From the Editors: Rising heart diseases in UAE demand responsible lifestyle choices

RISING HEART DISEASES IN UAE DEMAND MORE RESPONSIBLE LIFESTYLE CHOICES: The rising incidents of heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the UAE is a matter of grave concern for all. The problem is most acute among South Asians in general and Indians in particular. A recent study has found that six out of every ten deaths of Indian expatriates in Dubai are due to CVD. It has also been noticed that the threshold age group for incidences of heart attacks has fallen below the 30-40 bracket. These are alarming figures. In our everyday rush to meet this deadline or chase that target or just by too much indulgence into unhealthy eating habits – coupled with a sedentary life and our reluctance to get regular health checkups done -- we often invite problems such as CVD that can otherwise be avoided. We ought to remember that unless we take this seriously and help ourselves, no extent of medical care and health infrastructure will be enough to bail us out. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

SAUDI ARABIA WANTS GUNS TO FALL SILENT IN YEMEN: Saudi Arabia, with its latest peace offering, is seeking to establish peace in Yemen. The Kingdom has done it before too, from the Gulf initiative to the many consultation efforts to end the war and reach a settlement. The Yemeni government has welcomed the initiative, as have the UAE and the United States. It is a golden opportunity for the Al Houthi militia, which can end the suffering of the Yemeni people and uphold the interests of Yemen in the face of Iranian expansionist goals. The initiative will take effect as soon as the militia agrees to it. The ball is in Al Houthis’ court. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING IN US SPURS DEBATE ON POSSESSION OF GUNS: The shooting in Colorado that killed 10 people is just the latest in a long list of such incidents. Innocent lives have been lost, police officers have been killed in the line of duty and people have been left terrorised. The attack was the seventh mass killing this year in the US, which includes the one in Atlanta where eight people were killed at massage parlours. Every time there is a mass shooting, a discussion follows on whether rules should be tightened to restrict the possession of guns. This debate must be taken forward to curb the incidence of mass shootings. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

KOHLI CALLS FOR PLAYER POWER: India skipper Virat Kohli said stepped up and is calling for player power when it comes to the cricket calendar as the extended bubble life during the coronavirus pandemic has strengthened fears of burnout. With India headed into three one-day internationals against England starting on Tuesday after winning a gruelling Test series 3-1 and T20 series 3-2, Kohli said more attention must be paid to cricketers’ mental health. “The players need to be spoken to and consulted with all round,” said Kohli. “Otherwise it’s going to be a case of whoever can last through difficult times like this plays. I don’t think that’s healthy for a cricket system and cricket culture moving forward which we definitely want to make stronger and stronger.” [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

SUSHANT SINGH DEATH: IT’S TIME TO STOP SHAMING THE WOMEN: Ankita Lokhande’s most recent interview sees the young actress hint at harboring suicidal thoughts after her break-up with late actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2016. In her own words, she has also admitted that she battled depression following the painful split. Yet, four years later, she still found herself the subject of online abuse after the actor’s alleged suicide in 2020 while being blamed for abandoning him in his hour of need. Lokhande isn’t alone in being victimised by internet trolls, with Kriti Sanon, who reportedly dated Rajput briefly, also being dragged into the blame game. In a recent interview with Times of India, Sanon admitted that she largely chose to stay silent and grieved in private following Rajput’s death because of the hate. “It reached a point where people stopped being sensitive, and there was too much negativity around. I didn’t want to be a part of that negativity.” Rajput’s girlfriend and actress Rhea Chakraborty has faced her own trial by media and fans even before an investigation into the actor’s death and whether she played a role in it is complete. Do we blame the patriarchal mindset or are women just easy targets? If there’s anything that Rajput’s death has taught us, then it’s the worst of human nature that exists around us. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]