June 24, 2008

Callous attitude
Block a car, put your mobile number on the windshield and do not answer the phone.

This is the usual norm practised by some drivers who double park and block access of other vehicle, unnecessarily making the blocked car driver wait for hours.

The least that such drivers could do is put a valid mobile number. If not for the traffic police who fine such insensitive persons for illegal parking, then every other driver would start doing the same.

What will happen if the blocked car driver has an emergency?
From Mr Bassam Nader
Sharjah

Against the law
There are some people who paste advertisements on telephone booths, which is against the law and is a punishable act.

Interestingly, of late, some salesmen from reputed banks are also sticking their banks' bills advertising their forthcoming offers. Let's avoid this altogether and help keep the city clean.
From Mr P.C. Ummer
Abu Dhabi

Just one email
It took just one email to Dubai Municipality to clear obsolete and discarded items from my residence. I got a call back to confirm the time and date.

At the appointed time, early in the morning, a team came and did the needful. I would encourage all people to use this service for collection of bulk waste.
From Ms S. Umashankar
Dubai

Catch them young
If there were one act that should be eradicated, racism would be it. I recently visited a mall in Dubai and was appalled to see teenage boys happily engaging in innocent racism.

It was obvious that they have been influenced to believe that what they were doing to children from another race and nationality was acceptable.

However, it's innocent crimes such as these that can cause problems in the long run. As adults, it is our responsibility to protect our future generation from repeating mistakes.

It is bad enough that our world is continuously being engaged in conflict. We have to make our children realise how beautiful the world is and discourage them from judging people based on race, faith and colour.
From Ms Safoora M.
Dubai

Routine crime
As an American citizen living in the UAE for nearly two years, I have always felt safe to move about, as the crime rate here is low as compared to other countries ("UK's terror warning a 'routine' advice", Gulf News, June 18). Prior to moving to the UAE, I was a resident of Baltimore, USA.

In my opinion, the security warnings should be applied there and in other US inner cities where violent crime is routine.
From Mr Asif Samad
Dubai

Not threatened
What do the UK and US embassies want expatriates here to do? Move to London or New York? I am an expatriate coming in from the US and have great confidence in the UAE security services.
From Mr R. Mahmoud
Abu Dhabi

Problem solved
I thank Gulf News for solving my problem with etisalat. The installation of my internet connection had been pending for almost three months, despite repeated calls and personal visits to the etisalat office.

The problem got resolved within two days of Gulf News taking up the issue. Keep up the good work.
From Mr Sebastian Thomas
Dubai

Unfamiliar faces
I have been living in a building in Sharjah based on a three-year contract. While signing the contract a year ago, I was informed by the building's manager that all flats were exclusive for families.

Contrary to the fact, I've noticed a lot of bachelors and single women occupying flats in the building.

Being a woman, it becomes difficult to move about especially since a lot of bachelors loiter in the lobby area and around the entrance of the building.
From Ms Jennifer Silveira
Sharjah

Cleaner cars
The decision of phasing out vehicles older than 20 years is not a welcome move ("Vehicles older than 20 years banned form 2009," Gulf News, June 20).

Instead, serious efforts must be made to ensure that all vehicles undergo an annual routine test and registration process. Let us work towards a cleaner environment.
From Mr P. S. Mathew
Dubai

Better days ahead
The introduction of an investigative panel is great news for learners who are frustrated by the actions of both examiners and driving schools ("Dubai panel to probe learner drivers' failures", Gulf News, June 17).

I am a driving student and a year has passed since I first applied for a licence. I took three road tests and failed them all, yet did not receive any feedback from my examiners.

Additionally, I do not think anyone in my group managed to acquire a licence. I hope things will change for the better now.
From Mr Vishal Paul
UAE

Learning takes time
The biggest improvement that can be made to driving sessions is the introduction of one-hour lessons. Half an hour is a ridiculously short time for a lesson.

By the time students get out of driving schools and onto the road, it is almost time to head back.

An hour's lesson would allow students to make mistakes, learn from them, set them straight and practice more.

They would also be able to drive further away, instead of driving around the same area all the time.
From Mr David Barnett
Dubai

Crack the Whip
Gulf News report on abused children was a heart-wrenching read ("Child abuse by aid workers, peacekeepers rife: study", Gulf News, May 28).

The excruciating pain inflicted on these unfortunate children by the perverts cowering behind the insignia of the United Nations (UN) is appalling.

How can a reputed aid agency like the UN be ignorant about the heinous acts of its aidworkers and allow them to join as peacekeepers?

The UN's failure to crack a whip on these perpetrators and bring them to justice is distressing. Placing these people behind bars is like handling them with kid gloves.

These perpetrators must be given stricter punishment.
From Ms Anjoo Sharon Navin
Dubai

Not just pages
Does celebrating the end of the academic year also mean seeing the end of one's books ("Dubai pupils who destroy books in celebration get warning", Gulf News, May 25)?

I disagree and applaud the Minister of Education Hanif Hassan for bringing this issue to the forefront. Our culture and tradition instructs us to respect books and all forms of learning.

A book is not merely a collection of pages; it contains the spirit of the writer. In fact, the degree of respect to education is considered a manifestation of our dignity and self-control.

We recently had a gigantic second-hand book sale in our school. The response from the pupils was overwhelming.

Ultimately, we had a whopping Dh5,400 to show for our effort and the amount was transferred to a charitable organisation. The remaining books were sent to a recycling centre.

Not a page ripped, not a book wasted. It is of utmost importance that our generation realises the value of books.
From Ms Shruthi Murali
Dubai

Pay to watch
I request cable providers to provide customers with more freedom regarding the variety of channels available for subscription.

It is important to have local television channels, but I cannot understand why I am paying for channels I would never watch.

Additionally, when we subscribe to a sports channel, we should be able to watch all the major sporting events happening around the world.

Moreover, some cartoon channels are not at all suitable for children as they are exposed to inappropriate language and gestures.

It is even more pathetic that most parents do not even realise this fact.
From Mr Sujith P. K.
Abu Dhabi

Our money's worth
Nurseries and daycares are already busy accepting enrolment fees for the next school year, but I urge parents to be vigilant and ask for teachers qualifications.

Parents are paying exorbitant fees, but often do not get their money's worth. Some nurseries provide low quality education by hiring unqualified teachers as well.

It is about time that parents become more alert about their children's education. I also hope the authorities look into this matter.

It should be mandatory for teachers to hold a degree in teaching or any other relevant degree.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

No difference
Every day on the highways of the UAE, I wait and watch for another major accident to occur. Many innocent people are being killed because of reckless driving on part of most motorists.

New laws have been instituted and thousands of fines or tickets issued, but it has made no difference at all.

The traffic police needs to be present on highways, pulling over offenders and confiscating cars and driving licences on the spot.
From Mr Doug Saunders
Abu Dhabi

Look and leap
US presidential candidate Barack Obama should exercise diligence and caution before picking his running mate (“Picking a vice-president, it's all about balance'', Gulf News, June 8).

His previous rival, Hillary Clinton, does not seem like the right person to play second fiddle to Obama, as they have extensive ideological differences, even if both their viewpoints are valid.

All of Obama's efforts will come undone if the second-in-command tries to push a different political agenda.
From Mr Subhasis Mukherjee
Dubai
Gulf News Readers Club member

Deathly road games
The recent Gulf News report on reckless drivers who participate in dangerous games to set records still sends shivers down my spine ("Speeding drivers in RAK take pictures to prove their 'records'", Gulf News, June 6).

It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that teenagers are aware of the fatal consequences of such mindless games.

I request the concerned authorities to take stringent and immediate action against such youngsters.

Even the idea of participating in such murderous games on public roads should not creep into the mind of these self-proclaimed daredevils.
From Ms Sujata Sardana
Abu Dhabi

Simple solution
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Sharjah's authorities need to get together and discuss the state of the traffic before trying out new solutions ("Plan to issue probational driving licences", Gulf News, June 4).

The main reason for traffic can be traced back to commuters who work in Dubai but reside in Sharjah. They cause heavy congestions all the way to Dubai and back.

A simple solution would be to have a metro track between the two cities.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request