Letters to the editor
Excited for the Olympics
It is a time of anticipation and excitement as India, my home country, and UAE, my home away from home, field their largest contingents to the Rio Olympics. From the Indian team, expectations are high on the 12-member shooting contingent, badminton, wrestling, tennis and archery team members along with boxing and the men’s hockey team all set to keep the Indian flag flying high at least a few times through their wins. Meanwhile, for the UAE it is all the more prestigious as there is a woman athlete representing the country in swimming along with the overall 13 athletes who will represent the country in six different disciplines like cycling, judo, weightlifting and athletics. Best wishes for the safe conduct of the event and let peace and harmony prevail with everyone enjoying the individual and team events.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
Congratulations to EK521 Crew & Dubai Airport Emergency Response Team
My sincere congratulations to Emirates Airline EK521 Captain and Crew for handling the Crisis exceedingly well. Highest level of praise also goes to the Dubai Airport Emergency Response Team, who handled the situation and made sure the incident was brought under control. As regards to Emirates Airline Crisis Management and Communication Team, this is an excellent example for all global Comms/Crisis Management Teams to observe and follow how effectively and efficiently a major crisis can be handled and communicated. Everyone will agree and accept that this is not an easy task these days, when all are on social media and dissemination of information is just within the press of our fingers. The airline also came out with timely developing statements to avoid any rumors and feed stakeholders with right information. Emirates Airlines ranked Number 2 in terms of safety and the plane involved was a Boeing 777 which has a track record of safety. In addition the airport involved was Dubai airport, which is considered as one of the safest airports in the world. All the passengers and the crew were fortunate and blessed to have these three lucky combinations i.e, of a safe airline, airplane and a first rate airport, involved in this unfortunate incident from which they all survived! The country is proud of the brave firefighter Jasem who lost his life. May his soul rest in peace.
Letters to the Editor/Gulf News:
Dubai triumphs again
Crisis handling by Emirates was commendable
Congratulations to the captain and crew of Emirates Flight EK521 for handling the crisis efficiently (Plane catches fire at Dubai airport; Emirates confirms ‘incident’, August 4).
The Dubai International Airport emergency response team also deserves applause for their efficiency in handling the situation. Emirates’ crisis management and communications team also set an example for others to follow.
Everyone will agree that crisis management is not an easy task these days, especially considering that rumour spreads like wildfire through social media.
The airline came up with timely statements and updates to avoid any rumour. Lastly, I salute the fireman, Jassim Al Baloushi, for his act of bravery. May his soul rest in peace.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Letters to the Editor/The National:
Firefighter dies responding to Emirates plane fire at Dubai airport
Traffic fines at the airport
Your report, Forcing UAE expats to pay traffic fines before travelling could ‘change behaviour’ (August 1), shed light on an important issue.
I hope the recently implemented removal of discounts to speeding fines and the new suggestion to make it mandatory to pay the fine before exiting the country will bring a fear factor in the minds of those who violate traffic rules.
Generally, those who pay up diligently have a fear for themselves and other road users and comply with the rules.
What is yet to be experienced as a result of these new moves are behavioural changes from those who seldom travel outside and do not pay up.
I sincerely wish that this group of reckless drivers becomes a minority on our roads. Safe road sense must prevail if we are going to have fewer traffic accidents and avoid unnecessary deaths.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Letters to the Editor/The National:
Forcing UAE expats to pay traffic fines before travelling could ‘change behaviour’
Changes to UAE Health Insurance Policy will reduce misuse
The facts provided by Dr Samih Tarabichi highlights the scenario that existed. With flexible insurance options medical users could be manipulated as detailed by him and unwarranted surgical and medical treatment conducted. However, this may not be the case in future, with the recent changes to health insurance policies for medical treatment, with some category patients may have to even pay up to 50 per cent of their insurance premiums. Whatever said and done, the facilities provided by authorities should not be misused.
Letters to Editor/The National:
Knee operations for UAE’s elderly ‘expensive and unnecessary’
Expatriates benefit country in many ways
The headline Expats using business loophole to stay in UAE after retirement (July 31) may convey a negative impression about the expatriate community, but this phenomenon is beneficial for the country.
Many expatriates who have been in this country for a long time consider it to be their home with their families and children wanting to settle here. They are ready to invest their lifetime of savings in this country. They feel that the UAE is a safe country to live.
This is the case in most developed countries that encourage expatriates to invest in return for residence visas.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Letters to the Editorial/The National:
Expats using business loophole to stay in UAE after retirement
Stopping speeders
Stopping speeders
The move by Abu Dhabi Police to remove the discount on traffic tickets will give more strength to reinforce the traffic safety plan drawn up by the Abu Dhabi municipality and the Urban Planning Council (‘Abu Dhabi Police to stop discount on traffic fine’, Gulf News, July 25). It should also reduce accidents and traffic deaths. The method of giving a discount on traffic fines, especially speeding fines, was not welcomed by many as people remain relaxed even when fined. A system that could be introduced to gain more control on speeding may be to have a fine system that raises the fines with each ticket.
From Mr Ramesh Menon
Abu Dhabi
Letters to Editor / Gulf News on:
Abu Dhabi Police to stop discount on traffic fine
Investor visa is a future option
Although a quick look of the heading may give a negative outlook to the whole scenario, this phenomenon is productive and positive for the continued growth of the country. Expatriates who have been in this country for a long time consider it as their own home, with family and children willing to settle here. They are ready to invest their life time savings here. More than everything, all without fail regard UAE as a safe country to live and work. Then, why not, if they have valuable expertise to pass on to the next generation and finances to contribute to the growth of the country. This is the case with most of the developed countries as they too encourage investor visas.
Letters to the Editor/The National:
Expats using business loophole to stay in UAE after retirement
Moral education will help nation
Moral education will help nation
I applaud the decision described in Pupils to be given moral education (July 28).
This is a great move. Children who are taught the essential values of life – including ethics, personal and community growth, culture and heritage, civic education, and rights and responsibilities – from a young age will become engaged and involved with the realities of daily life.
A sense of attachment and belonging will grow in them as these values are instilled and as they learn more about them on a regular basis.
I suggest that they also include an element of health, safety and environment education into the curriculum.
Discipline in these three areas will help produce a committed generation who will be a source of pride for their nation and make their leaders’ vision a reality.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Letters on @TheNationalUAE :
Moral education to be introduced to UAE school curriculums
Solar Impulse flight was a big achievement
The touchdown of Solar Impulse 2 was a proud moment for Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the energy industry worldwide (Solar Impulse 2 lands in Abu Dhabi, completing first zero-fuel flight around the world, July 25).
Congratulations to Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg and the entire team for the success of this amazing journey of 40,000 kilometres without fuel.
The world has changed vastly since the beginning of this journey, in terms of energy outlook and utilisation.
Even if one takes a UAE-only perspective, there has been a lot of change. We have new ministries and departments to harmonise energy production and produce better outcomes. The UAE is setting a trend.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
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