June 17, 2009

Budget commutes
As Dubai gears up for the introduction of the Metro, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) should look into providing attractive incentives for daily commuters ("Metro's Umm Ramool station a vital link for airline employees", Gulf News, June 12).

One issue on everybody's mind is how to obtain a convenient mode of transport from the Metro station to one's office and back. Currently, taxis are far too expensive for daily use and the public buses do not necessarily drop off passengers close to their offices or homes.

A suggestion could be for the RTA to run a "budget taxi" using small, inexpensive cars and allowing them to ply within city limits only. This would attract more people to use the Metro.
From Mr Thomas J. Moolayil
Dubai

Food on the go
The plight of truck drivers waiting at check points is really sad ("Sweating it out, sipping tea is all they can do now", Gulf News, June 12).

While we understand the need for the vigorous checks, it would be a nice gesture on the part of the concerned authorities to provide a mobile cafeteria at such border check points, which could move along the parked trucks, providing the drivers with basic items such as snacks and water.
From Mr Suresh B. Nair
Abu Dhabi

Juggling life
This is in response to the Speak Your Mind debate on whether work and household chores are preventing mothers from spending time with families ("Speak your mind: Family time", Gulf News, June 12).

Life is what we make it out to be. It's not about mothers working or having to juggle too many tasks. If we are able to do our tasks well and feel the balance and harmony within, we are treading right.

But when we start feeling drained and feel like complaining, then we need to do some soul-searching and set things right. Lastly, let us stop measuring life by quantity and rather live it by analysing its quality.
From Ms Farha Mohammad Azam
Abu Dhabi

One of her own
It's definitely not the quantity but rather the quality of time that we spend with our children that really matters. Spending an entire day with your children and helping with their work does not qualify as quality time. It's the one or two hours of sheer entertainment and fun that really makes a difference.

I have a four-year-old daughter and I try my best to spend some quality time with her every day. I don't just buy her toys but play with her, too. While playing, I consciously turn into a four-year-old for her to be able to enjoy and play with 'one of her own' and not an adult. I read to her and we sometimes watch her favourite cartoons together. I try to make her homework as interesting as possible, while I continue with my chores in the kitchen.

When free, I tend to involve her in regular chores, too. Activities such as these inculcate a sense of responsibility in young children. A good parent-child relationship ensures a stronger personality in children. Over time, such children learn to confide in their parents as they would feel more secure.

There is certainly no substitute for love. Children need their parents to show their love not just with words but by paying attention to their needs, communicating, being patient to their often silly questions and being there for them if need be.
From Ms Ruby Sasan
Sharjah

Chasing stability
I am an Indian, who follows world politics very keenly. I am very happy that the pro-government March 14 coalition party has won the elections in Lebanon by 71 seats ("Obama congratulates Sulaiman on his parliamentary election win," Gulf News, June 11).

I personally feel that this change in power will definitely bring stability to Lebanon once again. The Hezbollah on the other hand should support the ruling government in policies that help the common man in Lebanon, thus avoiding any further bloodshed or conflict. Their neighbours, not to name the two powers who are openly supporting the Hezbollah, should mind their own business and leave the beautiful country in peace.
From Mr Anthony Pereira
Dubai

Increase time
The traffic signal near Safa Park in Jumeirah, Dubai while coming from Shaikh Zayed Road and going towards Al Wasl Road has a very short cycle. Due to this, there is traffic congestion on the second intersection.

This discourages commuters wanting to make a U-turn or left turn - they are forced to wait for a very long time. If the timings could be increased, more cars would be able to get through, thereby reducing the traffic congestion.
From Ms Jaya L.
Dubai

Special numbers
Some vans and minibuses that transport school children do not abide by safety rules and regulations as they have no attendants or bus conductors to watch over the children.

The authorities should check on such buses and issue a warning, while the punishment could be cancellation of the transport company's licence. Parents must be given a special telephone number whereby they can reach the concerned authorities, if need be.
From Mr Jayanth Kumar Nair
Abu Dhabi

Money matters
Whenever you go to a clinic, the first question they ask you is "do you have insurance?". If yes, one's special treatment starts right then and there. Just sign a blank insurance form and wait to be pampered!

Recently, I went to a well-known clinic as my shoulder was swelling up. They took two X-rays, but even before the report came in, my diagnosis and treatment was over. With a copy of the X-ray and report, I visited another reputable clinic, but in order to diagnose the problem, they had to take another X-ray.

There were three follow up visits and every single time, I was prescribed a "pain-relieving ointment" despite my telling them that the pain was negligible and I had the ointment. I had to strike off the medicine's name from the prescription on two occasions, before handing it over at the pharmacy.

One thing is quite well known - a majority of clinics do not practice even the basics of medical ethics. They are here simply for money, money and even more money.
From Mr Stanley Cherian
Dubai

Save the earth. It is our only home. We must save it! We can use bicycles instead of harmful vehicles. Drivers of buses, trucks, vans etc. can be given 'fines' and they should be advised to use it only for faraway places. I have an idea! We children can save the earth. We can go to many places and recycle paper, plastic, glass and foil. We can tell all woodcutters not to cut trees. Plant more trees! Make a beautiful garden near every building! Donâ??t spit and write on walls.
Hazel Anne George
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 17:08

Another date season comes again in UAE with seen of date palms everywhere with green garland of green dates. Very soon it will change into honey dropping golden fruits. Some Emirates are very careful in preserving ripe dates covering by net to avoid falling down and waste and also spoil the floor in the gardens and street sides. If Sharjah also follow the policy of protection of dates by covering by net all over the Emirates, it could save tones of dated from spoiling and loosing natural wealth. I appeal the Sharjah authorities to protect dates which is the gift of God to the people in the desert, from falling down and crush by street walkers.
K V Shams Al Deen
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 17:07

I had to try really hard to fight back my tears but in vain as I read through the heart breaking account on the fire that happened at a day care centre in Mexico. We canâ??t even begin to imagine the pain, grief and trauma those parents are experiencing as they witness their worst nightmare coming true. Lack of safety measures are cited as one of the reasons for the tragedy. Safety and security of such establishments or for that matter of children must be given top priority more than anything as small children cannot defend themselves and have to depend on us for everything. Children are a gift and a great responsibility bestowed upon us by God. Please let us not leave any stone unturned in taking care of them.
Sajida Kamal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 17:06

Netherlands thrashing England, Scotland outplaying Bangladesh in the T20 ICC event, the message is glaringly clear that the biggies have to be constantly on their toes- especially in shorter version of games- or minnows will turn menacing, as time is too short to make amend unlike in longer version of the games. Great lesson learnt!
Subhasis Mukherjee
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:33

I am shocked and still in pain about the fate of little kids who died and those who left with burns in the Mexican daycare fire incident. It's really pathetic. I would like to offer my condolences to all the mothers and fathers who also got the duty to recognise the body of their little ones. Though, I'm not sure about the cause of fire, it reminds the safety precautions to be taken at the premises where kids are taken care!
Jayaprakash
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:32

Australia's ignominious and premature exit after tasting heavy defeats against W Indies and Sri Lanka in the latest ICC T20 World Cup was not entirely unexpected. The void left in the team after the retirement of greats like Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist and Hayden is not even close to being filled. The ACB is partly to be blamed for not nurturing the adequate replacements despite knowing that these greats would all retire in quick succession. On the other hand it can be argued that their replacements although showing potential have simply not been able to fill the large shoes of the retired great players. The result is that the team which completely dominated International Cricket for more than a decade is now lagging behind S Africa in ODIs having lost 7 out of last 10 Internationals played between them is barely ahead in ICC Test rankings and has lost last 5 T20 Internationals that it has played. The strange short sighted policies of the Australian Cricket board did not help matters when they released only few of their players like Bret Lee, Andrew Symonds, David Hussey, too late from the national squad, denying them adequate match practice and honing of skills in the highly competitive IPL held in S Africa. Last minute withdrawal of Symons, lack of spinning options and absence of unconventional big hitters did not help their cause at all. The result is that the team, whose appearance in the finals of every major tournament was taken for granted, now finds itself out of the tournament and stranded in England waiting for Ashes series to begin next month while all the other major cricket playing nations compete for the T 20 World Cup Glory.
Amitabh Saxena
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:32

Important issues before the new Indian Govt. The entire population of India seems to be relieving by choosing a govt. which-they hope- would fight terrorism and ensure safety and security of general public irrespective of their religion and faith. So the first priority is internal security. Secondly, the economic growth is another cause for concerns especially during the global recession. Thirdly, providing more job opportunities Fourthly, Good Foreign policy. No nation can achieve progress unless its boarders are tension free. Fourthly, BPL (below poverty line) people need special attention through strengthening public distribution system Free trade between all Indian states which will smoothen the availability of necessary items at all areas of Indian union. Lastly I wish Dr Singh and his team a good term under the guidance of congress and Sonia Gandhi.
Othupally Y.
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:31

As I get ready for my summer travel, air safety is one of my least concerns. To be frank safety record of the airlines has never crossed my mind. Deep in my subconscious mind, there is a strong belief that the airline industry is well equipped and all steps are in place to ensure the safety of passengers. So why should I waste my time thinking of such matters. To those who cite instances of crashes that have happened earlier my question is, we see and hear about numerous road accidents does that make us question the safety of the cars involved? Do we take a conscious decision not to buy or drive a specific car model just because someone met with an accident while driving? I feel I should be focusing more issues that will help me to have a comfortable journey â?? check in on-time, less luggage, etc. Let me leave issues like safety to the hands of the experts. They know what they are doing and there is no need for me to step in there.
C. Sunil Roy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:31

I am from Egypt and Iâ??m one of Gulf News's readers. Firstly I would like to thank everyone of the Gulf News team for your wonderful efforts to provide us with the news I have a comment on Obamaâ??s visit to Egypt I know that is very important to every body in the Arabic nation.. I expect all the good of that man (Obama) and I realise completely that he is more better than the previous one (Bush) and I think he will make more changes he will lead the world to the best because he is looking for peace with the Arabic countries and Islamic people after the bad relationship which happened because of (Bush)â?¦.. and this is a positive step â?¦.anyhow Iâ??m feeling optimistic and I think this visit will make too much changes between USA and Arabic countries to the best ..
Ahmad Adel
-,Egypt
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:30

The article â??Teachers complain about low salaries in Gulf News dated 25th May 2009 mentions that in most schools, children of staff members are entitled to fee concessions. A well known ISO Certified school exempts a staff child from paying tuition fees on condition that the joint earnings of the spouse and staff member does not exceed Dh7,500 inclusive of perks. Considering the cost of living in Dubai - soaring rents, food prices and school fees, it would be very difficult to save. The whole concession bit then seems ridiculous and an absolute eye wash.
Maya Hardasani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:30

Your editorial to 'stop aiding Israel's expansionist policy' is correct. Expansionism is only part of the problem. Implementation of agreed-upon policies is an even bigger problem. Agreements have been signed, but implementation has been sorely missing. President Obama brings a new day and those who treat his words lightly do so at their own peril.
Fariborz S. Fatemi
-,USA
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:29

As a non smoker I frequently sit in the non smoking section of public places such as hotels, restaurants and cinemas. The air quality in these so called non smoking sections is worse than the smoking section because the doors and windows of the smoking section are always left open. It seems the smokers themselves donâ??t like too much smoke in their section so they insist on the doors being opened so that most of their smoke drifts out into the non smoking section anyway. Try eating at a food court some time and you will see what I mean. They refuse to close the doors of the Shisha section as the smokers donâ??t like too much smoke in their area. No one cares about the people eating in the non smoking section getting all their exhaled smoke fumes. How disgusting is that?
Colin Jobe
-,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:29

Passengers from Sharjah can take the Jebel Ali bus and get dropped on Shaikh Zayed Road. On the way back however the Jebel Ali buses do not stop at Shaikh Zayed Road. Only choice for the returning passenger is to go to Deira/other points and take connecting buses; extremely time consuming due to long queues. The other choice (taxis) has now become unaffordable with the Dh20 surcharge. Shaikh Zayed Road is now a major business hub with number of offices, establishments and financial center and enough passenger traffic. I am not sure why RTA does not have direct buses to/from SZR? If that is not feasible, may I request RTA to at least allow the buses returning from Jebel Ali to pick-up passengers from selected stops on Shaikh Zayed Road?
Q. Kazmi
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:28

Why do we buy such drinks ("Red Bull samples 'free of cocaine'," Gulf News, June 12)? Because we have accessibility, get lured by advertisements and promotions we see. Our system is not designed to digest things unless they are not purified before let into the blood stream.
Sanjeev Dan Mathews
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:28

The authorities must make it mandatory for companies to provide low-income workers with a day's supply of water and air conditioned transportation with tinted windows to protect them from the sun. Additionally, overhead walkways across highways would reduce the chance of accidents especially when some workers run cross to their transport on the other side.
Bina Mathews
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 17, 2009, 16:27