Letters: November 13, 2009

Walls of hatred
The breaking down of the Berlin Wall was a milestone in the annals of world history ("And the Berlin Wall came tumbling down", Gulf News, November
9). On November 9, 1989, 20 years ago, thousands of East Germans crossed
over to West Berlin. It was one of the most unforgettable moments in history
for Germany. It is not the breaking down of concrete walls — raised as
barricades or fences — around the world that should be a matter of concern
or something one should be proud of. But, more importantly, each one of
us should try to break down the walls within our hearts that build up hatred, anger and revenge for our brothers and sisters around the world. Some examples are the conflict between Israel and Palestine, the discrimination towards Muslims around the world or even the hatred for our near and dear ones, which is a consequence of petty arguments or misunderstandings.
Break down those walls and you will see how beautiful this world can be.
From Mr Glen Vitus
Dubai

Unhealthy option
I have been reading a lot about diabetes in the UAE and would like to raise the issue of carbonated drinks. Whenever I go to a party, I spot those colourful cans. When I visit any food court, I always get a complimentary soft drink with my meal. Sometimes I wish I could drink something else. Several times, I have taken an oath to quit drinking carbonated beverages for a week, but every time I go out, that is all I get. I really pity our situation — we are so addicted to these drinks. People are losing their precious lives; many are suffering in their early adulthood due to this practice.
Children are indulging in soft drinks, as if it’s water or fruit juice. Places like Bangkok, Singapore and many others have healthier options in food courts. The most common drink in Bangkok is coconut water. Even in my home town, Kerala, you would never find soft drinks as a substitute to water. It’s nice to have soft drinks once in a while, but it should not become a habit.
From Ms Ritu Sanjai
Dubai

Truly dangerous
I truly believe that when a person is made to do things against his or her will, especially if they are not aware of the side effects, it is a form of coercion upon the individual ("More than 6,000 Haj pilgrims to get vaccines", Gulf News, November 10). This vaccine is the first of its kind. People are clueless of the repercussions that can arise from it. The most susceptible people may be the ones most at risk. When the injection is administered, underlying causes that are already making the individual ill could be triggered. I personally think it isn’t the swine flu that is dangerous — it is the vaccine.
From Ms M. Y. Martin
Abu Dhabi

Pilgrim’s account
I am going for Haj this year and have already got the vaccination for seasonal influenza and for meningitis. The vaccine for H1N1 was not available at that time. I checked with my local hospital and they have informed me that they will start the vaccinations soon.
From Mr Zeeshan Kamal
Dubai

Attention required
We don’t see a change in the behaviour of taxi drivers ("Complaints against
cab drivers decline", Gulf News, November 9). All I can see is that they are
more willing to pick up commuters due to a lack of demand for taxis. Taxi drivers need to be made aware of the ills of driving recklessly. Just a few days ago, I was driving home in the right-most lane. A person waved at a taxi that was driving in the third lane. Without hesitation, the taxi driver cut through the lanes and brought the vehicle to a halt in the lane that I was driving in. Luckily, I was driving slowly. I feel such behaviour from taxi drivers should be punished appropriately, as it endangers all involved.
From Ms Kiran
Dubai
Website comment

Priorities first
Recently, a Gulf News report highlighted the low percentage of ecofriendly graphic design companies ("No friends of mother Earth", Gulf News, November 9). I would just like to add that unfortunately this is the reality of the situation in most other sectors as well. I have approached a number of schools regarding their environmental policies and activities and the situation is quite disappointing.
It is difficult to believe and understand that such a critical and important issue is getting such low priority, especially in the schooling environment. This is where we need to start educating our future energy users on the importance of being responsible.
Authorities should start a system where companies are only allowed a number of points for their energy usage and if these are exceeded, the company is fined. This is one way the UAE will be able to reduce their energy consumption.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Not offensive
This is in response to the Indian Ambassador [to the UAE] Talmiz Ahmad’s interview about the movie, Cooking With Stella ("Mehta's film offensive to Indians, envoy says", Gulf News, October 18). The movie is directed by my brother, Dilip Mehta and cowritten by myself. For the past few weeks, I have been puzzling about what in the film could have possibly triggered it?
Indeed he can dislike the film and talk about why he does so ad nauseam to his friends or to a screening room packed with people. But to use his official position to give an interview to a newspaper — to espouse his diatribe — is somewhat dodgy and perhaps a tad undiplomatic.
Why does he feel so insecure about the strong, dynamic and indeed democratic
country he represents? Why on earth does he feel that a broad comedy about crooked servants and their bewildered employers would have the clout to offend Indians?
Surely we have more confidence in ourselves than to feel threatened by a work of fiction, not only as a nation but also as people. I am truly perplexed by Mr Ahmad’s gymnastic abilities to take leaps in logic. Why would he think that a film, that I was told, was in the running for the audience award at the Middle East International Film Festival, and was greatly enjoyed by a majority of the audience — both Indian and non-Indian -be ‘insulting’ to Indians?
Sadly, his explanation — that Dilip made the film to garner brownie points from Westerners — is outdated and even insulting to not only Dilip, but also Western audiences. It implies that a movie, regardless of its merit, has only to portray Indians in a negative light to be accepted and feted by the West. As if Westerners go around telling each other to watch a specific movie only because it trashes India, which Cooking With Stella most certainly does not! Stella is a lovable crook and she gets punished for her crime by the Indian judicial system. The film has been invited the world over to film festivals to participate in very prestigious competition sections.
Surely that speaks to the merit of the film and not to the programmers, whose sole intent, Mr Ahmad implies, is to select Cooking WithStella because "it's offensive to Indians". This kind of paranoia does not behove a man of Mr Ahmad’s stature.
I can’t help but wonder if he has read Aravind Adiga’s Booker Prize-winning novel, The White Tiger? Perhaps he was too busy seeing re-runs of Slumdog Millionaire and City of Joy, applauding the positive light these movies shed on India.
From Ms Deepa Mehta
India