April 30, 2008

Help save the world
I truly appreciate Gulf News 'No to Plastic Bags' campaign ("Support for 'No to Plastic Bags' campaign boosts hope", Gulf News, April 27).

The initiative to replace plastic bags with recyclable ones has already been taken up by many supermarkets. But what about plastic bags that are already present in the environment?

I think the authorities should provide recycle bins at petrol stations and start taking back old plastic bags. This can be done with used newspapers as well.

Additionally, eco-friendly shopping bags should be given free of cost to shoppers at the entrance of every mall.

The mall's stores can sponsor these bags, as it will help reduce plastic bag usage. If we all do our bit to save the environment, it will have a huge impact.
From Ms Deepali Tulpule
Dubai

Not too late
I fully support Gulf News' campaign against plastic bags. However, I think the authorities can do more in the effort to reduce plastic bag usage.

They can provide every household and business with recycle bins for bottles, glass, packaging and bags made from plastic and paper. This can be done along with the usual garbage bins that are provided for every locality.

Additionally, more should be done to educate people on how to reuse and recycle. It is not too late to care for our world.
From Ms Salima Naeemi
Ajman

Plastic at a price
Six months is a long time for oxo-biodegradable plastic bags to start degrading ("Few shops care for green bags", Gulf News, April 24). During this time, an animal can consume the bag and die.

Additionally, plastic bag 'flowers' will still adorn bushes and trees around the country.

The policy that some hypermarkets in the region have implemented is by far the best: charging 25 fils for each bag will encourage the use of reusable bags.

At the very least, it will encourage lesser consumption. Can we have an education campaign to teach people how to dispose bags responsibly?
From Ms Katherine Nash
Dubai

Doesn't help
The new Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) slab tariff system does not really encourage consumers to reduce energy use ("Dewa slab tariff helps to cut energy consumption", Gulf News, April 24).

We do not need a slab system to tell us to reduce consumption. Only a keen interest in the environment and financial pressures would help do so.

Furthermore, families that live in villas are now in the slab with the highest tariff just because they have to water their yards - it has nothing to do with them consuming less water for personal use.
From Mr Ammar H.
Dubai

Good move
Menus in the Arabic language will be a welcome addition to those in Eng-lish ("900 outlets urged to have Arabic menu", Gulf News, April 24).

It is the right move, as it will help retain the identity of Arabic as a national language.

It is necessary for expatriates to learn Arabic and accept the culture they live in.

People will try to increase their knowledge of Arabic and this will help the country preserve its language and culture.
From Ms Naina Nair
Sharjah

No qualms
Menus in restaurants should be printed in Arabic because it is the official language of the UAE.

Companies in the cuisine business are essentially selling their food in an Arab country, so they must have no qualms about printing menus in the national language.
From A Reader
UAE
Name withheld by request

Love thy neighbour
I recently read a letter from Mr Manish Hirani in which he complained about his noisy neighbours ("Noisy neighbours", Gulf News, April 24). I urge him to learn to tolerate his neighbour's children.

Children cannot be under house arrest all day long. They need to be able to go outside, ride their bicycles and play.

If they do not do this during their childhood, when will they?

On another note, I think people should learn how to behave with their neighbours. They should try not to find mistakes in neighbours, but instead concentrate on correcting themselves first.
From Mr N. S. Masoud
Dubai

Worthy effort
The recent debate about former US president Jimmy Carter and his efforts to bring peace in the Middle East was interesting ("Israel's UN envoy calls Jimmy Carter 'bigot'", Gulf News, April 25).

Carter is about 83 years old; he was a president and is a Nobel Prize winner. He could spend all his time just fishing at home, but instead, he is striving for peace in the Middle East.

Trying to bring peace to the region is like trying to walk a thorny path, and for this alone, Carter deserves a standing ovation - irrespective of the outcome of his talks.
From Mr Rajendra K. Aneja
Dubai
Gulf News Readers Club member

Digital signals
I agree with Ms Joy Sundaran, who suggested using a warning system at traffic signals in her recent letter to Gulf News ("Warning system at signals", Gulf News, April 23).

If implemented in the UAE, this system can help motorists avoid accidents and jump red lights.

In many parts of India, a digital timer is installed above the traffic signal, which indicates when the next change will occur.

I am sure all motorists in this region would appreciate a similar system.
From Mr Jayanth
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld by request

Blessing in disguise
The new service will help solve several problems motorists face, including worrying about replacing a parking ticket every hour ("Motorists to get eticket through mobile phones", Gulf News, April 27).

Sometimes, we run out of coins and have to rush to the nearest grocery store to get change.

Additionally, parking meters are occasionally located far away from our vehicles; in the duration that we rush to get a ticket, we worry that a police officer may have fined us.

The new service is undoubtedly going to be a blessing in disguise.
From Ms Anisha Ramchandani
Dubai

Both are guilty
It is high time that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wakes up and takes the right decisions ("Slap on the face of Indian cricket!", Gulf News, April 27).

Cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Shanthakumaran Sreesanth should both be taken to task, as both were offenders. There is no fire without a spark.

The attitude of Sreesanth in previous games should also be closely watched. I am sure any other cricketer would have done the same thing Singh did, under the circumstances.
From Mr Salman Khan
Sharjah

Spoiled brats
I enjoyed reading K. R. Nayar's article about the Indian cricketers and agree with his observations.

Both Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh have been behaving like unruly boys, and it is good that one of them slapped the other.

But as the writer pointed out, it is the Australians who are laughing now. Everything they said about these cricketers has been reaffirmed.

Indian cricketers will now have no case the next time they are banned by a referee.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has spoiled almost all their cricketers by lavishing too much money and attention on them.
From Mr Adil Kumar
Dubai