Beyond expensive
We had visited a rooftop beverage outlet recently (“Dh3 or Dh30? It depends on where you buy bottled water”, Gulf News, October 18). My wife, two sons and their wives were offered water repeatedly by the waitress. We gave in and she immediately brought two bottles and poured them out for each of us. She kept asking us if we wanted more water, but we politely declined. Subsequently we ordered something to drink, which cost around Dh80 to Dh90 each. We were surprised to see the final bill because the water was the most expensive item, priced at Dh110 per bottle. We just had to grin and accept it. Looking at our experience, the other guests had a walk in the park, since they only paid Dh20 to Dh30 per bottle, unlike us, who paid a king’s ransom for the same.
From Mr Sajan Bhatia
Dubai
Water is too expensive
I require water to be carried with me for medical reasons and even when I enter the cinemas I need to buy a bottle from their store since I cannot bring my own. It was initially Dh5 and now has been increased to Dh6. I feel that this must be regulated. I can understand if they prevent us from bringing food and soft drinks from outside. But they have no right to prevent us from bringing water from outside. Recently even in India they had brought in a law where people who go to watch movies are charged heftily and so were allowed to bring their own water. Very happy to see this article and hope there will be a change in the near future.
From Mr Basil Sunny
UAE
It starts at home
I find this very appropriate in the present scenario (“Fight against food wastage must be backed by all”, Gulf News, October 17). Despite continued awareness efforts, there is no end to the culture of food wastage. It has become very much a part of the lavish life of many today. Those who waste food, especially at parties and gatherings, never realise how billions still survive in this world without basic needs. While the cost for awareness campaigns and other form of initiatives to alert the public on the wastage of food is high, the results are poor. Therefore, only with a collective effort a real change can take place so that it can reap a desired outcome. From a family point of view, one must know how much they need to consume in a day, and how the waste can be avoided. The home and family are the two ideal places to start such initiatives with, since they can’t be avoided.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
High time for action
It is unfortunate that while our Prime Minister [India] is keen on the agenda of “Sabhka Saath, sabka Vikas” (together we will be victorious), the uncalled-for comments of some of his political leaders, seem
to be going against his vision of progress. It is high time that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took steps to rein in such leaders and nip any societal disharmony that they might cause in the nation. It is also time for our Prime Minister to deliver on his election promises of 2014.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
India
Unaccounted for charges
I strongly condemn the arrest warrants issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan (“Imran Khan challenges arrest warrant in court”, Gulf News, October 19). Firstly, as a common man, it is difficult to figure out the legal angle and what actually is the crime for such an order to be passed? Is this just a revenge attack by the ruling party for the disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on charges of corruption and money laundering? What is the purpose of any election commission in the world? Simply to hold free and fair elections, and to answer any queries regarding the irregularities in the elections efficiently and unbiasedly. Is ECP doing this? The answer is a clear no. It is only targeting Khan on charges, which we don’t even know exist. They might be trying to malign his name on the orders of the ousted prime minister. We stand with Khan as we all know that he’s not corrupt. False cases are only exposing the mindset of the ruling elite.
From Ms Khaula Shahbaz Rao
Pakistan
Warn them all!
The warning issued by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention to medical professionals and medical students against the wearing of white coats outside healthcare facilities and medical colleges should be really appreciated (“Stop wearing white coats outside health centres, doctors told”, Gulf News, October 14). This is essential to prevent the spread of microbes and thus to protect the public from various diseases. But more than doctors or medical students, I have seen nurses going on with their daily lives in their uniforms waiting at bus stops, in public transport, in supermarkets, in shopping malls and even in cafes. So in my opinion, the ministry should extend this warning to nurses and other auxiliary staff who come in direct contact with patients or contaminated materials. It should be made mandatory to change into civilian clothing when they step out of the premises.
Ms. Sajida Kamal
Abu Dhabi
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