August 2, 2008

Have courage, wake up

Imagine someone sneaking into your house, stealing something valuable and killing a member of your family while doing so. Now imagine if this happens to you constantly. What would you do? That's exactly what terrorism does and is doing to people around the world. It's someone less fortunate today; tomorrow it could be you or someone you know. Politicians have become immune - both to the threat and to people's plight. Are we going to sit in front of the television year after year, watch innocent people die and listen to debates on who should be blamed? Any organisation can hold anyone to ransom. Let's wake up!
From Mr Gaurang
Mumbai, India
Full name withheld by request

Make a difference

I am a 40-year-old mother of two teenage boys who have been struggling for years in school because of a learning disability. It is no fun for the pupils or the parents. The cost of education is ridiculous. Education was free once and even worth something. Who's bright idea was it to start charging for it? Our next genius, inventor or scientist that finds a cure for cancer, could very well be among those that cannot afford higher education. Everything is about money now. All nations have a responsibility to educate children for the betterment of our economies.
From Ms Samantha Anderson
UAE

No place to play

I often see many children play games like football and cricket on the streets. This is extremely dangerous and unfair as the younger generation has no place to play. If they have to play in a park, they are required to pay an entry fee first. Additionally, playing games is not allowed. Since all children are on holiday at the moment, most waste time at home doing nothing useful. I suggest the authorities arrange proper playgrounds for children to be active and healthy.
From Mr Sam Philip
Abu Dhabi

Getting personal

I reached my wit's end for the billionth time in Sharjah last evening. Yet another trip, where a taxi driver tried to get personal with me. Instead of following instructions to my destination, he wanted details about my nationality, age and marital status. When I ignored him, he immediately blasted loud music and decided to take a longer route to my destination. Is this the way a "customer" is to be treated?

I work as sales staff for a company. Dare I give the customer a difficult time - my boss would dismiss my services. And, when did it become an absolute requisite to disclose personal details to a complete stranger, who I'm paying for a service? Authorities need to take such matters seriously!
From Ms C. Ffaym
UAE

No luxury

I am on a visit to the UAE. It was really painful to see the letter from Mr Navaneethan V. ("Set a limit", Gulf News, July 26) which projects an arrogant attitude towards the low-income group. Mr Navaneethan should realise that nowadays a car, a refrigerator or a television is not a symbol of luxury but things that are necessary. It's clear from his comment that he is earning more than most low-income groups. He should think of a door-to-door salesman without a car. Instead of asking the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to put a minimum income limit on owning a car, he should set an example by encouraging people to use public transport and use it himself.
From Mr Suraj S.
Sharjah

Start late

I think it's right to start schools after the month of Ramadan as otherwise it would get very tiring with fasting in such hot weather ("Lessen stress on children - parents", Gulf News, July 29). I request the authorities to start school after summer.
From Ms Zainab A.
UAE

Great stress

I think the school holiday should not be extended. As a pupil writing my International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams next June, time is extremely precious for me this year. We still have the rest of our syllabus to cover and after that we have to spend months on revision.

In extending the holiday there will be a great amount of stress among the hundreds of IGCSE students in the UAE whose board exams are crucial in deciding their future. I understand that the intense heat combined with fasting during the period will be a source of discomfort for pupils, but at the moment I think we all need to look at the bigger picture.
From Ms Unaiza Merchant
Dubai

Truth of the matter

What is the authenticity of such emails ("India goes on high alert", Gulf News, July 28)? The bombs were not planted to target a particular community. People of all religions have been killed. Additionally, the email suggests hatred for so many communities. It could be possible that the reason behind such an email is to turn people against a particular group.
From Mr Faisal
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld by request

Losing business

I hired a quad bike and drove around the desert over the weekend. It was great fun, but I was horrified by the quantity of rubbish, namely cans and glass bottles dumped all over the desert. Clearly, some insensitive people who dropped the rubbish are totally to blame. However wouldn't it be great if the quad bike rental companies start a cleanup service? If not, I fear they will lose business as customers go elsewhere to find cleaner dunes.
From Mr Michael Johnston Smith
Dubai