Focusing on children’s rights

Focusing on children’s rights

Every year, November 20 is marked as Universal Children’s Day (“A story of childhood”, Gulf News, November 18). As a child, I feel very happy and proud to be a young person. But is this justified, in reality? When I turn around and see various issues like child labour, child abuse, violence and poverty, I am forced to wonder, are children really enjoying their childhood? It is a serious issue and many children around the world do not even have access to basic necessities like food, water, shelter, proper environments and above all, education. We should all give a thought to how a child can be given his or her basic rights. After all, childhood represents the golden days in any person’s life. Children are too young to face these problems. So let us all do our bit to make this society a safe place for children to live their life to the fullest.

From Ms Neethi Sai Thiyagarajan

Dubai

They are not humans

Who does Daesh think it is, to make the decision of attacking someone in the name of religion (“France names more potential attackers as dragnet widens”, Gulf News, November 17)? The group does not have any authority to take such steps. If they really think that they are doing a favour to the Muslim population of the world by conducting terror attacks, then they are highly mistaken. These attacks are having a negative impact on the image of Muslims. If members of Daesh really want to voice their concerns, then they should do so by doing social work for war-torn countries. The money that they are wasting on buying weapons should be used for the development of poor countries. These terrorists are not Muslims. They don’t belong to any religion; they are merely killers of humanity and a shame to the human race.

From Ms Tani Clovet

Dubai

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Shame for humanity

I agree with Ms Tani Clovet. These terrorists are not Muslims and are mere killers.

From Mr Sameer Sam

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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United we stand

Why should innocent people suffer? Why should people live in fear? Why should we fear these terrorists? Together, we can eradicate terrorism. Together, we can convey a strong message to all terrorists that we are tired of their inhumane acts.

From Mr Aggufran Victor

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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A harmonious society

Another outrageous act by terrorists, followed by a mad scramble by media and world leaders, including those of Muslim countries, to defend the religion of Islam. Why on earth should a real Muslim, or any human, feel guilty for the atrocities committed by some evil people, whose idea of Islamic principles is as different from the truth, as chalk from cheese? It is our duty to show the world around us what being a true Muslim is, through our actions and words, so that others can understand how we behave and what Islamic principles really mean. Only then can we create a truly harmonious society where everyone lives without any fear or hatred for their neighbours.

From Ms Sajida Kamal

Abu Dhabi

Losing a loved one

It is sad that so many innocent lives have been lost to war and violence, not just in France but in other countries as well. There are countless people across the globe who have lost their loved ones to terrorism and hate, and there are tens of thousands of children who have lost both or at least one of their parents and are deprived of care for a lifetime. In my opinion, nobody deserves to be hated. If only people could feel the pain and grief of others, the world would become a better place. Why does it take so long for us to realise this? Why not spare a thought for those children who have been rendered homeless, orphaned and unable to enjoy their childhood and are starving to death?

From Ms Fatima Suhail

Sharjah

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A part of our lives

It is the 21st century and technology has reached its apex. New inventions, ideas and innovations are created every day and become an important part of our lives. One of these life-changing devices is the smartphone. Smartphones have certainly helped us bond with each other. At the push of a button, we are able to keep in touch with friends and family, even though they might be seas or continents away. With video chatting, we are able to not miss a single moment of a family gathering. We feel a part of the occasion even though we may not be there physically. Grandparents may not be present to watch their grandchildren grow, but they can see them, at least in pictures, and recollect on the events later on. It shows how these gadgets are an important element in keeping us together, however far or near we are. Would it really be correct to then say that smartphones are the culprits behind ruining our family bonds and taking away our emotional happiness? I would beg to differ. It is we who are fast becoming addicted to our smartphones. Even though they are called ‘smartphones’, the devices cannot possibly sense when it is the right time to switch off. This job is rightly left to us, as we have the judgment to draw a line between right and wrong and understand what’s best for us. It’s we who continue to be hooked onto the phone, unmindful of the company of others. We are the owners of these smartphones, so let’s not end up making them our owners and later blame them. Take it or leave it, but the fact of the matter is that smartphones are here to stay and cannot be totally eliminated from our lives.

From Ms Madiha Ahmad Riaz

Sharjah

We will survive

The ‘Modi delusion’ is just that — a delusion that has to break someday (‘The Modi delusion is still very much intact’, Gulf News, November 16). But it is now evident that the ‘Modi effect’ has lost lustre in India, which is clearly visible from the Bihar polls; thumbs down from politicians to historians and the common people. What we see happening outside India during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit is nothing but a political gimmick. The world very well knows that no matter what comes, India has the ability to bounce back. Take our history as a reference point; we have survived invasions, British rule and many other incidents, some which were terribly horrific. We will survive the ‘Modi effect’, too.

From Ms Nishat Riyaz

Abu Dhabi

I don’t have time

Do you do things quickly to please your boss? For instance, do you ignore your breakfast meal and rush every morning to reach work on time, and look at the clock in the office more often than your colleagues, afraid of missing your deadline? The worst part is working during the weekend. Actually, you cannot lose time, stop it or even save it. Time is not material, like money that can be managed, and it’s not a tangible thing. It’s all about how you feel, your perception of the spaces between your tasks or the gaps in between the beginning and end of your hours of duty. I believe taking time management training courses will not change your work-life ethics. The change will take place only when you realise that you are the creator of your own sense of time. The origin lies in your perceptions, and in your capacity to shrink or stretch it within your own consciousness. Thoughts are the stimuli or events you create within your own being. The more you think, the faster time will seem to pass. But, when you think less and become more aware of the spaces between your thoughts, you will get the sense of time slowing down and expanding. You will then have many opportunities to do a lot of tasks. Therefore, every morning, try to control your own time, but never let time control you.

From Mr Ali Al Aradi

UAE

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