Letters: April 23, 2012

Feel better than ever

I appreciate Gulf News carrying a full page special to make people aware of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and to save lives (‘Help younger generation change unhealthy life style’, Gulf News, April 18). I am happy to join any campaign in order to inform people about this killer disease. In my view, lack of exercise, diabetes and the intake of fatty foods lead to CVD. I am a 43-year-old Indian national with two children staying in Dubai. I was diagnosed with diabetes in the year 2010 and was taking insulin. In June 2011, I had undergone a routine medical checkup and was advised by the doctor to get an angiogram test. It turned out that I had multiple blocks and had to undergo a bypass surgery. I am a non-smoker and I do not drink. Now, I am more active and feel 10 years younger than before. If I was not diagnosed at the right time, I could have died. I suggest that everyone eat healthy and exercise daily so that this silent killer does not affect you.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai

Keep it original
The UAE has a rich culture and most Emiratis embrace it in some form. However, the Heritage Village concept somehow fails to give a taste of the culture. The old buildings and forts are renovated and reconstructed to the extent that they have completely lost their ancient roots and architecture. The exhibition of culture is limited to photos, paintings and small models. If the ancient remains are kept in the same form as they were found in, then that would be much better. Al Khan Village in Sharjah is a good example — it is authentic because it is kept as it is for the time-being. Other examples are the ancient cities in India and Pakistan. Renovation should be at a minimum to retain the place’s originality.
From Mr Adnan Shabbir
Dubai

Good relations
It is extremely pleasing to see India and Pakistan coming closer together, following Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to India. Good sense seems to have prevailed over the leaders of both countries. It has now dawned on them that the future of the 1.4 billion people cannot be held hostage to the contentious issues of Kashmir and terrorism. They have decided to increase trade and ease visa restrictions to make business trips easier. As both the countries share the same history and culture, good relations and trust will eventually lead to the resolution of all the issues that have troubled them for decades and deprived them of the fruits of good neighbourliness.
From Mr Muneer Ahmad
UAE

A complete waste
Millions of people all over the world go without food every day, yet we see cartloads of perfectly good food wasted in food courts here. Recently, I saw many people in a food court buying so much food and then wasting it as they couldn’t finish it all. Also, some of them sometimes buy food for no reason and then throw it away. People think that if they waste a little bit of food, then it won’t cause any harm. However, if a lot of people waste a little bit, then that little bit will turn into a lot of food. I suggest the authorities fine people if they waste food. Why don’t people pack the leftover food and take it home?
From Mr Protishruti Raha
Dubai

Frustrating process
I am glad that this issue is being addressed (‘Payment machines continue to reject new Dh500 notes’, Gulf News, April 18). It is frustrating how the ATMs only give out new Dh500 notes but fail to accept them for deposit even though it has been quite a while since the new note went into circulation. Last month, I had to withdraw money several times in the hope of getting an old note. When that failed, I went from store to store in the shopping mall to exchange the new notes with old ones. Finally, it was a currency exchange shop that reluctantly gave me old notes in exchange for the new ones.
From A Reader
Dubai

Unacceptable behaviour
No religion and no society will accept this (‘Old man kills himself with rat poison after children allegedly mistreat him’, Gulf News, April 17). How can people forget that they will also grow old? There should be a punishment so that others learn from it.
From Ms Sana
Sharjah

No one on Twitter
Compared to Facebook, there are hardly any people on Twitter (‘The exciting and alarming world of UAE Twitter’, Gulf News, April 17). Why is it being brought up in the newspapers so much?
From Mr Shazz
Sharjah

Among the first
Twitter is so much better than Facebook. I was one of the first to log onto that site and I never got bored of it.
From Mr Mody Tareq
Dubai