I left my son in the car

This is sad news and I sympathise with the parents of the child (“Abu Dhabi girl, 6, dies after being left in car”, Gulf News, September 4). A similar incident happened to me when I left my son — who was one and a half years old at the time — in my car’s front seat, with the air conditioning turned on. At some point, my son had turned the air conditioner off for around 30 minutes. When I returned to the car, he was perspiring. I nearly saw him die, but thanks to God, I came back in time and my son survived. Lesson learned: never leave your children in the car with the assurance that the car’s air conditioner is on. They can switch it off and it would be an unbearable loss.

From Mr Wajahat Ali

Dubai

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No more accidents like this

Although I sympathise with the parents, I feel leaving a child alone for six hours is not right. I think parents should pay much more attention to their children and know where they are at all times. Mistakes like these cannot be undone. The damage that has been done to this family is permanent, but could have been avoided if better care was taken. I hope we don’t hear of any more accidents like this.

From Mr Nishchay Birla

Dubai

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Inefficient parenting

The authorities must now stop advising and start penalising people for leaving children in the car. Many children have lost their lives this way. For years, experts have been advising people about the importance of car seats but it was only when a law was introduced and the police started penalising people, did they start using it. No one teaches us to be a parent. It’s an instinct. Parents who have to be told the importance of protecting their child, are inefficient parents.

From Ms Mahnaaz Shaikh

India

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Not our job?

This is sad news for everyone. We, as parents, forget that we have to take care of our children. We don’t pay attention to our children because it’s not ‘our job’, it’s now the work of a nanny.

From Ms Sharon Syowai

UAE

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Car sensors

Car companies should install sensors in all the seats of the vehicle. These can be interlinked with the parking position of the gear, so if anything above a specific weight is lying on the seats, it would activate the car’s indicators and horn, to get noticed by passersby.

From Mr Tariq Khan

UAE

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Be careful on roads

The driver of this car was my friend’s husband (“Jebel Jais crash claims mum, daughter”, Gulf News, September 4). Please be careful when you drive. I offer my condolences to the family. I also request all of you who are reading this to be careful when you are with family and are driving.

From Ms Asma Hoblos

UAE

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Strange truth

This is strange but true (“What products and services will not be taxed from January 1?”, Gulf News, September 5). The prices of most of these products and services, which are exempt from value added tax (VAT), have already increased in the past year. Examples are the Metro, taxi fares, insurance rates, airlines fares, school fees and more.

From Mr Iftikhar I.

Dubai

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Problematic waste

I have lived in the UAE for six years and I am concerned about the waste problem, which is not a threat to the environment as yet. I have noticed areas where waste is thrown in the desert. In many places, you can see that there is no existing program that encourages people to segregate waste. The UAE is a beautiful country and I hope that everyone will work hand in hand to confront this problem.

From Ms Sievert Montes

UAE

Preventitive measures

I used to work for a child abuse prevention program in the US, where doctors, hospitals, and schools would have to report all suspected cases of child abuse, to protect the children (“Child abuse: parents have to be alert”, Gulf News, September 4). Also, reports about child abuse were made to the authorities on the basis of anonymity. It would have to be followed up within 24 hours of being reported, to save the life of a child.

From Ms Diane Monet Nobles-Eldakak

Abu Dhabi

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Go beyond the basics

This is seriously pathetic — a teacher, whom a student looks up to as a guide, is a molester (“‘Teacher asks girl, 11, to send nude pictures on WhatsApp’”, Gulf News, September 4). On the other hand, it’s the duty of parents to educate their children about what is right and wrong, and talk to them with an open mind. Technology cannot be barred, however. Parents should not just scold their children when they are doing something wrong inside their home. Parenting should go beyond that.

From Mr Faisal Ali

UAE

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Unbelievable

I can’t believe there are such teachers in society. All teachers in the school must be investigated, in case there is a chance that he has a colleague doing the same thing.

From Ms Zawar Bin Nisar

Dubai

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Seeking answers everywhere

We are not as superstitious as we are spiritual (“India’s gurus or conmen?”, Gulf News, September 5). When some Indians become impressed by a holy man or woman, they become so because of the spiritual clarity with which the person addresses the anxieties of life. They are looking for answers to questions like: Why do bad things happen? How can I cope with my current situation? But generally, more Indians visit temples than these godmen. You can see a similar concept in the West. People there are drawn in by life coaches who promise to show them the road to money, happiness and power. They release bestsellers that sell regular statements as profound wisdom.

From Mr John Rees

UAE

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Who’s responsible?

It is the responsibility of the Indian government to protect naive people from such conmen. But in developing democratic countries, the politicians would rather create an alliance with these gurus to ensure their votes.

From Mr Ahmad Seddiqi

UAE

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Togetherness through hardships

There’s no doubt that hurricane Harvey is a disaster we all despise (“Texas may need $180 billion in Harvey aid: Texas governor”, Gulf News, September 4). Countless people have been affected in various ways. However, I would like to point out that it has highlighted the humanity of certain celebrities. Miley Cyrus, commonly known for her wacky stunts and odd behaviour, was recently seen crying on television and subsequently donated thousands of dollars. It’s nice to see that such catastrophes bring all humans together as one.

From Ms Sonia Bhatia

Sharjah

Not the right fit

To be honest, I don’t think he’s right for the role (“Leonardo DiCaprio the new ‘Joker’?”, Gulf News, September 2). Joker, as a character, needs someone younger and someone who’s a little less stiff in his acting. I think Leonardo DiCaprio’s a great actor and he’d be able to get the emotional stuff down perfectly, but the Joker needs someone who’s more fluid.

From Ms Divya Suri

Dubai

Leo is no joker

I don’t see it. DiCaprio is a good actor, maybe of top calibre, but no other actor has done what Heath Ledger has done for this role. Ledger was not acting, he was living it. He was the joker. Maybe I am wrong about Leo. But you need a certain level of craziness to pull off this character.

From Ms Betbet T. S.

UAE

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