Baby on board
The new child seat regulations, put forth by the UAE government, are smart and useful (“Quality mark now mandatory for child seats in UAE”, Gulf News, March 11). I am not a parent but I have friends who are, and they have constantly expressed the need to buy good quality child seats that are safe and long-lasting. Such regulations not only ensure uniformity, but also create a standard for companies to follow. I think new parents would be happy with this law. People drive rashly on the roads and do not pay attention to cars that have stickers, which read, ‘baby on board’. In such cases, having a sturdy car seat would make every parent feel relieved.
From Ms Mahi Krishna
UAE
Dubai’s modern waste management
The initiative by Dubai Municipality is finally bearing fruit (“‘Wastenizer’ in homes, communities to turn Dubai waste-free by 2020”, Gulf News, March 7). In the near future, probably by 2020, we will see a waste-free city. All the very best for the ambitious project. This high-tech waste treatment project plan will involve the help of all buildings and communities. But how well are these units going to work, around residential buildings and communities? We need to wait and see. The waste segregation and sorting by Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a high-tech technology developed by the Dubai Municipality, which stands apart from others. If everything works out well, the UAE’s vision will transform it into the best of its kind, in waste management. When this is done, it will be an ideal model or example for the rest of the world in the category of waste management. Once again, thanks to the outstanding project completed by Dubai’s Applied Sustainability and Renewable Energy Department of the Municipality. Hope other emirates follow suit in implementing the procedures.
From Mr M. K. Gunaseelan
Abu Dhabi
Why keep guns?
It was disheartening to read about the Uttar Pradesh teacher who was fatally shot, as he clicked pictures (“UP teacher fatally shot as he clicked pictures”, Gulf News, March 10). This tragic incident happened in the Indian capital, New Delhi, as the teacher was in the city to attend a wedding and was staying at his cousin’s house. His cousin took his father’s licenced pistol and was playing with it when he accidently shot the teacher in the abdomen, leading to his death. Parents should not keep guns in cupboards, or in places where they are visible to children. Such incidents should be condemned and there must be justice for the lost life. This is a sad state of affairs.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Deal gone wrong
It’s unfortunate that Syro-Malabar Church head George Alencherry was involved in a land deal, which allegedly had irregularities (“Kerala cardinal Alencherry faces probe in land deal”, Gulf News March 7). Alencherry sold Rs800 million (Dh45 million) worth of land for Rs273 million (Dh15 million), which caused a huge loss for the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese. This is the first time that the Kerala High Court has directed a probe against Alencherry and three other people who were involved in the land deal. Pope Francis should ensure Alencherry steps down from his post until the enquiry is completed by the state police. If criminal conspiracy and breach of trust is proved, the rule of law should apply, and action should be taken against the culprits.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
A beefy argument
Eating beef is banned in many parts of India and it has also led to mob lynchings and the killing of innocent people. The ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) is ensuring such laws in a majority of India. However in parts of the country, like Goa and the north-east, the BJP is allowing people to eat whatever they want, including beef, to get their votes. In short, beef is sacred in some parts and is not in other parts of the country. The irony is that the same party accuses other parties of appeasing the minority community. I think the current Indian government uses a lot of propaganda to appease minority communities. The poor common man of India is wondering about these double standards.
From Mr Pradeep Kumar
Abu Dhabi
Rules need to be followed
It is really unfortunate and painful to know that trekkers’ delight Kurangani in Tamil Nadu, India, has turned out to be a death trap (“Nine dead in Tamil Nadu forest fire”, Gulf News, March 13). While our hearts go out to the families of the deceased, one cannot overlook the fact that they flouted the rules, for trekking. Ironically, the founder of the Chennai Trekkers Club, Peter Van Geit was nowhere to be found after the incident. In fact, not only this tragedy, but past tragedies like boats capsizing, temple stampedes and more, have taken thousands of lives, only due to people flouting set rules and regulations. Until and unless all the concerned departments and agencies are taken to task, no one is going to follow the set rules and we may have to come across such tragedies in the future, too!
From Ms Janaki Mahadevan
India
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