I support Sharjah's move over the misuse of disabled parking spaces (Sharjah blitz on disabled parking cheats, January 3).
Parking areas for special-needs people are taken for granted by many individuals, even though they know that a violation can result in a fine of Dh1,000.
I have been proved wrong many times that I would find a parking space when I go to the malls in the capital.
I thought that the blue handicap tag that is neatly pasted on the windscreen of my car will help me to park my car in that privileged parking bay.
But most of the time those spaces are occupied by other car owners who are too lazy to walk a bit extra to the mall from the parking area.
Naturally, some lazy able-bodied people prefer those areas.
They do that because they think they can get away with it without a fine being slapped on them.
Except for one or two shopping malls, security personal do not dare to say anything to errant parkers when they violate parking rules in utter disregard for the needy for whom the parking space is meant.
As a result, handicapped drivers often have to go round and round looking for that elusive space. What a pity.
The management at each mall should look into this issue, ensuring there are personnel to regularly monitor those spaces and to call the police in case of violations.
Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi
Rape cases mirror Indian society
This is another heartbreaking story from India (Teenager in India gangraped and burnt alive, January 3).
I think that lack of respect for women is a social phenomenon in India. Do Indians really respect their mothers and sisters?
If so, they cannot allow rape to go unpunished.
Name withheld by request
Identify cause of Palm parking jam
A full review of what went wrong at Sandance should be undertaken, before planning the next event can begin (All New Year's Eve Sandance ticket holders to receive full refund, January 2).
I’m a resident of the Palm and we received a memo from our building management that no entry would be permitted between 9pm and 1am.
Yet I observed cars streaming in beyond 10.30pm. The buses got caught up in the traffic and many people decided to walk.
What happened to the control point?
Residents as well as other guests were issued passes, yet taxis were allowed to enter without being checked. It seemed that almost anyone was allowed to enter the Palm.
This is a common problem with such large events. The shuttle service is a good idea, but not if it’s competing with hundreds of cars and limited parking.
Randall Mohammed, Dubai
Cost-cutting of drugs raises hope
With regard to your article, UAE slashes cost of diabetes drugs by more than 80% (December 31), this move could be termed as the parting gift of year 2013 by the Ministry of Health that might lead to reduction of the cost of several life-saving medicines, and especially those that deal with lung cancer.
Cancer treatment is one area which the ministry has to focus, specially as the medicines involved are extremely costly and many times not readily available.
As a result, there are many cases and instances where patients had to import them at their own risk.
The Ministry of Health and hospitals concerned, in tandem with the pharmaceutical companies, have to give special concession to patients who deserve compassion and care.
This move by the ministry is a great first step that will bring a ray of hope to many who are under prolonged and critical medical care.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Good to know many languages
I refer to the opinion article By 2015, I may be able to complain in another language (January 3). While teaching in Indonesia in the 1960s, I was befriended by a little old man who offered to guide me.
He grew up under the Dutch, fought for the French, spoke English and his island language, and, of course, Bahasa Indonesia. He claimed to be “uneducated”.
I spoke in English. It was really remarkable.
Peter Hundrup, US
Hopes and fears on property boom
It's good news that property prices in Dubai are soaring (Burj Khalifa property prices reach for the sky once again, December 30) because it signals the health of Dubai's economy. But it is also worrying for ordinary residents who fear they will face higher rents and be forced to relocate to the neighbouring emirates, leading to higher rents right across the UAE.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
