I think children need real books, not digital ones (World of knowledge, September 7). They should be able to feel and smell the paper. There is nothing more pleasurable than going to a bookstore or a library. When I was a child, I looked forward to Saturday because it was on that day that I would go to the library.
We were allowed to borrow 10 books each. During summer holidays we practically lived in the library. We didn’t need iPads to keep us entertained. Our imagination took care of that.
Jean Francoise Ng Lewis, Dubai
I miss my times in Singapore, where I could use my library card to borrow four books per week (that was the maximum limit).
Schools here should hold reading sessions before classes start in the morning. It doesn’t matter what language the book is written in. Reading will allow the mind to warm up. A half-hour session should be enough.
Jekah Carillo, Dubai
There is a time and place for everything. Whereas technology has its place, we should not forget the more traditional ways of doing things. The pleasure of putting your feet up on the sofa with a good book and a cup of tea is hard to beat.
Annette Waddington, Abu Dhabi
Our heroes must be remembered
Service to one's country that ends so tragically is the highest form of patriotism (Our soldiers lost their lives protecting us, September 6). The sons of the UAE were true patriots. We will miss all of them. May their souls rest in peace.
Markus Prince, Nigeria
These young men made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I salute them.
Let’s never forget those who sacrificed everything for their country. Thank you so much, young heroes.
Steven Paul O'Brien, US
I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those soldiers. May God bless them.
Linda MacConnell, Dubai
Think beyond renewables
It's good to see more and more women joining the engineering profession (Travel engineers quality, September 3).
It’s true that hydrocarbons are here to stay, at least for another 100 years. Since their discovery, oil and gas have been the main sources of revenue for the UAE and the wider GCC. The industry has not only provided employment for thousands, but it has enabled governments to build world-class infrastructure.
However, fossil fuels are non-renewable and contribute significantly to global warming, and I would like to see the Petroleum Institute re-engineer itself to an energy institute and produce engineers with skills in both renewable and non-renewable energy.
I think it’s critical that we strike such a balance if we are to survive the next century. Storage for solar and wind energy continues to be a big challenge and has a dampening effect on the development of renewable-energy projects.
It would be interesting if the Petroleum Institute could take up the challenge of producing engineers with the skills to develop cost-effective high-capacity storage batteries.
Randall Mohammed, Dubai
Unusual curiosity over a murder
In reference to the news report India gripped by Indrani Mukerjea murder mystery (September 1), many Indians are curious about this case for two reasons.
One, because it is alleged that a mother has killed her daughter for material gains. This is unnatural. Obviously, people want to know the truth.
Two, Indian women are generally seen as modest and self-effacing. But Ms Mukherjea, who married three times and has portrayed a picture of herself as a person who will go to any length to achieve her ambitions, represents a new type of female personality.
Let us hope the truth emerges.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
