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- PUBLISHED: Mon 3 Mar 2014, 9:56 PM UPDATED: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 4:02 AM
Let Dubai lead
This is with reference to the article Third World’s water woes (Feb 14). It is very illuminative and describes the challenging tasks. Even the UN’s declaration in 2012 that the target of halving the number of people without safe drinking water had been achieved is itself frightening with the admitted figure of 783 million people still lacking access to safe drinking water. The article by two distinguished experts, while admitting the magnitude of the task, also admits that resolving the problems requires political will, governmental and institutional support and public awareness.
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Failure means a global crisis of unprecedented proportions within the next generation. Whether it is a water problem or waste-water management or even power crisis, the efforts by the governments or institutions will not be successful unless there is public cooperation by way of self-discipline and a bit of sacrifice. Mahatma Gandhi had once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Daily we see in hotels in every part of the world waiters bringing mineral water bottles and even filling up all the glasses. Doctors however recommend that for at least an hour after eating food, water should not be taken so that the natural digestive process does not get diluted. This habit of not taking water during meals has become, fortunately, very popular but in the hotels, however, we do not prevent waiters from filling up our glasses. We also leave the glasses untouched many times, not taking the bottle home.
I have travelled to many countries and find this colossal waste everywhere, every day. One can imagine the quantum, thus wasted. This way, we ourselves, although, educated and civilised, are guilty of wastage. We should ask the waiter to give the bottle of water to us to take home, even if it is a star hotel. If we start doing this, it will catch on and become a regular practice throughout the world. This is a very important step in resolving the very big problem. Governments also can issue suitable instructions to the hotels. Let us start this from Dubai.
R. Gopalan, Dubai
Ukraine mess
There is worse to come. The rapidly deteriorating Ukraine situation has the makings of one of those international none-of-your-business events that happen from time to time. Somehow, almost accidentally, they result in wars between powerful opposing sides. This time it is the America/Europe alliance versus Russia — increasingly trigger-happy nuclear powers with lots and lots of nuclear-armed missiles, submarines and fighter bombers. Not very different compared to the two world wars. Unfortunately, history shows it’s human nature to do such stupid things.
Rudy Haugeneder, by email
A friend for Syria
Hollywood beauty Angelina Jolie is not only a brilliant actor but a determined woman as well. Famously known for her philanthropy, she is the ambassador of the United Nations refugee agency and has been visiting war-disturbed areas frequently, undaunted by the situation. Recently, Jolie met orphaned Syrian refugee children in Lebanon and thanked Lebanon for their support in hosting nearly one million Syrian refugees. She urged for an end to the nearly three-year war which has shattered Syrians.
Now the question is, who will listen to Jolie’s call to end the war? Cruelty and killings prevail everywhere in the world. The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution for helping war-affected Syrians, now it must be followed to the letter. Angelina Jolie has welcomed the resolution and urged the international community to help Lebanon in handling the refugee crisis.
Jafar Ayub, Dubai
These lettersexpresses the personal views of the author and does not reflect the opinion of Khaleej Times.