Opinions | Letters
January 30, 2007
January 30, 2007
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:39 January 29, 2008
Humanity still exists
Credit is due to the Bur Dubai police and the Indian consulate staff for helping a pregnant woman reach her destination safely and on time. She is a colleague of mine.
The Indian woman realised at the 11th hour that her passport was nowhere to be found. Panic stricken, since she had to travel the next morning, she rushed to the police station in Bur Dubai.
The duty officer present provided excellent guidance and support. She was then helped in approaching the various government departments and the Indian Consulate to procure a new passport, stamped with a valid residence visa.
All this was made possible with the hospitality and kind co-operation of all involved. This proves that humanity still exists.
From Ms Seetha Rao
Dubai
Act in a civilised manner
One only needs to stroll down the beach to see piles of garbage left from the night before. People need to be educated and should learn to act in a civilised manner. Being civilised does not mean having a high standard of living.
Civilised behaviour is defined by how citizens take care of others and execute their civic duties - by recycling, driving carefully, standing in a queue at stores, flushing bathrooms after use and helping people - irrespective of their nationality.
From Mr Asif Samad
Sharjah
Drive safely in the rain
It is not raining right now, but here are a few measures to ensure safety whilst driving in the rain - drive slow, or else the water splashed from the tyres can damage the car's engine, even if a puddle is a few inches deep.
Moisture produced by breathing in the car can fog up the windshield and thereby cause dreadful accidents. The solution is to adjust the air-conditioning to a comfortable temperature. Turn on your fog lights, even when there's a light drizzle.
It helps you see the road, and more importantly, it helps others see you. If it's raining heavily and you can't see the car in front of you, pull over and wait. It will not keep raining forever.
From Mr Abdullah Juma Al Ali
Sharjah
Risky radio requests
Not only do local radio stations endanger motorists by asking them to text in a message with road reports, they also charge a premium for this service!
A text message to allocated mobile numbers of popular radio stations costs anywhere between 72 fils to Dh2.82, while a normal text message costs 18 fils. Can the radio stations justify why the public is being charged massive premiums?
Additionally, isn't it illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving, without the use of a headset?
From Mr Graham Thomson
Dubai
Pedestrian crossing
Where is it safe for pedestrians to cross roads? It is extremely difficult to cross roads, even at the signals, as the cars seem to find delight in intimidating pedestrians.
By fining pedestrians the authorities might encourage more drivers to act in this manner. It would be highly appreciated if pedestrians were given more respect and assigned areas where they could safely cross roads.
From Ms Renee Griffin
Abu Dhabi
Respect the right to cross
One of the most noticeable things on the roads of the UAE is that drivers have no respect for people trying to use pedestrian crossings.
If a person tries to stop his car to allow someone to pass, he immediately upsets the other motorists. I do not condone jaywalking, but I believe it would help improve the situation if the authorities fine drivers who do not respect the rules of pedestrian crossings.
From Mr Bashar Saudi
Abu Dhabi
Amused
I was amused with Ms Padma Sudhakar's letter in response to Ahmad Zahzah's column on work-related queries ("Not a mature approach," Gulf News, January 26).
I would like to remind Ms Sudhakar that "Off the Cuff" is not a news-related column and that Mr Zahzah was simply being sarcastic and hilarious in his version of the ubiquitious article.
While I agree with her view on improving employee-employer relations, I hope she or other readers didn't take the advice seriously.
From Ms Leah Ebrahim
Abu Dhabi
Blame game
The article by Kuldip Nayar was very inspiring and factual ("No respite from India's extremists", Gulf News, January 26). Both the Indian government and its people should stop the blame game by playing with minorities in the name of terrorism and should prevent the rising fundamentalism amongst the majority as well.
From Mr Khateeb Akbar
Dubai
No taxis for the elderly
On a recent shopping trip, my 89-year-old friend and I decided to use a taxi to return home. The taxi driver refused to even unlock the doors, as the destination did not suit him.
This experience was repeated thrice. It was a total disgrace and an absolutely inhuman way to treat anybody, especially since my elderly friend needs to use a frame to walk.
Transport has become a nightmare, surely these taxis could be subsidised if they are unable to survive financially. Also why can't hotels and shopping centres have their own fleet of transport? It seems there is a great lack of imagination in dealing with the problem, which can affect the city's image.
Another friend who was too weak to drive after receiving chemotherapy waited two hours outside a hospital for transport.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Buses, not cabs
It is very difficult to get a taxi in the morning to go to my place of work, especially in the Khalidiya area. The taxi drivers also always over-charge their passengers.
I think it is about time that a cheap public bus transport system similar to the one in Dubai is introduced in Abu Dhabi so that it covers all routes and makes life easier for commuters.
From Mr Edwin Morales
Abu Dhabi
Devise a system
Most call centre executives keep customers on hold for an indefinite period of time. Instead of doing this why can't a system be devised that takes down the numbers of those who seek assistance and have the call centre executives call them back?
From Mr Sajit Viswan
Abu Dhabi
Traffic chaos
There is a very high occurrence of traffic jams at exit number 36 - the free exit prior to Salik tollgate on the way to Abu Dhabi. This is mainly due to the ongoing construction for the Metro and commuters trying to avoid the Salik toll gate.
This causes a further delay to those in queue and encourages accidents in the area. I request the concerned authorities to set up barricades that could help prevent such disturbances.
From Mr Babu Thekketh
Dubai
Salik bills
Cancelling the existing prepaid system and introducing a security deposit system can solve the ongoing Salik problem.
All Salik users could pay monthly bills through the internet or by a text message; whichever is convenient.
From Mr Jamil Iqbal
Dubai
Share this article
Popular in Opinions
-
Opinions
Speak Your Mind: Tough love
What ways do you use to discipline your child?
Opinion Editor's choice
-
Obama must get tough
If any progress is to be achieved, the US president needs to stand up to Netanyahu
-
Trust is the issue with Iran
Resolution is unlikely because of the lack of faith between the 5+1 Group and Tehran
-
Building a knowledge society
Arab Knowledge Report examines the current state of Arab knowledge
