Is Bollywood to blame?

Is Bollywood to blame?

Maybe Bollywood movies should do less sexually suggestive scenes, or have more responsible censorship (“Controversial Indian guru Asaram Bapu found guilty of raping teenager, sentenced to life in jail”, Gulf News, April 26). Cinema plays a major role in educating the people of India. Filmmakers should give a hand in fighting the rape phenomenon.

From Mr Nashrullah Ayoob

UAE

People versus politics

I think we can easily point fingers at people and organisations for the recent rape cases in India. What we really need is to stand up and take action. I don’t care who spilt the milk, it needs to be cleaned up. We can waste time pointing fingers and the spill will spread, contaminating society further. I think we need to check ourselves and try and understand what is going on. There is a bigger issue at hand. Women are not safe in India and that should be tackled first. I am tired of the speeches and debates online. It has been going on since the Nirbhaya case. We must review these instances and introspect. Fighting for justice and making a change goes beyond politics and agendas. Young girls are being brutally killed, hurt and raped. What have we become as a society? Why is it so easy for culprits to walk free? India has earned a reputation of being unsafe internationally as well, and if this is not an eye-opner, I dont know what is. We need action and we need it now. Politics can sit this one out.

From Ms Alia Mathur

Dubai

Heartwarming to read

The article was an eye-opener (“Here’s how these women survive on Dh200 a month”, Gulf News, April 25). We get so stuck in our own lives sometimes that we end up taking most luxuries for granted. From going to the cinema, to having unlimited WiFi at home and in the office, I hadn’t thought twice about the little perks in life that I enjoyed. Thank you Gulf News for sharing the stories of these women, and highlighting the details of how they can take an amount of as little as Dh200, and ensure that they are able to buy the right amount of groceries, spend on phone bills and get toiletries. They go through life with a smile on their faces. The story also helped me understand once again the importance of welfare organisations working within the UAE who support the staff that helps our children get to and from school, cleans our offices and forms the backbone of any institution. I shared the article with many of my family and friends and it helped us look at our own situation with a fresh perspective. Please do continue to share these untold stories of life.

From Mr Anand Ahuja

Abu Dhabi

Clarity of information is important

It is great seeing all this progress surrounding equality for all genders in Pakistan (“Activists step up fight for transgender rights in India”, Gulf News, April 25). It’s about time we step up and recognise, cater to and support everyone. However, there is something that I have been constantly observing throughout various media platforms reporting news about gender rights. They are labelling people who do not fit the binary gender criteria as ‘transgender’. Although, I think using and understanding such terms and opening conversation around gender rights is a positive thing, however, misusing such terms can do more harm than good. Some labels don’t apply to people who are born with biological gender-related differences. Mislabelling might also steer people away from supporting such causes because people might end up judging the situation as incompatible with their personal values.

From Ms Saniya Kabir

Dubai

Protect the reef, protect the planet

It’s alarming to know that coral bleaching was taking place at The Great Barrier Reef, due to a rise in sea temperatures (“Researchers find ‘catastrophic’ coral die-off on Great Barrier Reef”, Gulf News, April 20). Bleaching turn’s coral white or fades their colour, endangering their bio diversity like microorganisms and marine life. Due to global warming it is estimated that around half of world’s reef has been lost. Coral reefs host rich biodiversity full of organisms and microbes and is a habitat for thousands of species, including different varieties of fish and molluscs. The rise in sea temperature, climate change, global warming and burning fossil fuels are the main reason for bleaching, as stated in Encyclopaedia Britannica. Extensive dumping of chemical waste into sea is another reason for marine pollution. Let us all join hands together and give our support to protect Nature. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s greatest natural treasures and needs to be protected for the future.

From Mr Eappen Elias

Dubai

Avenging the day

To say that I am excited to see the new Marvel movie would be an understatement (“‘Avengers: Infinity War’ film review: Thanos makes a devastating impact”, Gulf News, April 26). I love the Marvel universe and this movie is going to be bigger and better than everything we have ever seen. I think the coolest part of all this is how Avenger-fever has really gripped Dubai. My friends keep talking about it, newspapers and social media platforms are also buzzing about it and it really makes me feel like I am a part of something bigger. I love Captain America and Ironman. Actor Tom Holland, the youngest, also does a good job as Spiderman. I can’t wait to see the movie. I have been hyped about this for a long time. I know the movie has been out for a few days but I had not had the chance to see it because I was travelling.

From Ms Amira Matta

Dubai

Supermarkets at airports

They need to have a supermarket at Terminal 3 as well, so that when people return from their holidays they can buy groceries (“Spinneys opens doors to first supermarket at Dubai Airport”, Gulf News, April 25). It makes life so much easier.

From Ms Anne-Marie Caine

UAE

Young leaders of tomorrow

I am not sure when this done but Yash Adwani is the Head Boy for the year(“Facebook vode: #Young minds, fresh ideas”, Gulf News, April 24). I am very happy that the efforts of our boys are finally being recognised and these young people are getting the due they truly deserve! I don’t think Our Own Warqa (Boys) school ever had any mainstream support or promotion unlike many other schools, when making this content.

From Mr Rajeswari Ranganathan

UAE

Languages should be celebrated

We are all proud of our mother tongues – be it Hindi, Arabic or French. Yet, no one can disagree with the fact that knowing the English language in itself is a thing of pride for many, as well as a necessity. It is a language that has brought millions of people, from different nations, together. To remind everyone about the importance of this language, you have the English Language Day - April 23. This date was chosen as it is both the birth and the death anniversaries of William Shakespeare, one of the greatest English poets and dramatists of all times. English literature has also produced great masterpieces and the language has evolved over its use in various forms in both prose and poetry through ages. Speaking of English literacy, who has not read Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield or Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew? I still remember those novels, their beauty and the way they were written. The beauty of the works has been brought out by the choice of words and the way the writers have used the language. This special day not only aims to spread awareness about such great writers and their timeless classics but also to cultivate a habit of reading and writing in people, thus promoting the language. Every day should be English Language Day so that people will realise the importance of this global language.

From Ms Rose Vincent

India

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