What happened to respect?
What about those students who disrespect teachers (‘Kuwait has deported abusive teachers: Minister’, Gulf News, April 15)? Discipline is a must and, from both sides, mutual respect and indeed a little bit more respect to teachers, should be propagated. Many teachers do appear ruthless sometimes, but that doesn’t mean that a student who takes a video, posts it on social media and allows it to be taken out of context, is appropriate. Without even a proper investigation, teachers are terminated.
From Mr Mohammad Irfan
UAE
Facebook comment
Coping mechanisms
I think teachers need to be trained on how to deal with difficult and stressful situations with students, without the use of force. I’ll be the first to admit that children, especially in a group, can be merciless. They are like little animals in their execution of abuse, both physical and verbal. Many teachers end up being bullied by students because they don’t know how to handle the situation. There are tools out there though, and it’s best that this becomes part of teachers’ training before they snap and do something they regret.
From Ms Jessica Woods
Toronto, Canada
Facebook comment
Rising costs
The hike in inflation means goods become more expensive (‘VAT could hike inflation, cost of doing business in GCC - investment professionals’, Gulf News, April 18). That means a hit on consumers’ pockets. Second, high costs of doing business means high overheads for businesses. That means high prices on goods.
From Mr Devang Thanki
Dubai
Facebook comment
Many abandoned children
Shame on this girl’s parents for leaving her alone and not taking care of her (‘Two-year-old girl found abandoned in Oman public park’, Gulf News, April 17)! How sad that she should be left behind like this and that there are 124 other abandoned children in Oman. Let’s be thankful that at least she is in safe custody now.
From Mr Abdul Rahman
UAE
Facebook comment
Educating children
Every Earth Day brings with it a lot of environmental goals to be fulfilled. Some are met and others need to be dealt with. Earth Day for me is always a day that needs to be celebrated or cherished in the most memorable and beautiful way. This Earth Day, I planned a day full of surprises and activities for my students. Keeping in line with the vision for 2021, the UAE seeks to diversify an economy that is based on knowledge and innovation. The country wants to maintain natural and environmental resources, and strengthen renewable energy and the green economy.
In this spirit, students learned how to cook using the power of the sun, to commemorate Earth Day. It was engaging, fun and an interactive experience.
The session had various segments, mostly indoors, in the auditorium. The initiative’s aim was to educate the youth in the UAE with a basic understanding of solar energy in an engaging, fun and hands-on manner.
From Ms Anjum Hassan
Sharjah
Protect animal species now
India is working seriously to preserve its tiger population (‘Tiger countries agree to preserve big-cat habitats’, Gulf News, April 18). There are 49 reservations in India. The country started preserving its wild and endangered tigers with the name ‘Project Tiger’ in 1972. Other Asian countries should learn to protect their wild animals, too.
There is no beauty or pride in using an animal’s skin, teeth, horns or other parts as a status symbol. People who use these animal products as ornaments are causing these animals’ untimely deaths. We must think — if we continue like this, there will be no animals left for our future generations to see.
These days, everything can be made synthetically. Say ‘no’ to real animal products, for the sake of these creatures and their future generations.
Designers make these products because people demand it. Once buyers stop asking for animal products, they will stop making them. The wise are those who learn from their mistakes. We had better learn soon or else, it will be too late.
From Ms Syeda Ahmad
UAE
Facebook comment
Much effort for successes
The UAE is one of the countries that deserves success (‘UAE Cabinet approves initiatives for health sector’, Gulf News, April 18). Its leaders are so humane, with real kindness, forgiveness and empathy. In addition, opportunities are widely opening up to all those who are willing to work hard, have willpower or talent. All the best to the UAE and my regards to its leaders.
From Mr Zaid Ali
UAE
Facebook comment
Everyone should try yoga
Yoga is so good, it can really de-stress, rejuvenate and connect you to your inner self (‘Using breath to energize your body’, Gulf News, April 18). Everyone should try yoga — I think they would feel the difference straight away. It comes highly recommended for individuals who have back/neck pain and migraines.
From Mr Waqas Hassan
Dubai
Facebook comment
Very useful training
My first breathing exercise was only a week ago and I thought it was too long. I was feeling bored doing it. After three days of just following the breathing exercises, I noticed that my stomach started to get firmer and flatter! Now, I can’t wait for the breathing exercise! It helps me to contract my stomach unconsciously, too, during the day, which helps in firming my muscles all day long.
From Ms Mogs
UAE
Facebook comment
Helps sleep
Deep breathing is so beneficial, especially for those who experience sleepless nights. Although it is said that you should take around seven deep breaths, two long breaths inhaled then exhaled, slowly I begin to yawn. I become so relaxed that I sleep quite quickly, right after.
From Ms Maxene Dodds
UAE
Facebook comment
Indian women conquering sports
Kudos to Dipa Karmakar for creating history by becoming the first ever female gymnast from India to qualify for the Rio Olympics (‘Indian gymnast vaults into history’, Gulf News, April 19). Of course, being the 79th among individual qualifiers, it might be a herculean task for her to compete with top gymnasts. But she should take heart in the victories of Saina Nehwal and Sania Mirza, who toppled the world champion players in badminton and tennis respectively, to reach the top ranking. Nothing is impossible in this world. With Karmakar’s hard work and dedication, we are confident that she will achieve success in the Rio Olympics. At the same time, we sincerely hope that the Indian government will extend its full support to her, with proper training facilities, to excel in her endeavour.
From Ms Janaki Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Ethical business training
School is really important for young generations (‘Kris Jenner launches business school in Dubai’, Gulf News, April 18). Just think about how we should develop business in the right way. It’s not all about showing off our personal lives or making dramatic television shows to catch people’s attention and make easy money.
From Ms Youri Hong
Dubai
Facebook comment
Doesn’t make sense
So Kris Jenner is launching a school? Did any of her daughters even enrol in college? It doesn’t make much sense to me.
From Mr Walaa Khalil
UAE
Facebook comment
So what?
Mr Walaa Khalil, Kourtney Kardashian has a bachelor’s degree and did go to college. And, so what if Jenner is launching a school? There are a lot of successful people that didn’t go to college, but are successful, and then there are people who did go to college but don’t have successful careers.
From Ms Vickie Al Hazinah
UAE
Facebook comment
Too much money spent
Who knows who is telling the truth, it’s all just smoke and mirrors (‘US Air Force plane intercepted by Russian jet in ‘unsafe’ manner: Pentagon’, Gulf News, April 18). All I do know is that both Russia and the US spend obscene amounts of taxpayers’ and borrowed money on the military.
From Mr Giles Heaton
Dubai
Facebook comment
Enjoy Nature and its music with your loved ones
After finishing my chores, seeing my daughter off to school and my husband to work, I start my reading time with a mug of coffee. Do you know what I enjoy most during this point of time? The songs of chirping birds. They are like lullabies to my ears.
In my home country, we used to have beautiful mornings with birds chirping. Feeding them millet was my favourite pastime. Now, due to pollution and other reasons, we have slowly poisoned all those beautiful creatures. I hardly find even a single sparrow in my courtyard now.
Thank you, Dubai, for returning my hometown experience to me. I also appeal to all people, please, schedule time in during your busy schedules to sit with your children and enjoy the lovely music of birds together.
I am sure getting closer to Nature will help us become closer to humanity. It is just a reminder to all the people reading this letter — do take a step before it’s too late. Let’s plant more and more trees all around. Let’s bring about change together.
From Ms Preeti Jain
Dubai
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