All the praise
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, deserves every bit of admiration and adulation you give him (“Nation observes a minute of silence to mark Commemoration Day”, Gulf News, December 1). The way he has put Dubai on the world map is absolutely phenomenal! Don’t mind these critics. You talk about happiness in the UAE and they associate it with money, you talk about admiration in the UAE they associate it with citizenship. Can’t help it. We are living in a material world, so very few understand emotions or gratitude. And I’m glad we belong to a faith that teaches us, gratitude.
From Ms Christina Scurville
UAE
Depends on the person
It depends on the driver. If they obey the rules then the decision to send warning messages instead of fines will be successful (“Dubai Police to go lenient on minor traffic offences this weekend”, Gulf News, November 29). If the drivers think that they haven’t had any fine and can drive faster, it will be unfortunate. But it is true that such decisions are always good and it increased the Commemoration Day happiness.
From Mr Alauddin Hridoy
UAE
Anti-body medication
Though the questions raised about the usage and effectiveness of antibiotics were answered from a global perspective, I think the abuse, misuse and overuse of antibiotics is more prevalent in developing countries like India (“Is the golden age of antibiotics over?”, Gulf News, November 27). I had a chance to watch the scenario from close quarters as my father is a practising physician in a small town. The patients insist on getting a prescription even if the doctor does not recommend it, as they believe it is a quick fix and helps them not miss school and work. I have even seen patients arguing with doctors. Sometimes they go and buy such medicines directly from pharmacies without prescription, the type, dosage and duration of treatment decided by the pharmacist or sometimes more dangerously by the patient himself. Most of the patients never follow the doctor’s or pharmacist’s orders and take the medicines at their convenience and stop when they feel okay without completing the full course. But one of the most shocking things I have seen in India is the unscrupulous practice of pharmaceutical companies to exploit the economic situation of the people. The companies manufacture antibiotics in bottles which contain only a single day’s dosage. People short of money who were prescribed antibiotics for five to seven days, would ask for a smaller quantity. They feel better as they start taking it and they never go back to get the full course. Nobody is bothered about the health implications this can cause. Patient education and awareness is a must to stop all these unhealthy practices. Doctors and pharmacists should think it as their prime duty to educate the general population about the proper, correct and judicious usage of medications.
From Ms Sajida Kamal
Abu Dhabi
Time for good change?
The Congress is one of the oldest surviving political parties in India (“Rahul’s visit to Somnath temple stokes a row”, Gulf News, November 30). Its past presidents have been leaders of great stature like Lala Lajpat Rai, Subhas Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and now Sonia Gandhi. India needs leadership at all levels. Rahul Gandhi has been training himself for this pivotal role under the guidance of his mother. He has travelled widely to meet and talk to people within India and abroad. I wish him success in dealing with the manifold economic and social challenges confronting our country.
From Mr Rajendra K. Aneja
UAE
Justice needs to be served
The decision of Oxford city council to strip Aung San Suu Kyi’s honour and remove her picture from its walls in the university as a form of protest for her inaction in the Rohingya crisis is commendable (“Pope avoids Rohingya in Myanmar speech,” Gulf News, November 29). Aung San Suu Kyi was honoured in 1997 because she upheld the values of tolerance, but after seeing the plight of the Rohingya, the whole world is disturbed. These ethnic groups face insecurity and this happened when Suu Kyi was heading the government. It is estimated that more than 400,000 Rohingya refugees are stranded in Bangladesh and live a miserable life. The international community should intervene in this issue and provide all assistance including proper shelter, food and security of these people who are helpless. Discrimination by religion, colour or race cannot be justified. I hope Suu Kyi will provide protection for woman and children, and the army who is responsible for the atrocities should be punished. We can hope that Pope Francis’ visit will push for the peace process. Justice will be done for the victims.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
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