Cut down on plastic
There is 270,000 tons of plastic floating in the oceans and we are ignorant about this statistic (‘Study: 270,000 tons of plastic floating in the world’s oceans,’ Gulf News, December 12). Experts are warning us, but the world does not reacting properly. Still we have some responsibilities to save our future generation from this harmful situation. The governments should have to implement some tighter restrictions on the regular usages of plastics.
From Mr Safeer Ali Alikkaparambil Safeeraliap
Malappuram, India
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The problem isn’t in the East
The problem isn’t with the Eastern economies for why there have been the biggest drop on the Dubai Financial Market General Index in six years (‘Panic selling on Dubai index triggers biggest drop in 6 years,’ Gulf News, December 12). I think this because Dh10,000 10 years ago does not possess the same amount of purchasing power today, while 10,000 barrels of oil 10 years ago is the exact same 10,000 barrels of oil today! It’s the US dollar that is falling off the cliff, not oil or any other commodity! The fire is burning in the West, so why are people looking to the East?
From Mr Masoud Al Habshi
Muscat, Oman
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Bringing much pride
The young gymnast, Shaikha Al Tayer, will bring pride to the UAE and for that, she possesses all the confidence and talents (‘Future unlimited for 10-year-old gymnast Shaikha Al Tayer,’ Gulf News, December 12). If she wins the trophy, it will be well deserved. I wish all best and good luck to Al Tayer.
From Mr Ashraff Mazim
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Not fair to the neighbours
It is clear that some motorcycle owners have rigged their machines to make noise, like how some brands sell the bike on the noise it makes (‘Bikers create noise pollution at night,’ Gulf News, December 11). No effort is made to quiet them even though it is quite possible and most everyday bikes are quiet nowadays. The police should clamp down on this practise because disturbing people at night may be something they think is fun, it isn’t for those trying to sleep or have a peaceful evening.
I think you can add cars, too, to this list and those neighbours who think it is okay to honk their car horns when they come home. This happens even in the early hours of the morning! Why do they have to announce to the whole street that they have arrived home? I find it arrogant and ignorant and I think they should have their driving licenses taken away.
From Mr John Turnbull
UAE
Hardly the case
I don’t think it’s fair to call Angelina Jolie a spoiled brat (‘Jolie called ‘minimally talented spoiled brat’ in hacked Sony emails,’ Gulf News, December 12). She is such a humanitarian and she is very giving. She has built schools and donated a lot of time and money. Not to mention, she has adopted several children from third world countries. If that’s the definition of a spoiled brat, then I want to be one too!
From Ms Patricia Cooksey
Abu Dhabi
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Solve the real problem!
Someone asked me the other day if India is very dangerous for women (‘Indian society, not Uber, must ensure women’s safety,’ Gulf News, December 12). I really didn’t know how best to answer it. Should I say: “Yes, India is a very difficult place for us women” or should I say: “Isn’t it difficult for women around most parts of the world?”
I couldn’t help but wonder at how India often responds to contingencies. So apparently banning Uber will do. How about we just ban men from India? Probably that would be safer for all the women out there. Isn’t it time that India does something more concrete rather than a symbolic gesture of banning Uber?
From Ms Elza Mathews
UAE
Asking the wrong questions
Uber has been in the news a lot for the past week for all the wrong reasons. Now of course, we need to learn more about what Uber is. Are they a taxi company or a taxi-hiring smartphone app? Perhaps it’s time to learn who owns Uber and how did they get to operate in so many countries. To me, it sounds a bit disturbing.
From Mr Ahmad
Dubai
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Women’s safety in India
The opinion expressed in this story is correct in saying that Indian society must ensure women’s safety. Sexual violence against women has increased immensely across the nation and the government, past and present, is turning a blind eye to the burning problem. Indian men and boys should be taught to respect women and girls through educational institutions or through social media for those who are uneducated. Punishment for violence against women, especially sexual, should be prompt and appropriate depending on the intensity of the crime.
At the same time, age and maturity based sex education should be imparted to children in educational institutions and by parents to differentiate between what is good and what is bad. The lawmakers and the police must be vigilant and ensure that perpetrators of such crimes be brought to justice without delay and set this as a precedent so that women can live in a fearless society.
From Dr Utpal Kumar Kataky
Dubai
Fights for freedom and peace
Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai receiving the Nobel Peace Prize was a proud moment for both India and Pakistan, as well as the entire region (‘Malala Yousafzai, Kailash Satyarthi receive Nobel Peace Prize,’ Gulf News, December 11). Yousafzai, being the youngest to have ever received such a high and worldly honour, has been given much more responsibility and work. Her country with its neighbours have worked hard to bring peace, stability and fight for the rights for child innocence in the whole of Asia. Even though both India and Pakistan have been struggling to combat with various internal security issues, the increasing cases of child abuse have become a serious issue and directly affecting the future of both countries.
It is always a challenge for youngsters to take up lead roles in a complex environment, but Yousafzai has been acting heroically and contributing her best to draw the attention of the society. However, such a move should not be limited to within her own country; whereas it requires a coordinated effort to give much more emphasis and priority by responsible governments in the region.
For Satyarthi, his recognition comes more from working for freedom to work and being involved in child rights incidents, which keeps increasing primarily because of illiteracy and unemployment. Let the peace loving people in India and Pakistan expect the contributions of Satyarthi and Yousafzai a worth to carry on for generations.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Was she helped?
The youngest winner of Nobel Peace Prize this year is a record of sorts. Malala Yousafzai is a teenager who was shot by the Taliban, but survived with timely help from the state for medical treatment in the UK.
The state controlled media saw this as a once-in-a-decade opportunity to cleanse its world known image of a terrorist friendly state. The teenager was brought into the lime light, made to belt out scripted dialogs, photo ops with important world leaders and even had a book written! To top it all, the teenager bagged the coveted Nobel Peace Prize too – all in the span of three years!
This must be the shortest span of preparation for the Nobel Peace Prize in its entire history of this world renowned prize. Another record of a sort! Now we learn from the press reports that this teenage Nobel laureate will return to Pakistan shortly, after completing her studies in the UK. I think that just goes to show that there are people working hard behind the scenes for the last couple of years towards their goal for getting the Nobel Peace Prize for the teenager while she was busy completing her studies!
This relates to the present topic hotly being discussed.
From Mr Avinash B.
UAE
Such a tragedy
It is sad to hear about the tragedy of the girl who died in Kuwait after falling off the fire escape (‘Girl plummets to her death to escape fire in Kuwait,’ Gulf News, December 11). Only condolences can be shared to the grieving family. Though at the same time, we need to see how such cases can be prevented in future. All buildings in should have fire fighting equipment on the premises and it should be certified by the authorities of the particular country. Secondly, fire drills should be conducted for all buildings and tenants. Special training should be given to children in school for fire safety and traffic rules. The authorities should be strict in bringing rules and enforcing them.
From Mr Mathew
Sharjah
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