Modi and Gandhi are making wild promises to secure votes

Our readers have their say on social media, India and reckless driving

A shopkeeper holds masks of Indian Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a roadside shop in Chennai. Arun Sankar / AFP

Please refer to Rashmee Roshan Lall's article Kamala Harris and Rahul Gandhi are taking politics back to basics (April 3). Congress's Rahul Gandhi is promising a minimum income guarantee of Dh3,840 per year to the poorest 20 per cent of Indians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also promised an annual dole of Dh320 to low-income farmers a few weeks ago. The question is, how will they finance these initiatives? Taxes account for a mere 16.5 per cent of the GDP of India. They cannot cover the costs of these electoral promises. The government's job is to foster employment and support businesses so that people can make a living out of their labour. Political parties are promising us the moon to secure votes.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Social media must not hinder Indian elections

I write to you in reference to Charles Capel's article Facebook removes partisan Indian social media operations before elections (April 3). Facebook removed many pages from its platform that have been linked to the spread of fake news ahead of the Indian general election. Many of those pages appear to be affiliated with Indian political parties, but some are actually run from within Pakistan. This discourse is designed to intensify tensions on both sides of the border, especially in the wake of the recent Pulwama terror attacks.

We must not allow tensions to escalate further. I hope that the elections will be smooth and peaceful.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Reckless driving is a major concern for UAE residents

I write in reference to Patrick Ryan's article Shocking UAE road survey finds one in four young drivers admit to tailgating (April 3). This survey does not surprise me at all. I even witnessed a scene where a person driving without a valid license argued ferociously with the police who caught them. Road safety issues are primordial and we need to get parents involved to promote it among young drivers.

Name withheld by request