RTA responds to Gulf News community report
The infrastructure in Dubai, which includes the footpaths and accessibility around the bus shelters, have been designed keeping in mind people with special needs (“Call to ramp up our cities”, Gulf News, January 27). Accordingly, all the pavements around the air-conditioned bus stops have ramps to help with wheelchair accessibility. Should there be inaccessibility using the wheel chair from the bus stop pavement into the bus due to no ramp being present, then the bus driver is trained to lower the flooring of the wheel chair entrance of the bus. This would allow the pavement to meet the same height of the bus floor, making it easy for those with wheel chairs to enter. We would also request you to bring to our attention any pavements or areas that need ramps and we will be more than happy to work on implementing the needful.
Roads and Transport Authority
Dubai, UAE
Becoming happier
It has been quite an interesting journey for the UAE in the past few months, encompassing a multitude of initiatives, specifically in the environmental sector. The year started off with the World Future Energy Summit, one of the most famous sustainability summits in the world where many like-minded leaders gather to discuss and debate environmental issues at hand. It was hosted by Abu Dhabi as a part of the initiative, Abu Dhabi Sustainability week.
Other than hosting international summits, the nation also took regional initiatives, one of the most prominent ones being the UAE Green Festival, which was designed specifically to educate people residing in the UAE about a greener way of living life under the theme: “Live, learn and have fun in a low-carbon world”.
A few months ago, Dubai added another feather to its cap by introducing green vehicles to its fleet of taxis. These are called HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles). Using hybrid cars also saved millions of dirhams spent by the Dubai Government on fuel subsidies. Dubai set an ideal example of a green transportation system.
The biggest step the UAE took this year, which would be a turning point is the 2021 Dubai Strategic Plan, which highlights development aims for Dubai and the UAE as a whole, forming the country’s vision for 2021.
In my perception, all these signs not only indicate that the UAE is accelerating towards a greener tomorrow, but also towards a more developed and successful future.
From Mr Manav Jva
UAE
Needed to survey
If prices were to be slashed, the authorities should make a survey to find out what are the most common medicines required to be slashed in price (‘Prices of 280 essential medicines slashed,’ Gulf News, January 25). Sure they must have done so, but the committee members who listed the medicines forgot to understand that today the most necessary slashes are required for diabetic medication. Pity, they haven’t done so.
From Mr Nasser Khatib
Dubai
Website comment
Diabetes medication
Such news shows the generosity of the UAE authorities, which is overwhelmingly appreciated and always welcomed by the public. Although it was mentioned in earlier attempts that diabetes and hypertension medicine prices will be especially slashed, but unfortunately it didn’t happened. Since I’m using both types and found no changes, I hope this time it might be considered.
From Mr Ali
Dubai
Website comment
Stretching to thin
It`s obviously a disappointment to lose at home in the Football Association (FA) Cup to a team that are probably heading back to the championship, but the fact remains we are not equipped to handle four competitions with a game every three to four days (‘Tottenham beaten by struggling Leicester,’ Gulf News, January 25). The clubs have been woefully short upfront with our rookie striker having an outstanding season. Without him, I shudder to think where we would be. We must now put every effort into getting to Wembley on Wednesday and trying to maintain a high position in the league. At this stage, I`d settle for 6th or even 7th place. We don’t need the Europa league, it’s a competition that drains the club with injuries and suspensions - just look at what has happened to Everton this season. Playing Thursdays and Sundays is a killer, I just hope we can do something in the last week of the transfer window. It seems every target isn’t available or just doesn’t want to come.
From Mr Gary Gross
Barnet Herts, UK
Website comment
Extraordinary, indeed
From an Indian perspective, I have little to say about a man [former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill] who clearly ruled out the applicability of the Atlantic Charter to India (‘Man with an ‘extraordinary effect’, Gulf News, January 25). Don’t even get me started on the great Bengal famine that cost two to three million people their lives! I believe he was more responsible than any other individual.
From Mr Ashok Sridharan
Ras Al Khaimah
Website comment
“Can I afford it?”
Always ask yourself: “How much can I really afford?” (‘Filipinos warned against taking loans, credit card debt,’ Gulf News, January 25). Spending more money than one can afford is called overspending and can result in debt. The one thing I am always asking myself is: “Do I really need it?” This seems to be working for me. Working abroad is just a temporary thing, so don’t gamble it. Live for today, but also plan for a brighter tomorrow.
From Mr Charles T.
Dubai
Website comment
Sympathy anyone?
Kerala’s Opposition is calling for Finance Minister K. M. Mani’s resignation (‘Black flags, protests as petitions swell for Kerala FM’s resignation’, Gulf News, January 24). Amidst this chaos, I find the news item very funny. You need not draw a cartoon criticising such news items. Such is the case of an Indian media report about finding a currency counting machine at Mani’s residents. There is no doubt this machine is for counting the cash received as bribes. How could we blame him for keeping a currency counting machine in his house? Can’t you imagine how very difficult it is for a person to count Rs50 million (Dh2.98 million) by himself. Please try to understand the poor Finance Minister’s situation!
From Mr V. H. Unnikrishnan
Dubai
Outsmarting terrorists
Every nation during a crisis such as a hijacking or kidnapping would try to achieve the goals with no loss of life. Under certain circumstances, yielding to the terrorists may be the best possible situation, but this should be one of the rarest of all. In general the government should consider terrorists as a business competitor and approach them professionally before taking any drastic actions. In such situations, extreme patience is required as the negotiations may be an ordeal, but the objective of no loss of life should be the driving force. No government or head of any movement will justify paying the ransom at once. The life of the person who is suffering the turmoil is more important, but at the same time the decision cannot be emotionally driven. Hijacking and kidnapping would be recurring frequently if we did. The criminals are more proactive than the ones who want to prevent them. The people who resort to such acts are ruthless and fighting against them requires more intelligence than determination. The wisdom lies in treating the event as a challenge in order to work out a seemingly win-win solution.
From Mr Murugesh Sambasadhasivam.
UAE
Make them weaker
Human life is of outmost importance and every effort made to save innocent lives is commendable. However, in a situation where ransom is demanded by militants who would very obviously use these funds to obtain more weapons and arms to be able to carry out their cruel deeds against humanity, it is a matter much deeper than just money.
I am of the opinion that to give into the demands of these groups is unwise because the more a nation obliges, the more it encourages these men to abduct civilians and seek ransom in exchange for their lives. There is never a guarantee that the victims will be set free once the ransom is paid. It is nothing but a mere chance.
The victims could and have lost their lives in the past and the trend of kidnapping still continues because it gives the militants an assurance that their demands will be met one way or another. This has to stop. It may end up with a few more lives lost, but this will only make these extremist groups weaker in the future since it is impossible to operate without funds.
By succumbing to the ransom demands, we are only making the situation worse because neither the demands nor the kidnappings or the merciless killings have ceased. No religion on Earth preaches killing innocent people. Especially in Islam, killing one innocent person is regarded as the equivalent of killing all of mankind.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Endangers peace
Keeping people as hostages and asking for ransom is an uncivilised act and these hostile groups have no right to link their unjustifiable deeds with religion. Succumbing to the ransom demands will create new anti-social cults, which may disturb world order, endangering peace and many more innocent lives all over the world.
Now the need of the hour is to explore the causes as to why such hostile groups come into existence and to take remedial actions rather than aggravating the situation for political or personal gains. It is the duty of social, political and religious leaders all over the world to create awareness for peace and a harmonious co-existence and to bring such hostile groups into mainstream society.
From Mr Aslam Doi
Dubai
Whatever it takes
Well, in this situation everyone finds it a difficult situation. What to do? That is why each case is dealt with according to the situation and importance. I think the state should always protect the lives of their citizens at any cost. Once a person is abducted and ransom is demanded, you are left with little choice, but to save lives. So, I think that in order to save lives, governments should do anything the situation demands.
From Mr Shadortho
UAE
Full name withheld by request
Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders.
