Even death penalty is too lenient for rape

Even death penalty is too lenient for rape

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) head Rhodora Masilang-Bucoy may believe life imprisonment is enough for a rapist, but a quick poll of women would probably show that most people think death penalty is the best punishment (“One person raped per hour in this country”, Gulf News, March 10). Rape is not something you can do by accident, or something that can be guaranteed as a one-off incident. It is the worst possible harm you can cause to a woman without murdering her, and rapists must feel the full force of the law. Personally, I feel even death penalty is too quick and lenient, as a punishment.

From Ms Amanah Ali

Sharjah

Not enough

Life imprisonment should be granted for the case of kidnapping. But when it comes to rape, I think people should get the death penalty.

From Mr Roland Paler

Milan, Italy

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Can’t put a price on women

All this, because there is a bride price (“Man kills cousin to avoid getting her married”, Gulf News, March 10). Perhaps if women were seen for the inherent value they have and bring as a wife, rather than as a commodity with a fixed financial value, this woman and many others like her would have been saved. All cultures have a history like this, in some format. It needs to stop.

From Ms Daniella How

UAE

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Strive on

I am glad Eman Ahmad Abd El Aty, who previously weighed around 500kg, has now lost 100kg and is on the way to good health (“‘World’s heaviest woman’ has surgery in India, loses 100kg”, Gulf News, March 10). Those who are slim can never know the effort and heartache it takes for obese or overweight people to see a shift in the weighing scale. I gained 15kg over a year, I should know! I am working hard to lose weight but it is a struggle, every day.

From Mr Meera Syed

Abu Dhabi

Food for thought

My experience with Gulf News has changed over the years. Earlier, I would read the main newspaper first, before heading to The Views’ section and tabloid!. Now, I find myself reading The Views first, and then checking out the main sections of the newspaper. In The Views, I find analysis and comment pieces, especially about the Trump administration, to be riveting! A comment piece from last month, about how global education and curriculum structures need a serious overhaul, was particularly enlightening, and was something I discussed with my students in class, as I teach ninth grade. The children had a lot to say about the way they are taught, and whether they feel they are getting enough value. That’s what a good Opinion section is supposed to do, isn’t it? It should make you think! Thank you, Gulf News.

From Ms Samar Obaid

Dubai

Empowered

I did not know that changing my diet could help me avoid cancer (“Tweak your diet and avoid cancer”, Gulf News, March 10). Usually, I do not follow awareness campaigns closely, but the Pink Caravan stories in Gulf News have been very helpful. I was especially surprised by the study that showed that nine per cent of cancer cases may be prevented by changing our diets. I would like to congratulate the Pink Caravan on successfully changing the lives of so many women, whether or not they suffer from this disease. Women often tend to neglect themselves, so I hope this campaign encourages them to get checked for breast cancer and also live a healthier life.

From Ms Ashley Simmons

Abu Dhabi

The state of oil

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) production cut strategy, aimed at improving oil prices at a comfortable level, has been doing very well so far, with nearly complete compliance from member countries and some producers. But this strategy is going to face stiff resistance from the US, not only on account of their higher output levels, but due to their determination to increase the capital expenditure on production exceeding estimations and industry expectations. The Donald Trump administration’s tax reform proposals have the potential to create another glut in oil industry. The production cut strategy is not going to have a substantial effect on the price of oil in the long run, as long as Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria and the US are in the process of producing oil at their optimum level. Today’s market share is better than that of tomorrow, irrespective of the price. The producers’ earlier strategy of flooding the market with excess oil has already failed. The most practical way to increase oil margins is through innovation. Aim not for the prices of the last quarter of 2014, but rather for cheap technology. The largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, has nearly met the production cut, as per its commitment. Oil prices assume a greater significance for Saudi Arabia, not only on account of its impact on local economy but also due to the country’s plan to sell five per cent of oil major Aramco’s shares, in what could be the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the world, in early 2018. The success of the IPO will largely depend on the strength of the oil prices, and the publication of the financial results of the largest company in the world, based on its assets.

From Mr Girish R Edathitta

Dubai

Disappointment on the field

It is really shocking that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to patch things up with Cricket Australia, after the incident with the decision review system (DRS) (“It’s ‘anarchy’ — ICC slammed over India bust-up”, Gulf News, March 10). Apart from the confessions of Australian captain Steve Smith and teammate Peter Handscomb, there was TV footage available, to nail the culprits. But, as usual, the International Cricket Council (ICC) referee could be seen to be biased towards Australia and refused to act. Ironically, India’s Board too, proved to be spineless. It is all the more disappointing that even after Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland slammed Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s claim as ‘outrageous’, the BCCI withdrew its complaint. As an Indian, how I wish we had our old war horses on the scene – the late Jagmohan Dalmiya, I. S. Bindra and N. Srinivasan. They always backed their cricketers. I feel India’s Board officials should have asked for the removal of match referee Chris Broad, as in the case of the Sydney fiasco, where umpire Steve Bucknor was removed. Broad also acted against the interest of the game. At the same time, we should be proud that

Team India, ably lead by Kohli, has been groomed well and, amidst all these obstacles, has emerged victorious.

From Mr N. Viswanathan

Coimbatore, India

Extreme bias

It is really atrocious on the part of the ICC to gloss over the blatant violation of law by Smith. While we were expecting some action by the ICC at least, they have come out with a statement that no charges will be pressed either against Smith or Kohli. While Smith has violated the ethics of the game, how has Kohli come into the picture? This act seems to be equating the pickpocket with an alert policeman. Ironically, BCCI too, seems to be reluctant to nail the offender and is making amends with Cricket Australia. Unfortunately, Shashank Manohar, the current BCCI chairman, who is peeved with the Board, has taken this opportunity to snub BCCI and confirm his extension. Incidentally, with pathetic groups such as the BCCI, ICC and its umpires and referees, once the red card system is introduced, I am confident it would be Asian players, who would get 99 per cent of these cards!

From Mr Vinay Mahadevan

Dubai

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