Drowning experience
I would like to thank Gulf News for publishing a wonderful guide, warning beachgoers against tides (‘Dubai beachgoers warned of changing tides,’ Gulf News, June 3). We are recovering from a similar experience. We often go to Al Mamzar beach with family and friends, as it is considered to be a safe beach. Last weekend, when we were by the beach, my husband went into the water with my cousin and two children. In a matter of a few minutes they were pulled into the sea by an under-current. They were struggling to get back to the beach for almost half an hour. Luckily, the life-guard spotted them and rescued them one by one. I want to thank the life-guard and another beachgoer who dived in to help rescue them. Once they were out, we noticed a small red flag marking by the beach. I suggest that the authorities put up more of their flags and signboards to mark danger and prevent people from entering the water under unfavourable conditions.
From Ms Nirupama Ramesh
Sharjah
Stop criticising
Joschka Fischer’s pessimistic piece raises the same questions that would perhaps keep President Barack Obama awake during nights (‘Missing US role in global arena,’ Gulf News, June 3). Syria and whether to intervene or not. It is hard to be critical of Obama’s thoughtfulness. His choices are to stand by while a tragedy unfolds or to intervene and cause an even greater tragedy. Since Vietnam more than 40 years ago, the US has engaged in wars far from its borders with no real outcome other than to create starvation, poverty and death for the very people it set out to ‘liberate’.
These pointless wars also caused the death and maiming of thousands of young Americans and shattered its economy. Is it really surprising that US citizens, including their president, are now reluctant to engage in yet another war, particularly one in which regional nations take such strongly-opposed positions? Fischer, sadly, is free with critical comment, but short on constructive suggestions. Frustrating as it may be, surely the contribution that the international community, including the US and Germany, can make in Syria will be better served at the conference table than in the mobilisation of Western troops in yet another Islamic nation. Who would argue now that detente with Saddam Hussain would not have served Iraq better than Desert Storm 2 and the horrors that followed? Perhaps the post-US world can be an even better place than it is now.
If Obama’s hesitation is a precursor to a world where we address our differences ourselves using thoughtful and moral consideration and if we tackle the problems of poverty and inequality as our primary targets rather than attaching them to racial and religious divisions, we may be on our way to a world that does not need a “big brother”. If Obama is able to achieve that he will be remembered as America’s greatest president. Surely, our task is to help him to do that rather than sit on the sidelines, abusing those who actually have to make decisions?
From Ms Kim Chance
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Buy gold
The buying of gold by the Indian population is a good thing (‘India’s voracious gold appetite needs trimming,’ Gulf News, June 3). Why does the Indian government blame its citizens for balance of trade shortfalls? Do politicians want India to end up like the US trade deficits - importing cheap plastic junk instead of spending their money on gold? The gold will always be in India, the plastic junk gets discarded. Keep buying gold, I would say!
From Mr Louie Tedesco
Dubai
Website comment
No faith
There are other ways of dealing with the trade shortfalls. Discouraging gold imports will not work because in India people believe gold to be their own central bank. The Indian government must take rigid steps in order to assure their people to have faith in them. People don’t only buy gold for its value but also to protect their wealth against inflation.
From Mr Ram
Dubai
Website comment
Endless shame
Srinivasan, the IPL franchisee of Chennai Super Kings, lost the moral right to continue as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from the moment his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, the team’s principal was arrested for his alleged involvement in betting (‘Shock for Indian cricket as Srinivasan survives,’ Gulf News, June 3).
But instead of owning moral responsibility, Srinivasan was side tracking the issue by declaring that he did no wrong and hence would not resign.
To make matters worse, the emergency working committee meeting held in Chennai meekly submitted to Srinivansan’s dictates and readily granted all his atrocious demands, evoking derisive laughter around the world.
Nothing will be more derogatory than Srinivasan’s participation as a representative of Indian cricket in the ensuing International Cricket Council (ICC) conference. Now, not only Srinivasan but all the emergency working committee members are guilty of the pernicious act of pushing Indian cricket to eternal shame.
From Mr Chellappah Periyasamy
Dubai
Website comment
Environment Day
In light of the World Environment Day yesterday, I wanted to share my views. Most of us have studied in school that global warming takes place due to the increase in concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The increasing pollution in the air is caused by the increase in the number of industries and vehicles, by cutting down the green reserves of out planet Earth. Global warming is a man’s worst gift to our Mother Nature. Rise in temperatures, expansion of water bodies, extinction of incredible species and disappearances of lands, we know it all. But in today’s busy lifestyle, do we don’t even care about such things. When people are not happy with the government of their country, they struggle; they even go to the length of sacrificing their lives in order to overthrow his rule. But have we even moved a finger to save the world global warming, which will eventually affect every single one of us and our future generations. Think of living in the heat in the heart of the Sahara desert. If we ignore the situation today, this can be the condition in sub- tropical regions in a few decades. I request everyone to act wisely and put some effort in saving our planet from global warming.
From Ms Maria Vincent
UAE
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