Residents need to be trained
Dubai Civil Defence once again proved its readiness, exemplary efficiency and professionalism when they instantly acted to control the fire in Dubai’s Torch Tower (“Torch Tower residents return to their flats”, Gulf News August 8). There is one important aspect that could make their duty easier, that is the cooperation of residents. People’s lives are their priority. At that time if residents started to look for their passports, money and other valuables, it will invite trouble. Escaping quickly must be the priority, not searching for valuables. People must understand that each second is precious. Each building must have its own fire escape system and design. Many residents are not aware of the location of the fire escape and what they need to do in case of a fire in the building. I suggest training all residents on fire escape plans. A trained resident will be helpful for the Civil Defence to fight fire.
From Mr K. V. Shams Al Deen
Sharjah
Sympathy for tenants of Torch
What great and caring Rulers we have in Dubai. I feel sorry for the tenants on the 50th floor that had to tackle the stairs. Glad there were no casualties.
From Ms Wilma Booysen
Dubai, UAE
Facebook comment
Safety is key
Fires cause billions of dollars in damage every year in the US, as stated by the US Fire Administration (USFA). People die every day from fires in the US. These deaths and injuries to property can be prevented if each building had a working fire detector. I request the American government to provide each building with a free fire detector yearly. People need a place to labour, sleep and eat without a natural disaster. Safety is key. Our architectural structures must be kept out of harm’s way at all times.
From Mr Jordan Cooper
South Carolina, USA
Facebook comment
Not region specific
Fires happen everywhere and some are worse than this. It is human carelessness and negligence that is to be blamed for such disasters in most cases.
From Mr Sameer Saroha
UAE
Facebook comment
NRI contributions recognised
This is a good initiative (“Pension scheme for middle-income Keralites proposed”, Gulf News, August 6). Firstly, the government and employees should recognise the contributions made by non-resident Indians (NRI), especially those from Kerala. Because of the current economic uncertainty and job instability around the world, expatriates could be facing tough times.
From Mr Girish Edathitta
UAE
Facebook comment
Reading more into humanity
People see a coloured view of the world around them, it is palpable and vibrant and that is what makes it very hard to conceive it in black and white. But, that is what artists do; they take the labyrinth of life and the unfathomability of human emotion and try their best to compress it into a limited dimensional layer that can perhaps be better preserved than our mortal memory. It is this plethora of creative expressions that forms the basis of the notions of humanity, which we see prevalent around us. I remember reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald almost two years ago and the first thing that struck me about the book was its raw portrayal of human nature in the US during the 1920s. Life of Pi by Yann Martel highlighted bravery in cowardice and vice versa. Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton, showed me the multi-dimensional world of people living across the globe through pages bought from a well-loved book shop.
My perception of humanity has evolved and is still evolving through the books that I read, movies that I watch and art that I admire. I find it a privilege to be able to discover a part of myself in the expressions of artists around me. These are the roads that pave my notions of humanity.
From Ms Paakhi Bhatnagar
Dubai
Overcoming phobia
Almost everyone has an irrational fear, whether it is annual medical check-up, travelling, passing an exam, scaling the rungs in the professional life or public speaking (“You could have a phobia”, Gulf News, August 6). Many people have the fears of not being able to accomplish the task in an apt way or messing it up. For most people, these fears are minor. But, when they become severe, they interfere with your life, causing anxieties, worries, stress and depression. Getting through fears is a skill that one needs to develop. Phobias can be managed and cured if one is willing to put in one’s best effort. Awareness, positivity, self-belief, self-help and therapy help in reducing intense fear. One should also learn emotional freedom techniques, develop passion, hobby, interest in reading and learn to know when to press the pause button and unwind. Self motivation is the best way to face and overcome phobias.
From Ms Jayashree Kulkarni
Abu Dhabi
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
