The inspirational moment I witnessed at the screening on Monday of Inside: Mission Kosovo will remain in my memory for a long time.
Although it was taken on video in the presence of several people, the hug received by Lt Col Dr Aysha Sultan Al Dhaheri from a 12-year-old girl whom she delivered in Kosovo while on the UAE’s historical White Hands humanitarian mission, drew a wave of emotions. Similarly, school masters were happy to receive Lt Col Sultan Mohamed Al Katebi and his team after 12 years.
Within these years, the little girl, Fatema, grew taller than the doctor who delivered her, and the makeshift schools in Kosovo had been transformed into full-fledged institutions with all facilities. Apart from that, the UAE also built hospitals and invested in infrastructure in that country.
The emotions projected in the documentary show a job well done. Any nation involved in such magnanimous missions can easily pledge monetary support. However, it is the unsung heroes like Lt Col Al Dhaheri and Lt Col Al Katebi that make it possible for those affected by conflict and turmoil to get their lives back.
The UAE indeed succeeded in giving a new lease of life to so many people in Kosovo by investing its time, money and effort to rebuild educational and health care infrastructure.
Congratulations to the heroes of the UAE Armed Forces who participated in this effort. I also congratulate The National for presenting a wonderful documentary.
I suggest a free copy of this documentary be distributed to all educational institutions and organisations, so as to create a larger awareness of the UAE’s silent efforts to alleviate human suffering.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
I was at the screening of Mission Kosovo on Monday – and read your report on it today.
It covered the event and perspectives well. Just want to tell you that I enjoyed reading your report.
Farrukh Naeem, Abu Dhabi
Peter O’Toole deserves praise
I read the article Actor Peter O'Toole dies (December 16), which included a reference to "his [Peter O'Toole's] headlong charges into debauchery", but I did not see any mention of his debauchery in it. I have seen Lawrence of Arabia, Goodbye Mr Chips, Beckett and Ratatouille and loved his performance in all.
I timidly also admit having seen Caligula and his debauchery; but that was a movie in which many great actors were exposed (Dame Helen Mirren and Sir John Gielgud come to mind), and accusations of “headlong charges into debauchery” are a trifle uncalled for. Let the man rest on his laurels and let’s just give him credit for giving a sense of respectability to a movie I would not admit seeing otherwise.
Laveena Gomes, Abu Dhabi
Indonesia needs ‘clean’ leaders
Party leaders detained (and respectively jailed) on bribery charges in Indonesia worries me a lot (Scandal hits Islamic parties in Indonesia, December 16).
When the chief of Indonesia’s Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Luthfi Ishaaq, resigned from his position in February after being named a suspect in a bribery case, I felt deeply sorry for such an Islamist party which espouses strong moral values and features an anti-corruption agenda.
Mr Ishaaq has obviously damaged the image of his party, has put his fellow teammates in the firing line and will pose an impediment for the PKS to get into the top three parties in the 2014 general elections.
His 16-year sentence for corruption and money laundering is not too harsh for sure and involvement of any party member has to be punished and this should serve as a lesson for other party members.
The consistency of the anti-corruption court’s judges is essential to ensure that the country gets new leaders that are not corrupt and are able to lead the country safely.
Politicians like Mr Ishaaq are a disgrace to all Indonesians and particularly for the PKS.
Ali Sedat Budak, Abu Dhabi
India needs to act to protect women
I refer to the article Old fears remain a year after Delhi rape (December 15).
This date is a reminder of a terrible event that is hard to forget. It’s also a grim reminder that despite massive nationwide protests to end similar incidents in the capital and elsewhere in the country, society has yet to embrace a change as expected.
Even after a year, it still sounds heavy to the ears for anyone who realises the pulse of mothers.
It’s a shame that despite India being a progressive society, the extent of cruelty towards women is growing. Even though the government has allocated a dedicated fund in the name of the victim, Nirbhaya, it is unfortunate that a decision is yet to be been taken on how the fund should be utilised.
Such a slow process in the implementation of policies and decisions points to the fact that effective follow-up actions are still missing in key social issues.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
