This weekend marked a historic moment for the UAE as the first batch of young Emiratis began their national service. Behind them were proud members of their families, ahead of them is a potentially life-changing experience that will allow these young recruits to be more prepared for future challenges.
It won’t be easy. Few things of value are, of course, but apart from those who play sport regularly, the training for national service will be of a different order of difficulty than anything they have previously experienced. For those who tough it out, this period will pay dividends, personally, socially and for the country as a whole.
Serving time in the military is character-building: it will make recruits more disciplined, more comfortable depending on themselves in their daily lives and more resilient to stress and distress.
All of these are “soft” skills that will help them in later life. For those who enrol directly after high school, it presents an opportunity for these young recruits to properly think about the next stage in their lives and what they want from it.
Socially, too, there are benefits. The group experience will introduce them to new people from different backgrounds across the seven emirates. It will enhance their leadership and communication skills and broaden their horizons. In that sense, military service is a great melting pot – out of which recruits will emerge as even better citizens of this land. It can also reinforce their sense of pride and national identity.
Most of all there will be benefits for the UAE are a whole. A generation who have become accustomed to prosperity and a comfortable lifestyle, will now also develop a greater understanding of the fact that none of that comes without hard work and sacrifice. There may also be some recruits who, having enjoyed a brief taste of what the military has to offer during their period of national service, are persuaded to accept a longer commission from the armed forces.
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Company%20Profile
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SPECS
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Fixtures (all times UAE)
Saturday
Brescia v Atalanta (6pm)
Genoa v Torino (9pm)
Fiorentina v Lecce (11.45pm)
Sunday
Juventus v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Inter Milan v SPAL (6pm)
Lazio v Udinese (6pm)
Parma v AC Milan (6pm)
Napoli v Bologna (9pm)
Verona v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Monday
Cagliari v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
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Pathaan
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
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MWTC
Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.
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