Reaching for the stars!

Holding on to a dream and realising it after 34 years is indeed starry stuff.

REACHING FOR THE STARS! (Best Letter)
It was with a great sense of wonder that I read and reread the inspiring words of Donald Thomas and I am still star-struck! (Exploring The Cosmos, May 8) "Astronomy is a humbling and character building experience," said Carl Sagan, the American cosmologist more popularly known as the man who brought the cosmos into our living rooms through his television series Cosmos - A Personal Voyage.
What better evidence can be given for this statement other than the words of Donald, "I could see no boundaries. It just struck me that we're all from the same planet and we all have to get along. You realise we have more in common, than differences. So I no longer see people as being from different cities or countries. We're all one."
Holding on to a dream and realising it after 34 years is indeed starry stuff. Donald has proved that even the sky is not the limit for him and for all the people who stay focused and refuse to give up. I could almost experience the thrill and excitement that Donald felt while hurtling through space and his description of the 'black, black sky' remains vivid in my mind. His zest for life is infectious and now he is doing a wonderful job of igniting young minds in schools across the world.
If only we all had parents and educators who strived to talk to children like that - we would have a generation of kids with great self-esteem and the will to succeed, no matter what. May he succeed in his mission to inspire students to find that magic 'switch' and instils in us all the feeling of being one. Way to go, Donald! Kevin Matthew
Congratulations on your winning entry, Kevin Matthew! We will be in touch soon.

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» LACQUER SISTERHOOD
The wknd. article Nailed it! (May 8) managed to set me off on an introspective journey on man's endless need to accessorise and turn the human body into a piece of art. From time immemorial, humans have used various things ranging from rocks, sand, ice, canvas and paper to express their artistic aspirations. Nail polish originated in China way back in 3000 BC. It started off with gold and silver, followed by red and black to today's multi-coloured palettes. In its early stages, nail polish was made from safe organic products and vegetable dyes. Just like all other consumer goods, nail polish then entered the dangerous chemical arena, where harmful products were used to enhance the shine and longevity of the polish. Today, there are safer alternatives, of course.
No can deny that well-polished manicured nails lend sophistication and confidence to a look that half chewed, discoloured nails can never offer. And the choice of colours, just like with lipstick, eye shadow and henna is always interesting. Like any other body art, nail art will continue to evolve as fashion trends keep getting reinvented. So all you ladies united by this common lacquer, keep painting! Just remember to keep away from toxic polishes. Siji Joy, by email
» SUCCESS MANTRA
The write-up on Abhishek Kapoor (Finding His Feet, May 8) shows that if you have a strong will and the skill to go with it - and that will is stronger than your skill - then success will not elude you. Though labelled a flop star after his first film tanked at the box office, he did not lose heart. Instead, he believed in life being about second chances and decided to venture into a directorial role. After a few initial hiccups, he really came to the fore with a bang. His directorial classics - Rock On!! (2008) and Kai Po Che! (2013)  were given the thumbs up by the masses and the mandarins. Today, the actor-turned-director has carved a niche for himself with his talent and on his own merit. In the ultra-competitive world of glamour and glitz, Abhishek Kapoor is slowly gaining his foothold and is becoming a name to reckon with. Jayashree Kulkarni, Abu Dhabi

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» NEVER GIVE UP
Former NASA Astronaut Donald Thomas's interview (Exploring The Cosmos, May 8) was inspiring and motivational. When I was doing my Bachelors in Toronto, there was a point in my life where I was completely unmotivated as I was constantly getting rejections. However, instead of finding ways to blame the job market, I began to acquire as much as knowledge as I could about the companies I was applying to and this helped me land my dream job and also paved the way for me to continue studying. Donald Thomas's story was, in a way, nostalgic. I urge our generation to always aim for the stars, at least then, they will land on the moon! - Anureet Kaur, Dubai