Great initiative by Dubai Ruler
I felt proud to read about how His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is urging children to read (‘Mohammad urges children to discover the joy of books’, Gulf News, September 17). He launched his vision by sitting with children and reading with them, to encourage them in the habit of reading books. He read the book: ‘Two Heroic Leaders’, which was written by he, himself. It’s a story about how dreams came true for our two great leaders, Shaikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE and Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in the shaping of the country. What a practical launch of the Arab Reading Challenge (ARC) to encourage children to read the books and providing cash prizes as an incentive.
From Ms Niamat Karmally
UAE
India should promote the trades
I was shocked after reading the Gulf News report about the millions who applied to be office boys in India’s Uttar Pradesh state (‘2.3 M apply for 368 jobs of office boy’, Gulf News, September 18). It shows that India has become the capital of unemployment for youth in the world. The main cause for this is that most of the job seekers are attracted by office employment only. They do not want to work as causal labourers or in trade jobs such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters or masons. If they choose such jobs, even if they are highly paid, they will be sidelined in the marriage market. The illiterate parents of the brides are always looking for government employees since it is secure and offers pension. Until and unless this attitude is not changed, India is not going to develop into a healthy economy.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
We don’t want free buses!
This is with reference to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party of Tamil Nadu, India, coming up with a new set of freebies to benefit each and every family in the state. Do these political parties feel that the people could be fooled every time? They have assured us for healthcare, education and eradication of corruption, which we feel every government is supposed to give to the people.
The free bus ride is a laughable one because how do they think they are going to meet the expenses of running the buses for free? Does this mean the introduction of additional tax burdens on the common man or hidden taxes like the service tax? We, the common men, don’t need any freebies. What we expect from any government is less corruption, a focus on development and controlling prices of the day-to-day essential items and low cost housing.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Fear clouds rationality
The US highschool student Ahmad Mohammad’s handcuffing shows a situation of a classic case of fear and prejudice clouding all rational judgement (‘Muslim boy, 14, detained for making clock mistaken for bomb’, Gulf News, September 17). A precocious boy like that deserves all encouragement possible. Boys like him could be role models for other children to emulate.
From Mr Ashok Sridharan
UAE
Website comment
This is Islamophobia
This is what I call it: Islamophobia. There is no one else to blame, but the Press and media in the US because they have poisoned people’s minds with it. If a Christian would kill or rape they would mention him by name, but if a Muslim would do it they would publish it under a Muslim raped or killed.
From Mr Thair
UAE
Website comment
This should not happen
It’s unfortunate and sad to hear that the 14-year-old boy was arrested, paraded and handcuffed in school. Before coming to any quick conclusions, the teachers or school authority should have checked with the boy’s parents. Mentally, the boy would have been shattered after this incident. The handcuffed picture of the innocent boy itself reflects the whole story and it’s an insult to the boy and even for society. Why did the teacher and school authorities come to a conclusion that it was a bomb?
It’s a good gesture from US President Barack Obama to invite the boy to the White House so that he could show his talent and new invention. It will boost the morale of the young boy and give a strong message to society that innocent people should not be assaulted in any way.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Beat the heat!
The article on children’s health concerns during the summer was quite helpful (‘Summer heat takes a toll on pupils’ health’, Gulf News, September 17). The summer this year has been unbearable, especially when you have to experience it while going outdoors during the day.
Being a student, I find it difficult to concentrate on studies after a day at school. It is a very uncomfortable weather, particularly for children who engage themselves in a lot of activities. We should take special attention, in keeping ourselves hydrated during the season. Instead of blaming the season, we should take special precautions for ourselves. A change in diet can also make a difference. Children must be encouraged to follow summer tips.
Rather than the heat beating our strengths, let’s together beat the heat!
From Ms Parvathi Sreeraj
Dubai
What affects real estate?
This was a great article because it covers the basic fundamentals related to the topic of free market practices in real estate (‘Dubai rental correction will need to go on’, Gulf News, September 17). However, it would be interesting to hear from the author on the impact of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera) review of rental strata once a year instead of four times a year. Presumably, with prices already being artificially controlled, less action on the review will only exasperate the artificial situation we are seeing.
From Mr Omar
UAE
Website comment
Avoid gadgets in school
I’m not surprised in learning that smart technology isn’t making pupils smarter (‘Technology doesn’t make school pupils smarter: study’, Gulf News, September 16). I think a lot of parents nowadays must learn this fact and keep children away from gadgets!
From Ms Maniza Nuzhat
UAE
Facebook comment
Gadgets galore
In this modern age of gadgets and more gadgets, one must understand that an over reliance on technology in schools might actually detract from learning as stated in the article. Some degree of browsing the internet for assignments is helpful and mandatory for research that has been assigned to students. Wikipedia has become the quintessential encyclopaedia for research. Higher order thinking skills and research work are an integral part of our education system today. But, overindulgence in e-reading does have negative effects on health such as memory loss due to a short attention span. Moreover the blue light from these electronic devices can also cause sleep deprivation and certain forms of cancer, according to research reported by Gulf News a few months ago.
From Ms Shaheen Nazar
Sharjah
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