The death of the 90-year-old Oscar-winning British actor, producer and director Richard Attenborough was a very great loss to the film industry.
Gandhi, starring Ben Kingsley, was a remarkable film that came about because Lord Attenborough pursued his dream. May his soul rest in peace.
K Ragavan, US
Reducing power load makes sense
I am writing in reference to Dubai Electricty and Water Authority's peak-load campaign (Dewa: avoid peak-hour energy rush, August 19.
The campaign aims to limit electricity and water usage between noon and 6pm, and hence reduce carbon emissions as well as the threat to global warming.
Of course, every little thing helps.
Many large shopping malls and even schools would also do well to heed Dewa’s power-consumption guidelines. For every light bulb and air-conditioning unit switched on, the management could leave another one switched off.
Mall hallways and cinema foyers tend to get very cold and we usually need an additional layer of clothing to keep warm. Even school classrooms and corridors often become refrigeration units with thermostats set to very low temperatures.
Dewa’s recommendations and suggestions are commendable and easy to follow. If they are followed, I am certain that we will see an immediate and marked reduction in electricity consumption.
Seema Anjum, Dubai
Everyone should do voluntary work
I was drawn to your editorial, Should the UAE think about a 'Peace Corps'? (August 24).
I have done many years of volunteering, mostly digging wells in India, and I still volunteer whenever and wherever I can.
I think everyone should join a volunteer organisation and promise to be involved for at least three months, giving help where it is needed.
Bridget von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
Cheetahs deserve UAE’s protection
It was sad to read UAE at the centre of global trade in smuggled cheetahs (August 27).
It is a shame that people smuggle such rare and beautiful animals and put them into captivity. They need to be free to be happy.
However, I also believe that the UAE authorities are doing their best to stop it.
Myriam Fakhreddine, Lebanon
More cycle tracks would be welcome
The new cycle track at Al Wathba is very welcome (Cycling track helps create a healthier Abu Dhabi, August 25).
It would be great to see a cycle path link Khalifa City to Yas Island and the Corniche.
Phil Perrin, Abu Dhabi
I would like to see larger and better pavements and cycling tracks within the city. More green spaces would also be appreciated.
Tilo Soueu, Abu Dhabi
It’s too bad that many cyclists don’t actually use the bike path on the Abu Dhabi Corniche. They ride their bikes on the pedestrian stretch.
M Le Blanc, Abu Dhabi
Uniform rent rises are not always fair
I was interested to read Can new landlord give Abu Dhabi tenant 13% rent rise 6 weeks before lease ends? (August 27).
Our lease in Dubai is due for renewal in December and we have been advised that our rent could increase 30-40 per cent according to RERA guidelines.
Although we live in Jumeirah 2, our three-bedroom house was built in 1975.
It would be interesting to know how this house could be considered equivalent to more modern houses, especially since one roof air-conditioning unit was installed before we rented this house in 1996 and has broken down every summer for the past five years.
The roof has had to be supported by steel beams as it was falling down due to rainwater seepage.
The villa has been painted once since we moved in, but only partially as the painters did not move anything, such as plants, that was in their way.
The management of rent rises is a mystery to us. Rises should depend on the age and quality of the property, not just its location.
Name withheld by request