really ridiculous to suddenly introduce a service charge without first notifying consumers (“Residents upset over new Sharjah service charge'', Gulf News, April 6).
I live with my family in Sharjah and so far, the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) has charged me Dh200. My consumption charges are Dh50 while my service charges are Dh200! Can anyone justify this? This is unacceptable.
From Mr Mohammed M.
Dubai
Good hoax
A few years ago, I came across the same pictures of the crocodile and snakes that were published in the recent Gulf News report (“Crocodile with stomach full of human body parts found in UAE, says email'', Gulf News, April 6).
The email was about a campaign to clean waste water pipes in Columbia. It was a good hoax, but I hope Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) did not have much trouble because of it.
From Mr Alexander Goerbing
India
Brazilian reptiles
I received an email with pictures of the crocodile and snakes almost eight months ago (“Crocodile with stomach full of human body parts found in UAE, says email'', Gulf News, April 6). The email said they were found in Brazil during the construction of oil pipelines.
From Mr Mohammad Rahim
Dubai
Taxing wait
The parking situation in Abu Dhabi is so bad that we often have to take a taxi, even if we own a car (“Finding taxi ‘is a nightmare on Abu Dhabi streets''', Gulf News, April 10).
I waited for a taxi along with many other passengers — women and children included. We were waiting for more than half an hour because it was a rare event to actually see a cab pass by. When one finally came, three bachelors who had just arrived rushed to the taxi and pushed their way in very aggressively.
All the waiting passengers were helpless. When I complained to the taxi driver that the rest of us had been waiting long before the ones who were seated in his cab, the driver laughed at me and drove away.
I request the residents of UAE, and the concerned authorities to do whatever they can to stop this behaviour.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
Motorists at risk
I support the suggestion made by Mr Vivek Vigh in his recent letter to Gulf News, as I believe it is essential to install traffic lights at the National Paints roundabout in Sharjah (“Install signals'', Gulf News, March 30).
Lack of traffic signals in that area put all motorists at great risk and leave drivers very anxious. I am sure if the authorities visited the area and experienced the chaos, they would feel the same way.
From Mr Rajiv Srivastava
Sharjah
Plain patrol
The effective implementation of road regulations can only occur when the law is monitored under the watchful eyes of the authorities (“Dubai drivers ‘have responsibilities and rights''', Gulf News, April 6).
Dubai is marching ahead by enforcing laws effectively, because the Dubai Police is vigilant and is doing a commendable job. But problems still exist. When they see a police vehicle on the road, all commuters immediately become law-abiding motorists, but not otherwise.
I think the only way to penalise errant and reckless drivers on the road is by allowing police officers to use ordinary vehicles for monitoring so that offenders can be fined on the spot. Raising the fines alone will not bring down the number of accidents. Commuters drive as they like, and even heavy vehicles such as trucks and pick-ups often speed on the roads.
They are a threat to law-abiding road users. I am a regular commuter between Sharjah and Jebel Ali. Frankly speaking, I am fearful when I drive and never use the fast lane. I make it a point to give way to other cars.
I hope the relevant authorities consider my suggestions.
From Mr Sanjayn R. S.
Dubai
At a crisis
I have been in the UAE for the past five years and have seen a phenomenal rise in rent prices (“UAE cost of housing to rise further amid liquidity surge'', Gulf News, March 20).
Due to the fact that real estate owners have increased the rent of housing, too many families are leaving the country. The increase in the price of food commodities is another major factor.
I hope the authorities consider this as an urgent issue and take appropriate action.
From Mr Jidheesh
UAE
Full name withheld by request
Supervisors needed
When my wife used to take a car-lift facility to work, she used to arrive at her workplace very early (“The long wait for a ride'', Gulf News, March 13). She then thought of using the public bus. She took the bus from Al Rashidiya at 8.25am — even though the bus was scheduled to arrive at 8.05am — and reached Bur Dubai at 10.30am. It was a mind-boggling two and a half hour bus ride!
I suggest that the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) ensure there is a supervisor on every bus. This would help the bus driver because he already has other responsibilities. In congested places, there is usually a long trail of vehicles waiting behind the bus, thus adding to the traffic.
From Mr Jackson Dsouza
Dubai
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