Forced to smoke

It was very nice to hear that authorities have banned the sale of cigarettes in supermarkets near schools. It is evident that they are taking strict steps to curb the habit. I am writing this letter to inform Gulf News about something I have noticed. I live in Abu Shagara area of Sharjah. At 6:30am a group of boys wait for their school bus near my building. I have seen them smoking as they wait. As it is winter, it is dark in the morning, so the boys smoke openly. During summer they hide and smoke. This means that shop owners are still selling cigarettes to minors. There is one boy who lives next to my house and is mentally challenged. I have noticed that the senior boys force him to smoke as well. This poor boy might not be able to realise the seriousness of the situation but he gets forced to be a part of it. The first time I saw this, I tried stopping the boys, but they got violent towards me. I still see the boy with a disability smoking. The authorities should impose stricter fines on the shops that sell cigarettes to minors.

From Mr Ajeet Kumar S. Pillai

Sharjah

Target the right issues

Rape is an indication of degeneration of a society. Police alone cannot be blamed for this and the recent actions by Delhi’s Chief Minister are a clear indication that he is after the wrong solution to the current problem. One has to take a holistic view of the conditions that lead to the degeneration of a society. Install a proficient legal system that is fair and fast, good policing, promoting education and creating awareness. If the CM truly wants to address the problem, he has to begin by addressing these primary issues. Merely conducting protests without changing people’s understanding and mentality will not change anything. This is where Mahatma Gandhi was different. He was able to change the thinking of an average Indian and unite the country as one family.

From Mr Romi Sebastian

Doha, Qatar

Pedestrians rush

I live near the Fish Roundabout near Al Muteena Street in Deira. I wanted to raise the issues faced by pedestrians with Gulf News. The area needs some pedestrian bridges because of the rush of people on every signal waiting to cross between Al Muteena street and Naif road. The signal that connects Al Baraha road and Omar Bin Khatab road is the worst of all. It is always crowded as people wait for the pedestrian signal to turn green. If nothing else, may be the frequency of the green signal for pedestrians can be improved.

From Mr Abdullah Waseem

Dubai

Expensive

This is regarding rental hikes. The UAE has given everyone everything in terms of high living standards, security and financial stability. Most of us, expatriates, are proud to be residents of this country. But the recent unimaginable increase in rents shook us. Most residents here are middle class families struggling to support their families. The price hike is not going well with our salaries. We love the country and hope that it achieves its future goals. But, the grief of rents is making us all suffer.

From Ms Hima Bindu

Dubai

(TO GO WITH A PICTURE)

Temporary toilet

This picture is taken at Nasser Square near Deira post office and immigration office. There is a public toilet there next to the taxi station for all tourists and travellers. I have recently noticed that due to some construction in the area, the toilet is closed. This has made life difficult for all travellers. This being the tourist season, there is rush in the area. Often people need to use the toilet after a long journey. I don’t know of any other toilet for the public in the area. People are facing hardships for nothing. I request authorities to make suitable alternative arrangement of a temporary toilet until the construction is completed.

From Mr Vijay Kumar

Dubai

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