Where is the money going?
We read in the news about big celebrities, political leaders and even countries from around the world donating billions of dollars to help educate children who are unable to afford the cost (“58 million children in the world have no access to schools”, Gulf News, August 20). Some private foundations are specifically working for this cause, too. And yet, there is such a lack of educational facilities and millions of children have no access to schools. Where is all the money going?
From Mr Ravi Roheywal
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
We require transparency
Pakistan has the worst energy sector (“$10 billion Pakistan nuclear power plant to be built by China”, Gulf News, August 21). Electricity shuts off for more than eight hours a day across many states. This issue is affecting the entire population as well as the industries. Former Pakistani prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was accused of being involved in billions of dollars worth of fraud and corruption in dealing with foreign power generation companies. He did nothing to generate electricity in the country and now the Chinese companies are dealing with the Pakistani government to generate power through nuclear projects. The Pakistani government must inform its population how much capital has been invested in this project, what its capacity of power generation is and what is the time frame for the project to be completed. This time, we require a transparent process.
From Mr Mohammad Zia Al Deen
UAE
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A brighter future
Finally some steps are being taken towards providing power to many areas in Pakistan. This will definitely reduce or completely omit the power shortage. Let’s see how politics will play its part to stop this from happening.
From Mr Waqas Khawaja
Dubai
Facebook comment
Provide power at all times
Congratulations to both nations for this deal. This is good news. We need to ensure that electricity and water is provided to the people of India and Pakistan at all times. Money should go into development rather than buying weapons to destroy each other. I am very happy for the people of Pakistan.
From Mr Ajay Bhatia
Dubai
Facebook comment
They are victims
In cases such as these, there is no need to mention the religion of the girls (“Muslims girls trafficked from West Bengal being sold as brides in Haryana”, Gulf News, August 20). It doesn’t matter whether they are Hindu or Muslim, they are just victims and it is the responsibility of the government to take steps to stop such incidents.
From Mr Zea Al Deen Khan
Ahmedabad, India
Facebook comment
Difficult circumstances
A bride is someone you look forward to love and be the mother of your children. But, how can these conditions be achieved under such circumstances?
From Mr Qasim Shabar
UAE
Facebook comment
Why can’t we appreciate each other?
Why do Pakistanis and Indians have to start fighting when it comes to Facebook posts and news reports? Why don’t we appreciate each others developments, growth and innovations? Only India and Pakistan jointly has the largest pool of English speaking professionals in all fields, such as medicine, engineering and science. At least the new generation should look for friendship and becoming a super power together. But, I am saddened by people’s comments as we are just spreading hatred.
From Mr Nirmesh Tiwari
Dubai
Facebook comment
Living in the past
I agree, it is very sad to hear what people have to say about the two countries. It is not about being Hindu or Muslim, Indian or Pakistani; it is about humanity, which we seem to be losing. We are living in the year 2015, but it seems like many people are still surviving in the past. We need to grow up and be human first.
From Mr Mrinal Kanti Das
Salalah, Oman
When will we stop electing them?
What the Indian politician Mulayam Singh Yadav said about women in India being raped is the reason such crimes continue to happen (“Indians react to Mulayam’s comments on rape”, Gulf News, August 20). If the politicians think like that, what do we expect the people to think? The worst thing is that such people are still being elected to power. I do not understand when Indian voters will stop opting for such people.
From Mr Aditya Arvind Chaturvedi
Dubai
Facebook comment
Teach them how to behave
We have brilliant as well as unwise politicians in our home country, India. Unfortunately, in our society, some people still don’t teach their boys about how they are supposed to behave, but strict restrictions are implied on girls. This politician is an example of such peculiar people.
From Mr Sudhanshu Shekhar
UAE
Facebook comment
Why is he still in power?
I still can’t believe his comment about how, “boys will be boys”. Why is he still in power? How did he have the audacity to open his mouth and let such thoughts out once again? God save us from people like him.
From Ms Nilofer Taher
UAE
Facebook comment
Controversial statement
The politician’s comments were very shocking and shameful, as it shows that politicians blatantly ignore the code of conduct that they are supposed to follow. Such statements from a senior politician disregard his respect for the people who voted him into power. Being the head of a political party, Mulayam Singh Yadav must have the decency to respect the society he lives in. It shows his ignorance and attitude and youngsters must realise that and reciprocate accordingly when approached for votes again. Illiteracy is one reason for acting in such a manner. Such controversial statements from a politician affect the way a society behaves. The Supreme Court in India must adopt an amended code of conduct and laws to prosecute politicians, as many are conveniently ignoring their pledge and commitments to people and the society.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Implement a check
I think there should a limit set on the amount of food that is wasted (“Focus: Food donation”, Gulf News, August 21). This could be done in some way by the authorities and implemented in restaurants, hotels and even at home.
From Mr Ahmad Ifthikar
UAE
Facebook comment
More supply, less demand
Neither the authorities nor private companies can truly impose restrictions on and monitor the wastage of food. Nevertheless, hunger is related to poverty and so, more money could be invested in agricultural production of items like wheat, rice, corn, sunflower plants and vegetables. In this way, the supply will exceed the demand, and prices will automatically go down, allowing the poor to afford basic food.
From Mr Mohammad Zia Al Deen
UAE
Website comment
Donating the necessities
My preference is to either donate a box of fruit and vegetables or give money to a person to buy food. The reason is, because I follow a vegan diet, I would not know if what I cooked would suit a particular recipient’s dietary plan.
From Ms Em Dodds
Dubai
Facebook comment
Willing to cook extra
I think everyone would want to reduce poverty as much as they can. So, I would cook an extra meal for those in need.
From Ms Vismaya Sanilkumar
UAE
Facebook comment
Continue the spirit of giving
During the month of Ramadan, individual philanthropists, charities and various organisations had been distributing food in labour camps. The workers don’t earn a lot of money, and so I’m sure it must be very difficult for them to manage on their own and look after their families, too. The food they were getting at iftar time may cost only Dh10 per person, but in a month that is a saving of Dh300. Back in their home countries, that is quite a lot of money. Thus the philanthropic assistance is a great relief. But, Ramadan got over and things went back to normal. That is when I had a thought. There are many expatriate communities living in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and each one of them celebrates various social festivals collectively. In all these celebrations, a lavish meal is consumed by the participants. Is it necessary for us to do this? Instead of a lavish celebration, we could tone it down and have a simple meal and the money that is saved could be used to buy food for the workers. If possible, we could take our children to the labour camps to hand out this food and teach them about giving and sharing. There are organisations that can guide us on how to go about the process, too.
From Mr K. V. Shams Al Deen
Dubai
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