Rahul Gandhi was just five years old when, at the invitation of his grandmother Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sheikh Zayed made a historic visit to India. This official engagement, which took place in 1975, formalised a vital partnership – already a century in the making – that has grown ever since. Mr Gandhi, now president of India's opposition Congress party, begins an inaugural two-day visit to the UAE today. To a packed Dubai International Cricket Stadium, he will speak about tolerance and the challenges faced by Indians overseas, before meeting with cabinet ministers and visiting the Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi – a rite of passage for foreign dignitaries. Today, bilateral ties are strengthened every year between the two nations, from finance and trade to security and the battle against extremism. As a potential future Indian prime minister, Mr Gandhi is, appropriately, signalling the enduring significance of these links.
His prospects grew in December, when the people of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan delivered a rebuke to the ruling – and previously dominant – BJP, in important state polls. Ahead of general elections due to be held by May, Mr Gandhi will be keen to build support among the UAE's influential Indian community. While they cannot vote from here, the 2.8 million-strong contingent – the UAE's largest expatriate group – will no doubt share their thoughts with their families back home. Meanwhile, many affluent Indians living and working in the emirates will return to say their piece at the polls. Viewed by some as inexperienced and dynastic, Mr Gandhi must act the statesman ahead of the vote. With this visit, marking the 150th birthday of the late Mahatma Gandhi, he will hope to do just that.
As migration to the UAE boomed in the 1970s and 80s, the hundreds of thousands of Indians who arrived helped to build the country we see today. With it came great mutual respect and kinship between two nations that share common goals. It was plain to see last year, when Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, attended republic day celebrations in New Delhi as the chief international guest. These ties can now only grow stronger. Mr Gandhi's visit shows that he is clearly cognisant of that fact.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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
The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
