We should all know better!
I came across an incident that happened recently with me, and it’s something very important and dangerous to the residents. One morning at a petrol station, I was fuelling up when I saw a man smoking at the pump. I went to him and told him that it was wrong to do that. Instead of apologising, he asked me who am I to stop him. Am I a security guard or a police officer? No. Why was I creating a scene there?
There were many people in their cars who actually saw what was happening, but it was sad that no one came out of their cars to support me on this very dangerous act. There were three men, they were dressed well, were driving a nice car and I couldn’t help but think: “Hey, come on, you must be educated or at least sensible enough not to smoke at petrol stations.”
Instead, they were blaming me as if I’d done something wrong by telling them to stop smoking at the petrol pump.
From Mr Ayaz Khan
UAE
Long day for a small child
In the letter by Mr Kazim Kirmani, children as small as three years old, not just seven years old are having to wake up too early for school (‘Letters to the editor: Children waking too early for school’, Gulf News, November 16). My children wake up every morning around 5.50 or 6am and leave home at 6.30am. They finish school at 2.30pm and reach home at 3pm due to the traffic. That’s a lot for a small child.
From Ms Sarah Nitu
Dubai
Facebook comment
The child suffers
My son is nine years old and wakes up at 5.30am, gets on the bus at 6.30am and class starts at 8.30am. Later, school finishes at 3pm, they reach home at 3.45 or 4pm and he is asleep by 9.30pm. Traffic in the morning makes the child suffer.
From Ms N. Al Shamsi
Dubai
Facebook comment
When do they rest?
It’s the same with me and my child who wakes up early and comes home late, but when school wanted to dismiss the children early at least, many parents did not agree because they are working or have other excuses. They did not even think about how important it is to have lunch during proper times. How can they rest for a while before homework and everything? It’s not just about waking too early, but arriving home late as well.
From Ms Zubaidah A. R.
UAE
Facebook comment
Too early!
My child’s school bus arrives at 5.40am, which is too early for a four-year-old!
From Ms Esha Zahid
UAE
Facebook comment
Where’s the childhood?
I feel terribly sorry for these children. My child wakes up at 5am, the bus picks them up at 6.15am and they return home at 3pm. By the time they finish lunch, it’s 4pm, then it’s time for homework and projects. Sometimes they aren’t able to go to bed until 11pm or even later. Where is the time for sports or any kind of socialising? It’s so sad! They suffer in silence.
From Ms Michelle Reni
UAE
Facebook comment
Live near school
I think it’s important to stay close to the school. They can enjoy all the after school activities as well.
From Ms Anu Alapatt
UAE
Facebook comment
A sad truth
I feel sorry for my innocent children. They wake up too early, around 4.30am without having any kind of breakfast and they leave for school at 5.30am. They return at 2.50pm or so. After a bath, they have lunch and finish around 4.30pm.
Later they have to do their school homework, projects, participating and preparation of various extra curricular activities and so on.
There is no time to nap in the evening nor do they get to sleep on time in the evenings. They all try to sleep early, but they are always late due to the workload of homework and they make it to bed around 11pm.
What time are they are getting for themselves? There is no time for proper diets, sleep, walking, socialising or cartoons. It’s sad, but true.
From Ms Sheela Dileep
UAE
Facebook comment
Too much, too young
My child, also four years old, and wakes up at 5am because he is very slow to eat in the morning, then at 6.30am he is on the bus. One hour in the morning and evening travelling on the bus. This is too much for a small boy. They need some help.
From Ms Fatima Parveen
UAE
Facebook comment
Taxing on young minds
Yes, it’s taxing on the young developing minds. My daughter wakes up early every day to take the bus at 5.30am to Dubai from Sharjah.
From Ms Kanchan Dev
UAE
Facebook comment
Affecting health
I know, it’s really sad! It needs to be looked into. Even the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) should be part of this discussion. Children are so innocent and because of this, their health is getting affected.
From Ms Ruchi Bhatia
UAE
Facebook comment
Hope for a bright future
It is bringing prosperity and a bright future for us due to rapid economic activities and mega development projects connecting all cities of Pakistan with the motorways, railway lines, gas pipelines, oil pipelines and 4G transmission lines (‘China’s new Silk Road: Boom or dust for Pakistan?’, Gulf News, November 16). Additionally, joining Afghanistan, India, China and Turkmenistan. Hopefully in the near future it will be a South Asian business hub as well as connectivity to countries investing in various projects.
From Mr Mohammad Zubair Anjum
UAE
Facebook comment
Benefits in trade
It will be good for Pakistan’s economy. Now the world is changing and progressing. This is only one example. The local community will benefit from this trade corridor. News agencies need to be careful and responsible before reporting biased news that is twisted to some critical angle. They are creating a misunderstanding.
From Mr Abid Masood Gillani
UAE
Facebook comment
Sedentary segways
I would like to raise awareness regarding the growing popularity of smart balance wheels.
Recently the world saw the invention of these new products that are convenient and fast. But, it puts the user’s life at risk if he or she is not aware of the basics of how to control the machine. A mishap took place on the roads of Abu Dhabi, which prompted the ban of these boards on roads and in malls. This smart technology also seems to be less beneficial to health. People are on the lookout for gadgets that minimise energy usage even though we all need to exercise more. This is leading to a sedentary lifestyle.
The smart balance wheels are actually snatching away people’s interest or necessity of walking. Youngsters take a ride on the wheels rather than walking, running and playing, which is meant to be the best activities at their age.
I suggest that parents should allot a particular time, keeping in mind that fitness is essential, for riding on these boards. I hope the public and concerned authorities will consider the matter seriously and will take necessary actions.
From Ms Riddhi Goswami
Dubai
Cruel and heartless
Why don’t the Israelis carrying out these actions have any heart (‘Israeli regime razes homes of four Palestinians’, Gulf News, November 15)? Why are they so cruel? May God punish them for what all they did to the two Palestinians.
From Ms Asma Qureshi
Dubai
Facebook comment
We need peace
I don’t know why the conflict has not come to a halt. How much land do people need really need? I have faith that one day Palestine and Israel can live peacefully, but the brainwashing and aggression in Israel needs to end. Even in the Quran it mentions that Islam is the religion of peace.
From Mr Mahesh Bhatia
Dubai
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