Horrifying act
The word ‘brutal’ is used to describe extreme torture (“Rising tide of sexual violence in India”, Gulf News, December 21). However, in this case, ‘brutal’ would be a very weak term. The rape of the 23-year-old girl in Delhi was absolutely inhumane. I don’t think even a beast would be this unfair to its prey. The thought of the victim has my nerves on edge. Like many, even I want to see justice done against those men. But I keep wondering how even one among the gang of rapists did not have a humane thought. The young girl is not only a rape victim - she has gone through a horrifying physical assault and did not receive the consideration even an animal would have got. As an Indian, I feel terribly unsafe in my country. Rigorous norms will definitely help curb this act.
From Ms Rasna Hijas
UAE
Website comment
A society in transition
The recent gang rape incident in Delhi, on top of many other cases of sexual violence, is symptomatic of a society ‘in transition’. The abandonment of core values in a changing society and a flush of money are some reasons. Family bonding no longer exists as it used to before rapid urbanisation saw the erosion of traditional households. Now, youths displace cultural values, as if they are excess baggage of the past. The new generation has moved into a competition where their brains are occupied with quicker job rotations, unstable relationships, latest technology and luxury at all levels. The growth of prostitution is alarming in today’s world. The plethora of nonsense - on the screen, in books and magazines, easy availability of vulgar books and videos - have all added to this societal malaise! Civil society will have to take responsibility for this drowning of moral etiquette.
From Mr A.R. Modak
Johannesburg, South Africa
Heinous crime
I was extremely angered, shocked and saddened at reading the report about the heinous crime - gang rape committed in a moving bus in New Delhi. The victim, a young woman, was even beaten up by these brutes and left in critical condition. The youth in Delhi demonstrated outside the Chief Minister’s residence and the police headquarters with placards asking for the rapists to be hanged... asking for justice. For such a brutal crime, do citizens have to demand justice from politicians and the police? Should they not have taken serious action immediately? The state of affairs in Delhi is really pathetic! When wild animals attack human beings, they are immediately shot dead. These wild beasts, the rapists, too should be treated like wild animals and given the sentence immediately. Only then would justice be done. However, the rapists must be shamed first in public and then receive death penalty. This action should be taken immediately as it would serve as an example to potential rapists: that the consequences of rape are dire! Recently, there was another incident in Uttar Pradesh, India, where a young woman who was raped went to the police station to file a complaint. The police officer said he would help her and took her somewhere on the pretext of filing a report and raped her. Imagine a young girl coming for justice to the police and getting raped by him too! I pray for the young woman’s recovery.
From Ms Vijaya
UAE
Full name withheld by request
(TO GO WITH 2 PICS - THE PDF OF THE COMMUNITY REPORT & THE NEW PICTURE)
A thank you note
I had sent a community report to Gulf News on October 20 about the obscure traffic signs that are a danger to drivers. Last week, when I was driving on the same road, I noticed that the traffic sign was put back on. Additionally, I realised that new street lights have been added to the road. I congratulate the authorities for their prompt action. I would like to thank Gulf News for publishing these community reports sent by the readers. It feels great to see the change it creates. Thank you.
From Mr Ajeet Kumar S. Pillai
UAE
Brush up the buses
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) buses plying between Dubai Media City and Al Ghubaiba and further down to Sharjah are excellent when it comes to timings. But, the problem is that the temperature of the air-conditioning inside the buses is very low and it makes the long journey very uncomfortable. Furthermore, some buses also have problems with the doors, which make a noise when they open and close. Sometimes, peak hour in the buses makes the commute very difficult, especially for women, because our section fills up quickly and then we have to go upstairs. I suggest that the front two rows should be reserved for women when they are in the common section, as not everyone is comfortable sitting next to strangers. I hope the RTA looks into this matter.
From Ms Rita
UAE
Full name withheld by request
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