I was pleased to read Ayesha Almazroui's column, Military service is a good start towards a healthy lifestyle (March 30).
It’s a great initiative and I think it would work wonders in other parts of the world – especially in the UK.
Nicole Mundle, Ras Al Khaimah
I hope the UAE keeps the national service programme going. A lot of young fellows will love it. It’s really nice to see this; it makes me proud to live here.
Rodney Munro, Abu Dhabi
I have friends who went in for military training, and they returned very disciplined.
Rajeev Rajapalan, Dubai
Nine-week wait seems excessive
I am writing about Pupils in Abu Dhabi 'miss out on school trips' (March 30), which says that the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) is insisting that private schools give the authority nine weeks' notice of field trips and visits by guest speakers.
Adec is harming its reputation by limiting and blocking so many wonderful opportunities that UAE schools would otherwise be able to provide to their pupils.
Of course, as Adec says, it hasn’t actually cancelled any event, but its ruling is responsible for many cancellations. Hopefully, Adec will reconsider its position.
N Ebner, Abu Dhabi
Nine weeks is a bit too long to wait for approval for a field trip. Three weeks is ample time to arrange things to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
And surely, it should be possible to arrange a visit by a VIP on 24 hours’ notice.
Name withheld by request
Call for jet ski ban campaign
The jet ski must be one of the worst inventions ever devised.
They are noisy and dangerous, and while they apparently give pleasure to one person, they bring misery to 100 others.
Please start a campaign to have them all driven into the middle of the deep blue sea and sunk.
D Willis, Dubai
Sheikh’s gift to charity praised
I was pleased to read Sheikh Hamdan donates winnings from Dubai World Cup to charity (March 30).
How very kind and generous. It will be put to such good use at the Dubai Autism Centre. I know that they need the money badly.
Fiona Johnson Margesson, Dubai
What a kind and giving soul Sheikh Hamdan has. He has donated money earned doing something he loves to an amazing cause. This is the ultimate pay-it-forward story.
Diana Phelps, Dubai
Is movie piracy linked to pay?
I am responding to Campaign puts the case for defeating TV pirates' Dh1.8bn scam (March 30).
In the story, a spokesman from the Department of Economic Development is quoted as saying the “focus is on promoting transparency”.
In that case, they should start with revealing the salaries of movie and television studio executives.
Perhaps we can trim costs by cutting their excessive compensation.
J Martin, US
Tower bungee sounds like fun
Dubai plays host to bungee beater (March 30) refers to a new form of base-jumping now available from the 97th floor of the Princess Tower in Dubai.
That certainly looks like one for my bucket list.
Name withheld by request
More detail on obesity, please
This is in response to UAE parents are 'blind to children's weight problems' (March 28).
The article raises the important issue of obesity, which is becoming common. It says that many parents deny the fact that their children are overweight.
I was expecting to read more about the experiences of parents who refuse to recognise their children as obese.
From reading the headline, I also expected that the article would include health advice from specialist doctors.
I am sure that many parents would be keen to read more about this issue.
Syeda Humna Naqvi, Sharjah
