Create awareness with colour codes
I am a 10-year-old pupil and would like to voice my concern on global warming. Something needs to be done about it, immediately. My suggestion to help reduce the carbon footprint would be for all supermarkets to mark their products with colour-coded labels.
For example, red could denote that the product has been imported from an international market. Amber could identify products made in the region while green could be used to mark products made in the UAE.
This might help people make an environmentally conscious decision prior to buying things - they could opt to buy local produce and reduce the use of imported items. Additionally, I think supermarkets should use paper bags instead of plastic to help the issue.
From Ms Amnah Nasser Seddiqi
Dubai
Hats off to Dubai Police
In the past one month, Dubai Police have had to work overtime due to a road accident near Ghantoot, and warehouse fires in Al Quoz and Ras Al Khor. Additionally, they had their daily routine duties such as handling traffic especially during rush hours.
All this just to ensure that the common man is provided with security and well taken care of. One can see Dubai Police in every corner of the city. I thank them for their work and commitment.
From Mr Hardik Soni
Dubai
Role model for others
The leaders of the region have displayed exemplary skills and challenged the world to consider the Gulf states as examples to follow, be it UAE, Qatar or others.
These are modern states with magnificent visions that have a quest for learning and a desire to progress.
They already command major admiration and respect from the rest of the world. They will be remembered for bold moves and fabulous creations and infrastructure.
The leaders have effectively used their nation's wealth to develop the country in fields of education, health, society, aviation, business and security. Do we need more?
From Mr Tariq Syed
Dubai
Check utility vehicles
I would like to draw attention to the obviously bad maintenance rendered to utility vehicles that seem to belong to municipalities or connected departments. Many buses and garbage trucks emit black exhaust fumes.
Some days ago a garbage truck, puffed out a huge black cloud into the air, one of which was painted with the slogan "Keep Dubai clean!" I had to explain this contradiction to my children who were in the car.
From Ms Maritta Kaufmann
Dubai
Educate on safety standards
Considering the recent fire accidents in the UAE, Gulf News could carry stories highlighting safety standards with inputs from experts. This would be a timely and educative article.
It's important that awareness is generated regarding safety standards and guidelines buildings need to follow. This might make a major difference in preventing loss of lives and resources.
From Mr Shinoj Shams Al Deen
Dubai
Reckless taxi driver
I was escorting my seven-month pregnant niece while she tried to cross a pedestrian crossing on the Dubai airport road.
I was shocked to see a fast approaching taxi flashing its lights and speeding despite seeing us.
From Mr Reg P. Cucal
Abu Dhabi
Neighbourhood park is gone
I've been living in Deira for the past two years. The reason I decided to rent an apartment in the area was it had a huge park located nearby. I was pregnant at the time and reasoned that it would be the right place for my child to play.
A few days ago, I was horrified to discover that the whole area was levelled and a signboard has been fixed to notify the construction of an upcoming project.
I am grateful that the authorities are taking an initiative, as per a recent report, to build more parks and hope that my neighbourhood would be considered too. It would be better if children could be exposed to greenery instead of amusement parks.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
No place to play
To entertain my four-year-old daughter I have to take her either to Zabeel or Creek park, and sometimes to playgrounds in malls.
However, as I stay in Bur Dubai, this is not possible every day. Children have to play and a neighbourhood park in the Golden Sands area could help solve this problem.
From Ms Aisulu Istre
Dubai
Blame the parents
This is unbelievable ("Five-year-old plunges to his death after opening window", Gulf News, April 3). Who leaves a five-year-old child at home all alone? The parents have the nerve to blame it on the building, how about being accountable?
What happened is a tragedy but they should be blamed. If the parents had been in a Western country, child support would have probably taken in their other child by now.
From Ms Dana Al Soueidi
Dubai
Child protection law
I wish for a new law to protect children in such cases. As per American law no child can be left alone in an apartment, especially if he/she is below a certain age limit. The parents could go to jail. I am sorry for the child's death.
From Mr Soaad
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Question the motive
Did anyone happen to ask the parents what they were thinking while leaving a five-year-old child alone in the house on the 10th floor of a building?
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
Lack of awareness?
I was lost for words as I read the story. Are there no laws against leaving children alone? Gulf News should use this opportunity to highlight the importance of child safety in the region, as it really is non-existent.
Most of the time, I've seen children not using seatbelts while travelling by car. I believe this could be due to a lack of awareness.
From Ms Tracey S.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Irresponsible
I will never be able to understand how parents could leave a five-year-old alone at home and go shopping, especially since the apartment has tall windows?
It seems that the child was used to being home alone as the mother quoted that he had never done it before. Sad as it is, there is a first time for everything. This is just irresponsible behaviour.
From Mr Edith Hammoud
New York, USA
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
Editor's note:
Do you think there is enough awareness about safety concerns/issues when leaving a child alone at home? If not, what could be done to remedy it? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com
