A young Hindu devotee looks on during a street parade as part of the preparations of the Diwali Hindu festival (Festival of Lights). AFP
A young Hindu devotee looks on during a street parade as part of the preparations of the Diwali Hindu festival (Festival of Lights). AFP
A young Hindu devotee looks on during a street parade as part of the preparations of the Diwali Hindu festival (Festival of Lights). AFP
A young Hindu devotee looks on during a street parade as part of the preparations of the Diwali Hindu festival (Festival of Lights). AFP

Let us all prioritise fire safety and caution during Diwali this year


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I write to you in reference to Nyree McFarlane's article Diwali: 31 striking photos of early celebrations and preparations around the world (October 21).

The festival of lights, Diwali, is among the most awaited and the most widely celebrated festival in India. Diwali is rightly synonymous with bright fireworks lighting the night sky.

While this celebration certainly fills everyone’s spirit with joy, if not handled with care, candles and firecrackers can become dangerous tools. Improper handling of fireworks accounts for hundreds of injuries every year. The second-most commonly affected part of the body is the eye, a delicate organ.

Even minor damage to the eye can cause permanent injury and even impair one’s vision.

Children are at high risk of injury, but those most likely to be wounded in the eye are the bystanders. Nonetheless, children should only be allowed to use firecrackers under adult supervision.

The fireworks must also be stored very carefully, away from excessive heat or fire.

Small firecrackers can cause minor burns in the eyelashes, eyelids or the skin while accidents due to more heavy pyrotechnics can severely damage the eye.

Sparklers are extremely dangerous as they burn at very high temperatures. Debris left after the extensive use of fireworks could also become a cause of worry because of trace chemicals that are left on people’s fingers when they handle the firecrackers.

Kavya Nagaraj, eye specialist in Bengaluru

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K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Lebanese protesters dancing are an inspiration, even to the diaspora

I write to you in reference to Samia Badih's article Video of Lebanese protest turning into a dance party goes viral: DJ wants to change way people see Tripoli (October 20): the Lebanese are full of life. God bless Lebanon.

Fatima Saleh Kanaan, London

Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

Sanju

Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani

Rating: 3.5 stars

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Racecard

6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m

8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

The National selections

6.30pm: Chaddad

7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou

7.40pm: Mass Media

8.15pm: Rafal

8.50pm: Yulong Warrior

9.25pm: Chiefdom

Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23

Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3

Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2

PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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