The saviour
We should love animals around us for they are God’s creation (“Community reporter lends a voice to abandoned and injured animals”, Gulf News, February 6). In April, 2007, my sons found four kittens dumped in a box near the dustbin. They couldn’t leave them in the hot weather, so they brought them home and took great care of them. They grew into beautiful cats – very playful and loving. Since I couldn’t look after them, we had to put them up for adoption. On another occasion, I found three pigeons lying unconscious near my building. I brought them home and gave them water. I called a veterinarian and he said it may be due to heat and exhaustion. Two days later, they were fine and flew away. In October, 2008, my oldest son saw some boys hitting a kitten. He brought her home since he couldn’t find her mother. We welcomed her and named her ‘KitCat’. She is now a part of our family. My sons say she is my daughter and their sister. I thank the Almighty for my husband and sons who support me in looking after abandoned animals. I appreciate the efforts of those who love animals.
From Ms Mini Susan Thomas
Dubai

Act of bravery
Many a times when I take a look at the issue of movie actor Shah Rukh Khan supporting Pakistani cricketers, the protests by the Shiv Sena and the arrival of congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to Mumbai, India, I can’t help but scorn at the insignificance of this issue and how the public is being forcefully pulled into the politicians’ divisive policies (“Shah Rukh not averse to meeting Thackeray”, Gulf News, February 7). Rahul Gandhi arrived in a train full of common people to a place where politics and cinema battles unnecessarily, at a time when Kashmir is under threat of curfew and militants, people and policemen are clashing with each other. Can our young leader, with his heroic enthusiasm, go and settle the situation in a part of the country threatened by violence, the same way as he settled the situation in Mumbai?
From Ms Nithya Raghavan
Abu Dhabi

True conviction
Shah Rukh Khan, the ‘numero uno’ of Bollywood became an easy and unsuspecting prey of the Shiv Sena for his sane utterances in favour of Pakistani cricketers. He is not only a national figure but also has a large fan following around the world. Even after the harsh reactions, he has stood by his words. Rahul Gandhi dared to travel in Mumbai by a local train, showing the true strength of their conviction.
From Mr Mohammad Sadullah Khan
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Economical lifestyle
I recently got a job with a salary of Dh3,500 and have no major financial responsibilities as I stay with my father (“How to manage with less than Dh3,000”, Gulf News, February 6). This means I don’t have to pay rent, which normally takes off a big chunk of anyone’s salary. Sometimes, my father offers to drop me to work. Otherwise, I would take a taxi, which costs Dh15, so that means Dh30 in a day. Apart from that, a decent meal would cost around Dh20, so the total expense for a day should be Dh50 – around Dh1,500 per month. As mentioned in the report in Gulf News, it takes a little sacrifice and patience. Now, I take a public bus every morning and it only costs Dh1 for the trip. I have started cooking at home, which saves me the lunch money. My expense per day has reduced to Dh2 and the bus trips are actually helpful as I get to catch up on my sleep.
From Mr Prashant Nair
Abu Dhabi
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Strong commitments
What Diane is doing, is exactly what I did when I came to Dubai four years ago. Once you get disciplined in spending on luxuries, you really end up saving nearly 70 per cent of your salary. One thing is certain, if you are determined and committed to your family priorities, you will surely save a good amount of money. After all we have come to the UAE to earn and save money to make our family happy. Diane should have hope – the sun will shine bright and her habit of saving will make her happy in the future.
From Mr Sami R. Udgatty
Dubai
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Set your budget
I adore Diane’s endurance, hard work and how she manages to live without complaining. It takes a lot of heart to be like that. She lives her life the way she can, without envying others who shop and increase their credit card bills. There is a very interesting lesson that we have to learn from her life – budget! We should know what we can afford. If we check the items that we buy after a shopping trip, we notice that 60 per cent of them were not exactly required.
From Ms Shirley
Ras Al Khaimah
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Creative solutions
I feel that Diane’s lifestyle should set an example for other expatriates. It is not a joke to resist our desires for a long time. I live in Abu Dhabi and even though we wish to lead an economical lifestyle, we are unable to because of the heavy rent. As quoted by Diane, cutting on eating out and movies will help us save enough. Eating out can be substituted by trying some innovative dish at home and packing it up to be eaten in a park with family. Movies can be substituted – organise a small play with children in the neighbourhood and enjoying watching them. Window shopping acts as a good feast to the eyes and also gives us the satisfaction of having known the latest trends. It is we who make or mar our lives. A little planning can earn us a fortune.
From Ms Latha
Abu Dhabi
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