On May 25, I experienced a life-threatening medical emergency. It felt like the oxygen switch in my body had been turned off. I live alone and was gasping for oxygen as hopelessly as if I was in an anoxic environment, and with what little breath I had left, I struggled to dial the emergency hotline. My voice was barely audible.
Within minutes, the emergency medical team arrived at my door. Calm and professional, they swiftly stabilised me with remarkable precision and care. In that terrifying moment, they breathed life back into me.
I find myself unable to keep this to myself. Every now and then, the memory of that day plays back in my mind. I feel deeply indebted to the UAE. The least I can do is to publicly acknowledge and thank this country for building a system that truly protects its people.
To the government and to those responders: thank you for saving my life.
Ini Ntuk, Dubai
Air India crash report shocker
With reference to the report Fuel supply cut off seconds before Air India crash, investigation finds (July 12): It was disturbing to read that the Air India AI171 fight crash was possibly triggered by a cut-off of the fuel to the engines. This is a preliminary finding and further investigations are in progress. The US Federal Aviation Administration, had advised as early as December 2018, that the spring-loaded switch could malfunction, under some circumstances.
At any time, typically about 15,000 to 20,000 commercial airplanes are in the air during peak hours. It is terrifying to think that the fuel could choke automatically, in some planes, for an unknown reason. What will happen if the flight is cruising at 20,000 or 30,000-feet height? The very thought is chilling.
Air travel is very common in our global connected world. Hopefully the investigations will zero into the precise triggers of the accident, so that people are not petrified to fly. We cannot have a situation where people pray every time before boarding a flight or even avoid air travel.
Rajendra Aneja, Mumbai, India
UAE's water supply for Gazans
In reference to the article UAE to supply desalinated water to Gaza through new pipeline (July 15): The UAE's plan to supply desalinated water to Gaza through a new pipeline could be a significant aid to the people and improve living conditions.
Yulia Bigdanova, Abu Dhabi
Israel's denial of water, food and medicine to the women and children of Gaza is a war crime that humanity will never forget or forgive.
John Moore, Colorado, US
The anguish of parents in Gaza
With regard to Nagham Mohanna and Rakan Abdel El Rahman's story Gaza mother's anguish after three children hit by Israeli air strike (July 15): Children don't deserve this. Innocent civilians shouldn't suffer for the actions of an Israel's extreme rightwing government. It's high time the American administration understood this.
Erin K, Kutaisi, Georgia
