An early morning surprise
No one likes to be disturbed on a weekend and I consider it a nuisance to be woken up from sleep, early morning ("Waking up to a bag of surprises", Gulf News, September 27). However, when a Gulf News newsboy woke me up a few days ago, it was more than just a pleasant surprise. He greeted me with a huge smile and a beautiful gift in the form of a jute bag. His smile was so contagious, that it made me forget my annoyance. It is going to be a pleasure to use the jute bag when shopping for essentials.
From Mr Milind Tikhe
Dubai
Wonderful idea
I congratulate Gulf News for its successful launch of the beautiful jute bags. Now we do not need to use plastic bags when we go shopping. It is a wonderful idea. Additionally, it was a surprise gift that we received early in the morning, that too on a weekend.
From Ms Shaheera M. S.
Dubai
Favourite part
The distribution of jute bags is definitely my all-time favourite part of the Go Green campaign. It is a novel way to celebrate Gulf News's 30th anniversary. Having resided in Dubai for the past 10 years, we have received a lot of giveaways. This has to be the best one by far. Usually I do not go for big brands, but I would love to be seen shopping with Gulf News's jute bag.
From Ms Bindu Sathianesan
Dubai
Positive actions
I think it is great that the authorities have acknowledged all the efforts made by Gulf News's Go Green campaign. It is definitely difficult for people to stop using plastic bags, but I am sure that these jute bags will encourage people to try and stay away from plastic. The initiative is commendable. Additionally, a slogan across the bag talking about the environment would have been even better.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Ruwi, Oman
Everyday use
We appreciate Gulf News's initiative to distribute free jute bags to its subscribers. I think it would be a great idea to make these bags available to retail stores, too. People could then purchase the bags, and use them instead of plastic bags.
From Mr Aejaz Ahmad
Dubai
Disposing waste
Even though I am not a Gulf News subscriber, I would definitely want to own a jute bag. However, we need disposable bags to throw the garbage in. For such reasons, plastic bags are the ideal option.
From Ms Shamira Narayan
Dubai
Ideal solution
I appreciate the initiative taken by Gulf News to help the environment. A slogan, such as 'back to nature', could have been used to further promote the idea. We should all contribute to this cause by carrying our own bags when shopping for groceries. This was one of the methods used by people, to minimise polluting the environment, in the past. Additionally, there may be times when we shop for small things and use plastic bags for the same. This is a waste. Instead, the jute bag would be an ideal option.
From Mr Siraj Pate
Ras Al Khaimah
Inconvenience
Public transportation is meant for the convenience of people. However, with the increasing rates and traffic, people have to wait a long time before being able to use a taxi. Some drivers refuse to drive to certain destinations. Sometimes, a vacant taxi does not even stop for a passenger. The reasons given are mostly that the driver has received a call for a taxi or that his shift has ended.
From Mr Glen Vitus
Dubai
Uninformed students
There are some driving schools within the UAE that do not seem to pay attention to students. I am a student of one such school. The school has already charged me Dh8,000, and is now forcing me to take more expensive classes after I failed my second test. Each class costs me Dh200. Additionally, the school has yet to inform me of available dates for a road test. Since I am not aware of when my road test will be, I cannot take practice classes in advance.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Clear confusion
I applaud the Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) initiative in revamping Dubai's road address system. It was something that was long overdue. However, a lot of times, a street name changes after a certain intersection. For example, the Hadiqa Road becomes Meydan Road after crossing the Shaikh Zayed Road interchange. This creates further confusion. The authorities need to take this into consideration and make it easier for people to locate an address.
From Mr Mazhar Mohad
Dubai
Offensive behaviour
I am disappointed with the behaviour of taxi drivers in Abu Dhabi. Some drivers are very abusive. Once, a driver refused to accept coins from me for the taxi fare. They also refuse to drive to certain locations, and some of them are quite impolite in the process.
From Ms M. C. Berena
Abu Dhabi
Increasing prices
When the Indian rupee was appreciating, the price of all Indian commodities in the UAE skyrocketed. It adversely affected our monthly budget. But, now when the Indian rupee has started to decrease in value, reaching an all time low, there is no sign of reduction in prices. The concerned authorities' intervention will ease the burden for all UAE residents.
From Mr P. Sanyal
Dubai
Great honour
I have great respect for Abhinav Bindra for making India proud in the Beijing Olympics (“Bindra appeals to Indian administrators to build on success'', Gulf News, August 27). We need more people like him out in the field, competing for the country. I was blown away when I heard the Indian national anthem being played at the Olympics. It must surely have been a proud moment for his parents, to watch him take away the gold medal.
From Ms Ludiella Rodrigues
Abu Dhabi
Golden results
The gold medal win in the 2008 Olympics has built up confidence among other Indian athletes (“Bindra appeals to Indian administrators to build on success'', Gulf News, August 27). The historical achievement of Abhinav Bindra underlines the fact that proper training and adequate facilities could enable every athlete to rise to the occasion, and achieve success. Unlike other sports, I think cricket is a game of glamour and money and even a newcomer can become famous and wealthy in a short while — just by hitting a century or winning a ‘Man of the Match' award. The interest people have in cricket should also apply to all other sports in India, especially football and athletics. It is time the authorities and the whole nation began to take sports seriously.
From Mr Ameen Muvakkat
Abu Dhabi
Glorious moments
The final curtains were drawn on the Beijing Olympics after 16 days of spectacular events (“Olympics success is China's victory'', Gulf News, August 26). I believe the Chinese should rejoice, as the stupendous effort put in by their officials and the public allowed the event to be a grand success. They redefined themselves to the world and played the role of a gracious host, showcasing the refined values of the orient. The Olympics retained its unique flavour, as new records were created and medallists made their countries proud by setting new Olympic records.
Additionally, the supremacy of US swimmer, Michael Phelps, as he transformed his dream into a reality by gaining eight gold medals, was also something worth watching. Special mention also goes to the Jamaican athlete, Usain “lightning'' Bolt, for his effortless ability to sprint to new records. On everyone's lips is also the fact that it took 61 years for India to win an Olympic gold medal, and the one who gifted his country with this feat was Abhinav Bindra, with additional surprises in the forms of wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxer Vijender Kumar, both of whom picked up bronze medals. To the world, India opened a new window, and shed its image of being a cricketing nation. As viewers, we rejoiced in the winners' moments of pride and glory and empathised with those who wept in defeat. The defining moment emerges from these athletes, as they uphold the spirit of sportsmanship.
From Ms Y. Banu
Abu Dhabi
No help at all
How is Salik supposed to help the traffic situation, when there is no other form of transportation available (“RTA claims success with Salik gates'', Gulf News, September 17)? Due to the traffic congestion, using public transport often takes much longer than when commuters drive their own cars. Additionally, the customer service phone lines for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) are always engaged. It is unfair that we are being charged for Salik every time we cross a tollgate.
From Mr Dan M.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Loss of a leader
It is a tragedy for Pakistan to have lost a great leader (“A tectonic shift in Pakistan'', Gulf News, August 22). I believe the nation rejected Pervez Musharraf, after being exposed to all the propaganda surrounding him. He has contributed greatly to the country and its citizens. In fact, Musharraf was the first one to introduce freedom of media in Pakistan — the same media that is now misusing its power and hiding the actual facts. Such behaviour is against the ethics of journalism. Additionally, Musharraf was the first leader to organise the tax system in Pakistan, in order to curb corruption.
He also introduced the Nazim system, which solved the basic problems of the lower class. It provided streetlights, maintenance, solved sewerage problems, and encouraged the police to investigate minor issues and keep a check on anti-community activities. Musharraf personally visited foreign countries and presented the real image of Pakistan and set the pace for foreign investors to invest in the country. He also visited the United Nations more than once, with his speeches being highly appreciated.
Musharraf is set apart from his predecessors in that he always focused on the actual problems and presented realistic solutions. He believed that without peace, economic progress is not possible, and he worked to dilute tensions between India and Pakistan. He even tried to normalise the relation between India and China, and explore the market within the region to better the country's financial status.
From Mr Mohammad Amjad
UAE
Desperate plea
The day former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf resigned is undoubtedly the worst day in the history of the nation (“A tectonic shift in Pakistan'', Gulf News, August 22). People will come to realise this only later. With his departure, the reserves of Pakistan are open for robbery in the name of democracy. I ask Pakistanis to learn from their mistake of voting for the same parties and urge them not to give corrupt politicians the opportunity to bring distress to our country yet again.
From Mr M. A. Shibly
Dubai
Unstable nation
The situation in Pakistan could be dangerously unstable in the future (“A tectonic shift in Pakistan'', Gulf News, August 22). The coalition partners do not have a common political, economy or social agenda. Pakistan's economy is already doddering, with the local currency sliding sharply. Additionally, terrorism is rapidly becoming a facet of daily living in Pakistan. India will have to be more circumspect in its dealings with the country, due to the growing instability and fundamentalism, as some of Pakistan's new leaders could rekindle fighting across the borders in order to divert the attention of the people of Pakistan. The issue is worsened by the fact that both countries possess nuclear weapons. In the time and age we live in, politicians must also possess the sufficient management skills that are required to run countries.
From Mr Rajendra K. Aneja
Dubai
