Opinions | Letters
December 22, 2008
Letters to the editor, December 22, 2008
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:51 December 21, 2008
Some to blame for high rent
A lot of expatriates complain about the rising cost of living, especially in terms of rent. Ironically, some of them are to blame since a lot of their compatriots take up low-cost flats from owners and sublet them for enormous rent to other expatriates. The authorities need to implement strict rules regarding this matter. Especially as this could affect the genuine growth of the UAE with the superficial rise in rents created by hungry real estate agents.
From Ms Lakshmi S. S.
Dubai
Based on categories
The Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) has done a commendable job in clearly defining the various categories ("Hassle-free registration for ID", Gulf News, December 16). Most of the inconvenience caused thus far has been because of people - falling under category 2 - were also applying for registration during the last few months although this time was specially meant for category 1. I request the post offices and other centres to identify applications of category 1 applicants and process them only during the next two months to really reduce the hassles.
From Dr Sailendra N. Das
Dubai
Blackberry disrupted
My internet connection was very slow ("UAE internet services resume despite damage", Gulf News, December 20). Later, I could not even browse my e-mails using my Blackberry.
From Mr Hasu
Sharjah
Website comment
Full name withheld by request
No exchange
Money exchange shops were also affected on Friday due to the under-sea cable damage.
From Mr Khalid
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Full name withheld by request
Work on hold
I had problems with the internet connection all of Friday, although I was able to access websites within the UAE. However, logging on to Facebook or even connecting to Yahoo!'s messenger service was impossible. I hope that the damage can be repaired soon, as all my work depends on the internet.
From Mr Ayman
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Full name withheld by request
Limit interference
We are all citizens of this world. Every one of us has the right to live life to the fullest. To achieve this, we must strive towards being positive all the time, work together to eradicate poverty, crime and injustice from society. On an individual level we should eliminate such social evils and on the national level refrain from interfering in the affairs of other nations. Our interference should be for the betterment of each other and not for inflicting sufferings on others. What we preach, we should practice, too.
From Mr Amjad Ali Awan
Dubai
Smokers not to blame
In his letter, Mr S. J. Huq's claim that smoking could be a serious cause of road accidents is pure nonsense ("Ban smoking in cars," Gulf News, December 15) What about drivers creating additional lanes on a four-lane street just to be faster than the ones waiting in proper lanes? It's drivers like these that cause all the traffic blockades and accidents. Additional reasons include driving over the speed limit, forcing others to give way, children being allowed to jump around in the car without wearing a seat belt or without a car seat. Most accidents are caused by reckless motorists and not by drivers who smoke.
From Ms Kristin Hoppe
UAE
Expected reaction
The US lost around 2,000 people in the 9/11 attacks and they reacted by killing many others ("There's a civilised way to protest", December 20, Gulf News). How are people expected to act in a civilised way when they lost everything? I have not lost a loved one, but I feel sorry for people who have. Like the article mentioned, most people around the world, including Americans, do not like George W. Bush.
From Mr Dan
Stockholm, Sweden
Website comment
Full name withheld by request
Not right
I agree that the Iraqi journalist was not right when he threw the shoes at President Bush.
From Mr Khalifullah
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Website comment
Good article
A nicely written article correctly portraying the minds of educated, mature and neutral people.
From Mr Gafour Sultan
Dubai
Website comment
Set free
This is an excellent article. I agree that the angry journalist should be set free.
From Mr Abdul Malek Khan
New York, USA
Website comment
Not surprised
I agree with some of the points that are mentioned in the article, but not all of them. I am not surprised at the journalist's action. It only reflects the anger and feeling of oppression he has within.
From Mr Sami
Sharjah
Website comment
Full name withheld by request
Not for everyone
Long-distance relationships do not work for every couple ("When distance makes the heart grow fonder", Gulf News, December 19). It is a relationship that requires one to develop a strong understanding in order to have a beautiful life.
From Mr Zulfiqar Ali
Lahore, Pakistan
Website comment
Tough job
Long-distance relationships are hard for both parties. It may work for some couples, but not for others. I do not think that I can live away from my wife.
From Mr Allan Pogi
Dubai
Website comment
No compromise
I am a career-oriented woman and want to be successful. However, I do not believe in a long-distance relationship. I would not get into a relationship knowing at the onset if it meant living apart.
From Ms Cha
Dubai
Website comment
Full name withheld by request
Perfect arrangement
I have lived in Dubai for more than four years while my husband lives in India. We have made such an arrangement for career reasons and so far we have not faced any issues. I hope the balance stays.
From Ms G.J.
Dubai
Website comment
Full name withheld by request
Forced to part
Sometimes couples are forced to part due to lack of money and work.
From Mr Saikumar Pandey
Sharjah
Website comment
Social issue
I was having a discussion on this issue before the report was published. Couples forced to live apart due to work-related demands is a very important social issue.
From Mr Jabu
Dubai
Website comment
Full name withheld by request
Rise above terrorism
Terrorist attacks in Mumbai are an act of atrocious violence against humanity, which should be condemned in the strongest possible manner ("Devastated Mumbai Jewish centre and Taj hotel to be rebuilt", Gulf News, December 10). What have these terrorists set out to achieve by killing innocent people? What kind of world are we going to leave our children with? I hope it will not be a world that is intolerant to people of different faiths. We should all rise above religion and stop spreading hatred. Let's make a better today and a peaceful tomorrow.
From Mr Noble Jose
Abu Dhabi
Service for who?
I cannot understand why public transport, especially buses, in Sharjah are operating. I want to know, if it is for the driver's convenience or that of the passengers'? For example, I waited for a bus that goes to Al Wahda Street, Sharjah, for nearly two hours starting from 7am, recently. Additionally, there is no bus to the Sharjah industrial area from Rolla between 1.30pm and 3pm. While waiting for bus number 14, we can see two or three buses waiting at the stop without any passengers. Additionally, the drivers continuously converse with passengers even though it is prohibited. There is a notice in every bus, which asks passengers to not speak to the driver. After waiting a long time, passengers are forced to go by taxi, which is quite costly. I hope the authorities take these issues into consideration and do the needful.
From Mr Mohandas T. K.
Sharjah
Quit playing games
In India, we require a surgery of the political system and not a prescription to treat troubles ("Devastated Mumbai Jewish centre and Taj hotel to be rebuilt", Gulf News, December 10). The political leaders have been playing games, which are communal in nature and have weakened the secular strength of the great country. Terror has entered our homes. Somewhere down the line, mischief mongers have realised that this nation will not be able to give a collective and strong response if attacked. Elections are around the corner and I believe it is the duty of every patriotic Indian to vote for people who can give prudent governance, security and financial stability. Additionally, citizens should be able to shun all those who are selling communal cards for their own personal gain. Even though we all have our own individual thoughts and personalities, we cannot neglect the interests of our motherland. United we shall overcome, divided we will bite the dust.
From Mr Altaf H. Ladiwala
Mumbai, India
Fight back
The dastardly attack on innocents in Mumbai will no doubt be universally condemned ("Devastated Mumbai Jewish centre and Taj hotel to be rebuilt", Gulf News, December 10). However, disapproval alone is meaningless and least affects bloodthirsty terrorists. We must fight back. Offence is the best form of defence. Our first target should be terrorist training camps, which can be easily located by our intelligence. These camps should be completely destroyed by simultaneous and coordinated heavy aerial bombing. All political parties will no doubt stand united with the government to resist the international diplomatic pressure, which we shall face at this. The advantage in this strategy is that it is us who will decide the time of the fight and the venue. Wars are best fought on enemy territory since it is the venue that suffers extensive damage. With attacks such as the one in Mumbai, it is the terrorists who decide the time and place to strike and we are at a disadvantage, forced to respond and fight on our home ground.
From Mr Dan Jog
Goa, India
Empty words
India is soft on terrorism and could not carry out the execution verdict in many cases ("Devastated Mumbai Jewish centre and Taj hotel to be rebuilt", Gulf News, December 10). Any adult knowingly partaking in any terrorist related activity should be given a death sentence. Learn from Indonesia and how they dealt with the Bali bombers. It might not end terrorism, but many networks will be scared of the consequences in the future. Not all the terrorists are brain-dead zombies ready to die. For every new attack a fresh batch of previously convicted terrorists should be sent to the firing squad — the very next morning. This is never going to happen in India, so terrorists choose their time and place. Our leaders say 'strong measures will be taken', this is a 'dastardly attack by cowards' and 'we are monitoring the situation carefully'. However, these words have been repeated several times in the past 20 years. We are tired of these empty words and need to see the terrorists proven guilty in a court of law.
From Mr Jayraj Krishnan
Dubai
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