Life is hell for Kashmiris

A reader expresses sympathy for Kashmiris. Other topics: UAE's old buildings, VPN, black abayas, stress and behaviour

A reader expresses sympathy for Kashmiris, who have been victims of violence. Farooq Khan / EPA

The picture in your opinion section of a Kashmiri Muslim pilgrim being greeted by relatives and neighbours in Srinagar in Kashmir (August 11) is touching. Filmmakers, as well as actors once felt most happy when they got a chance to shoot a film in Kashmir.

Not only has Kashmir – which Bollywood once described as a piece of heaven – become a no-go zone for the film fraternity, but members of the industry remain silent about the activities of the Indian army there. Scores of people have died or been injured. Kashmiris go through violence and torture on a daily basis.

While extremists are fulfilling their agenda, it’s the poor Kashmiris who are paying the price.

AR Modak, South Africa

Many of our buildings need to be preserved

I agree with your editorial A concrete step in heritage (August 10), that the Unesco listing of Le Corbusier's concrete buildings should lead to reassessment of some of our older buildings. I think there are many buildings that ought to be preserved. The one that immediately comes to my mind is situated behind Marks & Spencer or Fotouh Al Khair Tower. It's a very old building that I want to be preserved.

Mohammad Nadim Hossain, Abu Dhabi

There are old arcades on Mubarak bin Mohammed Street, which is between Zayed the 1st Street and Al Falah Street. They need to be preserved not just because of their historical value, but also because a renovation would make it an ideal destination for cafes and shops.

Name withheld by request

Expatriates need value for money

Regarding your article Use of VPN in the UAE still confusing despite recent law change (August 10), we maintain our UK home even though we only "really" live there for two months every summer.

We still pay our yearly TV tax – to fund the BBC programming. The BBC iplayer allows us to download BBC programmes in the UK while in the UK to watch when abroad on holiday.

We expatriates are a bit of a niche group. We’ve paid the fee – and would like to get some value for our yearly payment.

Karen Kennedy, UK

Appeal of black is unparalleled

I have only black abayas (Back to black: why the traditional abaya is a favourite for Emirati women, August 10).

A few of them have a little colour on them – mostly white or grey lines or dots. Something very subtle, such as little pearls, maybe. I will never wear a coloured abaya, because I don’t like them.

Black is the most versatile and elegant colour.

Mariyah Fatimah, Dubai

I love black because it’s a mysterious colour in every sense.

TC Darmon, Dubai

Stress can take toll on behaviour

In reference to the letters regarding the behaviour of passengers on the burning aircraft, it is very easy to pass judgement. The fact is that, when faced with a stressful situation like this, most people react irrationally as they panic.

Sometimes, a most simple task can seem unattainable when overcome with fear or shock. In this case, we ought to be happy that all passengers were safe.

Brad Trumpy, Dubai

It’s easy to pass judgment, but unless you’re trained, you won’t really know how to react in such situations.

Muzammil Sk, Dubai

I read somewhere that airlines were going to introduce a central locking system the crew could use so that all overhead lockers were kept closed in the event of an evacuation. It seems to be a great idea, but I don’t know if any airline has implemented it.

I always have my passport, cards, money and tickets in a bag that I never take off in flight. If my plane is on fire, I just want to get out.

Iris February, Dubai

Take examples from Europe and make roads safe (How do we make minibuses safe? July 28). The best example is probably Sweden.

Kari-Pekka Lankinen, Germany