A worthwhile effort
I am very impressed with Gulf News campaign against plastic bags ("Nobel winner backs Gulf News plastic bag campaign", Gulf News, May 1).
I believe that it is not too late to reduce plastic bag usage. However, while some people may have already started using substitutes for plastic bags, what about the vast majority?
I think the authorities must take the necessary steps to create a legal ban on the use of plastic bags.
Supermarkets must stop using these bags and offer alternatives to customers.
From Ms Durga Patil
Al Ain
Flaws in jute bags
While it is commendable that the country is raising awareness about the environment, the strategy of replacing plastic bags with jute bags has many flaws.
If, like me, you need to shop for a family, you would need to carry around six or seven reusable jute bags with you at all times.
This is not very convenient as the large size of the bags makes them very heavy to carry when they are full of groceries.
The only practical solution is to use brown paper bags. They are not heavy to carry, they can be found at supermarkets and best of all, they can be reused and recycled.
From Ms S. I.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Cricket is not a sport
I cannot conceal my disdain for cricket and find the hype around the sport simply astonishing.
Why has a country such as India embraced it so passionately, after having been forced to endure this ridiculous sport under British colonisation?
Even more mystifying is why Indian cricketer Shantakumaran Sreesanth, who is a grown up man and a professional athlete, sobbed like a child after being slapped.
I find it difficult to call this embarrassing marathon of monotony a sport.
Perhaps cricket could learn a valuable lesson from the sport it aspires to be more like, and the lesson is this: there is no crying in baseball.
From Mr Keith Alaska
Dubai
Darkness of war
Gulf News report on the massacre of the four children and their mother in Palestine was heartbreaking.
I am sure it brought tears to everyone's eyes ("Breakfast massacre", Gulf News, April 29).
Just the day before the incident, the whole family was alive and well, but under the darkness of Israeli atrocity, the family members were divided between their home and the cemetery.
Many people take pride in being part of great democratic societies, but they are to be directly blamed for such incidents, as they have chosen leaders who are warmongers, not peacemakers.
From Mr S. O. Areef
Abu Dhabi
No roundabouts
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) should start phasing out roundabouts and convert them to traffic lights in order to control traffic at major road junctions.
Roundabouts are effective only if motorists are considerate and give way, as required.
With the current driving culture in the UAE, it is almost impossible to expect drivers to behave in a considerate manner.
We need to do away with roundabouts at major road junctions before more lives are lost.
From Mr Hussain Chan Keng Min
Singapore
Play outside
In his recent letter, Mr N. S. Masoud urged a Gulf News reader to allow his neighbour's children to play in the building's corridors ("Love thy neighbour", Gulf News, April 30).
I don't think we should have to learn to tolerate children playing in the halls.
Neighbours should respect fellow tenants and accompany their children outside if they want to play. This would be far more beneficial for the child.
A passageway is not a playground and is not designed for their safety.
Additionally, the noise generated by children playing invades the apartments of all those who live on the same floor.
From Ms Katherine Nash
Dubai
Peace and privacy
Mr N. S. Masoud's letter surprised me, as he said children should be allowed to play in corridors.
It is true that children need to play but not at the expense of other people's peace and privacy.
Besides, a corridor is not the right place for recreational activities and it is a nuisance.
If we live in apartments, we must respect our neighbours' rights; children should learn these values from the very earliest stage.
From Mr Nawaz Ahmad
Ajman
Drivers' duty
Radars should assist police officials to fine not only those motorists who violate road rules by speeding, but also those who allow passengers to travel without seatbelts ("Radar is capturing more than speeding motorists", Gulf News, April 30).
I am always horrified when I see young children jumping about in a moving vehicle.
It takes very little for motorists to abruptly step on the brakes and cause unrestrained passengers to be flung through the windscreen.
It is our responsibility to protect our children and others.
From Mr Clive Rule
Dubai
Nightmare begins
As a young person about to embark on the nightmare of registering for a driving licence in Dubai, I feel discouraged to even start on this uphill task.
Chances are I will fail my first driving test, and perhaps even my second. There is also the excessive cost of driving lessons.
At this time in my life, I look forward to challenges, but not insurmountable obstacles.
From Mr Omar Nasser
Dubai
Railroad request
I truly appreciate the ongoing Dubai Metro project, but until now, no initiative has been taken to decrease the Dubai-Sharjah highway traffic.
The congestion is due to the rapid increase in the number of vehicles on the road.
Although there is a bus service between the two emirates, the frequency with which it operates is not enough.
I suggest connecting Dubai and Sharjah by underground or ground level trains. This will be an effective solution to the severe traffic problems faced by motorists.
From Mr Evan
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
