Drive more carefully
Speeding vehicles is a common sight on any highway. There have been many cases of reckless driving over the years. Many do not know they are dancing with death when they speed away. Just a slip of concentration can lead to horrendous hazards. It may be a peek into your Facebook messages, answering a call or anything. When zooming away furiously, it is very difficult to come to a halt when we ought to. These e-drivers pose a risk, not only to themselves, but to other drivers and pedestrians. I hope that these drivers understand that if they drive a bit more carefully, then the lives of others could be saved. The accidents can easily be prevented with everybody’s cooperation. A small action can have a big effect.
From Mr Thejas Satheesh
Dubai
Empowerment for progress
Women’s Day celebrations aim to bring awareness to society about the rights and values of women for the development of the country (‘Book celebrates 24 Emirati women’, Gulf News August 29). Now we can see women in every field of work, but still women empowerment is an ongoing global issue. For the overall development of the world, it is important to empower women. They should get equal rights as men in society. For this, what you can do is educate them and make them capable to take decisions with self-confidence so they can work for the betterment of society. Empowering women can bring changes in the society and they play an important role in the progress of the country. From Ms Soumya C. V.
UAE
Take control of stray dogs
It was a gruesome incident when Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India witnessed a 65-year-old woman getting attacked and killed by stray dogs (‘With more attacks, some say Kerala has become ‘dogs’ own country’’, Gulf News, August 28). Another life lost and we hope this will make the authorities take the appropriate steps to curb this menace. These dogs feeds on waste from garbage across the streets in Kerala. Stray dogs have been a threat to the people, especially to women, children and elderly in the coastal belt of Kerala. It’s pathetic to see that all the streets are dumped with waste and the respective local bodies are not interested in the cleaning process that has led to the number of stray dogs multiplying. People in Kerala seriously need to learn waste management. People should attain civic sense, and it should start from the family itself rather than throwing waste in their neighbours’ compound. I, too, have been a victim of a stray dog bite back in 1984 in the capital city and I had to undergo an anti-rabies injection.
A true animal lover would never like to see a dog roaming the streets. Developed countries have achieved zero stray dog status by culling and sterilisation.
Steps should be taken by the government of Kerala to implement these in a timely manner and in the very near future hope it remains free of stray dogs and garbage.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Expensive medical bills
I hope these price reductions come into effect very soon, because I had kidney stones and, as I am new in the UAE, I didn’t get my medical card and for two hours I was in the hospital and they charged me Dh2,000 (‘Ministry announces price cuts for 762 medicines’, Gulf News, August 28). This is really difficult for me.
From Mr Irshad Syed
Dubai
Facebook comment
You are what you eat
It is all about what you eat when it comes to a lot of the illnesses we develop during our life (‘With cancer, a lot is in your control’, Gulf News, August 26). I would estimate that 90 per cent of what we are at the end of the day is because of our food. Get your food allergy tests done and read by an expert. A handful of doctors can read those reports properly. Find your allergies.
From Mr Ubaid Tariq
UAE
Facebook comment
Not that gullible!
I visit my son in Ajman almost every year for around three months, and I carry many memorable experiences along with me when I am back in India. This year, around Eid, I came across a very amusing experience. During my stay a car stopped by my side. One gentleman sat back in the driver’s seat while the other in the passenger seat got out of the car. Polite and polished, I first thought that they would ask me for directions, but that was not to be. Instead, he emphasised that they were from Italy and had run short of money and wanted to sell off some suit pieces, which they had carried all the way from Italy. The driver said: “Wonderful and high quality Italian fabric!”
I smelt the rat. Just to get out of the situation, I skilfully offered them as little as Dh50 for a pack of five suit pieces, which was almost agonising for them. The original offer was Dh500 from these crooks. They could very easily understand my ploy as I could theirs.
One of my friends who is a widely travelled gentleman told me later that this type of underhanded activity by crooks is to be seen almost everywhere in the world.
From Dr Shiben Krishen Raina
UAE
The importance of music in our lives
I am writing this to talk about how important music is in the lives of adults, teenagers and children. As Victor Hugo once said: “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”
I listen to a variety of music from rap to country and each genre of music depicts my mood on that particular day. Music has always been a huge factor in my life. There are several songs that I can relate to, songs that lighten up my mood and help cheer me up when I’m depressed. Music, for me, is like an automatic stress reliever. Through music, I am able to observe the world from a different perspective.
My belief is that those who do not yet feel music’s warm embrace have simply not discovered a song that they can relate to or connect with. Music is like a portal that transfers you into a wonderful world filled with lyrics and tunes where you can take a temporary break from your anxiety and apprehension. It helps you loosen up a little.
The world is a more beautiful place to live in when you have music as your companion. Music brings us to life when we feel numb, it’s like a tornado of melodies that never dares to end.
From Mr Paakhi Bhatnagar
Dubai
Aren’t Pakistanis being a bit harsh?
At my first experience in the Pakistan Consulate in the UAE, the service and hospitality I received was great. It was an immensely heartbreaking and distressing moment for me to feel the negativity within the comments, reviews and advice of Pakistanis portraying a negative image of Pakistan and its people. Because of the bad reviews, I felt horrible to even step foot in the Pakistan Consulate, but as it was important to go, I thought I would give it a try.
My appointment was scheduled for 10am and after arriving there, I was accommodated right away and then in the next 15 minutes I was done with everything and there was no more waiting time. I am not on any VIP list, nor am I any person linked to it. I was just a normal candidate there who was treated very well and the people were very hospitable. I was very happy, and the image that people created in my mind regarding the Pakistan Consulate was completely different from what I experienced.
So this is a humble request to all Pakistanis to be pleasant, speak pleasant, write pleasant and where there is a negative, there is always a positive aspect towards a situation also. Please represent Pakistan in a good way and help people to write honest feedback regarding their visit to any place - both positive and negative.
From Ms Kiren Bashir
UAE
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