I write to you in reference to Robert Kelly's article After the smiles and handshakes, what hope is there for peace on the Korean peninsula? (July 4).
Will this diplomatic masquerade will go on indefinitely? Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are not seriously interested in solving the problem and reuniting the Koreas.
Peace is but a dream in the Korean peninsula. I wish leaders would put their sincere efforts into these talks instead of seeing them as photo opportunities.
Nazim Hasan Khan, India
Handshakes and smiles will not bring peace to the Koreas
I write to you in reference to Robert Kelly’s article After the smiles and handshakes, what hope is there for peace on the Korean peninsula? (July 4): will this diplomatic masquerade will go on indefinitely? Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are not seriously interested in solving the problem and reuniting the Koreas. Peace is but a dream in the Korean peninsula. I wish leaders would put their sincere efforts into these talks instead of seeing them as photo opportunities.
Nazim Hasan Khan, India
Shopping sprees clutter our houses and our minds
I write to you in reference to your article More than 30 million holiday toys are neglected by March, survey says (March 23, 2019). Festivities have become excuses for us to go on needless shopping sprees. Omnipresent advertisements and massive discounts push us to shop excessively when we could be spending our hard-earned money more wisely.
However, most people are not addicted to shopping per se and resort to compulsive buying as a means to relieve stress.
Online boutiques and shopping platforms are also to blame. These websites push people to buy compulsively at any time of the day and from the comfort of their own home. But what is the use of buying more items of clothing or beauty products if they are just filling one’s closets with things that will never be used?
Excessive shopping can only clutter one’s mind and one’s house. It would be much better to donate these items to charity or use the money to buy food for those in need.
Lamiya Siraj, Abu Dhabi
Iraq is the cradle of civilisation. We must protect its heritage
I write to you in reference to your editorial Unesco has given fragile Iraq a new lease of life (July 7): this article was a fascinating read as it gave me a glimpse into Iraq's rich past and the mystical Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Arab nation is the cradle of civilisation and its heritage must be cherished and embraced.
I am very relieved to read that Unesco is helping the Iraqi government take good care of its heritage sites.
Opening up these sites to the public could also attract tourists from around the world once the security situation improves.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
