Lifestyle
Buy this book to get 42 tips to handle career mid-life crisis
Life coach, endurance athlete and esteemed author Binod Shankar has answered millions who suffer from mid-life crisis with their careers. His book Let’s Get Real offers 42 invaluable bits of advice, especially for managers who find themselves feeling stagnant or stuck at cross roads of their corporate careers.
Binod Shankar also has three other books in the pipeline, he revealed at the launch ceremony. Supplied
Shankar’s relatable, inspirational, and insightful writing provides a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to break free and unlock their true potential. The book was launched at a function at Taj JLT hotel and has been published by Motivate Media Group. “Let’s Get Real is a culmination of my experiences, and I believe it will provide practical guidance and inspiration to those who feel stuck. Let’s transform our careers to transform our lives,” Shankar said.
Let’s Get Real is a treasure trove of wisdom that tackles the challenges faced by managers and provides actionable strategies for personal and professional growth. Whether it’s discovering and embracing your own worth or navigating life transitions with confidence, this book offers practical tips and relatable anecdotes to inspire readers at every step of their journey.
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Shankar is a former corporate warrior-turned-entrepreneur himself, and this guidebook is a leading light by example for professionals to approach their careers. The starting point is not outside, but from within, says Shankar in the book. With Let’s Get Real, the focus is on self-awareness, managing oneself and the team and navigating career transitions.
Shankar draws from his own experiences, delivering relevant and actionable insights to help readers make tough career decisions with confidence. This fiercely inspirational and relentlessly practical book encourages individuals to work on themselves first, empowering them to influence the world around them.
Shankar is an accomplished professional with a diverse background. As a qualified coach and mentor, board member at Heriot-Watt University, and sought-after keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and guest speaker at prestigious platforms such as CNBC and Bloomberg, Shankar’s expertise shines through his writing. Having worked with notable organizations including KPMG, Andersen, Ernst Young, and Nakheel, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his readers.
Additionally, Shankar’s passion for long-distance cycling and high-altitude mountaineering adds depth to his perspectives on personal growth and resilience. For more information about Shankar and his book, please visit his website or LinkedIn profile.
Indian travellers planning a holiday in Abu Dhabi can now have the cost of their UAE entry visa covered under a new tourism initiative.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched a limited-time programme for eligible Indian passport holders who book qualifying Abu Dhabi holiday packages through participating travel companies and online travel agencies.
The offer is available until October 31, 2026, during an initial pilot that will support up to 20,000 visas.
However, the offer comes with specific booking requirements. Travellers must book a package that includes both a return flight from India and at least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel.
Who is eligible for the free UAE visa offer?
The programme is aimed at Indian passport holders travelling from India to Abu Dhabi.
To qualify, travellers must book through a participating travel partner or online travel agency. The holiday package must include:
- A minimum three-night stay at an Abu Dhabi hotel
- A return flight from India
- Booking through an eligible participating travel partner or OTA
The visa benefit cannot be claimed through an independent application. It is tied to qualifying holiday bookings made through the programme’s participating partners.
When is the Abu Dhabi free visa offer available?
The initiative runs from:
August 1 to October 31, 2026
DCT Abu Dhabi says the pilot programme will initially support up to 20,000 visas.
For eligible bookings, the tourism authority will cover the full cost of the UAE entry visa, potentially reducing the upfront expense for Indian visitors planning a trip to the emirate.
How does the visa fee waiver work?
Travel partners participating in the scheme have two ways to process the visa arrangements.
One option is to work with a DCT-appointed destination management company (DMC). In this case, DCT Abu Dhabi will pay the visa costs directly.
Travel companies can also use their existing DMC partners. Under this arrangement, DCT Abu Dhabi will reimburse Dh285 for each visa issued under the programme.
For travellers, the key point is that the benefit is handled through the participating travel partner rather than by applying for reimbursement independently.
Why is Abu Dhabi targeting Indian travellers?
India continues to be an important international source market for Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector.
According to DCT Abu Dhabi, the new programme is part of wider efforts to make the destination more accessible to Indian visitors while strengthening relationships with travel companies and improving connectivity between India and Abu Dhabi.
The initiative also aims to encourage visitors to spend more time in the emirate exploring its hotels, cultural attractions, entertainment options and natural landscapes.
Is the UAE visa completely free for all Indian tourists?
No.
The offer does not mean that every Indian passport holder automatically receives a free UAE tourist visa.
The visa fee is covered only when travellers meet the programme’s conditions and book through a participating travel partner or online travel agency.
The booking must include at least three consecutive hotel nights in Abu Dhabi and a return flight from India.
Travellers should therefore check with their chosen travel provider before booking to confirm that the package and visa arrangement qualify for the offer.
Abu Dhabi holiday offer:
Who: Eligible Indian passport holders travelling from India
Destination: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Offer period: August 1–October 31, 2026
Hotel requirement: Minimum three consecutive nights
Flight requirement: Return flight from India
Booking requirement: Participating travel partner or OTA
Visa cost: Covered by DCT Abu Dhabi for eligible bookings
Pilot capacity: Up to 20,000 visas
Independent applications: Not eligible for the programme
For Indian travellers already considering an Abu Dhabi getaway, the initiative could make an eligible holiday package more affordable, but checking the participating travel provider and meeting all the booking conditions will be essential.
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