Sharjah airport photos taken in 1930s gives us idea of UAE progress

Our readers have their say about old photos, usage of smartphones and Brexit

Sharjah Air Station welcomed its first flight in 1932, when a plane from Pakistan's Gwadar, above, touched down on October 5. Kenneth Mackay, courtesy of Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies.

I write in reference to Emma Day's article The first plane to touch down in Sharjah 87 years ago: historic images of the UAE's earliest airport (October 27): it is always fun to look at grainy old black-and-white photographs as they take us back in time and give us an idea of what life must have been like.

I had the same warm fuzzy feeling looking at images taken eight-and-a-half decades ago, and preserved all these years, of Sharjah Air Station – especially because I lived in the emirate for about 15 years. The UAE did not exist in 1932 but looking at how sparse the land around the station was gives us an idea of the extent of progress the nation has made, thanks to its visionary leaders. One need only visit Sharjah International Airport today for evidence of the country’s remarkable development.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Beware the excessive use of smartphones and social media

Smartphones are our primary resource tool these days and have changed our lifestyle in very significant ways. They have even changed the way we converse with each other and think and feel about each other. As we spend hours staring at our phones, we seem to indulge in fewer face-to-face interactions.

The effect this may be having on socialising and on the minds of young users is worth monitoring. While communication and expression have been enhanced thanks to social media, we must be mindful of the excessive use of it – lest we are forced to regret later.

Mathew Litty, Dubai

Some politicians in the UK have forgotten who butters their bread

I write in reference to Jack Dutton's article British government fails to obtain support for December general election (October 28). Oh dear, there are a few politicians in the UK who have forgotten who butters their bread. This will be evident at the general election.

Daniel Rose, Dubai

Those demanding People’s Vote should recall Churchill’s quote

I write in reference to Gavin Esler's article Tony Blair on Brexit: it started and should end with a referendum (October 28). Winston Churchill once said that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

Name withheld by request