More organic less processed food

More organic less processed food

The creation of an increasingly obese society is hardly something that is going unnoticed around the world (“Plan for 150 minutes of drill at Dubai schools”, Gulf News, April 23). A product that is closely associated with are the so called ‘energy drinks’, which have become so popular in our society. I see a world where employers have put pressure on their workers, to work longer hours, under high pressure to meet targets, situations that don’t allow people the luxury of having time to shop for quality food, let alone they don’t have the time to come home and cook a proper meal. The high price of accommodation, schooling and more has led to both husband and wife having to work all the time to make extra money, to keep their head above water and not sink into homelessness. Now, what are we left with? The corporate world knows the situation people have been forced into. We have an overabundance of processed foods that can be produced cheaply and have a life cycle that can last for weeks. The heavily laden chemicals do not sustain the dietary requirements we need, and only leave us craving for more, on a regular basis. This in turn creates an obesity crisis we live in. Is there a way out of this downward spiral towards obesity? Unfortunately, I only see political change, on a grass roots level, which will have an effect. If people can break away from the apathy of politics and demand their political representatives to create a change in their society, this is the only way to benefit all.

From Mr Timothy Reducha

Dubai

Fatty foods are poison

There are multiple factors responsible for obesity. Not only is eating more food a cause but less exercises and a change in lifestyle are also contributory factors. Social media, internet addiction, online games, going out less to walk, with eating fatty foods, sleeping less and stress are all triggers for obesity. A tax should be introduced to deter youngsters from consuming more carbonated drinks. Social media and the internet has made youngsters lazy and inactive for a long time. It is easy to gain fat and weight but difficult to shed it. Fatty foods contaminate internal organs and subsequently the whole body. Parents should be role models for their children. They should encourage youngsters to participate in more physical activities. Otherwise, they will end up having medication and dieting for rest of their life.

From Mr Girish R Edathitta

UAE

Earth day should be everyday

We will be marching towards the 50th Anniversary of first Earth Day in 2020, just two years away from today (“Dubai’s plastic shocker on Earth Day: longest line of bottles”, Gulf News, April 23). The battle to protect our environment and search for clean energy has become a matter of paramount importance. Everyone uses big words but where do we stand in this context? Did you make an effort to dump used plastic materials into recycling bins? Are you one of those people with the least usage of plastic materials? Is caring for a few trees in your balcony too much to ask for? Our home does not confine to a villa or an apartment. Our boundaries reach up to penguins in south and polar bears in the north. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is dying. Earth day is not only on April 22, but it should be every day. Where do you stand in this context?

From Mr Sanith Santhasa Piyadigamage

Dubai

Protect our planet, it’s our home

Earth Day, as it is called, is celebrated every year on April 22. This day aims to raise awareness about the increasing threat that the earth is facing. The theme for this year, which is to end plastic pollution, makes us think. It is essential to remind ourselves that at least half of the natural disasters occurring worldwide are due to pollution in various forms. Apart from pollution via industrial smoke and effluents, pollution through the excess production, use, and improper disposal of plastic products is on the rise. Despite efforts to reduce its use, plastic has become so important in all our lives, and we use products made of plastic on a daily basis. Plastic cannot be decomposed and some types contain toxins that can harm the soil, water and the life living there. Our Earth must be taken care of and it is up to us to take up the responsibility of protecting it. We should earnestly try to replace plastic covers with cloth bags, plastic containers with metal tins or glass jars, and avoid disposable plastic crockery. These are very simple ways, yet make a huge contribution when followed by everyone. Remember, it is always the smallest steps that make the biggest differences. Let us all join hands and work to protect our Mother Earth.

From Ms Rose Vincent

UAE

Where is the real India?

The India I grew up in has gone. These rape cases show a damaged, divided nation (“The India I grew up in has gone. These rapes show a damaged, divided nation”, Gulf News, April 19). I partially agree with the statement, the “India I grew up in has gone and yes the nation is divided, but not because of these rapes but because of the media”. Everything that makes news in India today is politically motivated, irrespective of the party. The media was not as powerful as it is today, but at least we were not fed with news that instigated violence and hate on religious lines. A rape is a rape and whoever has committed it needs to be punished, regardless of his caste or creed. It is sad to see the image and name of the Kathua rape victim being so openly discussed in the media, which I find to be very insensitive. I believe that highlighting the name of the rapist and the victim is being deliberately done to show a Hindu-Muslim divide. Any one in their right senses would condemn the rape, irrespective of their religion, but destroying temples and burning buses in other parts of the country only shows how politicians are able to divide our nation.

From Mr Anup Hegde

Dubai

Education is everything

It’s exciting and interesting to know that 96-year-old Guadalupe Palacios from Mexico is attending literacy class and will finish high school by her 100th birthday (“At 96, Mexican woman fulfils dream: going to high school”, Gulf News, April 20). Poverty and family of 6 children has stopped her from going to school. Educating a woman is equivalent to educating a family. There are millions of people who are deprived of the opportunity to learn. Illiteracy means darkness in life and one being exploited in every aspect like politically, economically and socially. Poverty and lack of awareness are other main reasons for illiteracy. I am happy to know that Palacios is writing love letters to her boyfriend. Hope her dream comes true.

From Mr Eappen Elias

Dubai

We need more awareness

Even though the world is advanced and fast moving, embracing a new culture of living, there is no end to harassment, humiliation, torture and killing irrespective of which gender and age people belong to (‘Death for man who raped, killed nephew in Abu Dhabi’, April 17). Incidents of this kind seriously hurt the consensus of a family and youth in their early days of life. As people have been attacking their own blood, children are losing trust in their close family and relatives and these children are largely mistreated. New-borns are also becoming victims of such horrors, thus pointing to the fact that humans started losing trust in themselves. Perhaps, time has come to rejuvenate the bond of family values, as each member of the family has a role to play. Education and awareness are a must to drive this forward.

From Mr Ramachandran Nair

Oman

Proving a point

I would like to congratulate cricketer Chris Gayle for his timely tone to enable Indian Premier League Team (IPL), King Xl Punjab to win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad team (“Gayle and Rahul keep Punjab’s winning streak alive”, Gulf News, April 22). The way he demolished the bowlers of the other teams made me feel like he was imagining players of Royal Challengers Bangalore, who dropped him like a useless brick this season. We are quite sure that they must be regretting their folly, since they not only disregarded Gayle, but also didn’t pick up Indian cricketer K. L. Rahul this season.

From Mr N. Mahadevan

India

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