Is this the India we dreamt of?
It was a shameful incident where members of the Shiv Sena, a political party in India, stormed the headquarters of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) (“Political parties condemn Shiv Sena protest at BCCI HQ”, Gulf News, October 20). Their actions should be considered a criminal offence. Cricket has been, and still is, the most loved game in India. Cricket is the game that unites the whole country as one, regardless of whether the players or fans are Hindu, Muslim or Christian. It is also the game that brings the two nations, India and Pakistan, closer. Very recently, the former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strategist, Sudheendra Kulkarni had black paint thrown on his face by Shiv Sena activists over his refusal to cancel the book launch function of the former Pakistani foreign minister. Is this the secular India our freedom fighters dreamt of? Unfortunately, all these attacks have been on the rise ever since the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government took power in New Delhi. The various attacks on Christian churches, the beef ban and the Dadri killing are some other instances that proved that the Modi government is trying to raise sectarian and religious tensions in India. If these incidents continue to happen, I am afraid to say that India might drift into a series of communal riots and violence.
From Mr Leo Zehrack
Sharjah
Not in the right spirit
As an Indian, I am ashamed that visitors to my country are being put in a position where they are made to feel unsafe (“Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan targeted by Indian right wing group”, Gulf News, October 21). Right-wing political party Shiv Sena has completely lost the plot. Every week, we read or hear about new ways in which the group is tarnishing the country’s reputation, and creating an atmosphere of discord and disharmony within its borders. This time, they are focusing on hugely successful Pakistani actors, who are carving a niche for themselves in Bollywood and have been welcomed with open arms by Hindi moviegoers. The public, at least, doesn’t choose to judge by the colour of one’s passport. It is politicians like Akshay Bardapurkar, general secretary of the Chitrapat Sena, who sow the seeds of hate, when all people want is peace. Bardapurkar has vowed not to let any Pakistani actor, cricketer or performer step on Maharashtra soil. What a shame! What is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing to address the situation? Or must the public take his silence to mean acquiescence?
From Ms Sophie Hussain
Sharjah
A parent is responsible
The Saudi father, whose daughter is in prison, needs to calm down (“Saudi father wants daughter involved in immoral activity jailed for life”, Gulf News, October 21). Instead of being ready to disown his daughter, he should have raised her better. Instead of being arrogant and not liking the shame she brought to the family, he should figure out where he went wrong in raising her and how he let her down. I’m sure he wouldn’t have the same approach if he had a son. Some parents honestly need to realise that most of the time when your child chooses the wrong path, it is because of the parents’ failure at raising their child and providing him or her with the right guidance and education. It’s not just about sending them to school and teaching them about religion. It’s also about raising them to be wise and good people.
From Mr Morvarid Jalali
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Girls cannot make mistakes
It seems like girls all over the world have a hard life. If this man’s son had made a mistake, he would have hugged him and said that people make mistakes. But, since it was his daughter, it is unacceptable.
From Mr U. Mary
UAE
Facebook comment
No mistake is big enough
As much as I sympathise with the girl’s father, it is unfair of him to refuse to take her back. She may have done wrong, but she deserves a second chance. No mistake is big enough to severe the bond between a father and his daughter. I hope that the father forgives and accepts her and this does not become a case of honour killing.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
No mistakes?
I wonder, has the father never made a mistake in his life?
From Ms Izabella Salloum
UAE
Facebook comment
Give her the love she deserves
If he had spent some quality time with his daughter and taught her what is right and wrong, things would have been different. He should have educated her the right way and given her the love she deserves from a family. No human is perfect and we all make mistakes. If even the Almighty can forgive us, why can’t he?
From Mr Syed Kamran
Al Ain
Facebook comment
Give him some time
Perhaps, the father is still in denial or in a bitter stage. We should wait till he can move on, and I am sure that he will forgive his daughter. He needs his space at the moment.
From Ms Aisha Salekh
UAE
Facebook comment
Leave the country
I think this man isn’t fit to be a father. Parents protect their children no matter what; they do not abandon them. It would be best for her to leave the country as I feel she will never be safe.
From Ms Aziza Al Busaidy
Dubai
Facebook comment
Small actions count
Many of us have now started recycling newspapers, magazines and cardboard. I read reports on recycling efforts by the authorities and the contribution by the residents. But, a few days ago I noticed how many people throw away bills or receipts that they do not need either on the pavement or in trash cans as soon as they get out of a shop. That’s when it struck me that this is also paper, which is being wasted. From that day, I started collecting any bills that my family got and now have a drawer full of them, which I will soon give for recycling. Moreover, when we get our parking tickets, I urge people to collect them, too. People can also collect tokens that they get when they wait at clinics or food outlets. Most of us also purchase medicines and so can also collect the leaflets of the used medications. Usually people drop pamphlets, leaflets, advertisements or restaurant menus on our doorstep. Instead of throwing them away, we can collect them to recycle. As they say, “every drop makes an ocean”. Even the smallest paper collected could help in making a big impact. I would urge all the readers to start recycling every single bit of paper and add them to our recycle bins, along with newspapers and magazines.
From Ms Neola Castelino
Sharjah
Enhance global understanding
First, let me congratulate the UN Security Council for celebrating their 70th anniversary on October 24. But, I would like to say that they have to change their policies and strategy for better global understanding. Security, child abuse, refugee migration, poverty and environment are the key issues to look into. They should invite new permanent members like India.
Terrorism is a global threat and the international community should join together to eradicate this menace. I hope in the coming days the UN will set an example.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
What is the meaning of success?
Beliefs have conditioned us to look for success through the path of our career, achievements, profits, praise and financial wealth. We have learnt a narrow view of success, and in the process of running in search of it, we come to exhaust ourselves, get burnt out and depressed. In order to achieve this success, we have stopped caring for the inner being and relationships. It brings stress, pain, anxiety, family break ups, personal and relational disintegrations and as a consequence we feel empty. Although we achieve the applause, the income and other successes, the self is malnourished and has the sensation that it is lacking something. If we want to redirect our personal and collective lives toward true wellbeing and wholeness, we have to re-evaluate and redefine our beliefs and factors that lead to success and failure. Before asking yourself what success and failure mean to you, it is important to be clear what context you want success in. Sit in silence and look inside yourself where the true you exists. This is the ideal way of perceiving success or failure.
From Mr Ali Al Aradi
UAE
Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders.
