In reference to the article by Mina Al-Oraibi A decade of media experimentation, The National at 10 (April 17), congratulations to The National and all of you who work in the esteemed journal on your 10th birthday. The National has always been a very readable and educational newspaper, with high-quality writing and objective journalism.
The layouts are reader-friendly and the articles incisive and analytical. Thanks for your encouragement to people like me who write letters to your journal to express anguish or appreciation on various current issues.
I am also deeply obliged to you for having published columns by my father, Hari Chand Aneja, in the last few years of his life. They were a source of great joy to him and gave him a reason for living life to the fullest.
My best wishes to all of you for the future.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Politics can be a dirty business
I refer to Gavin Esler's op-ed article Who would want to join politics when it is so riven with nasty factions? (16 April): Mr Esler's analysis of today's political world was elaborate and his argument that too few administrators care for ordinary people was persuasive.
Most politicians, sadly, are embroiled in scandal. The Italian voter quoted by Mr Esler illuminates the state we are in. The rot Mr Esler identifies is true not only of the West but also the rest of the world. Today politics is considered a lucrative business in many places and there are so few clean and honest politicians serving the people. A good read.
K Ragavan, Bangalore
We can only hope for peace in our time
I refer to your story There's only one winner from missile strikes in Damascus by Gareth Browne (April 15): in times such as these, with one conflict after another, we can only remain steadfast, patient and pray for hope and peace.
Usman Iqbal, Sharjah
Have the western powers referred to in this story given thought to who will replace Bashar Al Assad? Another Iraq and Libya-like debacle looms on the horizon, I fear.
Anne McAdam, Abu Dhabi
New volunteering rules are for the greater good
I refer to your article New law bans all volunteering without permission from authorities, Sheikh Mohammed announces (April 15): as with most regulations, the new rules concerning volunteering have been put in place for the safety of the people involved, the people being helped and for the greater good of the community.
From what I understand, the law does not forbid volunteering but tries to place some safety measures around it. Charities can be exploited for illegal purposes and this is why there is such tight control over these activities. Volunteers might need to take the extra step of registering but I am sure this will be relatively easy for most people.
Manal Farrah, Abu Dhabi
