It's time to stay united
The map of India is my prayer mat, as I pray for the unity and brotherhood of my fellow countrymen ("India goes on high alert", Gulf News, July 28). I urge all people to stay calm and united in the face of the recent terror attacks. While we condemn the barbaric acts of terror in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, let us realise that these are nothing but attempts on part of selfish politicians to tear apart the secular polity of India, for their personal gain. The past years have seen similar dastardly acts by heartless merchants of terror. We have risen and kept our calm by not allowing communal tensions to enter our households. Let's continue doing that.
From Mr Altaf H. Ladiwala
Mumbai, India
A soft target
The Ahmedabad blasts have proved once again that India remains a soft target for acts of terrorism. First the horrific train blasts in Mumbai, then the co-ordinated blasts in Jaipur, Bangalore and now Ahmedabad bodes ill for the security of the common man. What happened to the might of the Indian state? Can our political classes not come together to fight this menace?
From Mr Vinod Bhatia
Dubai
Unforgettable
A warm thank you to the kind businessman who helped my family and I when we got lost while trying to leave Karama in Dubai. We stopped to ask the gentleman for directions. In return, he removed his belongings from the back seat of his vehicle, gave us all bottles of water and drove us to the destination we were trying to find. It's a memory we shall never forget on our return to England.
From Mr Bradley Gibbs
Sussex, the UK
Misused trust
I hired the services of a cargo company in Ajman to help ship all my household items to India. I trusted the company would handle them with care. The items included a new 42-inch television, a computer and a music system. Finally, when the goods reached my house in India, I got junk as all the items were broken. Most clothes that were packed along with the stuff were also missing. Despite repeated calls to the cargo company, I got no response. I just hope that such firms stop misusing customers' trust.
From Ms Sakina Moiz S.
Gujarat, India
One on ones
A lot of people have been facing financial issues due to an increase in rents and inflation. Though there is nothing that can be done to help the situation, I urge the authorities to set up a centre to help people come forward with their grievances, where officials could listen to complaints on a one-on-one basis.
From Mr Haresh K.
Dubai
Hit and miss
As a driver, I feel it's ridiculous for me to have to keep my eyes everywhere. Driving in Abu Dhabi is horrific enough without having to worry about hitting pedestrians who cross from whichever point they choose. On the other hand, there are some drivers who don't slow down at pedestrian crossings. Even if I slow down or stop at these crossings, other drivers either start blowing their horn or drive around on the other side, and nearly miss running over pedestrians. I'd really love to know where everyone is going in such a hurry?
From Ms Christina M.
UAE
Not for children
People are wrong in thinking that The Dark Knight is a family film ("Batman film is a bigger hit with grown-ups", Gulf News, July 25). Though it is an amazing film, it can be very disturbing for young and impressionable children. The performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker and the make-up used for Harvey Dent for Two-Face is absolutely psychotic. The managers and staff at the cinemas, throughout the UAE, must restrict children from watching this film.
From Mr Sa'ad Zaman
Sharjah
Voiceless animals
Being a visitor in the UAE, I think almost all of my conversations revolve around animals. I wish animals lying on streets could voice their opinion. Near my hotel in Dubai, there are many weak and old cats that are suffering due to excessive heat, lack of food and care. Every day, I see skinny and malnourished cats gasping for air on the streets. It's time we give voice to the voiceless street animals. Only we can bring in a change.
From Mr A. Farah
The UK
Challenge
This is an excellent move and will surely regulate employment, with employers taking talent and manpower seriously ("Job-seekers will be hit hard by new visa rules", Gulf News, July 25). The new visa rules will certainly help in the long run, however it might pose a challenge for now.
From Mr Tariq Syed
Sharjah
Restrict speed
If the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) intends to reduce the number of accidents on roads, they could start by limiting the speed that most vehicles are travelling at. Restricting the speed for large vehicles could help the process.
From Mr Larry Daffin
Dubai
Orderly queues
Recently, I was standing in a queue for a bus at a mall in Dubai. As I waited for my turn, I noticed that the security guards were finding it difficult to manage passengers. I suggest having queue pavements at every mall and a defined space for buses to stop. The T-shaped or Y-shaped pavements would have two points for entry and one for exit. It would allow women to enter from one side and men from another. It would also stop people from jumping the queue. Passengers would then be allowed into the bus only through the narrow pavement, considering the limited space for waiting passengers.
From Mr Mohammad Shamsheer
Dubai
Life sentence
On a regular basis, we read about road accidents and innocent lives lost for no fault of their own ("Sharjah accident victims crushed between heavy vehicles", Gulf News, July 23). Most often, these are just people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The ones that die can feel no more; it is their families and those left behind who have to deal with the pain. Their lives come to a full stop because of someone else's negligence. People keep saying time heals all wounds, but let me tell you from experience, this is not true. It is a life sentence.
From Ms P. Stump
Dubai
Be careful
Not a single day passes without the horrifying news of fatal accidents. Speeding and human errors top the list of reasons for road accidents. Although overcrowded, UAE's roads are excellent compared to those in other parts of the world. Still, we do not make good use of the facilities we have. I suggest we leave driving at high speed for well-trained professionals who do it in secure areas. Additionally, the laws should be enforced strictly with not only punishments in the form of fines, but social service work as well. The authorities should also consider reducing the upper speed limits on highways.
From Mr P. Suseelan
Sharjah
Money woes
Education has become a lucrative business in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This has had catastrophic results. My daughter's schooling fee has jumped from an already exorbitant Dh44,000 to Dh65,000 in three years, while my two-year-old's nursery charges have gone up to Dh27,000 per year.
From Mr F. Abu Awad
Dubai
No need for help
How can Linda Heard claim that Iran is not the belligerent one ("Iran is not the belligerent party", Gulf News, June 24)? Iran does not seem to want to accept incentives from it neighbouring Gulf countries or the European Union. However, the UAE is developing safe nuclear power with the help of other nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is showing transparency.
From Mr Ahmad Al Mousa
Dubai
Get tougher
I support the idea of installing more radars to help reduce the number of speeding motorists ("More video cameras will track down reckless Dubai drivers", Gulf News, July 29). I think if anybody is caught going over the speed limit more than three times during a period of one year, his or her licence should be suspended.
From Mr Sabu Mathew
Abu Dhabi
Left out alone
I was moved to tears when I read the report on the school children that were abandoned by the school bus driver ("Bus driver leaves pupils by Sharjah roadside", Gulf News, June 2). I have two children of my own and believe it would have been better if the children were kept in the bus while the bus driver called the school and asked for help. Four-year-old children cannot be left unattended on the road. The school should train bus drivers and supervisors with crisis scenarios and related solutions. I hope the Ministry of Education will look into the matter.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
No money to save
If the spiralling rents scenario is going to continue and no one takes action, people will move to other emirates or even neighbouring GCC countries. I think the reason why such a huge expatriate population is coming to the UAE is in order to save money. If that is not possible due to increasing rent prices, it is only a matter of time before people start to leave.
From Mr Jayanth J.
Dubai
A real success
There is one driving force for success in businesses — give to take. Corporate strategies in the development of employees and customers and their financial outcomes help determine business success. This is where a well-established higher corporate policy is necessary in order to grant the ideal implementation and execution of the related set of action plans and to turn the strategy from a dream to a reality. But just having the best documented strategy is not enough to ensure business success. The critical success factor is compliance control. Employee satisfaction is key in spurring corporate performance results in superior quality and a timely manner. It is clear there is a mass need of professional expatriates who are hired to add values. To grant jobs to deserving candidates, a well-designed policy and process should be applied with reliable control measures. As expatriates, it is our role to help in setting up and recommending the best practices of management and leadership in the area.
From Ms Maram Zawaideh
Dubai
Great idea
Residents in Abu Dhabi are in dire need of public buses that operate within the city’s major streets ("Abu Dhabi bus service is route to beating traffic woes", Gulf News, June 26). An integrated and inter-emirate public bus system is a great idea and I hope the authorities would upgrade and expand the service soon.
From Mr S. Subramanian
Abu Dhabi
Nowhere to go
The concerns of the families and bachelors should be addressed and tenants must be given proper guidance ("Dubai Rashid Colony tenants with eviction notice get two-month reprieve", Gulf News, July 29). The people being evacuated should be given accommodation at affordable prices. They already have a lot of expenses such as commuting, the rising rent rates and food. This is just another burden.
From Mr Mohammad Shamsheer
Dubai
No guidelines
I think companies are following their own strategies, as there seem to be no guidelines on basic salary issues ("Companies need to show more gratuity", Gulf News, June 22). There should be, for example, a percentage ratio of increase in both basic salaries and allowances. I think the best solution is not to be with one company, but to change and get the most you can out of each job.
From Mr Kuruvilla Ittyipe
Abu Dhabi
Not simple
This issue of leaving children by the roadside is not a simple one at all ("School bus leaves boy at wrong stop", Gulf News, June 22) What if a child was lost? Strict action should be taken against such drivers. Schools always seem to make excuses for such incidents, which are unfortunately forgotten in no time. I think Gulf News should expose the issue so that serious action is taken to assure the safety of children.
From Ms Narata
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
