Bravo UAE for discouraging elephant poaching
I do congratulate Dubai Customs for the vigilant efforts they have taken to stop the smuggling of ivory via the Dubai International Airport (‘620kg of ivory seized from 5 smugglers at Dubai airport’, Gulf News, August 26). The ivory trade is banned internationally. Both African and Asian elephants are threatened by poaching and habitat loss. Statistics show a decline of 10 per cent annually from the world. In most of the countries, ivory trade is considered illegal, and it is considered a criminal offence.
Recently, in the state of Kerala, police have arrested a gang of poachers who have killed more than 20 elephants for their tusks in less than two years, according to recent Indian news reports. The animal activist site, Born Free, states that it is estimated 30,000 to 50,000 elephants are killed globally every year for this ivory trade.
In general, governments should implement laws to conserve and protect elephants, and we all should join hands to save these magnificent creatures from extinction.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
What will it do to cost?
It’s good that 27 new schools will open in Dubai next year (‘KHDA: 27 new private schools to open in Dubai by September 2016’, Gulf News, August 24). This will increase the number of seats available for the growing population. But, the million dollar question is, will the increase in supply drive down the prices? Will schooling be more affordable?
From Mr Khalid Anwar
Mumbai, India
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Educating residents
The UAE authorities should also focus on building new colleges and universities and cheap education for the labourers. Education helps populations.
From Mr Mohit Chadha
UAE
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Malicious destruction
There is no reason and no excuse for the destruction of the temple in Palmyra, Syria (‘Daesh blows up temple in Syria’s Palmyra, says antiquities chief’, Gulf News, August 25)! This is the devil’s work. Daesh comprises of evil, which can dwell in the hearts of man.
From Ms Renate Hepher
UAE
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We can’t judge others
We all are living in a society where we have many religions, many traditions and faiths. As human beings, we should not destroy or even hurt anybody’s faith and beliefs. Let God decide who were on the right path.
Who were on God’s chosen path? Let the Almighty decide. We are just human beings and the creation of God. It’s foolish that we are opposing the faith of anybody because everybody calls and prays to one God.
From Mr Jameel Baig
Hyderabad, India
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Pure evil
Daesh is a gang of thugs with no respect for religion, history or society. They are disciples of the devil and shall receive their just rewards - I hope sooner rather than later. They are the worst beings living on the Earth.
From Mr Dai
UAE
Website comment
Coercion never works
It is prohibited to destroy any non-Muslim places of worship and this was stated by the Prophet Mohammad [PBUH]. The reason for this is because there is no coercion in following any religion.
From Mr Mohammad Abdul Adil
UAE
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Fighting real estate prices
Hyderabadi people can’t imagine their lives without these Irani chai cafes (‘Irani chai a hot hit in Hyderabad’, Gulf News, August 25). Lately, the rising real estate prices are making it impossible to run them though. But, considerable numbers have made it through that are good competition for the latest coffee establishments!
From Mr Mohammad Iqbal
Hyderabad, India
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Best tea ever
I still remember the taste of the chai I drank at a hotel in Hyderabad. Even though it has been four years since my visit, I remember it well. It was the best tea I ever had. For those looking to try it, Osmania biscuits are a must and you can’t forget to mention it!
From Mr Shadab Ansari
Indore, India
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Let’s give it a try!
The recent readers responses in last week’s Facebook debate on working freelance made for interesting reading (‘Facebook debate: Is freelancing a more flexible way of working?’, Gulf News, August 23). Perhaps it is time that organisations now start breaking away from the age old tradition of requiring every employee to be physically present in the office with the exception of frontline services where customer contact is inevitable. In fact, with the technological advancement today most of the back-office or support functions can be carried out from home or elsewhere other than the location of employee’s office space.
If one could imagine the expenditure that corporate companies and institutions usually pay towards leasing office spaces, then allowing people to work from home makes more of a sensible idea. One of the arguments that is brought against letting people work from home is the concern with the level of commitment and hours being spent on the job that many organisations would like to monitor. However, such fears are unfounded because many activities related to back office functions do not require personal supervision as they are primarily concerned with the delivery of results meeting deadlines.
On the other hand, the level of productivity when given the flexibility of working from a location and timing of employees’ choice is likely to bring out the best performance from everyone. Moreover, the time being saved from doing away with the preparations and travel time for the trip to office would work as a huge incentive. The occasional unavoidable meetings or briefings with management and colleagues still can be maintained by proper schedules and even ad hoc meetings can be organised without hassle.
I am not sure whether any organisations in Dubai are contemplating implementing the idea of letting employees work from home, however it is worth giving it a try.
From Mr V. I. Mohammad Sageer
Dubai
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