There is not enough proof
The latest update about the MH370 is shocking and baffling (“Malaysian jet MH370: Weather stops plane hunt as China demands data”, Gulf News, March 25). If the plane has crashed, there would be debris floating around. Without finding any debris, besides supposed sightings of it, there is no credible evidence that the plane has crashed. I believe there is more than what meets the eye. I refuse to believe that the plane has crashed unless any credible proof of death has been established. My sympathies lie with the families of those whose near and dear ones are missing. I hope and pray by some miracle they come back unharmed or at least they know the real story of the departed.
From Mr Ryan
India
Website comment
No excuse for such incidents
No one knows for sure what happened to this aircraft and the dispute will go on for a while. One matter on which there should be no argument is that we can never, ever again accept the complete disappearance of an advanced commercial aircraft loaded with passengers. The technology many of us carry around with us effectively allows instantaneous communication across the planet and positioning data down to a matter of even a few metres. It is totally unacceptable to “lose” a Boeing 777 and it is inconceivable that it has happened. There will continue to be disastrous crashes, sinkings, collapses and other manmade catastrophes. But in this era there is no suitable excuse for not knowing where and when they occurred so that we can study, learn and do better next time.
From Mr Romi Sebastian
Doha, Qatar
A diplomatic cover-up
I am so fed up of hearing the words “may be” and “possibly”. The ending of this drama is like a storybook. Now the Malaysian prime minister has said that there is “credible information that the MH370 has crashed in the Indian Ocean”, but they still cannot confirm it. I am starting to doubt how so many countries with modern technology cannot fathom a simple missing object in the sea. I am only hoping that tomorrow they will say the “possible object” was a dolphin. Whatever said and done, the Malaysian government must take full responsibility for this incident; lack of intelligence, security screening, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) control and press conferences.
Whoever was on this aircraft wanted to divert it to beyond the Andaman Islands and the hijackers wanted to make their claim after they reached the destination. I believe there was a struggle in the cockpit shortly after dinner. But the aircraft did not have enough fuel. Even if the plane “descended” into the Indian Ocean, there is a possibility that the passengers survived for two days, but later died. If the Malaysian authorities were more focused, they could have found survivors. This is a fine story of a diplomatic cover-up.
From Mr Andrew
Dubai
Website comment
Not possible
People who claim that some organisations are involved in covering up the truth need to realise that there are miles of water above the crashed aircraft. National Geographic once stated that we only know of about five per cent of the ocean. That is primarily because no ‘visual’ imaging system can map the depths of the ocean in detail. Even if there was a way to map it, refraction of that magnitude may make it look like a point in the ocean is miles away from where it actually is. This is one of the most unexplored places on the face of the earth. Conventional detection techniques don’t work here effectively. I can understand that people get a kick from believing unfounded conspiracy theories, but please, the important thing here is to pray for the people who passed away and their relatives.
From Mr Vijin
Dubai
Website comment
Who are you trying to impress?
Once upon a time people had no need to buy fake items (“Bagging a bargain at hidden shops in Karama”, Gulf News, March 24). They were happy with the quality of lifestyle goods that they could afford to buy. Why would anyone buy fake luxury goods? It makes no sense. What are they trying to prove? They are making fools of themselves. Fake goods are for fake people. Real people who can afford the genuine thing can spot a fake a mile away. Do you think that will get you into their clique? Do you think your friends who earn a low salary like yours will feel sorry and buy you lunch because you just spent money on a handbag you are touting as authentic?
From Mr Louie Tedesco
Dubai
Website comment
A crime
You know what’s a crime? Charging Dh15,000 for a handbag just because it’s attributed to some eccentric designer in a remote part of the Western Hemisphere! What are they made of, Unicorn hair?
From Mr Mohammad Ali
Ras Al Khaimah
Website comment
Make the right decision
It’s really a shame when people abandon their children (“Baby girl found abandoned on busy road”, Gulf News, March 24). When you have already decided that you cannot take care of children, then why do you give birth to them? Why should your source of enjoyment become a punishment for an innocent child? You should be ashamed of yourself!
From Ms Shamli
Dubai
Website comment
Two sides to a coin
The Almighty blesses some people with children and they abandon them. On the other hand, I know some couples who are waiting to have children or trying to adopt by any means.
From Ms Asiya
Dubai
Website comment
An easy judgment
It is disheartening to hear such news, but it is even more disheartening to see some of the comments above. I’m amazed at how easily people judge a probably distressed woman, without even knowing anything about her. Try walking a mile in their shoes and get to know the truth before judging.
From Mr Sanjeev
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Smoking session
My office is in one of the buildings in Dubai Internet City. The authorities in the area do an excellent job of arranging regular fire evacuation drills, to ensure the safety of people. Unfortunately these drills are a horrible experience for some of us. After people evacuate the building and assemble outside, the smokers in the group use that time to have a cigarette. This forces non-smokers into passive smoking. Although the smokers initially stand away from the assembly point, the security guards ask them to stand collectively with the group, without asking them to stop smoking. The situation gets worse as there are pregnant women in the crowd. The smokers need to respect non-smokers and pregnant women. The security guards need to make sure that people are not smoking at the assembly point.
From Mr Muraleedharan Punnamanna
Sharjah
Environment conservation
UAE has been emphasising a lot on sustainability and going green. However, it is disappointing that some people still don’t care about the environment. I feel environmental education should be a part of school curriculum, so from the very beginning people are taught different methods to save the environment. Students must know what is carbon footprint, so that their attitudes change.
From Ms Arushi Madan
Sharjah
Australia’s refugee policy is inhumane
Australia has brought in a policy that stops asylum seekers from arriving as illegals on its shores. As part of the Regional Resettlement Arrangement (RRA) process, asylum seekers who arrive univited to Australian shores are bundled off to Papua New Guinea, to live in shelters that international media is calling “tent prisons”. The conditions are dire, with violence against the inmates escalating often enough. Women and children live in mortal fear. Apparently, quite often these refugees are sent back to the very place that they are trying to escape from. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has declared the place as being unsafe and inhumane. I understand that a nation is trying to protect itself because they fear that these people will bring in issues with them. Perhaps we need to understand that the bigger fear should be against inhumane conduct. Only extreme conditions would compel a person to risk all and arrive on foreign shores with nothing but the hope of a rescue. From Ms Avena Abraham
Dubai
A treasure of books
I had written a Community Report in 2012 regarding the Al Mankhool Public Library in Bur Dubai being close to the public. The report had urged the authorities to open the public library and also emphasised the need and importance of more public libraries across Dubai. The report was appreciated by book enthusiasts and those who think reading should be instilled as a habit in people again, especially the youth. After almost two years, it has opened! On talking to people now, they feel satisfied as they are exposed to more books as well as reading and reference materials, including newspapers, magazines, periodicals and media journals. However, some do feel that the timings of public libraries should be extended. Books have always been man’s best friend but somewhere down the lane, due to the emerging digital era, we are neglecting the power of reading, contributing to its decline. There are various approaches of mass media and communication including e-learning, but books have their own charm. Reading a book is indeed a valuable custom and we ought to treasure it and keep it alive. I’d like to thank the Government of Dubai for opening the doors to education, which truly plays an imperative role in every human being’s life. I’d also like to take this opportunity to request more public libraries in Dubai.
From Ms Maria Hussain
Dubai
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