Let’s get active
I am 14 years old and I frequently visit Dubai. I am always in awe of this beautiful city, due to the development and industrialisation that has taken place over the last decade. However, despite the presence of towering skyscrapers and modern infrastructure, Dubai still needs to make significant progress, in order to promote physical activity. This is outlined by the fact that the UAE is ranked 18th in world obesity rankings, according to a Gulf News article. The authorities should look into investing more in building green parks or recreational areas in each community. They need not be done on a large scale, but rather a field of grass and the occasional swing or slide — enough to satisfy a few children. Most importantly, they should be free for the use of the public, as this would be pivotal in encouraging parents to accompany their young ones outdoors, to play. The need for public parks is an urgent one, with cricket and football matches currently taking place in parking lots and alley ways by the street. With the necessary steps taken, we will be able to ensure a safe and prosperous environment for our youth and help them invest in a healthy mind and body.
From Mr Pranaav Mahendra Kumar
Canada
The joy of Eid
I am a regular reader of Gulf News, as it keeps me updated about what is going on around the world. I wish everyone a blessed Eid Al Fitr. The celebration of Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is a day of great merriment and gratitude and is celebrated with much enthusiasm throughout the world. People mark the occasion by gathering with friends and family, preparing sweet delicacies, wearing new clothes and giving gifts to each other. It is a time when people forget all their old grudges and embrace each other. Eid is a festival that lays importance on sacrifice and purity of life. It teaches us the value of love and brotherhood. A sense of reunion prevails in every heart. I would like to wish everyone out there a blessed and joyous Eid Al Fitr!
From Ms Harmanjot Kaur
Sharjah
Where did the month go?
Time passes by so quickly! Just a month ago, people were gearing up for Ramadan and now it has come to its end, with Eid already here. May God accept our fasts, noble intentions and good deeds. Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating!
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Well deserved win in tennis
Kudos to Novak Djokovic for winning his third Wimbledon title (‘Djoker on cloud nine’, Gulf News, July 13). With this victory, he not only dashed Roger Federer’s hope of a record an eighth Wimbledon victory, but also the dreams of his fans all over the world. Though we feel sorry for the crowd favourite, Federer, for missing out on becoming the first man to win Wimbledon eight times and to secure his 18th Grand Slam, Djokovic was a notch ahead and richly deserved the title.
Incidentally, it is also heartening that three Indians — Leander Peas, Sania Mirza and the young Sumit Nagal — had a dream run to win the doubles titles. Well done.
From Ms N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Sad departure of a legend
The Gulf News story about the legendary actor Omar Sharif dying at age 83, came as sad news (‘Omar Sharif to be buried in Egypt’, Gulf News, July 13). The Egyptian-born actor’s demise is a great loss for the film world. He is known for his performances in Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, Genghis Khan and many others. Doctor Zhivago brought him fame and some of his movies subsequently went for Oscar nominations. His role as one of the stylish villains in Mackenna’s Gold, no one can forget. I pray for the departed legendary actor.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Resentment still strong
The Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic was forced to flee from the event marking the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, one of Europe’s worst atrocities since the Second World War (‘Stone-throwing crowd chases Serbian leader’, Gulf News, July 12). An angry crowd disrupted the commemoration of the day when some 8,000 Muslims were killed in a United Nations (UN) safe zone. Vucic had just laid down a flower at a monument for the thousands of victims identified and buried there, when the crowd started chanting and throwing stones, forcing the Serbian leader to run for cover, while being shielded by his bodyguards. In 1995, Srebrenica was supposedly a UN-protected ‘safe haven’, but the Bosnanian-Serbian forces led by Ratko Mladic brushed aside the lightly armed Dutch UN peacekeepers, easily overpowering them. It was an attack not only against Vucic, but against all of Serbia and its policy of peace and regional cooperation. Later, Vucic condemned the massacre as a monstrous crime in Serbrenica.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
The world watched Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia and it was at the centre of global attention from July 13 to 16 as it hosted the Third International Conference on Financing for Development by the United Nations (UN). Heads of state, ministers of finance, foreign affairs and development cooperation, as well as several sections of civil society and its stakeholders, non-governmental organisations and business sector entities, met in Addis Ababa to chart an outcome document on the finance modalities required for the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. As a young person, I firmly believe that finance will be a critical component and it will require substantial upscaling to meet investment needs in all the areas that the sustainable development goals cover. For its successful implementation, it is imperative to establish transparent accountability mechanisms at all levels – global, regional and national, for monitoring and review. This will ensure that the needs and aspirations of young people, the future generations, are adequately addressed in the post-2015 development agenda.
From Ms Kehkashan Basu
Dubai
Educating drivers is key
Now that the authorities have installed radars to monitor tailgating and penalise violators, I believe it is the perfect solution. I am completely against tailgating and dangerous driving. But, the fact is that drivers need to be educated about the basics of driving on multi-lane roads. Recently, I was driving on Al Khail Road, which allows a maximum speed of 100km/h and to my knowledge, the radars there are set at 120km/h. There was a gentleman driving at 80km/h speed in the fast lane and I was unfortunate enough to end up right behind him. As per the new rule, I maintained a safe distance of five metres and had to drive at 80km/h without a choice.
To be frank, the road ahead of that car was completely empty, but behind me, many cars were forced to slow down. Of course, there were drivers who were overtaking from the right lane, which is not allowed by law. If an aerial image of the scenario was taken at that time, the fast lane would have had the maximum cars in a queue behind this gentleman’s car and the other slower lanes would have fewer vehicles. I hope the authorities will come up with a solution or fine for such drivers who block the traffic. What exactly is the benefit of constructing such fantastic multi-lane roads if they aren’t used properly?
From Mr Badr Al Deen
UAE
Camera control
There is a section of road users who slow down as soon as they approach a radar and then speed up again after they have crossed it and are out of range of the camera. They are a big risk to the other drivers.
With advancements in technology, isn’t it possible to track the movements of each vehicle in real time on a central monitor in the comfort of traffic police control rooms? That way, speed cameras would catch everything and motorists can be identified whenever and wherever they cross the speed limit, while keeping a small allowance of 20km/h, as is the practice now.
From Dr A. K. Mathur
Abu Dhabi
Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders.
