Study reveals the ages of 15 to 17 are vital years to stay active, and when dropping out of exercise seriously affects mental state for years to come
A brave and kind-hearted Sharjah student got her hair chopped off in front of 400 students during a school assembly, all to help cancer-stricken patients.
Eight-year-old Malavika Rajeev donated her long locks to the Friends of Cancer Patients organisation. She decided to get her haircut during the school assembly at the India International School Sharjah, to send a message to students that it is important to carry out charitable initiatives.
Although what inspired Malavika to donate her hair was her great aunt who passed away from cancer, last year.
"My father's aunt was a cancer patient and she lost most of her hair during treatment. When my father told me about the pain she had gone through, mentally and physically, I felt very sad. She could not survive," she told Khaleej Times. "My parents explained to me about the noble cause of donating hair and told me if I could donate hair, it would be a great thing. So I started growing my hair and now I feel so happy that I donated my hair finally. By God's grace, our hair may grow again. But, donating our healthy hair to someone who needs it makes them feel complete from within. It's a kind, generous and satisfying way to show the society that we do care."
Malavika's father Rajeev Sivaraman said that he and his wife are "very proud" of their daughter's kind gesture.
He said he was really "touched" by what his daughter wanted to do, after his aunt died of cancer.
"We were really happy and felt proud as it's for a noble cause and it would be a perfect way for her to do her part in this Year of Giving. Since the day we decided to donate the hair, she was very excited," he said. "Every week, she used to ask her mother to measure the hair to know whether it was long enough to cut."
The principal of India International School Sharjah, Dr Manju Reji, told Khaleej Times that it was "very brave" of Malavika to get her hair chopped off in front of 400 students. She said that the school was holding events for the Year of Giving, and Malavika's parents approached the school with this idea. "Children usually don't allow their hair to be cut but she is a brave girl who wanted to do it for a good cause. It's really good of her that she did this for the welfare of others," she said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
Study reveals the ages of 15 to 17 are vital years to stay active, and when dropping out of exercise seriously affects mental state for years to come
There could still be delays due to operational challenges at Dubai International Airport after Tuesday's heavy rains
Flight arrivals for some airlines have resumed on Dubai airport's Terminal 1
Chance of fog or mist formation over some coastal and internal areas
Panic and fear gripped many motorists as the water level surged, and they had to make a choice- to prioritise their safety or cling to their cars
Tuesday night saw housekeeping staff dedicatedly tackling waterlogging issues, fixing electrical supplies to be able to receive students soon
Some were asking makeshift boat and kayak operators to transport them as it was quite a challenge to walk through fully submerged footpaths and roads
He has also directed that support be provided to all families affected by the severe weather conditions