No police patrol in sight on motorway

A reader laments the absence of police patrols on motorways during the Eid rush. Antonie Robertson / The National

On Monday evening, I drove with my children from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah. The motorway was very busy as people rushed to their destinations. At one point I considered pulling over, because there were too many aggressive drivers around me. In two hours, between 4pm and 6pm, not once did I see a police patrol car. Why?

Alicia Suwaina, Abu Dhabi

Summer weather plays spoil sport as Eid holiday starts

Eid in summer is off-putting as people are left with no option but to visit the malls across the country due to the unpleasant and humid weather conditions (UAE weather: Clouds, high humidity and sizzling heat in store for Eid, July 29).

It becomes even worse during late evenings with humidity levels soaring up, leading to poor visibility on the roads.

Motorists should exercise caution when driving in such conditions.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Suicide has many reasons

It is sad that 100 Indians commit suicide each year due to financial stress (100 Indians have committed suicide in the UAE each year since 2011, July 28).

Even more distressing is the fact that the situation of so many Indians remains perpetual even after they arrive in this country and start earning.

That is mainly because they incur so much debt that they realise they cannot pay them it off. The problem is that most of these people are paid such small amounts that they cannot even fulfil their basic commitments.

Those who are on their own here are most vulnerable because they don’t know where to go, or who to talk to, during times of crisis. Out of desperation they sometimes take the extreme step. This is a sad situation and beyond anyone’s control.

Varsha John, Abu Dhabi

The number of Indians committing suicide in the UAE is alarming.

There are various factors that lead individuals to this path, including faulty financial planning and personal problems. It is, however, heartening to know that the Indian mission is helping this vulnerable community with professional and legal advice.

We can only hope that these facilities will help reduce the number of suicides in the future.

K Ragavan, US

It is sad that 100 Indians take their own lives each year in the UAE due to financial stress. But what part is the Indian government playing to help these people? Yes the expatriate community can help, but so should the Indian government, which has the capacity and resources. The government of India must take responsibility for the country’s citizens.

Name withheld by request

I think one major source of stress is the workplace. I had to quit my job in Abu Dhabi in haste as I had a rogue manager. I think there must be a labour tribunal where employees can tell their side of the story.

Sathya Narayanan, Dubai

Product boycott is not the answer

This refers to the news article Muslims in India boycott Coke, Pepsi in protest against Israel's action in Gaza (July 28). This is a cheap shot. A better thing to do than to boycott these products is to donate the money to charities serving those areas.

Kathy Lee, Abu Dhabi

Israel and Hamas must resolve crisis

I write with reference to your onl;ine photo gallery, Gazans return to their flattened homes during humanitarian pause (July 27).

This a very complex situation will continue as long as both sides continue to distrust each other.

Israel and Hamas must come face to face and sort this out. Both sides have legitimate concerns. War will not work, it only adds fuel to the fire and destroys human lives. Have we not learnt from history? The sole priority should be humanity.

Randall Mohammed, Abu Dhabi