Letters fromt the past

Gulf News looks back over the years at concerns and issues raised by readers in their letters to the newspaper. It's a retrospective that offers an insight into the community, the development of the country and the paper's journey. This week's letters are from 1980.

Film enthusiasts

The festival of dance, drama and music that is being organised by Gulf News will give budding musicians, singers and dramatists in the UAE an opportunity to display their talent. It will also provide them with a chance to meet, exchange ideas and opinions as well as plan for the future. I would like to express the hope that Gulf News will add a film festival to its programme so that the eight-millimetre film enthusiasts will also get a chance to participate. In the UAE there are a lot of film fans and home movie producers. I also think if the proposed project is tied up with Dubai TV, it would be a real success, a great opportunity to spot talent.
From Mr Ardnenis
Dubai

Insulting traditions

Recently I was in for a rather rude surprise when a certain hotel in Dubai did not allow me to enter the restaurant, apparently, because I did not quite reflect the class of people who frequent the place. It was tradition, they said. But more specifically I was told that my footwear was objectionable. I wear sandals during the summer and in the excruciating heat of Dubai I should think it is only sane to do so. But more than the silly discrimination, I thought the objection to my not wearing shoes was an indictment of a simple way of life.
From Mr Aziz Ahmad
Sharjah

Water, please

This is my first visit to Dubai. At first, I was really taken aback by the heat but I found relief when I entered the air-conditioned Dubai International Airport. I was very impressed by its neatness and cleanliness, after all the city traffic. By the time I was inside, I was very thirsty and was sure that I would find a water cooler to quench my thirst. But I was disappointed because I could not find a single one. How nice it would be to have a water cooler at the airport. I am sure everybody would feel happy about it.
From Mr Nomi
Dubai

Waiting for buses

The most common mode of transport for those who live in Dubai is the taxi. But taxis can be very expensive as can be seen when one adds up the bill at the end of the month. Besides, taxis are not easily available on many routes. In this context, many would-be commuters welcomed the recent announcement that the Dubai Municipality was to expand its bus services. The new services, if properly routed, would be a boon to the residents of Dubai. The Dubai Municipality's initiative in this regard is to be welcomed and its implementation is being eagerly awaited.
From Mr Thomas Gregory
UAE

Efficient bus routes

The Dubai Municipality's decision to expand the present bus service will be welcomed by all the middle-class employees and housewives. The recent hike in taxi fares had taken this most popular mode of transport out of the reach of the common man. One can only hope that the expanded service will cover all the vital routes. The municipality should also publish a proper timetable, if possible, in consultation with at least a cross-section of the public who use public transport.
From Mr Benedict Costa
Dubai

Protect passengers

We hope the Dubai Municipality would expedite the proposal to adopt the metre system for the city's taxi service. This will help protect passengers from exploitation. Taxi owners who do not co-operate will find it difficult to beat consumer resistance generated by the metre system.
From Mr Ratan Shah
Dubai

Littering

The new General Post Office building complex in Bur Dubai is very impressive. But, as you walk in, what you see is an irritating sight. There are four wastepaper baskets placed in the foyer area but no one seems to be making use of them. The whole foyer is littered with stamp edges, parcel wrappers and pieces of strings.
From Mr Devasy Kutty
Dubai