Justice needs to be served
There are no words that can even begin to describe how horrifying the murder of the child at Ryan International School was (“Two Ryan School officials arrested over 7 year old’s murder”, Gulf News, September 11). A school is meant to be a safe environment that nurtures learning, not one that encourages violence and abuse. The number of red flags raised, regarding safety measures in the school, are beyond appalling. For example, someone was able to carry a knife in the school premises, the infrastructure of the school was in such a dire state that the washrooms had gaping holes in them and the CCTV cameras installed in the school were not functional. This incident should serve as a stern wake-up call for the managements of schools across India, to implement effective measures to ensure the safety of students. I sincerely hope that Pradhuman Thakur’s family receive justice.
From Ms Lehar Chellani
Dubai
Better safety needed
Two officials at Ryan International School have been arrested and the Indian Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Haryana government for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation . Though most of the schools have installed CCTV cameras, I am not sure whether these cameras have been installed in vital areas and are functional and properly monitored. Unfortunately, crimes against children are on the rise and since they spend most of their time in schools, it is important that the country’s government formulates better rules for the safety of children.
From Ms Janaki Mahadevan
Chennai
Guilty should be punished
The recent murder of a seven-year-old in the Indian state of Haryana is condemnable. Educational institutions should maintain safety protocols for their students. In recent months, the number of incidents involving children seem to be on the rise — this is unacceptable. The school staff is responsible for this incident. I am happy that two people were arrested. The Indian government should implement stricter laws and those violating the norms should have their licences cancelled. School authorities should ensure safety for parents. The guilty should be punished severely. Will India’s Ministry of Education take up this call?
From Mr K. Ragavan
UAE
No logic
There is no honour in killing and I am sick of this ignorance (“Teenage couple electrocuted in Pakistan in ‘honour killing’”, Gulf News, September 12). No religion preaches about honour killing. I hope these criminals and those who support such medieval, backward practices, go live far away from civilisation. Poor children, may they rest in peace! How can your own family kill you? All these ‘council leaders’ are not supposed to be leaders at all.
From Ms Cassandra Debbie Sandra Jr.
UAE
Facebook comment
Safety campaigns
The authorities need to implement a comprehensive campaign, in high schools and universities, about dangerous driving (“Young driver dies as car hits tree, then lamp post in UAE”, Gulf News, September 12). They need to share graphic images of these accidents and bring forward people who have been in such accidents, to share their experiences and teach others how it destroys families. It’s sad that so many lives have been lost this way.
From Ms Jennifer Read
UAE
Facebook comment
When will they learn?
There have been many reports of fatal car accidents involving young people, and I wonder why no one learns. Driving rashly is not a joke and sometimes, mistakes cannot be corrected. I feel terrible for the family. Schools should have campaigns where they teach children, at an early age, the importance of road safety. I hope we don’t see such news stories any more.
From Mr Arhan Rajpal
UAE
No regard for health
This is absolutely shocking (“Garbage truck used to transport water bottles”, Gulf News, September 12). The men who are involved in the transportation of these water bottles in such unhygienic conditions, and the vendor buying the bottles, should be ashamed of themselves. By transporting bottles in a garbage truck and putting them back on shelves for people to buy, they are exposing the public to germs and countless illness. These men deserve to be severely punished. It is sad that they could do something this senseless just to make some cash.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Time to believe
Some people still don’t believe global warming exists (“What killed fish, birds in Al Qudra Lake during Eid?”, Gulf News, September 13). While I think these poor birds felt the effect of rising temperatures in the UAE, others around the world are feeling the impact of climate change too. Yet, Scott Pruitt, the administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency, has said it is ‘insensitive’ to discuss climate change in the midst of deadly storms like Hurricane Irma. I find that to be a ridiculous statement. If not now, when? It is a known fact that climate change takes naturally occurring phenomena like hurricanes and heat waves, and amplifies its effects. For instance, Hurricane Irma, on its own, has generated as much cyclone energy as an entire average hurricane season in the US. Will people believe in climate change now? Or do they need to witness more natural disasters, chaos and lives lost?
From Ms Sophie Vita
Sharjah
Insensitive move
I agree with the report and believe that neighbouring countries like India must give shelter to Rohingya Muslims (“UN rights body assails India for seeking deportation of Rohingya “, Gulf News, September 12). They should talk to the Myanmar government to ease tensions, so that the refugees can return home. The country’s current attitude of driving Rohingya Muslims away is inhumane and insensitive.
From Ms Saman Suhail
UAE
Facebook comment
UN needs to take action
The United Nations (UN) must take action against the Myanmar army. There is no time to wait, otherwise humanity will be lost. They need to do something soon.
From Mr Mohammad Nasser
UAE
Facebook comment
Unjustified violence
I am awestruck by some of the comments saying that the Rohingya massacre is necessary. Is slashing, killing and burning people the way to ‘clean out’ a place? Doesn’t anyone consider them to be human? I simply cannot imagine my child or any child, regardless of religion, going through such pain. How can you categorise little children as terrorists?
From Ms Asiya Haris
Dubai
Facebook comment
Excuses, excuses
US President Donald Trump is probably using this occasion as an excuse to not deal with the root cause of terrorism (“Anti-racism protesters greet ex-Trump aide Bannon in Hong Kong”, Gulf News, September 12). Instead he will take advantage of the anti-immigration hysteria and divert everyone’s attention from the mess he is in.
From Mr Abu Bakr N. Kasim
Toronto
Complete freedom
It is rather difficult to answer if the women of Generation X are better off now, than the generations that came before them (“Are women worse off?” Gulf News, September 10). It all depends on how you define the term ‘better off’. If the defining criteria is a better quality of life, more choices in the field of education and employment, with better health care facilities, then we can definitely say that today’s women are better off than previous generations. But social norms today define a woman’s status in terms of the educational qualifications she possesses, and the remuneration she earns, especially when compared to that of a man. In my opinion, this should be each woman’s personal choice, with the full support of her immediate family. Wherever there is complete freedom for a woman to choose what she wants, only then we can say she is better off.
From Ms Sajida Kamal
Abu Dhabi
Diversify sports coverage
Not only in sports, but in every field, there are thousands of unsung heroes. Till the heroics of Saina Nehwal, even badminton was a neglected sport in India. Hence, the neglect of Gaurav Bidhuri’s baton weight bronze medal and Ankur Mittal’s double tap silver medal is no surprise. Unfortunately, in the country, right from sports federations to media outlets and state governments, only one game is given importance — cricket. Even the present accolades received for badminton are only temporary. India’s media should play a vital part in promoting other sports, too.
From Ms Kavitha Srikanth
Chennai
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