Opinion | Letters
October 9, 2008
Letters to the Editor: October 9, 2008
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:29 October 9, 2008
Take responsibility for surroundings
I was horrified to see the rubbish left by visitors as I took a walk around Al Safa Park, recently. The beautiful park looked like a garbage dump. In Australia, in the 1970s, a very successful campaign was launched to educate the public that littering was wrong, even shameful. One would be categorised a "litterbug" and the police would not hesitate to impose a fine if they caught someone littering. Perhaps littering should be categorised as a (serious) crime here, too? What we need is a public campaign to educate people to take responsibility for their surroundings and dispose rubbish properly. Is that too hard?
From Ms Jane Osborn
Dubai
Shocking to say the least
A recent report about the dumping of untreated sewage ("Illegal sewage dumping raising waste pollution in Dubai," Gulf News, October 5) left me in a state of shock. I am eight months pregnant and have been bathing in the sea along the Jumeirah Open Beach for the past few weeks. I was not informed or aware of any health issues that I had to be cautious about. How could the authorities let this happen in the first place and then not react promptly? This could leave residents and tourists alike with health problems.
From Ms Chris Baharos
Dubai
Check specification
This is in response to the letter by Mr Divyesh Goyal and his problem with the washing machine power plug ("Not working," Gulf News, October 4). He probably has the wrong type of plug! Most electrical appliances come with the German type F plug. The UAE, however, has the same socket system as the UK - the three-pin flat-type G sockets. The third pin supplies the "Earth connection". Trying to use the type F plug in a type G socket compromises the earthing option, which is why the extension leads burn or fuse out. It would be advisable to change the plug to suit local specifications as a safety measure.
From Mr Robert Cambrensis
Abu Dhabi
Very useful
I am a regular reader of Gulf News and find it a most reliable source of information. The Classifieds section is particularly useful, especially for job-seekers.
From Mr Emran Alam
Abu Dhabi
Need for proper training
When the cooking gas cylinder ran empty at home recently, I called a person from the grocery store to get a refill, as is the practice in my building. Sure enough a person came and did the needful but it was horrifying to watch him run a "safety check" with a lighter after he was done. If there had indeed been a leakage, the entire building would have been blown up. I request the concerned authorities to look into the matter and train such people immediately. It would help prevent avoidable accidents.
From Ms Rima D.
Abu Dhabi
Terrifying taxi ride
My mother and I are on holiday from London. This is not our first visit to Dubai, although it may well be our last. While we were returning from a shopping trip, our taxi driver began to drive recklessly as he raced with another car on the road. He was driving extremely fast and was so close to the car in front of us that he continuously slammed the brakes to avoid crashing into it. The effect was that we were repeatedly propelled forward, despite having our seat belts on. We came on holiday to relax and shop - not to have our lives deliberately put at risk by a dangerous taxi driver. We tried getting a response from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), without much success and are now considering taking legal action.
From Ms S. Ojumu
Dubai
Editor's note: The complaint was forwarded to the RTA for comments. However, despite repeated reminders, the management failed to respond.
A safe reminder
Perhaps the time has come for the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to introduce "P" or probation plates for newly qualified drivers, at least for a minimum period of time. Having a "P" plate displayed on the rear of the vehicle will definitely benefit the new driver. He or she would feel more secure and confident on the road, knowing that other motorists are aware of his status. This would further encourage the driver to be more tolerant and patient, especially since the plate would serve as a reminder that there is more driving experience to be gained. Additionally, such plates would facilitate the traffic police in monitoring new drivers more carefully.
From Ms Ruth Daniel
Dubai
Safety first
Though stainless steel is rather expensive, it would be the ideal material to build a fence along the Abu Dhabi Corniche. A vitreous enamel or glass surface would add sheen but my concern is about safety of children. Contractors should not focus on the costs and design aspects alone but also take into account the consequences of installing cheap fences. The safety of little children is very important.
From Ms Barbara Ali
Sharjah
Fix accountability
I hardly get a chance to drive my car at the designated or safe speed as the traffic situation remains bad at the best of times. I really wonder how people manage to speed and cause accidents by driving in a rash manner.
From Mr Nasser Usmani
Dubai
Perspective shift
Three cheers to Gulf News for providing its readers with really cool jute bags. I am a Grade 9 student and wasn't very conscious about my responsibility to the environment. However, with the launch of Gulf News's Go Green campaign, all that has changed for me. Now I will certainly stop using plastic bags and hope others follow suit. Please remember, this is for our planet if not for anything else!
From Ms Vineetha Stephen
UAE
Stranded
During the recent Eid Al Fitr holidays, we visited a beach in Khorfakkan, where a family friend hired a jet ski. A few minutes into using the jet ski, it stopped operating completely, due to a malfunction. In the process, our friend got stranded in the middle of the sea. We asked the person in charge to rescue our friend, but nobody was willing to help him. There was no rescue team or lifeguard on the beach. Finally, a swimmer helped our friend to the shore.
From Mr Ramesh Shardha
Dubai
Clearer picture
A very small minority of readers was not aware of the history behind Arabic numerals, but I believe most of us knew about it ("Readers and experts correct Gulf News error", Gulf News, July 26). I remember learning in school the reason why Roman numerals were replaced in Europe during the middle ages. It was because it was impossible to use them in arithmetic techniques such as in long division. This hindered the development of mathematics in Europe. The basis for Arabic numerals is the number of angles in each figure; '0' has none, '1' has one, '2' has two and so on. The figure '7' had a horizontal line through it, which for expediency, has been largely dropped. The way we write them today is a simplified and more convenient form. Instead of '8' being two squares on top of each other, it is written as two circles. There are still a few questions that intrigue me. I wonder why the Arabs adopted a new numerical system after having developed their own. I believe Arab countries should revert to the original system. In most Middle Eastern countries, until recently, number plates carried both the Arabic and Persian/Indian numerals.
From Mr Richard Siemicki
UAE
Advance notice
A communication gap between landlords and tenants has lead to the authorities taking the blame for the disconnection of utilities ("Tenants in Dubai villas live rough", Gulf News, July 25). However, how many more families have to suffer the summer heat and end up homeless due to such miscommunication? The authorities could put up a violation notice in English and Arabic in the villas, ahead of time. This matter must be looked into more carefully in order to avoid future mishaps.
From Mr Felix
UAE
Full name withheld by request
Wrong information
The economists mentioned in Gulf News's report are just one of many who are entitled to their personal views ("Worrying signs in realty market", Gulf News, July 25). They have been predicting a 30 per cent fall in real estate since 2005. During that time, prices have risen more than 100 per cent. The same economists have been optimistic about the US dollar during the last five years, despite its value falling by almost 50 per cent. Perhaps they are now recommending the Dubai capital gains tax in order to fulfill their prediction of a fall in real estate.
From Mr Ralph Rau
Dubai
A mini problem
I am very worried about the way minivan drivers behave on highways ("Minibuses will have their speeds limited, say police", Gulf News, July 29). They do not seem to care about others. They are always in a hurry, and engage in bad road behavior, such as jumping lanes, driving in a zigzag pattern and flashing headlights. Such motorists have become a headache for others and do not contribute to smooth traffic. Additionally, they pose a great danger to those around them. I hope the authorities will sort this problem and make the roads a safer place.
From Mr Jain Sathian
Ajman
Great decision
Hats off to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for confirming Pakistan as the venue for the next ICC Championship ("Champions Trophy will stay in Pakistan", Gulf News, July 24). If England, Australia and New Zealand do not want to be part of the great event in Pakistan for fear of terrorist attacks, so be it. The show must go on. I strongly urge Asian countries to assume a close working relationship with the West Indies and Zimbabwe cricket boards, within the ranks of the ICC. Additionally, they should use their democratic right of ‘Majority is Authority' to call the shots in the ICC. Moreover, they should shun all habitual malingerers who are bent upon spoiling its global mission of promoting quality cricket all over the world. I commend the ICC at this crucial juncture, as they work hard to see things through.
From Dr Aamir A. Salaria
US
The difficult way
I think it would help the environment if residents were allowed to change their visit visas to employment visas without leaving the country (“New UAE visa rules leave hundreds stranded'', Gulf News, July 29). Additionally, it would save unnecessary travel as well. I fail to understand the logic behind having to leave the country and return for just the work visa. The procedures should be simplified. On another note, I noticed that the paid parking timing listed in some areas during Ramadan indicated it was from 5pm to midnight. Is this an error or deliberate action? I think everyone is aware of how horrible the parking situation is in the city, yet it is surprising that the authorities have extended the timings. It has become even more difficult to look for parking in areas with paid parking.
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request
A friendly invite
The authorities in the UAE are very friendly, but in order to increase efficiency, I think the police force should encourage residents to work with them. With a Friends of Police (FOP) initiative, unanticipated crimes could be addressed immediately, especially in public places such as shopping malls. Those who work with the police would also be given prior authorisation. Additionally, the authorities could announce an open invitation, so that all the nationalities are able to participate in making the UAE a safer place.
From Mr Mohammad R.
Dubai
No way to work
In the UAE, there is an acute shortage of drivers. It has become very difficult to find employees, who can drive, especially for small-scale companies. Now that demand is increasing, drivers for light pickup trucks and minibuses have raised their rates from around Dh2,000 to Dh4,000 a month. I think the relevant regulations should be implemented, giving drivers as well as the public, a fair chance. In this manner, the problem with the shortage of drivers could be overcome.
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request
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