Making it easy
The fact that Dubai houses can now implement the use of solar power is indeed great news and the owners of the villas and buildings need to think in this direction, incorporate and implement more these green efforts (‘Dubai homes can now tap Solar Energy’, Gulf News, March 16). The authority’s green economy for sustainable development initiative will definitely be viewed as great support and residents should soon try to incorporate it soon.
As announced, the network operations centre issuing is simplified and it will be taken care of by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). Necessary design approval has to be obtained from Dewa complying with Dewa regulations. In the power generation stage, Dewa will install the meters and authorise a signed connection agreement for the net-metering arrangement, plus responsibilities. All these initiatives sound very good and prospective buyers need to take note of this. With the Dubai authority’s guidance and support in this area, we will definitely bear fruits in the coming years.
From Mr M. K. Gunaseelan
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Rent calculators go unused
Regarding rents, it’s really difficult to manage with the landlords because they are forcing us to either leave our apartments or pay the higher rent increase in the existing place. In both cases, most face trouble. Tenancy contract are agreed on as per the Real Estate Registration Authority (RERA) calculator increment, but landlords don’t accept this often. If they originally asked for Dh55,000 for a one bedroom apartment, they might ask later for Dh70,000. After negotiations you will end up paying Dh65,000.
From Mr Mohammad
Dubai
Website comment
A laudable initiative
The initiative by the Dubai Municipality for residents to lose weight is highly laudable (‘Woman sheds 32kg in two months to win’, Gulf News, March 16). Weight loss and its benefits are many and, time and again it has been stressed to remain healthy. The monetisation and a reward factor on losing weight are driving many obese and overweight people to lose weight and remain healthy. Keep up the good work!
From Mr A.
Dubai
Full name withheld on request
More road signs
I was driving from Abu Dhabi to Dubai to get to an airport through Yas Island at 4am with my guest, who was travelling to the US. After leaving the petrol station on Yas Island, I just do not know how I missed the road to Dubai, but I ended up travelling to Sweihan or somewhere else instead! One small signboard indicated the direction for Dubai and when I followed it, I reached a deserted, long stretch of road, without any clue as to where I was. My guest and I started getting stressed out, as it was getting late. Luckily, a truck driver was kind enough to guide us with directions to the main highway to Dubai. It was a great help and I would like to thank the driver for his timely assistance. I passed through many roundabouts without any sign boards. I would appreciate it if the Abu Dhabi Municipality could survey these areas and install signboards to guide drivers to Dubai and Abu Dhabi — it would be convenient for everyone.
From Mr R. N.
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld on request
Traffic suggestion
I have been watching the hectic traffic congestion near the National Paints area in Sharjah for many years, and even though there have been some improvements through construction, it is not making much of a difference on these roads. I have a suggestion to reduce this congestion and I am not sure this could be practically carried out, but I would like to share my thoughts. The authorities should instruct all motorists to avoid lane changes in the four fast lanes, starting from the Mirdif City Centre mall area all the way to the exit for Sharjah airport road and vice-versa. I am quite sure that all these motorists can speed up in such a case and travel at nearly 100km/h — this would reduce traffic congestion in these areas. If someone breaks this rule, they should be fined. The rest of motorists who want to change lanes could use the slow lanes.
From Mr Anoop Asokan
UAE
Making good drivers
I would like to draw readers’ attention to the increasing number of reckless drivers in the UAE. Unless stricter action is taken, their numbers will rise even more. The problem is that the consequence of such driving can be death, which is an unchangeable outcome. Several studies have revealed that this behaviour starts at a very young age among young men.
If corrected at a young age, there is a chance that they will not repeat this reckles behaviour again in the future. So, from one point of view, the responsibility lies with the parents to correct their children’s behaviour at a young age. It’s not just the authorities’ responsibility.
If adequate action is not taken, this dangerous trend will continue with the upcoming generations and will result in more tragic consequences. I request that the authorities take appropriate action to increase awareness about this vital issue and to encourage parents to take a firm stance with their children on this matter.
From Ms Muskaan Dembla
UAE
Changing air fare
The recent trend of slashed air fares for frequent travellers is a glimpse of relief. While looking at the average monthly earning of office goers and others in the working community, the changes in the prices of air travel seem to be much more, compared to the past, and it’s not because the journey is more comfortable in any way. In particular, people going on holidays suffer a lot. In the past few years, there has been a steady growth in people travelling to holiday destinations, irrespective of their earnings. For some airlines, it’s added revenue without even affecting their budgeted income.
As the oil prices continue to become lower, airlines have no option but to reduce travel costs. In recent years, fuel price was one of the key justifications for the increasing operational costs and proportionately rising travel costs.
At the same time, the important element is safety. The incidents reported last year have to prompt airlines to improve their safety regulations and to ensure safety compliance, while offering travellers a comfortable journey.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Protect religious sentiments
I wish France passed a law to ban the misuse of freedom of speech to insult religions, not just focus on the size of their models (‘France to pass bill banning super-skinny models’, Gulf News, March 18). Religious sentiments also need to be protected from those who misuse the freedom of expression and speech.
From Ms Sam
Doha, Qatar
Website comment
Improving society
I think that this is a commendable move by the French government. Hopefully, it will improve society’s image of the ‘perfect’ body. Most laws are created to protect people from others and I think that, even though this means these models can no longer be underweight, this will help young girls and boys to truly grasp accepting their bodies as they are. There is a lot of damage done to the minds of children and adolescents as they look up to these unrealistic images of perfection.
From Ms Lili Maria
Dubai
Won’t tolerate this
God made this world and gave it to mankind, but nowadays some people have become beasts (‘Rape of nun, church attacks make Indian Christians anxious’, Gulf News, March 18). I don’t know how we can, but we need to change the attitudes of some people and how they feel towards other human beings. They won’t be able to run from the judgment of God. Nobody will help these types of people that are doing such horrific things. So many angry thoughts run through my mind, when I hear about such news. We are Indians living in other countries and we ourselves, will not tolerate these things.
From Ms Vijayakumari
Dubai
Website comment
Not our place
God’s judgment will come at the right time. These kinds of incidents are shameful to Indian, who want to live peacefully and in a safe world. We need to change the minds of certain people. Do good, always. We pray for the women, who have been abused. May God strengthen them and help them to face these difficulties. We need to respect all human beings. No authority has been given to us to persecute others. Live with love and enjoy life, as it is very short.
From Mr Muthukumar
Dubai
Website comment
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