Shameful practice
One of the many things about Eastern culture that I've always admired was the importance of family. Now, to see the number of women with a nanny in tow - one for each child - is shameful, really. I can understand having help with housekeeping or having someone who can occasionally watch over children, but I fear that a total reliance on nannies in the UAE has eaten away, and will continue to eat away, all that was once so right with family.
From Ms Susan Toth
USA
Terrible sorrow
I am 28 years old and my name is Fiona, too ("Family and friends unable to get to grips with Fiona's death", Gulf News, May 20). I was shocked to hear the news of little Fiona's death. I am not related to her but there was this terrible feeling inside me when I heard the news of this beautiful young girl. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends for their loss. I feel deep sadness for the simple reason we shared the same name but not a healthy heart.
From Ms Fiona Mendonca
UAE
Count your blessings
I am really surprised as to how a mother could abandon a three-week-old baby ("DNA tests to be done on abandoned newborn in Abu Dhabi", Gulf News, May 20). Only a couple like us, who long to have a baby and cannot, realise how important a baby is in life.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Make it compulsory
I applaud the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for their move to reduce the use of personal vehicles ("Dubai allows car pools to reduce traffic", Gulf News, May 20). I would like to suggest that it be made compulsory for all schools to provide a bus service for pupils at reasonable cost. The authorities could provide all school buses with free fuel and Salik cards in order to encourage their usage. The use of school buses would greatly reduce the traffic caused by parents who just use their vehicles to drop and pick children from their respective schools.
From Ms Behin Ardakani
Dubai
Change mindset
As per the recent Gulf News report on car-pooling, there are three working sectors in total. Almost all of them work during the same hours. If the authorities could change the work hours - with a difference in the start and finish time - it would help reduce traffic to a great extent. Additionally, all companies could provide bus transportation facilities and restrict employees from using personal vehicles, unless really necessary.
From Mr Pavin Rocky
Dubai
Small taxis
The only solution to this problem is to increase the use of buses and allow fuel-efficient and small taxis to operate. The taxis should carry only one or two people.
From Mr Paritosh Pandya
Dubai
Not a good idea
I think this is not well thought out. What if someone is visiting me from abroad? I would have to receive him or her from the airport. That individual could be my relative or a business associate.
How does the RTA plan to handle such a situation?
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request
Long-term solution
That car-pooling is now being allowed is a good decision, albeit a late one. To register friends who carpool is not practical, simply because one would have to make amendments in the certificate, each time there is a change in a residential or work address. The long-term and effective solution would be to provide mini-buses. It would keep a large number of cars off the road.
From Mr Sanjay Krishnan
Dubai
Impractical
It is impractical to give names of four passengers, who would be travelling in an individual's car, for it is uncertain who may require a lift on a particular day. The names of passengers could be provided by those who use their cars for car lift purposes, to help people travelling to the same area. However, there would be instances wherein, despite company transport, friends and colleagues would want to share a ride back home for personal reasons.
The only way of ascertaining whether the passengers in a vehicle are colleagues is through their work permits, which would match.
From Mr Salvador Fernandes
Dubai
