It's a great achievement for India – a reward for sincere and dedicated efforts (India's Mars mission a step closer to making history, September 23). One of the most important aspects of the mission is its low price tag: it cost only $74 million (Dh2.7 billion), which is less than the cost of production of the Hollywood movie Gravity. Nasa's almost simultaneous – and far more complex – mission to Mars cost $671 million. Congratulations to the scientists who contributed to this project directly or indirectly.
Varsha John, Abu Dhabi
I am happy about India’s achievements in the sphere of space technology. However, it is hard to predict all the benefits that the Mars mission might bring to the country, as some of them may be intangible. Nevertheless they are crucial for the country. Most importantly it will fire the imagination of young minds in the country, getting them to dream about possibilities for tomorrow.
Dhiraj Pradhan, India
Penalties should be stiffer for bad drivers in the UAE
I think penalties for bad driving in the UAE should be stiffer (Taxi rule change is a warning to us all, September 28). A system that measures the average speed between cameras should be installed on all freeways. This insane practice of racing between cameras and suddenly braking hard to pass the cameras below the limit should be stopped.
Steve O'Brien, Dubai
How about enforcing the existing laws? The police should proactively pull people over for breaking the law. They should not react just to car accidents and call-ins.
Farine Dahkan, US
There’s no point having laws if there is no consequence for breaking them. The UAE should therefore enforce the existing laws to make its roads safer.
Daniel Rose, Abu Dhabi
Leave mobiles to personal choice
I found the blog post Apple iPhones are for the simple-minded (September 22) offensive. Why would someone who likes Samsung and doesn't like Apple call iPhone users "sheep"? It's like the difference between BMW and Mercedes. You might like BMW and I might like Mercedes, but that difference in preference doesn't make one person better than the other.
Babak Bj, Dubai
I’m not sure that “the Justin Bieber of phones” is really that great a compliment to Android phones.
Brian Hall, Abu Dhabi
Don’t allow ISIL fighters to return
In my opinion, western countries should not allow their citizens fighting for ISIL to return (
into normal society? September 25).
They will pose more risk to their countries as they will be battle-hardened. It may be possible to rehabilitate some of them, but those who cannot be rehabilitated will pose greater risk to their countries and the region. Western nations can take a unanimous decision in this regard, so that a British national, for example, cannot enter France or Germany, when he or she is barred from entering the UK. Such a tough policy will serve as an effective deterrent.
Name withheld by request
Asia should benefit from India-US ties
It's an irony that a person who was unwelcome in the US a few years ago has been accorded a red-carpet welcome in the country (Modi's first US Visit shows turn of political fortunes, September 25).
I hope that this dramatic change of stance by the US towards Mr Modi will result in better relations between the two countries and bring peace in the region.
K Ragavan, India
