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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.

Crime

Dubai Police deny reports of ‘missing’ Ukrainian model, reveal she fell from building site

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Dubai Police have rubbished sensational reports that a 20-year-old Ukrainian model was “missing for 10 days” and later found “battered” by the side of the road, insisting the claims are completely false.

In an official statement, police confirmed that the woman had not been abducted or abandoned but was, in fact, in hospital recovering from severe injuries sustained in a tragic fall at a restricted construction site.

The shocking twist comes after international media outlets claimed the model had mysteriously vanished, only to be discovered in distress days later. But Dubai authorities have set the record straight, revealing that she was injured on March 12 after entering the site alone and falling from a significant height.

Witnesses immediately called emergency services, and she was rushed to the hospital, where she remains under medical care, with her family by her side.

Police dismissed the widely circulated reports as “inaccurate,” slamming claims that she was missing or left abandoned as completely untrue.

Officials have urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation and respect the woman’s privacy as she recovers. Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, keeping all case details strictly confidential under UAE law.

(Source: GN)

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Major UAE road closed for three months, drivers urged to plan ahead

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If you’re driving in Abu Dhabi, take note, a key road on Saadiyat Island will be closed for the next three months.

The Integrated Transport Centre (AD Mobility) shared an update on X (formerly Twitter) to alert motorists about multiple road closures in Abu Dhabi. Drivers are advised to plan their routes in advance to avoid delays and disruptions.

The affected road, Jacques Chirac Street, will remain closed until June 30. This closure impacts a key route near Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in the Saadiyat Cultural District. It also affects access near Nobu Residences and Saadiyat Grove.

AD Mobility has shared a map on its official social media platform, highlighting the closed section in red and the alternative routes in green. Drivers are encouraged to stay cautious while commuting.

Make sure to adjust your travel plans accordingly to avoid delays.

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Business

Packed planes, high fares: Will UAE-India flight rules change to make travel more affordable, create jobs?

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A new report has revealed how opening up flights between India and the UAE could slash fares, create jobs, and unlock over $1 billion in savings, but red tape is keeping passengers grounded.

The study, ‘Combined Skies: Unlocking the Benefits of UAE-India Aviation Liberalisation for Indian Travellers’, breaks down the huge economic benefits of expanding air services. Part of a broader investigation into a possible overhaul of UAE-India flight agreements, the report examines how tourism, trade, job creation, and even regulatory hurdles could be transformed by liberalisation. But with flights already packed, will authorities act before it’s too late?

Flights At Breaking Point!

India’s aviation market is soaring, set to double by 2030. UAE-India flights carried 19 million passengers in 2023, 30% of India’s total international traffic. Yet strict government limits on air services are choking growth, keeping flights expensive and hard to book.

Big Money, Bigger Roadblocks

The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner, with trade soaring to $84 billion last year. More flights mean faster business trips, smoother cargo movement, and stronger economic ties. But without urgent action, both nations risk losing out on billions in trade and investment.

Tourism Nightmare?

UAE travellers flock to India for medical treatments, business, and holidays, but tight flight caps make trips more expensive and less frequent. Expanding air routes could supercharge tourism and create thousands of jobs in airports, airlines, and hospitality.

Passengers Could Save Big

More flights = cheaper tickets. A modest 5% annual increase in seat capacity could save Indian travellers $152 million by 2028. But go big, double capacity over five years, and that jumps to a jaw-dropping $1.05 billion.

Who Gets Cheaper Flights?

Not all routes will see huge price drops. Delhi–Dubai and Mumbai–Dubai are maxed out—more flights won’t slash fares much. But for smaller Indian cities, adding flights could send ticket prices tumbling and unleash massive demand.

India and the UAE are sitting on an aviation jackpot, but they need to act now before the opportunity flies away.

(Source: www.orfonline.org)

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