Gruesome tales
The mayhem that is going on in Maiduguri, Nigeria, should be condemned by all peace-loving nations in the world (‘Boko Haram attacks ‘a challenge to sovereignty’ — Nigeria,’ Gulf News, September 7). The mindless killing by the Boko Haram terrorist organisation has been going on for some time now. The nations of the world and the United Nations (UN) have been turning a blind eye towards the unfortunate situation in Nigeria, and it needs to stop.
It is time that the UN and the seemingly non-existent Organisation of African Unity (OAU) did something to lessen the massacre of innocents.
From Mr Thomas Matthew Parackel
Muvattupuzha, India
Habitat mapping project
In the hustle and bustle of the cities, people have forgotten about flora and fauna (‘Abu Dhabi’s blueprint for a greener future,’ Gulf News, September 6). Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) habitat mapping project is a sign of relief for the people who love Nature.
Efforts to list the identification of trees and steps to protect the ecosystem is not a job, but a vocation. If we disturb the ecosystem, we may have only the snaps and video clips of flora and fauna to be shown to our future generation.
Thanks to EAD’s habitat mapping project, we all should support and try our best to not harm species that can’t express their pain, like we do.
From Mr Syed Emad Al Deen
Dubai
Not a problem
Nowadays, everybody is using tablets (‘Should toddlers be allowed to play with iPads?, Gulf News, September 7). Some schools introduced them among their students. Children need to learn and technology is advancing, what’s the problem? I am waiting for that day when small children don’t need to carry heavy school bags because they will carry only a tablet! I think toddlers are too small to be addicted to tablets, as they can really only watch moving objects.
From Ms Archana Sen
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Reading books
I’m a grade four student in Dubai, and I think that these days children should read books, instead of reading them on iPads, computers and phones. People usually download PDFs from the internet and read them online, but what they don’t realise is that this can be really bad for our health. I think it weakens the eyesight due to excess exposure to the computer screen. I really encourage reading books and not e-books.
From Ms Annet Cecil Thomas
Dubai
Hard on eyes
I think that tablets and smartphones for children are dangerous, both emotionally and physically. Using these devices for playing and learning can be harmful on their eyes. I think it’s very serious.
From Mr Abdur Rahman
Islamabad, Pakistan
Website comment
Need to interact
I’m not going to allow my children to have these gadgets. One hour of television should do fine. The rest needs to be human interactions because they are important for developing more skills than one realises.
From Ms Reda Rashad
UAE
Facebook comment
A tool for knowledge
Children should not have access to iPads or any kind of screen for playing. I think there would be a lack of interaction, which would reflect in their personality as they grow up.
I do think they should be taught, as they grow up, that it is a tool for gaining knowledge rather than a source of entertainment. I think we need to have more parks around our residences in the UAE, and I think this would help as an alternative.
From Ms Seema
Dubai
Website comment
Hinders social skills
I think that a toddler would fail to learn social etiquette if they spent more time on tablets and computers. I always think of the old saying: “Too much of anything is bad!”
From Mr Abdul Hamad Choudhry
Muscat, Oman
Facebook comment
Moderation
I think it’s okay for emergencies if you need a source of entertainment for your children. As long as you don’t stick your child in front of a screen because you can’t be bothered, I don’t see why it’s a problem.
From Ms Aliah Wahid
London, UK
Facebook comment
Overreacting
I don’t think this is even a story because toddlers don’t even know to switch on a tablet, let alone play with one. They like to swipe the screen, but this doesn’t mean that they know how to use the devices. I think this type of information concerns nurseries because in time there will be no more new enrolments with children learning life at home using tablets.
Children growing up will use tablets not paper. We can be happy with that news.
From Mr David Pramotheus
Dubai
Facebook comment
Spreading literacy
Can we imagine what life would be like if we didn’t know how to read and write? I read recently how there are more than 774 million adults around the world who do not know how to read and write. This is a very sad fact.
Everyone knows that a basic education that gives us at least reading and writing skills is the right of every individual, and it’s an important tool for progress and social development. Let us be reminded what it means to receive a basic education.
The world would be totally different if every child was able to go to school. The world leaders should concentrate not mainly on strengthening international political ties, increase nuclear deals or improve trade relations. Instead, they must ensure that their most important resources - their people are given education in order to secure the nation’s future.
So let’s remind ourselves of the importance of education and lend a helping hand to those who dream of literacy.
From Ms Maria Vincent
Dubai
Proud of prime minister
I feel that only pessimistic people are saying there has been no change in Narendra Modi’s time in office so far (‘Modi a classic case of the dangers of overreaching,’ Gulf News, September 7). The development has already begun and the world is witnessing this. I believe that many Indians are proud to have Modi as our prime minister.
From Mr Nagaraj
Dubai
Website comment
Many counting on Modi
It seems that the author of this article is pro-Modi. I don’t think there have been positive changes about Modi. The Republic of India would not have voted in such a majority, the people of India and many people around the world trust Modi to implement reforms, create a boom in the stock market, along with a number of other positive moves. It’s supposed to be the beginning of a new era in Indian politics.
From Mr Rahul
Dubai
Website comment
Communal divides
Modi and his party will only deepen India’s communal lines further. It’s a pity that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power but neither Modi, nor his allies, will be able to do any harm to the 25 crore Muslims in India. Hindus and Muslims were one and they shall remain one.
From Mr Rashid Eshaq
Dubai
Website comment
Finding a cure
Last week I was watching a television programme featuring a person with the same deteriorating vision disorder (‘Brothers with rare disorder face gradual loss of eyesight in Dubai,’ Gulf News, September 7). They were from a Western country, but around the same age and they cured him by using some strong eye drops! I remember in the video when the person said that once he put the eye drops in, he was in so much pain, which is horrible, but he was cured within months. I don’t remember the programme name, but I’m sure there is cure for such a disorder. God bless both of them. I advise the parents to do more research on it.
From Ms Mirza Javid Baig
UAE
Website comment
Treatment possibilities
It’s very sad to hear of this incident. My sister has an eye disease like this, but I don’t know its name. After taking treatment, she got better vision. In India, there’s a clinic in Chennai and they have some treatments for this disease.
From Mr Kamatchi
Dubai
Website comment
Well wishes
It is really sad to know that there are such young and talented boys going through this. I am sure there will be some cure somewhere in the world for this rare disorder. I really feel sad for the trauma the parents must be going through as well. I wish them all the best.
From Ms Shaila Shetty
Dubai
Website comment
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