Restaurants must act responsibly
The issue is not only about litter being present in the form of garbage that is not properly disposed, it is also about the vast number of menus I find hanging from my gate every day, that blow off in the wind and make a mess (‘Community report: Fighting to keep the environment clean’, Gulf News June 29). Restaurants should not be allowed to do this. It is very annoying, messy and bad for the environment. We all have apps on our mobile phones now, so there is no need for this bad behaviour. I now call up every restaurant that pins a menu to my gate and inform them that I shall never order from such an irresponsible and environmentally unfriendly place. More people should do the same. Keep our streets tidy!
From Mr Eddie Fullerton
Dubai
Facebook comment
A reversed apartheid
Around 21 years after the African National Congress (ANC) took its place in government, the situation has been completely reversed (‘Facebook - Today in history: 1949 - South Africa begins implementing apartheid’, Gulf News, June 29). Now, it is the black community that causes apartheid in a new form of black economic empowerment, with job reservations for blacks only, in all walks of society. Millions of white people are being forced out of jobs to make way for the black community. This is not an integrated society, but apartheid in reverse. No different from the previous apartheid government.
From Mr Willi Hook
Ras Al Khaimah
Facebook comment
Xenophobia in South Africa
Apartheid is over and we are all friends now except for the people who are burning and killing foreigners because they think they will take their jobs in the future. How ridiculous is this? If they don’t want to compete for jobs, then get better skills. Sometimes, you need to stand in front of a mirror and realise that it’s your worst enemy you are staring at.
From Mr James Mwesigwa
Dubai
Facebook comment
Stricter regulations for events
It is terribly sad and tragic that so many people in Taiwan were injured by the fire (‘More than 500 injured as fire hits Taiwan water park party’, Gulf News, June 28). Burn injuries are usually accompanied by excruciating pain and permanent scars. My sincere prayers are with the victims affected by this unfortunate incident. The Taiwanese government should impose stricter bans on the use of products such as flammable, coloured powders, due to the dangers involved.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Don’t expect applicants to know
To avoid issues, every embassy can ask for an affidavit to be signed by the applicant and his/her employer so that last minute frustrations could be avoided (‘Check residency visa validity before travel’, Gulf News, June 28). At the time of receiving the applications, embassies issuing visas can also advise applicants whether they are eligible for visas, and if not, tell them what could be done. Expecting the applicants to know everything is not fair.
From Mr Ramani Rajan
UAE
Website comment
How to apply?
I am 61 years old and the UAE residency department issues visa only for one year to individuals over 60 years. I just cannot understand how are we to apply for the Schengen visa? I have travelled so many times to Europe in the past and have successfully returned in time and I don’t have any criminal record. So why can’t I apply for a visa on that basis? It just does not make sense. They should consider the applicants’ travel history before they reject the application right away.
From Mr David
UAE
Website comment
Let visas carry over
Businessmen and travelling employees often need to travel on short notice. People will be encouraged to renew their residence visas in advance if they get the validity of the visa as two years, along with the remaining period in the current visa.
From Mr A. M. Khan
UAE
Website comment
No need to escalate issue
The styles of functioning of both Indian film actor Suresh Gopi and Nair Service Society (NSS) General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair, are obsolete (‘Kerala cine stars flay NSS boss for snubbing actor Suresh Gopi’, Gulf News, June 29). Recently, the superstar linked the Vizhinjam seaport project with the Hindu community, though it has nothing to do with religion. He is a film star in the first place, enjoying the support of the public, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. He can be comfortable or courageous in real life, but he cannot be both, like the way he acts in his movies. However, Gopi deserved better treatment at the hands of religious leaders, because he belongs to the same community. Insulting a VIP member in front of others is not going to go well for any religion. Nair should think about his predecessors, especially his immediate one, and try to understand how they tackled various socioeconomic issues without hurting the sentiments of others. Dictatorships will only ruin the community and make it a laughing stock for others.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
Ban mobiles at Kaaba
No photography should be allowed near the Kaaba and I think mobile phones should be strictly banned if pilgrims are going to perform Haj — they are not going there to show off (‘Kaaba selfies trigger heated online debate’, Gulf News, June 28)! I feel taking a selfie there means the person is disrespecting the Kaaba and not paying any attention towards the point of going to this holy place. This is a unique location, and I don’t think people should spoil it by such silly photography. It’s a place of worship.
From Mr Amin Shaikh
UAE
Facebook comment
Avoid and ban it
People cannot be doing Umrah and modelling at the same time, inside this holy place. People can avoid such horrible practices and, at the same time, the authorities should ban selfies inside the area.
From Mr Barakath Ali
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Hard to control
I think it’s difficult to control or stop people from taking selfies. It might become even worse. I think it is up to the local administration.
From Mr Shakil Ahmad Maluk
UAE
Facebook comment
Making an impact
I performed Umrah a few days ago and, yes, the selfie craze was making serious trouble!
From Ms Amna Adeel
UAE
Facebook comment
Informative for aspiring drivers
This article on drivers failing their road tests due to fear, was quite informative (‘Drivers fail Dubai road test due to fear, says RTA’, Gulf News, June 29). It should certainly assist driving licence aspirants to focus on key areas.
From Mr Rajkumar Chakravarthy
UAE
Website comment
Don’t take shortcuts
Many people complain about their trainers, but if there are problems with instructors, why don’t students lodge a formal complaint? Even the supervisor is available in the yard to report irresponsible instructors. I trained in Sharjah at a public institute and there was no such issue. The case is different with me: my instructor was on time and he thought I was a good driver so I passed all the tests on my first attempt. The student remains hopeful of shortcuts, but my instructor was very clear with me about everything in advance — that I should not expect a shortcut from him in the tests — and he was right. For me, learning how to drive was a good experience.
From Mr Izhar Ali
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Let smoke not blur our future
The most common excuse given by smokers is that they feel stressed at times and smoking is a way to relieve stress. Yoga, exercises, singing, martial arts and dancing your heart out are proven ways to get rid of stress. So, I want to say to smokers — please, stop with the excuses and take control of your life! It is very important for teenagers to enrol in some sort of sport or do some physical activities or something creative, to give expression to their thoughts and to refrain from this social evil. They are the future, so let the clouds of smoke not blur their future. Stand up and say ‘no’ to tobacco.
From Mr Ojas Sharma
Dubai
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