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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/

Announcements

Free Public Parking Announced In Dubai For Hijri New Year

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Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced free public parking and a revised public transport schedule for the Hijri New Year 1448 holiday on Monday June 15.

Public parking across Dubai, except for multi-storey parking facilities will be free with parking fees will resume on Tuesday June 16.

All RTA Customer Happiness Centres will be closed on Monday, but customers will still be able to access services through the Customer Happiness Centre in Umm Ramool and Smart Kiosks located in Deira, Al Barsha, Al Tawar, Al Kifaf and the RTA Headquarters.

Dubai Metro services on both the Red and Green Lines will run from 5am until midnight on Monday while Dubai Tram services will operate from 6am until 1am the following day.

Passengers using public buses are advised to check the S’hail app for updated holiday schedules.

The RTA also announced that Bus Route E100, which normally operates between Al Ghubaiba Bus Station and Abu Dhabi, will be suspended from June 13 to 15. Passengers heading to Abu Dhabi during this period can use Route E101 from Ibn Battuta Bus Station instead.

Marine transport services will be unaffected during this period.

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Announcements

Alhind to Launch Indian Consular Services Across UAE from July 2026

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The Indian Embassy in the UAE has announced that Alhind Tours and Travels LLC will become the sole outsourced service provider for passport, visa, and consular applications across the country starting July 1.

In a statement shared on its official social media channels, the Embassy said detailed information on procedures and working hours will be released in due course through official platforms. The transition will impact consular services for over 3.5 million Indian expatriates in the UAE.

Current service providers, BLS International Services Ltd. and SGIVS Global, will continue operations until June 30, with applicants advised to complete pending submissions before the changeover.

Under the new arrangement, the largest service centre is expected to be located in Bur Dubai, spanning approximately 12,000 square feet with over 45 service counters. Alhind has also indicated plans to streamline operations through an expanded workforce of more than 400 staff, alongside an all-inclusive service fee of Dh19, excluding mandatory government charges.

The Embassy and Consulate have urged applicants to depend only on official sources for updates, cautioning against misinformation, and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a smooth transition of services.

The decision follows a tender issued in November 2025 for outsourcing a range of consular services at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Four companies—Alhind, DU Digital Global Ltd, SGIVS Global LLC, and VFS Global—were shortlisted, with Alhind emerging as the lowest bidder.

Founded in Kerala in 1992, Alhind Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd is part of the wider Alhind Group, which operates across IT services, luxury rentals, and foreign exchange. The company expanded its presence to the UAE and other Middle Eastern markets in 1995.

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Travelling to Oman? Sharjah introduces new bus departure times

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Travellers heading from the UAE to Oman now have more flexibility, with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) announcing revised schedules for its popular intercity bus service connecting Sharjah with Sohar and Muscat.

The updated timings apply to Intercity Bus Route 203, which departs from Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah and serves passengers travelling to Oman’s two major cities. The changes are aimed at improving convenience, enhancing cross-border mobility, and providing more travel options for residents and visitors.

New Sharjah to Muscat bus timings

Passengers travelling from Sharjah can now choose from three daily departures:

  • 6:30am
  • 3:30pm
  • 8:30pm

Oman to Sharjah bus timings

For travellers returning from Oman, buses departing from Sohar and Muscat will operate at:

  • 7:00am
  • 1:30pm
  • 3:00pm

More travel options between UAE and Oman

SRTA said the revised schedule is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional transport connectivity and offer a comfortable, safe and efficient travel experience between the UAE and Oman.

Passengers are advised to check the latest updates through SRTA’s official channels before travelling and to arrive at the station early to ensure a smooth journey.

Route: Intercity Bus 203
Departure Point: Al Jubail Bus Station, Sharjah
Destinations: Sohar and Muscat, Oman
New Timings Effective: Immediately

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