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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.
No obstructions
I am glad to see Dubai becoming greener. The administration is doing an excellent job of planting trees along the streets. But I must add that care must be taken to prune the trees so that they do not become obstructions. To give a particular instance, two school children narrowly escaped being run over by a car on the road close to the Satwa fire station as a roadside tree, growing wild, had obstructed their vision. I request the concerned authorities to take note and ensure that trees are properly pruned.
From Mr Firoz Hakim
Dubai
Sporting greats
It was a treat to watch the European Cup football matches on television. It was nearly as thrilling as watching the matches in the stadium. I hope that television stations in Dubai will make an effort to televise another equally popular championship, the Wimbledon tennis championships. Of course, it won't be possible to show all the matches completely but it would be worth televising the men and women's finals. The current tournament is of particular significance since Bjorn Borg, an all-time tennis phenomenon, is aiming for an unprecedented fifth Wimbledon title. Judging by his consistent form, Borg will surely reach the finals barring a stunning upset, which in sports can never be ruled out, and will be met with stiff resistance from one of his many formidable rivals such as Jimmy Connors or Roscoe Tanner. In view of the stakes involved, this year's Wimbledon tournament promises to be a landmark in tennis history. People in the UAE should therefore have the opportunity to witness the finals and possibly the semifinals.
From Mr Elvin Ridge
Abu Dhabi
Historic match
Thank you Gulf News for the excellent picture of Bjorn Borg in the Wimbledon finals. The match was a historic struggle between a seasoned champion of Borg's stature and a determined youthful opponent, John McEnroe, rightly nicknamed "Superbrat". The space that you accorded to the event was therefore worthy of such a rare moment in sporting history.
From Mr A.R. Parthasarthy
Dubai
Potential advantages
A report published recently by the United Nations Development Programme on the development of fisheries has revealed the availability of a vast potential source of marine protein in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The project, sponsored by the UNDP and the Food and Agricultural Organisation, has reported on the presence of large shoals of lantern fish, scientifically known as Myctophidae, which according to researchers can help overcome the approaching world protein shortage. This is a report that the UAE should study and exploit. Now that the availability of this valuable source is known, we hope the authorities would initiate a project to explore methods of harvesting and processing this rich source of protein, which provides an ideal base for the food processing industry. Any investment in this sphere is bound to yield a good return. According to projections, the world will face a protein shortage towards the end of this decade and with the increase in the world population expected in the 1990s the situation will deteriorate further.
From Mr Mohammad Riza
Satwa, Dubai
New medical services
While thanking Gulf News for devoting a special column to readers' views, I wish to bring to the kind notice of the Ministry of Health the following observations with regard to the proposal to charge a fee from expatriate workers for medical services. This proposal, if implemented, will be a burden on expatriate workers who are toiling hard and contributing in no small measure to the development and progress of the country. An efficient medical service has to be an integral part of the infrastructure designed for the development process. Of course, a health insurance scheme may be a suitable answer to the present problem. It may also be advisable to make health insurance part of the contract of employment.
From Mr Farokh Esmail
Abu Dhabi
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