Need more opportunities
This article is so touching and heartbreaking at the same time (‘Your Turn: Community Report In-Depth - Children have a right to life’, Gulf News, November 24). It is terribly sad that bright students, sometimes, cannot study just because they are unable to afford it. Education has now become a luxury instead of a necessity with only the rich having access to it. There are many youngsters who are compelled to give up on their ambitions and dreams due to financial difficulties and other responsibilities that requires them to take up jobs at very early age to support their families. I sincerely hope that there is an organisation that supports such students who desire to study, who are hardworking and intelligent, but are doing odd jobs to help their families instead. These students must be provided with scholarship opportunities so that they can lead a decent and respectable life in the future.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
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The picture says it all
It is a well known fact that pictures speak louder than words and the picture of Grant Hasse, the four-year-old boy who spoke for the first time due to a new voice box says it all (‘Boy talks after surgeons create new voice box’, Gulf News, November 24). The sheer joy on his face even though he seemed to be crying, the innocence, the way his eyes were half-shut, the raising of his hand for a high-five with his doctor, are all well captured by the camera. He looks like a marathoner who has just finished his long, long run.
Words fall silent when a picture talks. The written news about him meant so little against that one picture of him that conveyed so much. Hasse’s picture does the talking just like he has started talking.
From Mr Nasser Zaidi
Dubai
Brave firefighter in the blaze
God bless the firefighters and the authorities who did their best to handle this dramatic building fire in Deira on Monday evening (‘Deira fire: Metro services back to normal’, Gulf News, November 25). They handled the situation bravely and put out the fire. God be with you all.
From Ms Saheela Faroki
Dubai
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We’ll get through this
My building is Block A and all my things are wet and burnt, but it’s okay. As long as I am alive and we are all safe, we will endure. God is good.
From Ms Laruan C. Colis
UAE
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Shocking and traumatic
I live in Block A and I saw how the fire started to get bigger and bigger from our window on the fourth floor. Only the two of us were in the flat – my cousin and I. We ran so fast because we were in such a panic. Now I’ve got this trauma and shock from what has happened to our building. I’m still shaking. We didn’t get anything. I know God will help us with this.
From Ms Abby Razon
Dubai
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Didn’t heed warnings
Some people were trapped on the rooftop, but were rescued, thankfully. According to some Filipino residents, others were unmindful of what was happening until a watchman knocked on their doors for them to evacuate.
From Ms Mia Martin Lapis
UAE
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Fine rubberneckers!
I am really shocked with terrible driving and tailgating at the site of the fire. Every driver going by was trying to see things from their car and they would slow down for a minute to see the fire. It created a huge traffic jams around the scene and across Deira. I hope that the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) are out there to issue fines to all these rubberneckers.
From Mr Syed Farzand Ali
Dubai
Facebook comment
Throwing cigarettes
Fire incidents in Dubai buildings can be largely due to irresponsible people throwing cigarette butts out of their balconies, not knowing that it’s a catalyst for fire if there’s any wind. When it further ignites the cigarette butt to burn, anything that comes in contact makes this a dangerous situation. My building in Dubailand experiences similar problems while management fails to act on it by placing cameras outside to monitor any culprits.
From Mr Raheal
UAE
Website comment
Follow mandatory provisions
Smoke and heat detectors, including fire alarms, beacons and sprinkle systems should have a tremendous impact to give warning, enhance safety to residents and deter fires spreading whenever such fire incidents occur in any high rise residential and commercial establishments. I believe this is a mandatory provision nowadays.
From Mr Domingo
UAE
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Smoking on balconies
Some very serious actions need to be taken on people smoking on balconies. This is the main cause of all building fires.
From Mr Ajit
UAE
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Life tests us
I sympathise with all the people who were staying in that building. Be strong, life is full of tests.
From Mr Ibrahim Emerson Alvarez
UAE
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Let’s help them
It is very sad to know that many of my fellow Filipinos lost all their personal belongings like their clothes, gadgets, money, jewellery, goods and important documents. May they all recover from this tragic incident. Let’s help and comfort them by sharing what we have!
From Ms Dawn Henson
Dubai
Facebook comment
Impeding help
People were standing outside in large numbers making videos. It was angering me to see because I thought: Why don’t they do something useful about the fire? At least they could give way to the authorities to carry out their work quickly. What’s wrong with people and their lack of awareness?
From Ms Nadia Siddiqui
Dubai
Facebook comment
One-sided argument, more to it
It can’t be said that it is the arrogance of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for refusing to play in the UAE (‘India’s refusal to play in UAE is arrogant’, Gulf News, November 23). Rather, it is not clear as to what is the reason for the BCCI to go forward. Probably, the idea would have been that the respective series should be played in their respective countries. Before coming to conclusions or giving opinions, it will be better to check the facts and then write, rather than writing a one-sided column.
From Mr S. R. Harran
UAE
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Nope, it’s arrogance
In response to Mr S. R. Harran, why does only India have a problem for playing in the UAE as Pakistan’s home series? If that was the case, then Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Arica wouldn’t have played here, too. By the way, there is news that India is ready to play this series in Sri Lanka now. So, can you imagine how many Indians and Pakistanis are living in Sri Lanka, compared to the UAE? The article is totally right. It’s all arrogance
From Mr Farzand
UAE
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What’s the importance?
I agree with the article, but why is it so important to play a series with India?
From Mr Kashif Ajaz
UAE
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Dirty poltics
I don’t think that it’s the BCCI decision, as the BCCI had earlier said that they are waiting for approval from the Indian government. What is happening here is not cricket, but dirty politics. So try not to use the word arrogance before getting the facts clear.
From Mr Augustine
UAE
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Get beyond politics
On the basis of politics, BCCI must not show such kind of arrogance towards a world class cricket team. Sports must be kept away from politics! Pakistan must also go ahead. India is not the only one in cricket. Beyond the stars, there are even more worlds.
From Mr Syed
UAE
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Letting down fans
Cricket and any sport should be free from any political involvement. It is sad that due to such arrogant attitudes to play in neutral ground, in the UAE, millions of Indian and Pakistani fans who support cricket will miss this great entertainment.
From Mr Farrukh
UAE
Website comment
Whatever’s convenient
I totally agree with the article. The BCCI is playing according to their convenience.
From Mr Venu
UAE
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