Encephalitis calls for serious action

A reader says vaccines alone will not eradicate encephalitis from India, which needs to pay attention to public hygiene and sanitation. Other letter topics: peace, Egypt, women, Uttar Pradesh, Palm Jumeirah

A child undergoes treatment for encephalitis in Uttar Pradesh state. A reader says the Indian government may not be able to tackle the disease effectively unless it addresses the issue of hygiene and sanitation. Biswajeet Banerjee / AP PhotoShow less

It is sad to read that hundreds of children died after an encephalitis outbreak in India (Encephalitis outbreak kills hundreds of Indian children, October 9). Every year many people die from dengue and encephalitis in India. It’s good to know that the government is trying to contain this disease through vaccination campaigns, but what about hygiene and sanitation? Unless these issues are addressed properly, it may not be possible to fight encephalitis effectively.

Namita Menon, Abu Dhabi

India’s visa move will help boost the tourism sector

I refer to the news article India to woo tourists with bold visa reforms (October 8). By granting visas on arrival to a large number of nationalities from all over the world, India can stimulate its tourism industry.

Although India has taken this decision late, it is a good move which will help visitors avoid bureaucratic red tape. But this gesture should be reciprocal. Very few countries offer visa on arrival for Indians.

Indians are avid travellers and many of them are big spenders. Countries that are on India’s list of visa on arrival should think about this. It could benefit their tourism as well.

Sukumar S, Sharjah

Work together for a better world

Hats off to the families for their the courage and strength to send their children to school in Syria, where the situation is extremely volatile (Learning in the shadow of the gun, October 3).

I always think how fortunate we are to be in a safe place like the UAE and why so many other places in the world can’t be as peaceful. Let’s work together for a better world.

Zahra Khan, Dubai

Don’t blame Egypt over militants

Abdel Bari Atwan, who has been quoted in the Arabic News Digest item Gazans need not be bullied by an Egyptian army they admire (October 5), has made a good point. That is, in Egyptian army raids against militants in Sinai, not a single Palestinian has been caught. That's good.

It means that either Gazan militants don’t exist in Egypt and, therefore, the Egyptians don’t need to go after them, or it means that they fled back to Gaza to avoid capture. Again that’s good.

Gazans have, however, been caught earlier. Militants have crossed into Egypt and attacked Israel from within Egypt. Wadi El Natroun Prison had Gazan inmates when it was broken into, and these prisoners made their way back to Gaza in a matter of hours.

Remember that Egyptians are merely threatening, but if these threats are scaring the militants, on either side, then that’s a good thing. Egypt should not be blamed for that.

Name withheld by request

Why do men attack women?

The article Man beat daughter after dropping her outside building 'full of bachelors', hears Abu Dhabi court (October 6) is disturbing. What is wrong with these men and why do they attack women and children? I am fed up with hearing about these cases that have become so common these days.

Moiz SA, Sharjah

Can Uttar Pradesh restore old glory?

In the opinion article Memories of a peaceful past in partition-era Uttar Pradesh (October 8), Hari Chand Aneja nicely juxtaposed the peaceful atmosphere that prevailed in Uttar Pradesh at that time and the current times when the state is in dire need of peace, and law and order.

The question is, can Uttar Pradesh ever regain its old glory?

K Ragavan, India

Action needed in Palm Jumeirah

I am commenting on the business article Nakheel to restart at Palm Deira (October 9). It would be nice if Nakheel sorted out some of the problems within Palm Jumeirah before starting work on Palm Deira.

Some of those problems include potholes in the area, faulty fire alarms in Marina Residences, which go off three to four times daily, the numerous faded, torn and scruffy hoardings and screens that line the stalled developments on Palm Jumeirah, the missing bulbs on the trunk of the Palm and inadequate street lighting.

Nakheel should also fix the water pumps alongside the Canal Cove residences and make them work like they did when I first bought my property there.

Name withheld by request