Gas attacks show why we must all support Syrians
I refer to Calls for action after 'gas attacks' (August 23).
My heart goes to all the Syrian people. It hurts to watch the footage of all the innocent victims who died, and those who were injured, in particular children and babies.
I hope the international community, through the United Nations, can put an end to the brutal actions of the authorities and the Syrian president, Bashar Al Assad.
I have dear Syrian friends in Abu Dhabi, and I have just spoken to one of them whose family has been affected by this terrible gas attack.
Let us pray for peace in Syria, for the recovery of those who survive, and for the families of those who died. Let's show the Syrian people we are in solidarity with them in their time of pain and suffering.
No matter where we are from, we all need to stand by our Syrians brothers and sisters.
Wilma Burton, Abu Dhabi
At this rate, Bashar Al Assad will end up like Saddam Hussein - executed on charges of crimes against humanity.
Tim Upham, UK
Housing choice is hypothetical
In Mario Volpi's article, the question is asked Should I buy a villa or apartment in Dubai? (August 22).
If I had the available funds, deciding on buying a villa or apartment in Dubai would not be a difficult decision to make.
My concern is: what should one do to be able to afford to buy a property in this part of the world in the first place?
Fatima Suhail, Dubai
Rupee fall linked to disagreement
This refers to the editorial Restoring faith in the rupee requires bold thinking (August 20).
The unprecedented crisis in the Indian economy has not erupted overnight.
The two main pillars to monitor and keep the economy in good health and shape - the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for fiscal policies and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for monetary policies - are supposed to work in tandem. In fact, the two are at loggerheads.
The RBI would like to contain inflation and control liquidity with higher interest rates; the MoF, guided by a political agenda, aims at development with cheap money.
The US dollar was worth around 19 rupees in 1991 when the present prime minister Manmohan Singh, the former governor of the RBI and the erstwhile member of the board of governors of the International Monetary Fund, became the finance minister.
After 20 years, the exchange rate has plummeted to 65 rupees and is sinking every day. In the process, India has lost an eminent scholarly economist and created a bad politician in the prime minister.
Hopefully, the designated new RBA governor, Raghuram Rajan, will rein in the politicians and save the rupee.
CS Pathak, Dubai
Poor deserve the most sympathy
I refer to Wealthy families feel the pain of rupee slump (August 22).
It's hard to feel sympathy for these ultra-wealthy individuals who fret about not being able to buy a third or fourth property abroad.
India has one of the highest concentrations of poor people in the world. How are the poor coping with the effects of the dropping rupee?
Meanwhile, many of India's wealthy individuals are seeking citizenship of other countries to protect their wealth rather than helping their less-fortunate countrymen.
Things will never change in India while these age-old caste-system values are in place.
Name withheld by request
Young women need guidance
Western ideals 'lead to rise in anorexia' (August 22) caught my attention.
When I see young women in malls and restaurants, I feel bad about what they are turning into. Someone needs to guide them urgently about fashion and health.
I have absolutely no clue who told young women that they look attractive when they are stick-thin and loaded with make-up.
Boys are not attracted to such girls. At least, the nice ones are not.
Moiz SA, Sharjah
