Connect with us

News

SCRF: Grandma tales fame Sudha Murty looks at audiobook to connect with children

Published

on

Celebrated author, educator and philanthropist Sudha Murty left a packed hall of all age groups at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) captivated and craving for more just as her books do even at the age of 72.

Her session, titled ‘Tales of Grandma’, was the highlight of the day and the organisers even had to shut the doors midway into the session after the alleys also filled up with people standing. Many trooped in a little late because there were no clear directions on the agenda.

The love and affection from the children and parents alike, clamouring for pictures, blessings and signed autographs on her books, became so overbearing that the SCRF security had to called it off fearing a stampede on the dias.

Ms Murty, awarded India’s highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan last month, regaled the audience with tales as a grandmother would. Asked to choose a favourite among her published works, she said: “It is difficult to ask a mother to choose between her children, and my books are my children.” the author of 44 books (29 in English and 15 in Kannada) acknowledged that she now releases one book a year.

The Intellectual Hall at the Expo Centre was packed to the rafters. SCRF

To an interesting question about embracing technology through mediums such as podcasts to deliver her stories, Ms Murty gave a revealing confession. “I have always been comfortable just writing. Lately, I have been told that I need to look into new formats to share my stories. Podcasts are not for me. However, I recently requested my daughter to look into the possibility of audiobooks”.

Ms Murty’s advice to the young audience is to develop hobbies. “It can be anything, even one is fine if you pursue it in all earnest without letting your studies get affected. In fact, the hobby will help you focus on your studies, while also helping you become a better person.”

For the uninitiated, most of Ms Murty’s books are based on her real-life experiences, and hence “non-fiction to a large extent,” she said. Among her latest works has been a three-book set: Gopi Diaries. Citing the latest trilogy as an example, Ms Murty revealed that Gopi in the book is actually his dog. She also shared anecdotes of how the dog was initially unwanted, but ended up becoming “my son” within a year of entering the household.

Ms Murty is a philanthropist and wife of tech multinational Infosys head Narayan Murthy. Their daughter Akshata is married to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Recently, a video of her casual chat about Sunak went viral.

House of Wisdom visit

The author then visited the House of Wisdom (HoW), Sharjah’s iconic cultural centre and futuristic library, where she was introduced to the emirate’s efforts to promote culture, knowledge and innovation amongst the younger generation in the UAE and beyond. She sifted through HoW’s exhaustive physical and digital archives and was briefed on the various programmes and initiatives led by HoW to stimulate imaginations and boost cross-cultural understanding and exchange.

As part of her tour through HoW’s world-class facilities, Ms Murty stopped at the Little Reader section, where she was briefed on the events and workshops that are designed exclusively for children in order to develop their skills in a variety of areas. She also reviewed the wide-ranging collection of children and young adult titles in English, Arabic and other languages.

Health

UAE: Doctors get special traffic privileges for emergency calls

Published

on

Doctors in the UAE who respond to life-threatening emergencies can now bypass certain traffic rules, thanks to a unique service called the ‘Bin Wariqa Service’.

The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Interior, allows approved doctors to use their own cars to reach hospitals quickly during urgent medical calls. It’s designed to help save lives by cutting down emergency response times.

What is the Bin Wariqa Service?

The service was introduced in July 2020 under the direction of Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. It gives registered doctors special road privileges, including:

  • Driving up to 40 km/h over the speed limit
  • Using the hard shoulder
  • Getting live support from traffic patrols

The idea is to ensure doctors can reach patients faster, even during heavy traffic.

Who can use it?

To qualify, doctors must:

  • Belong to one of 13 approved critical medical specialities
  • Be licensed
  • Get Ministry approval
  • Complete emergency driving training

How does it work?

When a doctor gets an emergency call:

  1. They activate the service on the Ministry’s smart app (moiuae).
  2. Their trip is tracked by the operations room, which helps guide them through traffic.
  3. A green triangle device called a “lawah” is placed on their car to alert other drivers that it’s an emergency.

Keeping roads safe

The service is carefully monitored under Ministerial Resolution No. 248 of 2020. It ensures that doctors use special routes like road shoulders and bus lanes safely and only when needed. Live coordination with traffic teams ensures safety for everyone on the road.

Strong support from the medical community

So far, 97 per cent of eligible doctors have registered for the service, and it’s already helping reduce response times by up to 30 per cent.

A nod to medical heritage

The service is named after Saeed bin Wariqa Al Amri, a historic figure known for his work in traditional medicine and his service to the UAE’s founding leaders. It’s a modern tribute to the country’s deep respect for medical professionals.

Continue Reading

Health

Abu Dhabi opens new centre to treat thalassaemia and sickle cell patients

Published

on

A new centre has opened in Abu Dhabi to care for people living with thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. The Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Centre was launched by Burjeel Holdings at Burjeel Medical City.

The centre is designed to give complete, long-term care to people with thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. It has:

  • Outpatient clinics
  • A blood transfusion unit open 7 days a week
  • Advanced tests to check iron levels in the heart and liver
  • Genetic testing is done on-site

Patients are treated by doctors with many years of experience in both adult and children’s care. The centre also connects to other Burjeel hospitals across the UAE, making it easier for more people to access treatment.

Prof. Khaled Musallam, Director of the Centre, said: “Our goal is to make this a top centre in the region for treating rare blood diseases. We’re not just treating symptoms, we want to improve our patients’ lives through personalised and advanced care.”

The centre will also work with a nearby research centre to help patients join international clinical trials. This gives them access to new treatments, including possible cures.

The opening took place under the patronage of Sheikha Shaikha bint Saif bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Emirates Thalassemia Society and wife of Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. Several guests, including Sheikh Khalifa bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and leaders from Burjeel and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, attended the ceremony.

Continue Reading

News

Dubai’s RTA uses drones to clean metro and tram stations

Published

on

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started using drones to clean the outside of metro and tram stations. This new idea, launched with Keolis MHI, the company that runs and maintains the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram, is part of RTA’s efforts to use smart and sustainable technology.

This is a big change from the usual way of cleaning station facades, which often needs up to 15 workers per station. The drone method needs only 8 people, cutting manpower by more than half and reducing the risks that come with working at heights or in hard-to-reach areas.

Mohammed Al Ameeri, Director of Maintenance at RTA’s Rail Agency, said: “This project shows our commitment to trying new technologies that keep workers safe, use fewer resources, and help protect the environment. Using drones for cleaning is a smart way to maintain our stations and support Dubai’s sustainability goals.”

He also explained that drones use less water and reduce the need for workers to be in risky spots. “Working with Keolis MHI on this trial brings new opportunities. As we improve these automated tools, we can keep making our transport systems safer and greener,” he added.

The drone trial is already giving useful insights. While traditional cleaning still offers better results in some areas, drones are showing great potential. RTA and Keolis MHI are now looking into combining both methods to get the best results, more efficient, safe, and eco-friendly.

Vikas Sardana, Chief Operating Officer at Keolis MHI, said: “We’re proud to support RTA’s goals and Dubai’s vision for a smart and green city. This drone project is a step forward in making public transport safer, smarter, and more sustainable.”

He added: “The trial also supports Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Smart Dubai initiative. It’s part of our mission to bring smart technology to city services and help shape the future of urban transport.”

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/