Need to save
The rising costs of living and average salaries are making life difficult for everyone (‘UAE residents face severe shortfall in saving for retirement,’ Gulf News, January 20). I am even meeting people who earn Dh25,000 to Dh35,000 per month and even they are complaining about costs, rents and education fees. So this issue has become a severe task for all and that is not good. Something needs to be done to control these rising costs. Companies will not increase salaries along with rising costs because they are here to do business, not go bankrupt paying hefty salaries. A person earning around Dh6,000 to Dh7,000 should be able to save at least Dh1,500 to Dh2,000 monthly in order to not fall into a penniless situation at a desperate stage in life. Right now I am confident that it’s not happening with people even earning Dh10,000/month.
From Ms Mosa
Sharjah
Website comment
Buying properties
For sure yes, the recent hikes in rents and other consumable commodities have resulted in less or no saving. We as expatriates have to plan where we settle down in old age. We cannot always buy properties, and so it is highly important that we save for old age.
From Mr Anjali Ramchandani
Dubai
Website comment
Dealing with terrorism
International media gives much news value to the incidents happening in the developed countries irrespective of the gravity of the situation, whereas less privileged countries are almost neglected (‘Boko Haram militants kidnap 80 in Cameroon,’ Gulf News, January 19). The countries who were supposed to act right now are keeping a studied silence even though they know very well that terrorism is an international issue. The word terrorism got international attention when it struck the US. The act of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be condemned. If any country is incapable of tackling internal conflicts effectively, then the international community should step in.
Boko Haram militants may spread into other geographical areas of the world in the name of religion. The US should understand one thing very clearly: terrorism in the name of religion has as much impact as those of weapons of mass destructions. The first lady of the US should advise her husband that we need to do much more other than just creating hashtag #BringBackOurGirls as injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
Website comment
Are dowries necessary?
I suggest to the family affairs department to intervene now because dowries should not be applicable for any unmarried women and anyone who demands should be penalised (‘Saudis alarmed over number of unmarried women,’ Gulf News, January 20). Parents need to consider the financial condition of the groom before entering into such a union.
From Mr Mohammad Al Belooshi
Dubai
Website comment
A right of women
Dowries are the right of a woman and it is ludicrous to say that women should be penalised for demanding their rights.
From Ms Ausra
Dubai
Website comment
Taxi waits
Recently, my mother and I had to go for an urgent medical check up. We had no means of transportation except for the taxi. I was very disappointed when not a single taxi was willing to stop to take us to our destination. All the taxis that passed us had no passengers, yet they did not stop or wait. This is a major concern when considering the fact that it was a medical emergency. We had to reschedule the appointment after waiting for an hour for a taxi. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has a commendable record for safe and happy travellers, but I found this quite concerning. I suppose that this is the case with many residents who use the taxis.
From Ms Neha Reji John
Dubai
Be careful
Everyone needs to be very careful while driving in the rainy weather (‘Traffic jams as hailstorm, rain and strong winds hit many areas of UAE’, Gulf News, January 19). This rain we got is only the first and there will be more. Reckless driving due to over confidence will be dangerous. Remember that there are people in our lives that love and need us.
From Mr M. Majeed
UAE
Peace-oriented event
War between two countries has nothing to do with a beauty pageant – same goes with the Olympics (‘Miss Universe selfie causes stir in Lebanon,’ Gulf News, January 19).
From Mr A. Dungo
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
A serious conflict
I don’t agree with Mr A. Dungo. Do you even know what is happening between Lebanon and Israel or are you living in a world of you own? There are serious conflicts happening. People need to educate themselves on these topics.
From Ms Christelle Bou Chebel
UAE
Facebook comment
Invaded by thugs
Whilst the recent golf championship in Abu Dhabi was heading for an exciting finale on course with players jockeying for pole position, in the stands and in the event village area it was a different story, with people who were reducing the spectator atmosphere into an uncomfortable spectacle for families and women. The uncontrolled rowdy behaviour by a sizable minority went uncontested, which had families running for cover with the shouting. Anyone who dared to ask them to behave respectfully in public were confronted with aggressive tones. An active police presence is needed.
From Mr Shahid Aziz
Dubai
Odour or our habits?
Mosquitos have been a very pesky problem in many households and people try to get rid of this pathogen filled insect yet fail in vain (‘If mosquitos find you irrestible, it could be down to your body odour,’ Gulf News, January 17). We can blame our odour and our body temperature for their persistence, however people fail to see measures against the breeding of mosquitos as a task encompassing thoughts from a community perspective. Mosquitos usually breed in dirty corners where there is stagnant water and we fail to realise the reason for this is our very own habits. Many of us litter without a second thought.
Many people pollute their surroundings without any awareness of its repercussions. These are then becoming home to the devastatingly deadly mosquitos, which start breeding. Within a short span of time the entire place will be filled with swarms of mosquitos. Keeping the community clean not only promotes safety against carriers of pathogens such as the mosquitos, but also instils within any person a sense of cleanliness and personal hygiene. We can assert the importance of personal hygiene by taking notice that the mosquito, which usually breeds in dirty habitats comes close to us on the basis of our cleanliness. In this way we can say that mosquitos can be an indicator of the extent of community cleanliness in any given area. We should be able to perceive this as an issue not only concerning our personal hygiene, but as an issue that should concern community effort in maintaining our surroundings. We should all value the importance of a clean and green environment and do our best to contribute to the same.
From Ms Sruthi Rao
UAE
Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders.
