Dear Sir,

I would like to highlight a problem facing motorists on most of Doha’s interior roads. In many areas, people leave their cars on pavements meant for walking. This completely blocks the view of drivers at fork roads. People cannot see vehicles coming from both left and right sides and they often drive on, taking a  chance. This can cause major accidents, especially at night. 
Even where there is parking space available a little further from buildings, many people want to leave their vehicles just outside the front door of their residential quarters. This is an irresponsible attitude and should be discouraged by traffic authorities. An awareness campaign should be organised,  advising people to desist from pavement parking. 
Pavements are not parking lots.
The parking problem at residential buildings is exacerbated by people owning more than one vehicle. Many families own more than one vehicle and as each flat owner gets only one parking space in a building, finding a space for the second or third car becomes an ordeal. The pavement outside the building   becomes a free-for-all parking area then. How could we solve this problem, I have no idea. But I’m sure pavement parking is not the right solution!

Rajesh Nair
 rajeshnair.it@gmail.com


Gold prices glittering 

Dear Sir, 

The continuous appreciation of gold since the beginning of this year unequivocally emphasises the popularity of gold as a safe investment.
This price appreciation happened in sharp contrast with what ABN Amro forecast in November last year that the price would decline to $1,000 an ounce by the end of 2015 and further collapse to a level below $800 an ounce by the end of 2016.
Political uncertainties and negative things happening around the world, including the general economic slowdown and Brexit, consolidated the position of gold as a good investment bet.
It is not the demand and supply factor but the trust on gold as a safe investment haven that drives up the precious metal’s prices.
It must be a great time to be in jewellery business!


Girish R Edathitta 
(e-mail address supplied)