Letters to the editor 20/12

An inspirational figure for all

Time and again, XPRESS has brought to light those individuals who are a breed apart (UAE's AA hero). Tom L. truly deserves the recognition bestowed on him by the Abu Dhabi National Rehabilitation Centre for helping alcohol addicts kick the habit.

For people who (for any number of reasons) give in to the call of the bottle and never recover, Tom L. is a truly inspirational figure.

His story is a powerful message to alcohol addicts that bad things can be put to an end. It only needs a strong will and a desire to change all that is bad about oneself.

It’s amazing how a man who lost his job, family and friends, and was forced to sleep in the streets of Mumbai because of his alcohol dependence, is now busy saving other people from the clutches of self-destruction.

Thankful, Dubai

Well done

I knew XPRESS would be different and I was not disappointed.

While everyone went to town about the French boy rape case and the judgment, you guys went behind the scenes to talk to the mothers of the men involved in the case (After the verdict: A tale of two mothers).

I am a mother too and I can feel the pain and sorrow of all the women involved here.

Hats off to you for having thought out of the box and given us a great story.

J.C., Dubai

They expected to get off lightly

I am shocked at the insinuation that Alex is lying (After the verdict: A tale of two mothers). 

The statement made by one of the brothers of the accused that "the judgment is not from this court, it is a foreign-influenced judgment" shows that the three accused were expecting a lighter sentence.

A. A., Dubai

Fine them, change them

The idea to impose fines on smoking in public (Stiff Fines for Smoking) is a really good way to curb smokers.

Though smokers may feel a bit uncomfortable initially, this may help them quit smoking.

The fact is that, with all the new restrictions, smokers would feel it a hassle to walk all the way to designated areas for their smoke fix.

It would lead to a reduction in the number of cigarettes they smoke in a day, and who knows, it could become a habit to remain without smoking and ultimately lead to them kicking the habit.

They might very well choose something else to relieve stress and withdrawal symptoms. The final result would be quitting smoking.

Manoj, Dubai

We want holidays

It’s Christmas and Eid coming together, but some people in the private sector do not get holidays like public sector employees.

The difference becomes more acute when you see some people getting 5-6 days of holidays, while you will be slogging it out in office.

Another thing: I wish a Friday-Saturday weekly off is made compulsory for the private sector as well, so that friends and families can plan their outings and picnics together, instead of getting bored on odd off days during other days of the week.

Jason, Dubai

Tips for improving traffic

When the Salik toll system is seen as a money-making machine, let everyone who passes a gate pay. If Dubai, however, wishes to ease congestion, it must accord priority to public transportation.

Buses — private as well as public — along with taxis are the best way to fight traffic jams in Dubai.

Imagine the traffic on the roads if every tourist had to rent a car to get around town? And what would happen if bus passengers were to drive around in private cars?

Then again, every single taxi fare, while reducing traffic, also helps ease parking in the congested city.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, some lanes are earmarked for buses and taxis. Giving way to a bus is not a courtesy, it is the law! And it works.

If the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is serious about improving traffic in Dubai, they should try to make life easier for those who are already working hard to help us all!

Having followed the ‘debate’ about the poor taxi service in Dubai, I would like to add: when a taxi driver sits in a jam, remember the driver sits and counts the hours that he will have to work extra to achieve his ridiculously low salary.

When the car doesn’t move, the taxi meter hardly moves either!

Dr Carsten, Dubai

Terrible service

I stay in Karama and find it impossible to get a taxi. These drivers refuse to pick Asian-looking people, running after Westerners instead. How does one go about travelling in this city?

The bus service is equally bad, with buses never on time. I sometimes wait for 30-40 minutes.

I wonder how the city can hope to compete with the other advanced cities of the world.

Remember, world class cities have a superb public transportation infrastructure and great taxi service.

Can Dubai say that?

Raheem, Dubai

Rude taxi drivers

Taxi companies should rid its ranks of rude drivers.

Last Friday, we hailed a cab at Jumeirah Road and asked the driver to take us to Bur Dubai through Al Wasl Road. Instead of making a U-turn towards Al Wasl Road as we had requested, the driver headed for Shaikh Zayed Road, grumpily saying he didn’t want to take the Al Wasl road.

Our woes didn’t end there.

While me and my companions were talking, the driver kept calling someone on his mobile, talking on top of his voice all the time.

Later he turned up the volume very high on the radio, ignoring our request to turn it down.

We tried calling the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) hotline to file a complaint against the arrogant and inconsiderate driver, but all we got was an automated response from an answering machine.

Ariel, Bur Dubai

Drinking and driving

I want to say that Dubai authorities need to tighten rules and regulations further regarding drinking and driving.

It has become a dangerous trend and could lead to loss of lives.

I have seen many people taking to the roads despite not being able to walk properly after having had drinks.

This is dangerous — not just for the driver — but also for others who are on the roads.

Despite having a zero-tolerance policy on drink-driving, we see some highly-spirited creeps who drive as if they own the roads, making Dubai roads a no-man’s land.

Perhaps it would be effective if newspapers publish the pictures of people caught drinking and driving to name, shame and blame them for being irresponsible residents of this once safe city.

Miguel, Deira

Frustrating wait

Dubai is a transportation nightmare. The situation is not improving.

I have a gripe, particularly with Dubai Taxi. Their service is disgusting.

The other day, I had to wait for ages for a taxi, after having called for one.

I kept calling the company every 20 minutes to ask about the taxi I ordered three hours back...their reply: "Sorry, Madam, no taxis in your area".

But isn’t that exactly the reason you order a taxi in the first place? So that one will come to your area?

Unfortunately, since I stay in Abu Hail and do not have the privilege of owning a car, this is a regular occurrence with me.

Taxis do not come at all most of the time — even after I persistently keep calling them.

Honestly, if a better public transportation system existed, I would happily go for it.

The transport solutions Dubai offers give a bad name to this city.

Katrina, Dubai

Tattoo mania

Why the fascination with tattoos these days?

So many celebrities show them off (Tattoos Show Ways of Silent Selling) and so many people follow their lead.

Ten years ago, the craze was all about Chinese characters and now it seems Britney Spears-style tramp-stamps, flowers and butterflies on the lower back are all the rage.

Western culture is always telling us we are all different and we must be individualistic; that is the rationale why I will never get a tattoo!

Riona, Emirates Hills

Rent increase in Ajman

It seems that the law created by the government in this country is not taken seriously by anyone.

In Ajman, the Rent Law created in 2006 clearly mentioned that the landlord cannot increase rent for three years from the date of the initial contract.

Unfortunately this law is not followed by landlords and real estate firms.

My agents increased the rent last year stating this law was formulated in 2006. This, even though the contract was from 2005 to 2006.

Even this year, the real estate firm stated that the rent would be hiked and they say it will keep increasing every year.

If people threaten them, telling them about the law, they dismiss it nonchalantly, saying they can go and complain to anyone, including the police or the municipality.

Cheated, Ajman

Editor’s note: ‘Cheated’ asked us to name the firm concerned. However, we have been unable to contact them and feel it inappropriate to name them without giving them a chance to respond to the allegations.

Child sponsorship

I am a Jordanian living in the UAE for the last 30 years. I was brought up and educated here.

I got married to a Lebanese man three years ago and we filed for a divorce a year ago.

My daughter who is two and a half years old is on her father’s sponsorship. But my son, who was born in Canada, is on his grandfather’s sponsorship, since my husband did not bother to ask about him after he was born.

After getting his residence visa, my husband claimed to have our son on his sponsorship.

How can the law allow this? Is there no law protecting mothers?

I have submitted proof of my husband’s negligence towards the children to the immigration authorities.

Can Dubai immigration force me to transfer my child’s visa to his father’s?

Roula, Dubai

DNRD replies: Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) does not force any woman to relinquish her children’s sponsorship to their father, but the two kids in the case are not on their mother’s sponsorship.

The mother says they filed a divorce case a year ago, so if the divorce between the parents hasn’t happened, the mother cannot transfer the child’s sponsorship under her, unless she gets the father’s permission.

However, if the parents are divorced, DNRD follows the court’s decision.

In this case, as the grandfather is sponsoring the boy, the father cannot transfer the sponsorship without his approval.

Christmas special

I liked your Christmas special (Get the Party Started). I was impressed by the way you guys put together music albums according to age and mood, so that everyone can get their kind of music for their kind of Christmas.

I, on a personal level, would always prefer Jim Reeves, as there is no one who better symbolises the yuletide spirit than Jim Reeves and his wonder carols.

Wish you guys at XPRESS a Merry Christmas and a great year ahead.

Lucas, Deira

Sharjah parking woes

A lot has been said about the parking problems in Abu Shagara, Sharjah, where residents fight for space with used-car showrooms whose owners use up every bit of space in this mainly residential area.

As for me, every day while leaving office, the thought invariably flashes across my mind: will I find parking tonight?

After negotiating about 90 minutes of the Dubai-Sharjah traffic (30 minutes of normal driving, 60 minutes of bumper-to-bumper driving), I have to gear up for another battle as I near my house — this time to find parking.

A sandy lot next to my building has been the battleground ever since I moved to this part of Sharjah ten months ago.

More than half the area is occupied by used cars on sale, while residents have to struggle to squeeze into the remaining space — after a lot of reversing and dodging cars that are already parked.

Worrying over scratches and dents on your beloved vehicle is no more an issue — we all have become desensitised around here.

Just last week, as I approached the sandy area, I found that my battle had now taken a new direction.

The area had been cordoned off and a man posted there said no vehicles would be allowed in. He told us to park our car elsewhere.

And the reason?

A building was going to come up there.

It struck me like the proverbial last straw.

But in Abu Shagara, I have come to learn that it’s just another story — and a new battle begins.

Whatever came of the municipality’s plans to shift the used car business to a new area, we have no idea.

While many residents here seem to have given up hope, I know there are those who wish they would wake up one fine morning and find all the used cars gone.

Vexed, Sharjah