Decision in haste
The move does not really help soften the long-term issues between Israel and Palestine, instead it goes completely against the sentiments of the Palestinian community (“Trump’s Jerusalem move sparks global outrage”, Gulf News December 7). The US embassy relocation might be considered as a move against a section of the people, who have been struggling for decades, yet not recognised in the eyes of the world. What history teaches us is that conflicts of any nature cannot be resolved with hard steps. Such actions and initiatives will not heal the wounds left behind in people. In this context, it’s critical to see how the international community looks at the issue and how it will have an impact in future relations between the Arabs and rest of the world.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
No democracy within
Politician Rahul Gandhi’s elevation and not election to the post of the president of the Congress Party was a forgone conclusion (“Can Rahul Gandhi really run his party, challenge Modi?”, Gulf News, December 5). Can anyone else even think of becoming president in a party, which is controlled by the Gandhi family? It is unfortunate that a party, which was once headed by stalwarts, is now reduced to the property of one family. Where is the democracy within the party for them to talk about democracy outside? We have seen in the past and present how those who raise their voices against the Gandhis are stifled and punished. It is a sad saga. The Congress, under the rule of Rahul Gandhi, will touch a new low in the coming months. Congressmen will give credit to him if they win a small election, but will not dare to open their mouth when the party loses. In contrast, in the Bharatya Janta Party (BJP) there are men who speak against Modi and express their views openly. There is a glaring difference between these two national parties.
From Mr Ganeshan Srinivasan
Dubai
A bed of roses or thorns?
Knowingly or unknowingly, politician Mani Shankar Aiyar has aptly compared the Congress Party to the regime of that of ruler Shah Jahan’s time. He is right that during the past 130 years of the Congress Party’s existence, only a handful of members outside the Jawaharlal Nehru family have headed the party. Hence, there is no surprise that Rahul Gandhi is going to take over from Sonia Gandhi. She ruled the party for over two decades. Though the crown prince has taken blessings from his elders, only time will tell whether the Congress think-tank has made a wise move. Since Gandhi’s taking over as the General Secretary and then the vice president, the party had fared from bad to worse. Though this crown is going to be full of thorns in the coming elections, probably from now onward they could not go further down and even a single seat increase would be projected as a victory for the newly crowned President. Let us wait and see what’s in store for the century old party in the coming years.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
India
Less gaps more growth
I look forward to the day when this planet will be free of a gender gap in all fields of life. Gender equality is a human right, but there is a gap in our world when it comes to access to opportunity and decision making for women. Globally, women have fewer opportunities for economic participation than men and less access to basic and higher education, greater health and safety. They also have less political representation even in the most developed of countries. Organising such conferences and summits produces an increase in energy and commitment in the region in promoting women’s safe, fair and productive economic empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community.
From Mr Jerry Waradarajah
Oman
An unfair price
Sadly it did not benefit us (“Motorists will be able to pay discounted fines in Dubai by Tuesday”, Gulf News, December 5). The articles were widely published through the nationwide media. It’s a splendid initiative and support by the government as after driving on UAE roads for over several years, and supposedly being a cautious and law abiding driver, I have received an increased fine alerts over the past few months as compared to previous years. It’s most likely a matter of new stricter rules that fully find my support because fines sometimes discipline a person more. Hoping to be at an advantage, I logged into the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) website and paid the fine to only realise that no discount applied on the transaction. I took a print out and went to the station to find out that there was a ‘no point of return’ and the discount was only applicable on December 5. In the end, it felt unfair as there should have been a mention of this.
From Ms Swati
Dubai
Facebook comment
Good decision
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God give you good health for understanding the people who have traffic fine problems that they have incurred this year. I wish the fines incurred in Dubai before the month of November were also included.
From Ms Chie Ritch
Dubai
The death of a legend
The demise of 79-year-old charming, versatile actor Shashi Kapoor is not only a great loss to the Indian film industry, but also to the international community (“Veteran Indian actor Shashi Kapoor dies”, Gulf News, December 5). He established a very good name for the Kapoors and was liked by one and all from the film fraternity. His remarkable performances in films like Sharmelee, Deewar, Roti Kapda aur Makan, Kanyadan, Chor Machaye, Shor, Abhinetri,Trishul, Dil Ne Pukara and many others, cannot be denied. He was bestowed with many awards including the Dadasaheb Phalke award. He has also acted in English films, directed and produced them, too. May his soul rest in peace.
From Mr K Ragavan
India
A great contribution
Shashi Kapoor was one of the most good looking and handsome stars of his time and one of the most respected Bollywood personalities. He worked in superhit movies like worked Deewar and Shaan. Not to forget his achievement of starting Prithvi theatre, which is still running today. His contribution to Hindi cinema should never be forgotten.
From Mr Saifee Tarwala
UAE
Selections and better candidates
Though the present Indian cricket selection team appears to go by performance, in reality, it is not so straightforward. While we appreciate the inclusion of cricketer Jasprit Bumrah in the Test squad to South Africa, the inclusion of Parthiv Patel, ahead of Dinesh Karthik, who is warming the benches, is a real shocker. It seems that the regional quota always weighs in during the selection of players. Anyway, going by the team performance, especially by our pace bowlers, in the Sri Lanka Test series, we definitely have a chance to register a series win in South Africa. But for that we have to improve our catching, especially in the slips, which could demoralise our pace bowlers. Probably, this aspect has weighed more in favour of Ajinkya Rahane! I feel like KL Rahul is a better bet.
From Mr N. Viswanathan
India
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