Dear Sir,

As lights dim and the formally-dressed, elegant orchestra members walk on stage, the excitement starts to build. Then the conductor comes out and bows.
A hush descends on the audience as the first bars gently and evocatively express raw emotion, drama and beauty .... and I feel the magical hypnotic power of the music.
Whether Arabic music by Marcel Khalife or European favourites like Johann Strauss, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra consistently delivers a wonderful experience.
I am sure I speak for many expatriates in Qatar when I express my eternal gratitude to Qatar Foundation and its visionary leaders who support such a high calibre of musicians and conductors and make attending such world-class events quite affordable.
The venues are also incomparable – the opera theatre at Kataraor the QNCC – both great architectural delights.
This is one of the absolute highlights of life in Doha.

Dr Ameeta Patel, (e-mail address supplied)

Informative article

Dear Sir,

I refer to the article “The bitter truth about nutrition research” by Nina Telcholz (Gulf Times, October 8).
A month ago, I started following the Paleo Diet where it strongly recommends to quit sugar or sweet in various other forms too (like Jaggery, honey). Before I decided to adapt the Paleo Diet, I read, researched and analysed lots of information available from authentic sources, which sincerely echoed various points in the Gulf Times  article  – how to persuade people to switch from fat to carbohydrates, pin the blame on fat and cholesterol for heart disease, or how the traditional school of thought recommends a dietary routine for healthy living, etc.
The article published by you touches one of the critical points in nutrition research and is an eye-opener,  giving an opportunity to readers to weigh their options.
I feel this article and the author’s book, The Big Fat Surprise, would really make the readers think on new lines about cholesterol and cardiac health. Thank you for publishing this wonderful article.

Guruprasad Dasarathan, guruzinbox@gmail.com

Please send us your  letters By e-mail: editor@gulf-times.com