Adopt a pet if you can
I am a student in Dubai and for the past few months I have seen a lot of articles based on how people help stray cats (‘Community report, Save an animal: Pets that are larger than life,’ Gulf News, September 30). When I read such articles I didn’t take it seriously, but I had an experience that opened my eyes. The other day while I was coming home from my bus stop, I almost stepped on a kitten sitting near a dustbin outside a restaurant. This kitten was very ill and thin. I considered taking it home, but my flat management did not allow pets. This didn’t stop me from going back to look for it, but by the time I came back it was gone. I really hope those who have the facilities to adopt cats will do so in such situations.
From Mr Sudhiksha Ravindran
Dubai
Good news is needed
I think that hearing about a woman gifting her husband something so big is good news (‘Saudi woman gifts husband new car on wedding anniversary,’ Gulf News, September 30). It makes people happy to know that love still exists in the world. It should be in the news to make us remember that we should not only read the newspapers to get more bad news, as a large portion of it is bad and stressful. We should focus and read happy news also because it has the ability to make our days better and cheers us up. Well done Gulf News, you made my day happy.
From Ms Augusta
Dubai
Website comment
An easy gift
I wish all the best for this couple’s anniversary. Although, I think she must be from a wealthy family or maybe her or her husband has a good job with a good salary. Generally, I think it’s an easy gift. For me, I will offer chocolates!
From Ms Thushara
Dubai
Website comment
Rethink driving age
The roadside accident where four young adults were killed is one of the worst tragedies we’ve seen here and it is unfortunate to see the negative repercussions falling onto the family of a victim (‘One son dead, fate of second hangs in balance, Gulf News, September 30). It’s a real eye opener for the Federal Traffic Council to rethink their proposal to lower the minimum driving age to 17 years old.
From Mr Rizwan Kazi
Dubai
Website comment
Grief will be forgotten
People will read this story, feel bad and then they will carry on driving. Sadly, people seem to forget about what they read and still end up doing the same reckless stunts. It is sometimes unbelievable to see the number of causalities on a daily basis - people who have left their homes routinely, assuming they will come back.
I think that the traffic administration should put more effort in manually dealing with such people on road rather than relying mostly on automated fines. On a single journey from my home to the office, I will spot dozens of careless drivers, which should be penalised and would do if there were more officers patrolling the traffic.
From Mr Chmido
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Give them strength
May God give the father and his family the courage to bare all the pain and to overcome it. It’s saddening when I read news like this. I will pray for these boys to get well soon.
From Ms Rahna
Dubai
Website comment
Feeling the loss
I very well understand the stages of grief: denial, anger, isolation, bargaining, depression and, finally, acceptance. My heart goes out to the family in this difficult time. I lost my 17-year-old sister in a road accident in 2011 where she was not at fault at all.
These tragic instances are unfortunately the reality of life! Every day there is someone dying out there due to the recklessness of another. They also steal away a loved one from the family members of the person involved. I pray that the family is able to cope with this pain and come out on the other side of these legal issues with their older son. May he recover soon.
From Mr Mir
Sharjah
Website comment
Can’t ignore Daesh
Though it was a little late, the US President Barack Obama’s decision to shift his policy towards the militants is gaining momentum (‘Staunch commitment needed to defeat Daesh,’ Gulf News, September 30). No religion or belief would support the killing of innocent civilians. This needs to be stopped at any cost, for which a combined effort is desperately needed.
I think the West has understood the high risks involved in a ground battle based on previous experience. A ground battle involves plenty of logistics related issues, which have clearly been seen in the Gulf War that ignited many of the prevailing issues in the region. The spread of the conflict in a manner that concerned a lot for the existence of humanity itself and needs to be tackled accordingly.
It is absolutely true that any half-hearted attempt would be counter-productive.
The fact is that a group led by an uncivilised squad is never bothered to listen to the hue and cry of the world, but follows an entirely different agenda and ignores the fundamentals of respecting humanity.
At the same time, the world is still unable to understand the agony of several thousands of ordinary people — women and children in particular — suffering in the border states of the warring countries. How can a moderate world continue to ignore them?
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Inherited a mess
I think that Obama came in the worst time ever and that this should be taken into consideration before criticising his accomplishments. He inherited a mess to deal with and for that, I do not envy him. I think it is also worth pointing out that he is a fulltime father to two girls at a very critical age.It would be a tough job to be president of the US and a father.
From Ms Mariam Diqs
Dubai
Facebook comment
Bullies get sympathy
Being a teacher with a wide range of experience over the past 20 years and getting opportunities to converse with a wide range of educators in UAE, it is unbelievable that so many teachers and principals found the education system great in this report (‘Poll: Do Dubai schools deal with bullying well?’ Gulf News, September 30). Bullying is alive and well. I think maybe the teachers and principals were scared to give their honest opinion for the sake of their jobs. Regarding bullying, the support of the school depends on the designation of the parents and their social and economic status.
I have been witness to so many incidents where the parents and innocent children were punished and where the bullies end up getting all the support.
From Ms Mary
Dubai
Website comment
Strengthening democracy
Pakistan’s political future is not so bleak if nascent democracy continues (‘Imran takes campaign to Lahore,’ Gulf News, September 29). Imran Khan and Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri are the two most vocal people, but I don’t think that they have no belief in institutions like parliament, judiciary and media. Political agitation is part of democracy, but agitation for an unconstitutional cause will harm the country.
Thank God that 90 per cent of political parties within the parliament are in favour of respecting the democratic process and are standing in favour of the Prime Minister. There is no future in autocratic ruling or martial law in Pakistan because Pakistan’s civil society is more vibrant.
In the last military period, civil society started to become agitated, and although it was much too late, that agitation proved fruitful and achieved results very quickly. The judiciary has been restored and for the first time, a government has completed its tenure and handed over power smoothly to a newly elected government.
I think now it’s almost impossible for a military takeover because of parliamentary democracy and the strength of Pakistan’s political parties.
From Mr Aijaz Ali Khuwaja
Karachi, Pakistan
Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders.
