Necessary for traffic control
I am happy to hear about traffic cameras catching violators – really, it will help people (‘Dubai Police cameras catch traffic violators unawares, Gulf News, December 23). Last week a woman hit our car while she was doing her make-up and she was not concerned about her speed. She was driving at a speed of more than 120km/h even though the road’s speed limit was only 100km/h. The loss is purely on us even though we didn’t commit any mistake. Our new car value is now zero.
From Mr P. D.
Sharjah
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Send notification
That is a good move by Dubai Police to control the traffic, but I request the authorities to inform the people about the fine by SMS. That way people will take care and drive safely on the roads.
From Mr Hassan
Umm Al Quwain
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More cameras needed
Good job and I think that on all major highways that there should be cameras placed every two kilometres. Since the cameras are too far apart, people know where they are and slow down to avoid getting caught just before the camera and then accelerate back up again to dangerous speeds.
From Mr Kamran
Dubai
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Watch truck drivers
Great job Dubai Police, keep up the good work! There are thousands of reckless drivers out there risking the lives of law abiding residents. Also, please take a look at the heavy truck drivers who seem to be becoming more reckless every day.
From Mr Bill
Dubai
Website comment
Other strategies needed
I don’t think that it will help. Many of these drivers do it because they can afford to do it by paying those fines, whether it is a lot or not. I think that a different police strategy should take place.
From Mr Ali Fahs
Dubai
Facebook comment
Enjoying Views
The Views section of Gulf News on various subjects is unique and it was an experience to go through the write-up of Frank Bruni (‘Hacking our humanity,’ Gulf News, December 23). I do agree with his remarks that creativity is in jeopardy.
Gulf News deserves praise for the excellent views of the author and publishing such an interesting piece. After fourteen years, I am now in Abu Dhabi and I started reading my favourite newspaper again: Gulf News. I am very much impressed by its new look and design. It has conquered new heights. What a metamorphosis!
From Mr S. Sunny
Abu Dhabi
Creating harmony
I found the story about Syrians of all religions living in harmony an interesting read (‘Praying for peace in a war-torn land,’ Gulf News, December 23). Syria has already lost its charm after being stuck in a civil war for years. It is high time the Syrian government should realise what is best for the people and make peace and harmony among its citizens to help stabilise the region. Will Syrian President Bashar Al Assad revive this in the New Year?
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Missing information
I would like to say that I think Cyril Almeida’s comments in his story miss certain important and relevant points (‘United against terror but not on terrorists,’ Gulf News, December 22). Namely, as a well known fact, the perpetrators of the massacre of 132 school children and nine staff were operating from Afghanistan! The command orders recorded proved the source’s location!
Secondly, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi has been tried as a potential suspect, but sufficient evidence did not corroborate his crime! He has, however, been placed under detention. Furthermore, why were the proceedings of the Samjhota Express not made public? The causes of killing of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) holding investigations were also not revealed? The article tends to look partisan to say the least!
From Mr Syed M. Arif Zaki
UAE
Unconstitutional
A criminal act of forced conversion cannot be justified and the perpetrators must be punished accordingly (‘India lawmakers demand Modi speak on conversion to Hinduism,’ Gulf News, December 23). This is unconstitutional and I think that it amounts to dishonouring the idea of India, which represents equality and freedom for all. Conversion to any faith should be a matter of choice by conviction. Hindu, Muslim or Christian - conversion by force, threat and intimidation is both cowardly and a shameless number game. It has nothing to do with any faith as such. Choice and practice of faith is perfectly Indian and a constitutional right that we all must abide by.
From Mr Sidd
Abu Dhabi
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Not helping India
I don’t agree with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tactics as he is seem sto be bribing voters with promises to get votes - doing all sorts of things to induce and influence for votes. What about that? Politicians store money abroad; Indians are leaving India and changing their nationalities. What about that?
Some of these politicians are the biggest criminals and are vandalising India. The poor people still remain poor and they don’t have the right to speak about religion. It is an individual’s decision. You cannot change a person by giving them money because after collecting the money, he will change himself.
From Mr Rama Krishnan
Dubai
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Need to act now
The culprits of such heinous crimes should be dealt with severely if found guilty (‘Pakistan to execute 500 militants soon,’ Gulf News, December 23). The Pakistani government has waited too long and it has given these militants the audacity to take on such crimes. Pakistan has suffered badly because of this delay of zero tolerance. They should not stop here and they will need to get to the bottom of this never ending conflict. People within who were lenient or people who have funded them or helped orchestrate such crimes should also be found and tried in public.
Regionally, all countries like China, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries need to mend ways to tackle this menace together and internationally, the responsibility lies in extending education, healthcare and basic economic growth.
Join hands and grow towards a greater world. Don’t forget this has already spread in Syria, Iraq and Yemen and it will eventually consume us all in the world. I wish our new generation can live in a liveable world with harmony and they won’t feel guilty with their forefathers’ mistakes.
From Mr A. J.
Dubai
Website comment
Saving a country
Keep it up Pakistan! Unfortunately, this is the only language terrorists understand and for that I think they should be annihilated at any cost in order to save a nation of 200 million from the path of self destruction.
From Mr Abdul Aziz Ali
Dubai
Website comment
Stop logistical supporters
‘Reverse terrorism’ seems to be the effective way to stop those who call out names of children and kill them one by one. Only some remain suicidal, but the logistical supporters are not. Countries facing terror should give strong and harsh sentencing to anyone who knowingly participated in terror support. For each innocent life taken away by terrorists, their jailed comrade should pay. This will not stop terror, but it will take away a good chunk of their logistical support base. This ‘mental fever’ of terrorism requires a strong dose of medicine as moratoriums and soft approaches have failed worldwide.
From Mr Ahmad Mohsin
Dubai
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Fluctuating economies
Many people are under a false notion that “real estate” is solid and that is the worst misconception (‘Dubai realty market cool-off forces investor rethink,’ Gulf News, December 21). Before the 2008 economic crash in the US, in certain cities the value of real estate was skyrocketing. Now, the same real estate loss in some places is up to 75 per cent crash and sale. Lease signs are seen everywhere. The GCC countries, even in the diversified economies of certain countries, and petroleum being the main commodity, its up and down price factor finally will determine the price of real estate.
If the price is showing any sign of plunging, even the foreign investors would be too cautious to invest. I live close to a small city where one particular product for the housing industry was manufactured, about 80 per cent for the whole nation and export. When the housing industry crashed, the factories in the small city began to layoff employees and close down.
Where once it was hard to find a piece of land in that small city due to the massive expansion of the economy, now the value of the real estate has plummeted more than 60 per cent and even at these lowest price, nobody is daring to buy any property. The economic boom and recession of a city or country have a direct impact on the real estate market price as well as the demand factor. The demand and supply will finally determine the price factor.
From Mr A. Samuel Mathew
Ringgold, US
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