Rohingyas need help urgently
It is heart-wrenching and disturbing to read of the misery of Rohingya Muslims, who have faced great violence in Myanmar and have been forced to flee their homes (“Rohingya: The pariah people of Asia”, Gulf News, May 17). They are now stranded at sea without food, water or support from the developed nations. It is sad that the country’s authorities are delaying acting upon this issue, despite being aware that there are tens of thousands of innocent lives involved. It is an absolute shame that these people are denied refugee status and entry into any country, even when there are reports of scores of people already dead due to starvation and poor conditions on these boats. The Rohingyas are in an urgent need of help and shelter.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Be responsible for all citizens
The United Nations (UN) and the global community should put pressure on the Myanmar government regarding the case of the Rohingyas. Why are they not protecting their own people? A country should keep its people safe, no matter what their religion may be.
From Mr Jahir Al Deen
Dubai
Facebook comment
Responsibilities ignored
People forget their responsibilities easily and become ruthless against fellow human beings. It’s very sad.
From Ms Sadiqa Alam
UAE
Facebook comment
Politicians take us for a ride
Patriotism is a good thing, but in India or Pakistan, does it make any difference to the life of a common person (“India’s Modi tells China to ‘reconsider’ approach”, Gulf News, May 16)? Ruling governments and oppositions in these countries are using our patriotism, religion, language and everything else possible for their own existence and advantage. In the meantime, we are still blaming each other for everything that has happened between our countries.
From Mr Shinoj Balakrishnan
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Why differentiate?
The situation in my city of Karachi, in Pakistan, is tragic (“Gunman on motorcycle kills senior police officer”, Gulf News, May 16). Every morning, we wake up and are terrified about what we will read in the daily newspaper. Our fears come true when we read of another attack. There have been so many attacks directed against religious minorities over the past few years and I always wonder why people have to differentiate to this extent in their communities? When will the violence end? When will we wake up to positive news instead of another tragedy? These questions haunt me on a daily basis and I pray for my city.
From Ms Zainab Hussain
Karachi, Pakistan
Website comment
Can’t protect their own
It’s really heartbreaking news. We keep seeing the same gruesome pattern. The same government will make a committee to investigate the brutality and in all likelihood, a terrorist group will take responsibility and the masses of Pakistan will accept all the procedures. Shame on Pakistan’s security agencies, which can’t seem to protect their own people.
From Mr Karim Baig
Qatar
Facebook comment
Rubberneckers are causing delays
I would like to request the authorities to work on a campaign to raise awareness about rubbernecking by drivers in the UAE (“Rubberneckers: A real pain!”, Gulf News, May 19). A few days ago, I was on Al Khail Road, heading towards Dubai, when an accident took place on the opposite side of the road. The traffic was stuck in a gridlock just because of the rubberneckers. I believe that a digital screen or a signboard that is big enough to obstruct drivers’ view of the other side of the road, or the accident site, must be placed, in order to prevent them from looking. It’s unfortunate that some drivers have to be moved around like cattle in order to understand the very basic concept of how barbaric it is to stop in the middle of the road, cause unneeded inconvenience to others and create unwanted congestion.
From Mr Mousa Nimer
Dubai
Website comment
Stop craning your neck
I have had terrible experiences with rubberneckers in the past. People driving on Shaikh Zayed Road at 120km/h suddenly decrease their speed by more than 100km/h, just to watch an accident scene with voyeuristic curiosity. Often, the accident is not serious — it might not even be a collision and might just be someone who has stopped to change a tyre on the hard shoulder. Why should this create such intense interest? However, rubbernecking gets extremely dangerous when the accident that has occurred is actually a terrible one. Then, such actions do not just create unnecessary traffic congestion and delay everyone; they may also block the path of emergency vehicles trying to reach the scene of the accident. Let’s be more responsible drivers and stop causing unnecessary trouble for our fellow residents.
From Ms Sophie Vita
Sharjah
Bullies need to be stopped
Parents, school teachers and other caring adults always have a role to play in preventing bullying (“Child bullying can torment years later”, Gulf News, May 16). They can help children understand bullying, keep communication open, encourage them to do what they love most and treat others with kindness and respect. Bullying threatens a student’s physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact his or her ability to learn. The best way is stop it is to address it before it starts. The school managements do their best to make schools safer and prevent bullying. Avoid this act by redirecting the behaviour of children who bully and change their attitudes. This has to be tackled at an early stage. No youth or adult tolerates bullying behaviour in schools or any other place. Initiate periodical assessments in schools to determine how students and adults can intervene in such situations. As they attain knowledge and proper education, the amount of happiness they receive over the years will be enormous and they will thus avoiding bullying. Any changes happening in the students’ lives have to be positive.
From Mr M. K. Gunaseelan
Abu Dhabi
Test our teachers, please
This is in reference to a news report in the Indian media about a teacher who was made to write an essay on the cow and also solve a math problem meant for fourth graders, by the high court in Jammu and Kashmir. He failed on both accounts. If this is the standard of teachers in schools, we can imagine the plight of students. The incident is proof that a lot of malpractices do take place at the time of recruitment, whether it is related to teachers or any other profession. I feel, as in the case of students, an annual exam should be conducted for teachers to test their knowledge and competency.
From Ms Janaki Mahadevan
Chennai, India
A legend moves on
The third greatest guitar legend, B.B. King is no more (“‘King of the Blues’ B.B. King dead at age 89”, Gulf News, May 16). He was known for his soaring guitar licks and was an inspiration for a generation of musicians over a decade-long career. The guitar legend, who had kept a rigorous touring schedule until last year, then went behind the curtains, saying that he was entering hospice care at his home in Las Vegas, US. Born with great talent, he mastered playing the guitar during his childhood years. He was lucky to have an old guitar from a plantation owner. ‘The thrill is gone’ was his signature song, which he would have played on more than a thousand stages. He developed his distinct style in the 1950s as he toured with his band all over the world. He was a natural entertainer who had the ability to keep the audience on its toes until the show ended. I just want to express my sadness and say thank you to this genius for entertaining us for a long time.
From Mr Sunny Joseph Mala
Kerala, India
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