British expats benefit from weak pound

ince the Brexit vote, the sterling pound has lost up to 18 per cent of its value to hit a 31-year low (‘UK inflation records biggest jump since 2014’, Gulf News, October 19). The pound has continued to fall against the US dollar as worries persist over the UK’s economic prospects outside the European Union. Treasury data shows that British expatriates worldwide, including the UAE and GCC region, are taking advantage of the weakening pound and are remitting money back home at very favourable exchange rates. As British citizens are one of the largest western expatriate groups in the UAE, remittances to the UK have picked up due to depreciation of the currency and we see this trend continuing in the coming days. From Mr Sudhesh Giriyan UAE

Curriculum isn’t practical

The daily routine for most high schoolers, who are shackled in the holds of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, is not working with absolutely no provisions for proper sleep, let alone entertainment. What about extracurricular activities? Well, the Indian society values nothing less than a 10 CGPA or a 100 percentile! It shows why we bring back very few medals after the Olympics. Being a CBSE student, I feel that the system is burdening, with eight examinations a year, apart from regular classroom assessments. There is a test every day, proclaimed as ‘counted’. Amidst all this, a fall of grades is the biggest sin you can do in your lifetime. Social embarrassment will make its way in no time. Then starts the ‘blame game’. The students claim that it not their fault and that the teacher chopped off marks like vegetables. What are the teachers to do when the students’ answers are paraphrased versions of their marking scheme and not verbatim? Well, I believe examinations are meant for assessing the understanding of a student, but here understanding has got no place. Only vomiting the bulky ‘guides’ will help. Moreover, the teachers aren’t able to complete the syllabus on time. That defines how vast it is. I feel it is high time we realise this issue and ponder on to the aftermath of labelling the Indian society as ‘engineer and doctor only’. From Ms Parvathi Sreeraj Dubai

Sprucing up public places

I t was great to read about the initiatives taken by the Abu Dhabi Municipality for sprucing up 80 square kilometres of park and recreational space across the capital (‘Public spaces in Abu Dhabi being refurbished’, Gulf News, October 18). Abu Dhabi holds a good sense of environment and care for nature and this is quite obvious on the corniche and also in the many parks that are built and maintained by the city. I am a regular visitor of the Abu Dhabi Corniche and it is joyful and fulfilling to walk

down, absorbing the beauty of the water, the greenery and also the fresh air. However, often I have found myself frantically searching for a glass of water during my walk and there are no vending machines available and this is something that the authorities should look into. From Mr Binu Prasad Abu Dhabi

Take climate change seriously

I t’s alarming to know that global warming is changing our climate and nowadays we are experiencing high temperatures everywhere (‘It’s the hottest in 115,000 years’, Gulf News, October 5). According to scientists in this report, the temperature recorded in 2016 is supposed to be the highest in 115,000 years with an increase of 1.2 degree Celsius from pre-industrial era. In Paris, a the Climate Change Summit, all governments agreed to cut down the emissions of carbon dioxide and stay within the aspirational target of a 1.5 degrees Celsius limit on average for the global temperature rise. We celebrate Earth Hour each year to create awareness among people on the importance of reducing carbon emissions. More such steps should be taken by all countries to reduce these detrimental changes through reducing carbon emissions, ending deforestation and other major factors contributing to temperature rise. We all should opt for renewable energy and work towards sustainable development. Irrespective of the country or place we live, we all are bound to protect our planet from climate change. As scientists say in the report, if the temperature rises and if we do not control our human activities that destroy nature, then all living things will perish. Now it’s just a warning. Let us all unite together to create a pleasant environment for our future generations to live in. From Mr Eappen Elias Dubai

Don’t panic

I don’t think we need to worry so much on what we keep on our mobiles (‘Careful what’s on your phone, UAE warns travellers to the US’, Gulf News, October 19). I doubt that everyone’s phone is being checked and you would have to have some pretty incriminating content for action to be taken against you. Unless you have a photo of a Daesh terrorist’s activity plans on your home screen, I think you will be fine. From Ms Christina Guenther Louisville, US Facebook comment

Is outer beauty so important?

M y first reaction to the story was that of amusement (‘Bride dumped after groom sees her without make-up’, Gulf News, October 18). The chain of events cited in the story leading to the couple’s divorce does sound quite comic. As an afterthought though, the whole episode reflects the sad state of affairs in society today wherein people are attracted by just outer beauty. The younger generations today are too besotted with external appearances. Both the woman in question, as well as the man are to be blamed for the sad situation they are in. To get into a relationship without being your true self is nothing short of blatant cheating. On the other hand, to give up on the institute of marriage because your spouse is not pretty enough is also not wise. Such stories do leave a bitter taste in the mouth as one is left wondering if being pleasant to the eye is so important that human relations can take a back seat. From Mr Harsh Sharma UAE

Children need love

C hildren should not to be tortured under any circumstance (‘Parents torture hyperactive son, 9, to death’, Gulf News, October 20). Sometimes they are naughty, but we all know that kind of attitude, especially in those formative years. They need special attention from parents and, of course, they should be loved more than we love ourselves. From Ms Neire Clartoa Dubai Facebook comment

Very cruel

I f allegations are proven correct, all their children will be left without parents. How sad and cruel. From Ms Vanessa Dolor-Nicolas UAE Facebook comment

In heaven now

C hildren are naughty at times and are open with their feelings. They have creative minds and want to do everything. If they want to try something new, let them play, let them enjoy their childhood.

As parents we should be playing with them, laughing with them and listening to them to make a healthy relationship. But, please, don’t beat your child, don’t kill them, they are gifts from God to us. We have to care for them a lot. I am really sad after reading about parents giving punishment to their children and this boy even died from the abuse! The poor little soul. I’m sorry and I hope he is enjoying heaven. As for the parents, what did they do? How could they? From Ms Azma Ammar Dubai Facebook comment

A sad end

M aybe the child had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Most parents are unaware of this, but one thing I know is that these children are very intelligent and smart. What a sad end. From Ms Huzefa Diwan UAE Facebook comment

Protect the children

T he Kuwaiti authorities should remove all children from this house and ensure the parents are punished properly. From Ms Tracey Hughes UAE Facebook comment

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