I write in reference to your article Indian general election to begin voting on April 11 (March 11). Himendra Mohan Kumar's article on the fast approaching Indian general elections was a riveting read. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to all his countrymen to turn out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote. This time round, the election battle is certain to be very tough and I am personally confident that the voter turnout will increase on the 65.4 per cent witnessed in 2014. If Mr Modi retains his position as prime minister, overcoming Congress's young, dynastic leader Rahul Gandhi, that will be an important victory for his agenda and legacy. But whether Mr Modi can actually deliver on many of the promises he made in 2014 remains to be seen. The electoral commission will deploy soldiers on election day to protect the voting booths. After all, you can never be too careful in events as significant as this.
Now is the time for true gender equality worldwide
I write in reference to your article International Women's Day will remain necessary until worldwide equality is achieved (March 8). Unfortunately, the heavily inflated male ego and a general lack of confidence among many men are still preventing too many women from reaching their immense potential. The time for true gender equality in the home and the workplace truly has come.
Name withheld by request
Hospitality runs in the veins of Arabs everywhere
I refer to your article Why more Emiratis are choosing a career in the hospitality industry (March 11). Hospitality is one of the most positive qualities of the people of the Arabian Peninsula and its runs in the veins of Emiratis and Arabs at large. They are truly formidable hosts. I think it is a great thing for them to make a career out of.
Miguel Llorente, Dubai
Desire for cute pets cannot outweigh animal suffering
I write in reference to your article 'Lonely Loris' found abandoned in Dubai gets new home (March 11). These creatures are trafficked into the country, causing unimaginable suffering for them. They are very popular pets, but few owners understand or respect their very specific needs. We need to stamp out this worrying trend of poor care and abandonment.
Claire Wyness, Abu Dhabi
People should investigate the animal before trying to acquire one. Research would show them that is it quite simply not a suitable pet. Don’t get me wrong, the slow loris is adorable, but the suffering of the animal should never be outweighed by the desire for a “cute” pet in your home.
Sarah Lloyd, United States
Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
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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
MATCH INFO
England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')
Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Jurassic%20Park
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESteven%20Spielberg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sam%20Neill%2C%20Jeff%20Goldblum%20and%20Richard%20Attenborough%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
