Actions boost student morale
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, deserves a loud round of applause for announcing the top scorers for the 2014 — 2015 academic year, before the official list comes out (‘Girls shine in Grade 12 UAE exams’, Gulf News, July 10). When a high dignitary like him comes forward to congratulate achievers of excellence, it helps boost the morale of the entire student body. Emirati pupils have topped in both scientific and literary streams. My hearty felicitations to Sara Abdul Rahman Ahmad who topped the scientific stream with 99.9 per cent and to Hind Ali Salim Mohammad Al Kaabi, for topping with 99.88 per cent in the literary section.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
Girls scoring high
I am going to use this report, at the school where I work. We also found evidence there, of girls applying themselves and scoring very high. Sadly, some parents seem to not approve of this. For example, two brothers at our school scored poorly in another grade, whilst their younger sister topped her classes. The parents didn’t even want to know about the girl’s achievement!
From Ms Em Dodds
UAE
Facebook comment
Women are behind her
In response to Ms Em Dodds, the girl should know that the majority of women in the world would be proud of her. They would be waiting to see her succeed in anything she may choose.
From Ms Edina Hartnell
UAE
Facebook comment
Much success in counter-terrorism
I hasten to congratulate the UAE and the US for establishing the Sawab Centre to counter the dangerous and malicious anti-Islamic terrorist propaganda of Daesh (‘Counter-terrorism centre launched’, Gulf News, July 9). I wish them every success, by the infinite grace of God, in their efforts.
From Mr S. M. Pasha
Abu Dhabi
Sleeping too much is bad, too
I believe sleeping fewer hours, compared to the regular hours a person sleeps in a day, will never affect one’s performance (Poll analysis: Are you napping for your health?’, Gulf News, July 9). This is only a notion for some people, who think that without adequate sleep, they would become lazy or lethargic at their workplace. There are many people who occupy high positions and are always busy, yet they only get three to four hours sleep daily. They never get tired. I sleep only five hours every day. This has been a routine in my life, since childhood. I have never felt sleepy following that. If you sit idle, you might feel sleepy, even if you have slept for 10 hours the night before. Once you get up from slumber, open your eyes and think of your time table for the day. Just concentrate on it and you will never have such drowsiness. I think there is no need for power naps, in order to recuperate. If you have the will power, you can go on with your day with less sleep, and it will not affect the body and mind. Sleeping for long hours is also not good for one’s health. Some people sleep as if it is a hobby. During holidays, many people sleep for more than 12 hours. After this, they end up feeling tired and have headaches.
From Mr Thottikamath Balaraman
Dubai
Security to deter culprits
This is my suggestion for security purposes — wherever the public places are often crowded, like mosques or other shopping complexes, the authorities could provide cameras and have entry ways with metal detectors (‘Expat dresses as woman ‘to meet girlfriend’’, Gulf News July 9). Surely, the culprit would fear to commit any immoral deeds under these risks.
From Mr Varusaijamal Syed Backer
UAE
Website comment
Party integrity is damaged
I read Gulf News’ story about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) planning 100,000 meetings in the next 100 days to counter the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (‘BJP targets 100,000 meetings in 100 days’, Gulf News, July 10). On the one hand, I applaud the BJP’s strategy to hold 100,000 meetings, but on the other hand, they should realise that getting a majority is not going to secure a permanent position — neither in the centre, nor in the state. Only delivering with a non-corrupt government can remain forever. The recent scams have damaged the party’s integrity and reputation. Will they overcome this and enter into the much-talked about state of Bihar? We have to wait and see.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
No one is permanent
More than 40 people associated with the admission and recruitment racket in the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (Vyapam) have died so far, since 2012 (‘Apex court orders CBI probe into admission scam’, Gulf News, July 10). Vyapam must be the bloodiest scam in the history of modern India. It seems to be a series of state-sponsored murders. Journalists, medical students, police personnel and lots of other people have been murdered or are dead in suspicious circumstances.
There is complete silence from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government. Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav and his son were also accused in this scam and, by power and government, seem to be protected from the investigation process.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) needs to investigate the scam under the supervision of the Supreme Court judge, so that the truth will be revealed. None of the politicians or political parties can cover up the issue for much longer.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Incident was an exception
A robbery like this is the first time I’ve heard of this kind of incident in the UAE (‘Woman’s bag snatched outside Abu Dhabi bank’, Gulf News, July 10). Abu Dhabi is a very safe place and in nine years, we have never felt any danger or need to protect ourselves against snatchers or thieves. In the UAE, we always have this feeling of safety for our person and our possessions. There is a general feeling of trust, like being able to keep your bag open or leave your things on a table in an open area.
From Ms Mj Uy
UAE
Facebook comment
These things happen
I caught somebody with her hand about to surreptitiously go in my bag a week or two ago, as I was trying on my shoes! She thought I wasn’t watching, but I was, because something didn’t feel right. Be vigilant, please!
From Ms Emily Kelly
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
A time to be careful
I believe these incidents become common in the month of Ramadan, because a lot of people come to the UAE to beg and get rich quickly. These beggars are just looking to make quick money. They don’t know or respect the law of the land! So watch yourself and your valuables, especially during this month.
From Mr Nasser Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
Parents should know whereabouts
I think that in such incidents, the parents are responsible (‘3 killed as 14-year-old crashes car at 180km/h’, Gulf News, July 10). The accident could have happened without the father’s knowledge, but this excuse is not acceptable, as parents are supposed to know what their teenage children are up to. If a parent says, ‘I didn’t know’, then he/she is skipping responsibilities. Anyhow, I feel sorry for the young ones who died and extend my condolences to the parents.
From Mr Riyaz
UAE
Website comment
Parents must be alert
I think that the driver’s father needs to be held accountable. This tragedy happened all due to the lack of parenting.
From Mr Joey
UAE
Website comment
Need to be careful
The person that allowed a 14 year old to drive the car, should be held accountable. Even if the boy took the keys from the father without his knowledge, how did he learn to drive in the first place? Car keys should be treated as loaded guns, when there are children in the house, and kept well out of reach. This is especially true if the parents are suspicious that their children might try to drive.
From Mr Zeeshan Ahmad
UAE
Website comment
A dangerous speed
Driving at 180km/h is quite a speed! In Khor Fakkan, which area would that be in? There are hardly any roads available to be driven at that speed. How was this youngster — who is clearly underage — allowed to drive?
From Mr Fawad Paracha
UAE
Facebook comment
Technology could help!
It’s an absolute tragedy for their families. When will we manufacture cars that can be limited to 120km/h and can only be driven with biometrics, like fingerprints? We have the technology! Rest in peace, to those who lost their lives.
From Mr Giles Heaton
Dubai
Facebook comment
Don’t think it’s possible
It would be useless, Mr Giles Heaton. It’s not realistic, because then, what would they do with the current automobiles? But, I totally agree with the point that technology could help avoid such incidents.
Ammar Khan
Dubai
Facebook comment
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