With reference to Chitrabhanu Kadalayil's op-ed Is the writing already on the wall for India's opposition? (December 18): There are good reasons for the expected return to power for the BJP. First, its positioned as a Hindu party in a country where people have not forgotten the violence of the 1947 partitioning of the country. Many Hindus, in various institutions and organisations, feel aligned with the BJP’s ideology. The secular philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru, which guided India for first 70 years is gradually receding into history.
Second, the BJP has been transferring cash in the bank accounts of the lower-income citizens on a regular basis as a part of various welfare schemes, to the delight of voters.
Third, every improvement in infrastructure is treated as a significant achievement, with speeches and a media blitz.
Fourth, the BJP has selected Mr Modi as the face of the party. So, we have one party, one leader. His photo is everywhere, at all functions and junctions. The party is perpetually in election mode and has built an organisational machinery to fight elections. Every fortnight, there is an event to highlight the party’s achievement. It could be a moon-landing or a G-20 meet or a foreign state visit or even a cricket carnival to mesmerise the public. The BJP is on a ceaseless promotional drive.
Finally, the opposition in India, including the Congress, has not galvanised to meet the challenge. They lack a common ideology and working programme and they need a savvy leader. Under these circumstances, the BJP will likely romp to victory again in 2024.
RK Aneja, Dubai
A little money put aside pays off
With reference to Felicity Glover's article My Dubai Salary: ‘I earn Dh300,000 a year in energy management' (December 19): That's a sensible approach to savings. He's a good example of knowing at a young age that passive income will lead to the life one wants to enjoy in retirement.
Mildred Ortega Galias, Bicol, Phillipines
The value of good people
With reference to The National's report More UAE medical volunteers head to field hospital in Gaza (December 17): The emotional turmoil volunteers face in such situations is presumably immense. Even though professionals have the training, perhaps at some level they still struggle with striking a balance between empathising with the patients and their families, stepping into their emotional world while also maintaining a professional distance.
Coping mechanisms vary from person to person and from day-to-day. Medical professionals could find solace in knowing that their skills contribute to easing the suffering of others. This then becomes a powerful coping mechanism. But compassion fatigue can take a toll on even the most resilient healthcare professionals.
In a world often measured through transactions, it's easy to forget that the true essence of a meaningful life lies in the relationships we build and the positive effect we have on others.
Strength for healthcare and wellness professionals, as for most people in other jobs, lies in the relationships they build. The value of surrounding oneself with loved ones and creating a supportive community cannot be overstated. Having people around who understand you and the meaning behind the work becomes crucial for the emotional well-being of those in challenging professions .
It urges a shift away from transactional thinking, particularly in the context of the unique challenges faced by healthcare and wellness professionals dealing with compassion fatigue.
Nora J Al Suwaidi, Abu Dhabi
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Honeymoonish
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Company%20Profile
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T20 SQUADS
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shinwari, Hassan Ali, Imad Wasim, Waqas Maqsood, Faheem Ashraf.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Real Madrid (2) v Bayern Munich (1)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When: 10.45pm, Tuesday
Watch Live: beIN Sports HD
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
The%C2%A0specs%20
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The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed CVT
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Dunbar
Edward St Aubyn
Hogarth
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
POWERWASH%20SIMULATOR
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Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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EA%20Sports%20FC%2024
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57%20Seconds
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
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SPECS
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Company Profile
Company name: Fine Diner
Started: March, 2020
Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and food delivery
Initial investment: Dh75,000
Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp
Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000
Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia