Beekeeper creates worldwide buzz

An Emirati beekeeper is praise for his efforts to protect the honey bee. Other topics: sexual assault in war zones,Thomas Pynchon's prose, terror in Pakistan and lessons in love.

A fellow beekeeper applauds Ali Al Dhahani’s efforts to save the honey bee population. Ravindranath K / The National

Congratulations to "bee guardian" Ali Al Dhahani (My UAE: Ali Al Dhahni is Dibba's beekeeper, September 26).

I am trying to do the same in my valley in Tahiti, French Polynesia.

Let’s save the bees all over the world.

Quito Braun-Ortega, Tahiti

Support for global stance against war sex criminals

It is good to know that many countries have joined hands to address the issue of sexual violence against women (Abdullah calls for stand against war sex criminals, September 26).

It is necessary to create global awareness about how women are raped and exploited in war-torn countries.

The victims are scarred for life and they and their families face huge psychological trauma.

Urgent action is needed to remove this crime. I know this issue has been addressed at the United Nations and I sincerely hope that countries can jointly eradicate the problem.

Cyrus M, Abu Dhabi

Graffiti-covered club criticised

I am writing about Hugo Berger's blog post, New graffiti-covered nightclub to open on Yas Island (September 24).

This building, the O1NE Club, does not appear to be in keeping with the architecture of the rest of Yas Island.

I would not be seen there, because it looks like a skate park for 12-year-olds.

Tracey, Abu Dhabi

Putting love on the curriculum

University to offer lessons on love (September 29) was interesting to read.

The story says that Presidency University in Kolkata proposes to introduce a course that will look at the nuances of the emotion of love and its interplay with society, history and popular culture.

It will also look at the sociology and anthropology of love, and teach about sexual violence and gender roles.

In other words, it is a multifaceted, serious course.

However, the word “love” is commonly and crudely construed as an emotion between two genders, with a covert hint of sex.

The title of the course, “Love”, may attract students with wrong expectations about the content and the curriculum. It would be better to rename it to avoid later disappointment.

CS Pathak, India

Pynchon prose rocked the bus

I am writing in response to Rainbow Worrier (September 28), Saul Austerlitz's article about the imagination of Thomas Pynchon.

Thank you, Mr Austerlitz. I read the article as I was taking the bus into town and, as is often the case early in the morning, most people are still somewhat sleepy and no doubt appreciate the gentle rhythmic swaying of the bus in the communal silence.

I apologise profusely to these people but the vividly eloquent musing on the sheer brilliance of absurdity that is the writing of Thomas Pynchon made me laugh out loud on so many occasions that I am certain there was a general sigh of relief when my stop finally came along.

However, I must disagree with the writer’s judgements about Pynchon’s endings.

A writer who has the ability to create such challengingly imaginative complexities leaves us with the best for ourselves. A Pynchon book has no clear ending; it continues to be written in our minds as we try to stabilise the absurdity in our everyday lives.

Silla Rieser, Abu Dhabi

Seeking a solution to Pakistan terror

According to news reports yesterday, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh is claiming that there are terrorist camps in Pakistan.

What a profound analysis, Mr Singh. There are 50,000 families in Pakistan who will bear witness to it, as they have lost their loved ones in the battle against terrorists.

Mr Singh would like Pakistan to eradicate these camps, which is what Pakistan has been trying to do for the past 13 years. After using its entire might, the Pakistani government has decided to try “talks” – that is, to beg the Taliban to stop.

Occasionally, the Americans “help” by using a drone strike to target a particular Taliban leader. Then the cycle starts again.

This is a grave problem for which there is no solution. How do you stop a suicide bomber?

Kanwar Hayat, Dubai