Branding a nation: the tricky task of finding the right logo for the UAE (June 26) was very interesting. But I am dismayed that not even one of the proposed logos includes the image of a falcon.
To me the falcon is iconic and well-rooted in the history and culture of the UAE. And falcons are noble, elegant, strong creatures, making an excellent symbol.
It is no coincidence that many stylised and streamlined falcon images appear all over the country, on official websites, patriotic images and even Adnoc's logo.
How sad that even the expert you quote, named Craig Falconer, doesn't mention this option for the design.
Sleek modern typography and colours may entrance the design community, but if a logo doesn't speak to the people, it will fail. A brand is not about the future alone; it should also have roots in the past.
Diana Ogilvie, Abu Dhabi
Except for the swirly one, those logos are jagged unreadable and unpleasant, to my eye.
Michael Khoury, Abu Dhabi
I agree that the public in general might have too little information and insight to choose a new logo for the country.
All the same, I must say I am glad that I have the chance to view the logos and vote.
Well done, to the designers and innovators of these designs.
Cheryl LeFon, Dubai
Indians in UAE can't fly home
Travel to India this summer is simply not affordable for ordinary salaried Indians in the UAE. The low-salaried shouldn't even think about it. (Air India remains in holding pattern, June 22).
Almost no seats are available this weekend from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to anywhere in India, and the seats on offer seem to be priced starting at Dh3,200, or Dh2,500 one way.
With Air India's labour unrest and other problems, travel back home has become a nightmare, especially for emergencies.
Helpless as ever, we non-resident Indians can only convey our wishes to India's civil aviation authorities.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Blame leaders for weak rupee
I refer to Steps to halt rupee's slide fail to convince (June 26).
The main reason for the fall of the rupee is the wrong strategy and poor planning by India's leaders.
Investors who used to have confidence in the Indian economy now hesitate to invest. And since no strong measures are being taken, the present crisis may become worse, analysts say. The government of India needs to do better.
K Ragavan, India
Mawaqif miseries keep recurring
How to get a Mawaqif parking permit (June 26) prompts me to tell you that although we have permits, Mawaqif people keep ticketing our two cars in our residential area.
We don't know how to solve this problem. Every time we have to go to their office and then they say "oh, sorry, it was a mistake" and cancel the fine, eventually. And then it happens again.
The system should operate more professionally. Although we have paid, we have a lot of problems. Name withheld by request, Abu Dhabi
Be vigilant before a fatal accident
Staff re-evaluate fire safety measures in UAE nurseries (June 26) is both good news and bad.
It is reassuring to learn that safety procedures, equipment and training are being reviewed. But it should not have taken this tragedy in Doha to prompt that review.
What other kind of accident, and where, will prompt the next review of safety features? Those who have responsibility need to be vigilant always, not just after a disaster.
Joe Axworthy, Dubai
Lurking menace in our computers
I understand that the Stuxnet computer weapon is supposed to have turned itself off on Sunday (Death of Stuxnet marks half-hearted US-Iran diplomacy, June 26.)
But the Flame weapon is still out there, and who knows how many more such specialised tools are, too, waiting to destroy or shut down vital infrastructure when somebody far away clicks a mouse.
This scares me more than global warming or runaway reactors.
Talbot O'Donovan, Dubai
Greece still better than some places
Your story Greece struggles with a flood of migrants (June 26) was a revelation to me. How desperate would you have to be to flee from anywhere to Greece these days?
But then I realised that Greece's problems, large though they are, are trivial when compared with the difficulties of life in Afghanistan, Sudan or many other places.
Aletheia Maskoulis, Dubai
