Retaining minority identities
The news item briefly highlighted how minority communities struggle to maintain their identity in Pakistan. In fact, it is not a problem associated with just one location (‘Pakistan’s Kalash fight for their identity with Unesco bid’, Gulf News, April 13). The world over, including the US, Canada and Australia, have several minority cultures facing the threat of losing their identity with the modernisation and urbanisation of what once were their indigenous land. The preconceived notions and judgmental attitudes of those who first colonised lands that were situated far away from their own were not just occupying the geographical areas of certain continents, they were also invading many different cultural landscapes so deeply ingrained with the life of people who had been living there since time immemorial.
However, the Kalash community living in the Pakistan and the Kurdish community spread over many parts of the Middle East have a different existential crisis. It is a far cry from the narratives of marginalisation of the indigenous populations following colonial expansion. It is rather a divide that is rooted in racial, cultural and religious lines that emerged from the dynamics of internal factors such as the majority population embracing a new set of ideals and shedding old cultural practices over a period of time.
In Myanmar, the Rohingya Muslims are yet another example how a minority community struggles to retain their identity under the threat of being marginalised and even persecuted at the hands of the majority. The recent efforts made by Pakistan to work towards protecting the rights of Hindu and Christian minorities is most commendable. I hope other minority communities like Kalash will soon be recognised as an indispensable fabric of diversity in Pakistan.
From Mr V. I. Mohammad Sageer
Dubai
Bringing down expenses
I agree with this article, this is exactly what’s happening (‘New report reveals how UAE residents spend their income’, Gulf News, April 15). I think the better topic for this is how the cost of living in this lovely city can be brought down.
From Ms Jocel Fernandez
Dubai
Facebook comment
Can’t compare
I think the person who is asking this question isn’t living in the UAE. How can you compare rent with food expenses? Who said that food prices are more in the UAE than in other parts of the world? You can’t compare a car with an aeroplane.
From Mr Mohammad Asif Malik
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
These are facts
I don’t believe the article is literally comparing, but rather stating the fact as these are the major necessities in life. They are simply concluding that rent and food are the most expensive.
From Ms Rossana Angelica Jordan Bonito
UAE
Facebook comment
Rents have always been high
Rents in this part of the world is far too high. When I first came here in 1979, it was considered high then. Until now, it has just become more – and that’s over 36 years ago. The salary increases and where you can afford to rent has changed. Unless you get accommodations with your job or you are sharing some sort of affordable housing, it can be difficult.
From Ms Linda Bailouni
UAE
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Let’s make it work
This news is not new. Don’t tell us something we already know, we need tips on how to reduce expenses. That would be infinitely more valuable. Moreover, I find a lot of people on this subject don’t offer any useful feedback. Some people just want to comment even if it does not add value to the topic.
From Mr Jose Francisco Penaflor Vizcarra
UAE
Facebook comment
Health and safety in offices
I think companies in the UAE need to put more emphasis on workplace health and safety, which would also play a role in decreasing spinal problems (‘Spinal problems on the increase in UAE’, Gulf News, April 15). We are taught these things in school in order to prepare us for the workplace, but at home it is also taken very seriously. It means that there needs to be proper lightbulbs in office to reduce strain on our eyes, it means proper office chairs that offer the necessary back support for long days. We are even taught about the height at which your chair should be and the height of your computer monitor. The position of your keyboard is also a factor. If you aren’t sitting properly and your workspace is hard on your body, you will suffer. Many companies make this a mandatory course in your introduction to the company.
From Ms Lili Maria
Dubai
Facebook comment
Preventative measures
I’ve been going for therapy for my neck and lower back pains. With deep tissue massages and acupuncture therapy I’ve had good results, but prevention is better than the cure. Stay off devices during weekends and take periodic breaks at the office and do basic neck and lower back stretching exercises.
From Mr Randall Mohammad
Dubai
Facebook comment
Prayers for the victims
My father was performing Haj when the tragedy struck in Mina, Saudi Arabia (‘Today in history: A blaze guts 70,000 tents in Mina, Saudi Arabia, killing 343 pilgrims’, Gulf News, April 15). He was fortunate to have survived the blaze and the stampede. My sincere prayers for the pilgrims who lost their lives in the incident.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Many contributing factors
Getting pregnant too early or delaying a pregnancy too late is always a threat to both the mother and the baby (‘Moms who delay pregnancy get smarter, healthier kids: Study’, Gulf News, April 14). Our lifestyle today complicates the delayed pregnancy and affects the health of the mother even after the baby is born. Physical, physiological, social, intellectual and financial factors determine the nature of babies. Still, if a mother is going to be old and unhealthy, a baby can never be smart and healthy.
From Ms Krishna Kumari
UAE
Facebook comment
Pregnancy is a blessing
I disagree with this article. This line can be used to convince those couples who deliberately delay pregnancy when it is supposed to happen naturally. Children are a gift of God and are always a blessing. It’s for parents to accept them with open arms.
From Mr Jikky Renji Mathews
Dubai
Facebook comment
Age doesn’t matter
I completely disagree. I have witnessed many mothers who didn’t delay pregnancy yet their children are smart and healthy.
From Mr Abdul Rahman
UAE
Facebook comment
What happened to respect?
What about those students who disrespect teachers (‘Kuwait has deported abusive teachers: Minister’, Gulf News, April 15)? Discipline is a must and, from both sides, mutual respect and indeed a little bit more respect to teachers should be propagated. Many teachers could appear ruthless sometimes, but that doesn’t mean that a student who takes a video, posts it on social media and it being taken out of context is appropriate. Without even a proper investigation, teachers are terminated.
From Mr Mohammad Irfan
UAE
Facebook comment
Coping mechanisms
I think teachers need to be trained on how to deal with difficult and stressful situations with students without the use of force. I’ll be the first to admit that children, especially in a group, can be merciless. They are like little animals in their execution of abuse both physical and verbal. Many teachers end up being bullied by students because they don’t know how to handle the situation. There are tools out there though and it’s best that this becomes part of a teacher’s training before they snap and do something they regret.
From Ms Jessica Woods
Toronto, Canada
Facebook comment
Ending India’s water crisis
No doubt it is the duty of state and central government in India to take care of the needs of the common man, especially the farmers (‘More legal action expected against IPL’, Gulf News, April 15). Accordingly, state governments should have taken suitable actions to save water. In fact, apart from the Maharashtra state of India, there are states like Karnataka and Kerala where there is a water crisis.
Hence, it was apt on the part of the non-governmental organization (NGO) to file the Public-Interest Litigation (PIL) and the Mumbai High Court has taken the right decision to shift the matches from May 2016. To be frank, it would have been better if the entire International Cricket Council (ICC) Indian Premiere League (IPL) matches were shifted to some other country. Though we are great fans of cricket, we feel the IPL and other big leagues are nothing but entertainment with no benefit for the cricketers. However, players from Australia, South Africa, West Indies cricketers had the opportunity to master our spinners, especially playing on our own pitches. We, too, feel that the state and central governments, apart from taking steps to save precious water in their states, should agree to interlink the rivers in our country to put an end to the water crisis in our country.
From Mr N. Viswanathan
Virugambakkam, India
Aggressive policies don’t work
If you ask me, Russian President Vladimir Putin should work on saving himself first (‘Putin ‘shares pain’ of rough economy’, Gulf News, April 15). He very graciously answered the 12-year-old boy who asked him who he would save if the Turkish or Ukrainian leader were drowning. Russia is drowning as a state because of Putin’s ambitious and aggressive policies.
From Mr Rufat Hammerstein
Baku, Azerbaijan
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