Leading in many facets of modern life!
I am delighted by the Gulf News report that His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is the most popular leader on Facebook in the GCC with more than 3.1 million “likes” (‘Shaikh Mohammad is GCC’s most popular leader’, Gulf News, January 25). Being a man of integrity and being the charismatic leader that he is, Shaikh Mohammad has conquered social media users all over the world. His leadership qualities are exemplary. Long live Shaikh Mohammad!
From Mr Sunny Joseph Mala
Kerala, India
Why is caste not abolished?
It was a sad incident that PhD student Rohith Vemula has committed suicide (‘Ministry orders judicial probe into suicide at Hyderabad university’, Gulf News, January 23). Even after 68 years of Independence, India hasn’t been able to eradicate the caste system from the grassroots level. Vemula felt forced to end his life primarily because of the deep rooted hatred towards the Dalits. Knowledge comes from being receptive and wisdom comes from introspection. Suicide is not a solution for anything and it is a loss for parents and dear ones.
It is a painful incident to happen in these modern times and all governments promise a caste-free society since independence.
Any type of discrimination cannot be tolerated and there are still many villages where Dalits are forced to live in isolation. These practices are inhuman and represent moral degradation of the society. Vemula left a note saying: “My birth is my fatal accident”.
This should be an eye opener to all of us. A judicial probe will shed light into the causes of the death. The mindset of the people needs to change because we all need to be treating each other in a respectful manner irrespective of religion or caste.
Lack of strict regulation and implementation of the law causes these types of incidents. Let us hope to have a society in which the caste system is abolished and all are treated equally under the law.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Tough act to follow
The death of Kalpana will be definitely leaving a gap in the Malayalam film industry, which cannot be filled by others (‘South Indian actress Kalpana dies’, Gulf News, January 25).
From Mr Girish Ramachandran
UAE
Website comment
One of the best
Rest in peace, Kalpana. She was one of the best comedy actresses in our generation.
From Mr Baiju Nair
UAE
Website comment
Condolences to family
She was a very good actress. Once she was acting in a Tamil film with Chinna Veedu. She was a very good character by herself. Our sorrow and condolences are with her family.
From Mr Varusaijamali Syed Backer
UAE
Website comment
Work to be healthy
The UAE residents are in an illusion that they are eating healthy (‘One in three UAE expats follow ‘healthy’ diet’, Gulf News, January 25). We tend to do minimal cooking and want to think that we will be healthy by just eating fruits once in a while when available with food.
We do not exercise, do not cycle, we sit most of the time in the office or in the car. We use cars even for the grocery store nearby. We sleep late, wake up late if we are allowed to, we stay agitated most of the day due to traffic, office load and poorly managed lifestyles. We should travel and see what the real healthy people do. They exercise, they use less oil and more grilled, they eat fresh, they avoid sugary drinks, they show courtesy to others so they get courtesy in return. Most importantly, they stay positive!
From Mr Adnan Shabbir
UAE
Website comment
Can’t make it work
This doesn’t surprise me at all. I try so hard to be healthy, but I don’t succeed because of my busy life and small kitchen. Maybe these are just excuses, since others seem to be able to be healthy, but I struggle to make it work.
From Mr John Arthur
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Bring peace to Syria!
Whatever has to be done to bring peace back to Syria must be done (‘Geneva talks will be ‘catastrophe’ for Syrian opposition’, Gulf News, January 26). It is enough for Syrians who have suffered a lot over the past years of conflict.
From Mr Mansour Ahmad Malik
UAE
Facebook comment
We need solutions
Pakistan has done a good job and we appreciate their efforts in finding peace in the region (‘Saudi Arabia rules out mediation with Iran’, Gulf News, January 25). We don’t want more innocent blood to be spilt, so we need to stop the political wars. We need appropriate diplomatic solutions because war does not establish peace.
From Mr G. E.
Dubai
Facebook comment
Irresponsible parenting
The boy’s parents should be thankful that the police are so efficient and kind to their missing child (‘Sharjah Police track down parents of boy lost second time in a month’, Gulf News, January 23). They don’t respect the gift of God. I’m not being judgemental, but these are irresponsible parents. I don’t get people these days. They protect their wallets more than their children. These people should be penalised. Once done is a mistake, but a mistake repeated is a habit.
From Mr Mahnaaz Shaikh
UAE
Facebook comment
We want to adopt, too
The adoption rules should be amended in the UAE (‘Abandoned children: What happens next?’, Gulf News, January 25). People from any nationality should be allowed to adopt a child.
From Ms Harsha Rathore
UAE
Facebook comment
Breaks my heart
Unwanted babies. That term alone breaks my heart already.
From Ms Isabella Sophia
UAE
Facebook comment
Unacceptable actions!
I can’t believe the sick people who issue bomb threats on planes (‘Turkish Airlines flight from Houston diverted to Ireland, no bomb found’, Gulf News, January 25)! I hope they find this criminal and punish him/her severely!
From Ms Manon Broekhoff
UAE
Facebook comment
Defaming Islam, too
These monasteries proudly framed the letters from the Holy Prophet [PBUH], giving them protection under ancient Islamic rule (‘Daesh reduces 1,400-year-old Christian monastery to rubble’, Gulf News, January 21). Daesh is a disease created to destroy and defame Islam.
From Mr Mughis Naqvi
UAE
Facebook comment
This is against Islam
Shame on Daesh, it’s very sad. Even Jesus is an Islam’s prophet. They don’t have respect for God’s prophets, whether it be Moses, Jesus or Mohammad [PBUH].
The Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] in his lifetime, didn’t hurt anyone or anything. These Daesh terrorists who claim to be Muslim are not following the peaceful teachings of Mohammad [PBUH], not at all.
They are fake, they are criminals and murderers.
From Mr Jameel Baig
UAE
Facebook comment
Killing humanity
Killing one innocent person is equal to killing the whole of humanity. Saving one person’s life is equal to saving all of humanity. Don’t think about the one person only – think about humanity.
From Mr Salim Haider
Lucknow, India
Facebook comment
It’s their decision
It doesn’t surprise me that 70 per cent of women between 45 and 60 years old are getting Botox (‘Botox: An organic toxin that thrills’, Gulf News, January 23). I believe those numbers. I believe it to be a shame, but it is their decision. Who are we to judge?
From Ms Isabella Sophia
UAE
Facebook comment
Take care of yourself
I am 40 years old, going on 41 in April, but I don’t need Botox. I still don’t have lines on those concerned areas, and I think it’s from leading a healthy way of living from inside out.
FROM MS KIM JAE
UAE
Facebook comment
No thanks!
Aging gracefully is my choice, through healthy eating and exercise. Botox injections? No, thank you. It’s the choice for some, but definitely not mine!
From Ms Em Dodds
UAE
Facebook comment
Be happy with yourself
Be happy with how you look and appreciate it. Never change for anyone. Real beauty lies within. Don’t fake it for the attention of the wrong people or for money and even for yourself. It’s not worth it at all. Only the wrong people fall for value aesthetics more than character. Don’t be one of them.
From Mr Kamrun Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
Network Links
GN StoreDownload our app
© Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2026. All rights reserved.