UAE’s attention to disabled deserves appreciation

A reader praises Dubai's introduction of the floating wheelchair. Other topics: China, Dubizzle, day care centres, driving, Nigeria

A reader says Dubai's introduction of floating wheelchairs to provide the full beach experience for those previously land-bound shows how the UAE pays equal attention to every section of the communityShow more

I am impressed with the UAE's efforts to pay attention to the people who are generally not the focus of attention in society – elderly and disabled people (Floating chairs offer disabled a day at the beach with a difference, June 27).

When I go the beaches, sometimes I see disabled people/children sitting and looking towards the sea, quietly enjoying the beauty of nature or watching others having fun. It never occurred to me that they also might feel doing the same. How insensitive of me.

I am glad that these people will now be able to enjoy in the water, thanks to Dubai Municipality’s floating wheelchairs. I love this country and pray to God for the protection of this country from all evils so that it can carry on with its mission to serve humanity.

Iris Smith, Abu Dhabi

Will the tallest tower help China?

Shouldn't China focus on feeding its people rather than waste money on a tower (Phoenix Towers plan in China to pip Kingdom Tower and Burj Khalifa as world's tallest, June 27)? The UAE doesn't have starving people. First make sure the people are good and satiated. Then build towers.

Eliazia Mohammad, Dubai

Burj Khalifa will remain unique, even if China builds a taller structure. It’s amazing because of its unique architecture and because of the fact that it has been built in the desert.

Mariann Gellert, Dubai

Dubizzle service will benefit many

Dubizzle has done a favour to so many people by launching this website (Dubizzle launches website for Dubai rent and property legal advice, June 24). This type of platform is extremely important for people like me, who are facing complex issues with the landlord for many months but have no clue how to solve the problem or where to seek help.

Of course you have legal recourse, but only when you know and understand your position clearly can you think of taking such a step. I think the website will fill this gap.

I also hope that Dubizzle extends similar services to other emirates, where renters face so many problems. It is the absence or inadequacy of such services that landlords so often try to exploit.

Nina Nagpal, US

Don’t put lives at risk at Ramadan

Ramadan is all about patience and discipline (Warning to motorists racing home to break fast this Ramadan, June 27). I fail to understand the logic behind motorists speeding home to break their fast by putting their life and that of the others at stake.

The best way to reach your destination on time is to set out with ample time in hand, instead of leaving at the last minute and then driving recklessly. I am of the opinion that it is better to lose a minute in life than to lose your life in a minute.

Also, to avoid the last-minute rush, people should keep some water and dates with them in their cars so that they can break their fast in time, regardless of where they are. Moreover, people should know that during Ramadan, traffic police hand over free food packs to motorists on the roads at the time of Iftar. I hope this Ramadan people will learn to remain patient and cautious at all times.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Nigeria must protect citizens

I was saddened to read the news report Huge blast at Nigerian shopping mall leaves at least 21 dead ((June 27). Nigeria and other countries in the African region are facing tough times as militants are attacking people indiscriminately. The governments have had little success in providing protection to the common people. That is a tragedy.

The Nigerian government should seek support from the international community to bring the situation under control, if it cannot act on its own.

K Ragavan, US

Day care centres good for children

This is in reference to the article Use of nannies and technology leading to children being neglected, UAE experts warn (June 23).

Even well-paid maids should never be a substitute for a mother’s role in the lives of her children and, as Andrea Stewart noted in her letter Parents need to spend time with their children (June 24), good and reliable day care centres are excellent ways for your child to learn to build relationships with others, learn about the world they live in and have fun at the same time as they are surrounded by like minded individuals of their own age and day care workers specialised in this particular age group.

These places are starting to pop up now, but they come at a price. So while free maids are still available for a fraction of the population, for these families child development is severely hindered unless the parents start to put the needs of their children before their own.

In my humble opinion, I don’t think we are going to see any dramatic changes in this generation and maybe not the next either.

Name withheld by request