Two inspiring reads last week!
Gulf News had two excellent articles come out on May 5 (‘Talent spotting begins a long time in the past’, Gulf News, May 5). One of them was very inspiring and the other one was emotional, taking us to the past.
The first article was a very inspiring piece about finding talent in the Business section by Tommy Weir. It is really inspiring to read the episode of Mohammad Al Gergawi in his late twenties who was identified by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. While reading I could actually visualise the nervousness experienced by Al Gergawi when he went to the majlis to thank Shaikh Mohammad, as demanded by his mother. It was a pleasure to read that Shaikh Mohammad had spotted the talent very well and this shows very clearly that he has always been a visionary leader. A lovely episode brought to us by Weir.
Secondly, I am a regular reader of the Off the cuff column (‘My precious yellowed memoirs’, Gulf News, May 5). I always get to read the best of best articles in this column. The one on memoirs was so good that it took me back to the days of our grandparents and the good deeds they had done for society. The story of M. S. Lal has been so well drafted by Lalit Raizada that I commend his writing skills. The last paragraph where he states that Lal died a happy man, and he held the box close to his heart would have definitely brought tears to many who have experienced such instances in their lives too.
I was inspired by both these articles and they made my day.
From Mr Balaji Bhushan
UAE
Despicable comments against victims
The verdict on the hit and run case involving Khan is finally out (‘Supriyo slams Bhattacharya’s homeless opinion’, Gulf News, May 8). While the truth ultimately prevailed and upheld, the delay of 13 long years for the justice to be delivered does not speak well of the Indian judicial system. It is incomprehensible that a case where there was overwhelming evidence against the accused should have taken 13 years to pronounce judgement. This definitely raises the question whether the delay was because the person involved was a celebrity. Such delays in the delivery of justice shake the credibility and faith of common people in India, who approach courts for speedy resolutions and justice.
It is appalling to see the tsunami of support from the film fraternity after the verdict was given. The support is so blind that some of them even questioned the real victims as to why they had slept on the pavement which, according to them, is meant for dogs. This comment is the height of arrogance and inhumanity and it deserves the utmost condemnation. In a country where the majority are below the poverty line, these film personalities, who rose to a celebrity status because of these very poor people, to have the audacity to make such despicable comments is unthinkable.
Although the verdict is out, the fact that the accused can appeal against it means it may take another 13 years or more for the higher court to decide. This is a sorry state of affairs with the whole system. How can a common man get speedy justice in India? Will it ever become a reality?
From Mr Ganeshan Srinivasan
UAE
Better late than never!
Even though the famous Salman Khan [Indian moviestar] verdict has been so delayed, we are happy that justice has been done, by thwarting all his attempts to escape punishment.
Ironically, some of his film fraternity, while supporting him, was critical of the poor sleeping on the footpaths. I hope these people forget that vehicles are to be driven on the roads and not on the footpaths. No doubt the central and state governments should take steps to rehabilitate the poor by providing shelters to the pavement dwellers.
Now that this case is already a decade old, we sincerely hope that Khan, as a responsible citizen of our country, would obey the law and refrain from appealing to postpone his punishment.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Smoking rules a blessing
Companies employing smokers should give a second thought. I was working with a company before where I had three staff at a senior level. One of them was a chain smoker who used to be stationed in the parking lot always and used to come to the office whenever the boss called. The other used to go down for a smoke every 10 minutes and by the time he reached his seat from his first smoke, it would nearly be time
for the next one and again he would go down after a few minutes. The third one would smoke after every 20 to 30 minutes. There would be parleys among the smokers in the car park. They could not smoke in their cabins since the building was fitted with a fire alarm.
I would wonder as to how they could concentrate on their work. They would lose continuity and rhythm in their jobs because of the breaks in their work in a day for smoking. The world is contemplating the various measures to curb smoking. If companies put a ban on smoking during office hours, it would act as a deterrent and enable the smokers to quit smoking in the long run, which would in turn be doing good to their health — a blessing in disguise.
From Mr Kamal
UAE
Full name withheld by request
Warning to Kejriwal
The Gulf News editorial regarding the happenings in Delhi, India was very apt (‘Kejriwal must not get entangled in controversy’, Gulf News, May 6). Arvind Kejriwal came with a big promise to the people of Delhi, but now his party is beset with big problems that make Kejriwal feel a little nervous. What’s more, his criticism of the media put him in greater trouble. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lacks political experience, which has been haunting it right from the formation of its first ministry in Delhi. People thought he would set a good example for a corruption-free dispensation. It is not advisable for Kejriwal to alienate a strong institution like the Press.
The Press is no more a mere spectator of political events. It is capable of making and unmaking governments, as history bears eloquent witness to it. The voters, not the media, have the final say. The report was more than right in its conclusion.
From Mr Thomas Matthew Parackel
Kerala, India
Dismiss Kerala’s IG immediately!
It was a shame to hear that Kerala’s Inspector General of Police (IG), T.J. Jose was caught red-handed for cheating in the Masters of Law (LLM) examinations (‘Kerala IG faces suspension, social media rage’, Gulf News, May 7). People who are responsible for maintaining law and order and who are role models are involved in such types of activities are shameful.
The government should dismiss the IG from service with immediate effect and make a thorough inquiry into Jose’s previous educational degrees. The government and universities should think to install CCTVs in examination halls in order to avoid malpractices and copying in examinations.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
This technology existed!
I think that this kind of service has been available on 3G Nokia mobiles in the UAE since 2007, based on my experience, even earlier (‘Data-free video calls cost 60 fils per minute’, Gulf News, May 7)! The handset should be 3G capable and should have a camera. My mobile back then was a Nokia E63. Android wasn’t really around yet during those times. Until now, this is supported by Nokia 3G Symbian phones.
From Mr Jeffrey Tolosa
UAE
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