The secret to success is hard work
The marks obtained in the grade 12 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) exams are likely directly related to the time spent on studying (‘Poll analysis: The secret to success?’, Gulf News, May 24). Studying is a passion for many students. It’s a passion to establish a closer relationship with textbooks and other study materials for a year or more. Students often will not take rest or sleep, before completing a particular task. Victory or defeat over fellow students is measured on the basis of marks earned in the examinations. Most of the students and parents consider top marks as a prestige issue. No short cuts, but perseverance and hard work are the hallmark of success.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
Not quantity, but quality of studying
The poll on gulfnews.com, on how many hours a child spends studying isn’t comprehensive enough. Poll respondents may be talking about their children, ranging from those in kindergarten to high school. As for the top grades in the UAE during recent board examinations, putting in 12 to 13 hours of work every day is simply too much. No one needs to, and no one should be forced to study this much for any examinations. By working so much, one would never be able to fulfil his/her duties towards one’s family and would not be able to allot appropriate time for sleep, relaxation, exercise and so on.
Apart from this, most parents pressurise children to participate in extra coaching classes or many times, children themselves want to go, due to peer pressure. Creating a balanced atmosphere at home, giving equal importance to every aspect of life is crucial for overall success in a child’s life — not just for exams. As someone correctly said on Gulf News’ Facebook page, it is not the hours that you put in that matters, but what you put into those hours is what actually matters.
To quote my friend’s daughter, who landed as fourth rank in worldwide CBSE grade 12 exams, with a score of 98.8 per cent: “It is not the number of hours that you devote to studies that fetch you good ranks, it is the level of understanding of the concept that counts.” She used to study for five to six hours daily during exams.
From Ms Sajida Kamal
Abu Dhabi
An image to uphold
Coach Louis Van Gaal was fired because he made Manchester United play really boring games (‘Louis van Gone: Troubled Manchester United manager’s sacking confirmed’, Gulf News, May 25). It wasn’t because the team hadn’t gone back to achieving, as it did under Alex Ferguson. That isn’t the Manchester United way. He lost the support of the players and the fans, so it was time to go. It will take Jose Mourinho a couple of years and about 400 million pounds (Dh2.1 billion) to rebuild the team, in order to become a major force again.
From Mr Michael Abbott
Dubai
Facebook comment
Opening up closed conversations
I am deeply perturbed by the sad demise of young Obaida Ebrahim (‘Poll analysis: Educating your child on the dangers of abuse?’, Gulf News, May 25). Innocent lives are lost at the hands of unscrupulous people. Such incidents are an eye-opener for other parents. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for parents to keep children safe from such people. This incident paves the way for openly discussing child abuse, rather than talking about sexual abuse behind closed doors and in hushed tones. It’s high time that parents openly discuss and educate their children about abuse and the dire consequences of talking to strangers.
Not talking to children about sexual abuse would ironically fan the flames of this demeaning practice, where it becomes a hidden part of culture. These children may grow up to keep quiet about such incidents that have occurred in their childhood. It must be kept in mind that parents should approach them as someone in whom they can confide, and not prop themselves up to be authoritarian figures, as this may do more harm than good.
Someone really needs to talk sense into these perpetrators. Little do they realise the trauma they inflict upon victims and the agony that pursues. My prayers are with the family of the young boy. May God give them the strength to overcome this irreparable loss.
From Ms Syeda Amena
Dubai
Rest in peace, Obaida
My heartfelt condolences for Obaida’s family. It was indeed shocking news. How can a 48-year-old man do this to a child? He should be punished immediately. I do agree that parents should be more careful with children, but with our friends, we have a certain amount of trust, and our relations are based on this trust. Because of such people in society, people would stop trusting each other and become sceptical regarding their friendships.
My heart goes to this innocent child. Safety of children is the primary duty of any parent. We must talk to children about dangers, and be vigilant all the time.
From Ms Shikha Dixit
Sharjah
Prayers with struggling family
It was so painful and heart-breaking to read about a large family depending on the support of one man, who is now out of a job (‘Sharjah family on the verge of ending up on the street’, Gulf News, May 25). It is unfortunate that the family of eight is being forced to live on the mercy of charity organisations and kind-hearted individuals. I sincerely hope that the father is able to start afresh and provide for his family instead of begging for help and basic necessities. I also pray that no father has to go through the pain of seeing his children quit school or go on an empty stomach due to financial issues.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Don’t lose hope
This family is struggling and fighting for a simple meal and basic education. This could happen to anybody. They shouldn’t lose hope even as they keep on asking people for help, and they should try to save money. May the grace and mercy of God help all families that are struggling just to survive on their living.
From Mr Ronilo Ceniza
UAE
Facebook comment
Unfair situation
This poor family... it’s not the father’s fault at all. He was made redundant and is unable to find a job, and this led him to a miserable situation. Employers need to think twice before ruining someone’s life. This is unfair.
From Ms May Srour Al Dahmani
UAE
Facebook comment
Helping residents pay dues
I’m feeling very sad for this person, who has such a large number of dependents to take care of. There are many such families who may be suffering in silence. If a person loses his job, what should he do? How would he pay back his dues? There should be a solution that helps see him through paying back his dues, with a job being allocated. If one abruptly loses his job, with payments due to the bank, it is impossible to pay it back.
From Ms Shanti Subramanian
UAE
Website comment
Renewing on time
Although I feel sorry for him, I fail to understand why people have to stay illegally in a country and end up in a situation like this? He is not only putting his life in the balance, but is also making his wife and innocent children suffer.
From Mr Baiju Nair
UAE
Website comment
Help India first
I think India should first build houses in Mumbai for those who are living in slums, before putting so much money into foreign affairs (‘India to invest $500m in Iranian port’, Gulf News, May 25). Spend some money on roads and help those who have nothing!
From Ms Arsha-Li Fieldman
UAE
Facebook comment
Misplaced legacy
From the time Indian actor Rishi Kapoor debuted as a teenager, he truly embodied romance with a passion and integrity rarely seen today (‘Congress workers name toilet after Rishi Kapoor’, Gulf News, May 25). As a mature actor, he is seen portraying diverse and intriguing characters with aplomb.
It is good to see that he takes up social causes, too, with the same degree of integrity and depth that he lent to the characters he has portrayed.
His last comment on Twitter against the propagation of the Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi legacy sent a message worth thinking about, but the execution of it was flawed. His choice of words were unbecoming and there was no need for this kind of aggression.
Kapoor and others from his fraternity ought to give a thought to actor Anupam Kher and his uncouth rhetoric in recent months. Going down this path has reduced Kher from a fine actor to one who provides only comic relief. No true artist wants to leave behind a legacy that no one would want to appreciate.
From Ms Sehba Masood Khan
Dubai
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