Letters: Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Killing us all
It never ceases to amaze and quite frankly disgust me that when going into a restaurant or a café I am overwhelmed by the wall of smoke that envelops and clings to my body, hair and clothes, not to mention my lungs. It is as if Armageddon is just around the corner and the smokers just have to drag that little bit more death into their lungs and share it with everyone before being overwhelmed by the end of the world, or whatever it is that is driving them to selfishly reduce both their own and other people’s life expectancy. This disgusting and hurtful habit should be banned from all public places. The sooner a full ban is imposed the better.
From Mr Barry Crouchman
Dubai

Make it a habit
I have been extra cautious about littering ever since my father corrected me about throwing a bubblegum wrapper out of the car window. Now I always have an extra plastic bag in the car for wrappers, used tissues and bottles. My father’s lesson stuck with me, and I learned it 25 years ago as a child. Civic responsibility starts at school. Sporadic awareness campaigns are not enough. Teachers should make it a part of the students’ daily routine so that it becomes less of a responsibility and more of a habit.
From Ms Amnah Tarek
Sharjah

A united future?
I am from India and have been residing in Dubai for the past 22 years. Three weeks ago I got an opportunity to visit Pakistan on a business trip and had a very pleasant experience. The two countries are kept apart by endless issues and controversies, which are of least interest to the common man. There are more similarities than difference among the two countries. There are differences based on culture, geographical size, population and economy. There was no arrogance or attitude by the immigration or security staff when I was at Karachi Airport – they were polite and pleasant and very helpful in guiding me with procedures. I visited many places in Karachi. The people, the land and everything else are similar in both countries. My question is: what if we were a united country of 1.5 billion people? Could the Subcontinent be another China or like the European Union? Free trade relations and entry and exit to both countries? Maybe this is just a dream of mine.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai

Sad story
What is disappointing is the fact that people have time to comment on Madonna’s concert or celebrity rumours but then no one cares for such human crises and children starving in a country that is only four hours away from where we live – it is very sad (‘US warns of ‘overlooked’ food crisis in Yemen’, Gulf News, June 6).
From Ms Mirela
Dubai
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Careless people
I often see drivers talking on their phone and reducing their car’s speed (‘Nearly 60 per cent admitted using mobiles while driving’, Gulf News, June 5). They would then suddenly speed after they had ended their conversation. What I don’t understand is who gives these motorists the right to endanger other people’s lives? Or is this just pure arrogance? I thought I saw the worst, but I was mistaken. There was a driver texting on his phone – he wasn’t holding the steering wheel or looking at the road. It might not sound that scary but there were three young children inside the car. It’s got to be the scariest scene I have ever seen. It is a total disregard for life.
From Mr Will
Dubai
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Better to be safe than sorry
It is always better to be cautious (not overly cautious) with preventative steps rather than repenting later. Life can change within seconds and we won’t be able to rectify our mistakes. Rules are there for our interest and they should be adhered to.
From Mr Chandrahas
Dubai
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Safety is top priority
The punishment should be simple – confiscate the driver’s mobile phone. If it is a second offence then confiscate the vehicle. If it happens the third time then he or she is out of here for good. Public and private sectors can help in this cause. My organisation has a written corporate policy prohibiting all of us from using mobile phones, regardless of whether it’s with or without a handsfree set, while driving. Violation can lead to termination. In fact, even our subcontractors cannot violate this policy. We take safety as a top priority in our firm worldwide.
From A Reader
Dubai
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