Speed things up
I, like most people, am looking forward to the completion of the road network in Dubai. Unfortunately, I hold little hope of it happening any time soon. Emirates Road, heading towards Jebel Ali, is one road construction project after another and progressing very slowly. The worst [situation] is at the Dubai Investments Park (DIP) roundabout where the road surface is abysmal and the new highway is not complete and seems to have been deserted for the past 10 months. Traffic snarls are a daily occurrence here. Trucks, buses, cars and vans all compete for space on a woefully inadequate roundabout. So far our pleas for help have fallen on deaf ears. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) needs to acknowledge the issue and speed things up.
From Mr Rick Advano
Dubai

Discrimination in classrooms
Recently, one of my friend’s daughter was so heartbroken that she did not want to attend school any more. Teachers are the most important factor in a student’s life. They play a very vital role in the development of a child’s psychology. If you have good teachers, you are blessed. I am not pointing fingers at or blaming them, but a few teachers have their favourites in class — often known as teacher’s pets. Some students take the ace category, while others are ignored a little. I remember when we were young we used to look up to our teachers as role models. We were neither ignored nor compared in class. I don’t know what the problem is now. We still have very good educators and there is no doubt about their abilities, but I just want to request the teachers to please not discriminate in the classroom. It might be a small matter for them but it might affect the psyche of different children in the school. Every child is precious. We send our children to school dreaming that they will become better people and more successful than us. We as parents work very hard to do our best for our children.
From Ms Sophy Aqeel
Sharjah

Train system
I am sure the authorities would have looked at the option of a mass transit rail system between Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, being new to this place and looking at the traffic every day, I feel it is all the more important to reconsider a train service between the three locations. The amount of traffic between Sharjah and Dubai is mind-boggling. I feel the service could also include freight movement between places to avoid heavy and long trucks plying on the road. This would ease traffic congestion and, above all, safety on the roads would improve. We would become a more environmentally friendly society. Like many countries around the world, the infrastructure could have ‘park and ride’ provisions to enable people to park their car at the station free of charge — if they have weekly, monthly or annual passes. The planning committee could also look at introducing steam engines during school holidays for children to have a joy ride. As a young boy I used to be fascinated by the steam engine. The younger generation should enjoy what we enjoyed in the past.
From Mr Ananda Kumar
UAE

Suggestions for Pakistan
As the Pakistani government is still struggling to organise flood relief in camps, communities have started rehabilitation of villages on their own. Many disasters came and went, but the Pakistani community has bravely faced them! Initially, communities depended on the government and others. Now, when the flood rehabilitation phase has begun, the government should announce a strategy and invite all donors for their input. The government should first take the initiative of rebuilding main roads between major cities. This would support easy access. The draining of water is important, too. It would save communities from mosquitoes and waterborne diseases. Health and educational facilities should be provided in towns and villages. Cultivated land needs to be rehabilitated as people have suffered a lot and crops have been completely destroyed in flooded areas. Authorities should write off all agricultural loans, provide seeds, fertiliser and necessary machines for the rehabilitation of cultivated lands. Villagers need support in the form of food items for at least six months till the next harvest season. Availability of subsidised food items is a must at this stage. Donors and civil society organisations will provide support as they have provided in relief activities. I would like to suggest that the Pakistani government release a map of all affected cities and villages. Donors’ commitment for funding is required because of the large extent of damaged infrastructure.
From Mr Aijaz Ali Khuwaja
Karachi, Pakistan

Dedicated area
This is in reference to a recent community report about jet skis at public beaches. It was an eye-opener regarding the danger it can cause to swimmers who use the beach. Frequent accidents caused due to deliberate and inadvertent attempts to drive powerful vehicles have resulted in their restriction at public beaches in Abu Dhabi. This calls for uniform implementation of such rules in all emirates whenever a life-threatening situation is identified in one of them, as rules are implemented to control it. There should be separate options that are exclusive to water sports and those who indulge in it should limit themselves within their allotted area.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi