Opinion | Letters
April 5, 2009
Letters to the editor from the readers of Gulf News for April 5, 2009.
In the line of Duty
It is with deep appreciation that I mention the initiatives taken by the Sharjah traffic police, especially on Al Wahda Street, each morning. They are out on the roads as early as 6.30am supervising and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic.
As a result, all the unscrupulous drivers who drive in the outer lane hoping to sneak in at the last minute and thereby block the free flow of traffic, are deprived of such acts. A big 'thank you' to the Sharjah traffic police for enabling us to get a relatively peaceful drive to our work places.
From Ms Priyantha Peiris
Sharjah
Body matters
This is in response to a recent report in Gulf News, which stated that a steaming cup of hot tea could lead to cancer. The human body has amazing powers. It warns you when you try to do anything that may be detrimental to your health.
You can't hold a fireball or ice cake for too long nor can you stay comfortable in a smoke chamber or in a place where foul gases are released.
If the tea is steaming hot, most are unable to drink it without challenging the natural resistance of the body. Once a while, we may drink hot tea even if the temperature is higher than normal for reasons such as lack of time.
However, the 'burnt taste buds' may deter us from further consumption, as it would cause more harm drinking the tea than otherwise.
I don't want to do anything that defeats the reflexes of my body, so I am not going to switch to ice tea. I like my hot cup of tea but only at a temperature which my body would be comfortable with.
My advice to all readers is 'not to challenge your body regularly' - all the organs in the body play an important role such as fighting disease causing germs, expelling waste, feeding oxygen to the brain, extracting energy from the food and such.
If we torture our body by doing things which are not required, we would be forcing it to react in an unpleasant manner. Who then do we blame for it?
From Mr Anil Kumar N. P.
Sharjah
The luckiest people
I write this letter on behalf of my mother-in-law who is currently visiting Dubai. She is simply amazed by the grandeur of the magnificent city.
The neat and clean roads, public parks, skyscrapers, huge shopping malls and palace-like villas have impressed her no end. Everything is well assembled and in harmony with each other. She says people staying here are some of the luckiest in the world.
From Mr Saifee M. T.
Dubai
Hope and faith
If you don't have a problem, you have a big problem. This is my belief, for everyone on this planet is going through some problem or the other.
Problems strike everyone, irrespective of whether they are a business tycoon or a hut dweller. Problems are nature's way of balancing life.
The trick is to address these problems properly and not get discouraged and run to assorted charlatans and soothsayers, which to my mind is a path of no return.
These days you can find such people all over the place, ever ready to solve all your problems. Every religion talks about the power of sincerity, prayer and hard work - tricks to get ahead in life and discourage evil practices of any kind.
So why does man sell his belief by getting involved in dubious practices? Why are people prepared to dive in murky waters for a little extra money?
Man can with his ability of thought and action create anything he wants but he should have faith - faith in his own ability and in God.
From Mr Altaf H. Ladiwala
Mumbai, India
Recycling strategy
Most residential areas in Dubai have segregated and clearly labelled garbage bins for glass, paper and plastic. I would honestly appreciate it if such an initiative was launched by Abu Dhabi municipality, too.
It would make recycling a lot easier if these bins were strategically placed in all major residential areas. Presently, I have to drive to Spinneys to dispose of recyclable items, which is not very convenient. Let's all work to preserve our environment by doing our bit, in every manner possible!
From Ms Shirin R.
Abu Dhabi
Such pain, some gain
The only way to survive the present global economic crisis is to work harder. I urge the authorities to take steps to assist both the employers and employees.
One such step would be part-time jobs which would benefit both parties. An employer who requires the services of skilled professionals would only pay on an hourly basis.
This would help the employee sustain, too. Additionally, the employee could engage in multiple part-time jobs and gain from them.
From Mr Gautam Ahuja
Dubai
A Let down
My wife and I attended a concert held in Abu Dhabi, recently. Unfortunately, the event was a let-down in one aspect - lack of taxi pick-up areas.
So I ask this of the event organisers - if you are going to rip us off with extortionate event ticket prices, at least have the intelligence and common decency to factor in taxi pick-up areas outside the exit ways, instead of having us walk three kilometres to the nearest hotel to flag one down.
From Mr John Murphy
Abu Dhabi
Your turn
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Syrian crisis and rumblings of a cold war
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With their vetoes, Russia and China are saying they too have interests in the Middle East, which they are bent on protecting
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Motives for a new regional alignment
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The relationship between Iraq and Syria strengthened following the breakout of the uprising and withdrawal of US troops
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Learning Arabic must not be seen as a compulsion
By Rabia Alavi, Special to Gulf News
Expatriates must see its inclusion in school curriculum as an invitation to integrate into Emirati society and an opportunity to access markets presently reserved for Emiratis



