Better ways to conserve energy in the Emirates

A Dubai resident suppors the Government's move to display unsubsidised prices on electric bills, and has two suggestions to further cut energy costs.

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With reference to the article, To spur conservation, power bills highlight subsidies (November 24), it's a good idea to educate the public about the heavy subsidies paid by the Government. We all know that people will always say it is expensive whether it's electricity or gasoline.

I am totally against any subsidies in the UAE. The Government should pay special allowances to people in need to support a lifting of the subsidies.

On the other hand, the gas used for electricity generation needs to be efficiently untied by firstly converting all open cycle turbines in the UAE to a better system such as combined cycle generators.

Secondly, the various energy agencies should adapt the district cooling system running on gas motors in all major residencies and commercial installations in all cities.

If the above two methods are fully utilised then the cost for energy generation will be reduced by at least 30 per cent.

Khalid Mohammed, Dubai

Peace of mind for Myanmar's activist

I read the piece Aung San Suu Kyi reunited with son (November 23) on the Myanmar pro-democracy activist with great interest.

I am pleased on a personal level rather than a political level. Perhaps now she might find some form of happiness.

John Jureidini, Australia

India's corruption response worrying

Your article Indian judge doubtful about 'tainted' anti-graft figure (November 22) was interesting to read.

Scams and corruption are already highly prevalent, and the government's response of appointing a team to investigate is appropriate.

But it is highly surprising to find that to investigate, they have bestowed on the process a person that is such a controversial figure.

The National reports that this was opposed by a supreme court judge - but the move itself is a very sad state of affairs.

It is difficult to fathom why or how under the Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh's administration such a controversial person was appointed to the committee.

K Ragavan, India

Road safety needs systems and steps

From a road safety specialist perspective (Ideas for a speed trap you can't evade, November 14), a systematic approach and concrete steps ought to be followed.

These include the installation of speed-limit signs that take into consideration the road, traffic and weather conditions with an 85 percentile of free flow speed.

The legal cushion should be 10 per cent to 15 per cent with rounded figures such as 140kph in 120kph zones - less than the designated speed limit or 95 percentile to 98 percentile of designated speeds.

In addition, both traffic fines as well as black points must be introduced for excessive speeding, while enforceable variable speed limit signs should be introduced such as 60 kph to 90kph in a 90kph zone.

Drivers have to be better educated, and well-proven, practical and affordable technologies should be introduced to help improve safety on roads altogether.

Sumi Tiwari, Dubai

Excess iron may cause psoriasis

Regarding Doctors say psoriasis afflicts Emiratis on a greater scale (October 29), one man noted in the study mentioned that he was on iron supplements but had to quit because his psoriasis got worse.

However, in another study by Dr A Ghosh of the Department of Chemistry, NRS Medical College and Hospital, India, he says: "Our findings indicate the increase in level of free reactive iron and lower level of antioxidant status in psoriasis."

He continues that the "therapeutic use of iron chelator and antioxidant drugs may be investigated for beneficial role in psoriasis".

Perhaps the excess levels of psoriasis in the UAE are attributable to iron excess in blood levels?

Tom Hennessy, Dubai

Combatting woes of India's terrorists

In order to eliminate all types of terrorism, (Testimony pieces together inside story of Mumbai siege, November 19) it is essential to understand the reasons that fuel such abhorrent acts.

What fuels their fires? Who funds them and for what reasons?

A terrorist willing to blow herself/himself has to have strong motivations besides religion or a one-way ticket to the pearly gate.

I am particularly intrigued by the words of the author Fyodor Dostoyevsky: "While nothing is easier than to denounce the evil doers, nothing is more difficult than to understand him."

Iqbal Maladwala, Dubai