World Post Day
On October 9, today, more than 150 countries are recognising postal workers and postal services by celebrating World Post Day. The days may be over when the postman knocks at the door and shouts: “You’ve got a letter!” But, postal services or the so-called ‘snail mail’ services are still in operation. Sending letters around the world to reach the nearest post office, if not your doorstep, is still fairly common.
Even in the era of emails and text messages, the postman cannot be forgotten. Letters still remain a persuasive and a very personal way of communicating. Postal services have also played an important role in the history and development of countries, right from the times of pigeon post.
The presence of post offices is still recognised by the issuing and purchasing of stamps to add to collectors’ albums. The wiring of telegrams by some countries and sending letters instead of emails in order to better display emotions, are all competitive advantages that keep postal technology alive. I don’t think post offices can be replaced by technology – not truly.
From Ms Maria Vincent
Dubai
Inspiring green efforts
The community report on creating efforts for a greener future by Prerna Pai, who is a grade seven pupil, is a perfect inspiration (‘Community report: Striving for a greener future,’ Gulf News, October 2)! The report clearly steers us into a ‘green mode’ and saving on pots by using yogurt containers is an excellent way to recycle. This young girl has worked towards a greener environment in her own way, and I admire that. To add to her idea, I would suggest using laban and milk bottles to grow creepers and plants like ‘money plants’ that only need water - no soil or no fertiliser.
I have grown money plants in my house in colourful bottles and kept it on the portico. There is no special care needed and they just grow. When you give them the space on the balcony or in any area by twirling them around a stick or a railing, they cling and climb. I hope a lot of people will take the cue and share more methods to recycle and work for a greener environment.
From Ms Naina Nair
Bengaluru, India
A safe decision
I agree with the decision by the Ajman authorities to reduce speed limits (‘Ajman to slash speed limits to 60km/h,’ Gulf News, October 6). Accidents happen because of the over confidence of drivers combined with speeding. That’s why this will always be the right decision to make, but they should also make some efforts to create more pedestrian paths.
From Mr Amjad Kharal
UAE
Facebook comment
Too slow
Reducing the speed limit to 60km/h is very slow. I worry that the city will be crawling instead of moving. Why don’t the authorities apply this speed limit to school buses and other vehicles that should most definitely be moving slower? I hope they rethink this law, because I don’t think everybody needs to travel this slow.
From Mr Nasser Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
Positive action
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has made a timely apology about his mistakes in the past, but it will not be able to resolve the Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) issue (‘Pakistan: PPP refuses to stop supporting Sharif,’ Gulf News, October 6). The PPP is still a major political party. They are leading three provinces of Pakistan, they are the main opposition party in Parliament. Zardari had predicted correctly that the party was losing ground in Punjab and that the workers are joining Imran Khan. Now he must correct governance within party. Currently, his party belongs to all the old guards who have not delivered properly on their promises, but instead created problems and ditched the party position. The PPP is lacking accountability at each and every level of governance. Zardari needs new blood within his party, people who will lead the party to greatness after his apology. When the next election comes, the people will ask Zardari what his party did in his chairmanship in the last two periods of the Sindh government. Unfortunately, the delivery rate of the Sindh government in the last period and the current one has not been satisfactory. The situation in Sindh is deteriorating day by day in each and every sector: education, healthcare, industry, agriculture, local government and, above all, law and order is completely in shambles.
I believe that Zardari can change the situation of Sindh if he is really sincere. His actions will be counted by everyone. I hope and pray for his success and the party’s positive action everywhere in Pakistan.
From Mr Aijaz Ali Khuwaja
Karachi, Pakistan
Belligerent Pakistan
The recent ceasefire violation by the Pakistani troops in the Line of Control (LoC) along the Indo-Pak border was indeed unfortunate (‘Pakistani and Indian troops exchange fire on border,’ Gulf News, October 6). The incident has resulted in death and destruction on the Indian side and gave enough provocation to India to respond with equal belligerence. All this is happening when the new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is offering an olive branch to Pakistan.
From Mr Thomas Matthew Parackel
Kerala, India
Difficult comment to retrieve
Even though Joseph Biden apologised for his remarks on the UAE, it can never be truly taken back (‘Biden apologises for comments on UAE,’ Gulf News, October 6). Saying sorry is not enough because he has already exposed their inner thoughts on the matter. The US government should take action against him for making such an irresponsible comment.
From Mr Dewan
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Constitution amendments
The United Nations (UN) is one of the finest gifts of the twentieth century to mankind for peace, security and order in life. It is our best hope for survival. Now, a world without the UN is quite unthinkable. Presently, when the number of UN member states has gone up to 193 from 55, it becomes imperative in the changed circumstances that some drastic changes should be made to the constitution of the Security Council.
In my humble view, the strength of the non-permanent members should be doubled so that more and more member states may participate.
The strength of the permanent members should be tripled and then ten new nations should be included. This would indeed be a grand step towards world peace and order.
From Mr Subhash Chandara Srivastava
UAE
Gender roles
When we are talking about gender equality, we speak about treating women to the same standard as men (Facebook debate: Influencing gender equality,’ Gulf News, October 5). I think there is another necessary aspect to gender equality that is teaching men the jobs that women do. The biggest is taking care of home as equally as women. As still today it is an area that women tend to dominate.
I am not talking about exceptional men who manage the home very well, but all those men who treat women equally professionally, but when it comes to home and day to day chores, they still think it is a woman who can do it better. Often there are excuses that they have never done this before or that they don’t know how to do it. I think that gender equality is possible when a boy is taught all tasks like cooking and maintaining the home.
From Ms Prachiti Talathi
UAE
Facebook comment
Equality needs equal opportunity
If all humans were born with the same qualities, true equality would be possible. How could our social life be shaped? So I think that the law of Nature is understandable. Different people are gifted with different qualities by Nature. When it comes to equality, I believe that equality could prevail in a society where all humans, regardless of gender, religion, race and ethnicity had the same opportunities to develop their abilities and qualities.
From Ms Zeba Hussain
UAE
Facebook comment
Contextually dependent
I believe that men and women can be equal to a point. I have done a lot of research on this topic. Truthfully speaking, I’ve found countless issues with the statement I have heard all too many time: “A male and a female can never be equal”. But, we should obviously remind ourselves that there is a point of circumstantial context where a woman is superior to a man and vice versa.
From Mr Syed Hassan Porag
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Facebook comment
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