Children are smarter than we think
I read this article and was really touched (“Girl, 7, shaves head to support mother”, Gulf News, March 14). I think it’s commendable that a young girl, aged seven, has taken the initiative of shaving her head to support her mother. We feel that children don’t realise the seriousness of certain situations, but they are more mature than we give them credit for. Patients definitely would have a better chance of full recovery with the full-fledged support of their family and loved ones. Kudos to the little girl and I wish her mother well, for a full and speedy recovery.
From Ms Madhavi Ochani
Dubai
Keep your possessions safe
It is not about trust (“Maid jailed for stealing Dh558,000 from businessman’s flat”, Gulf News, March 15). People are often careless with their money and jewellery, and this might tempt someone to rob them. Sometimes, temptation leads to people doing things they may never do. For example, the maid wouldn’t break a safe to steal something. That’s a planned action. But placing vast amounts of money in an unsecured location could lead to someone stealing on the spur of the moment. I am not commenting on this particular case – this is just a general observation, where carelessness on the part of one has led to temptation on the part of the other.
From Mr Nimrud T.
Dubai
Facebook comment
Don’t generalise
I felt sad reading about this case. But as a housemaid, I feel our only investment is to gain the employer’s trust. Without it, we cannot remain in the country or work with the people who hired us. We work to earn a living, and not to take what the employer has. So I would say, please do not generalise – most housemaids are trustworthy and work hard.
From Ms Ferby Repalda
Quezon City, Philippines
Facebook comment
Not worth it
I am a housemaid and you cannot imagine what some of us really go through. Sometimes, my boss misplaces something and she checks all of my belongings. I only wonder what would happen if she misplaces all her money!
From Ms Matovu Sylvia
Muscat, Oman
Facebook comment
Why not trust maids?
If an employer is willing to trust a domestic helper with his/her child or children, then I believe they can also easily trust them with their money. If you compare money to a child, you would find that the child is priceless and much more precious than the money, unless the employer believes otherwise!
From Ms Cassandra Jr. Sandra
Dubai
Facebook comment
The giving hand
This is a commendable gesture (“‘Dubai gave me so much and now it’s my turn’”, Gulf News, March 15). Dubai-based prominent businessman Mahesh Menda seems to have an immense love and regard for education. He has donated Dh1 million to Dubai Cares. His humane and philanthropic gesture and his desire to give underprivileged children access to education is laudable, and so is his willingness to do his bit for the city that has fulfilled his cherished dreams.
Dubai Cares has been doing a lot of selfless work to bring a tangible change in the lives of the less fortunate. Financial aid for such organisations gives a big boost to their laudable work. It is good to see that many people are coming forward to help the poor and needy. Such noble gestures will make a difference in many lives and fulfill the lofty aims of Dubai Cares. The Year of Giving has begun on a superb note.
From Ms Jayashree Kulkarni
Abu Dhabi
Travel cheap
I am really grateful and thankful to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for initiating transport facilities that provide a pick-up service for passengers in Sharjah from different, key areas. It is really a blessing to the common man’s pocket, as most people do not want to spend money on a taxi when trying to get to the bus station. I would like to request the RTA to please dispense more Nol card top-up machines for bus and Metro travel, as well. This would enable people to save money on the cost of a taxi, and to cut down the duration of travel. I hope they can come up with a suitable solution.
From Mr Prasad Warrier
Sharjah
Communal forces at work
The article on militant nationalism in India was vivid and striking, and should give food for thought to those who fervently wish India to continue as a secular, forward-looking and democratic nation (“Decoding India’s militant nationalism”, Gulf News, March 15). Communal dragons are trying to turn the clock upside down and destroy the ethos of the ancient Indian culture – ‘Bharatiya samskriti’. India’s civilisation may have been fundamentally influenced by Hindu culture and traditions. But, in the fullness of time, it became a modern, tolerant country, which became a leader in terms of culture, for the entire Asian continent. Contrary to this spirit, certain communal forces are at work to make India a ‘Hindu’ nation. These renegades want to push Indian culture back to the days of communalism. This would surely eat up the fabric of genuine nationalism. Nationalists cannot and should not be associated with Hinduism. Nationalism is a natural feeling, which should emanate from the hearts of the people.
From Thomas Matthew Parackel
Kerala, India
Shrinking memory?
Yes, I agree (“Simon Garfield: Our brains are shrinking”, Gulf News, March 15). I remember only a few important mobile phone numbers, belonging to my family members. I don’t even take note of my friends’ phone numbers because they appear in my contact list, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and other apps.
From Ms Veronica Jill
UAE
Live and let live
In Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently announced a 500 million rupees (Dh17.52 million) fund for the betterment of the Hindu community in Karachi (“PM assures protection for minorities”, Gulf News, March 15). As a citizen of this nation, this news brought a smile to my face. Even though I have spent very little time in the country, having been raised in the UAE, every time I have visited, I have witnessed a lot of discrimination based on religion. My extended family, that has been living in Pakistan for years, constantly point out a person’s faith, which would leave me very confused. How did it matter what people’s beliefs were? For a change, Sharif is doing something that is worth praise. I commend his actions and hope that more people living in this beautiful nation open their eyes and minds to the possibility of coming across someone who may or may not believe in the same things that you do. Their belief system does not take away their rights of being called an equal citizen. It doesn’t take away from their patriotism or love for their country. In this day and age, when many countries around the world are facing troubles in the form of civil wars, the least we can do is accept each other for who we are. Live and let live.
From Ms Rabia Shahid
Sharjah
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