More libraries can create a literary escape
The boiling summer heat wrestles me into my flat every year and I am yet again left to be comforted by my bookshelf’s delights. The knowledge that the world’s richest and smartest, like Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates, have invested tantalising amounts into libraries, and the declaration of the Year of Reading in the UAE last year, have been strong motivators to read. However, the sheer cost of books limits my reading.
With the onslaught of technology in life, the need for community libraries is more prominent than ever. Small centralised community libraries in every area within Dubai would surely contribute to the rise of intellectually sound communities and confident youth. With the custom of face-to-face talk nearing extinction among teenagers, libraries would serve as an escape from social media.
Libraries would be great equalisers within the financially diverse community of Dubai. In a country such as the UAE, where education does not come cheap, libraries broaden children’s perspectives without emptying their parents’ bank accounts. They are unparalleled channels through which youth can explore their immediate world as well as the world at large.
Introducing more libraries would create a lasting positive impact in Dubai and encourage many to rediscover the wonders that lie within the pages of a book.
From Mr Abhirami Venugopal
UAE
A vision for the UAE
Hearty congratulations to Fatima Al Qubaisi, the first Emirati woman to graduate from Harvard Law School (‘First Emirati woman graduates from Harvard Law School’, Gulf News, July 23). She is bringing to the UAE, a vision for a brighter and positive future, with the sharing of knowledge from other cultures and countries. Moreover, she would like to establish, for example, the concept of pro-bono legal work for the poor. The UAE’s future is brighter in the hands of youth like Al Qubaisi.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
A lesson learnt
We were once victims when we rented a studio (‘Gang of six arrested for Dh560,000 real estate fraud in Abu Dhabi’, Gulf News, July 23). We issued a cheque (fully paid for 12 months), and the landlord cashed the cheque right away. After three months, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) cut our electricity as the landlord failed to pay the bills. When we tried to call him and his agent, their mobiles were switched off and they were nowhere to be found. We logged a complaint, but it was a hopeless case. Good thing and thank God, the real owner of the villa was very considerate. She let us stay in her villa for a few months more, with the condition that we would settle the water and electricity bills. In our contract with the landlord, it was included in the rental cost. So we lost money, including our deposit, and learnt our lesson the hard way.
From Mr E. M. Capa
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
‘Natural’ black henna?
We know very well that black henna isn’t allowed and that it can cause allergies (‘Natural henna’ causes severe allergy to Dubai woman’, Gulf News, July 23). People still ask and opt for black henna. I mean, wake up! There is no black henna. Henna can only be orange, red or shades of maroon.
The salon cannot be blamed for the fact that it didn’t do an allergy test. If a client is asking for it, they will get it done, regardless. The material used in black henna is the same that is used in hair dye, and black hair dye is not banned in the UAE. It is only banned when this black henna is used on the skin.
Anyway, with all due respect and sympathy for the person affected, a salon is a beauty salon and cannot be doing allergy tests. It is unfortunate that it happened to her.
From Ms Purvi Gokani Rupareliya
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Prone to reaction
There is no such thing as black henna. It’s simply a mix of chemicals. People are prone to such allergies, when using black henna.
From Mr Kaushal Gokani
UAE
Facebook comment
Test is necessary
If they can do allergy tests in other countries, they can do allergy tests here. Yes, it is the salon’s fault because the salon employs professionals. The professionals that are trained in this art, should be doing allergy tests to protect their clients, just like they do in salons in the UK. If they don’t have a test, don’t use them, because it means they don’t care. If a salon didn’t do an allergy test on me, I wouldn’t use their product. It’s called educating people about their rights, and teaching customers that businesses care.
From Ms Emma Ewing
UAE
Facebook comment
A dangerous product
The use of black henna has been banned by the Dubai Municipality since 2009, but salons still continue to offer this harmful product despite the ban and campaigns. p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) adds a black tint to the henna tattoo and is also used in black hair dyes. It can cause blistering, open sores, scarring and life-threatening health problems if someone has an allergic reaction to it. I hope she feels better soon!
From Ms Kira Manning
UAE
Facebook comment
No such thing
Henna leaves are green, not black. This so-called black henna consists of black-coloured chemical dye. Henna colour can be made darker for hair by adding liquid coffee, liquid chocolate and powder.
From Ms Syeda Ahmad
UAE
Facebook comment
Don’t do it
This happened to me and my whole face was swollen after a barber insisted on dyeing my hair. I spent four days and three nights in the hospital. So, always do a skin test or don’t dye at all.
From Mr Don Hacbang
UAE
Facebook comment
Untimely hike
As in the case of every Indian citizen, we do agree that our Members of Parliament (MP) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), too, deserve an increase in salary, but it should be only once in five years, rather than yearly. But the way, the ruling party and even the opposition party in India, agreeing to a hike their salary and perks by a 100 per cent is a misplaced priority. The timing of this increase is foolhardy, especially when people, like farmers, are facing drought and trying circumstances. As in the case of every institution, there should be a cap to the rise in people’s salary and perks. I feel there should be a committee headed by judges of the Supreme Court to look into their demands. An increase of 10 per cent per year should be the norm – that, too, only in their basic pay. Would it not be possible for India’s new President to promulgate an ordinance for this?
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Thane, India
Respect everyone
Respect is the right of each individual, regardless of beauty, tradition, modesty and religion (‘Miniskirt row: Rule of law comes ahead of ideology’, Gulf News, July 23). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it doesn’t mean that if you wear a miniskirt, others have the right to disrespect you. The same goes for if you are wearing a full veil. Everyone is entitled to respect!
From Ms Diamond Pink
Manila, Philippines
Facebook comment
Diplomacy of mangoes
Mangoes are always delicious, and varieties like alphonso, badami, chaunsa and anwar ratol are a real treat (‘The Storytellers: Secret of anwar ratol, arguably the sweetest mango’, Gulf News, July 22). The tale of mangoes of both India and Pakistan is really inspiring. Sometimes, diplomacy works by exchange of mangoes. In 1981, Pakistani General Zia ul-Haq sent anwar ratol mangos to the Indian President and Prime Minister as a courtesy. In 2001, the Pakistani president General Pervez Musharraf sent chaunsa mangoes before the Agra Summit.
To my surprise, last week, I, too, received a box of chaunsa mangos from a Pakistani friend. It was indeed a special treat and I shared them with my close friends and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a privilege to be in Dubai where you get to eat different varieties of mangos from different parts of the world.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
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