Your editorial China can help put India back on track (September 18) has touched on a topic that requires serious attention. It is true that the transport sector in India needs a facelift. The north-eastern part of the country is especially lagging behind in this regard.
Prime minister Narendra Modi has a lot of work to do, but he does not have a magic wand to transform the country overnight. Progress almost ground to a halt during Congress’s rule. This is why it’s unfair for Congress to criticise the Modi-led government. Instead of criticising, Congress and other opposition parties should support him in his development initiatives.
Asia has fallen behind the West in terms of development. Those losses can be made up by India and China if they work together as partners, which is why the Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to India is so significant.
The leaders should focus sharply on developing relations and exchanging technological know-how to make the region a better place to live. India and China can play a crucial role in making Asia a peaceful region.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Treatment of depression costly
I am commenting on the article 'You need to be practical in dealing with depression' (September 15). I am a married woman and an expatriate, and I have been suffering from depression for a very long time.
Yet I haven’t sought any treatment mainly because depression isn’t covered under medical insurance here.
Without insurance, it’s hard to afford the treatment, because a single therapy session costs between Dh400 and 800.
Name withheld by request
Depression is a big problem in every part of the world. But often we either overlook the symptoms if they are not severe, or ignore them. That is dangerous because depression can deepen with time, especially in those who are prone to the illness. I have seen cases where young children suffering from depression are given extra attention and care by parents. That does not always help. It can create other complications when the child becomes an adult. The only solution is to recognise it as an illness and seek medical help.
Varsha Joh, Abu Dhabi
Photo can make a credit card secure
I enjoyed reading the editorial A 'selfie' credit card is not so silly (September 18). It raised an important question: why don't all credit cards carry a photograph of the user as a means of fighting theft and fraud?
I think photograph can work as an additional security feature, apart from the PIN. However, vigilance is the main concern.
I used my husband’s credit several times, even though it has his photograph on it. I wasn’t asked any question.
Shakankiri Marie Ange, Dubai
It is already used in Switzerland and it is a double security.
Myriam Fakhreddine, Lebanon
Citi Bank in Pakistan introduced credit cards with photographs in the 1990s. It proved useful.
Muhammad F Razi, Pakistan
Schools should raise standards
I agree with Justin Thomas's article You can't 'skort' around it, school uniform is too expensive (September 17). The school where my children study changes the uniform every year. I wish they improved the quality of education instead of changing uniforms.
Niaz Abdul Kader, Dubai
HMT never given a chance to change
The Indian watch maker HMT never got a chance to try and change, because it was shackled by the government (It's late for HMT, September 17). Politicians and bureaucrats called the shots, leaving little opportunity for the company's management to play its part. It's sad that 1,145 workers will suffering the consequences.
Arun Nathan, India
Company Profile
Company name: Cargoz
Date started: January 2022
Founders: Premlal Pullisserry and Lijo Antony
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 30
Investment stage: Seed
Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal
Rating: 4.5/5
FROM THE ASHES
Director: Khalid Fahad
Starring: Shaima Al Tayeb, Wafa Muhamad, Hamss Bandar
Rating: 3/5
A QUIET PLACE
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou
Director: Michael Sarnoski
Rating: 4/5
Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
THE DETAILS
Deadpool 2
Dir: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Four stars
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
England v South Africa schedule:
- First Test: At Lord's, England won by 219 runs
- Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
- Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
- Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8
Top 10 most competitive economies
1. Singapore
2. Switzerland
3. Denmark
4. Ireland
5. Hong Kong
6. Sweden
7. UAE
8. Taiwan
9. Netherlands
10. Norway
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Almouneer
Started: 2017
Founders: Dr Noha Khater and Rania Kadry
Based: Egypt
Number of staff: 120
Investment: Bootstrapped, with support from Insead and Egyptian government, seed round of
$3.6 million led by Global Ventures
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
Ukraine
Capital: Kiev
Population: 44.13 million
Armed conflict in Donbass
Russia-backed fighters control territory
Indika
Developer: 11 Bit Studios
Publisher: Odd Meter
Console: PlayStation 5, PC and Xbox series X/S
Rating: 4/5
Company Profile
Name: HyveGeo
Started: 2023
Founders: Abdulaziz bin Redha, Dr Samsurin Welch, Eva Morales and Dr Harjit Singh
Based: Cambridge and Dubai
Number of employees: 8
Industry: Sustainability & Environment
Funding: $200,000 plus undisclosed grant
Investors: Venture capital and government
LOVE AGAIN
Director: Jim Strouse
Stars: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Heughan, Celine Dion
Rating: 2/5
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
The specs
Engine: Dual permanently excited synchronous motors
Power: 516hp or 400Kw
Torque: 858Nm
Transmission: Single speed auto
Range: 485km
Price: From Dh699,000
UAE and Russia in numbers
UAE-Russia ties stretch back 48 years
Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 bn in 2018
More than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE
Around 40,000 Russians live in the UAE
The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase to 12 percent to reach 1.6 million in 2023
Naga
Director: Meshal Al Jaser
Starring: Adwa Bader, Yazeed Almajyul, Khalid Bin Shaddad
Rating: 4/5
Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now