School homework has its place
I do agree to some extent that the concept of homework has a role in improving study skills and placing the responsibility of learning on students, in their early days (‘Speak your Mind: Ban homework’, Gulf News, July 17). Ideally, the concept of homework helps to refresh one’s memory regarding what has been studied in the classroom. It can make students more responsible toward their learning path. Children should prepare for their classes, and homework helps to validate their sense of learning. It also gives children an opportunity to be engaged for some time, either individually or in groups, with their respective books.
I am not in favour of taking homework away completely. It is incorrect that it takes away teachers’ time; rather it helps teachers to be sincere in their coaching. Some schools do advertise that no homework is being given to students, as classroom coaching gives children a fully relaxed experience at home, which allows them to attend the next day’s classes with comfort. I am of the strong opinion that today’s changing academic practices can never bring about a stable learning mechanism that satisfies the majority of students and parents.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
A blessing or disaster
Rain can be a blessing in disguise or a disaster (‘Series of cloudbursts hit Kashmir’, Gulf News, July 18). It is extremely sad to hear that several people have been killed due to heavy rainfall and that it has also swept away homes, shops and vehicles.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Reality check
For many people who are not working in Dubai but are thinking of coming to the city to potentially earn a handsome salary and save — we are aware that this isn’t always possible (‘Secrets to managing sky rocketing expenses in UAE’, Gulf News, July 19). Often, when people start earning a salary, they learn about the reality of the cost of living. The reason is simple: demand is less and supply is a lot more.
From Mr Ayaz Akram
UAE
Facebook comment
Making ends meet
Yes, it is often too costly to make ends meet. I live in the UAE with my spouse. We are only two people, but even then, we cannot often seem to manage our finances. Now, I am in search of a good job. I have crossed the average age limit, making it hard to find good work, so I think I will eventually plan to go. This is common for expatriates, when they reach retirement age.
From Ms Padmag Gounashekar
Dubai
Facebook comment
Expensive for families
It is impossible to have any savings and many people have started to move to their home countries to be with their families instead. Our expenses are way too large to survive and salaries are just not enough to bring families here, and handle our liabilities. I think the authorities should take the initiative of addressing rising rents.
From Ms Mimi Ali
UAE
Facebook comment
Need to wait it out
The authorities have already begun projects for more affordable housing. People talk about the supply and demand being unbalanced to explain the high cost, but the whole point of capitalism is that it does balance itself out with time. Unfortunately, you can’t make a cruise vessel do a 180 degree turn without it capsizing. These changes take time!
From Ms Johanna Thompson
Dubai
Facebook comment
Unlawful actions
It is so sad to hear about this young girl’s story, who was married off at only 11 months old (‘Indian victim of child marriage stands up for rights’, Gulf News, July 19). Why can’t the Indian government impose a penalty of Rs16 million (Dh900,000) on the panchayat (village body) for its unlawful acts against the family of Santadevi Meghwal? Will India ever change?
From Ms Ludmila Chekhomova
UAE
Facebook comment
Leads to brain drain
India actually is changing with time. This practice of child marriage has been abolished in the country. The worst issue though, is reservation, as it creates discrimination and apathy among clever students in all industries. In my opinion, this is one of India’s biggest problems, leading to the departure of young people to foreign shores, and brain drain in the country.
From Mr Banwari Shivdayal Maheshwari
Mumbai, India
Facebook comment
Value of Eid for others
Even as a non-Muslim in a Muslim country, Eid is not just about the holidays (‘It’s business as usual for some during the Eid Al Fitr holiday’, Gulf News, July 19). It means a lot, even to us. Eid has given us an opportunity to appreciate those who were fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. This occasion has taught me to respect everything, every religion and every culture. Ramadan has provided me a chance to spend quality time with my family and friends, by joining in their iftars. Besides the values and qualities instilled in us, we cannot forget the festivities, food and gifts!
From Ms V. Pragna
Sharjah
High cost to skipping tournament?
This is in reference to Indian tennis player Leander Paes. I find it really heartening to know that his hunger for more glory is as strong as it was 25 years ago, and that his ambition is to represent the country at the Rio Olympics in 2016. While we wish him the best, it would have been nice if he had not skipped the call of the nation to represent India in the Davis Cup matches. Probably, his skipping the New Zealand tour is going to cost him a place in the World Group for India. Preaching is easier than practicing!
From Ms N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Preying on the weak
The interview with a recruiter from Daesh was an interesting read (‘Joining Daesh is a certain death sentence, warns recruit’, Gulf News, July 19). It’s painful to see these manoeuvres to encourage recruitment — their approach is so wrong. They are publishing an erroneous picture of Islam. Islam never imposed its teachings forcefully. It’s a religion of peace and harmony. I sometimes doubt if Daesh can be called Muslims or if they are just furthering their own interests by spreading violence like this.
From Ms Asma Sid
UAE
Website comment
Digital cinema is useful
The development of digital technology has played a major role in the disappearance of analogue material, including cameras and film technology that were used in the movie-making industry until very recently (‘Facebook debate: Evolving cinema technology’, Gulf News, July 19). The digital era also changed the perceptions of people about conventional filmmaking and opened up a plethora of bizarre possibilities for what can be projected on screen. What digital technology has primarily done to filmmaking is expand the scope of visual adventurism, with the capability of creating magically stunning acts that would have been unthinkable with analogue technology.
However, art forms do not necessarily need to have too much detail for people to appreciate it. A movie is different from most other art forms because the process of filmmaking cleverly combines creative thoughts with technology, like no other medium. No other art form uses the possibilities of technology like filmmaking does. So, movies have immense power in generating strong emotional responses from the audience instantly, as the story unfolds in front of their eyes in a visual format.
Still, analogue films and cameras had their challenges and limitations when it came to recreating unusually dramatic and adventurous scenes that a story or plot demanded. The huge cost and the logistical and technical hurdles made such endeavours the domain of very few in Hollywood. Digital technology changed that forever and now, anything and everything that was previously considered challenging, is made possible with software technology. Thus, movies about space odysseys, battles and horrors can be created with unusually stunning and effective visuals and sound tracks!
I don’t think there is anything wrong with using digital graphics if a story really warrants it. Let us not forget that following the invention of filmmaking, people may have thought that it would cause the art of theatre and drama to lead a natural death, but history has proven otherwise.
From Mr V. I. Mohammad Sageer
UAE
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