Tough competition
I wanted to study medicine in a so-called world class institute like the one in this story (‘The fake doctor will see you’, Gulf News, June 20). Just like the article mentions, I couldn’t get through. There were 35,000 candidates giving the entrance exam for 350 seats, and many, with at least a year or two of ‘coaching’ — both during school and after high school. I stood no chance. The only other option was to provide a donation, which we didn’t like to do. But, in reality, it actually isn’t the only option. There are plenty of colleges like the ones mentioned in the story. These are the ones that give a bad name to quality institutions in India. It is due to little or no regulation, and not that India lacks world class institutions.
Since I took physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology in high school, I could effectively choose engineering as well. Maybe not at a great institute, but at least it’s genuine learning!
From Mr Ahmad Shumayal
Al Ain
Facebook comment
Hindering honest students
Phones and Information Technology (IT) gadgets have become a real game-changer (‘Pre-medical test scrapped, fresh exams in four weeks’, Gulf News, June 16). They are opening new doors to exam malpractices. Though these devices are already banned from examination halls, interestingly, they still find their way into them. Those who want to cheat are now using ear pieces or devices in spectacles, shoes or inside their shirts, as they are easy to hide from the examiners due to their small size. It was really disappointing to read the news about the All India Pre-Medical Tests (AIPMT) 2015/2016 being scrapped because of the evil manoeuvres of a group of doctors and 44 students from the states of Bihar, Rajasthan and Haryana. Investigations found that these students managed to use mobile phones hidden in their specially designed vests, to cheat.
It really matters, since hard working students would be frustrated and worried by this type of examination conduct. Playing havoc with examinations will affect the careers of meritorious students. These students or doctors are actually dishonest people, whose illegal actions are questioning the sanctity of the tests and courses.
So, examination bodies need to increase their vigilance and set up best practices to deal with cheating, without any compromise. A good idea for such bodies is to install mobile jammers just before the exam begins, as these devices block all signals. More importantly, schools should teach and make students aware of exam rules, so they have less of an impulse to cheat. Additionally, we should all work hard to restore the value of honesty, hard work and fear of God in children and do justice to genuine students, who are burning the midnight oil.
From Mr Reja Jacob
UAE
Attachment to corruption
The government of India will be forced to issue a red corner notice against the first commissioner of cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL) Lalit Modi (‘Government mulls red corner notice against Lalit Modi’, Gulf News, June 20). Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj has allegedly influenced British authorities for the release of his passport, by using her power as a foreign minister and by misusing her authority; she should resign from her post. Indian Prime Minister Nardendra Modi should order an enquiry to find out the nexus between Modi and Swaraj. Modi was the commissioner of the IPL and was facing corruption and money laundering charges for millions of rupees. The role of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in relation with Modi should also be investigated. In India, all political parties and governments are very much attached to these corrupt people. The government of India should immediately appeal to the Supreme Court to overrule the High Court verdict to get back his passport and bring Modi back, for investigation and trial.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Modi faces acid test
The allegations against Swaraj and the Raje seem to be wreaking havoc in India. It is not going to end as a storm in a tea cup. It might break the tea cup into pieces! It has already thrown the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government into disarray, which has affected confidence in Narendra Modi and he, it appears, is running helter skelter to pacify the warring groups in his party. The ruling patriarch of the party, L. K. Advani, seems to be taking cudgels against a dictatorial Modi whom he disliked right from the beginning.
From Mr Thomas Matthew Parackel
Kerala,India
India getting rusty!
Kudos to Bangladesh for knocking down the Team India, in the first One Day International (ODI) series at Mirpur and thus ensuring a place in the 2017 Champions Trophy (‘We must be at our best to beat Bangladesh: Rohit’, Gulf News, June 21). India’s team was outplayed by Bangladesh in all aspects of the game. Right from the start, they were aggressive in their batting, bowling and fielding. But for dropped catches, India would have faced a much more humiliating defeat. It seems all the players are rusty and need some greasing, to shine during the remaining ODIs to save face!
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Muslims under attack, too
Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and Syria fought a war with Israel in 1967, known as the Six Day War (‘Al Houthis must know the ball is in their court’, Gulf News, June 21). Damage occurred on both sides. Now, newly developed militant groups, like Daesh, are succeeding in killing Muslims in the Arab countries that fought in that war 50 years ago. Non-Muslims should not necessarily be the ones scared of them. Daesh will not destabilise non-Muslim countries. Daesh is a self-proclaimed terrorist organisation. They have the best modern weapons and cameras for warfare — they are using them sporadically for shooting and massacring Muslims. Social media accounts used to upload these videos, cannot be traced. They use brand new trucks, orange uniforms for prisoners, international advertisements and coverage for new recruits — what propaganda! Now, the US, in contrast, has no weapons, no pilots, no money and no bill from Congress to attack Daesh. We have to really think about this.
From Mr Zaib Ashraf
UAE
Facebook comment
Killing without discriminating
Daesh is not just killing Muslims. Please be factual, Mr Zaib Ashraf. They are an evil extremist organisation that has hijacked Islam. They are cowards that need to be rooted out at street level. That can only be done by the same countries you mentioned.
From Mr Giles Heaton
Dubai
Facebook comment
Global anarchy
The world is like an arena of extremists and we have referees in the form of governments and judiciaries. The people are never satisfied and anyone can think of anything and act on it against or for the opponent. The people only look for freedom of expression and democracy. What government is the world looking up to?
From Mr George Evans
Lake Nebagamon, US
Facebook comment
Long days of work
It was really sad to hear about the sufferings of this poor taxi driver, may God help him to cure his vision (‘Cabbie who survived crash loses eyesight’, Gulf News, June 21). Also, drive safely, especially in Ramadan, because I have noticed many taxi drivers who are in a hurry on the roads. I remember my last taxi driver and being shocked, after listening to him say that he has been unable to sleep for more than three hours in the past 24 hours. He struggled with long days due to a large workload and managing his expenses.
From Mr Suhail Khan
Dubai
Facebook comment
Take caution in bad weather
It was heart-wrenching to read of how a road accident changed the life of a taxi driver, in a matter of seconds, resulting in him losing his eyesight. The lesson one can draw from this tragic incident is that motorists should refrain from driving during harsh weather conditions such as rain, fog or haze, or when visibility is poor and driving becomes a challenge. Had he discontinued his journey, heeding to weather conditions, especially when the visibility dropped, he would have been leading a normal life today. I hope he gets his due compensation soon. Also, I sincerely pray that the vision in his right eye can be restored through surgery.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
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