I appreciate that Uber and Careem are open to offering taxi sharing (Uber and Careem open to taxi sharing in the UAE, August 16). But I don't think that will work. That's mainly because these are internet-based services – you have to have their apps to use them. But the majority of people who need the taxi sharing service do not have access to the internet. So how is it going to work? To make it click, the authorities will have to look at the convenience for these people.
Name withheld by request
Regarding the news report Abu Dhabi sharing scheme could drive illegal taxis off roads (August 12), taxi fares in Dubai and Sharjah are high. While Abu Dhabi is comparatively cheap, it is unaffordable for many people. This is why an overwhelming number of people in these cities use private taxis.
The ability to share taxis legally could curb the illegal practice.
M A Mannan, Abu Dhabi
Child killer gets justice
My heart leaps with joy upon knowing that justice has been served to Obaida's killer (Grieving father plans to visit Obaida's grave to tell him 'justice has been served', August 16). But I cannot stop my tears when I see this little boy's photo.
Christine Rollon Blanco, Dubai
What happens after the criminal is sent to the gallows? The boy will never come back and life for his parents will never be the same again. I shudder to think that this type of crime can take place, not just here but across the world. There is no way to stop them.
Andrei Lu, Romania
I salute the UAE’s justice system for delivering a quick and appropriate verdict on this case. This is how it is supposed to be in every single country.
Adellardo Babou, Dubai
I hope such an incident is never repeated here. It’s a most sad and disturbing case.
Pushpa Jashanmal, Dubai
I am glad it did not take a lot of time to announce the verdict. It was so simple – crime committed in May, death penalty handed down by August.
I wish the justice system in my home country, India, was equally efficient.
Shilpa Chip, Dubai
Don’t replicate the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal Lego model looks fantastic (Legoland Dubai shows off Taj Mahal model in all of its 280,000-brick glory, August 17). However, I don't think the idea to replicate monuments such as the Taj Mahal is good. It's one of the wonders of the world, which cannot simply be replicated.
There is at least one negative repercussion I can think of: those who have never seen the monument, especially young people, might develop an idea about it and lose their interest in seeing the real one.
It is also unethical to replicate a monument that is revered highly in India since it represents its culture and history. Having a “commercial” replica would ruin its significance.
Deep Saranya M, Abu Dhabi
Interesting study on obesity
Dr Job Simons should check out the work his colleagues are doing on diabetes at Wright State University in Ohio (Surgical procedure to treat Type 2 diabetes may soon be available in UAE, August 15). They are conducting a genome research on obesity, which is quite interesting. It may correlate to what Dr Simons is trying to do.
Annie O'Farrell, US
Longer leave could hit firms
I am responding to the letter Maternity leave must be longer (August 16). While longer leave is good for the mother and baby, as I found six weeks too much of a rush to cope with, I cannot see companies benefiting from the absence of an employee for so long.
Temporary workers are neither available here nor is it legal to work on a temporary basis. So a longer maternity leave is likely to work against female employees. Even the company I worked for in the UK refused to give me an extra two weeks off.
Aziza Al Busaidy, Dubai
