Tendulkar's second innings

This letter refers to survey findings recently released in India about the competency of the Indian workforce and a decline in the number of professionals travelling to Gulf countries.

There has been a massive shift in thought among India's potential job seekers since the country was opened to multinational companies as part of its economic liberalisation plan.

It is not only the multinationals that are offering better salaries and perks in India, but local companies have also changed their salary structures, and this was reflected in the survey findings.

Obviously the priority for everyone is to look for a comfortable work atmosphere, and in that matter the home country is always a preferred choice.

At the same time, many Gulf companies have yet to adopt modern human resources practices, and this impacts adversely on potential job seekers from overseas - particularly those from a country like India that produces professionals in all disciplines with ability to work in any conditions.

People I know who have settled back in India after a brief tenure in the Gulf say they enjoy a much better work environment in their home country.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Cool response to Madonna concert

In Madonna turns up the heat (June 4) you failed to mention that she was almost two hours late coming on stage - definitely not a sign of a "faultless work ethic".

Also, as this is a brand new arena, why didn't they make the ground slope so that everyone can see the stage? It is so flat that those of us at the back couldn't see easily.

Ruth Richardson, Abu Dhabi

The violent images portrayed by Madonna were disturbing. Many people, including me, took their children to see this performance, only to witness blood splattered across a big screen.

That, plus the guns and aggression, and the swearing, meant we walked out.

I was incredibly disappointed about this, because I have loved Madonna's music since I was a child.

Kim Walker, Abu Dhabi

Tendulkar should serve people well

Your article New innings for Tendulkar (June 5) was good to read. As a cricket player he has brought fame to India.

Now in this second innings of his public life Sachin Tendulkar will take care of his people away from the field, as an MP.

The Little Master should deliver in the nation's upper house, the Rajya Sabha, as he did on the cricket field.

K Ragavan, India

Praise for prison inmates' work

Further to your story regarding trades training in Ras Al Khaimah prison (RAK jail's educated inmates, June 3), I bought a children's table and four chairs from the Dubai prison in 1988.

The table was given to a kindergarten many years ago but three of the four chairs are still in use in various ways - as a seat in the garden, a "table" for an older dog and a sleeping area for my cats. Except for needing a coat of paint, they are as solid as when they were made.

Many of my friends at that time also purchased various products made by the inmates and they still have them as part of their memories of life in the UAE.

Gail Gordon, Dubai

Sadly, tolerance is not universal

The beating of an Emirati visitor by Hungarian policemen (Chess official tells of vicious street attack, June 5) is a disgrace.

But people in the UAE should know that in all probability this is not anti-Arab bias, exactly. Far too many people in Hungary hold racist attitudes towards all foreigners, especially "visible minorities" no matter where they are from.

I have lived in the UAE and I know the tolerance that almost everyone there shows, and I know what an asset it is. I wish Hungary, my ancestral homeland, were as enlightened.

Tibor Pandi, UK

Traffic jam takes fun from shopping

While it is true that the UAE has wonderfully modern shopping malls, the traffic arrangements around some of them leave a great deal to be desired.

Outside one popular Abu Dhabi mall there are long queues of both empty taxis and passengers wanting to use them, but the free movement of cabs out on to the street is blocked by a stream of private vehicles entering the underground car park. This creates frustration for everybody concerned.

I don't know if anything can be done but I hope the designers of new malls, hotels and other public buildings take note of how not to do it.

Colin Richards, Abu Dhabi