Nobel laureate Sir Venki Ramakrishnan opened the Jaipur Literature Festival on Thursday morning with an impassioned defence of the sciences.
In his keynote address, Ramakrishnan, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2009, urged people to “enjoy science and mathematics, which are as much a triumph of human achievement and part of our culture as history, literature, art and music”.
Ramakrishnan's address, one of the best attended events of the day, reflected the themes of this year's festival programme, which seeks to explore subjects such as climate change, technology and the rise of Artificial Intelligence.
“Today, science is more important than ever,” said Ramakrishnan. “We live in a world in which science and technology are ubiquitous. Decisions are constantly made by governments, corporations, educators and others that affect us in profound ways.
“Much of what I have said may perhaps sound a little utilitarian, but science and the pursuit of knowledge is also a thing of beauty. Poets and artists have often reflected on the beauty of the night sky but the images of space from the Hubble Telescope speak for themselves. The double-helical structure of DNA, the molecule that encodes our genes, has a beautiful simplicity. And there is beauty and wonder right down to the atomic and subatomic level of matter.”
Norwegian writer Maja Lunde, author of bestselling novel The History of Bees, which imagines a dystopian world where all the bees have disappeared, continued this theme with her talk, in which she questioned whether humans would be able to reverse the damage caused to the planet by pollution and climate change.
“I’m optimistic every second day and pessimistic every second day,” said Lunde. “After the latest UN report, which came out before Christmas [and stated we had 11 years to stop global warming], it felt bleak. We really need to do so much more than we do.
“I feel my pessimism is rising unfortunately but I still try to keep my hope and look at all the good things that have happened [in history],” Lunde continued. “I wonder what it is that allowed us to rule the world and to be above all other species. Is there something in us that we can also use to save the planet? Do we have it or are we just driven by our instincts to get more and more?"
The Jaipur Literature Festival is on until January 28. For more information, visit: www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
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.
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
SPECS
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
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- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
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- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
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Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.
Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC
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2010 Champion
Jan 2011 Champion
Dec 2011 Semi-finalist
Dec 2012 Did not play
Dec 2013 Semi-finalist
2015 Semi-finalist
Jan 2016 Champion
Dec 2016 Champion
2017 Did not play
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