Celebrating Zayed Humanitarian Day
Yesterday was the 19th day of Ramadan and it is the death anniversary of the founding father of UAE and pioneer of humanitarian work, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Every year this day is celebrated as Zayed Humanitarian Day. Shaikh Zayed devoted his life to work with dedication and sincerity for his country, his people and humanity as a whole. He used to be moved when natural disasters strike poor countries and that’s why the UAE has always been among the first countries to reach out in times of trial. This has earned the UAE the respect of the world. The UAE has become a global humanitarian hub and a source of admiration, thanks to Shaikh Zayed. The principles he laid are being followed by the leaders of this country, as well as guiding the residents to work on humanitarian grounds and to improve the lives of others. Let’s try to do the best in our capacities to donate to the needy, to do charitable work and to volunteer for such organisations or campaigns. I believe in sharing and caring and I have been doing my bit by volunteering my time, efforts and whatever resources possible to help the less privileged.
I would like to urge readers to be compassionate towards others, especially the ones who are needy, elderly or less fortunate and be kind to them by helping them in whatever way possible to bring smiles on their faces. Their past cannot be changed, but if all of us collectively volunteer to improve their lives, I believe we all can improve their future.
From Ms Arushi Madan
Sharjah
US should accept no subsidies
I was reading my email copy of Gulf News this morning and I feel as though comment is worthy on the article about Emirates airline and the rebuttal made by Emirates President Sir Tim Clark (‘Emirates debunks US subsidy allegations’, Gulf News, July 1). I feel that this is a vey sad case of sour grapes and the US should hang its head in shame.
Boeing Corporation has benefited hugely from Emirates and other Gulf carriers – their employees being kept in well paying jobs as a consequence. With a potential of over 200 million passengers in the US alone, the Americans should ask why so many of their own airlines have failed and at some stage have either filed for bankruptcy or have ceased to operate.
Whether subsidies are granted or not – it takes the giver to agree; the receiver can only ask. I remember when Etihad first started and the truth of the matter was that it had financing for five years of operation at its outset. So, if the Americans are upset, then there is always Airbus Industries – would they prefer the Gulf carriers to support them instead? I doubt it. Keep achieving your goals, Emirates, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Dubai World Central (DWC) – they are something to be proud of and something that, obviously, others are jealous of.
From Mr David Woodward
Dubai
Armies must be prepared
The countries that are being destroyed or divided were haven’t had big or strong army and that’s why small terrorist groups are become powerful (‘Deconstructing the Arab world’, Gulf News, July 2). If the UAE wanted to survived, then they must be an increased number of army personnel and weapons, including effective air force and naval fleet. I worry that some day the UAE might be facing the same situation just like other Arab countries. Although it’s clear that the UAE is taking strict measures, it’s necessary to be prepared for future challenges before it’s to late. May God give us strength and wisdom.
From Mr Mohammad Anis
Dubai
Facebook comment
False positive medical tests
This is not a single case, one of my friends who worked in Bahrain and Yemen for many years came to the UAE for a job (‘Expat asked to leave UAE due to old TB scars’, Gulf News, July 2). He passed all the medical requirements of the previous countries and before coming to Dubai he had a full medical check up in India as required by the employer. After coming here, he went for a medical test for visa formalities. He also had to go back for the same reason. He never had tuberculosis (TB) in his life - and we know this because he grew up with us. The authorities must check the competency of the doctors in this centre. They will never write TB, but will always write old TB, which basically nobody can prove. My friend was the sole bread winner of his family and he is in big trouble in India. At least these doctors should understand the consequences these people are facing. It is not only affecting that particular person, but also their families.
From Mr Alex
Dubai
Strict for good reason
For anyone who starts commenting and criticising the authorities for this, don’t forget that denying visas to expatriates with illnesses is one of reasons we don’t have a lot of those diseases in the UAE.
From Mr Shahzaib Arshad
Sharjah
Facebook comment
These people need help
This is something that really should be taken under consideration from case to case. In most of the Asian populations, you will find Tuberculosis Antigen due to the TB vaccination in childhood. Please help people not to lose their jobs and fulfill their dreams.
From Mr Mohammad Mohsin Bhatia
UAE
Website comment
Applicant in denial
I think it’s great work by the health authorities for catching this. If the person themselves didn’t know they had TB, they might have already infected scores of other people! Once the scars are discovered, the person would obviously deny any knowledgement of ever having been sick with TB!
From Mr Louie Tedesco
UAE
Website comment
Regionally, fuel relatively high
In Gulf News last week in the Business section, I found an article with a remark that UAE fuel is less than $1 per litre (‘UAE fuel among world’s cheapest’, Gulf News, June 30). I have been in the Middle East for more than 35 years and I was a resident in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years. If you compare the petrol prices in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), probably the UAE rate is much higher compared to others. Of course it is much cheaper compared to many other countries, who cannot be categorised as oil producing countries. But it should be noted that the fuel price in Oman is Dh1.20 per litre ($0.31), in Saudi Arabia it is Dh0.50 per litre ($0.16), whereas in the UAE it is Dh1.72 per litre ($0.48). Just to clarify the situation.
From Mr Venugopal
UAE
Lack of facilities, too risky!
The Gulf News story, about 2.4 billion people lacking proper washroom facilities according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Unicef was a shocking revelation (‘Loo and behold: 2.4b people lack sanitation facilities’, Gulf News, July 2). Sanitation facilities are very important and the lack of this may lead to various health related problems and risking child survival rates. This issue should be looked into and the international community should act for better sanitation facilities.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru
India
A global architectural capital
The report by Gulf News about a 3D printed office to come in Dubai has delighted me (‘Dubai to build world’s first 3D printed office’, Gulf News, July 1). It is exhilarating to learn that Dubai is rising from one successful venture after another, to reach the pinnacle of fame by 2020. Its steady growth shows that Dubai is going to become the most modern, safe and hygienic city in the planet to live in. Their decision to build the world’s first fully functional 3D printed building is one of the most innovative ideas to attract architectural entrepreneurs of the world to the city, and help make it a hub for architects. According to the report, this 3D printing technology can reduce the production time of buildings by 50 to 70 per cent, reduce labour by 50 to 80 per cent and can save in between 30 and 60 per cent of construction waste. It will be a tremendous achievement in architectural construction and design. May this dream come true.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
High hopes for candidates
The victory of K. S. Sabrinath will boost the political image of the Kerala chief minister, as well as the Congress Party and the United Democratic Front (‘Kerala UDF boosts morale with big win’, Gulf News, July 1). A wave of sympathy after the death of G. Karthikeyan and consolidation of minority community votes in the Aruvikkara Assembly constituency saved Congress from the defeat. Even though the Congress party celebrates the victory, the fact is that the Aruvikkara constituency has been a sitting seat for the Congress party for last 25 years. This area is considered as a less developed one and there are lot of farmers and as well many who are believed to be followers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), but they did not vote for CPM. The communist party’s Kerala faction should rethink the policies and programs and give constructive support for development of ongoing big projects, which will benefit the people. In Kerala, the CPM always stood against modernisation and development, but now it’s high time to go ahead with the changing modern world.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate O. Rajagopal has increased the vote share tremendously in this constituency, giving clear indication to both the left and UDF that it can very soon send their representative in the Kerala assembly.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Other rules needed, too!
What is the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) doing about people who are driving slow in the fast lanes and not giving way to cars behind despite empty spaces in the right lanes (‘Residents welcome radar that will catch tailgaters’, Gulf News, July 2)? Drivers are left with no choice but to overtake the slower car in the “faster” lane from the right side.
From Mr Vikas
UAE
Website comment
Slow drivers are rude
And still no fines or punishments for the rude slow drivers who love to drive in the overtaking lane and are not willing to move to the second lane. No matter how hard you try, you can’t get them to move.
From Mr Syed Ali
UAE
Website comment
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