The right spirit
Time and again, Team India has proved that if cricket is played with the right spirit, any team can defeat the most unbeatable champions ("Team India make mission Perth possible," Gulf News, January 20).
India's win might force Umpire Steve Bucknor to rethink the damage he has caused to the game of cricket. This self-realisation might make him quit altogether.
From Mr Abdul Mujeeb
Abu Dhabi
Isolated win
While India's recent victory in Perth cricket test is laudable, there must be a sense of proportion in viewing this victory.
For Australia, winning a cricket test match is a habit and therefore, that nation does not go overboard when it wins matches.
For India winning a cricket test in a foreign country is a rare event, which obviously shows that India's overall cricket rating is much less than that of Australia even after this Perth victory.
From Mr N.S. Venkataraman
Dubai
Salik tag search in vain
I tried nine petrol stations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi before I got a Salik tag ("Scarce Salik tags leave drivers bitter and fined", Gulf News, January 21).
The Roads and Transport Authority's customer service was unhelpful, all they did was repeat that tags were available at every fuel stop, which they quite clearly were not.
I complained verbally and in writing.
From Mr Alan
Abu Dhabi
A toll story
Salik is taking far more time than expected to stabilise. I come to Dubai once in every two weeks.
Buying Salik for the first time was the same experience as most of the other people and was forced to cross the first gate without it.
Now I get weird messages on my mobile showing decreased amount on my Salik account, although I'm not in Dubai and my car is always very much with me!
From Mr Irfan
Abu Dhabi
Full name withheld by request
Just excuses
People are just making mere excuses for not buying Salik tags or avoiding the fines.
Roads and Transport Authority has clear instructions all along the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway on how far the Salik gate is and which is the last exit.
I think everyone who has a car should buy a Salik tag, as you don't know when you would be requiring it.
From Mr Faiz
Dubai
Book the culprit
I was very upset by the death of police officer Ahmad after watching his last moments, courtesy popular video websites ("Kind officer met with 'brutal act'", Gulf News, January 18).
My heartfelt condolences to the officer's family. I hope the people responsible for circulating the video are brought to justice.
From Mr Fouad Ahmad
London, UK
Secure credit cards
Judging by the way retailers accept credit cards without confirming the identity of the card user, credit card fraud will certainly increase ("Credit card fraud could rise in 2008", Gulf News, January 14).
I have seen very few retailers checking the identity or signature of the cardholder.
Banks need to improve their method of credit card issuance, something similar to Western countries where either the cards have photo identification or pin codes.
From Mr Krishnakumar Duraiswamy
Dubai
A wake up call
The report on potential fraudulent credit card transactions is a wake up call for all.
What I don't understand is, instead of using unnecessary funky tie up logos and designs why don't banks make it mandatory to print the holder's photograph on the card?
This would also help in identifying the person, rather than demanding passport and driving licence for the same.
Also, bio-informatics can be put to use as well, wherein a fingerprint can be screened for each transaction after the card is swiped.
From Mr Rijosh Joseph
UAE
Forced to violate rules
We are totally ignoring the basic and fundamental fact behind accidents and traffic violation by just increasing the traffic fines as a possible solution.
The fundamental issue is a lack of infrastructure that can cope up with the increase in population and the number of vehicles on road.
Nobody likes to violate traffic rules deliberately. People are well aware that this would be a risk factor to their lives as well.
However, the time constraints in reaching a destination usually forces one to adopt short cuts and thereby violate rules.
From Mr Shafeek E.K.P.
Dubai
Different tracks
The Sharjah bound traffic coming in from Al Mamzar road towards Al Ittihad Road blocks the whole width of the road and is a big nuisance to Al Ghusais bound commuters.
I request the authorities to put up barricades along the last track so that the Sharjah bound traffic gets separated and does not block others.
From Mr Muslim Bawaadam
Dubai
Stop sewage dumping
Illegal dumping by sewerage trucks needs to be stopped immediately. Fines are much too mild. Drivers should be jailed and then deported.
Operating companies should be shut down immediately otherwise this might never stop.
Dubai already has several sewerage related problems, lets not add more to the list.
From Mr Michael Engelhardt
Dubai
