Dear Sir,

A   real estate development company has announced plans to build a new tower in Dubai to surpass the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building. Estimated to cost $1bn, the new tower is expected to be completed in 2019.  But is it worth to spend that much money to set a record? It is a serious questions that needs to be debated.
The Muslim world is passing through critical days. Many Muslim countries are struggling to overcome widespread poverty, political uncertainty and poor infrastructure. The economies in many African countries are also in dire straits.
Many youths in Muslim countries cannot tap their full potential because of lack of good education and research facilities. According to a Unesco study, Arab countries spend less than 0.1% of their total income on research work.
Because of the falling oil prices, several GCC countries are  finding it hard to cover their budget deficits. Is this the right time to spend $1bn on a tower?
Instead of spending huge amounts of money on high-rise buildings and other luxuries, investments in education, research centres and medical facilities and infrastructure improvements should be stepped up.

Khawaja Umer Farooq, kufarooq2@gmail.com
 
Violation of safety norms

Dear Sir,    

Deadly fires and stampedes have become frequent at sites of  mass religious gatherings in India. The recent fireworks explosion near a temple in Kollam in Kerala is the latest among them. It is  yet  another tragic example of how indifferent are Indians towards safety norms at places of mass gatherings.
Remember the Uphaar cinema fire in 1997 (59 were killed), the Kumbakonam school fire in 2004 (94 children were charred to death), the AMRI hospital fire in Kolkata in 2011 (90 dead).
The government should take the strictest action against those who violate safety norms and they should be tried in fast-track courts to set an example.
Safety checks must be carried out by civil defence  personnel before giving the go-ahead to all mass gatherings.
My heartfelt condolences and prayers for the bereaved families who lost their near and dear ones in the tragic accident at Kollam.

Ramesh G Jethwani, (Address supplied)

Expression of solidarity

Dear Sir,

I agree with the writer of the letter “Let us all help Kerala fire victims” (Gulf Times, April  12) about the poor coverage of the Kerala fireworks tragedy on some Indian TV channels.
Also, I would like to point out that some narrow-minded people I personally know have abstained from expressing solidarity with the accident victims; for them it’s a lapse and should not have been allowed to happen.
However, mistakes and accidents do happen and the important thing is to  learn from them.
All of us should stand together at this tragic moment. It is, however, gratifying to note that the Kerala state and Central governments and many private organisations are joining hands to bring relief to those affected by the tragedy.
Business magnates like Ravi Pillai and M A  Yusuffali and film actors like  Mamooty have set fine examples with their assistance and concern shown towards the fire victims.

Sachin S N, (e-mail address supplied)