Eternally grateful
My family and I visited a mall in Dubai Festival City recently. Unfortunately, while playing, my 10-year-old daughter fell and hurt herself badly.
Immediately, four security personnel from the mall rushed to the scene, attended to my daughter, called paramedics and arranged for a wheelchair and an ambulance. Certain other people from the nearby restaurants helped as well.
After seeing the crowd, my daughter started feeling shy and insisted on walking. We then went to a clinic for a check-up. As a father, I am eternally grateful to all involved for their timely help.
From Mr Peer Mohammad
Dubai
Racism is a problem
I think racism has expanded in terms of its meaning ("Reverse racism", Gulf News, April 12). There is no denying that racism is a global phenomenon and happens to all people in different situations. It is a problem that has still not been resolved.
In fact, if it has reduced in some countries, there are places where it is on the rise. It could be due to ignorance or a lack of knowledge among people.
From Ms Faye Muridi
UAE
Reserve seats for couples
All public transport buses have demarcated seating areas for men and women. When couples enter a bus, the wife has to go to the women's section while her husband is usually seated at the back.
As a result, it is unlikely that they can talk to each other, unless they do so by using their mobile phones. Why can't buses have seats reserved for couples?
From Mr Thottikamath Balaram
Dubai
Don't blame the consulate
This is in response to the letter by Mr Mohammad Asghar regarding his complaints against the Indian Consulate, in Dubai ("Disastrous", Gulf News, April 12). I disagree with Mr Asghar, as the services offered by the Indian Consulate are really great.
I have been a resident of Dubai for four years now and have visited the Consulate for different reasons on various occasions.
It never took me more than an hour to get the work done. The staff is very supportive and the system works quite well. In fact, the passport services on offer are better than the ones we get back home in India.
I think people need to cultivate patience when faced with delay. It works both ways, as sometimes it could be the other people visiting the Consulate who could be causing the delay as well.
From Mr K. K. Tewari
Dubai
Remove barricades
This is in reference to the letter by Mr Jasser Ali ("One of the worst things", Gulf News, April 12). I don't mind paying for Salik.
The only issue is that despite paying, I have to endure a long wait caused by the traffic signal at the intersection that divides the Airport and Garhoud roads, en route to my office. With the traffic bound for northern emirates, people going to different destinations in Dubai often wait long.
It is high time that the barricades dividing the Shaikh Zayed Road right after the Garhoud Bridge are removed. The best place for installing the Salik tollgate would probably be the Al Ittihad road.
From Mr Srivatsa Srinivasan
Sharjah
No parking spaces
In my quest for a suitable parking spot, I usually spend hours looking for one or wait in my car hoping that somebody would leave soon and vacate a parking space.
Some days it never happens. There are times, when out of desperation, I park in open grounds. I know this is not the right thing to do, but I cannot park miles away from home.
I suggest that the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) consider building multi-storey parking lots in residential areas, so that people with no place to park are not taxed with constant parking fines for no fault of theirs.
From Mr Deendayal Ramachandran
UAE
Unclear
I sympathise with Ms Sennen Rodrigues ("Misguided", Gulf News, April 6). While the bank concerned may take the higher ground that they had obtained signatures from the investors, the fact is that many of the insurance or mutual fund companies are often not transparent.
Even on enquiry and based on accumulated value, there is no clear-cut exit load provided. This needs to be clearly informed to the customer in case he or she wishes for a premature exit from a scheme.
It is high time the authorities stepped in to ensure a clear system was in place and an exit load policy published for all schemes sold in the country. This would help prevent similar situations.
From Mr Sudharshan Balasubramanyam
Dubai
Wish list
If I were asked to name the top things on my wish list it would have to be able to catch a taxi in Dubai whenever I needed one or to travel by a public transport system that was reliable.
If I do buy a car, it would only increase the congestion on the roads. It is very important to improve the frequency of buses in the existing public transport system.
Letters published in Gulf News often narrate accounts of people waiting for a bus for an hour or more. That is horrible. It would have helped if the taxis were cheap and plenty.
From Mr T. P. Gopinath
Dubai
