Letters to the Editor [Archives:1999/48/Letters to the Editor]

The Valve of Tears
At the beach, on the golden sand,
The crazy waves beat the black rocks,
There, falls a tear,
On a black rock, looking around,
It was sad, warm and alone,
Again falls a tear,
On a white rock, looking around,
Why are you here my old companion,
Replied the tear,
It is the sigh that invited me here,
It is my darling’s pensive eyes which poured me,
She loved a youth with all her heart,
But, alas! my poor girl,
She could not win him.
So, she sought my shelter,
But what bring you here, dear?
Oh, the mute witness to her craving for him,
For the cruelest he,
I’m here to bring balm to her,
Give her solace and kindle her hope.
Nabilah Abdullah

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Dear Editor,
There are so many candles in our society, but some of them are distinguished. You can rarely find the few that give us their warmth and light. To make it clear, here in Yemen, whether native or foreign, there are many intellectuals who are like wax. They burn themselves for the sake of others. They are very active, do their best to invent new things for our sake and interest.
One of this kind of people is the famous, loveable Dr. Ramakanta Sahu. Although he is here for only two years, he has achieved much and made distinct signs. How? Without any compliment of defensive words, I have heard so many students everywhere thanking him, satisfied with his methods of teaching. Moreover, he weekly squeezes his brain to give us some more information and knowledge. As a testimony we see this through his invaluable lessons through the Yemen Times educational page. How much we owe him!
I do not say that there is not any of his kind in our country. There are some who actually need to polish their skills and show their merits. Finally, we highly appreciate efforts of such kind and we send our best regards to all the staff of Yemen Times who are working relentlessly to make the paper distinctive.
Fadl Ahmad Abbas Ghazi
Arhab Education College

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What is Democracy?
Democracy is a great experience. Unfortunately, in backward countries it has a lot of contradictions. It can not be established overnight. In fact, it needs so many things to be achieved. It really takes a lot of time and effort to deepen its roots and to raise it to the best level.
Democracy gives us a chance to learn from other experiences of democracies and benefit from their failure and success to achieve progress. It also gives us a chance to exchange views with others to overcome problems or crises facing us in life. Moreover, It gives political parties the freedom to exercise their political rights guaranteed by law and the constitution.
Democracy, in other words, is a modern type of social behavior that should be enhanced until it becomes part of people’s lives.
Yemen, in its democratic course, has been highly appreciated by other democracies in the world. So we can proudly say that it is now on the right course. However, democracy is sometimes no more than ink on paper and decorated slogans. Wrong and negative practices may change this dream into a nightmare. The real ingredients of democracy are still absent. For example, the peaceful transfer of power has not been experienced. This is mainly because we misunderstand the concept of democracy.
What is democracy?
Democracy, in fact, is the peaceful transfer of power between government and opposition. It is encouraging people’s participation in making political decisions and respecting other opinions in the society.
The absence of these ingredients has actually tarnished the image of democracy in Yemen and turned it into a joke, because there can not be democracy without respecting the opposition.
Tariq Al-Sharabi

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Students’ Dilemma
Colleges and universities in Yemen seem to be full of students whose future is not secure. Why can’t they consider a variety of career options by which they can earn their living, and insure the life of their children instead of feeling unnecessarily frustrated.
It is a fact that seeking knowledge is urgently needed for both men and women. We acknowledge this fact, while encouraging our children to get educated. Have we thought once about their destiny and the problems they will face? Well, what is your opinion when students study twelve years to complete their high school? Then, men have to face the problem of performing or delaying the military service. After that they enroll themselves in colleges and undergo all procedures of matriculation. They study for at least four years in the college. During this period they spend all nights until the day they graduate dreaming of a promising future.
However, can you imagine the extent of the catastrophe when they graduate having certificates, but are unable to find jobs? It looks rather disappointing, doesn’t it?
I might add that I am not projecting our personal hopes. On the contrary, I always like to be optimistic all the time.
In conclusion, it would undoubtedly be wise for the government to take care of those students, and pay them some attention. Unless this is done, their future will be in jeopardy.
Mohammed Ali Ahmad Al-Agabi
Second Level. Eng. Dept.
College of Education Mahweet

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