Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Beyond
the kitchen counter
The onion is a staple vegetable for the common man indispensable to many cuisines and recipes, from spicy curries to tangy relishes. They are believed to treat colds, coughs, asthma and bronchitis. They are also believed to stimulate growth of health bifidobacteria in the colon and to lower blood lipids thus effective in management of cholesterol. The sulfide in onions is also believed to reduce tumour growth and thus being explored as a possible ingredient in the cure of cancer.
The flavonoids in onions help in reducing bad cholesterol in the body and thiosulfinates are known to keep the consistency of the blood right as they make the blood thinner. Due to this, the risk of heart attack and stroke reduces. Onion also stimulates hair growth because it has a lot of sulphur in it. It stimulates blood flow and produces collagen which helps in the growth of the hair.
Crush a few onions and take the juice and mix it with almond oil or coconut oil and massage it on your scalp. Leave it for around 45 minutes. Then wash your hair with warm water. You can also mix onion juice with lemon juice and massage it on your scalp and hair. This will prevent hair loss and dandruff. The scientific name for the onion is Allium Cepa.They belong to the lily family of plants and are consumed by people all over the world.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
HIV AIDS
HIV AIDS is no longer as deadly as it used to be in the last 20 years. Many people affected by this disease can live longer and discharge the office of life with usefulness and purpose. However, poor and most affected particularly in Southern Africa are still struggling to prevent new HIV infections. Everyone has the right to live free from AIDS. And yet, every day, millions have no access to the HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care they need to continue living healthy, fulfilling lives.
Even though a lot of progress has been made, HIV is spiking again among the people with the least power. In 2018, there were 1.7 million new HIV infections and 770,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses. Poor and developing countries should be supported to ignite innovations that help break down the social, political and legal barriers that stand in the way of a future free from AIDS. All people in the world should drive change where it matters, shaking up the status quo and making a noise on issues the world often chooses to ignore.
HANDSEN CHIKOWORE
London
Why just education institutions?
Educational institutions are the most important places where students find out their way to be successful in their career. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, they are disturbed. The authorities have decided to close educational institutions as Covid-19 has come just for students, not for others. Why are the transports, bazaars and other public services functional? Actually, most of the people are travelling here and there by transportation which can spread the Covid-19 person to person.
Mostly, students are the same who are in the same institution; that’s why they can’t spread Covid-19 to others. Apart from this, they also follow SOPs religiously. Closing the schools, colleges, universities cannot stop the spread of Corona. Educational authorities are requested to please do something for students.
ABDUL SALAM
Awaran Kulli
A tribute to Nisha Rao
Nisha Rao, the first transgender lawyer of Pakistan, who, with her hard work, has achieved this milestone and become a ray of hope for her oppressed community. In a society where life of a transgender is not less than a misery, Nisha is a candle in the dark. She is now a practising lawyer in the city court Karachi and President of Trans right society. She earned her degree from SM Law College Karachi. While sharing her ordeal, she revealed that she paid her fee by begging in the streets and it was the worst experience of her life, she painfully described. It is highly commendable that the President of Trans right society is leading by precept and striving to ensure that the future of her community should not be further handicapped.
According to the Constitution of Pakistan all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. In 2018, a landmark bill was passed, which provides fundamental rights to transgender community and also considers them a citizen of Pakistan. However, it is unfortunate that they are always deprived of their basic rights which lead them to lose their skills and efficiency. Government must not overlook this vulnerable class and make sure that their skills and potential do not go in vain. After all, the progress and prosperity of a state relies largely on how it treats its citizens.
FARAZ GHOURI
Digri, Mirpurkhas
Online classes & restrictions
With the outbreak of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic the government decided closure of the educational institutions and pushed to the new avenues of learning. Unfortunately, in countries like Pakistan online classes cannot be an alternative to the physical ones due to various factors like low internet connectivity and power load shedding and to name a few others.
The education system of the whole country has been moved to digital learning. High speed internet connectivity is must to meet the requirements of online classes. Many of the backward areas of Pakistan especially Balochistan and Sindh’s villages are deprived of internet service. And where there are good internet connections, there are excruciating problems of electricity. Days are gone when pen and books were thought to be necessary tools for learning, nowadays internet and electricity are imperative for studying and schooling. Electricity is the basic necessity for online classes. Without it we can’t use Wi-Fi and charge our devices—so how can we take online classes with out the elementary facility of electricity?
Before taking such decisions government must have thought of the backward areas as well. At the time, the high class students taking online classes easily whereas the students of primitive areas are confronting many troubles and difficulties. Either the government should put a stop to online classes or ensure the connectivity of internet and electricity and in all retrograde areas. Technology is challenging and destruction for children. It’s hard to control yourself when you got addicted to it. Students are non-serious; they use social media and play games while online classes I had seen myself. Instead of digital learning, we can call students physically in terms of groups. One group one day other group other day, wouldn’t it be a perfect solution?
MUZAFFAR KHOSO
Sukkur
