Well worth the effort
This may sound amusing but it's worth a try. We use a split air-conditioner at home that weighs 1.5 tonnes. It generates approximately 10 litres of water every three hours.
That equals to 80 litres of water in one day. We collect this water from the drainage pipe in a big bucket and use it for flushing our toilets.
Though the task is a little cumbersome, it is highly rewarding when we get bills with less water consumption charges.
I encourage everyone, who wants to save on water and money, to try this.
From Mr Suryakumaran Nair S.
Sharjah
Editor's note: To read other best practices and reports related to environment conservation, log on to www.gulfnews.com/gogreen
School dues
I hear each and every parent is concerned about school fees that are increasing by the day. I am a grade six student and have three more siblings.
Three of us go to school, while the youngest one will start early next year. By that time 80 per cent of the money we have will go away.
Additionally, there are other expenses, such as bus fees, that need to be paid, too. All of these dues are getting really dear. I request the authorities to ensure that fees are reasonable.
From Ms Saema Tazyeen
Dubai
Shocked
In a shocking display of racism and perverted sense of humour, a newspaper such as Gulf News has mocked a dark woman athlete by ridiculing her name with a photo caption saying: "What a Beauty" ("Beating the odds to make Beijing," Gulf News, August 4).
For a fraction of a second, I thought this might be an advertisement and checked to see if the page was really Gulf News's.
I was shocked. In theory, the Editor is responsible. But in reality, it is an individual with a bad sense of humour. In either case he or she does not deserve a place in Gulf News's office.
From Mr Sanjay Krishnan
UAE
Editor's note: The photo caption 'What a Beauty' attempted to draw on the last name of the athlete, Nazmunnahar Beauty. It was written objectively and there was no intent to appear derogatory.
Don't sensationalise
Gulf News is typical for leading with sensational headlines that cause confusion and knee jerk reactions in the market ("Dubai property prices to fall 10%", Gulf News, August 6).
On reading the report, it is obvious that the prediction is for 2010 and beyond. However, the headline was misleading.
A good report is all about balance and presentation - not about spinning or twisting it.
From Mr Tom Roy Choudhury
Dubai
Observation
Being a regular commuter, I have observed that 80 per cent of traffic on Shaikh Zayed Road is on the fast lanes, despite the highway having six lanes.
This leads to very crowded driving in the fast lanes.
From Mr Nadeem Hassan
Dubai
Useless event
The recently concluded South East Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) conference was nothing but a talk shop ("Saarc has its shortcomings," Gulf News, August 7).
For example, I as a Sri Lankan cannot enter India without a visa. But an Indian can arrive in my country's only international airport and automatically get a visa that's valid for an entire month.
Billions have been spent on this useless event - money that is much needed for the development of Sri Lanka.
From Mr Mohammad Adham
Sri Lanka
Start thinking
The entertainment industry set a record price for acquiring the pictures of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's twins, recently.
I literally gaped at the amount - $14 million (Dh51.4 million) - the celebrity couple was paid for the pictures of their new babies.
Have people gone berserk? Agreed that the money would be used to set up a foundation focusing on helping children all over the world. However, what's better: People donating two million out of the 10 that they own or people that earn in millions, earning a few more and then donating it?
We need to stop glorifying celebrities and make them seemingly better brand ambassadors. We need to start thinking.
From Ms Bindu Sathianesan
Dubai
To attract better
The new beach in Abu Dhabi is a wonderful place for beach lovers. However, lack of parking facilities is a great disappointment.
To access the beach, one has to park the vehicle on the opposite side and cross the busy road by using the pedestrian crossing.
Additionally, the walk signals are operated at two different timings. With children and beach accessories to carry, it gets very difficult for a family to cross the roads as part of a crowd.
If adequate parking facilities were provided, it would surely attract more people.
From Mr Mohammad Ali
Abu Dhabi
Great expectations
Telecommunication users in the UAE had great expectations when a second operator was launched, as it was expected that the competition would bring some welcome relief to end-users.
Surprisingly, nothing happened despite the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) presiding over both the operators to ensure consumers benefit.
Telecom is the only sector, which can afford to lower the charges, as their marginal costs are minimal as compared to other sectors.
From Mr Suhail K.
Abu Dhabi
Essential to me
I congratulate Gulf News on completing 30 years in the industry. The newspaper is an essential part of my life.
My brother and I, both got our jobs based on advertisements in the Classifieds section. Additionally, the news provided is informative to people of all nationalities.
However, I have yet to win a contest, despite filling innumerable coupons. No complaints, though.
From Ms Shahneela Shafiq
Dubai
Immediate action
Prices of grocery items vary in different supermarkets. The concerned authorities need to take strict action and regulate the prices of all products.
The price differences cause a lot of trouble for individuals as well as families. This must be addressed immediately.
From Ms Sally Wilcox
Dubai
