People of the year
The Man of the Year Award should be bestowed upon the common citizen of this world. Due to recession, he or she has lost or is about to lose his job, is unable to pay a home loan and might have to reduce the consumption of food, too. These victims of greed by investment bankers are the 20 million workers, who will lose their jobs and the 40 million people, who will have to subsist on $2 (Dh7.35) each day. These are the real heroes of the year. They have suffered deprivations in 2008, but will continue to slog in 2009 to resurrect their future, once more. The efforts of these common citizens in factories, offices and fields, will pull the world out of recession and must not go unrecognised.
From Mr Rajendra K. Aneja
Dubai
Distance? No problem
Long distance relationships do work if the couple is willing to work on it ("When distance makes the heart grow fonder," Gulf News, December 20). I've been in a relationship for the past five years with someone I pray would be my life partner. We have been together since college - he was studying in the Philippines while I was studying in the city. We did survive that kind of arrangement wherein at least once a month we made sure we'd see and spend time together. This was until we finished college and found a job. Now he is a seafarer while I work in Dubai. Distance was never a hindrance for us. In, fact we understand and treasure each other more.
From Ms Catherine Ordonez
Dubai
Teach a lesson
People who flash their headlights at you because they want to speed should not be accommodated. Do not move out of the lane if you are driving at the designated speed limit! Make reckless motorists drive at the assigned speed limit, too. Their speeding causes accidents and delays, not to forget endangering the lives of law-abiding drivers and innocent pedestrians. Such drivers need to know that such behaviour is socially unacceptable.
From Mr Anthony
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld by request
Adding value
Sharjah is a lovely place to live in, but when I tried taking a walk outside, I passed two, huge smelly trash bins, which left me with a horrid feeling. Is there a better system that can be implemented to keep the big, unsightly bins in partially covered, allocated areas only? Additionally, can these bins be emptied more regularly to prevent the stench? Taking care of these bins will certainly add to the aesthetic value of Sharjah.
From Ms Sumaiya Eisa
Sharjah
Immense satisfaction
Good job Dubai Municipality! Recently, I planned on discarding my sofa, as the set was quite old but in good condition, to some extent. I immediately thought of the municipality's Bulk Waste Pick up programme and called them. The agents dropped in the same day and collected the items. This gave me immense satisfaction, as I didn't have to leave anything near the building's waste bin.
From Ms Rama Malar
Dubai
Quality of life
I suspect there are more cars on the road than actual parking space, especially in places like Bur Dubai. Residents with permits still have to fight for available space. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) was temporarily allowing people to park with and without permits, in front of the buildings from 9pm until 8am. So imagine our surprise when we were met with a "no parking in this area" notice, pasted on our cars, some time ago. The RTA must assist residents, who have permits, to find parking spaces near their homes, thereby enhancing the quality of life in residential areas.
From Ms Sharmila Ravi Kumar
Dubai
More rampant
I totally agree with Gulf News readers when they complain about the continuous noise from buildings under-construction in the Al Nahda area of Sharjah. This is by far one of the biggest problems faced by residents, especially the sound from the long pipe that is used to dump garbage. The problem is more rampant on Fridays when the noise becomes unbearable.
From Abhishek Mathur
Sharjah
Greener plots
In borrowing from the terms "quality not quantity" and applying it to our most precious gift, life, I urge the Dubai Municipality to "green" the remaining plots of land on Shaikh Zayed Road, allowing nature, air and light into people's homes and lives, which will undoubtedly make for happy and more positive human beings.
From Mr Ahmad
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Stark contrast
Having just moved to the UAE and as a middle class expatriate, an apparent dearth of small savings schemes is striking. Where I come from, schemes are marketed to encourage savings and these indeed serve to instill a sense of financial discipline in citizens. Until the liquidity crisis hit the region a couple of months ago, one hardly saw such options being advertised - a stark contrast to the full-page advertisements in most newspapers today. Indeed for most expatriates, a large part of the savings is sent back home into various schemes there. A lot of this could be retained here if a secure, attractive and controlled retail savings scheme could be offered - there are a few I am told but they're not publicised much.
From Mr Anand P.
Dubai
Better employees
It is great to know that so much compassion and care has been shown to an employee. ("Despite incurable illness she grows in her career," Gulf News, December 21). I believe employees can improve their performance if companies motivate them.
From Mr Manikantan S.
Abu Dhabi
An inspiration
Charlotte, you're one brave woman and an inspiration to many. Living positively is the way to go on in life and not letting the illness become an obstacle in this case. Your faith has moved you to higher heights and it will see you through your healing because you have what it takes to believe you can be healed. May the Almighty be with you.
From Ms Patricia
Dubai
Appreciate it
I was really sorry to hear about her illness but she was really brave enough to face it. I really appreciate the company and of course all the colleagues who gave her immense help.
From Ms Nazneen Khan
Abu Dhabi
Touched
I was very touched by Charlotte's experience. Her determination and confidence is something many of us need to absorb.
From Mr Sanju Joy
Dubai
Above a budget
There won't be an issue of overcrowding if there is enough low-cost accommodation for people who belong to low-income groups ("FNC proposals on salary criteria get mixed response," Gulf News, December 18). How can someone earning as little as Dh1,200 per month be able to afford a decent room? Rooms cost around Dh5,000 per month, which is above the average budget.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
