Waiting to see what happens next

I have read many negative comments about Canada’s outgoing premier Stephen Harper (“Canada’s Liberals sweep Harper’s old guard aside”, Gulf News, October 21). All of these people must not have voted in 2011, where Canada basically handed him the elections. How quickly we forget all that he was able to do for us, and seeing that this isn’t the best year for the country, let’s just blame everything on him and be done with it. I would love to see any of you in that job and I can’t wait for people to also beat down Justin Trudeau, the Leader of the Liberal Party, the moment he starts showing he can’t make everything right and please everyone.

From Mr Zaimar Guerro

UAE

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We wanted change

I disagree with Mr Zaimar Guerro; I did vote and certainly hope that you did, too, in 2011. That being said, if the majority of the country voted for a liberal government, then you must think Canada got it wrong. Whether it’s good, bad or otherwise, in the end it is obvious that Canada felt passionate about wanting and needing a change and came out in record numbers to vote. I highly doubt that the 18 million voters, myself included, only voted based on Stephen Harper’s ‘bad year’. I find that insulting. And I would take the job of running a country like a business in a heartbeat.

From Ms Cynthia Cusack

UAE

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Not qualified to lead

Justin Trudeau is the least qualified person in Canadian history to be Prime Minister. He is just a part-time drama teacher who used his father’s famous name to get elected.

From Mr Chris Reid

UAE

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What will the year bring?

I’m deeply saddened for all of Canada, especially for the people that belong to the low income group. Canada wanted a change and they are going to get one. But, I’m curious to see what they all will say a year from today.

From Ms Melanie Higgins

UAE

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A good initiative

This news is very encouraging (“Smart balance wheels banned in Dubai malls”, Gulf News, October 21). Such a form of mobility is not welcome, especially among children. They need to experience overall physical and mental conditioning for a better development. They ought to go cycling, running or swimming instead. Throughout the academic career, instead of acquiring the above, if they bring in diversions like the electric balance wheels, it needs to be addressed by the parents. Children start showing their neighbours or friends the new arrivals, without checking the good and bad of the usage of the products. Therefore, I think it is a good initiative by the authorities to restrict this product before we invite mishaps. It is a nuisance to the public.

From Mr M. K. Gunaseelan

Abu Dhabi

Use in designated areas

The decision to ban the smart balance wheels in all Dubai malls is a welcome move. A few days ago, I had gone to a mall with my son and the whole time I was holding his hand to make sure he wasn’t injured due to other children on smart balance wheels coming from unexpected directions. They travel so fast that even if they want to, they can’t stop, and the result can be disastrous. It is a big respite, especially for the elderly and expectant mothers. Now they can walk along freely without any fear of these unguided children coming from any direction and hitting them. Children should only be allowed to use them in designated areas, such as in parks, without hurting anybody.

From Ms Manju Bajpai

Dubai

Should not be allowed

Quite a lot has been written about the latest craze of the smart balance wheels. Many have pointed out that this is a really dangerous thing and one that makes all users rather very lazy in their movements. One fine day, people would use this to get to the toilet from the living room, too, thus not using their legs for which Nature has made them. I think that these gadgets or implements should only be hired out by the hour and in limited restricted places and people should not be allowed to use it in public places or inside homes.

From Mr Vincent Talaiver

Dubai

Parents needs to be more responsible

Before the ban, I was in a mall and a man was fighting with the security guards because they stopped his child from using the smart balance wheels. The child had actually hit somebody while riding on the wheels. I was shocked to see the father’s reaction. Instead of asking his child to stop riding, he continued to fight with the guards and was misbehaving. The balance wheels are obviously dangerous and should be banned in all public places.

From Ms Sarah Ansari

Dubai

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Provide a safe location

I request the authorities to please provide a safe indoor location for smart balance wheel users. Soon these two-wheelers will be on the pavements and roads and the authorities will have to enforce another ban. This nuisance is here to stay, so let’s deal with it.

From Mr Syed Ali

UAE

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Teach children to be careful

I agree, these balance wheels should be banned in malls. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with using them at all, but the problem is with the upbringing of children and discipline. I do not allow my children to enter a mall with something they can cause injury to themselves or others. These smart balance wheels, cycles and those shoes with wheels are all items that fall into that category. Also, we should encourage our children to walk in a mall as you are supposed to. There is nothing wrong with a bit of exercise. We should be careful not to blame an item like the wheels and instead worry about the lack of discipline.

From Mr C. J.

UAE

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They are having fun!

Let children have fun! Yes, there should be a designated area where they can play. A lot of children at the park play with this gadget. They look very happy doing so. Their laughs are contagious. I see a positive view in this gadget somehow. It builds camaraderie between children.

From Ms Prexie Gui

Dubai

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Modern parenting

This is an excellent decision. It is a pity to see children and teenagers, who should be active and walking, using these devices. It seems like we have a generation of ultra-modern parents.

From Mr Siddharth

UAE

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Lazy and unhealthy

In my opinion these devices should be completely banned. These devices will make children lazy and lead to other issues, such as obesity, which is already a problem.

From Mr Ali Javed

UAE

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Dedicating some time to books

Next month the Sharjah Book Fair begins and conducting a book fair is good for all, especially students. Many adults also take some interest in it. In schools you can see a library room where students used to read books after lunch hours. This was happening decades ago. In my childhood, students were allowed to take home two books and they needed to be returned to the school library after a week. Not only this regular reading habit, but we had to write in a book briefly what we had read. Our extra book reading time was just before going to bed in the night. We cannot sleep without reading a few paragraphs at least. In this new generation, reading habits among children and adults have come down. Most people spend time on internet and they totally ignore reading extra books. Parents and teachers should make a habit to make children understand the importance of reading. Childhood habits cannot be forgotten as long as we are alive, so start children reading young.

From Mr Thottikamath Balaraman

Dubai

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