Suicides, cricket and water shortages
I come from Yavatmal in Maharashtra, India. This is an agricultural belt, which is completely devastated with the well-documented water crises in Vidarbha region. Water shortages are becoming acute and have led to popular cricket series matches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) India Premiere League (IPL) to be shifted outside of Maharashtra.
It is very common to see barren agricultural lands in what was once one of the cotton belts of India. Every year, water shortages continue to grow in this region (like the rest of the world) and suicides among farmers are not uncommon in this region.
Nilona reservoir is one of the only fresh water sources of Yavatmal and it had its first successful crowd sourcing initiative in December where citizens came together and started the long process of cleaning up the dam. Gulf News covered this news at the time.
Now I am glad to see that the initiative is in its second leg. Prayas, a non-profit organisation in India, is raising money to create a sustainable solution for the reservoir.
I hope Gulf News continues to cover such grass-root driven sustainable initiatives. Such initiatives can give us a real chance to make a lasting impact on acute water problems.
From Mr Sandeep Ganediwalla
UAE
The breed of dog matters
In my hometown in Canada, our province banned the breeding of pit bulls since there were many tragic incidents of a dog seriously injuring or killing someone (‘More dangerous dog breeds to be banned in UAE’, Gulf News, April 26). I remember this one story that traumatised the town for years. A girl went over to her fiancee’s house and for whatever reason when the pit bill saw her, it attacked. The dog was uncontrollable and ended up killing the girl. The man, who was the owner of the dog, was also seriously injured trying to rescue her. The only reason he survived was because he was finally able to barricade the two of them in the bathroom. The dog had never been violent or aggressive before, it just snapped.
Some dogs are inherently aggressive. All dog breeds are specialised for something, like hunting, guarding, herding and many more skills. My cousin owns two pit bulls on the family farm and they don’t get robbed anymore. My cousin has trained these dogs well to be friendly and loving pets, but he knows their capabilities and takes necessary steps to ensure the safety of his family and of his dogs.
The owner does make a difference, but you can’t deny the natural instincts of certain breeds.
From Ms Jessica Woods
Dubai
Owners make dogs dangerous
So what will happen to everyone in the UAE that owns a specific breed of dog that is so-called dangerous? For me, there is no dangerous dog. It is the owner of the dog that can make the dog aggressive like that.
From Ms Anna-Karin Marquard
UAE
Facebook comment
Wild animals, too!
We should also make stricter laws on banning dangerous wild animal pets! Lions and tigers are not acceptable house pets. I don’t think they belong in the villa or in our cars.
From Ms Dima Obeidat
UAE
Facebook comment
Breeds aren’t dangerous
There are no dangerous dog breeds, however there are dangerous dogs’ owners.
From Ms Angelica Wronska
UAE
Facebook comment
Nearly bitten
I agree with the decision by the authorities to ban certain dog breeds. I have had first-hand experience from a pit bull terrier charging and coming at me while I was walking on the pavement in Silicon Oasis. The dog charged at me and I escaped within inches of being bitten even though the owner had the dog on a leash. I had to have a heated argument with her and she was defending the dog and saying you have to move away from the pavement when she is walking the dog. I don’t know whether she is thinking that the pavements are designated for dogs?
Furthermore, there is another woman who owns three pit bulls in the building next to me… in an apartment. I really do not know how she can have three such dangerous dogs in an apartment at all.
People are coming from different cultures and they should respect and understand other people’s cultural and religious practices before keeping dogs. I welcome the Dubai authorities for taking such measures.
From Mr Shabir Zain Al Deen
UAE
Time to respect Nature
It’s high time for people all over the world to surrender to Nature and respect it (‘Heatwave in India puts 330 million people at risk’, Gulf News, April 24). Planting trees and plants everywhere, stricter laws on plastic and pollution, waste disposal, usage of public transport and the interlinking of rivers can help our next generation to raise their heads and breathe at least. Unless the rain water is conserved properly, the ground water table will not rise and the drought can’t be averted.
Better late than never, let’s wake up and wake others, also.
From Ms Krishna Kumari
UAE
Facebook comment
Read all the ratings
I have bought around 20 smartphones for friends and relatives from the same online store in the last two years and I have not faced any issues (‘Online store sold me used iPhones’, Gulf News, April 25). Before buying, you should make sure to read the sellers’ feedback and ratings. Most of the items I have bought from users who are well rated by the company website, I have not faced any issue.
From Mr Mustafa Hamdani
UAE
Website comment
You can’t tell
This is the reason that I don’t trust online stores. I know that the products can be cheaper when compared to other stores, but there is a risk that you will get a fake or a used product. It is better to purchase from electronics stores so that you can check it yourself.
From Mr Zaylent Fravardin
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Not uncommon
The iPad that I bought had an Apple ID logged in already and the iPad was packed as new. The same happened again with an iPhone 6S. It was packed and had an AT&T Sim card inside. I spoke to the company and they denied that the products were used. The website boasts of these products as new. Another annoying habit of some online companies is when they don’t refund your money. Instead, the refund stays with your account so you have to buy from them again.
I even gave a negative review, but it was never published!
From Ms Saima Nomaan
UAE
Facebook comment
Check description carefully
Why don’t more people try reading the full description every time before you buy a mobile phone online? They are selling the refurbished phones as good as new and in the description they write down that the phone is refurbished. But, sometimes they are not highlighting this fact. You can’t complain if you didn’t check.
From Mr Sajjad Ahmad
Dubai
Facebook comment
Go to the store
I have never bought anything online, and I will never buy anything online in future, too. Why not take the extra effort, go to the shop and get personal satisfaction upon buying? Online fraud is common these days.
From Mr Abdul Rahman
UAE
Facebook comment
Can’t trust some sites
I purchased a power bank that looked used with worn out packaging. They replaced it though. I ordered an item and the delivery period was mentioned as five to nine days and on the ninth day, after seeing no activity, I lodged a complaint on the website. It was never replied to, however the item was shown as “cancelled” by them the next day. I didn’t cancel it myself. They must not have had the item at the time, but they were still showing it available on the site. So, I sent more comments on the same complaint to refund my money and no one replied. I gave somehow negative feedback on a couple of items, but nothing offensive, they never got published. I was told via email that the review was not acceptable. Please note that before believing that you can rely on the reviews, some websites are now only publishing the good reviews.
From Ms L. Meadows
UAE
Facebook comment
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
