Naming Bandra-Worli Sea Link

India is contemplating naming the new Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai. The names suggested are Rajiv Gandhi, a former prime minister, or Veer Savarkar, a freedom fighter.

I strongly urge the sea link not be named after a political leader. Almost all railways, airports, schools and colleges in India are named after political leaders. Many of these leaders have contributed to the country’s development, but some have swindled the country out of billions of rupees.

I strongly urge for the bridge to be named after Mumbai Police Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, the police officer who was brutally murdered on Nov. 26, 2008 in Mumbai by terrorists. He was killed in the line of duty.

This will send a strong message across the country that India does not forget its police officers and soldiers who lay down their lives for the cause of secularism and democracy. We must honor our police/military officers who serve the country, even if they are not politicians.

Alternatively, the “sea link,” should quite simply be named “183” to commemorate all those innocent citizens who were killed in the terrorist attacks last November.

If a country does not honor those killed in the line of duty, it will not inspire bravery or valor in the future.

Rajendra K. Aneja, By e-mail published 4 July 2009

Protest by schoolteachers

This refers to Syed Ishaq’s letter “Schoolteachers’ protest” (July 3). Why does Ishaq have so much sympathy for teachers at the Indian School in Riyadh? What about the teachers working at Indian Embassy schools in Jeddah and Dammam and those who work in private schools? Their condition is equally pathetic.

If teachers at the Indian Embassy school in Riyadh tried to raise their issue by boycotting classes, they received good coverage in Arab News. But what about the hardship of other teachers? Don’t they deserve salary increases to meet rising expenses?

I appreciate the teachers of the Indian School in Riyadh who maintain good relations with local media as the coverage given to their issue shows. I earnestly request the media to be equally sympathetic to teachers of all schools and highlight their problems. They should also take up the problems of parents.

Shaista Adeeb, Jeddah published 4 July 2009

Burqa issue

A couple of days back, Muslims in the New York state had their demand met: To have public holiday for Muslims in the state’s schools and offices on Eid days.

This happened as Muslims finally convinced city councilors and legislators that a day off on major religious occasions was their right.

Following the same principle, can those advocating in favor of burqa suggest that burqa is a religious requirement and must be enforced across the world? Sorry, they cannot do that. Our religion requires us to dress modestly and that is for both men and women.

Hence, emphasizing only on burqa is not proper. It is a traditional requirement. Dressing modestly is good but insisting on an extreme dress code is not apposite.

In short, if you can’t meet the values of your host country, you have the choice to stay at home, why bother to immigrate to European countries.

Masood Khan, Jubail published 4 July 2009

Confront the terrorists

This refers to Arab News’ report, “Nuclear facility bus bombed” (July 3). Two persons were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up after ramming his motorcycle into a bus carrying workers from a nuclear facility in Rawalpindi on Thursday. It is difficult to comprehend what the terrorists are up to. Targeting people who are innocent and not hostile to them is not going to advance their nefarious designs. They earlier attacked the bus that was carrying Sri Lankan cricketers, something that resulted in the cancellation of the Champions Trophy.

The Sri Lankans had to abandon the series and leave. The attack also brought the country into disrepute. Given the precision shown by the perpetrators of the attack, it is clear that the terrorists were trained and professionals. Similar attacks are happening very frequently in the country, something that is indicative that terrorists are getting support from abroad. The people of Pakistan should think and forge unity in order to foil the designs of anti-state elements.

Syed Ishaq, Thuqbah published 4 July 2009

Kashmir dispute

The present situation in Kashmir is deplorable. It is like a putrefied mango. Kashmir has become an intractable problem. This is the bone of contention between India and Pakistan that has bedeviled relations between the two countries forcing both to spend enormous amounts on military buildup at the cost of development and fulfilling people’s needs.

It has remained an issue between the two neighbors for over six decades and it must be resolved now. Political parties and governments seem incapable of solving this complex problem. Statesmen and sincere leaders who love their people should come forward and take up the issue. There are good people who care for human lives and feel the agony of deaths and destruction in Kashmir. They are also pained at the deaths of army soldiers and officers who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty. But how long will this bloodshed continue?

The insurgency and killings in Kashmir are providing ammunition to separatist groups operating in other parts of India. Maoists and Naxalites have stepped up attacks in other parts of the country. If the Kashmir issue is allow to linger on the people of the two countries will continue to suffer.

Maqdoomi Gulbarga, By e-mail published 4 July 2009

Postal service

This refers to the Arab News report, “Saudi Post trying to regain customer trust” (July 1). The report rightly said that Saudi Post’s credibility has been at stake over the years due to poor services and bureaucracy. The current competition from the private sector has given it an opportunity to overhaul. I had some experience in dealing with Saudi Post in the Eastern Province and found the service to be worth the money. But there is huge room for improvement. A large number of post boxes have caved in or become useless due to heat and weather. Saudi Post claims to have introduced Wasel, a system by which mail is delivered at homes, but people registered with the service complain of not receiving their mail. The delays in properly implementing this service or other local services can be easily cut down without any additional cost. Collection and delivery timings should be fixed. This will solve the problem.

Mohammed Sadullah Khan, Riyadh published 4 July 2009