What you need to know:
- Readers write about India and Pakistan's Independence Days, the need to protect the planet, cricket and more.
Thank you Gulf News
I would like to thank Gulf News. My son had his kidney surgery and he is recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (“Mum in debt with ailing kid hopes for a miracle”, Gulf News, May 17). Without the help I would have not been able to do this. I would like to give a special thanks to the Gulf News readers as well for donating money.
As a mother I pray for you all to be successful in your life and careers. May God grant all the happiness and wishes to you. Thank you Gulf News for saving my son.
From Ms Fathima Rizwan
UAE
Independence day for Pakistan
Happy Independence Day to all my Pakistani brothers and sisters (“Pakistan celebrates Independence Day but tensions with India remain high”, Gulf News, August 14). It’s a day of celebration. Let’s look back on the history of Pakistan and the sacrifices made by people. Politician Mohammad Ali Jinnah worked for this goal.
From Mr Wilson Castelino
UAE
Facebook comment
Progress and peace
I would like to wish Indians all around the world a Happy Independence Day (“Expatriates celebrate Indian Independence Day in Dubai”, Gulf News, August 15). The country has come a long way from the British rule. The different sectors of the country have progressed. This year’s celebration see the Narendra Modi government in power again. With the new laws the government has imposed, I hope that peace and tolerance is what is focused on. Gaining something while hurting many in the process is not a victory.
From Ms D. Devi
UAE
Same old Congress
After the recent meeting the grand old Indian Congress party with top senior leaders in the background, again elected Sonia Gandhi as the interim president is really a shocking one (“No Sundays for Sonia Gandhi as she returns to lead India’s Congress”, Gulf News, August 13). Despite Sonia Gandhi and son Rahul Gandhi refusing to take responsibility of the party, the members have elected Sonia Gandhi again. Others are keeping mum and are allowing dynasty politics to continue in the country. There is no new strategy with the Congress party. This is a sad state of affairs.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Commendable efforts
The unprecedented floods in many parts of India, from east to south in Karnataka and Kerala, and in some parts of the north of the country have caused immense human misery to people, animals and property (“Dubai resident on holiday dies while rescuing kids in Kerala floods”, Gulf News, August 14). The monsoons take place every year and cause misery, yet timely relief is not given to those suffering. But this time, the difficult yet timely continuous operation, carried out in tough and undulating terrain involving infants, pregnant women, the sick and elderly, by teams from the police and defence forces speaks volumes about dedication of our agencies, which deserve to be applauded.
Television visuals speak about their heroic efforts. Chief Minister B. Siddalingappa Yediyurappa and his team should also be wholeheartedly commended for their effort in providing relief for people. These remarkable and difficult rescue operations displayed the triumph of the human will of our people. The collective effort proves that a lot can be achieved if there is timely coordination efforts.
Congratulations to those people on their exemplary efforts.
From Mr Ramesh G. Jethwani
Bengaluru, India
Flooded and in need of help
While I write this article, Kerala is fighting against the issues created by heavy rains lashing the state. Last year, the floods were a lot worse in the state, but the people managed to overcome with joint effort by the state, central government and the people of Kerala.
Except for Trivandrum and Kollam districts, all other districts are facing heavy rains and havoc caused by the heavy rains. Cochin airport was closed for an indefinite period and with the Eid holidays around the corner, there were a lot of people travelling to and from Kochi. It is such a horrible experience for the travellers as they will be diverted to different airports.
My daughter is staying and studying in Kochi. For the last few days we were very worried and can understand how people stuck in this situation have been feeling. There may be lot of people like me who have their near and dear ones in such situations. I just want to tell everybody to pray for all the people who are trapped in these situations. Lastly, I should thank the government and the people who are actually actively involved in all the rescue efforts to save the people facing the terrible situation in the state.
A big salute to all of them who are standing together and fighting together to rescue the people of Kerala from the havoc created by the heavy rains.
From Mr Ajeet Kumar S. Pillai
UAE
A timely exit
Congratulations to cricketer Chris Gayle for playing his 300th One Day International (ODI) at Port of Spain to surpass legendary Brian Lara’s record of 299 ODIs (“Kohli hits ton as India beat West Indies in rain-hit second ODI”, Gulf News, August 13). During his short stay at the crease, he was also able to surpass Brian Lara’s record score of 10,405 in ODIs to become the top scorer for West Indies. It is really unfortunate that he will not be playing the Test series against India to fulfil his wishes to end his Test career on a high.
From Mr N. Viswanathan
India
Cricket stars
Congratulations to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and team for winning the second ODI against West Indies, to go up 1-0 in the ODI series. Thanks to Kohli’s timely century and the century partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who finally got a chance to prove his potential, we managed this feat. Hats off to the bowlers from the West Indies team, for plotting the downfall of Rohit Sharma and Rishab Pant. While Roston Chase choked Pant, Carlos Brathwaite forced him to make an error and end his innings.
It is time for K. L. Rahul to get a chance to play in the final ODI, even at the cost of Pant, who failed again. Anyway, the return to form of our Captain Kohli augurs well for our team, especially during the Test series. He has a habit to break records after records. After 26 years he could break Pakistani cricket coach Javed Miandad’s record of highest run-getter against West Indies, which he aced by surpassing 2000 runs. We wish him many more laurels in the coming seasons.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
India
Error 404: Humanity Not Found
It’s amazing to know how just by disposing plastic or cans in the recycling bin can save 7.7 billion lives. It is a shame to know that no one does it (“Climate activist Greta Thunberg sets sail on a zero-emission yacht from UK to New York”, Gulf News, August 15). Every day we are stepping a little closer towards a fate none of us want.
While the world can’t be healed within the next few years, it may be fatally wounded by negligence until 2020. About 25 years ago, people could be excused for not knowing or doing much about climate change, but today we have no excuse. All those small steps would make a big difference in the end, because nobody on this planet is going to be untouched by the impact of climate change. Maybe if we put a price on carbon in the markets, and a price on denial in politics; would we know the worth of free oxygen?
Seventeen months away from irreversible effects of climate change; we shouldn’t be hopeful. We should panic and act as if our planet is on fire, because it is.
We have wasted a lot of time, and this may be our last chance. It isn’t enough to talk about climate change. We must work towards it.
From Ms Asmi Choudhary
Dubai
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