April 2, 2009

Dreams coming true
Just a year ago, for most of those who were earning between Dh8,000 to Dh10,000 in Dubai, bringing their families to the UAE was a distant thought. Accommodation even for a family of two was unaffordable. Even if it was, it had to be shared, which was unacceptable to many. Food prices, too, were going up by the day. But now I see and meet people in this income bracket who have started "thinking" and in some cases have brought their families to Dubai. The slowdown in the real estate sector in some ways has brought some glimmer of hope in the lives of the people belonging to the middle class who have been able to keep their jobs with the same salary. Apartment rents are down from about 30 to 40 per cent in most places, offering affordable units for many. Landlords have become flexible, too, and it is clearly a tenant's market in most areas. This is a time of crisis for some, but togetherness after a long separation for many others. Life is good.
From Mr Kasim Munaz
Dubai

A good experience
I support Gulf News's new thrust to name and shame organisations on the basis of their customer service ("Your Turn," Gulf News, March 20). May I offer my experiences? I made several calls to the National Bonds Corporation in one day. I dealt with three different customer service agents and found all without exception, to be extremely efficient, well trained and courteous. More importantly, they were very knowledgeable and were able to understand my issues and resolve them immediately. I had envisioned a long drive from home to their office, to have everything done and was so pleased that all my transactions could be executed via the phone and internet. Exceptional work and attitude National Bonds employees!
From Ms Tracy F.
Sharjah

Second opinion
This is in reference to the letter by Mr Seddiqi ("Death by driving," Gulf News, March 26). I completely agree with the comment that minibuses should be banned from driving in the first two left lanes.
From Ms Usha Satta
Dubai

Know all
Well, there are billions of people who are jobless and fighting for their survival. They all have just one question on their minds - what is the action being taken against those mainly responsible for the global economic crisis that ruined millions of homes and the future of the younger generation? It's such a pity and shame that we know all and still support them.
From Mr Sam
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

No one is safe
I am appalled by the attitude of the police in the report against domestic abuse ("Police accused of failing to probe attack", Gulf News, March 25). What exactly do they mean when they say 'matters of extreme violence'? Was the hair pulling, kicking and beating not violent enough for them? No one is ever safe from violence.
From Mr Anthony Permal
Dubai

Discouraging act
Violence inside or outside the house is just that - violence, and it must be dealt with according to the law of the land. It is most shameful that the authorities chose not to act in such cases. This is sure to discourage people from even reporting such incidents.
From Mr V. Joseph K.
Dubai

Caught in the act
This is with reference to the picture published with the community report on sewage ("Sewage must be sorted out", Gulf News, March 24). I appreciate Mr Manoj Panicker for covering an issue of deep concern. It has really shocked me not only because this reflects a bad situation and a high risk to the health of the community; but also because I have observed a safety cone in the picture belonging to my company; which is odd because we have no relevant work at this location. Elemec is a veteran period contractor for etisalat and always meets standards of safety and convenience for residents. We are informing the police regarding the misuse of our signs by miscreants.
From Mr Farooq Sultan
Sharjah

Bad reference
Why does Gulf News always refer to rain and thunderstorm as bad weather ("Bad weather forced Abu Dhabi to postpone World Water Day celebrations," Gulf News, March 26)? This is a blessing from God. We are living in a desert. We need rain. Please don't call it 'bad weather'.
From Mr Ahmad Sajwani
Sharjah

Lifelong attachment
I find it strange that there is so much noise about Mother's Day, each year! It tends to make you feel guilty in case you have not spent enough on your mother. This is another classic example of the West imposing their culture on us. For us in the East, a mother is someone who is always in our hearts and the attachment is lifelong! Not a day passes by without us remembering our mothers.
From Mr S. Raja
Sharjah