Offer plastic bags for a price
With so much emphasis on the environment and its related safety measures, it is time to focus on the excessive usage of plastic bags. These bags are clearly affecting marine life as we keep reading of the mishaps marine creatures face due to our negligence and ignorance. On the other hand, we have the critical issue of plastic bags piling up in landfills. Plastic bags at grocery stores should be offered for a price. While on vacation in India, I faced a similar situation and paid for bags. It made me realise that we are taking plastic bags and not caring about the environment while consuming them. Let us make a pledge to make a difference in this world for our future generations. Why not carry a bunch of plastic bags or a reusable bag when going grocery shopping? In this tech-savvy world, going back to conventional methods is not utopia, it is achievable. I sincerely request store managers to start spreading this message and creating awareness amongst their valued customers to carry their own bags and thus drive the initiative to reduce consumption of plastic. Every act paves the way for a better tomorrow.
From Ms Shalini Menezes
Dubai
Safety measures
I wouldn’t mind trying a self-driving car depending on its safety and efficiency and knowing what kind of laws are needed for these kind of vehicles (‘UAE demand for self-driving cars ranked 3rd globally’, Gulf News, August 16). Also, I think I would trust the vehicle more if it had an override switch, in case there was a glitch in its system.
From Mr Ame Kumori
UAE
Facebook comment
Driving alternative
I would love to, but this technology needs to be inexpensive. It could save a lot of money for people who fear driving.
From Mr Saif Nadeem Baloch
UAE
Facebook comment
Fifty years later
I was glad to note an article on India’s Justice Markandey Katju (‘Katju heaps praise on Keralites’, Gulf News, August 15). It is with nostalgia that I recollect his arrival at our old school in Allahabad, India. It was during the mid-1960s. He started a debate club and we all have benefitted from his initiative.
Though nearly 50 years have passed, we look upon him as a worthy son of the motherland. The views expressed in the report were about the state of Kerala, in India, which was not so well-known during the early days of Indian independence. I was the only student in my class who hailed from Kerala.
Though he may not remember me as he was a senior, we remember him with joy.
God bless Katju and Gulf News for the interesting feature. I have been a subscriber since the early 1980s when the newspaper began.
From Mr T. K. Thomas
UAE
Sad reality for a young boy
At such a tender age, this young boy’s morals are astounding (‘Court waives loan as boy, 8, comes to pay dead mum’s debt’, Gulf News, August 16). It’s heartbreaking to read what this innocent soul had to go through when children his age enjoy childhood. I hope and pray he gets the support he needs and grows up to be a role model.
From Ms Sibi Joice
UAE
Facebook comment
Too much homework
Homework puts a lot of stress on little children, especially when they have monthly tests right at the last moment (‘The question of homework’, Gulf News, August 16). Teachers give homework in bulk, as they don’t complete certain portions of the semester in time. They shouldn’t give homework during tests. How are the children getting any time to study?
From Ms Jane
UAE
Facebook comment
It’s not right
Yes, homework is very bad concept. After long hours in school they need rest, mentally and physically. Homework is a nightmare as they know that if they don’t finish it, the teachers will scold them and insult them in front of all the students, which is terrible. So, they always remain stressed.
From Ms Archana Sen
UAE
Facebook comment
Weighing on children
Teachers who can’t finish their work in the scheduled time, give it as the homework. The poor children keep on writing and writing till their hands pain and they have backaches due to slumping. Please stop all this homework, we want children to spend some time playing, too.
From Ms Anu Sajnani
UAE
Facebook comment
Undermining princesses
The princess culture is not bad, it’s a matter of perception (‘Why ‘princess culture’ is bad for girls’, Gulf News, August 11). People need to understand that the princesses have responsibilities. In real life, princesses work for their nation in the form of diplomacy and a good princess shows the world a good image of the country. A princess often works in terms of humanitarian aid. The life of a princess is not all gold. The life of a princess is about loving your nation and your fellow people. I have a lot of respect for the culture and heritage.
From Ms Asia Elisabeth Mel
UAE
Facebook comment
Strong face of Cuba
History will remember that Cuba’s former president, Fidel Castro, not only as a true human being who fought against imperialism, but also stood for justice and the well-being of Cuba for all these years under the communist rule (‘Fidel Castro: 90 years in seven snapshots’, Gulf News, August 14). He turned 90 last week and, still, he is s hero in the minds of thousands of people across the world. Castro was termed as the icon for the oppressed throughout the world.
After the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union, Fidel Castro’s government had to face a lot of political and economic issues, but he managed to hold Cuba together under the red umbrella. It is said that Castro has survived more than 600 assassination plots. Even though Castro’s health is weak, he has a strong mind.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Make your own toothpaste
Many people have made a habit to clean their teeth regularly using a toothbrush with toothpaste (‘Dubai Municipality allays toothpaste tube mark scare’, Gulf News, August 11). That has been a practice since childhood. During my childhood, I was not allowed to brush my own teeth as my mother did it for me until I was three years old. During that period, we brushed our teeth with burnt husk mixed with powdered pepper. Toothpastes cannot beat that mixture. It gives your teeth a shine. Even now some people continue to use this mixture. When many types of toothpastes from various companies came into the market, people got confused with the selections. What I believe is that most of the toothpastes contain chemicals, which may whiten your teeth, but at the same time damage them. Herbal ones are the best and I use them to brush after every meal or after I eat or drink anything, including sweets or chocolates. I always use salt mixed with herbal tooth powder and then an herbal paste and I also use a tongue cleaner.
From Mr Thottikamath Balaraman
Dubai
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