Rape cases tarnish the reputation of an entire nation
The reported gang rape of a 22-year-old photojournalist by five men in Mumbai is another blot on the face of India (Last men held over gang rape, August 26).
The young woman must have gone through untold trauma. She deserves the best medical and emotional support possible.
It is commendable that the Mumbai police have apprehended all the suspects. They should be put on trial and, if they are found guilty, the harshest punishment should be meted out.
The instance of rape across India is giving the country a rotten name across the world. According to statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau, rape cases in India have spiralled from 2,487 in 1971 to 24,206 in 2011.
India was once famous for its spiritual traditions, for the Taj Mahal and for Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence movement. Now, India is being seen as the rape-capital of the world.
The punishment for rape has to be quick and strong. It may take the application of the death penalty for this malady to be controlled in India.
Rajendra K Aneja, Dubai
India must look at its priorities
I refer to Gold smuggling rises in India (August 25).
India should really focus on the protection of women rather than putting all their brain and muscle into making laws to stop imports of television sets and gold.
Moiz SA, Sharjah
Criticism of hit movie is unfair
I refer to Christine Iyer's Arts & Life article, Chennai Express proves SRK is a better marketer than an actor (August 25).
Quite clearly, the author is a delusional Ranbir Kapoor fan who is not able to digest the success of Chennai Express.
Nobody ever set out to make Chennai Express an art film; it was a commercial venture made for families - and families are loving it.
One can market a film brilliantly to lure audiences the first time. But if the product is not good, there will be no return business.
In the case of Chennai Express, families are watching it repeatedly; not once or twice but seven or eight times. You can't achieve that through marketing; it has to be because of the emotional connection its star Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) has with audiences.
The characters of Rahul and Meenamma have struck a chord with the audience.
By the way, SRK has received 175 awards to date (according to Wikipedia) and he won the IPL with his cricket team, the Kolkota Knight Riders, in 2012.
For 22 years people have been trying to bring him down and he has refused to give an inch. The more you criticise him, the more his drive increases and he comes back with a vengeance.
Neither Ranbir nor anyone else comes even close to touching SRK's achievements both nationally and internationally.
Audrey A, India
Technology has the write stuff
I am writing regarding your editorial, No longer mighty (August 25), about the decline in handwriting.
Not to worry, tablet computers come with writing screens so you can make handwritten notes.
Eric Scott, Australia
Smoking ban too hard to enforce
I refer to Scepticism over ban on smoking in cars (August 26).
The police can't even control the level of tint on car windows, so how are they going to fine smokers behind those tinted windows? Trent, Abu Dhabi
Concern at rise in inflation rate
Inflation on the rise across the GCC (August 23) says that housing costs are pushing up the UAE inflation rate.
I am not quite sure about why it happened in 2008, but the economy of Dubai and the Northern Emirates seemed to overheat and there was very high inflation.
Rents were so high that some workers were forced into bed spaces. Suddenly, waves of people were terminated from their jobs, businesses collapsed, and buildings became half empty as there was a mass exodus of expatriates with cancelled visas.
Investors who had bought property at hyperinflated prices didn't know what had hit them when their investments lost so much equity.
I hope this scenario is not going to be repeated.
Name withheld by request
