Somalia going from bad to worse
According to recent news articles, more than 58,000 children are facing the risk of death in the drought hit Somalia. Somalia is facing the worst drought and food shortages in their history due to lack of rains and insecurity. According to United Nations own estimates, 4.7 million people are in urgent need of food and the world response in very slow. Neighbouring Ethiopia is also struggling to combat its worst drought in history. At least ten million need food urgently in Ethiopia. Although the change in weather systems is blamed for all the miseries. But the human factor – poor management, corruption and a worsening peace situation – is also making things go from bad to worse.
Four hundred thousand people have already migrated from Somalia to Kenya and they are now living in camps without any necessities of life. Due to peace situation and continued fighting between the government and Al Shabab fighters’ aid agencies are not able to reach and provide help to the drought affected people.
Some people walked four hundred kilometres in search of food and water. Modern countries can spend millions of dollars against unseen enemies in different parts of the world, but they can’t provide relief to humanity.
From Mr Khawaja Omar Farooq
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Obvious distractions
Eating and drinking water or tea is the same distraction as talking on the phone (‘Can eating be the new traffic offence?’, Gulf News, April 11). While driving, you shouldn’t even look at the backseat for whatever reason. It’s same as you are driving with your eyes closed.
From Mr Yousuf Baig
UAE
Facebook comment
Work on seatbelts
Dubai police must fine everyone who fails to put a seatbelt on their children or use child car seats. Time after time Gulf News reports children dying in collisions due to lack of safety measures taken by parents. That’s the most important issue in this country. No one in England would dream of letting their children climb around inside the car.
From Mr Clive Temple
Dubai
Facebook comment
Disproportionate response
I think that it would be disproportionate to the offense. There are far greater problems on the road than eating and driving. How can they justify 12 black points if I’m simply eating an apple on the way home from work because I haven’t eaten all day?
From Ms Cam McDonald
UAE
Facebook comment
Make driving a priority
It is very dangerous to do a second activity while driving. Keep driving your priority while you’re driving a car. If you want to eat something, park your car on the side of the road and eat as much as you want.
From Mr Abdul Rahman
UAE
Facebook comment
Be responsible drivers
Sometimes you don’t have time to eat and you end up catching a quick bite before reaching your workplace on the road. Too many fines. People need to learn how to be responsible on the road.
From Ms Debbie A. Idebu
UAE
Facebook comment
Water should be allowed
It doesn’t seem right to ban drinking in cars in such a hot country. I can get my head around eating in the car, but we should be allowed to drink water.
From Mr Jai Hos
UAE
Facebook comment
Need my coffee
Texting and using the phone is understandable, however this is not reasonable. All my morning drives are with a coffee to refresh me in the morning. Now I will have to drive in the morning drowsy so no one blames me if I bump into someone. On a serious note, this is not what you should be looking into. Tailgating, over speeding, lack of indicator usage, sudden lane changes and roundabout discipline are all big problems.
From Mr Sarim Mahtab
UAE
Facebook comment
Affects our judgement
The liquor ban in Bihar, India will have good results (‘Six die in two days after ban on liquor in Bihar’, Gulf News, April 10). The use of drinks and substances, which are unhealthy and make people forget to differentiate between right and wrong are harmful for the user as well as for the society. As we read about the inhumane behaviour done to a couple by drinkers on a moving bus in India and many others incidents, how can we keep letting this happen?
Banning liquor needs to be done in some other parts of the world, too, where youth thinks that getting drunk is a cool thing or fashionable. In those parts of the world, governments give freedom to youth at 18 years of age, and even parents can’t stop their children from doing wrong. Youth know that these liquids and banned substances are harmful for their health. People die due to overdoses, so why do people continue to go against the law and risk/endanger their health /lives? Some put the blame on the pressures of life.
Why search for satisfaction in going against the law and risking their health/lives?
When I scroll through the history of Islam, 1,500 years ago when God told His Prophet [PBUH] to tell his believers to stop drinking alcohol. It was forbidden by God because it is hazardous to our health and it affects how we differentiate between right and wrong.
From Ms Syeda Ahmad
UAE
Facebook comment
Addiction is to blame
These issues arise, but eventually things will settle down over a period of time. If people die for the lack of liquor, it’s the gruesome situation that should be blamed. Initially, it will be tough for all those who are regular drinkers. If they take some support from family, friends and support groups, they will be able to overcome this crisis.
From Ms Krishna Kumari
UAE
Facebook comment
Best interest of the people
After banning liquor in Bihar, six people died. These deaths have no meaning on the ban of liquor. Some anti-social elements are playing games here. The government of Bihar should not bother about these anti-government people who are attempting to dissuade the public from instilling this ban. Keep in mind the interests of the common people.
From Mr Gopal Appu Koteyar
UAE
Facebook comment
Being grateful makes you happier
Surprises, smiles, tears, laughter, pain, happiness and sorrow is all part of life. Take a moment from your day and thank someone whom you have always wanted to thank, but couldn’t. Be it your parents, who have brought you up, your wife, who is your companion for life, your children, whom you have a lot of hopes for, your friend, who has been with you through your odds and evens, or maybe someone whom you haven’t been in touch with for a long time. The list can be long, but time doesn’t wait. Did our friends have any idea of the fire in the building in Ajman? Did they have any clue of the recent plane crash in Russia? Accidents and tragedies happen, so let’s try making our lives simpler, easier and happier. Pick that handy thing you can’t live without and call/text anyone and everyone whom you have forgotten to thank! A ‘thank you’ will cost nothing.
From Ms Shreeja Pillai Aiyer
UAE
The arms race continues…
The spending on procuring and producing military equipment has reached an all-time high with the US retaining its top position as ever before. Acquiring sophisticated weapons for defending and defeating the enemy has undergone drastic changes over the years with the advent of nuclear weapons.
Besides military strength, precision of weapons used, timing and strategy, all are important in a battle. The one per cent increase in global defence spending over the previous year shows how countries are keen to add inventory to their arsenals. The US, Russia and China have their own explanations for huge military spending.
The arms race will continue vigorously as long as the tendency of dominance exists. Countries who spend more money for defence are naturally stronger in their respective region. Peace will prevail only in places that are also getting strong. The debates revolving around reducing weapons are going on for a long time. Weapons are for destructions. Even though the US is in the mood of reducing its military spending, other countries are increasing their allocation over the years and showcasing their might to others. Nobody knows how long it will continue.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
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