Bullying can kill
This is alarming news for the UAE. I just can’t image this happening in Abu Dhabi and no one took any notice (“Constant bullying sent this girl into a coma”, Gulf News, June 26). The child went through a near death experience. The school, the education system and the parents are responsible for this. A parent is supposed to be able to judge a child’s behaviour once he or she returns from school. Firstly, if someone is constantly bullied, he or she will not want to go to school regularly. Secondly, he or she will be irritated at home. These are obvious indicators and parents should look for such signs in their children. For bullies, their behaviour reflects problems at home. This could be fights and aggression between the parents, ignorance of the parents and more. There is zero tolerance of bullying in Canada, where such behaviour is considered a crime. Unfortunately, for children here, there is a long way to go. Bullying should be prevented from all educational institutions. Even parents of bullies should be warned so that they can help their children behave better.
From Mr S. Khurram Irshad Solihani
UAE
Facebook comment
Trump in the dump
Despite First Lady, Melania Trump’s remarks on the fact that the US should lead with the heart, when she went to visit the families who had been separated, her choice of outfit created a social media storm (“Bizarre mystery of Melania’s jacket faux pas”, Gulf News, June 25). She is inconsiderate and I wonder who her advisers are. Wearing something that in plain English says that she doesn’t care, is hurtful and politically incorrect. Many children are being separated from their parents. What Trump has done in the last few months has not been done ever, and this is not a good thing. Trump is really pushing and challenging international peace treaties and boundaries. There is going to come a time where America is going to need other countries of the world and at that point, no one will help them.
From Ms Anushka K.
Dubai
Positive visa rules for expats
The recent changes in visa regulations are a true reflection of the extent to which the UAE is aware of the problems that expats are facing (“UAE plans amnesty for visa violators”, Gulf News, June 19). Introducing such reforms will help expats breathe a sigh of relief and will help deepen their confidence in the UAE. More so, the visa policy pertaining to people having political unrest in the countries and for the widows and divorcee, is a true reflection of the care the UAE government is extending to the community. Last year was the year of giving and this year is the ‘Year of Zayed’. The Rulers are a continuity of the vision of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayhan. These decisions will benefit a wider range of society. I am hoping for more reform to come.
From Mr Aziz Al Rahman
UAE
A humanitarian move by UAE
It’s a clear humanitarian initiative that the UAE has made (“‘UAE gives people affected by war and disaster one-year residency visa’”, Gulf News June 18). They have realised the difficulties of people affected by civilian conflicts in their home country. As millions of people across the world have been struggling for mere survival, this extended opportunity to people would help them make a better life for themselves in the UAE. The enthusiastic youngsters among them must make use of the opportunity they are getting and should contribute their best to retain family values and the sacrifice of those before them. It is obvious that the ‘Year of Zayed’ has been given focus through this initiative. Though the government decision could be a provisional arrangement, the government is trying its best to achieve the set objectives within the framework of the ‘Year of Zayed’. This move is wholeheartedly appreciated by everyone.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
An equal blame game
The alliance between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in India was an unworkable alliance. No wonder the BJP has withdrawn their support (“Why has the Kashmir government fallen so suddenly?”, Gulf News June 20, 2018). Its quiet unlikely that the traditional rivals PDP and the Congress will come to an agreement to form alternative form of government. Both the centre and state governments are responsible for the present crises.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Politics versus politics
Till recently, all opposition parties in the Indian states used to blame the governor for their inaction and branded them people who wanted to toe with the state or central governments. However, in recent times, we have been fortunate to have some governors who took an active part in the welfare of the common man in their state, which is a welcome step. Ironically these governors are facing a lot of heat for interfering with state measures. This, I think is uncalled for. It is time the Supreme Court came out with special duties for governors to avoid unnecessary protests from political parties, which affect the day to day life of the common man.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
India
Justice will be served
If the allegations levelled against the celebrity singer are found to be true, he will definitely be in for a heftier fine than this (“Ali Zafar files Rs1 billion defamation suit against Meesha Shafi”, Gulf News, June 25). However, I agree that the case should be sorted out in court and all evidence against him should be taken into consideration. Fighting it out on Twitter and other platforms will only lead to more speculation amongst fans of both singers. This will create unnecessary arguments and allegations. I am glad that the case has been moved to the court. I hope whoever is the victim in this case gets justice.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
How do we inspire children to be readers in UAE?
Reading new books takes us on an adventures that we should all experience at least once in our lives (“J. K. Rowling sends magic to pupils of Kashmiri school”, Gulf News, June 26). Everyone can be an avid reader, we just have to find the right book to read. How do we inspire children to read books? First of all, we should not give children books that are difficult as this can discourage them. We should give the children a chance to choose what they want to read, and we should ask them for their preference. Even if the book they choose has more illustrations than words, it is okay as at an early age, they’ll need pictures to know what and how to imagine a situation. As they grow older, they’ll figure out how and what to think while reading about a situation in a book. Secondly, we should try to be readers as well. We should try to narrate bedtime stories for children so that they not only fall in love with books and fiction, but also fall in love with the sweet childhood memories they’ll have with you.Thirdly (and probably not lastly because we can never really stop finding new ways for inspiring children into reading), if we can, we should recommend hosting festivals on books at least once every month that should consist of numerous entertaining activities for children, and book offers and sales (for us) and we should certainly add reading or writing competitions for children to enhance the world of literature for them. Let us let them read freely so they can live their lives freely too.
From Ms Samama Reza
UAE
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