This was a very refreshing article on making drinks and snacks with Rooh Afza (‘A glass of history’, Gulf News, June 26). Indeed, Rooh Afza has been the subject of folklore in India as well as Pakistan. Imagine the connection and importance of it.
People in both these countries can’t imagine ending their fast or spending a hot summer without Rooh Afza, despite the fact that there are a lot of similar products available in the market. Ramadan is definitely a high time for the drink. Surprisingly, Rooh Afza has survived without a huge marketing launch or overt commercial marketing campaigns both in India as well as Pakistan. I’ve personally witnessed the incentives offered to both the shopkeepers and marketing professionals to increase the sales of similar products.
From Mr Kamal Asif
UAE
Building infrastructure
The UAE has been working a lot in Waziristan, Pakistan. After Pakistan’s Operation Zarb-e-Azb against various militant organisations, the UAE built many hospitals, schools, markets and roads (‘UAE-Pakistani Friendship Road in Pakistan’s tribal region opens’, Gulf News, June 26).
From Mr Sayed Adnan Shah
UAE
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Thankful for friendship
I respect the Pakistan-UAE friendship and may God bless both countries. I’m so thankful for the road that has been created, and I love the UAE. Long live the UAE.
From Mr Inayat Khan
UAE
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Making a healthy nation
It is a positive approach by food companies in the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) within GCC countries to phase out industrially produced trans fatty acids from its products by the year 2018 (‘Trans fats in foods to be phased out’, Gulf News, June 24). Trans fats are saturated fats found naturally in meat and dairy products and it’s good for health, but in order to prolong shelf life, the multinational food industries pump hydrogen into liquid vegetable oil to preserve food and it is harmful to our health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has given guidelines to the food and beverage industries to phase out industrially produced trans fats from food products. Trans fats increase our bad cholesterol and lower the good cholesterol. It’s always good that we avoid canned and tinned foods, especially women and children. Food and beverage companies should label foods with zero trans fats in their products, so that we can safely and knowingly consume our food. We should eat a dietary pattern that is full of fruits, nuts, vegetables, whole grains and fish. Health should be the priority for any nation so that we have healthy people for better development.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Everything in moderation
I don’t think there is anything wrong in eating something once in a while, as long as it isn’t part of your daily diet. Many people are able to remain healthy and fit with not too much effort by practising everything in moderation.
From Ms Joyce Lee
Dubai
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Good riddance
Right after his elevation as Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president, E. V. K. S. Elangovan has been facing a lot of criticism. It was more so after the selection of his candidates during the recent state elections. Without a doubt, there were many undeserving candidates. Unfortunately, neither the Congress president nor the vice-president were silent and did not take any corrective steps and, hence, faced the disastrous results in Tamil Nadu. Anyway, it is better late than never to have a new TNCC president.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Is this accurate?
I’m impressed in the manner with Ravi Menon’s report because it exalts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the very suspect Amit Shah to such heights (‘India’s spiritual cradle and its imperial heartland’, Gulf News, June 25)! Menon uses very ethical words like “not corrupt” and “hard working” for Modi and his government. Really?
The kind of wealth that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are rolling in just does not add up. It comes at a very high price, it comes by excessive nurturing of crony capitalism. The kind of figures that emerge in scams, like Coalgate, seem relatively easier to digest than the kind of loans that have been made to certain top industrialists in the past two years. Bad loans at that.
The country is still waiting, breathlessly for Modi’s “hard work” to bring in some dividends!
As for the “perfect strategist” Amit Shah, the less said, the better. His so-called strategies should rightfully keep him behind bars if justice was ever to be served.
However, the people largely deserve the government they get. Ghar Wapsi, Love Jihad and now the latest theatrics of Exodus are examples of this. If all of this overshadow the real issues and mislead people, then we really have a long moral road to manoeuvre.
From Ms Sehba Masood Khan
Dubai
Unacceptable actions
Nurses and doctors are in a profession that is largely blindly trusted (‘Three girls remanded in judicial custody over hazing incident in Kerala’, Gulf News, June 26). In hospitals, nurses give tablets/injections to patients. Patients seldom inquire from nurses if they are given the right medication. In rare cases, mistakes can happen.
Sometimes we read news about nurses protesting for their rights. But, this kind of horrific act with fellow students is not acceptable from future nurses who are getting ready to take a profession of huge responsibility that requires kindness and a sharp mind.
All who are responsible for this horrible crime, must be punished in a way that is an example to others.
From Ms Syeda Ahmad
UAE
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The US misusing power
In the near future, the saga of Afghanistan will be taught in universities and how religion was misused (‘Afghan-Pakistan talks gather steam’, Gulf News, June 25). How three generations were tortured, maimed and killed ruthlessly. How states played their dirty game and how nobody achieved anything at the end, even for a heavy price! America has succeeded to create a reason to prolong its stay in Afghanistan and pressurise Pakistan to stop ever so increasing partnership with China by threatening to stop military aid to Pakistan. America’s main objective is to stop Pakistan on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by sustaining manageable instability in Afghanistan and keep Pakistan involved in its Western borders.
From Mr Mubashir Ali Jebreel
UAE
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Write negatively?
Whatever Donald Trump is presenting is his idea and he has Americans that believe in him (‘Focus: Donald Trump’, Gulf News, June 24). It keeps me wondering why you have to write negatively like this against a presidential candidate?
From Mr Alexander Salt Nkugwa
UAE
Facebook comment
He doesn’t care
Let’s be real here, Trump has enough ego as it is. We don’t need to be worried about hurting his feelings. In fact, a true test of a decent politician is in their ability to accept criticism and show that they respect differing opinions. I have to hand it him, he can take criticism, but he lacks in his ability to see the world from another person’s perspective. He just simply doesn’t care what people think, one way or another. That’s not a good trait in someone wanting to lead a country…
From Bryan Jones
UAE
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God bless them
I salute all the organisers who arranged the iftar party (‘Non-Muslims host iftar in UAE spirit’, Gulf News, June 24). It really looks very nice with all the people from different religions attending the event. May God bless all of them.
From Ms Sadia Shaheen
UAE
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