Tag Archives: lifestyle
Mohammed: Bureaucracy inhibits innovation
Mohammed: Bureaucracy inhibits innovation (Wam) / 19 August 2013 His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has said bureaucracy and routine are counter-productive and inhibit innovation and excellence, referring to the importance of developing government administrative work. “Let us be advocates of innovation and excellence. Our mission is to join forces and make our beloved country rank top globally in terms of services provided to citizens,” he said, as he paid an inspection visit to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) on Sunday. Shaikh Mohammed, Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed and Lt-Gen Shaikh Saif bin Zayed looking at the old passports displayed at Al Dana Museum in the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai on Sunday. — Wam Shaikh Mohammed underlined the significance of tolerance and respect for the rights of people irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, stressing the value of enriching the welcoming experience for visitors who enter the country by means of air, sea and land. During the visit, Shaikh Mohammed was briefed on the efforts being made to streamline workflow at the directorate. He was accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Lt-General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, Director of the Office of the Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director- General of Dubai Protocol and Hospitality Department; Major-General Nasser Lakhraibani Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister; and a number of senior officials. Shaikh Mohammed was also accompanied during his tour to the departments and sections GDRFA Director-General Major-General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, who briefed him on the transactions carried out by various sections at the department. Al Marri pointed out the efforts and technology adopted by the GDRFA to streamline workflow with aims to reduce transaction time to a minimum and raise output. Shaikh Mohammed stopped at the Entry Permits and Visa Department, where he was briefed on the daily work carried out by the employees before visiting the Online section where transactions are processed swiftly. Shaikh Mohammed inspected the numerous facilities designed to make people’s visit to the department as comfortable as possible such as the waiting places dedicated for women. He also stopped at Al Dana Museum within the GDRFA headquarters which displays passports dating back to the establishment of the UAE. The Electronics Services Department was the next stop where Shaikh Mohammed listened to a briefing on the various projects carried out by the department such as the electronic link project with different Dubai Government entities. The department successfully processed over five million e-Transactions and received over 500,000 SMS service requests through “Jadid” service last year. During the first quarter of this year, the GDRFA processed more than three million e-Transactions and received more than 400,000 SMS service requests. He also stopped at the Call Centre operated by GDRFA staff. Shaikh Mohammed expressed satisfaction with the high level of proficiency the GDRFA staff had and their dedication to their work which, in turn, reflected the civilised and advanced status of public services in the UAE. Continue reading
Lure of social media monster
Lure of social media monster Sarah Young / 18 August 2013 Internet and social media use by Arab youth continues to grow at an exponential rate. So how — if at all — is this affecting their society and traditional values about family and friends, marriage and religion? Speaking to youth in Dubai, many feel the Internet is making them more connected, and better informed — but they are not all sure it is changing traditional values as quickly as some might expect. The Arab Social Media report published in June this year showed social media use continuing to grow in the region. While the amount of new users joining Facebook in the UAE slowed slightly, Twitter users had grown by 52 per cent to more than 400,000, accounting for 11 per cent of Twitter activity in the region, and making the country the third most active country behind Saudi Arabia and Egypt, despite the relatively small size and population. A report authored by consultancy firm Booz Allen late last year, Understanding the Arab Digital Generation, highlighted the effect this was having on the changing face of young Arab society, and traditional ideas about relationships and religion. The survey found youth had less direct personal contact with family and friends, with 44 per cent spending more time communicating online instead. One in two surveyed believed parents were unable to keep up with the younger generation in terms of technology, and traditional values were becoming more diluted thanks to the Internet. The changing face of communication Dubai-born Shaymaa Abuquta told Khaleej Times that while she definitely spent less time on face-to-face communication, social media and the internet had improved her friendships — particularly with friends abroad. “I communicate with them more (online) but I think it’s bringing us closer. It depends on how people use the Internet I guess. Those people who go out for dinner with friends say, and spend all their time on their phone — then yes, they are more isolated rather than connected. But for me, I feel it brings me closer to people.” Dubai resident Maimoona Bawazier said she also found social media a great way to reconnect with old school friends, and believed it had widened her social connections rather than isolated her. Dubai accountant Shahroz Ali, 20, spends about five or six hours on the Internet on his days off, and two hours during working days — mostly on Twitter. “It’s interesting and a nice way to pass the time. “(But) to be very frank, for me, it is keeping me away from family talks. Even if we are sitting in the same room we don’t talk to each other — instead we remain busy with our mobiles or iPads. But this is the case with the family only, with friends (the Internet) keeps me more closer, and gives me a chance to increase my friends list.” Sharjah resident Hamideh Ranjibar, 25, said she believed the rate of face-to-face communication had decreased dramatically and the internet was directly influencing culture, and making traditional beliefs less dominant, given the vast social networks and interaction with members of other cultures. She preferred now to chat online with friends, rather than meet them at a coffee shop or their house. A new way to tie the knot The report also looked at changing perceptions on marriage. About half of the UAE respondents had an arranged marriage, but when those unmarried were asked what sort of marriage they would prefer, less than a third said they would like an arranged marriage. It also showed people were becoming more open to researching, or even finding, their partner online, with 44 per cent of GCC respondents approving of males doing this, and 41 per cent approving of females. Abuquta said that while she had not met a partner online, her peers were more open to the possibility now. “I know so many people who met each other on the Internet, Facebook or Twitter. It is changing. Before, people used to think only desperate people used the Internet…but not now. The Internet doesn’t mean you haven’t got a life…it’s where the community is now, and you have to be part of that community.” However, she did not believe the Internet was causing an immediate, dramatic shift away from traditional marriages. “I think for those people who are already open-minded, the Internet will make them even more open-minded. But those who are used to arranged marriages…they will not change their mind so quickly.” Ali said he knew of many people who had met online, and the Internet had to some extent changed his perception on traditional marriages. “I’ve got to learn so much about different people through social media…(it shows you) there is a larger picture (from) which you learn different opinions. That sometimes proves helpful to form an idea about things.” He and the majority of his friends expected to choose who they would marry, which was a slight change from the past, he said. Ranjibar said she believed social media was reducing the number of arranged marriages. “There is more interaction…and individuals have more options to build a relationship, therefore they prefer to follow their own criteria for marriage rather than old beliefs…consequently the traditional type of marriage is going to abolish and you might just find it in small towns.” However, she did not approve of meeting online as she felt the interactions were not real, and people sometimes pretended to be something else. According to the report, religious belief was also influenced by the Internet, unlike the rest of the world, where it had not appeared to have a significant impact. Many from the GCC — 74 per cent — claimed the internet was bringing them closer to their faith, while 26 per cent believed it took them further away. Nearly all religious figures now had blogs, and many respondents said the Internet helped them find answers to questions, look for opinions and communicate with religious leaders, the report said. Ali said he did use the Internet occasionally to convey his “religious feelings and take part in different debates and forums.” “I like to listen to (Islamic preacher) Dr Zakir Naik because every time he speaks he convinces his listeners with proofs.” Overall, social media had changed his life for the better, he said. “I’ve learnt the basic law of diversity…and for the public relations purposes this is the best tool. And yes I do have a choice (over how much I use it) — it doesn’t control me.” Bawazier agreed. Social media kept her up to date with news and events here and around the world, along with fashion and make-up trends. “We are just more connected with the world now, it’s good.” However, Ranjibar said she still felt it was important to maintain a healthy balance when using social media, and not lose sight of core values such as being together. – sarah@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Indian expats wear their tricolour on the sleeves
Indian expats wear their tricolour on the sleeves Olivia Olarte-Ulherr & Nivriti Butalia / 16 August 2013 Hundreds of Indian expatriates sang their national anthem as their envoys and leaders hoisted their national flag signalling the beginning of the 67th Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Consulate in Dubai and also at community associations across the country on Thursday morning. Girls hold their national flag as part of the Independence Day celebrations held at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and, below, the Consulate in Dubai on Thursday. — KT photos by Shoaib Anwer and Mukesh Kamal There was a good turnout at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where the flag was hoisted by Indian Ambassador M. K. Lokesh. Students from the Abu Dhabi Indian School sang the national anthem and a short cultural show by the students followed. At 7.50am at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, Consul-General Sanjay Verma, wearing a black bandhgala, unfurled the national flag. The ceremony had at least 500 members present from the Indian community, the majority wearing colours of the national flag and dressed in traditional attire. The tricolor was also hoisted by Indian communities in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Kalba. In Dubai, Verma commenting on the diversity and pluralism of Indian culture, said there must be (in the auditorium) speakers of at least 40-50 Indian languages. Edwin, who has lived with his family for 20 years in Abu Dhabi, said he was very proud of his country and what it had achieved. The Independence Day celebrations for him meant that “we ran and established the country on our own reaching these heights”. “It’s a great joy for me that India enjoys a good stature in the world market today and is known for its economic boom, education, science and technology.” Verma in his speech requested the audience to not lose heart at the state of the economy and the crisis in governance and other issues that plague India. He read out excerpts of the president’s address on the eve of Independence Day. And he also spoke of India’s healthy bilateral relations with the UAE. He congratulated the Indian community for their contribution to the two nations, India and the UAE, and spoke about India’s diversity and inclusive national model. He stressed that India was stronger than ever before in its history and prepared to deal with any challenge that came its way. In his speech read out during the ceremonies, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said, “For a developing country of more than 1.2 billion people, the debate between growth and redistribution is vital … The last decade has seen India emerge as one of the fastest growing nations in the world. During this period, our economy grew annually at an average rate of 7.9 per cent. “We are today self-sufficient in food grain production. We are the largest exporter of rice and second largest exporter of wheat in the world. The record production of 18.45 million tonnes of pulses this year augurs well for our march towards self-sufficiency in pulses… This momentum has to be sustained. In a globalised world, with increasing economic complexities, we have to learn to cope better with adversities, both external and domestic.” On security, he said, “Our commitment to peace is unfailing but even our patience has limits. All steps necessary to ensure internal security and protect the territorial integrity of the nation will be taken.” Noting today’s “widespread cynicism and disillusionment” with the governance and institutions, and the challenges of corruption, Mukherjee urged his compatriots to “elect a stable government which will ensure security and economic development” in the coming elections. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, whose speech was also read out, said despite the country’s progressive journey in the past ten years, “much remains to be done. The process of change that we have initiated will be continued in the coming time”. He cited the enhanced economic prosperity in rural areas, the double numbers of young men and women going to college and the strengthening of the law dealing with offences against women. “If in the future we can achieve the same kind of progress as in the last decade, the day is not far off when India will be rid of poverty, hunger, disease and ignorance. Our India will be prosperous and all its citizens will be equal partners in this prosperity, irrespective of their religion, caste, region or language,” he pointed out. At the Dubai Consulate, patriotic songs were sung by four different singers. While Chhavie Sahay rendered her take on ‘Saare jahan se achha’, the highlight of the morning was Assamese singer Deepa Bordoloi, along with Utpal Baruah on the guitar. A four page print-out of the president’s speech in Hindi was distributed to the attendees at the Consulate that ended with Jai Hind.— news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
