Opinion | Letters
December 15, 2008
Letters to the Editor: December 15, 2008
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:17 December 14, 2008
Not bothered
Tricky road intersections don't bother me too much, anymore. I tell you it is very simple to tackle these. If you need to turn left, take the right exit. If you need to turn right, take the left exit and if you need to go straight, then look for a U-turn! Problem solved.
From Mr Nasser Usmani
Dubai
Priceless gestures
I agree with Mr Amjad A. Awan's letter ("Think about others", Gulf News, December 9). Some people spend on fast cars and other luxuries, while magazines continue to advertise the importance of a 'must have' designer handbag or dress. God did not invent poverty or greed, but compassion and humanity, which we should consider to help our fellow people. Why not this holiday season, we consider donating some money to someone less fortunate? I remember when my sister and I were children, every Christmas, our parents would encourage us to buy a gift for another child whose parents were not able to afford the same. The feeling of giving and knowing that a small act of kindness - to make a positive difference in someone's life - was none other than "priceless".
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Ban smoking in cars
Besides being hazardous to health, smoking in cars can also be a serious cause of road accidents ("Readers disagree on ban on smoking inside cars", Gulf News, December 10). A law must be issued to stop smoking while driving.
From Mr S. J. Huq
Dubai
Paying to smoke
What next? Must we apply for permission to smoke in our own private space? I think the next step would be to pay a yearly subscription to be allowed to smoke.
From Mr Kay
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Reckless driving
Reckless driving cases seem to be on the rise. One wonders how such people get a licence in the first place. When will such people realise that by speeding, they are not just risking their lives but that of others too? Do they have no sympathy for the loss of innocent lives?
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
A suggestion
This is my fourth year in Dubai and each year I visit the Global Village. The festival only seems to be getting better by being well organised and easy for visitors to move about. Lots of buses to almost all the locations have been arranged and taxis are available, too. I appreciate the good work put in by the management and authorities. However, it would be better if the lighting and decorations used could be reduced - it would help limit the use of natural resources.
From Ms Meera Vinayan
Dubai
Costly issue
The main reason for expatriates' decision to return to their home countries is the extremely high costs of living in the UAE. ("Filipino population in UAE dwindling amid high costs", Gulf News, December 13). What would you expect when you can barely afford to live?
From Mr Jam
Dubai
Website comment
Sad news
It is quite disappointing to learn that many Filipinos were laid-off and that their population in the UAE is declining.
From Mr Raymond
Dubai
Website comment
No money
I am one of those Filipinos who have gone back to the Philippines. It is sad but true that the cost of living, especially the prices of food, has become very high. We can no more send enough money to our families living back home.
From Mr Reniel Flores
Cavite, Philippines
Website comment
A matter of shame
This is in response to Mr Jogayak Chatterjee's letter about expatriates who think it's unsafe to settle down in India post 26/11 and prefer to migrate instead ("Safe abode", Gulf News, December 11). Shame on such people. I hope the country they decide to migrate to re-evaluates their application as they may decide to run if their new neighbour says 'boo'.
From Mr C. Thomas
Dubai
Lost booking
Recently, I was informed by the Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) call centre that they are not booking taxis. The reason given was that no taxis were available. Additionally, my booking was "lost" several times at different occasions. When I was not allowed to make a booking, I requested to speak to a supervisor. The supervisor later informed me that they would not be sending a taxi to my area.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
The management of RTA replied: We have called the customer and apologised for our staff's actions. His address has been saved by our call centre on the landline number and added to the IVR system. The customer thanks us for looking after his complaint.
More information
It is an eye opener for those who use deodorants ("Readers take second look at innocuous deodorants", Gulf News, December 13). A thorough investigation is required regarding the quality of products being sold in the country. Big brands are involved in this business and I do not believe that all of them are harmful.
From Mr Rajeev
Sharjah
Website comment
Skin burn
I have also found that using deodorant on the same spot on your skin can burn it.
From Mr Pillai
Dubai
Website comment
There are others
It's not the use of deodorant that is dangerous, but it is the inhalation of aerosols. Not all body deodorants and air fresheners are of this nature. There are roll-ons and sticks for body deodorants. For air fresheners you have the gel and organic types.
From Mr John
Dubai
Website comment
Pleasant?
Moderation is the keyword. I have come across many people who are a walking perfumery. At the end of the day, each person must be aware that what is pleasant to him may be unpleasant to the other.
From Mr Kevin Lister
Dubai
Website comment
Natural options
Many deodorant sticks contain aluminium, which can cause serious problems. Choose natural deodorants.
From Mr Sergei Kulik
Dubai
Website comment
A nuisance
I am complaining about the construction work, near Sahara Centre, Sharjah, at night. We can't sleep or enjoy quality time with our family because of the noise. The authorities should do something about this.
From Mr Ebrahim Mohammad
Sharjah
Parking solutions
Here are the easiest and immediate solutions for the parking problems faced by tenants, especially women. The Abu Dhabi municipality should build a multi-level parking complex in a free zone area. All commercial vehicles should be banned from parking within the residential area. Commercial vehicles should be classified. Even pick-ups and mini-vans should be banned. All commercial establishments should be allotted dedicated paid parking lots. All rent-a-car establishments can have the offices in a dedicated warehouse. Even the warehouse can be built with basement parking.
From Mr Jose Abraham
Abu Dhabi
Encouraging
This story should be an encouragement to every person suffering from cancer ("Speaking out against all odds," Gulf News, October 9). I appreciate how Gulf News has shed light on this story.
From Mr George Varghese
India
Ban Thackeray
Apropos the report the sensible thing to do would have been to take Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray out of Mumbai, in India, until the state elections commenced ("Raj Thackeray sent to judicial custody," Gulf News, October 22). The Mumbai police has already slapped him with a 'gag order for two months', which means he cannot make any public speeches during this period. Like all rabble rousing political leaders who make inflammatory remarks to polarise the different communities and advance their narrow-minded cause, Raj Thackeray feeds off the media's coverage of his shenanigans. The state government and the judiciary played right into his hands by bringing him back to Mumbai amidst high drama. Every step of his arrest and his journey back to Mumbai was covered with great relish by the media, which only helped in mobilising the anti-social elements who make up the majority of his supporters and they subsequently wrecked mayhem in parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra. Rushing him from one court appearance to another in different parts of Mumbai only created law and order problems for the common man. The authorities should have realised that he is a virtual non-entity barring Mumbai and pockets of Maharashtra. Banning him from Mumbai coupled with the 'gag order' until the elections were over would have been an effective way to neutralise the politics of hate as practiced by him and also laid to rest his nefarious plans to divide the people along the lines of language and regions in order to gain votes.
From Mr Amitabh Saxena
Dubai
Learn our history
I am against Mr Pervaiz Gani's letter ("Wastage," Gulf News, October 29). I think he doesn't know the history of India. Every country has rich and poor people. Instead of appreciating our scientists, he is blaming them. Before he blames us, he should learn our history.
From Mr Abdul Wahab
Dubai
Where to turn?
So much has been said about Salik tollgates. Motorists are constantly complaining and there is not a single word of consolation from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Rents have also gone up as per the whims and fancy of the landlords and real estate agencies. It is even worse with the new rules evicting families who cannot even afford to rent a studio flat. When are we going to see an end to all this?
From Mr Gary P. Marquito
Dubai
No as an answer
No Sharjah taxi driver is ready to go to Dubai — sometimes they refuse to travel within Sharjah too. This is really a cause of trouble for the public.
From Mr Vikas Bhatt
Sharjah
Full support
If drivers are fined for excess speeding, wrong parking and not wearing seat belts, I do not see why they cannot be fined for causing accidents ("Dh500 fine for minor accidents elicits mixed feelings", Gulf News, October 8). In fact, I consider causing an accident a more serious offence than a wrong parking or over speeding. I request the concerned authorities to consider introducing the system of fining faulty drivers. This would help transform careless drivers into careful ones and thus reduce the number of accidents on roads. It will also help ease traffic blockades experienced during accidents.
From Mr Abdullah
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Unfortunate events
It is very unfortunate to hear about the string of suicide bomb explosions in Pakistan ("Pak politician survives suicide attack, four killed", Gulf News, October 2). In 2008, hundreds of innocent people were killed or injured. The government officials always give condemnation and anti-terrorism statements after every attack. I think they should try harder to find the solutions to halt the attacks instead of making verbal statements. The recent blast in Islamabad's Police Lines is an example of security mishap. If police are not secure, how are they supposed to protect others? In my opinion, the government should adopt the process of dialogue to wipe out terrorism.
From Mr Tanvir Usman
UAE
A suggestion
I have seen many letters appearing in Gulf News regarding the traffic situation in Karama. Perhaps the authorities should consider converting the main road running through Karama in to a one-way. This would regulate the flow of traffic as well as ease parking woes.
From Mr Conrad Jacobs
Dubai
What to do?
Take a look at every road and you will find traffic. People spend most of their time being stuck in traffic with some migrating to distant emirates. It has become a serious problem even health wise. The increase in the number of cars is shocking and the public transport is not reliable either. What are we to do?
From Ms Litty Mathew
UAE
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