I agree with your editorial Jet ski safety has to be enforced (December 1).
Jet skis are not only noisy and dangerous – for the rider and others in the water – they are very disturbing for the fish and sea environment.
They cause a lot of pollution in the water, and suffering for dolphins.
Dolphins can hear the sound of a jet ski up to 500 metres away. Because they rely on their natural radar system, they lose their internal balance when jet skis are around.
Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
Thanks to the UAE for opportunities
The UAE has been my home for more than a decade now.
I have always been awestruck by the multicultural atmosphere of this country – how people from different cultures harmoniously coexist while the Emirati culture and heritage is so magnificently preserved.
The UAE has given me numerous opportunities and platforms to compete, interact and learn from people all around the world, helping me to broaden my horizons.
I was especially amazed by the magnanimity of the rulers when I received the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award For Distinguished Academic Performance.
The UAE’s cosmopolitan nature, many wonderful architectural marvels and booming trade opportunities help to make it the hub for all nations.
This is because of the blessings of the Almighty upon this land and the foresight and efforts of the founders of this nation.
I commend their efforts and those of the present leaders, and hope that the country’s success will only continue and heighten over the course of time. May this truly be a land that thrives with positive opportunities.
Aasha Eapen, Dubai
Concern over cost of living
Expats priced out of their lives (November 29) says that many expatriate workers are leaving the UAE, or weighing up their options, because they cannot afford to live here.
The high cost of living is going to drive a lot of good people out of the UAE.
J Magee, Dubai
The UAE is losing expatriate talent fast. A lot of my friends have already left.
Apart from the cost of living, there are high costs related to visas and registering a business.
In Australia, for example, you pay for a one-off registration fee of about $200 (Dh620) to start a business. Here, you can pay up to Dh70,000 in the first year, then up to Dh40,000 each year for renewal and sponsorship money. It’s a little over the top.
My family have been here for almost eight years. We notice prices going up all the time, but we can still afford to rent a villa. However, we are considering moving to the UK at the end of this year.
John Paravalos, Dubai
Accident was preventable
I refer to Boy, 5, dies after getting head stuck in lift in Sharjah (November 30).
The lift doors should have opened once an obstruction was detected, and not slammed against the child’s head.
This is a result of poor safety checks. As is all too often the case, nothing is done about safety measures until an innocent life is lost.
There should be proactive intervention before further incidents occur.
My thoughts and condolences are with the child’s family.
T Plant, Abu Dhabi
Celebration of SRK’s big break
The 1,000th week – or nearly 20th year – of the romantic movie, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (The Brave-hearted Will Take Away the Bride) is being celebrated in India and around the world this month.
I wonder whether the filmmakers foresaw its success. Could they have imagined that this film would break all Indian box-office records?
Did they know that its star, Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), would go on to become the country’s number one box-office attraction?
The late filmmaker Yash Chopra and his son Aditya, who directed the film, must be credited for the phenomenal career SRK has enjoyed since then. AR Modak , South Africa
