Manna Dey’s death marks end of a golden era

Readers mourn the passing of Indian superstar Manna Dey. Other topics: shisha, Rihanna and Wi-Fi on planes.

An Indian artist creates a sand sculpture of the late Bollywood playback singer Manna Dey. Punit Paranioe / AFP

There are some people in the world whose deaths are hard to accept. Manna Dey is one of them (Legendary singer's final bow, October 25).

His contribution to Indian music cannot be described in words. He gave us music for all generations. I grew up listening to Manna Dey. He was my parents’ favourite; he is my children’s favourite.

There are very few like him whose music has fascinated three generations.

He was so talented that he didn’t have to rely on any one’s favour, unlike most singers we see today. Many of them may be popular, but it won’t take much time for them to be erased from public memory.

It is interesting that Rafi admired Manna Dey, and that Kishore Kumar and Lata also showered praise on him.

Your editorial (An enduring voice, October 25) noted that Lata and Asha are the last representatives of the golden period. It’s 100 per cent true.

They will also go one day, but their melodies will live forever.

Nina Nagpal, United States

The death of 94-year-old Manna Dey was a great loss to Indian cinema as well as to millions of music lovers.

The winner of both the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards, he was well liked by the film fraternity, and no one who heard himcould forget his melodious voice.

K Ragavan, India

Wi-Fi would make flying even noisier

I refer to Why fly without Wi-Fi? You might well ask (October 23).

I think, for example, there should be no phones on planes.

Some people just do not realise how loudly they talk. We really do not need to know that their Aunty Maree has a knee operation scheduled or that their son Felix has dumped his girlfriend.

There is enough radiation and all sorts of energy beaming through aircraft cabins as it is, so why add even more?

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

It makes me cross that some people are so disrespectful in not turning off their electronic devices when asked to do so.

JC Welling, Abu Dhabi

Shisha statistic an eye-opener

I am writing in reference to What's your poison? Too many answer 'shisha' (October 20), which says smoking a water pipe is the equivalent to having 600 cigarettes.

I used to smoke shisha three or four times a year, but I won’t be smoking it again after reading that statistic.

It’s too bad there aren’t enforced smoking bans in restaurants and bars in the UAE.

C Murphy, Dubai

Welcome speech on nuclear power

Nations need nuclear energy: Enec (October 17) was a welcome endorsement from the Middle East.

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation chief Mohammed Al Hammadi hit the nail on the head in saying that the myths surrounding radiation must be dispelled.

Critically, the benefits of nuclear energy must be recognised by global policymakers, the energy industry, business, investors, environmentalists and the public if we are to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

A documentary, Pandora’s Promise, which is screening in Europe next month aims to do just that. I hope it can be screened in the UAE.

S Henri, UK

We’re picking up good vibrations

Thank you for the article, Singing bowl meditation (October 23).

I believe that sounds and vibrations from singing bowls can be used to promote health and harmony in the body and mind during meditation.

Lawrence Enderle, Dubai

Rihanna’s poses not appropriate

I refer to Khalid Al Ameri's opinion piece, As Rihanna courts controversy, let's talk about tolerance (October 22).

My problem is with the seductive nature of the photographs.

Posing like that in front of a mosque is inappropriate regardless of whether she was covered up or not. This is a place of worship, not a studio or the beach.

Name withheld by request

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