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

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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.

Business

UAE Central Bank revokes insurance broker’s license for violations

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In a major regulatory move, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has revoked the license of Dynamics Insurance Brokers, citing non-compliance with key financial regulations.

A deep-dive examination by the CBUAE uncovered that the brokerage firm failed to meet licensing terms and regulatory requirements, prompting swift action from the financial watchdog. The move aligns with Article 22 (2) of the Insurance Authority Board of Directors Resolution No. 15 of 2013, which governs insurance brokerage operations in the country.

The UAE’s financial sector is built on trust and transparency, and the CBUAE is doubling down on its mission to uphold integrity in the insurance industry. By keeping a close eye on financial players, the Central Bank ensures the sector remains rock solid and fully compliant with UAE laws.

(Source: Wam)

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UAE budget airline launches direct flights to Almaty from June

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Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced a new direct route to Almaty, Kazakhstan, from Zayed International Airport, further expanding its international network. The new service will commence on June 3, 2025, with flights operating three times a week.

Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “This expansion strengthens connectivity between Abu Dhabi and key global markets.”

He further emphasized the airline’s role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s growth as a tourism and business hub, noting that the new service caters to the increasing demand for budget-friendly travel while enhancing passenger convenience.

With the addition of Almaty, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi now offers direct flights to 30 destinations, giving travellers more choices for regional and international journeys.

Why Visit Almaty?
Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, vibrant markets, and rich cultural heritage. The city is an ideal destination for both leisure and business travellers, offering a mix of scenic beauty and modern urban experiences.

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Self-driving taxis are to hit Dubai roads next year

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Self-driving taxis

Dubai is gearing up to introduce self-driving taxis by 2026 as part of its ambitious push towards autonomous mobility.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its partnerships with leading autonomous driving technology providers, including Uber Technologies, WeRide, and China’s Baidu, through its Apollo Go mobility arm. The autonomous taxis will be available via the Uber platform.

“These partnerships mark a major milestone in Dubai’s Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25 per cent of all city trips autonomous by 2030,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the RTA Board.

Dubai’s Vision for Smart Mobility

This initiative is part of RTA’s broader strategy to position Dubai as a global leader in autonomous transport, reinforcing its vision to become the smartest city in the world.

According to Al Tayer, self-driving taxis will enhance public transport integration, improving first and last-mile connectivity for commuters and making travel across Dubai more seamless.

Apollo Go: The World’s Largest Driverless Fleet

One of RTA’s key partners, Apollo Go, has already achieved significant milestones in autonomous mobility:
150 million km of safe autonomous driving
10+ million autonomous rides completed across 10 Chinese cities
Fully driverless operations launched since February 2024
RT6 Robotaxi, designed for ride-hailing, has been widely adopted by passengers

With Dubai’s push towards AI-driven transport, autonomous taxis are set to transform the way residents and visitors move around the city—ushering in a new era of driverless mobility.

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