Lives lost
It is not just the responsibility of Indian airliners but that of airlines around the world to see that the [right people] are in the cockpit ("Pilots shoulder a great burden", Gulf News, November 19). The pilots should undergo a psychology test after reasonable intervals and should also be checked properly in all means before taking charge of an aircraft. They should be forced to attend seminars on humanity. We hand our own and our loved ones' lives in the hands of the pilot since the time we board the aircraft till it lands. But, since we also pay for it, it is not only the pilot but also the management that is responsible for such tragedies.
From Mr Azeem, Dubai
Thorough investigation
The news update [regarding the Air India Express crash] was horrific and shocking. In that crash, I lost a colleague — a professional team leader. He was with his wife, child and 16 other members of his family who were proceeding to their grandmother’s funeral. Are the flight companies giving the pilots a tough schedule? Is that why they are sleeping on flights? The authorities have to look into this issue in coordination with the airline agency.
From Mr A. M. S., Ajman
Tech-savvy teachers
A capable teacher doesn’t necessarily need to be tech-savvy in order to impart knowledge (“Technological gap between teachers and students widen”, Gulf News, November 19). A white board and marker is all that is needed. But, in today’s world where everyone’s demanding the inclusion of modern technology in education, it is a surprise if a teacher with experience gets technophobia. Teachers had neither been taught these techniques during training nor had they experienced modern methodology as students. The modern pupil needs a tech-savvy teacher. It is a fact that we cannot ignore. It is the duty of a professional educator to update him or herself technologically in order to be on par with the internet-prone genre of students. No teacher wants to be left behind. I always update myself, not only on current affairs but also on news about latest technological equipment. I also make sure to use the technology to present a class. It ultimately gives me a place among my young students.
From Ms Agniyah Shaikh, Sharjah
Warning message
Recently, I received a call from the bank I have an account with at 2.45am asking me to confirm if I have applied for any utility set up within the past one day. The response from my side was negative. This means someone hacked into my online banking account and managed to change the settings. Luckily there was no damage done to my account. It was immediately deactivated and I was advised the next morning to set up a new username and password. I would like to request all banks, in the interest of safeguarding their customers, to send a text message immediately whenever a new utility or beneficiary has been set up. It will be like an alert and help us avoid any further damage to the account.
From Mr Arvind T. Dhumale, UAE
Learning experience
For the recent ‘Beat Diabetes’ walkathon, I woke up grumpily as it was on a weekend. The crowd of thousands of people to raise awareness about diabetes got my spirits up, too. Everybody was walking for only one cause — to check and prevent diabetes. The special guest, Wasim Akram — popular former captain of the Pakistan team who also has diabetes — gave an encouraging speech. Before the walk I knew very little about the disease. Knowledge was limited to people having diabetes needing insulin and cutting down on sugar intake. However, that day I learnt more details, causes and prevention methods. Since diabetes is neither age nor gender specific, I think all schoolchildren my age should have more information about it. Type 2 diabetes is generally because of an unhealthy lifestyle — lack of exercise and consuming junk food. Many children are affected because of this. Although I got up to a grumpy start, by the end of the day I felt I had succeeded in creating awareness, got facts about diabetes and may now be able to spread the word of how to beat it.
From Mr Arshad S. Kantawala, Dubai
Goodbye UAE
I would like to thank the rulers of the UAE for making our stay and life so peaceful and giving us the means to send our sons abroad to study. God bless the nation for their kindness and helping expatriates. Both my sons are so unhappy that their parents are leaving this country. The older one was three years old when he arrived in this country and the younger one was born and brought up here. They feel this country is their homeland and they are devastated.
From Ms Priscilla Noronha, Dubai
Unsatisfactory
I find the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) mParking system unsatisfactory (“mParking limits add to motorists’ woes”, Gulf News, November 22). A lot of problems and glitches occur. At times, we do not get reminders that our tickets will expire. Other times, the service itself does not work. With regard to the four-hour time frame, I believe it is illogical. A person could park for a whole day using their NOL card or parking card. Why can’t the same be implemented for mParking? I thought that it was a facility that would ease the pressure of running towards the vehicle to avoid any fines.
From Mr Ruben Mathew, Dubai
