Need a punching bag
The hypocrisy of the US is so evident (“We don’t need the US, Pakistani expats say”, Gulf News, January 3). It even resorted to destroying an entire country, on the pretext of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, when it comes to furthering of their own strategic and vested interests. Why should Pakistan support their cause if they undermine Pakistan’s interests? America loves to remind Pakistan that they gave them $33 billion in aid; however, they totally ignore the fact that for 17 years, the US is using their ports and air and land corridors for logistics. It has used their military installations to wage war in the poorest of countries. Now, when it is losing a war, for various reasons, it needs a scapegoat. Until Pakistan sorts out its own extremist problem, or at least acknowledges it, they are an inconsistent ally at best. The children of Pakistan will pay for their forefathers’ mess.
From Ms Emma Suba
Dubai
America is to blame
The comments on the first day of 2018 from US President Donald Trump, were horrendous as Pakistanis have lost thousands of lives in this fight, where collateral damages are counterproductive to the ongoing venture. The loss lives is irreversible and thus cannot be matched with aid from the US. Apart from the lives lost, the direct and indirect cost in past 15 years because of the collaboration between Pakistan and the US, has cost Pakistan billions of dollars, besides the loss of opportunities for growth and peace. Lastly, I would like to say, the wars around the world are fought for power, resources and economic gain, not for other factors. For world super powers, the lives of poor countries are not of much value.
From Mr Waqar Al Islam
Abu Dhabi
Mistakes and different meanings
Pakistan has lost many lives and funds in the war on terror. No nation has suffered more. But let’s leave facts aside and have some fun analysing US President Donald Trump’s nonsensical phraseology instead. English teachers will have a field day with this tweet. First, he claims that the US acted foolishly and then is irate that the US leaders are thought of as fools, in the same sentence. Next, he accuses Pakistan of giving a safe haven to terrorists. Finally, he ends with “no more” right after he said “with little help”. Would he like safe haven to be given to terrorists with more help? The President of the United States is not actually saying what he thinks he’s saying.
From Mr Sajid Mahmoud
UAE
Environmentally friendly future
I know that people missed the old fashioned fireworks at Burj Khalifa this year but the new laser show which replaced the fireworks was spectacular, unique and environmentally friendly. It also minimised noise pollution. This is just a small insight into how the future will be.
From Ms Cassandra Debbie Sandra Jr
UAE
Great alternative celebrations
It was this New Year eve when I went with my parents to Sharjah, I noticed the Sharjah police cars all placed at regular intervals to maintain and regulate the traffic. Everything was so well planned in the UAE that it surprises and delights us all. The determination and organised way of working and collaborating, is surely going to be one of our New Year resolutions. Adding to this, the thought that struck me was the change in plans for the celebrations at the Burj Khalifa. The laser show equally enthralled every spectator, just like the fireworks do, but the initiative indeed explains the responsibility of the government to save our environment. Often, it is heard during times of festivals about the amount of pollution created by fireworks. Now, it is Dubai who has shown us how we can celebrate and enlighten our year with an alternative method. This is exactly the reason people look forward to being a part of the UAE.
From Ms Afeefa Roshan
UAE
New Year Eve specticle
The New Year Eve celebrations in Dubai were different, environmentally friendly and fun. I think the government made a good decision to avoid the use of fireworks at the Burj Khalifa this year because of the amount of pollution such crackers cause. I think the laser show was a nice change from the usual specticle. Global warming is a serious problem and needs to be taken seriously. The UAE uses a lot of solar power and other eco-friendly fuels. It is nice to seem them practicing what they preach.
From Ms Anna Samuel
UAE
Government needs to step in
It is indeed horrendous that so many youngsters lost their lives (“Mumbai fire: women who took refuge in washroom died of asphyxiation”, Gulf News, December 30). The accident underscores the deteriorating infrastructure in Mumbai. The restaurant was located in the Kamala Mills Compound. Some decades ago, the mills in Central Mumbai were closed due to overcrowding in the locality. These plots should have been converted into public parks and gardens to decongest the area. Instead, these premium plots of land have been sold and converted into shopping malls, restaurants and offices. So the very purpose of shutting the mills, to ease the congestion in the centre of Mumbai was lost. Today, an area in which the Kamala Mills Compound is based, has become an urban jungle, with residential buildings, offices, restaurants and premium shops, all leaning over each other due to the density of the locality. The expansion in business and residential facilities has not been supported by any improvement in infrastructure. The roads are narrow with just one operating lane, because the first lane is invariably occupied by taxis and hawkers. It is impossible for an ambulance or a fire engine to get through the road in an emergency. The footpaths have just disappeared due to the need to widen the road for the busy traffic and hawkers selling tea and fast food on the roads. High tension electricity wires and cables hang loose on many of the poles. The footpaths are littered with stones and bricks, the leftovers of repairs some years ago and have just been left there. Unless the government can improve the roads, bridges and general infrastructure, it is best not to build more offices or restaurants in the mill areas. We are risking human lives with unplanned expansion, as the fire accident has shown us.
From Mr Rajendra Aneja
India
Introduce new coins?
This might sound silly but when I bought a one litre bottle of water, the shopkeeper charged me Dh2 along with VAT of 5 per cent. But since there is no 10 fills coin, I had to pay him Dh2.25. As expected, he can’t give me a balance of 15 fills so he kept the whole thing. Obviously the VAT effect on my purchase is 12.5 per cent and not 5 per cent. In the long run, this will work out to be more expensive from the customer’s point of view. Imagine if there are 100 customers per day for the shopkeeper, he will make Dh15 of unaccounted profit, just on the sale of a water bottle. How can this be avoided from the customers point of view? I think the government can introduce currency of smaller denominations so that this will no longer be an issue
From Mr Srikanth V
UAE
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