One of the worst things
Salik is one of the worst things to have happened to Dubai. I am sure many agree. I understand a toll system would help reduce traffic. However, since Salik has failed to achieve the same, the result is a lot more frustrated drivers, accidents and deaths. Dubai's transport system is still in its early stages. The authorities should have at least waited till the Metro had been launched, before introducing Salik. The only ones who would have benefited from the system would be people from the northern emirates, who use Salik. The least the authorities could do is put in a time slot that would make Salik applicable, from 6am to 9pm on weekdays, while allowing motorists to drive through free of charge over the weekend.
From Mr Jasser Ali
Sharjah
In the same boat
With reference to the letters on cheating published in Gulf News, it is surprising and interesting to note that many of the letters that were sent in are from females ("Your Turn," Gulf News, April 7). Ironically, until now, I was under the impression that cheating in the examinations was usually a male preserve. It helps to know that we all sail in the same boat, irrespective of gender.
From Mr M. A. Basha
Dubai
Comfortable
It is a nice move by the Indian Embassy to facilitate document submission at Empost outlets before and after office hours, seven days a week ("Indian missions to outsource passport and visa services", Gulf News, April 6). This move will save people the trouble of taking a day off or reporting late to work. Additionally, tremendous amount of time can be saved as one need not wait in queues. I request the Indian Embassy to consider a similar solution for the attestation of other documents as well. If other departments such as banks followed suit, life would be much more comfortable.
From Mr Suresh B. Nair
UAE
Service
I was really shocked when confronted with the new service charges in my recent electricity bill ("Residents upset over new Sharjah service charge", Gulf News, April 6). As stated in the report by Gulf News, these charges are levied in order to improve the services provided by Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa). This is not justified, as the services on offer haven't been identified yet. We already receive an uninterrupted gas supply, thanks to Sewa's good service. What additional service can be provided in this area for which a charge of Dh20 has been levied? With the current cost of living, each individual tries to save as much as possible. This, by reducing the consumption of electricity and water. It is my fervent request to the authorities concerned to reconsider their decision.
From Mr Bulsari Mohammad S. G.
Sharjah
Unfair
I received my electricity bill a short while ago. I stay on my own in a studio apartment. While my total electricity consumption was charged at Dh70, the service charges came up to Dh150. This is killing and unfair.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Unusually speaking
I know that we, in the UAE, are very fond of unusual and big headlines ("Crocodile with stomach full of human body parts found in UAE, says email," Gulf News, April 6). The article regarding the crocodile found by Dubai Electricity and Water Supply (Dewa) near Hatta is absolutely bogus! This email has been doing the rounds for many years and has finally made it to Gulf News. This pipeline is in Brazil and that's an Amazonian crocodile. That animal would never survive in this weather!
From Mr Yaseen Ali
Sindh, Pakistan
Don't believe it!
Of course this email is fake. I had received this mail two years ago from a friend. I had replied to my friend telling him not to believe it, since the people standing in the picture were foreigners and none of them seemed to be Dewa personnel.
From Ms Shereen Sultana
Dubai
Doubtful
I had seen similar pictures in an email almost four to five years ago, which said the crocodile was found somewhere in Brazil. I doubt these were actually caught in the UAE!
From Mr Pradeep Mendonca
Dubai
Disastrous
I had a disastrous experience in the Indian Consulate in Dubai on January 6, 2008. I stood in line with my pregnant wife and behind us was a woman with a month-old baby. The person at the counter collected our passports and kept us waiting for 25 minutes before telling us to go to another counter. When I asked for a manager I was told they are available only between 8am and 11.30am. The atmosphere is very laid back and there is no effort from anybody to change the way the office works. People come from Sharjah, Fujairah and other emirates. They spend the whole day and then are told to come back the next day.
From Mr Mohammad Asghar
Dubai
The Consulate General of India replies:
The Consulate General of India, Dubai caters to the consular needs of people living in Dubai and the five Northern Emirates. The size of the Indian community within our jurisdiction is estimated to be over 1.2 million. Around 3,000 people visit the Consulate every day for various services. The Consulate in Dubai is the largest passport issuing authority outside India. We issue around 125,000 passports every year and 40,000 visas over and above performing 50,000 attestations, conducting marriages, completing death related formalities and providing for a large number of miscellaneous services.
As regards the specific complaint made by Mr Asghar, it was unfortunate that his visit to the Consulate occurred on a day when our computer system collapsed due to a system breakdown in New Delhi, India. Simultaneously, the electronic token system also failed. It is true that significant inconvenience was caused to people approaching the Consulate because of the aforesaid reasons. We apologise for the same. The problems mentioned have been rectified and have not occurred since. It is the effort of the Consulate General of India to provide the best possible services to all members of the public approaching the Consulate.
