Accept the facts
Being a single, working, young mum I have gone through a lot (“Focus: Single mums”, Gulf News, July 23). Although the decision was mine, I was left with no other choice. I have a daughter who is eight years old and [the effort] all these years to raise her cannot be described in words. I would like to question why society thinks that a family structure is threatened and afraid to accept that being a single mother could be part of many people’s lives. This could be a fact which society should accept. Everyone cannot have a healthy and complete life. I have no regrets or complaints. I am struggling and will keep on fighting. If the father is unable to give support and cannot fulfil the children’s needs, then it is always best to be alone. For a child it will have no meaning to hang in between — this would keep him or her confused through life.
From Ms Mesha’al S.
UAE
Working parents
Financial independence has increased the rate of single parenthood but it is dangerous. I think a child needs the love of both parents. Working women think that they can run a family without male companionship, but this is a wrong idea. Inflation is on the rise and both parents need to work to fulfil their family needs but children should not be victimised. Mothers should have work hours that suit her family. Money is not everything — children are valuable assets. The only solution in my opinion is to lead a simple life and carve your children’s future. Money doesn’t give you peace — rather it takes it away.
From Mr Mohammad Moaz Haider
Kolkata, India
Irrelevant factors
In the past, women were largely dependent on men. Marriage gave social and financial security to women and their children. Today, women do not require that security. Modern society gives enough security to women and children. But, this is a thread, as in the future marriage and men will become irrelevant to women.
From Mr Abdul Qader
Dubai
Website comment
Wrong impression
I am upset to read comments that show that single mums like myself do not choose but circumstances of a divorce leaves us to look after the children on our own. Please, don’t portray single mothers in such a way.
From Ms Nadia
Dubai
Website comment
Same community
I have been living in Fujairah for more than eight years (“Cultural melting pot or not? Global community just got closer”, Gulf News, July 24). I believe one can mingle with people only if he or she has spare time. I only have one close friend who is also from the same country as I am. Within such a tight schedule it is very difficult to study people who belong to different cultures. I like to chat with people if I am on a leisure trip. The daily stresses of family and work life do not allow you to start something new.
From Ms Riffat
Fujairah
Website comment
Far ahead
Developing an innovation as cost-effective as this laptop will bring education and knowledge to every person (“India develops $35 ‘laptop’”, Gulf News, July 24). India has truly embarked on this initiative much ahead of those who had the know-how and expertise but could never develop such a low price and highly affordable modern communication and learning tool. They can now compete with the very best.
From Mr Tarek
Mumbai, India
Website comment
Helpful technology
This is an excellent step by the Indian government towards information technology and education. It will be helpful to the middle income groups. I hope and wish this laptop will reach each individual, specifically the students.
From Mr Sharique
Dubai
Website comment
True achievement
The affordability of this laptop will not only help in further spreading education, but will also change the way an average person looks at the new world of technology. Congratulations to the creators of the laptop. This is a true achievement.
From Mr Stevie
Dubai
Website comment
A whole year
It is good if tenants pay rent through credit cards on a monthly basis. It will be very hard to repay the balance if they pay a year’s rent by credit card.
From Mr Chuttugulla
Dubai
Website comment
Editor’s note: To send reader comments, log on to gulfnews.com/about-gulf-news/contact-us
Readers’ issues raised
Cancelled air tickets
I would like to share my ordeal with [Gulf News], when I dealt with Emirates airlines. I had purchased three economy air tickets using my HSBC credit card in May 2009 and later cancelled the booking due to a change in my travel plan. An electronic refund request was made soon after the cancellation of the tickets. However, HSBC claimed the full amount only in February 2010 and the bank has confirmed that they did not receive any refund from Emirates.
So, I contacted Emirates and they replied that the amount has already been refunded to the bank that issued the credit card. When I contacted HSBC again, they asked for the details of payment done by Emirates to HSBC as proof. I have communicated with Emirates through email several times, with no favourable action from their side. I hope that Gulf News takes up this issue with all concerned and resolves it.
From Mr Mohammad Ali U.
Al Ain
Mr Ahmad Othman, Manager Corporate Communications, HSBC, responds:
We have reviewed the issues raised and would like to advise you the following: Mr Mohammad’s credit card was debited by Emirates airlines in May 2009. We have not received any refund from the merchant for this transaction. Since Mr Mohammad has advised that he has cancelled this booking and is disputing this transaction, we have provided interim credit to his credit card and raised an investigation with the merchant. He has been informed about the Service Level Agreement for the investigation. We have contacted Mr Mohammad, advised him of the above, and he has indicated that he is satisfied with our resolution.
Mr Mohammad responds:
Please be informed that I received a call from HSBC saying that they will credit the amount to my account, the amount has now been credited as ‘Refund of Disputed Transaction’ and they have promised to investigate the matter with Emirates airlines.
I do really appreciate your intervention and thank you once again for the support.
Editor’s note: The complaint was forwarded to Emirates airlines for further comments. However, they did not respond.
Overcharged
I had applied for an eLife internet connection based on the ‘starter package’, which is billed at Dh259 per month. Instead, I was billed based on the ‘master package’ at Dh299 per month. I had already paid for my Al Shamil account for the month of April 2010 but I was charged also for my eLife account. Furthermore, I was wrongly charged for the eLife connection at Dh180, when it is supposed to be free.
From Mr Hassani Bin Abdul Razzaq
Sharjah
The management of etisalat responds: Kindly be informed that Mr Hassani’s issue has been resolved.
Mr Hassani responds:
Thank you Gulf News for the intervention. If not for your help, this issue with etisalat would not have been resolved so expeditiously.
Poor customer service
The average time to connect to an etisalat representative is 20 to 30 minutes and there were some occasions where the phone line got disconnected after waiting for 30 minutes. You can imagine the frustration it creates. Since they are the only service provider in my area, their service is never going to improve. We have to adjust accordingly.
From Mr Jiju Naduvath
Dubai
Editor’s note: The complaint was sent to the management of etisalat. However, despite repeated reminders they failed to respond.
Unnecessary charges
I am paying Dh70 per month as service charges to Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa). For electricity I pay Dh30, for water Dh20, and for gas Dh20, but I have not taken Sewa’s gas line since I purchase gas cylinders by cash. I contacted the electricity office recently as they were charging me for the gas service, which I do not use. They replied saying they have already installed the meter in my flat, and whether I use it or not, I have to pay the service charges.
From Mr Shaji Raghavan
Sharjah
Editor’s note: The complaint was sent to the management of Sewa. However, despite repeated reminders they failed to respond.
If you have similar consumer complaints, send them to us at readers@gulfnews.com
