Opinions | Letters
July 5, 2009
Letters to the Editor: July 5, 2009
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:04 July 4, 2009
No hope for learners
A few days ago, I witnessed a driving instructor race his car on the Airport Road in Abu Dhabi, driving at what must have been well over 100km/h. He then jumped the queue at the traffic signal and overtook another car from the side. What hope is there for learners if the instructors are so dangerous and clueless about driving rules?
From Ms Lyn K.
Abu Dhabi
Billion dollar question
A recent report claimed that Michael Jackson, who died at the age of 50, made $700 million (Dh2,571 million) during his life time. The report further stated that he incurred a debt of $300 million (Dh1,102 million). Assuming Jackson became a superstar at the age of 20, this implies that he spent the entire amount of $1,000 million (Dh3,673 million) during a period of 30 years. That's a whopping $33.33 million (Dh122.4 million) per year and approximately $91,324 (Dh335,433) per day. Wow! Where did all this money go?From Mr Omska Caesar
Dubai, UAE
It is utterly disgusting that everyone who knew Michael Jackson, including his family and friends, chose to remain silent about his declining health and financial woes. Why did no one help Jackson? And now they have the audacity to say great things about the star when he can neither hear nor care to know!
From Ms H. Menon
Sharjah
Speed 3
This is in response to Ms Padma Sudhakar's letter ("Speed, space and safety," Gulf News, July 1). Clearly Ms Sudhakar's main concern is speed, as it is highlighted first in her letter, followed by the word space that she is requesting more of in order to be able to slow down after "speeding" and finally safety. Ms Sudhakar cannot possibly be serious. She admits that she speeds while driving, breaks the speed limit, would like the speed limit changed so she can speed "legally" and would like more space between cameras so she can slow down in time to avoid getting booked. I wonder what car she drives to be able to accelerate to 100km/h from 80km/h in less than 50 metres? Clearly nothing special if the brakes are not good enough to slow down in time. She is either driving too fast for her car's brakes to gradually slow down or her car has poor brakes. Only super cars have good brakes. One reason why most roads are installed with many cameras and the assigned speed limit is 80km/h. I think Ms Sudhakar needs to change her priorities - it ought to be safety, slowing down and not complaining. If she likes to speed, she is welcome to do so on race tracks but not on public roads.
From Mr John Paravalos
UAE
I work along Shaikh Zayed Road and need to walk a kilometre every day in order to get to a car park. This is because all free spaces are in paid parking lots. I have to walk across two roads and though there is a signalled pedestrian crossing, it is dangerous nevertheless. I was almost run over on at least two occasions. One cannot really trust drivers as some don't bother to stop. They speed even if the signal is red. I too, am a motorist but one that respects the rights of all pedestrians. My advice - please cross the roads by using designated areas marked with signals, as this is safer. Additionally, it is my sincere and humble request to the authorities - please install signals at all designated pedestrian crossings across all emirates.
From Mr Syed Mansour
Dubai
Paying extra
It's been a month since I have moved to the UAE ("Taxi fares from Sharjah to Dubai under review", Gulf News, July 1). However, despite clear rules, I have always paid 50 fils extra, each time I have used a taxi service in Sharjah.
From Ms Aireen
Sharjah
Website comment
Closed conversations
I don't travel by taxis at odd hours or for long trips. But I have come across a lot of taxi drivers who try to start a conversation by asking me questions about my family and other aspects of my personal life. Some had even asked me to give them a missed call in case I needed a taxi or any other help, adding that a woman should never be on her own. I usually respond with short, curt answers eagerly waiting for the journey to end, Discouraging conversation usually does the trick!
From Ms Bindu Sathianesan
Dubai
Website comment
Abiding by rules
This is a good method to monitor taxi drivers who charge extra. However, secrecy of undercover operations must be maintained as otherwise the taxi drivers could get cautious and not do anything unlawful.
From Mr Mohsin Raza
UK
Website comment
Old and new issues
Riding a taxi is safe. I would encounter rude taxi drivers occasionally, but all that has changed now. Now they are more polite. The issue is the Dh20 additional charge levied on passengers wishing to travel from Sharjah to Dubai. Since we are paying the traffic charge of 50 fils per minute, the Dh20 charge is redundant.
From Mr Carlos
Ras Al Khaimah
Website comment
Not the time
I feel a lot safer in Dubai taxis compared to taxis from other emirates. Dubai taxi drivers are more friendly and courteous. There are some drivers who do behave rudely. But yes the Dh20 fare needs to be reviewed as traffic is considerably less now. This may not be the right time to impose such an enormous fare.
From Mr Eunice
Dubai
Website comment
Your comments
It was inspiring to read about the knowledge without borders campaign (TV anchor plays a guiding role, Gulf News, Wednesday, June 10). Parents should encourage their children to embrace the reading habit at an early age. Great leaders have always been great readers. We should not let the blitzkrieg of internet, computer games, DVDs and satellite channels cause our children to steer clear from the reading habit. I was 8 years old when books became a part and parcel of my life. I was enchanted with the books penned by Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. The Rosewood shelf in my room, proudly displaying my collection of Barbie dolls and soft toys was gradually transformed into a book shelf. By the age of 11 I had a mini library in my room. I'm an avid reader of the classic literary works of Jane Austen and the Bronte Sisters. I also like to read the current best sellers. I've a 20 month old daughter who loves to turn the pages of the colourful picture books, I had bought for her. I intend to inculcate the reading habit in my daughter at an early age.
Anjoo Sharon Navin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 19:25
The local authorities of India are doing the right thing in planning to get rid of beggars in Delhi. Also by rehabilitating them, they are taking a permanent step, which will rid the streets from the nuisance of beggars. This decision should be implemented in all the major cities of India. Begging has also become a business and it was high time this decision came about. The authorities are on the right track and hope they are successful in getting rid of this begging system.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 19:24
Apropos the opinion piece by one Eapen Verghese (Jun 12, Are Melbourne attacks racist, or simply criminal?). The Australian government couldn't have put it better themselves! What this gentleman is doing is reducing the gravity of assaults on the Indian students in Australia and trying to portray the wronged Indian students as just fools, or more charitably plain careless about their own safety. The fact that they live in far-flung areas is being used to justify the attacks- the victim is being asked to amend his behaviour rather than the government or police being asked to pull up their socks. In the first paragraph, this gentleman cautions against painting all Australians as racist- yet what does he himself indulge in? He merrily goes ahead and paints the whole of India as 'an emotion-driven country'! What is meant by that, Mr Verghese, and what is the basis on which you have arrived at that conclusion? And what country in the world, will you tell us, is not emotion-driven?
Anurag
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 19:24
I am writing this letter in response to the article published in Gulf News titled 'Paan chewers continue to stain walls in busy districts'. I would like to clarify a few things written in this article, Betel Nut and Paan do not cause stains at all, it is actually other substances like katho (which is put in some paans) etc which cause the red stains. I say this because I come from Pakistan and have seen it causing stains all over walls. I agree that this may have some negative health effects however there are many other things in this world which cause negative health effects and are still made available and widely used by the public example cigarettes.
A. Dhanani
,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 19:24
I am a hard core vegetable enthusiast. I try to buy different vegetables for each day of the week and find innovative ways to cook them. As a result I never had any problem with my children refusing to eat veggies and everyone in my family is an ardent fan of vegetables. We have tried almost all the different types of vegetables available in the local markets. As a rule I make two different fresh vegetable dishes and also a dried "vegetable" dish like green peas, chick peas, dried beans etc. in a day along with a salad using different combinations of vegetables that we can eat fresh. I have found that there is absolutely no need to add calorie filled dressings to make a salad tasty, rather adding lemon juice or pepper or various combinations of fresh herbs and even dates, pineapple etc would make salads very delicious. Remember to wash vegetables well and use a separate cutting board and knife for preparing salads. As much as possible, buy locally produced vegetables because they are more nutritious as they do not have to travel long to reach the markets. Besides they are more environmental friendly as well as good for the local economy.
Sajida K.
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 19:23
All countries have budget once in a year. But Pakistan has 12 budgets, one every month to break the back of common people. Sometimes it has two or three budgets in a month! This is sponsored and scripted budget, which shows the magic of numbers. Itâ??s for the upper echelon. For common people itâ??s a scary movie, which will haunt them every second. The situation will get worse in future. Because prices are shooting up every day, despite the budget shows that prices are under control. The solution lies in bringing back the money deposited in foreign banks by the top leaders of the country.
S. Ghulam H.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 19:23
Dr Saroj Thapa is an Unsung Hero for the special needs community ("Indian Consulate to launch community drive," Gulf News, June 8). She has initiated and is spearheading a non-profit organization which will benefit the much needed and neglected special needs community. This world needs more people like Dr Thapa who are willing to give up their time, and energy to make the world a better place who are willing to put all selfishness aside to do the good, right kind of thing. She practices the art of reaching out to others and by giving... from the heart. Three cheers.
Gulshan Kavarana
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 19:22
There's no doubt that Hindi movies are wholesome entertainment not just for the masses in India, but also for the tens of thousands of Indian expatriates spread all across the globe. But Hindi movies alone which comprise the fare dished out by Bollywood do not define Indian Cinema. By only projecting and promoting glamorous Hindi movies the IIFA is showing the world a very biased and factually incorrect view of Indian Cinema, which in reality is much more than Hindi commercial potboilers! So a request to IIFA - give the numerous regional language films a fair chance as well, as they are in most cases richer in content than the average Bollywood flick.
Shiuli Dutt Dey
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 19:22
Traffic used to be a sore point in my daily life. There was a time when my palpitations were in inverse proportion to the speed at which vehicles crawled. Mornings used to be a race against time. I looked helplessly as the car clock moved on as if nothing is wrong with the outside roads. My perpetual morning worry was not whether I will able to reach work on time. Rather it was how late I would be. One fine day I decided to step into top gear and work out a way out. Instead of blaming the system, I took the onus on myself. The first step was I started leaving home 20 minutes earlier than usual. The result I reached my work place around half an hour before the working hours began. The lead time gave me time to plan my day; it allowed me to be a step ahead of my clients. More than that my mind was fresher than what it used to be. Nowadays that has become the norm. I also have an excellent collection of audio CDs ranging from mind soothing soft music, to devotional songs to inspiring speeches. No wonder the traffic does not seem to disturb me much.
C. Sunil Roy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 05, 2009, 19:22
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