Look for true democracy
I fully agree with the writer, Farhan Bokhari, in this opinion piece (‘Changing Pakistan’s political mindset’, Gulf News, March 8). The recent elections to the upper house of Pakistan, the Senate, clearly depict the corrupt democratic system prevailing in the country. Where are the morals and ethics of our leaders? When will the ruling elite be ready to give us bold new reforms to establish a true democracy? We can achieve this only if the mindsets of the legislatures are changed. But, the recent course of events suggests that our political direction is getting worse. The so-called smart political moves of Nawaz Sharif are actually leading the nation towards a failed state and not a democratic state. Politics has become all about power and money. The party and the leader who abstains from this style of politics is labelled as immature. It’s high time, we, the voters start differentiating between the rights and wrongs of politics. We need a fundamental change in the mindsets of our rulers. Let’s keep our eyes open for the leader who talks about this change and even depicts it in the Senate elections.
From Ms Khaula Shahbaz Rao
Dubai
Pushing others
Better road management will help reduce road fatalities (‘3 seconds of distraction at the wheel can kill’, Gulf News, March 9). A person who is driving at 90km/h in a slow lane is not spared from the reckless drivers who are flashing their lights from behind. They leave no option other than to move to the slowest lane. Unless the motorists realise the importance of other road users lives, such behaviour will continue unabated on the expressways.
From Mr Venkat
Dubai
Website comment
More penalties
Reduce accidents by improving road design so that people don’t need to make U-turns. More use of road signs, policing those holding up traffic in the fast lanes, more fines for people cutting queues, less traffic lights, more car parks and increased penalties for texting will help. Don’t put pedestrian crossings on corners or in dangerous places either.
From Mr Jeremy
Dubai
Website comment
Many aren’t attentive
It has been seen numerous times almost every day that some people are not attentive on the road at all! In fact, some of the drivers, regardless of the gender, are found mostly playing, talking and sending texts while driving. This causes many issues.
Furthermore, another issue that makes people frustrated is when people get lost because there are many traffic signals and you can’t always make U-turns. Sometimes it seems that U-turns are banned without any clear justification.
From Mr Ali
Dubai
Website comment
Automatic entitlement
Is this a news report or an awareness article (‘UAE laws enable victims to seek civil compensation’, Gulf News, March 8)? There should be legislation done by the authorities to trigger an automatic entitlement to compensation in such cases, instead of a separate civil proceeding consuming more time and resources of the victim in addition to repetition of mental and emotional trauma by repeating the hearings only for civil purposes.
From Mr Omar Yousuf
Sharjah
Website comment
Strong opinions
The articles about India debating the documentary ban was meaningful and thought provoking (‘Heptullah slams UPA govt for allowing to make BBC documentary’, Gulf News, March 8). The much discussed controversy of the documentary film, India’s Daughter, was produced by the British film producer Leslee Udwin on behalf of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and it was aired despite the Indian government’s ban in the recent dramatic developments in Indian politics. There have been a lot of mixed reactions to this film and many people are not in favour of airing it. However, the victim’s father encouraged this to be watched so that people know the mindset of a rapist who has given his views from inside his jail cell. If he is outside, what will happen?
Whatever be the reasons, people are saying that these types of incidents are happening all over the world. The accused comments on women tarnished the reputation of Indian women and the country.
From Mr K. Ragavan
India
Improving relations
The options before the GCC countries are very limited other than listening to the US (‘US owes GCC a ‘grand clarification’, Gulf News, March 8). The decades-old friendship of the US and Israel has reached its lowest level over the resumed US–Iran talks. The message is very clear: whoever opposes the move, the US will go ahead with the talks as planned. However, the US doesn’t want to worsen its relationship with the GCC member countries over Iranian diplomacy. Only time will tell how long these double standards of the US will last.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
UAE
A catching writer
Outlook magazine has been one of the favourite news magazines of reading enthusiasts and its editor Vinod Mehta had a lead role to make reading comfortable for people of all walks of life. To me, ever since I started reading Outlook magazine, his name was very familiar. As the magazine had published several of my opinions and letters, it reflects the approach of an editorial head who understands the minds of serious readers and how they reciprocate to issues that are being discussed every week.
The editorials appearing in the magazine were so enthralling to subjects that require attention and have given his feelings straight from the heart. Those feelings were carrying a kind of humour as well and a reflection of his way of addressing community issues.
It was a kind of acceptance to everyone that Mehta gave his pen a fair opportunity to judge issues, though they often troubled influential people. His editorial columns were truly reflecting the kind of calibre he held. Outlook magazine has given him a large readership in India. It’s difficult to believe that Mehta is no more.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Brilliant editor
Mehta was one of the most distinguished editors, commentators and columnists who successfully launched a number of newspapers and periodicals. He was undergoing prolonged illness and died of multiple-organ failures. His autobiography is acclaimed as his masterpiece for its lucid and authentic presentation. He was a dog lover, too, and had adopted a street dog whom he named Editor. The dog often figured in his columns in Outlook magazine.
His language was so poetic and it gave the readers an appetite to keep reading as a passion. Moreover, he was free and frank in his opinions. His demise has created an irreplaceable void for those who are longing to read more meaningful and sensible write-ups from his quill. May his soul rest in peace.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Kerala, India
We don’t know
I think that it’s really amusing how people have such strong opinions on the topic of this Saudi woman getting divorced because of her love for a camel (‘Saudi man divorces wife over her love for camel’, Gulf News, March 9). Readers need to understand that we can’t possibly know what went on in that marriage.
Maybe he was being silly and she really loved him or maybe she wasn’t joking and she really didn’t have deep feelings for him. She told him she was fond of him only. We all deserve love.
I think only our deep-rooted prejudices influence how we react to this article, as there is little to no real information. Think about it.
From Ms Sarah Jayne
UAE
Facebook comment
Value of marriage
This man got offended by a camel. I find it shocking and surprising. If he really saw her admiration for camels, he should have gifted her one. Let’s say if his next wife likes cats and kittens, will he divorce her as well? Indeed men need to understand the value of marriage.
From Mr Maaheru
Ajman
Website comment
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