In Tobias Becker’s new book Yesterday, which is an examination of the concept, history and idea of nostalgia, the author notes that the word was originally defined as “homesickness” but that later mutated into meaning something akin to a “sentimental yearning for some period of the past”.
It is no surprise at all that Becker’s book begins by quoting the lyrics of The Beatles’ song Yesterday as a gateway into nostalgia, with its yearning for the simplicity of the past and its affirmation of the better times of before.
Given the fast pace of change in this country, there is often a brisk secondary market in nostalgia, or a tendency by plenty of us, me included, to look back at the past to make sense of the future the UAE is constantly rushing towards – and to sometimes reach the conclusion that the past was somehow better, rather than being, as novelist LP Hartley put it, “a foreign country”.
We all have a selective memory, carefully curating and editing in our minds the experiences of the past to cut things out here or to amplify bits there and you don’t have to look too intently to find those reminders of days gone by in this country.
In the neighbourhood where I live, a walk past the now-empty Mushrif campus of the International School of Choueifat, for instance, might induce a pang of nostalgia among former students of the historic campus, first established in Abu Dhabi in the 1970s.
Where once it was busy grounds full of young people, today the students have been shifted to another crosstown campus, while heavy machinery crawls over the former site and removes the husks of the old buildings in preparation for redevelopment and improvement.
We all have a selective memory, carefully curating and editing in our minds the experiences of the past
Or when pictures of modern gold-and-white liveried taxis started appearing on social media recently, many long-term residents’ reaction would, I suspect, have been to fondly remember the original versions, which were finally withdrawn from service at the end of 2012 – to be replaced by the now familiar silver Abu Dhabi cabs.
The memory plays tricks on you, of course, and as The National reported when they were withdrawn from service, gold-and-white cabs weren’t universally loved, even if the pictures of modern taxis decked out in the livery of old attracted plenty of thumbs-ups, likes and shares on the digital platforms where those images were published.
“For many their passing will elicit no lamentations … but for some, the original taxis reflect a more colourful, older way of life,” we reported a decade ago, nodding gently to the fact that the cabs were often kitted out inside to reflect the idiosyncrasies of the driver’s personal tastes and that the meter didn’t automatically switch on when you sat in their seats.
The reality was that “old golds” were sometimes cramped, poorly maintained cars, which stood in stark contrast to the GPS-enabled, modern, spacious fleet of silver cabs we’re familiar with now. It’s a classic area where regulation has helped achieve progress rather than hinder it. That, perhaps, is also the genius of retro liveries on modern cars, thereby retaining the look and feel of the old, while giving it a thoroughly modern twist.
The pace of change in terms of rapid provision of services can be seen through the lens of nostalgia, too.
Last month, the government set out its 10 economic principles for the next decade, which are broadly focused on growth, stability and opportunity.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, described the principles as working towards putting the UAE at the “forefront of the global economies with a strong digital infrastructure, secure systems, flexible legislative framework, and a renewable futuristic mindset”.
It wasn’t very many years ago that the renewal or conversion of a driver’s licence or the issuing of a new permit would involve a journey in one of those old gold taxis to a government building and several hours of waiting, processing and validating before the relevant document was approved and then several more days before the physical permit arrived.
Now, those transactions can be performed in minutes on a government services app that serves as a form of one-stop shop for consumers. In this case, few would wish for a return to the old days of lengthy bureaucracy.
Cutting red tape doesn’t confer the country with a competitive advantage by itself, of course, because those processes are replicable and are not unique to this trading environment, but it is indicative of the direction the nation is moving in.
The economy grew sharply in the first half of the year – by 3.7 per cent – something which officials say is down to resilience, diversification, openness and co-operation. Every annual Arab Youth Survey that is published is a reminder that the region’s young people recognise the advantages of life here, including opportunity, transformation and greater, growing ease of setting up shop or home and doing business. These, perhaps, are the undervalued statistics and firm monuments of progress.
It is easy to be wistful about the past, particularly when the present can be anxiety-ridden and the future can seem uncertain. There is no harm in romanticising the past, but we should also recognise the advantages of now and the promise of tomorrow.
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
The years Ramadan fell in May
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Read more about the coronavirus
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
Coming 2 America
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones
3/5 stars
Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')
Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
