India's Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, spoke to more than 1,000 pupils at the Indian High School in Dubai, on Friday.
He made a stop at the oldest Indian education institution in the Gulf region as part of his three-day visit to the UAE.
“You can work anywhere you like but have India in your heart,” he said in response to a question from a pupil who asked how youth living overseas can contribute to their home country.
Brushing aside a conventional outlook that people who left the country to study or work overseas were a ‘brain drain’, Mr Muraleedharan described making a mark abroad as a gain for India.
Cherish your roots
“Your service to India need not be that you go back to India and work there,” he said.
“When you go anywhere else in the world, uphold the traditions and culture of our country.”
He also asked pupils to not neglect the underprivileged sections of society.
“Earlier, Indians who received education in India but went abroad for work were termed "brain drain". We no longer use that word for the phenomenon now," Mr Muraleedharan said.
“We say Indian youth have transformed the whole world into their workplace.
“So, you may have received your education in India or you are studying in Dubai, always uphold the tradition of vasudeva kutumbakam (the world is one family).”
He urged schools and organisations to provide stationery for needy children and clothes for the poor instead of presenting mementos and coffee table books to guests at events.
Education is key to success
He also spoke of the need for pupils to adapt to a fast-paced changing environment by regularly updating their skills and valuing the education they have received.
“The world is witnessing rapid changes in education,” Mr Muraleedharan said, mentioning the skills initiatives announced by governments in India and the UAE.
“The Covid pandemic has further accelerated changes in every field including learning.
“Knowledge and skills required for tomorrow will certainly be different from what we have got used to today.
“It’s important to acquire knowledge and skills and adapt to the changing environment.
“You all have to be ready to accept this change and foresee future challenges.”
The takeaway for students was to be the change themselves instead of offering advice to others.
"This is the first time I am seeing a minister address pupils in person. We relate and realise that we should really talk to people more and understand them,” said Gayathri Gopinath, a 16-year-old student.
Parthiv Jayachandran, 17, spoke of how academic excellence was not enough.
“It was interesting to know that along with academics, we also need to develop and learn to contribute and help others.”
Mr Muraleedharan will meet community, business leaders and workers on Friday and Saturday.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Messi at the Copa America
2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final
2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals
2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
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- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
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*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
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The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
Oppenheimer
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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
Maestro
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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
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
