In reference to Talha Aquil's opinion article India still struggles to define the states that make it one (January 12), Mr Aquil is viewing the Andhra Pradesh-Telengana separation issue as a consultant to companies seeking investment in South Asia. His is a somewhat blinkered view. The fact is that Telengana by itself lacks the vitality and vibrancy to generate the kind of revenues and job markets that Andhra Pradesh is capable of.
Right now the two-month-old agitation has made the state lose millions of rupees. Investors are shying away. Businessmen, wage earners, small traders, shop owners and transport operators are sore about the uncertain situation. Some leading industrialists have made public their intentions to move business to Bangalore.
Mr Talha ought to know that the nine districts that comprise Telengana are not rich in natural resources. Telengana, if it at all comes into being, will have no port. It will be devoid of the tobacco and rice that grow in Andhra Pradesh.
Yes, it is a fact that Telengana has a poor and unbalanced representation in government at all levels and suffers from discrimination. But cutting the state into two is not the cure for this malady.
Finally, the present agitation has been blown up by the media.
Syed Oamar Hasan, Abu Dhabi
In reference to the article Survey suggests luxuries have become a lifestyle in UAE (January 12), I can't see how you can draw the conclusion from the single question you published: "What is 'luxury' to you?" If the top answer had been "Luxury is my lifestyle" (rather than "Luxury is a lifestyle") then I would probably have agreed with your conclusion.
We have some extravagant displays of conspicuous consumption in this country. But many in the UAE (by far the majority) don't live a life of luxury at all.
Anita C, Abu Dhabi
I have driven in many countries in the world and still Abu Dhabi remains one of the worst for reckless and dangerous driving. The only way to deal with the drivers who insist on driving so recklessly is to rigorously enforce traffic laws and remove the driving licences from those who are guilty of endangering life on the very roads that, let's face it, should really be a pleasure to drive on.
Then the insurance companies should refuse to insure anyone guilty of dangerous driving and/or hugely increase the cost of insurance for those caught. Death is no deterrent for these reckless drivers it seems, so hit them where it hurts: the pocket, by confiscating their cars, or ultimately their liberty.
Name Withheld by Request
In reference to the article Shisha cafes face an uncertain future (January 10), I see nothing wrong with indoor shisha cafes with smoke suction facilities. It is not practical to shift all shisha cafes to the outskirts of the city because it is a popular pasttime here, and one should not have to go out of one's way to be able to smoke shisha.
Villa residents have the option of lighting one at home, but the vast majority of apartment dwellers don't have that option, and a city wide ban may tempt them to take measures which might have damaging effects.
As long as there are designated places for smoking shisha which non-smokers are warned of, I believe shisha cafes should be allowed to stick around.
SA, Dubai
Shisha cafes should be exempt from the new smoking law. The whole reason for the cafes is for people to smoke shisha. If you don't want to be around the smoke, there is no other reason for you to be there.
Neil Vorano, Abu Dhabi
I refer to the article A thousand more silver taxis on streets of the capital (January 11). The lack of knowledge of locations is not that big a problem compared to the fact that many of these new taxi drivers have no language skills, and, in some rare cases, don't know some of the basics of driving. Panicking in a roundabout and trying to make a U-turn from the middle lane are mistakes committed regularly by these drivers. I am intrigued as to whether they were chosen for their driving ability or for their low salary demands. Their general demeanor at the wheel suggests the latter, but I hope I am wrong. That said, they are definitely better than the moody old taxi drivers.
Mohammad M, Abu Dhabi
More taxis will mean more problems to find parking spaces after the taxi drivers go off duty. The taxi companies should have designated parking lots for their fleets.
James Cameroon, Abu Dhabi
