As Indians around the world celebrate India's 76th Republic Day, they feel a deep sense of pride and joy at their nation’s momentous achievements since it broke its colonial shackles in 1947.
As India marches ahead in the golden period leading up to what will be 100 years of independence in 2047, it is on course to become a developed country. Just as India looks towards a more prosperous future with unwavering confidence, so does the India-UAE partnership, which is among the most defining partnerships for both countries in this century.
In the past 18 months, there have been six top-level visits between the two countries. This is a testament to the resolute commitment of the leadership in both countries towards this partnership and the importance it holds. The realisation on both sides is clear and it is that our futures are intertwined.
What began centuries ago with trade in spices and pearls between India and the UAE, has now blossomed into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marked by strategic convergence and mutual trust.
In 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a "Joint Vision Statement" outlining the roadmap for the future of India-UAE ties. The vision of the two leaders has ushered in an extraordinary transformation.
Within a span of just a few years, the countries have started, and in many cases implemented, collaborations in payment in local currencies and interlinked their payment systems, AI and data centres, civilian nuclear energy, grid interconnection and electricity trade, green hydrogen, critical minerals, food park development, innovative health projects, and so on.
The realisation on both sides is clear: our futures are intertwined
The signing of India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) in 2022 gave a major boost to trade relations. The results are already visible in the form of surging trade, particularly non-oil trade. Last year, during Mr Modi's visit to the UAE, the two sides signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (Bit). In fact, the UAE is the only country with which India has both, an active treaty and such a partnership agreement. With the strong framework now provided by Cepa and Bit, the trade and investment between the two sides is poised to reach even greater heights.
Last year's announcement of the new Dubai trading market for Indian manufacturers, Bharat Mart, at Jebel Ali was yet another great achievement of the India-UAE friendship, which will allow both nations to leverage each other’s strengths and provide a platform for Indian businesses to access global markets.
The two sides have also begun working on a Virtual Trade Corridor, launched by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, envisaged as a crucial component of the futuristic India Middle-East Europe Economic Corridor. All of the above initiatives are potentially revolutionary and will bring businesses closer, creating interdependencies between India and the UAE.
The two countries are also connecting digitally and financially. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now widely used in the UAE. The UAE’s “Jaywan” domestic credit and debit card system is based on India’s RuPay stack. Rupee-Dirham agreement will enable the two sides to settle cross-border trade transactions in their respective local currencies.
The partnership between India and the UAE is now foraying into newer areas of collaboration. During Sheikh Khaled’s visit to India last September, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy. During the visit of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to India last December, an agreement to explore co-operation in polar regions was signed. Green Hydrogen and supercomputers are among other future oriented areas of collaboration.
The establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi-Abu Dhabi Campus and commencement of the courses at the institute last year is a symbol of the commitment of the two countries to create a future-ready workforce. Apart from the IIT, there will soon be overseas campuses of two other Indian institutions in the UAE: the Indian Institute of Management and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
It is estimated that more than 4 million Indians live in the UAE, the largest number of Indian nationals in any country. These numbers tell a story of their own, a story of great care and warmth of the UAE’s leadership towards the Indian community and the depth of the partnership.
The Baps Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is emblematic of the countries' visionary leadership and shared values of peace and harmony.
So when Sheikh Khaled, during his visit to India last year planted an "amaltas" (Indian Laburnum) sapling at Rajghat, not only did he honour the tradition started by the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, but he also planted the seed for, and nourished, the future of the India-UAE partnership, a shared future which is brighter and more prosperous.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away
It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.
The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.
But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.
At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.
The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.
After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.
Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.
And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.
At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.
And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.
* Agence France Presse
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Maratha Arabians 107-8 (10 ovs)
Lyth 21, Lynn 20, McClenaghan 20 no
Qalandars 60-4 (10 ovs)
Malan 32 no, McClenaghan 2-9
Maratha Arabians win by 47 runs
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
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Rating: 3.5/5
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NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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The five pillars of Islam
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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