January 12, 2008

Severe punishment
With more than 20 years of experience in teaching, I do not believe that there are degrees of cheating ("Cheating in school exams goes hi-tech", Gulf News, January 6). However, there are no justifications either - if you cheat, you cheat. Recently, a class gave me their final research papers and more than half of the students had clearly plagiarised. My colleagues suggested it is best to just give them a low grade and walk away from the issue. Accusing students of wrongdoing is a waste of time and paperwork. It is not so surprising then that the issue of cheating in the region is epidemic. Students are not the customers of any school, college or university. They are students and we are the teachers and administrators. However, institutions fear the students and their families because they have external business connections, wealth and power, which they threaten institutions with. In the end, it depends on who is cheating and to what extent. Any form of cheating is punishable! Students should be aware of the definition of cheating. Give them a written guide and quiz them on it each year. If the punishment is not severe, students will continue to cheat. Dealing with cheating is a simple matter of addressing human behaviour.
From Mr Stephen Wright
UAE

Silent communities
Looking at the pictures and going through reports on the number of lives lost and the suffering endured by people in Gaza is really gut wrenching ("Israel given offensive extension", Gulf News, January 8). This is inhuman! How can Israel justify their action? They are not even sparing schools and hospitals. Silence on the part of the international community is even more disturbing. The world has always intervened or chosen to keep silent as and when it suits them. The sad part is that we as ordinary citizens feel so deeply for the people in Gaza, but at the same time are helpless.
From Ms Pooja Mahesh
Dubai

Not a mistake
This is in reference to the letter sent by Ms Rania, wherein she mentions that Gulf News published several letters from readers who were hurt when someone was killed in the Mumbai attacks ("No tears", Gulf News, January 7). I would like to ask her, is it wrong to write to a newspaper expressing concern over the killing of innocent people? These were letters from people expressing anguish for the loss of human life. Gulf News responded immediately and published several letters on the issue in Gaza, too. It is based on the letters received and not the mistake of the newspaper. The attack on India was very serious. However, the attacks on Gaza are not justified, either.
From Mr V. Mukundan
Dubai

Glorious tributes
I congratulate Gulf News for achieving the Outstanding Environmental Publication award for its Go Green campaign ("Gulf News bags environment award", Gulf News, January 7). I appreciate the noble task of covering reports on pollution, events and other environmental initiatives in the newspaper. Gulf News's campaign of distributing free jute bags and creating awareness against the dangers of environmental hazards among people through thought provoking reports made the newspaper deserve the award. I request Gulf News to continue its triumphant march to mark glorious tributes to the people of UAE and humanity at large.
From Mr K. N. Vasudevan
Dubai

Seething with anger
I would like to applaud Gulf News's comment on Gaza ("Shame on you", Gulf News, January 7). All of us should be ashamed of being silent spectators of the carnage in Gaza. Despite seething with anger, we have become mute followers. We as citizens of the civilised world should rise against the self-serving policies of the politicians. Terrorists are those who kill innocent civilians. Who is the terrorist in this case? I would like to question the leaders of the world if they were made to face just a few hours of the horror in Gaza, would they be singing the same tune? Let us join our hands together and think of ways to put an end to the actions against the Palestinians.
From Ms Suha Shaikh
Dubai

Wrong impression
This is regarding the report on the Sri Lankan army vowing to capture rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran ("Sri Lanka in hunt for LTTE chief", Gulf News, January 5). I would like to thank Gulf News for publishing a report on the same. However, I was very disappointed that the newspaper found a picture of a beggar and referred to him as a 'Sri Lankan man' sitting under the posters of President Mahinda Rajapakse. Every country has beggars, but such images are not used along with a report informing readers about a country's victory in a certain field. What will other nations think about Sri Lanka on seeing this picture? The nation's reputation will reduce and the outcome will be lesser pay and low-level jobs for educated Sri Lankans. Everyone would think of Sri Lanka as a poor country. I strongly suggest that Gulf News should treat reports about Sri Lanka in the same manner as it treats other countries.
From Mr Suraj De Silva
UAE

Editor's note: The focus of the picture was the poster of President Mahinda Rajapakse plastered on a wall in Colombo. It went well with the articles published on the page detailing the Sri Lankan army's forays into the north of the country. Nowhere in the caption have we identified the man as a beggar. There was no intent of malice.

Satisfied customer
I applied for an Al Shamil connection with etisalat on January 5 and the etisalat technician made all the arrangements on January 6. The service was excellent as I could browse the internet with immediate effect. It was a splendid job by etisalat, since they gave a customer remarkable service within 24 hours.
From Mr G. S. Anwar Basha
Dubai

Biased statement
This is in reference to the report in Gulf News regarding author Salman Rushdie's comment on Pakistan ("Rushdie calls for scrapping aid to Pakistan", Gulf News, January 4). After reading the report, it is understood that he is hostile towards Muslims. Gulf News should apologise as a newspaper for publishing Rushdie's biased statement. From Mr Khalifa J. Al Rasheed
UAE