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Dubai based author shares 5 ways to celebrate International Literacy Day

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As the world gears up to celebrate International Literacy Day on September 8th, Dubai-based author and creative educator, Purva Grover, offers a captivating roadmap for celebrating this vital day filled with books, stories, and literary joy.

Since its inception in 1967, International Literacy Day has annually underscored the vital role of literacy in upholding human dignity and rights while pushing the literacy agenda toward a more enlightened and sustainable society. At a time when the tradition of storytelling is waning, Purva Grover emphasizes the need to revive this age-old educational practice. With three published books to her credit, including “The Trees Told Me So” and “It was the year 2020”, Purva champions the idea that stories, more than facts, touch our hearts and serve as vessels to preserve cultures and traditions for generations to come.

On the occasion of International Literacy Day, Purva Grover, renowned for her work in fostering creative thinking and education for both young minds and adults, seeks to inspire one and all to embrace reading and writing as essential life skills, enjoyable pastimes, or avenues for stress relief. Here are five delightful avenues to partake in this celebration:

1. Explore a Bookstore – Bookends

Dubai’s beloved Bookends, a locally rooted bookstore and hub for pre-loved books, beckons book enthusiasts to embark on a literary adventure where book prices commence at a mere AED 1. With books spanning over 15 languages, visitors can also relish a cozy reading nook within the store.

At: Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis, Dubai.

Get social: https://www.instagram.com/bookendsae/

2. Join a book club (A night of SHE reading and SHE games)

Towards the end of September, ardent readers can engage in a night of SHE reading, hosted by Purva Grover herself. SHE, a book by Grover, represents a literary homage to the essence of femininity. Guests can also play interactive games centered around the theme of the book.

Know more: On Thursday, 28th September, 7.30 pm-9.30 pm, Mogao by Socialicious, Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis, Dubai.

Get social: https://www.instagram.com/mogaodubai/

3. Decorate with Word Art – Gift of Stories

For those seeking unique word-inspired decor, Gift of Stories offers a delightful range of quirky and colorful canvas prints that add whimsy and wonder to your living spaces. These canvases, available in various sizes and colors, are perfect additions to room walls, hallways, studies, and desks.

Order: https://purva-grover.zbooni.com

Get social: https://www.instagram.com/giftofstories/

4. Attend a Poetry Reading with Rashmi Kotriwala

Dubai-based poetess Rashmi Kotriwala invites you to a captivating morning of poetry as she shares verses from her debut Hindi poetry collection, “Khayaalon Ke Darmiyaan.” This compilation, comprising over 100 poems in the Hindustani language, promises to be a soul-stirring literary experience.

Know more: On Tuesday, September 13, 10.30-noon, Bookends Store, Dubai Digital Park, Silicon Oasis, Dubai

Get social: https://www.instagram.com/rashk29/

5. Engage in the Midnight Prompt Writing Challenge

Aspiring writers, thinkers, and creatives are warmly invited by Purva Grover to participate in the Midnight Prompt Writing Challenge. Commencing at midnight on September 8th and extending until September 16th, daily prompts will ignite your creative spark. You need not be a seasoned author or poet to partake; all amateur writers are encouraged to share their musings, be it a thought, sentence, paragraph, or more. These entries will be showcased on social media.

International Literacy Day offers an opportunity to celebrate the profound impact of literature and storytelling in our lives. Author Purva Grover’s diverse literary initiatives provide the perfect backdrop to make this day truly special. Join the literary festivities, explore the enchantment of words, and immerse yourself in the world of books, stories, and creativity.

For further details and to connect with Purva Grover, follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purvagr/

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Mosaic opens in Dubai, promising smarter marketing decisions for UAE businesses

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Mosaic, an integrated marketing agency, was officially launched in Dubai recently promising a new, more intentional approach to business growth for companies in the UAE. Led by Agency Director Shubhang Bhattacharya and Head of Digital Prasanna Venkat, Mosaic aims to buck a common market trend: businesses that start strong but struggle to scale.

Bhattacharya and Venkat have spent the last decade in the business setup space in Dubai, launching campaigns that helped countless businesses start. This experience has given them a clear vision for Mosaic. 

“So many businesses, no matter how long they’ve been around, try to handle marketing on their own and miss out on huge opportunities,” says Bhattacharya. “Making the right decisions at the right time is a make-or-break moment for any business. We give businesses the expertise to make marketing a cornerstone of their success, not just an afterthought.”

Mosaic’s philosophy centres on making “better decisions” rather than simply chasing bigger budgets. “We’ve seen too many businesses struggle with direction,” adds Venkat. “At Mosaic, our starting point is always the same: what actually creates value for the client, and how do we get there without overcomplicating it?”

Mosaic isn’t waiting around to make an impact. Since its soft launch in February 2025, the agency has already delivered serious results. That includes the “Employee to Entrepreneur” campaign, which pulled in over 23 million impressions, and the launch of the UAE’s first-ever mobile business setup initiative, the “Startup Wagon.” The team also proved its ability to tap into the culture with a simple, silly reel on the Coldplay concert trend that went on to get over 14 million views on Instagram.

The name “Mosaic” is a core tenet of the agency’s operational philosophy. It represents how the team works: bringing distinct, diverse perspectives together to create a result that is greater than the sum of its parts. 

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Early warning: UAE scientists develop AI model that could protect your phone, TV signal and GPS

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Imagine a solar storm so powerful it could disrupt our GPS, knock out satellite signals, and even cause blackouts. While this may sound like science fiction, it’s a very real threat. But now, thanks to scientists in the UAE, we have a powerful new line of defence.

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have developed a revolutionary AI model that can forecast solar wind speeds up to four days in advance. This groundbreaking system is a significant leap for space science, proving to be 45 per cent more accurate than existing methods.

So, how does it work? Instead of analysing complex data, this AI “reads” high-quality images of the sun captured by NASA satellites. By spotting subtle patterns in these images, it can predict when solar activity will increase, giving us a crucial head start.

This early warning system is vital for protecting the technology we rely on every day. It helps safeguard everything from our satellite TV and phone signals to global navigation systems and power grids.

The development of this technology highlights the UAE’s growing role as a leader in scientific innovation, showing that the next big breakthrough in space and technology might just come from right here in Abu Dhabi.

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Indian expats in UAE, your UPI app just got a major upgrade, no need of separate phone for digital payments

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Big news for the millions of Indians in the UAE: Your UPI app just became a financial powerhouse. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) supercharged daily transaction limits for high-value payments, effective September 15. This is a game-changer for managing your money, from investments to big purchases.

What’s New? The Limits Have Been Boosted

  • Capital Markets & Insurance: You can now make single payments up to Rs5 lakh, with a new daily limit of Rs10 lakh (Rs1 lakh=Dh 4,170).
  • Credit Card Bills: Pay off a single bill up to Rs500,000, with a daily cap of Rs6 lakh.
  • Travel & Loan Repayments: A new daily ceiling of Rs10 lakh makes paying for flights, holidays, and EMIs faster than ever.
  • Jewellery Purchases: A single transaction can now be up to Rs2 lakh, with a Rs6 lakh daily limit.
  • Hospital & Education Fees: The daily cap remains a high Rs1 million, with a per-transaction limit of Rs5 lakh.

Why This Matters for You in the UAE

This update means you can now handle serious financial transactions with the speed and convenience of UPI, without the hassle of cheques or slower bank transfers. Sending money home for investments, paying large insurance premiums, or settling EMIs has never been easier.

A Record-Breaking Era for UPI

These changes come as UPI continues to break records. In August 2025 alone, it processed a staggering 20 billion transactions, a 34% increase year-on-year, with a total value of Rs24.85 trillion. It’s the go-to payment method for millions, and now it’s even more powerful.

Important Security Update

To combat fraud, NPCI is discontinuing the “P2P collect request” feature from October 1. This is a proactive step to protect users from scams, ensuring that only verified merchants can request payments. Your personal transfers (P2P) will remain secure with the existing daily cap of Rs100,000.

The Bottom Line: UPI is no longer just for small, day-to-day payments. It’s a must-have tool for serious financial management, giving you more control and security over your money from the UAE.

No Indian mobile number required 

NRIs in the UAE can now access UPI using their UAE mobile numbers.

Instant, hassle-free payments 

Transfers can be made 24/7 by scanning a QR code or entering a UPI ID/phone number, without needing bank details.

Eligibility

 Users must hold an NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) account with a participating bank in India.

Registration requirement 

The international number must be linked to the account, with KYC completed.

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