Celebrating women in the sky
I have been in the UAE for 36 years and I am proud to say that during this time, I had the honour and privilege of training Emirati women pilots (‘Celebrating Emirati women’, Gulf News, August 28). Those Emirati women pilots are now flying fighter jets. Later, I had the privilege of inducting cadet pilots at a flight academy, as well. I also was in the committee, which interviewed them.
It is incredible how brave these women are. Their parents encouraged them to wade into uncharted waters. Today, UAE based airlines are preparing them to take the most challenging flights, and are training them on the most modern equipment.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, encouraged women to join the military and their first university graduates took up positions in the Armed Forces.
Airlines in the UAE have also opened their doors to young Emirati men and women. That small step has proven to be a giant leap towards the skies of the world. I am confident that soon, an Emirati woman will venture into outer space. I wish happy landings to all these pioneers.
From Mr Kanwar Hayat
Dubai
We are safe
As a woman living in the UAE, there is a sense of high safety and security (‘15 women reveal why they love living in the UAE’, Gulf News, August 29). Not only for myself, but for my young daughters who can move around freely in any part of the city at any time. This is quite unlike other countries globally. The UAE gave me the equal opportunity to work alongside men without any gender bias. I love this country — it’s one of the best in the world to live in.
From Ms Sameena Askari
UAE
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Providing for my family
As a woman and a single parent, the privilege of giving a good life to my daughters is one of the best feelings I have ever had. I love the UAE. Happy Women’s Day to all Emirati women! Thank you, UAE!
From Ms Nnette Medenilla
UAE
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No fear
The UAE is the safest place for women to live. I can walk at 2.30am along the Sharjah Corniche without thinking twice. The UAE is by far the safest country I have ever lived in and that includes the US and Canada, too.
From Ms Erum Noman
UAE
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Trust in the police
This country has been my home for the past 27 years of my life. I love it here and I know no safer place for women and children. Women can walk around safely and without having to worry each second about their safety. Even if it’s midnight, women can still be out and about, without being judged.
I think that the topmost reason we feel safe is because we know the UAE Police are quick to respond and we can count on them at any time of the day to rush to us, if we are in need.
From Ms Teena Mariam Wilson
UAE
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So much respect for women
The best part about living in the UAE is that we are more respected and safe here. I have never actually felt any less than a queen, being here, as the people around always have a sense of respect towards women. Thank you UAE, for the honour and a good living standard.
From Ms Deeja Zaheer Ali
Islamabad, Pakistan
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Never-ending goals
I am 50 years old and I am very proud to be in the UAE. I have seen the flourishing of the Dubai Metro and the Burj Khalifa. I feel lucky to live here, and hope to be here for a long time. As a woman with simple needs, I have enjoyed the benefits of the UAE transportation network, the malls and supermarkets. I wish to thank the UAE’s rulers for the country’s rapid progress and for having never-ending goals.
From Ms Geetha Ravindranath
Sharjah
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Access to medicine
I love this country! It’s very safe and has great benefits, and access to medicine. I find this very important for my family’s health. I also enjoy all the cuisines we get to taste, which are from other countries. That’s why I love Dubai.
From Ms Arlene Genova
UAE
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Everything available
In Dubai, we find it safe and secure to stay alone with children and everything is available at all times. For instance, if I need to go to the emergency ward, or need an ambulance or anything, it is not difficult at all. When you have children, it’s important to live in a city that is safe. Thanks, Dubai.
From Ms Saira Badar Rizwan
Dubai
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Women empowerment
Safety features, security measures, the respect for women and the steps taken up for women’s empowerment is a sign for success for any country. In the UAE, I enjoy the unity in cultural diversity and lives lived in harmony. Life in Dubai is as easy as living in my home country. Thank you, UAE!
From Ms Krishna Kumari
UAE
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Google is like a crutch
We call people intelligent, clever and experts on the basis of some qualities, but when we analyse what trait they have in common, we can extract one unique distinction in all — the ability to memorise (‘Poll analysis: Are you dependent on Google?’, Gulf News, August 27). This retention ability is unique, because people with a greater capacity for memorisation can shine anywhere and everywhere. Remembering things has its own significance. For example, students knowing their multiplication table at a young age, even though they cannot comprehend the full meaning of it. It would be very hard at that age to learn. But, the same table would help him or her throughout life. Knowledge at our fingertips and in our minds is not the same.
Google is a pool of resources, which turns ignorant people into knowledgeable people, and it helps them refresh their memory. At the same time, the auto-correction features and search results of Google hampers our ability to use our brains, as far as our retention capacity is concerned. Imagine a doctor who cannot remember the name of a particular medicine or the symptoms of a disease! Instead, he searches for it on Google. The result of this would be catastrophic. Overdependence on Google would gradually diminish our talent.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
Greener pastures?
This is in reference to Gulf News’ report that Navjot Singh Sidhu is slowly tilting towards Congress arms (‘Sidhu’s talks with AAP on verge of collapse’, Gulf News, August 19). With the reluctance of Arvind Kejriwal to be named as the Chief Minister of Punjab, India, it was a foregone conclusion that Sidhu would prefer greener pastures and would lean towards Congress, who are happy to give the Chief Minister post to his wife and a Member of Parliament seat to Sidhu.
With the allegation of bribes against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Unit Chief and Sidhu’s decision, it seems that Kejriwal is on a sticky wicket in Punjab. This reminds me of the old adage: “Too many cooks spoils the broth”. With his thumping win, he should have done wonders with New Delhi voters. But instead, for each and every failure, he always points a finger at the Indian Prime Minister or to the Lieutenant Governor of New Delhi. At this rate, if he is dreaming of capturing the states of Punjab and Goa, it seems he is living in a fool’s paradise!
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Shocking story
I was shocked to hear that a tribal man in the Indian state of Odisha carried his wife’s dead body on his own shoulders. The poor man was forced to do so because the irresponsible hospital staff failed to provide a mortuary van. The man travelled at least 10km along with his little daughter to reach his village, which was approximately 50km from the hospital, just because of the behaviour of the hospital staff. Already, the man would have been depressed by the death of his wife, and he must have been very disappointed by the hospital’s refusal. The hospital must conduct an investigation for its failure. Lastly, I salute the local reporters who assisted the man and arranged the ambulance for him. I hope that such incidents will not happen in the future.
From Ms Saud Saleem
Abu Dhabi
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