Tragic decision
According to the recent Gulf News report, the two children — one aged five and the other aged three — were left alone at home while the parents were out shopping (“Five-year-old plunges to his death after opening window'', Gulf News, April 3). This is tragic news and my prayers are with the family. However, it is also tragic that the adults did not know better than to leave the young children unattended at home.
From Ms Betty Carter
UAE

Unsupervised
When I read the Gulf News report on the five-year-old falling out of the window, I had to check to see if I had read right (“Five-year-old plunges to his death after opening window'', Gulf News, April 3). Why did the parents leave such a young child at home unsupervised? It is shocking.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Avoidable tragedy
Why are children under the age of 10 left alone in apartments (“Five-year-old plunges to his death after opening window'', Gulf News, April 3)? What are the parents thinking? Don't the authorities have any building safety standards in place? This should have never happened.
From Mr Steven Welch
Ontario, Canada

Safety is priority
The report about the child that plunged to his death was undoubtedly very sad, but the question is — where were the parents (“Five-year-old plunges to his death after opening window'', Gulf News, April 3)? If they had to go shopping, why did they have to leave their five-year-old alone at home?

I think it should be illegal to leave young children at home without supervision. If this law does not exist, then I urge the government and relevant authorities to please pass a law that requires children to be supervised by adults at all times.

I know it is very painful for parents to lose a child. Even when children are under adult supervision, great caution is taken by parents to make sure doors and windows are closed. Child safety must always be a priority.
From Mr Ashraf Mirza
Atlanta, USA

Personal angel
I want to thank my own angel, Khalid (“Gulf News helps locate anonymous do-gooder'', Gulf News, April 2). I once went to a hospital in Al Ain and insisted on donating blood. I was sure I would be able to, as I did not take any medicines and had normal blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure. The doctors tested my blood and gave me some shocking news — I could not donate, but rather needed blood myself.

The name Khalid on the blood bag has helped provide me with a new lease on life. His name will stick with me forever, and I have subconsciously developed a liking to any individual named Khalid. I have wanted to thank him several times, but unlike Jyoti Rana, who found her angel, mine remains anonymous. I would like to thank Khalid now, and hope I turn out to be just like him.
From Ms Shaila Rajiv
Abu Dhabi

No influence
Having worked for a charitable ophthalmic hospital assisting Palestinians in the West Bank, I can attest to the uselessness of my American passport whilst traveling there (“Israel doesn't treat all Americans equally'', Gulf News, March 31). I wasted hours and hours of my time at the many Israeli checkpoints, for journeys that should have taken only minutes. This has given me a glimpse of what it is to be a Palestinian.
From Mr Keith Alaska
Dubai

Unjustified
The shocking news about the five-year ban imposed on Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) comes as a very sad, pathetic and nerve-wracking piece of information for cricket lovers all over the world (“Pakistan's Shoaib files appeal against five-year ban'', Gulf News, April 4).

While we must all strive hard for exemplary discipline in cricket, both on and off the field, the punishment imparted to Shoaib by PCB officials is pretty harsh. It is also unjustified and unbecoming of a cricketing association. Cricket is the only game in the world that helps to create and polish one's character, and Shoaib is one of the most feared fast bowlers in the history of the sport.

The mission of any cricket body, including the PCB, should be to promote quality cricket — both nationally and internationally — and to protect the rights of all cricketers globally and within the region. What the PCB has done in this case is absolutely unbecoming of a pragmatic cricket body or association.

I would urge the newly elected government in Pakistan to seriously look into this matter because it has far-reaching implications on the future of quality cricket and its promotion, not only within the country, but the world as well.

Additionally, I urge Shoaib to appeal against the wrong decision of the so-called PCB disciplinary committee. In principle, one has every liberty to dissent and freely express one's views — this is fully protected as an individual's right, by all civilised nations. Therefore all cricketing bodies, including the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its affiliates, should not be excluded from its laws.
From Mr Aamir A. Salaria
USA

It could be you
It is obvious that the driver of the heavy vehicle was reported as being unharmed — he was driving an enormous vehicle after all, and was most likely to be safe in a collision (“Man dies in crash hours after arriving in UAE'', Gulf News, April 2). The driver probably knew that he would be saved even if he hit something. It is so unfortunate that such tragic incidents occur. This accident could have happened to anyone.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request

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