Regular checkups
I’ve been a resident of Dubai for the past 25 years and due to lack of exercise and bad eating habits I was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease in 2011 (‘Exercise and eat right to be heart healthy’, Gulf News, September 29). I do not drink or smoke, but I visited the hospital because I was suffering from breathlessness and the timely intervention saved my life.
I had to undergo a bypass surgery at the age of 43 in 2011. Now after the surgery, I have a regular exercise routine, medical checkups, and I follow a healthy diet. I changed my lifestyle, and now I feel perfectly alright leading a normal life, thanks to my doctor and the support of my family. Regular checkups with the right physician will definitely save your life.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Happiness: Complicated, yet simple
I agree for the most part that happiness is a journey and not just a destination, as the author of this story suggests (‘Happiness is a place easily located,’ Gulf News, September 29). I myself believe that a sense of purpose will provide happiness. However, with that being said, I do not believe that one can make steps to be happy. The complicated fact of happiness is that it is as simple as gratitude brought to you from a situation you find yourself in. Everything will end up being a wild goose chase unless the circumstance paves you a road to bliss.
The happiest are those who get to live their ambition. I don’t believe in unrealistic aspirations, only desires and achievements.
From Mr K. A. Q.
UAE
Sympathetic for the boy
The so-called father of this boy must have some serious issues to be able to abuse his son so brutally (‘Saudi father burns son’s foot for refusing to eat,’ Gulf News, September 29). I think that the boy must be a victim of a man who has mental health issues to deal with, so by giving equal punishment the problem is not resolved. The father needs to undergo psychiatric examination and care. The little boy should probably go to therapy. Such horrific acts happen in the West as well, but as you can see, it is more evident when treatment is replaced by punishment. My heart goes out to the little boy, and I hope he can grow up without trauma.
From Ms Amanda
Dubai
Website comment
Women-only Metro cabins
I support and totally agree with the article regarding male passengers travelling in the women-only cabin by the Gulf News community reporter who is also a regular commuter on the Metro (‘Community report in-depth: Women-only Dubai Metro cabins ‘used by men’,’ Gulf News, September 25). I have personally told male passengers to move to the next cabin before, but some of them just don’t bother. There is no doubt that the Dubai Metro is beautiful and takes good care of its passengers, but it would be much appreciated if this issue was also given serious action.
From Ms Noorah Dawood
UAE
Refining research skills
It is true that people are getting wrong or inaccurate information on the internet with the overwhelming amount of information available (‘Facebook debate: Information overload,’ Gulf News, September 28). It is making people confused while searching for a simple topic, and it results in people wasting valuable time to find out the truth. There are a lot of irresponsible websites owned by one or a few people that give wrong or shocking information.
I don’t think that websites are ever really tracked by any responsible government organisation because there are so many websites that would have to be shut down. Apart from this, the internet is the only easy way we can get any information at any time. Some websites are attractive but have no actual use. Some have lots of links that also help in attracting people. Still, we have lots of good websites keeping a nice standard. The only true way to filter information is to know how to properly research topics.
From Mr Shahid
UAE
Mars Mangalyaan project
I would like to respond to a Gulf News reader’s comment stating that India’s effort to send the Mangalyaan spacecraft is nothing to gloat about, in addition to questioning India’s previous inventions (‘Letters to the editor: Lets strive for more,’ Gulf News, September 28). I request her to be gracious and to concede the huge effort, as others around the world are also lauding the accomplishment.
India has invented many things and we Indians hope that our country takes a turn for the better in the years to come.
From Ms Swathi M.
UAE
No confidence
I don’t think encouraging Filipinos to invest in their own country will help because we are helping our government in many ways but in return we are not seeing anything (‘Filipinos urged to invest in their own country,’ Gulf News, September 28). For example, the consular services are not good and for ages, the process has not improved. In fact, I think it’s getting worse. I don’t know how they could expect us to invest when we are already contributing with a lot of taxes and fees. Insurance and security is not just for us, but for the government as well and, besides, there tends to be a lot of scams, too. I really don’t understand how they could expect us to invest.
From Mr Mitch
Dubai
Website comment
Need good governance
Once there is good governance, no corruption and strict implementation of the law for criminal activity, then that will be the time we can think about investing in the Philippines. As long as there is corruption with government officials and law enforcement officials, it will be difficult to encourage investing.
From Mr Julio
Dubai
Website comment
Civilian responsibility
There are lots of Filipinos blaming the government for their current situation. Partially, I agree that the government should provide good services to the people, but each Filipino should also do their part for their own betterment. You cannot simply blame the President and officials.
This is the reality of life. We need to own our responsibilities. We cannot entrust our future to anyone. We are the ones who are building our future – no one else. I would say that the current administration is better than the previous ones. I was born in 1983, and I have witnessed the regime of Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Erap Estrada and Gloria Arroyo. We have come a long way since those administrations were in power.
I admit that there are still imperfections that we cannot avoid. I think it is important though to look at this situation from the other side - we have achieved a lot in a short amount of time. I don’t think any of us are perfect. We can’t avoid mistakes, many are corrupt in their own way and how many of us are paying our taxes on time and diligently? Ask yourself what has been your biggest contribution to your country? This should be a wake up call for everyone.
From Ms Lene
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Best fictional character ever created
This month signifies 125 years of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. This character has fascinated me since I was in primary school. I read the ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’ when I was first introduced to crime and detective fiction, and I was hooked. The way the story unfolds, the sequence of events and the methods of investigation and deduction executed by Holmes continue to amaze me even now.
The plot and the presentation of clues are often like a puzzle that makes us think of many possible solutions, but never the right one. The stories are filled with thrills and action that even surpasses many of today’s detective fictions and movies.
Reading a Sherlock Holmes novel is often like watching a movie. We just don’t feel like leaving the story halfway. As I read, the story gets imprinted in my mind, and I am able to visualise it. I find myself taking on the character of Dr Watson, who follows Holmes during investigations and he always admires him, yet he is never able to actually crack the mysteries himself.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s intelligence is solely responsible for the wonders of Sherlock Holmes, and if you ask me, Sherlock Holmes is indeed the best fictional character of all ages. How I wish he was real!
From Ms Maria Vincent
Dubai
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