Opinion | Letters
March 27, 2008
Letters To The Editor - March 27, 2008
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:17 March 27, 2008
Timely help extended
Recently, I took the wrong bus and found myself stuck on the last stop in Sonapur. I felt really scared and helpless. Luckily, two police officers happened to see me from a distance and drove to where I was standing.
Upon learning about my plight, they offered me a lift and dropped me off at a place where I could easily avail of a taxi. I would like to extend a big thank you to the two officers.
From Ms Robecar M. Abella
Dubai
Collective responsibility
I support the efforts taken by the authorities for saving water and electricity. However, there is a need to visit residential villas, as the pavements outside these houses are cleaned and kept cool by using the precious desalinated water made available.
Expatriates in such households need to be made aware of the water being wasted. Essentially, is it necessary to keep the sites under construction illuminated at night?
A timer to switch off at least 75 per cent of this will save a lot of energy. Let us all collectively take the responsibility.
From Mr M. G. Raman
Dubai
Observations
I made a few observations on driving standards while on holiday in Dubai. It would help if people killed speed instead of other people. Gear levels do not help in steering, it's important to have both hands on the steering wheel.
Use of indicators at all times is as crucial as avoiding undertaking and jumping queues. Motorists need to be patient and courteous to fellow commuters and be always observant.
Talking on mobile phones while driving should be avoided as well. Lastly, don't blow horns if there is no emergency - it leads to less road rage.
From Mr Eric Bailey
United Kingdom
Not confident
Every individual should be tested for at least two attempts before being given a driving licence. There are some people who get their licence in the first attempt but often lack confidence and fear driving alone.
This usually leads to such people causing accidents. I failed my first test while another person from my group qualified in the first attempt.
He confessed that though he was lucky to have got his licence in the first attempt, he still needed more practice before being confident enough to drive alone.
From Ms S. Anees
Sharjah
Same experience
This is in response to the letter to Gulf News by Ms R. D'Souza ("No limits", Gulf News, March 23). I am a 61-year-old woman and have had experiences of a similar nature, wherein I have had to wait for long periods of time for a bus.
When finally the bus arrives, it is usually packed or has the seats reserved for women filled up.
I was made to sit in the most uncomfortable seat or the folding seat between two front seats while men occupy the actual women's seats.
With the introduction of new buses between Sharjah and Dubai, the reserved seats that are cramped in the front portion of the bus are given to women.
I think the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) should look into this matter.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Name game
Ever so often, we come across newspaper articles reporting insects or other hazardous substances found in ordered or take away food. I think the name of the outlet must be mentioned.
This is not to close down the establishment or cause loss, but more to protect the consumer. I order pizzas fairly regularly, and am concerned that my family could be exposed to poor hygiene practices.
From Mr Supreeth Attavar
Dubai
No place to stay
In my search for a place to stay, I have been looking through the property pages of popular dailies in order to find a suitable apartment to rent.
It was shocking to note that the landlords asked what my nationality was first and informed me that I wouldn't be allotted a room if I were an Indian or a Filipino.
Where do the rest of the nationalities go? I have yet to find a room!
From Ms Laila Hassan
Dubai
Water waste
The authorities should consider banning the manual car wash facility. They use large amounts of water to wash a car that could go through the automatic wash in less than half the time.
Watching one such incident, I noticed that it takes a minimum of 20 minutes to wash a single car. I have no idea how many gallons of water is used.
From Ms Sheila Bibi
Dubai
Lesser evil
There is actually a biodegradable plastic bag available in the market and certain hypermarkets in England use it with great success. Its cost is only a small amount higher than that of unmodified plastic bags.
The method is called TDPA, which is an acronym for Totally Degradable Plastic Additives.
With heat and ultraviolet rays, the plastic disintegrates within a couple of months under favourable conditions, as we find in the UAE.
From Mr Philipp Elsaesser
UAE
New adjectives
It's 2.11am, and I'm still awake. I live in a posh area of Dubai. In researching the area, I was greatly impressed by its website, and the calm, natural serenity it presented.
I moved in about a month ago, and was surprised with the amount of ongoing construction in the area. A new building is being constructed just in front of ours, which conveniently blocks the original sea view.
But if that were all, I could handle it. From sunrise to sunset, the constant humming of generators clashing with the chinking of jackhammers penetrates the thin walls of our "peaceful, calm, and serene" apartment.
Perhaps the marketing department would care to stay in my apartment for a few weeks, so they could think up some new adjectives to describe the luxurious seaside residences.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Your turn
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