Truly amazing
I had taken a labourer in need of treatment for pneumonia to a reputed hospital recently. The doctors and nurses attending to the patient were very friendly and co-operative.
The patient was hospitalised for a week. Imagine my amazement, when at the end of the week and post treatment, the doctor issued a refund of the entire fee paid.
The doctors saw to it that the labourer received the best available treatment. The check-up that followed was free as well.
From Mr Mohammad Shamsheer
Dubai
Aliens are watching
If aliens are watching our planet they would probably wonder why, with soaring food prices, we devote millions of acres of fertile land to cultivating tobacco, an inedible plant whose only purpose is to satisfy a powerful addiction, which destroys health and squanders wealth.
Aliens will surely conclude that we humans are a weak and foolish species. It is time we did away with smoking.
The UAE could take a lead by becoming the second country in the world, after Bhutan, to ban the sale and consumption of all tobacco products.
No doubt UAE's smokers would react in outrage but eventually they would thank the authorities for helping save their own lives.
From Mr David May
Dubai
The right thing
Though the taxi driver is newly appointed and probably in need of money, he did the right thing ("Abu Dhabi taxi driver rewarded for returning money", Gulf News, June 9).
I was extremely surprised with his honesty. If each one of us does the same, most problems in society might disappear or at least diminish.
From Mr Mohammad Saif Al Deen
Dubai
Unpleasant sight
Millions of dollars are spent in creating shopping malls. However, at the approach to one of these malls, as one drives up the interchange that leads to the mall, one can spot a security man - standing under the hot sun, without any protection and only a bottle of water to stop him from fainting!
Not a very pleasant sight. This summer, at least he could be provided with a canopy.
From Mr Jayesh V. V.
Dubai
Add to costs
The new laws on visit visa regulations will add to financial difficulties.
We have three children studying in India who visit us twice or thrice a year, especially during summer vacations and holidays. They often stay for more than a month.
If the new law were implemented, the cost of visas would be much more. We request the authorities to re-visit the charges.
From Mr Rupert Raphael Lewis
Dubai
Not stationary
I support Mr Samy Khedr's opinion in his letter ("Bike rise", Gulf News, June 10). Delivery boys on bikes are a nuisance on roads.
The riders often switch lanes without first checking. Some drive in between lanes even if the traffic is not stationary.
From Ms Anita Calcraft
Abu Dhabi
Travel trauma
I wonder how many 17-year-olds are expected to have a credit card ("Airline passengers taken off plane", Gulf News, June 7).
We drove to Muscat to see off our daughter and her friend on a flight from Dubai to Muscat - both tickets were booked with my husband's credit card.
The airline staff would not allow my daughter to board the flight, because she was not the credit card holder. She burst into tears, as she did not own a credit card.
My husband tried to speak to the staff but they were not interested. When making the internet booking, my husband had clearly stated that he was the cardholder and our daughter the passenger.
Luckily her friend was over 18 and had a credit card and could thus travel.
From Ms Mary Lenarduzzi
UAE
Way out
It is ridiculous to offload passengers or disallow them from travelling. The passengers can keep the copy of the credit card along with the identification card of the person who purchased the ticket.
This can be produced to avoid any confusion or possible fraud. There are cases where the credit card holder might travel first, to be accompanied later by his or her family.
At least for dependants the passport copy will have some surname to prove their identity. There needs to be a way out.
From Mr Ramaraj S. L.
Abu Dhabi
Credit card onus
I do not agree with RAK Airways's new policy. As transport vehicles, airlines have the primary responsibility of verifying if passengers have valid tickets for which payment has already been made.
It is the immigration counters at the entry and exit ports that have the sole authority to decide if the traveller has a valid passport or visa. The airline has no such power.
In this context, what does it matter to them if the payment has been made through third-party creditors, as long as they have received the money?
Misuse of cards is more of an onus of the cardholder than the airline.
From Mr S. Subramanian
UAE
Wrong priorities
Why do we have the tendency to be so insensitive toward fellow human beings?
We often hear of cases where people have been injured in accidents and instead of helping them, bystanders try to capture the images on their cell phones and cameras.
They do not bother helping out the person or checking if he or she is in pain. It is shameful!
From Mr Arun Panicker
Abu Dhabi
Flexibility needed
Flexible working hours can help solve the problem of traffic congestion to some extent. I think all schools and offices operating in the private sector should incorporate flexible schedules.
Presently, the timings of both these sectors overlap and the result is major gridlocks on roads.
I believe school traffic makes up at least 30 per cent of the overall congestion.
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request
No safe path
I was saddened to read about the recent death of a pregnant woman who was trying to cross the road. Sometimes, we have no choice but to cross roads to get to a supermarket.
The authorities must be more conscientious in providing pedestrian crossings or bridges at appropriate places.
Al Nahda Park area has limited facilities for pedestrians. What are children expected to do if they want to cross the street to the park?
From Mr Rajiv R.
Dubai
