january 2013

from the desk

As

we were busy packing our January issue of Qatar Today , the news of the death of the brutally raped 23-year old female in New Delhi filtered in. It is not an easy day for any parent, especially a mother of two girls when she reads about this horror story, even in the safe haven of doha.

While criminals roam the world aided by the inaction of certain governments, children around the world will slowly learn to be cautious in their actions and deeds and be wise beyond their years. We spend millions negotiating on actions to be taken on climate change and of saving the earth for our future generation, but what do we have to offer to our children in the next century? A life of perpetual fear; a life that could end with a gun shot from a random teenager, or by brutal slaughter by deranged men? Like someone rightfully observed, these inhumane acts mark the end of the world, the end of a humanitarian world. As a salute to the brave unnamed woman who fought for her life til the end, Qatar Today features the triumphant stories of the businesswomen of the region. Stories of women, who rose faced the odds in a country that is bound by traditions and paved the path for the new generation. In our January issue, Qatar Today also spoke to two very inspiring women leaders who continue to fight for causes they believe in. One such leader is Mary Robinson who was the ex-President of Ireland and what she said seems to be apropos for what we are going through now (though she was speaking about the situation in Congo). Theres so much instability in the region and its very worrying so much gender-based violence. It infuriates me that this kind of thing can happen, she said in an exclusive interview with Qatar Today. Another such leader featured this month is Connie Hedegaard, EU commissioner for Climate Action, who talks about her unending fight for climate action that has put the EU countries on safe ground. What we learn from these go-getters is an untiring zest, not just to react to circumstances but to act. Qatar Today prompts all readers to keep a vigil against injustice, fight all forms of marginalism, and teach the next generation to respect and support every human being, man or women. All this, while we remain hopeful for a better 2013. A hope for a kinder world, where children remain as they are, uninhibited and childlike.

Sindhu Nair

1 0 Qatar Today

january 2013