The qualm of complimentary copy
Bookstores succumb to intellectual bankruptcy. One peculiar reason is the internet, which has already taken a major role as an information resource today. Technology such as hypertext removes the geographical constraints of print media and allows for a new method of distributing and reading documents. E-books are easily accessed through concrete sources of information. In the process, our society collectively is in the grasp of moral degradation because there is no readership as people have developed the habit of relying on complimentary copies. Being a writer, the worst part is marketing your book. The resentment and antipathy really haunted me after launching my book, a collection of poems. All my readers want the complimentary copy, they are unaware of the Herculean task of publication and bringing out the book, the odyssey that I undertook through rigorous courses of self-editing, a hundred times went into the abyss. Interestingly, a friend who saw my book in one of the bookstores didn’t buy it because he was waiting for my complimentary copy of the book, which I thought was a disdainful, contemptuous and disparaging act. Ironically, we miss out on the larger picture through this practice.
Under such circumstances, bookstores are forced to close down. We must refrain from getting a complimentary copy to encourage writers.
From Mr Nasir Soomro
Karachi, Pakistan
Love and forgiveness
Humans hate to be called animals, but yet we are acting like animals (‘No forgiveness for brother who killed Pakistani star: Parents’, Gulf News, October 12). Actually, we are worse than animals because we know how to love and to forgive yet, we don’t use it. Like this man who killed his own sister, if he was truly a human being, no matter what his sister did, he would not kill her.
From Ms Rose B.
UAE
Facebook comment
High risks
This is an action by a person who clearly is trying save every penny, which is a priority over almost everything including their own life (‘Man forges parking tickets to save a few dirhams, gets Dh150,000 fine’, Gulf News, October 12)! The consequence of saving a few pennies is a Dh150,000 fine and deportation. I bet he never thought about that when he was busy being materialistic to the core.
From Mr Mahmood Al Tayer
Dubai
Facebook comment
Pay a little, save a lot
I remember once when I wanted to take the bus just to travel to the next stop and it occurred to me to avoid tagging the nol card, but my conscience made me do it anyway. At the next stop there was an inspector. It was a good lesson that paying three dirhams can save you Dh300.
From Mr Ahmad Shumayal
Al Ain
Facebook comment
Criminal intent
People should realise that forging and tampering with a document is different from not having coins to pay or not paying at all. Forging and tampering shows criminal intent. He was totally aware of his action and he repeated it. This is a receipt issued by the authorities!
From Mr Noel Shami
UAE
Facebook comment
Obey the law
If you wish to stay in any country, kindly follow the given rules. If we wish to make our own rules, then we must make our own country first! He did wrong and anyone who does something illegal will get caught one day!
From Mr Abdul Jabbar Bhatti
Dubai
Facebook comment
Language and its importance
Today people’s migration is very fast from one country to another for better living and status. Many people learn the language of the country where they are migrating to. Language plays an important role in the global scenario. When you communicate with another person in their own language they will be very happy. Language makes understanding between people. English is accepted in much of the world.
The UAE is one country that is accepting of various languages like English, Hindi, Malayalam and Arabic. Language is the one and only thing that can give a person a better position in his profession, but also in society. Many parents are keeping this in mind and encouraging their children to study different languages in their earlier years. Today’s children are very much interested in learning different languages, too. It helps people to travel from one country to another.
Language is something that has many advantages and one should understand and utilise them for better living.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
The UAE is a model of tolerance
I am delighted to read about Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi’s, the UAE Minister of State for Tolerance, visit to Gurdwara in Jebel Ali and it just goes to show the commitment that the leaders of this great nation have for religious coherence (‘UAE is a model of tolerance, says Lubna’, Gulf News, October 6). Being an Islamic country, this place has no angst or reluctance in accepting any other religions. A nation that is able to respect others’ beliefs is a matter of great pride that every UAE resident can cherish, as such a vision is rare in most leaders. This is a great movement by Shaikha Lubna and the leaders of the Nation and such initiatives will bring joy in the residents of the nation and what a nation can have if joy becomes the essence of life.
From Mr Binu Prasad
Abu Dhabi
UAE’s focus on education
Globally, improved education has been an instrument for progress and maintaining a socio-economic bond among people. In this complex environment, having a strong culture of education and its influence can change people, particularly youngsters.
The prevailing challenges in life are more concerned to the youth, as they struggle a lot to compete with today’s professionals. The improved learning and development initiatives can address all those challenges seen around and it is a guiding path to strengthen future generations.
The countries part of the GCC have been investing heavily to bring the world much closer and the youngsters have gained access to the most advanced technology and infrastructure, wherein education plays a priority role. The leaders in traditions have pledged their support to improve the educational sector in a dynamic way, ensuring their contributions will benefit the people of all ages irrespective of gender.
As the culture of education sees rapid changes, realising this critical aspect is a kind of reminder for the people to adapt and accept it in the right spirit. This is where the success of leadership comes in. Whatever initiatives a responsible government takes towards making this a reality must be acknowledged with the true spirit of learning and growing.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Holding those responsible
Who is responsible for this damage to Syria (‘Watch: Aerial footage of damage in Aleppo, Syria’, Gulf News, October 12)? Those who have always waved the flag of peace from the West are the creators. By securing the world from terrorism, they themselves are the root of terrorism. Those who did this will have to answer for their war crimes eventually.
From Mr Emran O.
Dubai
Facebook comment
A different place now
This is so painful to even imagine that once people lived there with families, full of life and enjoyed every moment with each other.
From Ms Mariam Ali
UAE
Facebook comment
They lost everything
This is extremely sad when you see how many people lost everything. All of them have had to suffer because of this silly political game. It’s extremely painful.
From Ms Angela Parau
UAE
Facebook comment
Malala helps people
Malala Yousufzai was the one who had the courage to fight for all the other children (‘Malala Yousufzai will be key speaker at Sharjah conference’, Gulf News, October 12). We need to do some more research before we start criticising her. She helped support the survivors from the attacks and their families. She built schools for future generations so that children don’t grow up getting the wrong ideas in their heads. People who criticise her are intimidated by the fact she is young woman who has accomplished so much more than most people ever will.
From Mr Daniel Lobo
Dubai
Facebook comment
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
