When tragedy strikes in Megha Majumdar's brilliant debut novel, A Burning, a young Muslim woman called Jivan is carrying a bag of books to give to Lovely, an exuberant member of India's transgender community, to whom she is teaching English in the Kolkata slum where they live.
In the terrorist attack that ensues, more than a hundred people die on a burning train, while the authorities seem to look on impassively.
It's been so strange. I think it will take me years to process that kind of praise
Horrified, Jivan takes to Facebook and posts: “If the police didn’t help ordinary people like you and me, if the police watched them die, doesn’t that mean the government is also a terrorist?”
In the search for blame and retribution, it's fair to say those simple words don't do her any favours. When they go viral, Jivan is arrested and sent to jail to await the trial that gives A Burning its propulsive narrative force. After all, the penalty for conviction of a terrorist offence is death.
Inspired by real life
Majumdar, who grew up in Kolkata and now lives in New York, says Jivan's predicament wasn't inspired by a particular event, rather an "accumulation" of things she has witnessed and heard over the years. "There's a scene in the book where a mob attacks a villager who is suspected of having eaten beef, and you know, that just came out of so many news articles like that," she says.
It's Majumdar's incredible commitment to all the vagaries, contradictions, possibilities and joys of Indian life that has made A Burning such an eagerly anticipated book – it was released to a US audience in June last year, but to the rest of the world only last week.
“I really wanted to revisit the spirit of the place as I see it, all the little interactions and relationships that make up a neighbourhood and a city,” she says.
In the US, Majumdar received the kind of acclaim debut authors can only dream of. Writing in The New Yorker, celebrated critic James O'Brien marvelled at the sophisticated way an Indian panoply emerges, and the book's "extraordinary directness and openness to life". A National Book Award longlisting followed, along with bestselling status and end-of-year acclaim in Time magazine and, well, almost every US publication of note.
"It's been so strange," she says. "I think it will take me years to process that kind of praise. You write your document in a place of quietness and solitude, just tinkering with questions and words and kind of polishing things, and then all of a sudden, to have it be an object that people are responding to …"
She tails off, almost amazed this life-changing situation – she's been compared to Akhil Sharma and VS Naipaul – has happened to her.
“Actually, I’ve just been immensely grateful; there’s so much going on in the world right now that I know many people just do not have the bandwidth to keep up with everything.”
A moral conundrum
Actually, perhaps the reason A Burning has struck such a chord is precisely because it offers such a clear-eyed view of the complexity of the world, through the lens of the India in which Majumdar grew up. She distinctly remembers going to a market in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata and realising the person removing the scales from the fish was a child her age.
"I'd be on the school bus, and look out at kids in roadside eating places washing plates and dishes," she says. "I was very aware how immensely lucky I was, and in time I also saw how people move through networks and systems that don't serve them, and did so with intelligence, humour and determination," she says.
I was very interested in whether a society allows you to care about justice for everybody, or whether it pushes you into this corner
This idea is important in A Burning because its two other brilliantly drawn characters – Lovely, who has dreams of becoming an actress, and PT Sir, Jivan's former teacher who sees a way out of his role via Hindu nationalist politics – both have the ability to assist Jivan. Whether, when faced with their chance to leave their lowly lives behind, they will chose truth or betrayal, is key to a book that doesn't contain bad people as much as bad situations.
“I was very interested in the question of whether such a society allows you to care about justice for everybody, or whether it pushes you into this corner where you realise that either you rise or somebody else rises,” Majumdar says.
"I wanted to see whether these people – who are so close to achieving something that is meaningful for them – will act out of self-interest.
“And, yeah, I felt that perhaps the harder and more complex thing to think about is that they’re not bad people. I never meant to write villains, but they are definitely people who are very aware that they have one chance at rising above their current circumstances, and either they seize it, or they let it go.”
The moral conundrum, but piercing reality, of that notion, along with the injustice of Jivan's situation and a number of other moments in the book that underline Majumdar's desire to process "the rise of this ideology which seeks to determine who belongs in a nation and who doesn't", might make A Burning seem polemical, dark and difficult. But the author simply lays all Indian life out before us. And does so through electrifyingly readable and enjoyable characters, without ever being frivolous.
"I wanted to see if I could write a book that grapples with these important ideas, but would not be preachy or dry," she says. "That could be entertaining, have a tight plot and move really fast. How could I write this intellectually serious book while also making it fun, and what does fun even look like in this context?"
The response from the wider public to these burning questions certainly seems to suggest Majumdar succeeded in her aims. But how does she feel about her book – India, even – now that the dust has settled a little?
"I go back every year – when there's not a pandemic – and my family are all there," she says. "Writing about India was a chance to be closer to it still, and like every place it has its challenges. But what I really wanted to focus on was how people do not give up. People still have their wildest dreams that they chase, they still want a better life, a more meaningful life, despite all of the hurdles in their way.
“And at the same time, I hope the book encourages people to think about injustice wherever they are, and in whatever form they have encountered it. To think about the difficulty of living a moral life, and how people still try to do so.”
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Zayed Sustainability Prize
RACE CARD
4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m
5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENetflix%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKris%20Fade%2C%20Ebraheem%20Al%20Samadi%2C%20Zeina%20Khoury%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYodawy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarim%20Khashaba%2C%20Sherief%20El-Feky%20and%20Yasser%20AbdelGawad%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2424.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlgebra%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20MEVP%20and%20Delivery%20Hero%20Ventures%2C%20among%20others%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
