Often drivers are blamed
I witnessed an accident in Abu Hail 2 area in Dubai, a couple of months ago (‘Motorists call for strict action against errant cyclists in Dubai’, Gulf News, September 16). A cyclist who was delivering something, was busy listening through his earphones. In a fraction of a second, he tried to cross a busy crossing and was hit by a pick-up truck. Honestly, I felt sad for the poor man in the pick-up truck, who was in trouble due to the cyclist’s reckless behaviour.
From Ms Anu Joy
Dubai
Facebook comment
It’s their transportation
If it is a source of their earning, then let them use cycles. Car owners must respect the right of way of pedestrians and cyclists. Don’t be selfish!
From Mr Shahbaz Ahmad
UAE
Facebook comment
So dangerous
Many people ride their cycles in the middle of the road, as if there aren’t any cars around. Do you understand how dangerous that is? They don’t care whether there are or aren’t any cars on the road.
From Ms Tanyusha Ivanov
UAE
Facebook comment
Stay on the sidewalk
Even on pedestrian crossings, when there is a red light, cyclists tend to have their front wheel on the road. They sometimes do not obey traffic lights, nor do they use reflective jackets, so it is difficult to see them in the dark, especially while reversing. They keep driving on the roads, even when it is not allowed. They should use the pavement or dedicated cycling areas.
From Mr Mohammad Israr Anwar
Dubai
Facebook comment
Rude drivers
I’m a cyclist, too, and I’ve been on the roads in Canada, Australia and the US. All the time, I make sure I follow every single rule. The sad part is, often, the drivers themselves do not have manners when dealing with cyclists and pedestrians.
From Mr Kuh Leetmo
UAE
Facebook comment
Need awareness
Thanks a ton to Gulf News for bringing this issue to light. I have been a resident in Bur Dubai for six years. Here, cyclists, especially delivery workers associated with laundry companies or restaurants, try to save time by making illegal turns anywhere. Sometimes, they even ride into traffic that is approaching them from the opposite side of the road. They assume that the oncoming vehicles will manage, or they simply cross into the pedestrian track. This is causing a lot of discomfort to drivers. Moreover, motorists are prone to accidents and can be in life-threatening situations at times, because of cyclists. It’s very important that in Bur Dubai, especially, there is awareness about following the rules while riding a cycle.
From Mr Amit Malhotra
UAE
Facebook comment
More transport services needed
In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) efforts to maximise the use of public transport systems are paying off. Likewise, in Abu Dhabi. However, we need to increase or facilitate more user-friendly services and increase bus services wherever there is less representation.
For example, people who live in Al Reef area cannot easily get a bus to reach the nearby malls. There are very few options to reach the closest mall, and that too, the services have a very low frequency.
Going to Abu Dhabi and back from Al Reef also needs more frequent bus services. There aren’t any proper bus shelters at the nearby hospital and park, for passengers availing of Al Reef buses.
I hope the concerned authorities take note of this and bring in some changes.
From Mr M. K. Gunaseelan
Abu Dhabi
Money isn’t everything
I would say money isn’t the most important factor at work (‘Poll analysis: Is money most important for you at work?’, Gulf News, September 16). Salary alone should not at all be considered a top priority for happiness in the workplace. More than a top management approach, the attitude of the immediate manager, and the workplace atmosphere, contribute to making employees happy. One can make money, provided coworkers offer the support to do so.
To me, the most important aspect for one to remain at work should be the work environment and how it helps an individual do his/her job well. This includes the manager’s involvement, coordination between the employees and the senior staff, an organisation’s ethics and policies, and everything that contributes to making a comfortable workplace, that in fact provides good earnings to the individual and the organisation, in terms of money and other privileges.
The enjoyment that comes from money should be considered as momentary, as one can easily switch places, if he/she is offered a higher pay scale and benefits.
I strongly believe that money doesn’t stay for long. At the same time, being content with one’s place of work can help improve the productivity level of any organisation.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
An important friendship
Indians and Afghans are natural friends and partners (‘Modi, Ghani meet, demand end to state-sponsored terrorism’, Gulf News, September 15). A stable Afghan community is very important for peace and stability in the region, and elements who try to destabilise Afghan communities are perpetrators of global terror. Afghans are India’s neighbours and so, it is naturally important for the country to ensure Afghanistan cracks down on terrorism, especially if it does not want to become a failed state.
I think it is a great move by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Afghans should decide their future and not outsiders. India-Afghanistan friendship will change the dynamics of the region and will shift the focus to the development of the country, and the elimination of pockets of terrorism.
From Mr Vinod Anandan Pillai
UAE
Facebook comment
We all want peace
A stronger and stable Afghanistan is also in the favour of Pakistan. It’s important for peace in the region. The ball is in Afghanistan’s court, on how they want to deal with the situation and whether they want to continue being a puppet of some external powers, like the US, which is using Afghanistan. With alliances secured across all neighbours, this initiative will provide endless economic opportunities for stability in the region. I can confidently say that Pakistan is trying hard for peace in the region.
From Mr Hunain Lodhi
Dubai
Facebook comment
Tackling issues
Modi and the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani met to end state-sponsored terrorism. Already, India and Afghanistan have a good relationship, regarding trade and bilateral issues. This recent meeting will further enhance their relationship in all areas, and their agreement on how terrorism should be fought was a good development. Afghanistan is already facing a nightmare every day with terror attacks and innocent civilians becoming victims. With the new strategy, both countries can help each other regarding terrorism and other important issues, like education, healthcare, agriculture, skill development and women’s empowerment, which both countries are currently highlighting. I hope this meeting will bring closer ties. Both nations are against terrorism and want to contribute to a peaceful and stable region.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Large repercussions
Is it an uncanny coincidence that during February 2013, North Korea detonated its third nuclear device, causing an earthquake in the north east of the country (‘A sharper focus on North Korea’, Gulf News, September 19)? Its latest fifth underground test caused a 5.2-magnitude earthquake in nearby South Korea, just days later.
Earthquakes and fluctuations of the Earth’s axis have a direct cause and effect relationship with the testing of nuclear devices. Underground nuclear tests are the probable cause of abnormal polar motions of the Earth. In a 150-kiloton explosion, the position of the pole could radically slide. During 1978, the former Soviet Union conducted 10-megaton nuclear tests at Semipaltinsk, a seismic laboratory in Upsala, Sweden, and recorded the underground test. After 36 hours, an earthquake in Tabas, Iran, occurred, killing 25,000 people.
A catastrophic 8.2 earthquake struck Tangshan, China in July, 1976, killing 800,000 people. Five days earlier, the French tested a bomb at their Murotoa Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Four days earlier, the US tested a nuclear device in Nevada, 24 hours before the earthquake in China. Nuclear testing has the potential to trigger the adverse movements of tectonic plates, whilst nuclear weapons have the capacity to obliterate all life on Earth.
From Mr Farouk Araie
Johannesburg, South Africa
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