Tag Archives: facebook
Dubai all set to welcome Eid visitors
Dubai all set to welcome Eid visitors Mustafa Al Zarooni / 14 October 2013 Dubai and other emirates are decked up to receive visitors during Eid Al Adha as thousands of residents prepared for the annual Haj pilgrimage and holidays. With government offices and schools closed for the week, many residents left for their holiday destinations last week.The pleasant weather, combined with the UAE’s range of tourist attractions and shopping opportunities, is luring thousands of tourists for the festivities which is the longest in the region. Saudi officials say 400,000 Saudi citizens are expected to visit Dubai and other emirates during the Eid holidays. Eid in Dubai celebrations is attracting families from the region and malls will stay open for 24 hours as the city transforms itself as an entertainment hub during the season. “Three years ago we celebrated Eid in Dubai for the first time, and since then we regularly come to relive the experience. We are very busy, my husband and I; and we hardly go out together with the kids in our hometown — the holy city of Makkah. We love to shop all day, dine at different outlets and take the kids to theme parks. As a family, our favourite shopping mall is Dubai Festival City Mall,” said Um Mani from Saudi Arabia. Naseema Al Flaij from Kuwait is visiting Dubai with her sister, nieces and nephew. “Dubai has become a destination during school holidays and unites us as a family. To us Dubai is like a second homeland, it’s clean and organised,” she said. She says the kids are fascinated by the programmes and the entertainment is top notch. “Dubai is a safe place and enjoys a high level of security,” she adds. Naseema’s nephew Ali Al Osaimi loves the Zabeel Saray Hotel while Nawal enjoys shopping and dining at The Dubai Mall. The youngest sister, Hind who is only three, loves Wild Wadi Water Park. Expats have also been busy shopping and stocking up food and sweets for the big day. Many purchase gifts for friends and family, with retail outlets obliging with special rates and promotions. Hisham Kiwan, a Lebanese national, has spent 19 years in Dubai. He was out enjoying the holiday season with his wife and little daughters Reem and Sara. “Most of our relatives usually come over to stay with us to celebrate and also tour Dubai. We also spend a lot of time shopping. Reem, my eldest, loves the Dubai Aquarium and she never gets tired of observing the fish. My youngest just loves to visit the Burj Khalifa all the time.” Cem Ali from Turkey has convinced his parents to visit Dubai this year. “What I like most about Dubai is the blend of nationalities and that unique social fabric. The blend is like the colourful fireworks, which we have discovered by mere coincidence and that the show is on every day during the Eid in Dubai — Eid Al Adha celebrations.” -malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Temple stampede in Madhya Pradesh kills 105
Temple stampede in Madhya Pradesh kills 105 (IANS) / 14 October 2013 More than 100 people injured in the tragedy at the Ratangarh temple, located in a forested part of Datia district. In one of the worst tragedies of its kind, a horrific stampede at a Durga temple in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday left at least 105 people dead, Chief Secretary Anthony Disa said on Sunday. Witnesses and officials said more than 100 others were injured in the tragedy at the Ratangarh temple, located in a forested part of Datia district, 390km north of the state capital and 55km from Datia town. Officials admitted that the death toll could rise as many of the injured were in critical condition. Most of the dead were women and children, crushed by an army of pilgrims who began to flee a bridge over the river Sindh following a rumour that it was collapsing. Some pilgrims, however, contended that the tragedy happened after police used batons to regulate the tens of thousands who had gathered on the last day of Navaratri festival. An estimated 2.5 lakh people had massed all around the Maa Ratangarh Wali temple, a police officer said. About 35,000 people were at the site of the tragedy alone. Just how the stampede happened was in dispute. But once it happened, the religious event turned bloody. A large number of people jumped in panic into the Sindh river from the bridge to escape getting stampeded. Survivors complained that it took three to four hours for any help to reach the temple area. Thick crowds all around the temple made the task of transporting the injured to hospitals difficult. Some were rushed to a hospital at Datia and others to Gwalior. Deputy Inspector General of Police D.K. Arya told IANS that many pilgrims were critically injured. He added that some were missing after falling off the bridge. Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Antony Disa pledged to take action against those responsible for the stampede. He said more than 20 bodies had been flushed out of the river. A judicial enquiry has been ordered into the disaster. Some devotees complained that the number of policemen deployed to control the crowds was grossly inadequate. One account put the number of policemen at less than 10. But after the disaster, more police personnel were rushed to the temple area, partly to tackle the mob ire. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a compensation of Rs1.5 lakh to the kin of each of those killed. Datia legislator Narottam Mishra, who is also the state government spokesman, blamed the stampede on a rumour that the bridge on the river near the temple was collapsing. An angry crowd later stoned police personnel, injuring 12 men, including two officers. Congress leader Ajay Singh alleged that many of the victims died because they remained without medical help for a long time. A near similar tragedy in 2006 left 49 people dead in the temple area. It was then that authorities built a bridge over the Sindh river. Ironically, that bridge was involved in Sunday’s stampede. Continue reading
DH, Emaar to develop The Lagoons
DH, Emaar to develop The Lagoons Staff Report / 8 October 2013 Dubai Holding (DH) and Emaar Properties on Monday signed a joint venture agreement to develop The Lagoons, a magnificent waterfront city that will define the ambitious new face of Dubai’s future, within Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City). “The six million square metres development will feature a business district, residential units and hotels,” the companies said in a statement on Monday. The project stretches from the banks of the Dubai Creek, through central parcels of land linked to Al Khail Road and across Ras Al Khor. It serves as a modern architectural continuum from Dubai Creek to the modern business and lifestyle centres of the city today. Inspired and built by the banks of the Dubai Creek, this prestigious project will bridge modernity with tradition by upholding the core values that have shaped Dubai as a cosmopolitan hub that is home to over 200 nationalities. At the heart of the project is The Dubai Twin Towers, a mixed-use iconic development that defines a new skyline for the city, and is envisaged to join the rank of the world’s most prestigious skyscrapers. In a joint statement, Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, and Ahmad bin Byat, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, said: “His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, constantly reminds us that Dubai has achieved less than 10 per cent of its development potential. Dubai has always been a forward-looking city, and today, as we enter our next phase of growth led by our youth, it is important that National Champion companies such as Dubai Holding and Emaar work jointly to launch projects that are important to boost the city’s future development. “As the city further underlines its credentials as a global hub by welcoming professionals and entrepreneurs from around the world, and led by the Dubai Tourism Vision to record 20 million visitors by the turn of the decade, it is important to continue to build our world-class infrastructure to meet future needs. The project, which will be a new catalyst for growth and create robust opportunities for commerce and entrepreneurship, will set new benchmarks in urban development, with its focus on the tech-savvy and connected youth population who are taking centrestage in driving Dubai’s impressive growth. “We are thus creating a vibrant destination that will not only address their lifestyle requirements of modern retail, entertainment and hospitality, but also connect them to their Arab heritage. This prestigious development fulfills His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision by creating a world-class infrastructure that will firmly establish Dubai as one of the Top 10 global cities by 2020. Truly world-class in design, it will be an inspiring work, play and live environment with several iconic developments, further driving the city’s growth.” The distinguishing feature of the development is its focus on creating distinctive neighbourhoods, which are pedestrian friendly. It will be supported by several sustainable transport modes including a direct link with Dubai Metro’s Red and Green Lines, an eco-tram system, light monorail, and water taxis. The sweeping waterfront of the project lined by retail, commercial and residential zones will be built around two central parks. The ‘green’ theme will further resonate in several environmental-friendly features including eco-resorts, water features, and gardens. A number of small marinas will also be developed across the waterfront. — business@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
