It's Summer Time......And The City Sleeps!

Have you ever looked at the changing faces of Dubai, and wondered at this city which has so many extremes to offer? There's the hustle and bustle of the city in winter, where everyone is out and about and a spirit of exuberance is a palpable entity in itself, there's the quiet and sober summer months, when people leave the city in droves and the city, like a great big giant just stretches, lies back and goes into a deep slumber......we're in one such hibernation phase right now, where it seems not even the birds are around in as large numbers as before - everything is quiet and subdued......the decision this year to actually extend the summer break for schools - private and Government by another 3 weeks is simply going to add to the students' festive mood. But it does make parents pause to think what on earth to do about making sure the students do complete their portions, and to worry about the inexorable pressure that will be thrust upon them once schools do finally reopen? Isn't it sad that in countries like India, and even up until now in the UAE, the Holy Month of ramadan has been a month of reflection and solemnity, of devotion and abstinence, of going about your work as usual, even while you fasted and turned your thoughts to God.....and here we are, being given time off from school owing to ramadan, should be viewed as some kind of an anti-religious thing to do - after all, this is like saying you have a special license to compromise education, simply because you are fasting....fasting or feasting, difficult or not, the spirit of the season needs to be honoured. Not to mention that students need to be given an example that they have to carry on with work, regardless what may be the hardships involved. the irony is that in several countries of the developing world, including India, there are no special timings or benefits for people who are fasting. Quite often they go about their daily tasks with a minimum of fuss and drama. Perhaps it is time to observe festive seasons in letter and spirit....and reap the benefits of being more disciplined.....