Politics is not everything

Politics is not everything

Reading a report about people living in Islamabad, Pakistan participating in Earth Day activities, including clean-up drives, was like a breath of fresh air (Islamabad celebrates Earth Day 2018 with clean-ups, hikes and awareness activities”, Gulf News, April 23). Being a Pakistani myself, it is unfortunate to admit that in my home country, the concept of being concerned for the planet is non-existent to a large extent. In many areas, when you step outside, you witness people throwing trash on the roads, spitting on walls and treating the beach like their personal trash can. I was once driven to a popular tourist spot in Karachi, which reeked of old garbage. Even now when I think about it, I feel disappointed. There is so much to see in that country, but the focus is always on dirty politics. I wish more people would take the initiative to clean-up, not just the streets and beaches, but also their actions and think about the consequences the next time they decide to throw an empty pack of chips or the remainder of their cup of tea on the ground.

From Ms Tamanna Zia

Sharjah

Self image

I really liked the article and thought it was an interesting read (“How to stop caring about what others think of you”, Gulf News, April 25). It is important to know that it’s normal behaviour for someone to care about what others think, but it’s also crucial to take people’s comments with a grain of salt. One’s self image is an important aspect that build their character and who they are in the future. For this reason, we need to be careful when talking to children and youngsters, who are going through a delicate and impressionable age. The strong character building a child goes through from their parents backs them up for the rest of their lives.

From Ms Farah Yousuf

Dubai

Don’t take it to heart

I think people go through this, whether they are 15 or 35. It is natural to care about what people think of you, but it is not correct to bring yourself down because of it. It is important to give agency to others and how they feel but there is a fine line between listening and understanding, versus completely changing yourself. We need to accept ourselves for who we are and be confident. People talk because talk is cheap. Do not let words hurt you. It is easy to say but if we remember this when we are interacting with others socially, we will master the art.

From Katarina Edwards

Dubai

Teach boys, make them responsible

I agree with the writer of this article (“Tutor the male child before hanging rapists”, April 24, Gulf News, April 24). It is a great thing that protests in India have finally made death penalty for rapists, a reality. However, what is more important is that we need to make our sons aware about how to behave especially with women. As the mother of a son, I feel it is one of my most important responsibilities is to teach my son to respect women, to offer his seat when he sees a woman stand, to understand that the rights of boys and girls are the same. I do not want to give him any false sense of entitlement. Moreover, parents need to empower their girl children. It is a huge responsibility and that is where we all need to start.

From Ms Anjali Raman

Dubai

Don’t fall prey to conmen

Educated people should not have fallen prey to such gurus in the first place (“Asaram gets life term for raping teenaged girl”, Gulf News, April 26). If they still continue to look for guidance and want to place their faith in some similar masquerades, then it is the bad luck of the country because it will have to take the fall in the name of the next ungodly guru.

Rape laws should have been made much more punitive and stringent. That could have stopped these animals from going around fearlessly spreading their filthy terror. Political parties play a dangerous game of politics, especially those in opposition, to help create escalation in crime rates to try and turn around public opinion and hence the vote bank in their favour.

From Ms Gita Khanna

Dubai

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