Letters: 30 November, 2009

Brighter future
Ongoing charity efforts are not doing enough for world hunger (“Speak Your Mind: World hunger”, Gulf News, November 27). Schools are trying to contribute through bake sales, garage sales and rock concerts. They are a constant feature in my school to raise funds. Parents donate generously and children flock in large numbers to buy the goodies and are happy to contribute. We also hear about efforts by world organisations such as United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and other non-governmental organisations. But are we doing enough? How much is enough? My opinion is that with all these efforts, we are only improving the present. We should be providing the helpless with the right education. We need to brighten their future. Funds should be invested in hospitals, schools and infrastructure projects. It’s an adult’s job to influence their child but it’s our job to put ideas into practice so that we can share the same knowledge with our children.
From Mr Dhruv Savara
Dubai

Not the answer
It is appalling to know that the basic necessity of a human is being deprived in this modern era. Charitable efforts can be an intermediate source but it can’t entirely wipe out the problem of global hunger. Monetary funds should be targeted at increasing farming produce and educating the underprivileged to help voice their opinions. The complacency, shown by the society at large, is to blame for such atrocities prevailing in the world today.
From Ms Juby Jacob
Dubai

People don’t care
Globalisation has made life tougher. Everyone wants an extravagant lifestyle. There is a section of society wherein both parents work and they spend less quality time with their children, who are either with nannies or in day care centres. Who will teach them good values? In so many homes, children waste food and the parents do not seem to care. They don’t realise that there are people in the world who don’t even get proper meals in a day. Society is becoming insensitive. Everyone wants to think about him or herself. Most people don’t think twice about future generations, which might suffer the threat of food scarcity, water shortage and pollution. It’s high time we all start working together on such vital issues before its too late.
From Ms Tuhina Bhattacharya
Dubai

Cured
This is in response to Ms Sophy Aqeel’s letter about her son suffering from asthma (“Constant suffering”, Gulf News, November 25). My children were also suffering in the same manner, but I was very fortunate to meet a paediatrician who treated them well and now they are about 80 per cent cured. Unfortunately, the doctor is not practising in the UAE any more. My children were put on medication that would enhance the functioning of their lungs. This medicine was to be taken every day, for almost eight months. I followed the prescription right through and fortunately, my children have barely had any asthma attacks over the past four years. Ms Aqeel should consult with her children’s doctor about the same medication, in detail.
From Ms Renuka V. Sundaram
UAE

Children are priority
Due to time constraints, parents these days are not able communicate with their children. On the other hand, children spend so much time with friends that they don’t have any time left for home. Life is like a machine parents go to work and the children to school. This is why some children lack respect and affection towards their parents. In order to avoid this, parents need to find time to instil some values in their children. They should be corrected whenever they do something wrong or else they will repeat the same mistakes. It is the responsibility of the parent to see that their children are well settled and lead a happy life in this competitive world. However, they should not be overprotected or they won’t know how to face people.
From Mr Mathew Litty
Dubai

Careless acts
I have seen irregularities in the city of Abu Dhabi. A lot of pedestrians, without the fear of an accident, cross the roads even as traffic approaches. This could be extremely dangerous for both the driver and those people. It is almost as if they are playing with their lives. The authorities concerned should take notice of such acts and stop them.
From Ms Asma Zubair
Abu Dhabi