Students and social activists hold a candlelight vigil in a call for justice for rape victims. Jagadeesh NV / EPA
Students and social activists hold a candlelight vigil in a call for justice for rape victims. Jagadeesh NV / EPA

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India cannot be a superpower if it fails to protect its girls

Our readers have their say on Indian rape cases, The National's anniversary and plastic waste

Letters to the Editor

April 18, 2018

In reference to the article with horrific implications by Rashmee Roshan Lall, (The case of an eight-year-old rape victim says justice in India is meted out according to religion and class, April 18), there have been protests and anger expressed across the country but it has been agonising to observe the muted condemnation of these hideous acts of rape by those in power in the state and central governments. In my humble opinion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have come down hard to the perpetrators of these inhumane acts.

In the last 10 days, there have been four such instances of girls below the age of 11 being raped and killed in different parts of India, including Jammu and Kashmir, two incidences in Uttar Pradesh and one in Gujarat. India must cure itself of this serious malady and crime. Otherwise all attempts to be a great superpower will count for nothing.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Keep helping us understand the complexities of the Middle East

On the completion of a decade of The National on April 17, I would like to congratulate the entire team. I am an avid reader of your newspaper as well as a regular letter writer from its early days, when I was based in the UAE, and have continued to this day.

The depth of your coverage, photos, editorial and articles are all impressive. Your articles across the board are very informative and meaningful. The newspaper has been a great achievement and has proven one of the leading newspapers in the Middle East at its very heart. Here's wishing The National every success in the coming days

K Ragavan, Bangalore, India

We moved to the UAE in 1978, back when newspapers were mimeographed pieces of paper stapled together. We were so excited when Abu Dhabi got its own newspaper. Congratulations to The National on reaching 10 years

Josie Gonzalez Nabti, Florida, US

I'm happy to say my UAE golden age started before 2008. This brings back great memories of a great country.

Jasmin Haas

Let's all do our bit to help nature overcome pollution

In reference to your story Researchers accidentally create plastic-eating enzyme (April 17), one way to deal with this problem is to start charging for each plastic bag in supermarkets and to ban all single-use plastic cutlery which comes with delivery food, disposable cups and straws.

Armen Kostanyan, Dubai

Bio

Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind. 
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.

On Women's Day
Key recommendations
  • Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
  • Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
  • Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
  • More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.