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Mother Teresa International awards felicitates UAE and global achievers

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Left to right: Press conference guests Sacha Jafri, TH Ireland, Manju Ramanan, Shyam Bhatia, Ahmad Al Falasi and Usha Uthup

The 113th birth anniversary of Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu MC, better known as Mother Teresa, was celebrated with great splendour at Conrad Hotel in Dubai by felicitating achievers in various sectors. The awards ceremony has been a regular feature in India since 2005 and has now taken an international flavour for the first time.

Recognised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta – canonised in September of 2016 – she was born on August 26, 1910, and gained fame as the initiator of the Missionaries of Charity. By 2012, this organisation had grown to include more than 4,500 sisters serving in 133 nations. Mother Teresa devoted herself to aiding the most destitute individuals and received several notable awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

The narrative of the awards unfolds from the inception of the All India Minority and Weaker Sections Council, a non-political body founded by the late Prafulla Chandra Sen, former Chief Minister of West Bengal, and Anthony Biswas, accompanied by several other esteemed figures.

In the aftermath of Saint Teresa’s passing in 1997, the council established the Mother Teresa International and Millennium Award Committee. This committee was entrusted with the responsibility of annually identifying and honoring eminent personalities who have displayed excellence in various domains including Education, Science, Culture, Sports, Social Work, Medicine, Industry, and Politics within the nation. Justice Shyamal Sen, former Governor of West Bengal and former Chief Justice of Calcutta, stands as the chief patron of these awards.

The glittering awards function in Dubai on Saturday acknowledged outstanding individuals from both the UAE and around the world. Shyam Bhatia, a well-known figure in Dubai’s business scene and a cricket enthusiast, took the lead as patron of the award show. Joining him were four remarkable panelists, including Dr TH Ireland, principal of St James’ School in Kolkata and the committee chairman.

Left to right: Sacha Jaffri (artist), TH Ireland (MT Awards panel chairman), Shyam Bhatia (patron and UAE businessman), Ahmed Al Falasi (UAE philanthropist) and Usha Uthup, veteran pop singer. Picture supplied

Among the illustrious panelists was the vibrant Usha Uthup, an accomplished artist whose career spans over five decades. With a close association with Mother Teresa, Uthup shared heartfelt stories of their interactions during both joyful and trying times. Her presence during Mother Teresa’s final moments showcased the depth of their bond. Another enchanting moment happened when she and Dubai-based Bollywood actor Kalpana Iyer took the stage together for a magical musical performance.

Philanthropist Ahmad Al Falasi, known as the Hope-maker of the UAE, was also part of the panel. His relentless efforts to bring medical aid to those in need around the world show his commitment to making the world better. His work in African medical facilities, including setting up dialysis centers, highlighted his dedication. Falasi’s readiness to help during the recent earthquake in Turkey showcased his humanitarian spirit.

ALSO READ: Celebrities send message of peace to crises-ridden Manipur

Sacha Jafri, a well-known artist based in Dubai, added an artistic touch to the evening. In just 20 minutes, he created a touching artwork right before the audience’s eyes. Sacha Jafri was also among the awardees honoured on the night. His collaboration with NASA to place his creation on the Lunar Surface is groundbreaking. This artwork, titled ‘We Rise Together with the Light of the Moon’, represents hope and unity for humanity. With an estimated auction value of an astonishing $105 million USD, Jafri’s work is poised to set a new record.

The event was graced by Dubai’s crème de la crème, and attendees were enthralled by the captivating dance performances of the mother-daughter actor/artiste duo, Indrani Dutta and Rajnandini Paul.

In the heart of Dubai, an evening of celebration, camaraderie, and inspiration unfolded, marking a remarkable chapter in the annals of awards and accolades.

Over a span of 22 years, the award ceremony has celebrated remarkable individuals such as Dr Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the distinguished musician and singer late Manna Dey, Ajit Wadekar, former coach & captain of the Indian cricket team, alongside a multitude of other notable personas.

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OSCAR SHOCKS AND SURPRISES: WHO IS LIKELY TO WIN BIG ON HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST NIGHT

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On the big screen, Deadpool clashed with Wolverine in a spectacle that set social media abuzz, while animated darling Inside Out 2 stormed the box office — leaving Joker’s sequel in its shadow. Off-camera, there was more drama as Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni found themselves locked in a bitter legal feud.

The off-screen action, however, didn’t stop there. There were debates over The Brutalist’s daring use of AI and Anora’s controversial decision to forgo an intimacy coordinator sparked plenty of heated exchanges on social media.

As the Academy Awards draw near on Sunday, March 2,  2025, the anticipation is palpable. We look at some of the possible winners on Hollywood’s biggest night.

Best Picture: Anora leads, but there others 

Anora is just barely ahead—but only by a hair. Why? A string of major wins, including the Critics Choice, Producers Guild, and Directors Guild Awards, put it in prime position. But rivals like Conclave and The Brutalist are lurking. We could see a historic upset here.

Best Director: Close fight between Sean Baker and Brady Corbet

Two directors, one golden statuette. Sean Baker (Anora) and Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) are neck and neck. But history favours Baker, thanks to the Directors Guild Awards’ near-flawless Oscar track record. Still, nothing is certain.

Best Actor: Both Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet are in the race

Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) was cruising toward his second Oscar—until Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) crashed the party with a major SAG win! Brody is still the favourite, but don’t be shocked if Chalamet pulls off a dramatic last-minute upset.

Best Actress: Demi Moore has a fair chance 

Demi Moore (The Substance) has swept the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and SAG Awards. But with Anora’s Mikey Madison taking the BAFTA and I’m Still Here’s Fernanda Torres still in play, Moore’s victory lap could be premature.

Best Supporting Actor: Could Kieran Culkin lose?

Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) has dominated awards season. Could someone else steal the statue? Sure. But at 87.7% likelihood, this one looks locked in.

Best Supporting Actress: This could be a clean sweep for Zoe Saldana 

Despite chatter that controversy around Emilia Pérez could hurt her chances, Zoe Saldaña is sweeping through the competition. The numbers say she’s almost certain to take home gold.

Best Animated flick: The Wild Robot could go for gold

Chris Sanders has been nominated four times — but never won. At 55 per cent, The Wild Robot is the favourite. But Flow and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl are still in the game.

Best International movie: A twist in the tale

Emilia Pérez was expected to dominate — but controversy, critic-audience divides, and I’m Still Here gaining ground could mean a shocking upset.

Final Thoughts: Who will win, who’ll lose

There’s no such thing as a sure thing at the Oscars — but if the data is right, expect major moments, potential heartbreaks, and perhaps a few historic wins.

(Source: Hollywood Reporter, BBC)

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Bollywood power couple Govinda’s marriage on the rocks after 40 years

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Salman Khan’s ‘Nepotism’ Joke Steals the Show at Nephew Ayaan’s Song Launch in Dubai

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Salman Khan has never been one to hold back, and at a recent event in Dubai, he added his signature dose of humour to the oft-debated topic of nepotism in Bollywood. The superstar, fondly known as Sallubhai, was in town to launch his nephew Ayaan Agnihotri’s debut song, “Universal Laws”, and in true Salman style, he had the audience in splits with his witty remark.

As Dubai’s DJ Bliss – who hosted the event – praised the Khan family for their unwavering support for Ayaan, Salman quipped, “That’s what nepotism is!” His playful jab left everyone in the room in splits.

And as the crowd cheered, Salman officially launched the song, marking Ayaan’s much-anticipated entry into the music world.

A Star-Studded Affair

The event turned into a Bollywood reunion, with stars like Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Neha Dhupia, Angad Bedi, and other celebrities coming together to celebrate Ayaan’s big moment.

During his speech, Salman highlighted that Ayaan, the son of Atul Agnihotri and Alvira Khan Agnihotri (Salman’s sister), hails from a family of seasoned film producers. He also mentioned that Ayaan’s cousin, Alizeh Agnihotri, who recently made her Bollywood debut, shares the same film-driven lineage.

Ayaan and Salman’s Previous Collaboration

This isn’t the first time the uncle-nephew duo has joined forces. Salman and Ayaan previously worked together on the track, “You Are Mine”, where the young artist showcased his rap skills alongside the Bollywood megastar. The song, composed by Vishal Mishra, became a talking point among fans.

Salman & Sanjay Dutt Spotted in Saudi Arabia

Meanwhile, Salman is keeping busy with multiple projects. A recent video circulating on social media showed him and actor Sanjay Dutt filming on the streets of Saudi Arabia. The clip, shared by an X user, captured the two actors casually chatting with crew members.

The buzz is that Salman and Sanjay are working on a cameo appearance in the Bollywood remake of the 2021 Argentine film Seven Dogs. While details remain under wraps, fans are excited to see the duo share screen space again.

From family celebrations in Dubai to shooting in Saudi Arabia, Salman Khan is proving yet again that his star power knows no boundaries.

(Inputs from Hindustan Times, Zee News)

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