Providing more facilities to commuters

Providing more facilities to commuters

In Abu Dhabi, too, we can improve transportation by adding more public transport facilities (‘A million more people ride buses in Dubai’, Gulf News, May 13). There are many bus stops with regular passengers but which, do not have proper bus shelters.

One often sees the plight of regular commuters waiting in the hot sun, always trying to take shelter in the shade offered by a nearby parked vehicle.

The Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) initiatives have had outstanding results. We need to check and establish first-class bus shelters to appease the public. Initiate a growing culture of using public transport, and invite more commuters for bus rides by establishing sufficient air-conditioned bus shelters, with frequent trips connecting important destinations.

To develop or increase this commuting culture by bus, we have to facilitate more amicable and friendly transit modes.

From Mr M. K. Gunaseelan

Abu Dhabi

A great 40 years

I have completed a peaceful and enjoyable stay of 40 years in Dubai. I landed in the UAE on May 10, 1977, I am grateful to the rulers of this country for the opportunities given to all of us, who have made this place our second home. Indeed, we are lucky to have spent the best years of our lives in a country that provides peace, comfort, happiness and satisfaction.

Leading from the front, the rulers inspire us to put in our best effort, and to continue to innovate in a competitive world, while maintaining human values. In short, to live a complete and wholesome life. While Dubai has changed so much in these past four decades, the basic fabric of the city remains unchanged and that is the major reason for the success of the city, and the UAE.

From Mr Ravi Chitnis

Dubai

Once a beautiful place

When the US initiates problems in other countries, aiming for political destabilisation or to achieve their own political objectives, these kinds of things are to be expected (‘Haunting image of Al Assad ‘crematorium’, Gulf News, May 19). Syria was a peaceful place on Earth, where people were happy and life was going on. Then, it became a point of interest for many countries. Let’s pray for ourselves and for nations to be safe from such destruction. Let’s pray for the return of golden days in Syria, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey.

From Mr Lawangen Khan

Islamabad, Pakistan

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Difficult to control

Human trafficking is not what most people think it is (‘UAE arrested 106 human traffickers last year’, Gulf News, May 16). By definition, under United Nations (UN) protocol, it is “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”

Exploitation includes prostitution, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

Therefore, it is a difficult thing to control when there are so many vulnerable people. Every day, around the world, we see examples of this, demonstrated by unscrupulous employers who refuse to abide by the labour laws. Employers are often many, and inspectors few. Couple that with frightened employees and you have a system that protects those who prey on the vulnerable. Hats off to the UAE police for their work — it is a huge task to monitor.

From Ms Gloria Butler

Dubai

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Noise destruction

It’s very true that human activities have increased noise pollution in protected areas, and this has disturbed wildlife... even their very existence. Noise pollution has a great impact on animals, as well as human beings. Growing industrialisation, an increase in the number of transport facilities, including air, sea, railways and mining, has disturbed fragile Nature around the world. Studies state that even plants are affected by noise pollution, and this can result in stunted growth. Marine life is also affected by noise pollution along the seabed. Predators who rely on their sense of hearing to catch their prey can be disturbed by loud noises, which can make it difficult for them to hear subtle sounds. So basically, with all this drilling, with the sound of jets overhead, it not only affects humans, but has a drastic effect on both flora and fauna.

From Mr Eappen Elias

Dubai

A great achievement

High winds and unusual snowfall are the main obstacles when trying to reach the Himalayan summit, and despite these hurdles, among 750 climbers waiting, six climbers made it to the Everest summit (‘Six Indian climbers make first Everest summit of season’, Gulf News, May 14). It is laudable that Indian climbers are known for their climbing achievements. Kudos to them.

From Mr K. Ragavan

Bengaluru, India

Targeting Muslims

As an American citizen born in the US, and as someone who is not a first or second generation citizen, with nowhere for me ‘to go home to’, I would say the bank was targeting Muslims, specifically, in a racist way (‘Woman kicked out of US bank for wearing hijab’, Gulf News, May 15). The US has always had to struggle to get over its racist history. We do have religious freedoms in the US; any religion is accepted and you are legally protected to practise it so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone.

If the woman had worn a niqab (full face veil) at the bank, I could see it being a security issue, but a hijab is common place and it’s worn by nuns to cover their hair as well. So banning hair covering is not realistic in the US. We have a lot of Muslims and it should be common place to see a hijabi walking around on a regular basis.

From Ms Lindsay Hartman

UAE

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Hypocrisy

Had it been a woman from another religion, with a head covering, this would not have been an issue. Either way, it’s interesting how people actually believe that it’s just the law being implemented, in a country that brags about freedom. This clearly reinstates the hypocrisy of the US and those who are turning a blind eye to what the country is becoming. From police brutality towards African Americans to the country’s expenditure on needless warfare, instead of dealing with unemployment and the homeless population... for a superpower or a developed country, they aren’t setting a good example of how to be one.

From Mr Abdullah Ali Ajmy

Dubai

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Dark side of social media

Social media not only invades people’s lives, but also shapes people’s perceptions today (‘11 basic steps to social media and online safety’, Gulf News, May 16). The platform has become a place for gossiping, sharing, provoking others and for unreliable messages, images and videos. Several videos shared on social media platforms show extreme intolerance and this is viewed and recorded by many without any filter. Many videos show how people stop and witness horrific incidents, only so they can shoot it on their smartphones. This section of the society only seems interested in sharing information rather than helping those involved in an accident or a calamity. People today have become more prejudiced and just want to enjoy the credit of witnessing and recording such an incident rather than lending a helping hand. It has made people insensitive to others’ problems.

From Mr Ramachandran Nair

Oman

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