Letters to the editor 08/01

Dubai dream shines amid the meltdown

In the midst of the global financial meltdown, I had almost forgotten there is something called the Dubai Dream until I came across Yasmin Khanam's story in XPRESS..

Although I haven't had the good fortune to travel on the road trodden by Khanam, I've always marvelled at the fact that Dubai has a large number of people like Khanam, people whose lives are a lesson for others, whose stories reiterate the truth of the oft-repeated saying ‘It pays to dream big'.

Time and again we have read about people who have taken the ‘rags to riches' path and how their destinies came to be associated with Dubai: to me they are the stuff the Dubai Dream is made of. And I certainly enjoy reminding myself that I too am a resident of a city that is so full of surprises and, of course, opportunities. And that sense of joy also gives me the confidence that Dubai will weather the meltdown.

Sunil, Dubai

A lesson for life

The Rags to Riches story is an interesting one and gives us a lesson on how to reach the pinnacle of one's career.

Shamsul Huda Shams, Saudi Arabia

Hats off

Dear Yasmin, I bow my head to you. You have proved that women can do anything. I would really love to meet you in person.

Reshma, India

Woman extraordinaire

There are plenty of stories about men similar to that of Yasmin's. Undoubtedly she is an exception and even more significant is the fact that she comes from a traditional Asian family. Bravo Yasmin Khanam, you are truly an extraordinary woman.

Sohail Gill, Dubai

Keep smokers away

This is with reference to the story Smokers' Hole. As is the rule now, people cannot smoke indoors, so they smoke at the entrances.

As a non-smoker with asthma, why should I have to hold my breath while smokers stand outside building entrances and have smoke blown in my face? I think the smoking box 20 feet away is just perfect.

Mi Aah, Dubai

Change? What change?

Almost a year on since the general elections, Pakistan is faced with grave consequences arising out of bad governance. There's a dearth of qualified individuals among the lot who form the bulk of the legislature thrown up by the self-defeating feudal/dynastic ‘democracy'.

The stock market has plummeted from a high of 16,000 points to below 4,000 points now. Foreign direct investment has dropped by 76 per cent. The foreign currency reserves have plunged from $16 billion (Dh58.7 billion) to under $4 billion (Dh14.7 billion) now and we are back to the International Monetary Fund with a begging bowl.

The rupee has depreciated in value by about 30 per cent. The severely criticised policies under Pervez Musharraf regarding the war on terror still remain valid. The 17th Amendment to the Constitution still prevails.

If Musharraf's policies and governance were delivering positive results when it came to the GDP growth, investments, exchange rate stability, dialogues with its neighbours and foreign policies, then what was the change all about?

Hamza Mukhtar, Dubai

Anger unlimited

I was offered a credit card last year. The credit limit was Dh16,000 initially. In August, I was informed that the credit limit had been increased to Dh22,000. In November, it was further increased to Dh25,300.

On December 2, while Christmas shopping, I was shocked when the cashier said my transaction was not getting approved. Upon inquiry, I was told over the phone that my credit limit had been reduced – without any written or verbal notice – from Dh25,300 to Dh3,100.

I have never experienced such unprofessional service from any bank. They even charged me for crossing the credit limit.

So, please check your credit limit regularly. You never know – you could be the next victim!

Ala'a, Dubai

Rent index

This is with reference to Rera's (Real Estate and Regulatory Authority) plans to create an index to regularise rents in Dubai.

I am unsure how the rents for two separate buildings standing next to each other in the same area will be fixed. One has central air-conditioning, security, amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, etc while the other has window ACs, no amenities, no security, the lifts stink and no maintenance. It's a scene that's very common in Bur Dubai.

Anil Bhatia, Dubai

Call the cops

This is with reference to Waleed Mohammad's letter. I am a victim myself. Around 15 days back, a car of the same description with people bearing descriptions given by Mohammad (man wearing a baseball cap, along with his ‘wife' and ‘daughters'), approached me in the Al Aweer area and asked for directions, saying they were lost. Then they asked for some monetary help stating they had run out of petrol and had to reach Umm Al Quwain where they were staying with their relatives. They also said that they were supposed to return to Oman the following day.

The guy spoke Urdu fairly well but his English was weak. They asked for Dh200, but I gave them Dh150. They even took my mobile number and promised to repay me the next day.

They didn't contact me and I was almost going to forget it as ‘a good deed of the day' when I happened to read the letter by Mohammad.

I would like to warn everybody against falling into similar traps and to call the police immediately which, I regret, I did not do.

Basanta Sharma Adhikary, Dubai

Con game 2

This is with reference to Waleed Mohammad's letter warning the public about a con gang.

I was also approached in Bur Dubai by a con artist driving a white Lexus, asking money for petrol. He said he had lost his wallet and had reported the matter to the police. Then he said he had to return to Oman with his wife and two kids who were also in the car.

Name withheld, Dubai

It's not our business

This is in response to the letter by Vanessa Iris (Cultural Barrier). The problem stated by her is a matter of common sense and I strongly believe that one can easily solve it by oneself. I can't comprehend why there's a need for her to announce it to the world.

I am a Filipino and I don't have a problem with cross-cultural marriages (Mixed Doubles). Iris, please grow up and discuss the issue with your boyfriend.

Name withheld, Dubai

Blame it on the press

The press is trying to create a rift between Kaka and Ronaldinho (Ronaldinho is Main Man). Kaka is and will always remain inspirational to AC Milan.

Khamati Shilabukha, Kenya

This is for Gaza

Like many others here, I was pleased with the cancellation of all parties in Dubai as the New Year rolled in. At a time where hundreds of innocent Palestinians are dying, we should do our bit to help as much as we can and to start the year 2009 by expressing our solidarity with the Palestinian people is the least we can do.

Aisha, Sharjah

2009: Looking ahead

The year 2009 is expected to be a tough one. But we must continue to strive for a productive year. Here are my hopes for the New Year:

1. Revival of world economy

2. Blending of capitalism with sensible state interventions

3. Quick settling down of the new US presidential team

4. Global regulatory systems to prevent financial collapses

5. Contain unemployment, hunger; sustain global growth

6. Prevent Pakistan from becoming a terrorist haven

7. Contain terrorism in Pakistan and Iraq

8. Minimise the impact of recession on the poor and the sick

9. Prevent war in the Middle East.

Raju Aneja, Dubai

Wake-up call

Instead of coming up with plans like the Cool Beach, the money should be spent on people and places that need help. I thought the empty flats would have served as a wake-up call. But I figure they have not.

Mahnoor Alvi, Ajman

Time to land

This is with reference to the Black Holes. It is high time property owners went for a safe landing to avoid a crash landing at a later date. There seems to be no relation between demand and supply while rents seem out of proportion to the average income of residents.

George Varughese, Australia

Intervention sought

The authorities should intervene in this situation and provide housing at an affordable price. The buildings are empty due to high rents.

Abdul Qader Asumbhai, Dubai

Help sought

There's a financial crisis but I don't understand why the rents here aren't falling. The authorities should step in to help residents find homes at affordable rates, otherwise the flats will continue to remain empty.

Name withheld, Dubai

Oh, Palestine

As another day goes by with Israel's ruthless attacks against Palestine continuing, I cannot even imagine the fear and the terror that innocent, men, women and children are going through. I wonder how the Israeli leaders can sleep at night knowing that hundreds of children are dying and will not be able to see their next birthday.

What angers me the most is the indifference by other countries' governments. Not once since the latest Israeli aggression began have I seen a leader of a non-Arab country condemn these pointless and savage attacks against the innocent people of Palestine.

The Arab world has condemned the attacks and many people around the world have protested against these inhumane attacks but we are seeing no results. How many more men, women and children must be sacrificed before this will stop?

If there was ever a chance of peace in the Middle East, Israel has gone ahead and destroyed it, just like they are destroying what's left of Palestine. My heart goes out to the poor Palestinian people in Gaza who are left with nothing; I can't even imagine what it must be like to be told to evacuate your own home.

I condemn the Israelis a hundred times for the misery they have caused to the whole world, and especially our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Our prayers are with you, Palestine.

Shireen, Dubai