September 29, 2008

A simple act of kindness

On most mornings, whilst being stuck in traffic from Sharjah to Dubai, I have noticed that almost everyone seems to have the same look of frustration on their faces. During one such experience, I was reading out the latest Gulf News headlines to my co-passenger - about war, poverty, diseases, terror attacks - when something caught our attention. A cat was sitting atop a moving car in front of us. Its confusion about where to jump was obvious. A short while later, the driver of the vehicle switched on his indicator, moved to the last lane and parked his car. He then picked up and carried the frightened cat to safety. The act brought a smile to our faces. It revived hope in the fact that though the world is filled with negativity, humanity is still above everything else.

From Ms Bindu Sathianesan
Sharjah

Global vote

I cannot recall any US president who has been an asset to the Middle East, and the world in general ("New poll finds tight race in Virginia", Gulf News, September 24). While current president George W. Bush's terrible tenure is nearing an end, a new president will be elected soon, with everyone analysing the best choice. A US president has a huge impact on the world. This has been proven time and again with the country's mediation in issues regarding the sovereignty of other nations. Thus, as a citizen of the world and if given the choice, I too would have liked to vote in the forthcoming US elections.

From Mr N. A. Syed
UAE

Worse than usual

The World Car-free Day did make a difference to my life ("Traffic congestion intensifies in the UAE on World Car-free Day", Gulf News, September 22). In fact, the bus to my university took two hours longer than usual! Let's hope next year proves to be a smoother ride to a pollution-free environment.

From Ms Christina Varghese
Dubai

No surprise

I burst out laughing when I read Gulf News's report on World Car-free Day, recently. I wasn't the least bit surprised that people in the UAE did not participate in the event. How could a significant number of people leave their cars at home, without any reasonable alternative to get to work on time? On another note, I have never seen any mention of parking garages in reports about the Dubai Metro stations. I urge the authorities to let us know where the garages are going to be located, so that we know where to park our cars and commute stress-free on the Metro.

From Mr A. Downes
Dubai

Tough to cross

Pedestrians of various ages use the pedestrian crossing on King Faisal Street in Sharjah. However, the area is a magnet for accidents. As there is an absence of manually controlled traffic signals in the area, people are forced to wait for a long time before they can cross the road. Most attempt to cross the busy road because they expect the vehicles to eventually slow down. I urge the authorities to prevent potential accidents by either providing pedestrian-friendly traffic signals, a subway or an overhead bridge.

From Mr Sudip Sengupta
Sharjah

Fallen standards

The standard of driving in recent weeks, especially during Ramadan, is a poor reflection of motorists' behaviour ("Fewer road fatalities this Ramadan", Gulf News, September 19). This is something I have concluded after reading Gulf News's reports on road accidents. Speeding, impatience, aggression, and road rage seems to be on a rise. The roads are terrorised by vehicles that travel at extraordinary speeds, especially at night. I try to drive carefully, but my reward for stopping at roundabouts is to be hooted at by the impatient driver behind me. Ramadan is a time wherein people should try to be more kind and patient with others. Why can't this be reflected on the roads as well?

From Ms Diane Evans
UAE

Simple pleasures

I was dismayed to hear that the Abu Dhabi Municipality wants to rid parks of bicyclists. The UAE already suffers from a lack of outdoor recreational activities and to impose the ban would ultimately deprive residents of simple pleasures, means of exercise and recreational pursuits. In a time where obesity and laziness amongst youth is prevailing, shouldn't we promote such activities? Bicyclists should be prohibited to ride on the grass and designated biking lanes could be provided in parks. They would no longer have to dodge families and would be able to enjoy the sport.

From Ms Jillian Stevens
UAE

Up to date

All reports in Gulf News's business section are highly relevant ("Acer looks to ride out global financial crisis", Gulf News, September 21). This report ensures that we are in touch with all technological updates and advancements in the IT sector. As an avid and loyal reader, I would like to express my appreciation to Gulf News for keeping readers well informed with the latest events from around the world.

From Ms Puja Dass
Dubai

Stressful issue

I am extremely stressed with the rent issue ("Most residents find money matters stressful", Gulf News, September 21). I hope companies will reconsider the housing and rental allowance for employees, rather than just allocating it to basic salary. Companies should keep the market range in mind. If an employee's basic salary is low, then the rental allowance would be minimal and insufficient too. Additionally, it is not possible for people to live in shared accommodation with at least 10 other people.

From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld per request

Action required

It is a well-known fact that most expatriates residing in the UAE are not earning enough to be able to pay exorbitant rents. Landlords are conveniently increasing the rents, and someone has to stop them. It is high time the authorities took serious action against landlords who resort to increasing the rent by an exorbitant amount every year.

From Dr K. B. Vijayakumar
Dubai

Taking control

The accommodation problems can be sorted out if the Real Estate Department and the Dubai Development Board (Wasl) took over all private buildings and regulated leasing policies ("Family abandons fasting after power supply is cut", Gulf News, September 24). This would enable them to do away with all middlemen who exploit the situation. With no existing control over real estate values, we need such organisations to come forward for the community. They should start with taking back all projects handed over to owners.

From Mr Sudhir G.
Dubai

Just too high

At Dh24 for a round trip from Deira to Shaikh Zayed Road, I believe the Salik tollgate charges are too high. Recently, I visited Malaysia, where the toll fee is around Dh1.50. If the real goal of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is to improve the traffic situation, then Salik is definitely not a successful way to achieve it. The tollgates should not have been made operational until the opening of Dubai Metro, as this would have provided commuters with more alternatives.

From Ms T. P.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request