May 11, 2008

Don't invent illogical excuses!

The statement made by George W. Bush claiming the world food shortage is only due to Indians eating more is not just illogical but also crude and cruel ("Politicians lambast Bush for rice remark", Gulf News, May 6). This kind of statement would normally have been ignored with the contempt that it deserves but for the fact that it has come from the President of the United States of America. One gets an impression that Bush has not understood Indian economics and social conditions. While there is more affluence in India in recent times, it is largely amongst the middle and upper income group who have not been starving earlier and have been eating adequately. It does not mean that these people would eat more - there is a limit to how much a person can eat. President Bush only proves that politicians are the same all over the world and will go to any extent to invent excuses for their lack of performance.
From Mr N. S. Venkataraman
Chennai, India

Why target India?

Bush has done it again. This time he blames the ongoing world food crisis on Indians as apparently they consume a lot of food. Based on statistics, it is very clear that 40 per cent of Indians are still living below the poverty line with cases of death caused by starvation or a lack of food being reported. Online research would reveal how much food is consumed and wasted by people the world over.
From Mr Ashraf T. H.
Abu Dhabi

Arabic is an asset

Arabic being the second most widely spoken language in the world does not hold any relevance in an expatriate student's conversational skills in Dubai, if he or she cannot speak the language ("Ministry of Education explores new methods of teaching Arabic," Gulf News, May 4). At school level, the entire emphasis is on reading, writing and understanding Arabic. Coaching for conversational skills in the language is usually minimal or nil. This may be one reason many people face difficulty in learning the language.

I know of individuals born and brought up in Dubai who are not very fluent while conversing in Arabic, despite taking tuitions and additional coaching in the language. Arabic is a very useful and rich language and if learnt well would be a great asset to an individual in any Arab nation.
From Ms Hiba Basheer
Dubai

The benefit of age

I would like to comment on the excellent part played by Gulf News in bringing to light the importance of Arabic in Indian schools. I am a French pupil studying in grade nine and would absolutely love to take up Arabic as my second language, provided that my school offers it. I believe that we pupils can do better in Arabic if we are taught the language from an early age. Unfortunately, most schools including mine do not offer it. After reading the article in Gulf News, we have requested our school to provide Arabic as an optional language. Our principal says he will try his best. I would once again like to congratulate Gulf News for its efforts and hope that my school accepts our request.
From Ms Fatima
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld by request

Threat of extinction

It is hard to believe the comments made by principals of various Indian schools, blaming a lack of qualified teachers as the reason for not taking up Arabic as part of the school curriculum. This is absurd, especially since the schools operate in an Arab nation. Since the syllabus allows teaching Arabic as one of the optional languages, the Ministry of Education can persuade these schools to treat Arabic as an important subject, on par with any other language. This is especially relevant as otherwise the nation's language might get extinct and give way to other foreign languages in the UAE.
From Mr Salim Moan Panthod
Abu Dhabi

Opportunity to prove

After raising my complaint with Gulf News about the delay caused by my driving school in issuing a test date, I am pleased to say that the problem was resolved immediately. The driving test date was revised 18 days ahead of the earlier date. I thank Gulf News for helping me out. At least I can now hope to appear for the examination.
From Mr Rajeev Sing
UAE

City traffic

I do not think the introduction of public buses in Sharjah will be effective in reducing traffic ("25 buses to operate on three routes in Sharjah", Gulf News, May 5). The city is facing major traffic congestions due to many factors. Motorists are often badly behaved and many refuse to give way on the roads. Additionally, the continuous growth of Sharjah's population and the ongoing road development projects add to the city's traffic jams. I hope authorities consider legalising car lifts so that residents are able to beat the traffic in an affordable manner.
From Mr Sheehan M. A.
UAE

Separate bus lane

Increasing the number of buses in the public transport fleet would certainly help commuters use buses more often. However, if these buses need to go through the same congested routes and lanes as the rest of us, it kills the purpose of using them. I hope the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) looks into providing a separate lane for public transport; this would at least ensure free flow for public transport users and would encourage residents to use bus services. Even if this is not possible in all areas of Dubai, it will be effective wherever implemented.
From Mr Mohammad Asim Mushtaq
Dubai