ASPIRE - An Entrepreneur and Lifestyle Magazine - Dec 2021

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DEC 2021 ISSUE 14 aspiremagz.com —

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Holodecks Get Real

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H.E. Laila Rahhal El Atfani

DIVE INTO THE EXCITING WORLD OF IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES

ON BAL ANCING BUSINESS WITH PHIL ANTHROPY

UAE

THE STARTUP STORY A LOOK AT UAE’S PROGRESS AS A UNIQUE AND HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL STARTUP

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Inside

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UAE - THE STARTUP STORY Walt Disney said, “Build it and they will come.”

We take the opportunity to look at UAE’s progress over five decades through the lens of a unique and highly successful startup Uae - The Startup Story

5 Bulletin Bytes

Interesting news from around the world!

8 Technology for a Better World

Take a look at the ways technology builds the bridge to an inclusive society for the specially-abled

12 Holodecks Get Real

Delve deep into the exciting world of Immersive Experiences and its evolution over the years

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INSIDE 16 The Hustle Bustle

Welcome to the new world where ‘hustle culture’ let’s you have more than one career option

18 Events

Important events in the region

26 Beyond 50: The best is yet to come

The UAE having celebrated a glittering golden jubilee, has set its sights on the next 50 years. We explore the broad horizon of UAE’s vision ahead

32 UAE-INDIA: Towards a Brighter Future

With India and the UAE formalizing their economic ties, is the future looking brighter than before?

34 A Jewel in the UAE Crown

An exclusive interview Her Excellency Laila Rahhal El Atfani, a highly successful women entrepreneur with a passion for women and youth empowerment

36 Food for your eyes

In conversation with Teena Agnel, a food photographer and stylist who pointed her lens at cuisine to turn it into a thriving business

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40 The Big Naim in Hospitality

Meet Naim Maadad, the man who has carved a reputation for success in one of the toughest sectors of business

42 Cheat Sheet to Financial Freedom

This cheat sheet to financial freedom will help pave the way to creating the wealth you desire

44 Startup Slipups: The Learning Nerve The most valuable lessons for a CEO come on the back of failure. Here are some pointers at how you can reengineer success

46 Digital 4.0 is here: The Next Wave

Here’s how to harness the power of digital transformation to gain speed in the race towards a new industrial revolution

48 A Serving Of Help

PUBLISHER

Ayesha Khan is winning the world with her noble community service venture, Food ATM, one meal at a time

Sumeet Gupta E: sumeet@aspiredubai.ae CHIEF EDITOR

Shagufta Patel E: editor@aspiredubai.ae

50 Ice, Ice Baby

The Ice and Snow festival in Harbin could be the perfect place for a sabbatical to cool off amidst your heated routine

54 A Healthier Sip

With detox drinks being the hydration rage, here’s how to to stay on top of your watering game

56 A Navigator for the Roads Buckle your seatbelts as we take you on a tour of Auto world’s newest SUV sensation, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator

CONSULTING EDITOR

Sangeetha Shinde Tee

58 Mark Yourself

Get the lowdown on Tattoos and how this age old art form might work for you

62 Aspire+

We bring you a range of know-how each month that will keep you effortlessly in the loop beyond business

64 Mirror, Mirror on The Wall

What do you see or want your mirror to show when you glaze at it?

HONORARY EDITOR

Rizwan Bhutta JUNIOR EDITORIAL MANAGER

Qiraat Attar EDITORIAL

Ayaat Attar Misbaah Mansuri Bindu Gopal Rao Arvind Rajasekhar EDITORIAL INTERN

Clarilda Sharon Sreeram Vishvanath Pallavi Biju PRODUCTION

The Purple Stroke M: +971 508 498820

O: 1601, Corporate Business Hub, Burj Gate, Dubai, United Arab Emirates W: thepurplestroke.com

Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the persmission of The Purple Stroke FZE LLC. All the information carried herein is checked and verified to the best of our knowledge and abilities. In matters of views expressed and opinions held, it is solely that of the authors and contributors themselves. The editorial or publisher or ASPIRE cannot be held responsible for unintended errors and oversights if any.

Email: hello@aspiredubai.ae 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Editor's note Strike Gold!

I

t’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see. True that!

Seeing what is invisible to the others and stretching the imagination as much and as far as one can take it is a gift given to all, but only made use of by a few.

It’s what we know as Vision, and the world has seen many times over, what a vision can create.

A lot has been said about UAE being the outcome of a great-held vision of leaders who turned the geography and history of the place around. The marvels that behold us in this land of the desert are validation of a victorious vision, and what makes it even wondrous is the breakneck speed of how this country has become the archetype of what’s possible (anything and everything). The “F” word gets a new meaning with the UAE celebrating a Fabulous Fifty!!

What’s even more interesting is to note how they did it. Our Cover Story decodes the UAE’s growth akin to a start-up making it big. Every tiny detail covered to make it a success story worth every dime. And with plans laid out for the next 50 years, I certainly wish to live that long to see what the country will dish out for the world to go bonkers again. The best is yet to come.

What’s even more alluring is that be it the citizens or the

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expatriates, the land gives a fair opportunity to all that have it in them to set their visions in action. Be it H.E. Laila Rahhal El Atfani, a highly successful Emirati women entrepreneur with a passion for women and youth empowerment; or Teena Agnel, a food photographer and stylist who pointed her lens at cuisine to turn it into a thriving business; or Naim Maadad, the man who has carved a reputation as a hospitality consultant; all have struck gold.

Innovation is the name of the game here, and we look at Immersive Experiences and Technology for the specially-abled in the Trending and Tech sections, respectively. Harnessing the power of digital transformation to gain speed, having the right mindset for financial gains,

and pointers at how one can re-engineer success, are insights shared by experts in Pro-Talk.

And because the UAE works hard and plays harder, we bring to you matter that goes beyond business – the Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin; the better water to stay on top of your hydration game; different tattoo styles that you could choose from; things to read, watch, do; what you could wear and drive.

So, go ahead and strike gold, for as quoted by the phenomenal Helen Keller, “The only worst thing than being blind is having sight and no vision.” ✪

Bulletin

Microsoft and Meta Announces Partnership Between Teams and Workplace App Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has announced a partnership with Microsoft to integrate their work collaboration software. The integration between Microsoft Teams and Workplace by Meta, formerly known as Facebook’s Workplace gives users access to Workplace content inside the Teams app and Teams video in the Workplace app, enabling content sharing and engagement with one another.

Workplace was launched in late 2016, followed by the launch of Microsoft Teams in 2017, instantaneously becoming key players in the market that was, up until then, dominated by players like Slack. The partnership expects to benefit both the companies as well as accelerate the move towards a completely remote workplace, with the two companies recently announcing a shift into the ‘metaverse’.

“One thing I’ve learned... there’s not going to be a one and only communications tool on the planet,” says head of Microsoft 365 collaboration, Jeff Teper. “People are going to choose a

number of tools, so I think it’s on us as responsible vendors to make sure they can integrate and interoperate.”

The two partnering companies also have different end goals in mind. Meta’s focus is to create a platform that spans consumer and business applications with Microsoft’s goal being to create an enterprise metaverse. However, a partnership between the two creates a platform of offerings for consumers and increases the number of options available at their service. In addition, this collaboration also has turned future competitors into collaborators.

For employees of customers like Flight Centre Travel Group, Lockton, and Vodafone, the integration has been a reality for a while as the companies have already been trialing the integration. Flight Centre Travel Group report using Workplace to foster a community across the company and Teams for cross-company collaboration, benefitting greatly from the integration as it ‘helps staff access information quicker’. Head of

Workplace at Meta, Ujjwal Singh, says that the integration had been specifically requested by Workplace customers Vodafone and Accenture.

“The way our customers end up using it is customers use the complementary features, not the competing features,” Singh says. “There are customers that are just Workplace shops, and then there are customers that are just Teams shops. So this is really for those customers that use both.”

The partnership between Microsoft Teams and Workplace by Meta is the latest addition to a broader partnership between the two tech conglomerates.

Workplace already integrates into Microsoft’s Office 365 suite, OneDrive, and SharePoint, while Meta has integrated Workplace into Microsoft’s Azure Active Directory. This collaboration solidifies both companies’ dedication to remote work transition and scales upon Meta’s commitment to developing a metaverse that creates a truly immersive virtual reality both at home and at work.

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Bulletin

Cleartax Raises $75 Million for Middle East Expansion

ClearTax, recently rebranded as Clear, India’s leading fintech SaaS company has announced its entry into the Middle East market through a series of $75 million Series C fundraise aimed at expanding into international markets. The fundraising, which also aims to help diversify into other business lines, including but not limited to B2B credit and payments, was led by Kora Capital alongside notable firms like Stripe.

ClearTax, Asia’s largest and most trusted tax and compliance technology player, also offers software solutions for payments, invoices, and credits for a large number of businesses. With over 3,000 large enterprises, 1 million SMEs, and 60,000 tax professionals as clients for a variety of services from GST filing and e-invoicing to vendor management and input tax credit claims, the company is an approved partner

by Indian Tax Authorities for direct API integration with gov-

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ernment’s technical infrastructure for e-invoicing and GST. The company plans on starting its Middle East expansion by launching electronic invoicing products for medium to large businesses and then expanding to VAT compliance, B2B payments, and Accounts payables and receivables in the following months.

ClearTax aims to build a global B2B network that helps enterprises with compliance, taxation, invoicing, collections, payments, and procurement. E-invoicing solutions of the company are

compliant with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) guidelines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The platform is available in both Arabic and English with cloud servers hosted within the country.

CEO of ClearTax, Archit Gupta, said “Government authorities across the Middle East are undertaking massive digital reforms to transform the economy in the next decade. This wave of digitization is resulting in rapid investments in this region from global tech giants. ClearTax is well-positioned to enter the Middle East market considering the increasing push on digital payments, digitization of business processes, government mandates on digitization of tax and compliance, and overall increasing adoption of cloud-based technology solutions.

ClearTax aims to build a ClearTax has a global B2B network that helps solid product enterprises with compliance, roadmap for taxation, invoicing, collections, the Middle payments, and procurement East and will launch a series of SaaS product suites in the next few quarters.”

The company, which has managed to raise $140 million in capital since its inception, processes more than 10% of India’s business invoices with a GMV of $400 billion. ClearTax is now in the process of developing solutions that can be integrated with all ERP/POS systems, providing artificial intelligence-powered validations and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and efficiency in e-invoicing and VAT filing. It also plans on entering the UAE market by mid-2022, offering e-invoicing and VAT offerings within the country.

Oracle announced Abu Dhabi as the home for its second cloud region in the United Arab Emirates, to help provide corporate cloud services to businesses in the region.

The launch of the Abu Dhabi Region gives a push forward to the UAE’s Fourth Industrial revolution strategy, which emphasizes advancing the national economy with the help of cutting-edge technology.

In addition, Oracle aims to provide its customers with stronger business continuity and disaster recovery capability with the Oracle Cloud Abu Dhabi Region and the Oracle Cloud Dubai Region.

“Oracle’s decision to open a second cloud region in the UAE is a clear reflection of our nation’s embrace of digital transformation, advanced technologies, and the applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which have become central to our economic and investment strategy for the

next 50 years,” says UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi.

With the cloud industry booming globally, the cloud market in the GCC region is expected to more than double in value, reaching $2.4 billion by 2021, which is up from $965 million the previous year. (Source: International Data Corporation) Moving to a cloud system owned by a specialized establishment like Oracle, SAP, or Amazon Web Services is more economical for regional businesses, as compared to creating their own cloud system. This also helps reduce the overall cost of ownership.

Richard Smith, Executive Vice President, Technology, EMEA, Oracle, says, “The rapid adoption of cloud-based technologies like artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning is vital for building a thriving digital economy and is a key priority for the UAE. With the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Re-

The cloud market in the GCC region is expected to more than double in value, reaching $2.4 billion by 2021

gions, we have the required cloud infrastructure for organizations across public and private sectors, including SMBs, to accelerate their digital transformation.”

Abu Dhabi is all set to become the next leading business hub in the region. Recently, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) signed a strategic partnership with Bahrain Bourse (BHB) to increase cross-border cooperation and achieve synergies in enhancing market liquidity and promoting the insurance of low-cost investment vehicles. As a part of the cooperation, the two enterprises have agreed to launch a number of products and services, including Exchange Traded Fund (ETFs), direct cross-border trading, and smart order routing.

Bahrain Bourse’s CEO and Vice Chairman, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa says that the “partnership will enable us to set a blueprint for future regional collaboration and harness each other’s capabilities.” J 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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(Sources: Bloomberg.com, Reuters, Zawya.com)

Abu Dhabi to House Oracle’s Second Cloud Region in the UAE

Trending

HOLODECKS GE T RE AL VIRTUAL REALITY IS COMING ALONG IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS SINCE IT KICKED OFF IN THE 5OS. PALLAVI BIJU DELVES DEEP INTO THE WORLD OF IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES AND ITS EVOLUTION TO SEE IF IT IS JUST ANOTHER NINE-DAYS WONDER, OR SOMETHING MORE

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W

What if you could step into Van Gogh’s Starry Night? Or be able to grapple with man-eating dinosaurs alongside Chris Pratt in Jurassic World? All these and more are possible with the advent of Immersive Experiences, the latest multidimensional tech craze taking the world by storm.

Immersive Experiences take advantage of the increasing demand for never-seen-before experiences that can entertain, excite, and impress, all at the same time.

THE NOT-SO-NEW DREAM

The market size of the combined sector of AR, VR and MR is expected to hit $30 Billion by 2030 —IDTechExs 54% of 18–24-year-olds say they appreciate it when brands “connect with them in new and innovative ways” —Verizon Media In late 2020, 80% of customers and businesses agreed that “the experience a company provides is as important as its product or services.” —VentureBeat

Using a combination of sound, lights, visuals, and technology to draw their viewers into another world, Immersive Experiences help viewers manipulate and interact with their environment to create an engaging and unforgettable experience. Simply put, the goal is to make their audience feel like they are a part of the spectacle. Over the past few years, Immersive Experiences have been hailed for being able to potentially change the world of work and play.

According to PwC, immersive technologies could deliver a $1.5 trillion boost to the global economy by 2030 (PwC “Seeing Is Believing” report, 2019) due to their capability to create new customer experiences, improve work conditions, and speed up product developments.

While it may seem like the ‘in-trend’ at the moment, immersive technologies have played a starring role in technological research and innovation for a long time. It first burst on the scene in 1957, when Morton Heilig developed ‘Sensorama’, a cinematic experience where the viewer sat spellbound in a theatre equipped with speakers, fans, vibrating chairs, and even smell generators. Soon after, what is considered the blueprint of VR headsets today, ‘The Sword of Damocles’ was released in 1968, and in 1991, the Sega VR headset was launched for arcades and home use. 1992 saw the first fully immersive AR system called ‘Virtual Fixtures’ created by Louis Rosenberg for the U.S. Air Force to train units for battle without physically being on the battlefield. And as the popularity of AR rose, the ‘ARToolKit’, an open-source library for AR applications was created, helping developers tinker with AR technologies leading to a rise in the number of apps that used AR. With the amount of research invested into it over the years and the wide variety of technologies available to us makes it a cakewalk for designers to create experiences that can hold any audience under its sway.

STUNNING SCIENTIFIC MARVEL

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Tech love Trending weaved in space and time, juxtaposing virtual and tangible environments. Several different technologies are used to ensure that the experience feels ‘real’.

AR or Augmented Reality uses technology to add a digital, simulated layer of graphics enhancing the real world instead of creating a whole new one. Since the launch of platforms ARKit and ARCore that help develop AR apps

by Apple and Google respectively, over 1 billion people have been using AR apps regularly, and by 2022 it is estimated that there will be around 3.5 billion AR users in the world (Digi-capital). Fascinatingly, most AR users aren’t aware of the AR technology they use in their daily lives. If you use Snapchat filters or the Live-view feature in Google Maps, that’s Augmented Reality!

18.8 billion dollars were spent on growing AR/VR technology globally in 2020, a 78.5%

rise from the number in 2019 (IDC, 2020).

Switching gears, VR or Virtual Reality, unlike AR, creates an entirely new virtual world that immerses and interacts with the user. In 2020, the worldwide market share for VR was $6.1 billion and is predicted to be worth $20.9 billion in 2025 (Finances Online). Examples include the Giza Project, a partnership between Harvard University and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, letting students ‘visit’ the ancient Pyramids at the Giza Plateau, France and Jerusalem with the help of 3-D headsets, and even tour hard-to-access tunnels with the use of a curved screen and glasses. “Sometimes, an actual visit to the site is much less telling than accessing the archaeological data and 3-D models,” says Professor Peter Der Manuelian.

A combination of AR and VR is the Mixed Reality or MR. Also known as AR 2.0, MR aims to achieve better immersion by responding to changes in the environment and user interac-

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Up to 2023, the VR/AR market is set to see a CAGR of anywhere up to 77%. —IDC 39% of tech leaders believe that augmented reality and MR will be as ubiquitous as mobile by the time we reach 2025.

—Perkins Cole

tion, real-time. MR wins over AR and VR as it is no longer limited to a screen or a device and hence is almost indistinguishable from real life. The Microsoft HoloLens is an MR marvel.

Featuring three sensors and five cameras, this holographic computer when worn around your head and eyes uses hologram processors to blend seamlessly into your environment to display information, even create a new, virtual world. Essentially, the glasses are your JARVIS and you get to be Iron Man! 360-degree content is a familiar immersive experience, shot in all directions simultaneously, almost like standing still and looking circularly around you. It is different from AR and VR as it is filmed live and not computer-generated.

While once wildly prevalent in travel vlogs on YouTube, they are diminishing in popularity as they tend to be more passive and solitary.

Companies are now actively using these dif-

ferent forms of Immersive Experiences to create engaging and exciting moments to retain existing customer loyalty and gain new customers.

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

We know that Immersive Experiences and the technology behind them have been gaining popularity, attention, and burgeoning revenue.

So, it comes as no surprise that top companies and corporations have entered the arena of this phenomenon.

If you’ve been on social media during last year, you’ve probably seen the video of a girl slashing blocks to the pulse of the music in the background. This is the VR-only rhythm game, Beat Saber, developed by Beat Games. It was the highest-grossing video game of 2020, selling over 1 million copies in just nine months and making over $20 million in revenue. (TechCrunch.com) This technology allows you to visualize what a space looks like even when you are not pres-

ent. Marriott International, the multinational company, uses VR to its advantage, offering clients and event organizers 3D, 360-degree views of the spaces they wish to rent out along with the room set-up. In 2017, IKEA launched IKEAPlace, an app developed in collaboration with Apple that allows customers to virtually place IKEA furniture inside their homes, helping customers ‘see’ the products in their spaces before buying it.

The benefits of immersive technology extend beyond customers. For example, DHL integrated AR smart glasses that display items to be picked up and calculated optimal routes to delivery, reducing lookup and delivery times. Having reduced warehousing costs while maintaining error-free, timely delivery, DHL gained about 25% efficiency in pickups.

Despite the many advantages, Immersive Experiences can simply be used for their pri-

mary purpose, to entertain and engage. There is no dearth of events and installations that will take you on a magical journey with the help of Immersive Technology.

ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE

UAE leads the way in creating experiences for its residents and tourists that they have never witnessed before, be it health, education, or entertainment.

American Hospital Dubai brought an immersive healthcare experience that offered glimpses into a transformed healthcare for visitors at Arab Health 2021, the largest healthcare exhibition in the MENA region. Named ‘Shape of the Future’, the platform enabled by touch gave visitors a unique 360-degree view of healthcare with a difference.

UAE’s Expo 2020 is fast shaping up to be the most exciting, jaw-dropping event the world has seen, and the way immersive experiences have

been woven in is one of the showstoppers. You can stroll under a canopy of lush green trees at Singapore Pavilion, learn about pathbreaking technologies in the USA Pavilion, or enjoy the snowy Alps in the Switzerland Pavilion.

Manuel Salchli, Commissioner of the General Swiss Pavilion, gives us a sneak peek into the reality behind the stunning illusions.

“Swiss Pavilions at previous Expos have always successfully differentiated themselves from the competitors, through interactive content close to the visitor. This time, we bring Switzerland to Dubai with an experience that feels as close as possible to the real Switzerland – simulating hiking to the top of the Alps with real fog and a panoramic view accompanied with life-like sounds.

Whether you are a science enthusiast or just a hobbyist, this is the place to be. This year we’re showing off innovative sustainability solutions in waste management, traffic easing, space debris clean up, and much more. What’s more, a young and dapper 3D animated ‘Digital Einstein’ will also be present to interact with the visitors, powered by a complex algorithm, dynamic visualization, speech processing, and visual recognition. With cameras that scan movements and mics that pick up voices and translate it to text, the AI can analyze and provide an appropriate answer for anything.”

With over 190 countries participating in the Expo, Manuel acknowledges the challenge of standing out from the crowd. He explains, “To provide visitors with a memorable experience, you need content that is emotional, different, and authentic.”

With every nation bringing their A-game to EXPO 2020, this event sure has an avant-garde immersive experience awaiting you.

The total global market for mixed META and augmented re- GOING With the announcement of Facebook going ality should reach ‘Meta’, Immersive Experiences are soon going to be available at your fingertips. In his founda value of around er’s letter, Mark Zuckerberg said, “The next $103.9 billion by platform will be even more immersive — and 2026. - Global Newswire embodied internet where you’re in the experience, not just looking at it.” Albert Einstein said, “Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” As our intelligence and imagination play out in full force as Immersive Experiences, we will step into our wildest dreams with our eyes wide open. ✪ 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Tech love

TECH-NOLOGY The world today is a global village but sadly, not everyone feels a part of it. In a world where discrimination against the specially-abled is common, Sreeram Viswanath ponders the ways technology builds the bridge to an inclusive society

T

FOR

o be kind and inclusive is the cornerstone of our humanity. But in the world of unequal opportunities and challenges, this is easier said than done. Specially-abled people form a sizeable chunk of our population and struggle on multiple fronts - with physical, mental, nominal, or severe issues that make life difficult to navigate. As we step into a world that demands progressiveness, ableism, the behavior of favoring perfectly non-disabled people has come under fire.

It raises the question – what are we doing to help differently-abled people achieve their aspirations and lead fulfilled and joyous lives? The social stigma we attach to them steals their hope, but no less dangerous are the obstacles in our public spheres reminding them of their shortcomings. Truthfully, the lack of inclusive technology indicates the thoughtlessness of a society that only caters to the majority. This article looks at the many ways technology can help the specially-abled earn their rightful spot in our community.

Challenging the impossible

Back in the day, people with physical and developmental challenges often went through life defeated by an ableist society where no concrete solutions existed for the subtle and direct discriminations they suffered each day.

Now, things have changed. Thanks to technology, they can carry out tasks that seemed arduous before, from as simple as switching on a light to as profound as expressing themselves to the world. In addition, smartphone technology has made various apps and gadgets commonplace, designed to aid people with alternate abilities. For instance, apps such as ‘BeMyEyes’ allow sighted people to volunteer their eyesight for the visually impaired

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A BE T TER WORLD through video calls, and ‘ModMath’ helps children with dyslexia or autism learn math easily. Altogether, this universe of inventions and applications comes under the umbrella of assistive technology. Here’s a preview of how assistive technologies are bridging the ability gap: Rehabilitative engineering is a stream of medicine that uses engineering principles to develop technological solutions and devices that help specially-abled people cope with disabilities and aid the recovery of physical and cognitive functions. The technology works by making simple observations on the way people conduct tasks, then making necessary accommodations to eliminate further injuries and discomfort. More intricately, it also involves sophisticated brain-computer interfaces that help a severely injured person operate computers and other devices by visualizing the task they wish to perform.

America’s National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) supports research for increasingly innovative approaches and developments in this field. For instance, researchers are developing the Wireless Tongue Drive System (TDS) for Paralyzed Patients. Individuals with severe paralysis that impairs limb movement, breathing, and speech use their tongue to send operation commands to a computer, steer their wheelchairs, and thus independently control their environment. Companies are also developing smart environment technologies to facilitate home health monitoring and intervention. Once automated reminder-based technologies are successfully integrated with ordinary homes, people with mobility issues or those 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Tech love

with Alzheimer’s will be able to carry out their daily tasks with ease.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) enable personal connections to audio sources for music and TV for those who live with auditory impairments.

They serve to amplify sounds, especially when background noise is present. Wearers can use them with a hearing or cochlear implant to help them get the best out of certain sounds. With unrivaled expertise in sound amplification, Clarity, a company from Chattanooga, Tennessee, improves lives with its amplified telephones, notification systems, and assistive listening devices.

Thanks to Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, communicating with ease is no longer a privilege for the typically bodied alone. Among the apps that cater to the purpose include TouchChat, a symbol and text-based AAC tool available for Apple products. The app brings with it high-quality text-to-speech voices and pre-programmed, fully customizable vocabulary sets.

Mobilization Devices (wheelchairs) fulfill the bare minimum of helping people with multi-sclerosis, partial paralysis, or weakness of the limbs and muscles to move around. But there is tremendous hope from wheelchairs of the future. Companies are working to integrate robotics, robotic manipulators, flexible manufacturing, 3D printing, and direct brain interfaces to transform wheelchair’s design and use.

Some new-model wheelchairs that are commercially available include TEK Robotic Mobilization Device (RMD), designed to help people with paraplegia and other disabilities to move around in a standing position. RMD provides: • Better cardiovascular health • The ability to make eye-to-eye contact • The freedom to reach high and low Fulfilling the travel ambitions of the specially-abled is the Mountain Trike, a wheelchair model that works across all terrains, town or countryside, beaches, gravel gateways, and even snow.

Regenerative medicine works on the incredible principle that damaged tissues can be re-

generated anew. Bringing the field to the fore, John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka discovered that mature and specialized cells can be reprogrammed to become stem cells, later developing into human body tissues. The duo was notably accredited with “The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012” for their findings.

The department of Regenerative Sciences at Emirates Hospital, Jumeriah, offers medically advanced solutions to patients struggling with a wide range of diseases that have not previously met with a cure in the field of regenerative medicine.

The Kids are Special

No one suffers more in the face of inaccessibility in society than children with special needs. Between discrimination from typically abled children who ridicule them to the paucity of inclusive teaching, their talents remain undiscovered. Owing to the challenges, many of these kids don’t attend school or drop out early. According to a 2011 UN Report, specially-abled children between the ages of 0-14 range between 93 to 150 million worldwide.

Most of them are excluded from mainstream educational opportunities because parents and academia do not have the required facilities or lack instructional expertise, leading to a lifetime of poor self-esteem and social isolation.

Assistive technology addresses this lack of

NO ONE SUFFERS MORE IN THE FACE OF INACCESSIBILITY IN SOCIETY THAN CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

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Tech love empathy, providing a route to bring these special children into the fold. Modern devices such as computers, iPads, and tablets, effectively turning the classroom into a ‘smart’ learning paradigm, have helped students to approach lessons differently. For example, visually impaired students can read along while listening to an audio version of a text. Dyslexic children could benefit from text-audio matching exercises while being in control of font and volume levels. Children with deformed limbs who have trouble holding a pen or pencil can benefit from typing on a tablet or speech-to-text technology. Children with language impairments may make use of text-to-speech options while making class presentations.

These minor adjustments play a significant role in bridging the gap between specially-abled kids and the conventionally abled. By allowing activities to be shared or completed together, these tools often eliminate the knee-jerk response to treat such students differently. Such an education model holds the key to inclusiveness and confidence by removing the element of ‘othering’ these students. It also helps typically abled students to build empathy and accommodate those different than them, a lesson that serves them well in life.

THE UAE ADDRESSES SPECIALLY-ABLED CITIZENS WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY USING THE TERM ‘PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION’

UAE Cares

The UAE addresses specially-abled citizens with respect and dignity using the term ‘People of determination’. Their lives are made more straightforward with an online portal whereby they can request mobile healthcare or seek recruitment in federal, local, and private bodies. Furthermore, people who wish to serve these citizens may choose to do so through the portal. For example, they could request a license to operate a non-governmental care and rehab center for people of determination or register students of determination in government care and rehabilitation centers.

The Federal Websites Guidelines of the UAE expects government

websites to be embedded with text-reading software and alternative texts for visually impaired people. The guidelines further suggest all audio and video files on the website have descriptive captions that assist people with hearing trouble.

The TDRA website is a perfect example that follows these guidelines.

The National Policy for empowering ‘People of Determination’ requires entities to provide information concerning services to people of determination and their families across the Emirate to ensure that they can easily access all services.

The policy also recommends entities to make all information accessible through modern technology for people with visual and hearing disabilities.

The country has taken significant steps to provide educational opportunities for specially-abled students. For example, in 2016, Benetech, a social enterprise organization that empowers communities with software for social good, joined hands with the UAE Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai to build a digital library for people facing barriers like dyslexia, physical disabilities, and blindness. Additionally, students could access Arabic books and other extensive collections from the Dubai Audiobook Library using Bookshare, an initiative of Benetech and the leading digital library of ebooks for people with reading-related disabilities, such as visual impairment, ADHD, and even cerebral palsy.

“Everyone deserves the right to access information, literature, vocational training, and other educational materials to pursue job opportunities and fully integrate into society. This partnership with the UAE will establish a library of accessible ebooks in Arabic and English so that individuals with reading barriers can read in ways that work for them,” said Brad Turner, VP of Global Education at Benetech.

Calls for Change

The world we live in is full of possibilities. Through our exploration of assistive technology, it is clear that it is only a matter of intent that determines how we make our world more accessible and friendly for the specially-abled. But technology remains a partial answer to this conundrum. The most essential component is empathy. Even in primitive times, kindness towards those different from us kept the faith in our humanness alive.

Today, technology serves to make it easier to practice this kindness towards others. We already have capable platforms and willing hands that can make the world more inclusive. The key to unlocking the potential here is strategizing the roles of people, communities, and technology to be widespread and effective. Their voices are loud, desperately calling for a change. Are we listening? J 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Opinion

The Hustle Bustle A single job is no longer the only option.

Welcome to the new world where ‘hustle culture’ let’s you have more than one career option

I

t’s 2021 and if you have just one source of income, you are the equivalent of a person floating in the pacific ocean in a boat that has no sail, no paddles, no motor, no life jacket, and there’s a tiny hole in the bottom.

Sinking is imminent and inevitable, even if it’s going to take time.

A person with a single career and therefore a single source of income has a substantial amount of liability attached to their lives. Because frankly, the modern world, especially in metro cities, is not an easy place to thrive in. You could scrape by with a measly existence, but then you’d be robbing yourself of the full potential of your life and satisfaction.

Therefore, in 2021, it’s extremely important to pull a hustle. No, you don’t need to go to levels of Money Heist, Squid Game, or Ocean’s Eleven. You just need to wake up to the ‘hustle culture’.

For the uninitiated, hustle culture is when up and coming young professionals settle into their primary career in a few years and instead of getting complacent and jaded, they find time and resources to branch out into a passion-based, off-shoot career. For example, a bank employee could start his own YouTube channel that offers sound advice on investments. Or a doctor could start a Keto diet Café. A YouTuber could start a fashion merchandising line. The idea is, you don’t limit your interest, time, effort, and passion to just one field. Instead, you figure out what tinkers your attention and you take that as your second or even third career. An old saying comes to mind here, having your feet in two boats. Sure, some could argue that a person pulling a ‘side hustle’ is essentially running the risk of losing focus on either or both careers. But, that’s not how the cookie crumbles anymore.

The world has become an expensive place. Reportedly, the average income in New York City is $75,000 a year. The average price of a one-bedroom apartment in the Big Apple is $710,000. So a person earning 75k a year will have to save 32 percent of their taxed income for 46 years to be able to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment at a price that’s 46 years old. Long story short, it’s impossible to do it with one salary, not recommended with a mortgage. Lifestyles have evolved towards better luxury and higher specialization, and none of

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that is cheap. Side note: It’s a reality that married people in their 30s today don’t consider having children. While for most, that decision is related to maintaining independence and not straining the planet’s resources, the fact is, most of those folks just don’t have the money for things other than their lifestyle and survival. Some do, most don’t.

I’m not saying you must have two or three careers so you can have kids. But the fact of the matter is, you can’t have a home, a car, sizeable insurance, savings, and investments if you have just one career. Of course, if your vocation booms into Bill Gates mode, you’re sorted, but pulling side hustles is the only way of staying ahead of the curve for everyone else. Ask Elon Musk. Despite being the benefactor of Tesla, he had to pull a cryptocurrency hustle through social media to get the billion-dollar winds blowing.

Unfortunately, they don’t teach this stuff in schools, not even in Ivy league colleges. This is a reality that you figure out once you start adulting. And it’s a reality that the faster you realize, the easier it makes your life and your chances of living out your dreams and passions. The biggest YouTubers today earn millions of dollars from the millions of views that they garner on their videos. Ideally, it’s enough to lead a comfortable life. And yet, almost every big YouTube star has parallel hustles happening on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. Not just that, most big YouTube names have second channels now, creating short format content. It’s the post-TikTok era, where byte-sized video content makes you the real moolah.

So if everyone’s getting into hustle culture, why is that thought not become pop culture yet? Because the world of hustle culture is still in its ‘first mover advantage’ phase. As of now, only the most woke and successful people are doing it right. Others are slowly waking up to reality. And soon enough, the younger generations won’t answer the age-old question of, ‘What do you want to be, when you grow up?’ with just one answer. They’re probably going to throw out complex answers like, “I’m going to be a pilot, followed by an aviation industry investor.”

Circling back, we could argue that the ‘hustle culture’ is in essence just another word for a largescale coping mechanism where individuals are being forced to stretch themselves thin in a bid to survive inflated economics and unfair wealth distribution. But sample this, 25000 years ago, if prehistoric man had continued to gather resources and not taken up hunting, would civilization have kicked in as fast as it has? Probably not. Bottom line? The hustle is historic. J ARVIND RAJASEKHAR

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Events

Regional happenings on the horizon Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week strives towards building a sustainable tomorrow In the wake of the climate talks and rapid action being taken on sustainability, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is a global platform for accelerating the world’s sustainable development. With stakeholders being able to attend a variety of events including the IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, ADSW Summit, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum, Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony, WiSER Forum, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, and Innovate, ASDW and its host Masdar are working with both public and private partners to create a successful event.

ASDW 2021 will explore through a series of high-level virtual events the social, economic, and technological opportunities to achieve a ‘green recovery’ post-COVID-19.

Last year, ASDW had over 45,000 attendees from over 170 countries and welcomed the UAE’s leadership, ten heads of state, 180 international ministers, and over 500 representatives from the world’s media. The week, which begins on 17th January 2022, will be held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020. Tickets are sold separately for each event and are available on their official websites.

File Photo

Creating the blueprint for a sustainable future at the World Future Energy Summit The World’s leading Business Event for future energy and sustainability, the World Future Energy Summit will be taking place in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 17-19 January 2022. The summit will feature more than 200 sessions about important industry content that helps one stay up to date with the technologies and developments in various sectors, including Solar & Clean Energy Forum, Water Forum, Climate and Environment Forum, and many more.

The event will also feature an exclusive Sustainability Business

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Connect program which offers a variety of free networking services to facilitate business connections.

From business email recommendations to one-to-one meetings, the summit helps connect visitors, buyers, and exhibitors. In addition, with onsite features like VIP Guided tours, Technical Tours, and Speed Networking, the World Future Energy Summit 2022 also showcases some of the most innovative and unique technologies through the Climate Innovations Exchange (CLIX) program.

Visitor passes are free and can be availed on the official website now.

The 47th edition of Arab Health brings together the healthcare world, both online and offline With 3,590 exhibiting companies from 60 countries and 56,028 healthcare professionals from around the world, the leading medical equipment exhibition in the Middle East is back for its 47th edition. Aiming to create and support innovation in the healthcare industry, Arab Health brings the healthcare industry together to learn, network and trade.

Arab Health brings the most innovative and unique medical solutions and products under one roof, offering medical equipment and devices, disposables and consumer goods, wellness, and prevention products along with many other categories of products. As the “must attend” healthcare and medical event in the region, it attracts an impressive array of regional and international healthcare professionals who are keen on learning, networking, and business. Although the in-person event will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 24-27 January 2022, exhibitors can showcase their products and solutions and build connections online from 5 January, weeks before the offline event. Visitors can register for free at the official Arab Health Online website.

File Photo

Building a better, urbanized world at the 5th WBEF

Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East returns for 25th Edition

Connecting 100+ countries, 500+ senior leaders, and more than 50 future thinking speakers, the World Built Environment Forum will take place from 24-25 January 2022 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020. The forum aims at drawing on a new blueprint for prosperity, wellbeing, and most importantly, liveability across the urbanized world with help and inputs from investors, innovators, and influencers.

The fifth edition of the initiative by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the forum brings together a community of global leaders from private, public, academic, and non-profit sectors who will convene to take up key issues, challenges, and opportunities in the built environment said a statement from RICS. Established in 2016, the WBEF is a platform dedicated to shaping the future of the built environment by discussing, debating, sharing ideas, and innovating to ensure the creation of sustainable places for all to live, work and play. “As with many cities across the Middle East region, Dubai has grown exponentially to become a key investment hub in the world, and we are excited to bring the Forum to the region, so together with global industry leaders and influencers, we can develop holistic solutions that create better communities,” stated RICS.

The Sign & Graphic Imaging Middle East event (SGI Dubai) is the largest international expo for printing, signage, graphic, and imaging industries in the MENA region. Set to take place from 16-18 January 2022, Dubai World Trade Centre from 10 am-7 pm; the 25th edition brings together exhibitors from across the world to present their latest innovations and products in advertising, graphic design, printing plates, and printing applications.

As one of the industry’s most important and well-known events, SGI Dubai has been strong support for the printing and signage industry for more than two decades. A proven platform for building a global network, growing market share, and building one’s brand, SGI 2022 will help exhibitors sell products and generate leads with a live audience, strengthen one’s brand position, and widen the brand’s market exposure. To date, brands from countries including Bahrain, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, and many others have participated in the event. ✪

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COVER STORY

Walt Disney said, “Build it and they will come.” Qiraat Attar takes the opportunity to look at UAE’s progress over five decades through the lens of a unique and highly successful startup

UNITED ACTIVE ENTREPRENEUR UAE - THE STARTUP STORY 20

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I

f you live in the United Arab Emirates - look around you. How often have you thought this place is different from the rest of the world?

You may not have been around in the past, but it is impossible to stay unaffected by the growth of this illustrious nation. Since its first steps in 1971, the seven states of the UAE acknowledged head-on the mammoth challenge in front of them, converting this dusty desert scattered with few natural resources and fewer economic prospects into a nation that stands tall, shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s powers, diminishing arguments that it could well be the most secure, inhabitable and exciting country in the world today.

A routine study will tell you - countries happen; they are not made. There is no plan, no strategy, no board meetings or investors that make a country. Well, not all countries.

But what highlights UAE’s embargo from the way other nations have carved their path was how eerily akin to a startup it operated in its early days - identifying the vast scope of improvement, working closely with guidelines and principles, with architects that were single-minded in their pursuit of a better UAE. Combine that with a shrewd economic policy, foreign relations with countries that have stood the test of time, and even branding, it will tell you that the UAE is a dichotomy - a nation of heartening, warm, motivated inhabitants, but also a product of the best laid and executed plans that any country set into motion post its independence.

This loose parallel offers us insights and creates a renewed appreciation for the path UAE has taken towards growth, joining hands with its people, environment, children, its core values, and relations with neighboring states to walk the delicate balance between the everyday joys of its citizens, and the long-term visions that forge its future. Follow the story to gain an understanding of how the UAE model of governance, growth, and results is no less fascinating than a startup.

FORMUL ATION OF A VISION

SHIP

Startups are born because they are driven by the drive to solve a problem, improving the lives of people. It was no different for His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and the principal driving force behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates. As the first President of the UAE, he held office for almost 33 years, succeeded by his son Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the now President of the UAE. When the Sheikh Zayed was still an infant, the Emirate was characterized by undeveloped communities wracked with poverty, earning their daily bread through fishing or pearl diving or subsisting on agriculture that was possible on the scattered oases, few and far between, much like the mirage of prosperous times.

Every company has a USP. That USP for the Emirate was oil - elusive but undoubtedly present. The Sheikh came to power in the middle of what was a fervent search for crude oil, finally unearthed after a 30-year search in 1958. Sheikh Zayed stayed close to the process, gaining exposure to oil 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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COVER STORY

$ Historic photo depicting the first hoisting of the United Arab Emirates flag by the rulers of the emirates at The Union House, Dubai on 2 December 1971.

and its significance when the oil companies conducted their geological surveys. Then, with determination, he sought to build UAE’s brighter future out of the shadows on the slick foundations of oil.

THE MOVING TARGET

With a vision to transform the landscape and fate of the UAE, the kingdom was armed with a mission statement that could help it get to its goals. After all, have you ever heard of a successful startup without a mission statement emblazoned on its walls and the hearts of its makers?

In 1971, it was straightforward - To bring together the states with similar economic and tribal groups under the banner of the Emirate. With the turn of time, these goals have evolved too, with the latest UAE Vision 2021 steadfast at empowering the country and citizens with vital values such as their national identity, fostering their sense of family and society, and balancing development with tradition.

The achievement of Vision 2021 was based on strengthening the four pillars of Unity.

• United in Responsibility: An ambitious nation, confident and grounded in its heritage • United in Destiny: A union brought, kept together

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and made strong by a common destiny • United in Knowledge: A Competitive Economy Driven by Knowledgeable and Innovative Emiratis • United in Prosperity: Nurturing a sustainable environment for quality living.

In addition, certain other objectives have also emerged in urgency - such as the state of the environment and dispensing human rights equitably.

With clear laid plans up to 2021 already in execution, the next big dream was to make the UAE the best country in the world by 2071. With this as foresight, H. H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and his Cabinet launched the UAE Centennial 2071 plan to lay foundations, fortify the country’s reputation and its soft power, and establish tools to build an environment for futuristic growth and a set a clear map for future generations to follow.

The UAE Centennial 2071 plan is based on four aspects: Education, Economy, Government Development, and Community Cohesion. It also includes educational development with a focus on advanced technology and engineering and instilling an Emirati moral values system in future generations.

FILLING THE GAPS

As a country far-flung into the Middle East with its arid deserts and scorching sun, coming to terms with its hardwon independence, UAE was cognizant about its growing pains. Just like a company must be aware of the problems that could befall it, not just in the present but also in the future, so did the UAE take stock of their situation post-independence.

In some ways, it was more secure than ever before - by 1999, it had eliminated all threats of invasion, debt issues, domestic opposition was down to a thrum, and there were few signs of an economic slide back. With rivalries absolved with treaties and the overarching assurance of USA’s protection, the Emirate was poised for prosperity.

But instead of slipping into complacency, the kingdom focused on other problems to be solved - rapid population growth, lack of economic diversification, low oil prices, low water supplies, and dependence on foreign labor.

Despite the populace, there was also a dearth of talent that could build the nation to the standards they envisioned, woefully due to lack of education. Today, the UAE is climbing the literacy rates of the U.N. Education Index and is making significant inroads in ensuring the women too, gain their rightful access to education, in keeping with

THE UAE CENTENNIAL 2071 PLAN IS BASED ON FOUR ASPECTS: EDUCATION, ECONOMY, GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY COHESION

UNDP Millennium Development Goals.

The other major issue that the UAE foresaw was its over-dependence on oil. Having struck oil in 1969, it was the fuel not only for automobiles, industries, and energy needs the world over, but also the jet fuel in UAE’s rocket ship to the future. Having capitalized on this search, this discovery paid dividends in augmenting UAE’s stature. However, oil is an exhaustible fuel, which was apparent when Dubai’s oil production peaked in 1991 and has been in decline ever since.

Not one to be fazed in the face of a challenge, the kingdom chose to diversify, and quickly, into other economic avenues, such as tourism, import-export, and strategic ties with international players. Today, tourism now factors in as one of the biggest non-oil income streams for the UAE, with Dubai as the epicenter of this change. Other ways it honors its mission of economic integrity is by relying on other capable industries such as construction, which is why Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah boast of such mammoth construction marvels across their urban spaces and holds nearly $350 billion worth of infrastructure projects, apart from which there is the manufacturing and a booming services sector. This highlights that the mission statement for a country, much like a startup, cannot be a fixed stamp but a moving target, as the pursuit of growth reveals other problems that hold the key to further satisfaction.

THE PAPER TR AIL

Pitch a business idea to even the most naive of people, and their first question will be - where will the money come from? Countries are no different. When the UAE did not exist as a union, but as scattered states, each emirate was responsible for its own economy. Means of earning were traditional, based on fishing and other seafaring activities.

The people were unaware of the world beyond and were not part of the growth trajectory that was being charted by other prosperous countries.

Previous UAE President Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the light guiding the Emirate into the 20th century, channeling the money from oil exports into the nation’s future. Former UAE vice-president Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum decided not to adhere to fossil fuels alone but tap into other industries as well. This led to an average growth of over 6% in the mid-2010s, with shares contributed by banking, tourism, commerce, and real estate.

Not all the Emirate states saw the same success rate, and the journey was not without bumps along the way.

When the mid-2000s saw Dubai slumping in an economic crisis, Abu Dhabi bailed the sister state out with its substantial petrodollars. Today, Dubai has shaken off signs of its economic downturns with its stellar success and investments beyond petroleum from international finance, tourism, and entrepreneurship.

ACROSS THE SE AS

Before competition comes collaboration. The UAE is acutely aware that no nation is an island, metaphorically relying on others whom it can help in times of need, and lean on when the going gets tough. From the outset, it has played the game of diplomacy with a seasoned hand.

Having held a significant role in the OPEC and one of the founders of the GCC, it also features on several significant international boards such as the World Bank, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the IMF. That’s not to say that a bit of competition isn’t just enthralling, but a given. One of the most prestigious and path-breaking events to be happening in the UAE right now, the Expo 2020 Dubai, has been in the works since 2013 when the UAE defeated opposing bids from Turkey’s Izmir, Brazil’s Sao Paulo, and Russia’s Yekaterinburg at the 154th Bureau International des Expositions to host the event.

UAE enjoys diplomatic camaraderie with several powerful nations, both through timely allyship and import-export relations. Ties with Australia have strengthened rapidly,

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and our nation is now the largest Middle East trading partner of the land down under. Ties with America too have flourished, with the change in regime in the States having done little to dampen the strong ties with the Emirate.

Another tangible route of maintaining relations has always been the route of import-export. The UAE takes efforts to maintain strong ties with its import partners, China, India, US, UK, and Germany, which supply machinery, precious metals, mineral, and chemical products to our region. Consequently, the UAE bestows its export partners Oman, Japan, and Saudi Arabia with goods like petroleum products, aluminum, and electronics.

WHEN INNOVATION MEETS ADMINISTR ATION

A well-run company can credit its smooth sailing to its organized department structure, with a clear demarcation of responsibilities. Federal governments around the world have the same perfunctory ministries for smooth administration, but the UAE takes it beyond set expectations, with a keen understanding of problem areas and how people wish to be governed.

In 2019, the world’s first virtual Ministry of Possibilities was inaugurated in the UAE, without a dedicated minister but run with the collaboration of the Cabinet of Ministers. There is no mindset as ‘impossible’ for this ministry, which is specifically conceptualized to fix problems that seem unsolvable. Recently in April 2021, the Ministry was referenced in an OECD case study for

COVER STORY

its initiative to give every government department free reign to experiment with their functioning, which has sparked conversation with leaders in Wales to create their own Ministry of Possibilities.

In 2016, an entire ministry was created to oversee policies and programs with the foremost intention of maintaining happiness amongst the citizens. Under the guidance of Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, several initiatives have taken off like Customer Happiness Formula, Happiness and Positivity Councils, and Happy and Positive Offices.

Most countries endorse and embrace Artificial Intelligence on a technological, even consumption level, but UAE decided to incorporate it into administration to equitably distribute its benefits for the people. The Min-

the world, the Burj Khalifa, which is so famous today that it has a full-fledged Bollywood track to its name, cemented its place as a tourism destination that cannot be outflanked by another. Dubai was personified in the image of classic royalty, which entertains and obliges in equal measure, which feels familiar and yet awe-inspiring in the same moment, so it was only fitting that global superstar Shah Rukh Khan became the face of Dubai tourism in 2016, with a series of advertisements warmly inviting the world with the tagline - ‘Be my guest’.

More recently in 2021, a series of viral ‘Visit Dubai’ ads show Zac Efron and Jessica Alba function as cinematic tour guides, as the videos mimic movie trailers in the romance, action, thriller and self-discovery genre under #DubaiPresents. Viewers are enthralled by the scale and

Dubai Tourism Board’s global marketing campaign featuring Shah Rukh Khan in 2016 and recently Zac Enron and Jessica Alba

THERE IS NO MINDSET AS ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ FOR THIS MINISTRY, WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY CONCEPTUALIZED TO FIX PROBLEMS THAT SEEM UNSOLVABLE

istry of Artificial Intelligence, launched in 2017 as a pre-emptive part of UAE Centennial 2071, plans to leave no stone unturned establishing the Emirate as a global leader in the domain by 2031. Above all, it seeks to encourage competition to nurture innovation in the AI sector, which will increase opportunities for job seekers and lead to the construction of a data-driven infrastructure which will form the basis for a digital-friendly future in the UAE.

ambition for these ads packed with a storyline and also taking them across Dubai’s famous hotspots, gorgeously capturing their splendor.

AN INDELIBLE BR AND

NO EMIR ATE WITHOUT THE EMIR ATI

Companies don’t exist without a brand image these days, but the UAE takes its branding to a whole new level. From the 1980s, it began to position and promote itself as a world financial gateway through the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. As a result, the global perception of small desert villages and rudimentary ways of livelihood were replaced by images of the glamorous and fast-paced metropolis, thanks to the burgeoning progress brought in by oil revenue.

While on this upswing, UAE’s reputation and particularly that of Dubai was cemented by its visibility and swagger in the tourism space, with it attaining the position of the fifth most visited city in the world garnering 11.95 million visitors, rising to 13.34 million in 2016. Outrageous architectural projects like the underwater hotel, the Palm Jumeirah islands, and of course, the tallest building in

Few nations could handle the challenge of being paralleled with a startup, but as we’ve seen, the UAE is more than up to the comparison. But there is a common thread above all else - be it a company, a club, a nation, or a conglomerate, it is about the people.

In the case of the UAE, the best-laid plans, the boundless wealth that came from beneath the ground, and all the marketing and branding to showcase the alluring facade would be hollow if not supported by the Emirati people, who have grown from their own primitive roots and embraced modernity, technology and adventure while still holding their tradition, native tongue and culture in the palm of their hand. In UAE’s victories of its past and the plans for the next 50 years ahead, as long as the satisfaction and concurrence of the Emirati are valued, it will always be a good day in the Emirate. J 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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BEYOND-50 The UAE is known for its determination - here dreams are goals for the future. Having celebrated a glittering golden jubilee, the country has set its sights on the next 50 years, with formidable goals that will take it to the zenith. Qiraat Attar explores the broad horizon of UAE’s promises to its people

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SPECIAL FEATURE

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

{ SPECIAL FEATURE }

T

he UAE has come a long way since its origin in 1971, when the six Trucial States, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain, Ajman, and Fujairah, agreed on a Federal Constitution (with the seventh state, Ras Al Khaimah, joining in February 1972), achieving independence as the United Arab Emirates. Pledging allegiance to a common flag and a united future, 2nd December 1971 was thus immortalized as the National Day of UAE. The UAE flag was adopted the same day, with the four colors, red, black, green, and white, signifying Emirati unity.

With lessons learned, promises delivered, and more to come, The Centennial Plan 2071 lays a roadmap for the UAE to forge guns blazing into the future. Technology, society, and our own collective consciousness as citizens of the UAE guarantees that abundant prosperity and well-being become our collective realized dream.

The UAE is well-known not just for setting high benchmarks for its fate as a nation but also for achieving them. From its origin in 1971 to the year of the 50th, 2021, the country’s achievements under the guiding light of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, and Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE are, in a word, awe-inspiring.

But complacency is the last thing on their mind if the cascading plans for the next 50 years are any indication.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

2071: TOWARDS THE NEX T 50

Objectives for the oncoming 50 years can be gleaned at a glance from the four pillars or principles for the future.

The future-focused government aims to be the best government in the world, with inspirational leadership and a long-term vision. It intends to foster quality education, especially in the fields of advanced science and technology, space science, engineering, health sciences, and innovation, with mechanisms in place to discover a child’s individual talent early and nurture them. It sees itself as a knowledge economy, achieved by a generation of inventors and scientists and supporting them in technical sciences. And finally, for nations are only as prosperous as its people, it is committed to building a tolerant, cohesive, and ethical society that embraces happiness and a positive lifestyle, adequate female participation, and overall, a high quality of life.

To explore every meticulous project the nation has envisioned would command endless pages. Instead, let us walk through the hallmark objectives that will serve as the foundation for the journey of the next 50 years of the UAE.

using solar and nuclear to 14 GW by 2030.

The Al Dhafra Solar PV is the world’s largest single-site solar power plant in existence, with nearly 4 million solar panels generating enough electricity for over 160,000 homes across the nation.

While mitigating climate change’s consequences on intrinsic resources, the UAE has demonstrated foresight in recognizing that its citizens may be the worst affected by the crises and ensuing food uncertainties. Thus, it seeks to be the world’s best country in the Global Food Security Index by 2051, reaching amongst the top 10 by 2021. Food security will be guaranteed under all circumstances by enabling technology-based food production and supply, boosting international trade partnerships, enforcing regulations and policies to enhance nutrition, and reducing waste in food consumption.

JOINING THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION

The UAE intends to advance the digital game by weaving in a robust data and digitization policy in its future plans. The UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025 primarily focuses on the gaps that vulnerable groups like elders, people with determination, women, children, and others may face in the race to near-digital systems. In addition, the UAE Data Law, the first federal law drafted in partnership with major tech conglomerates, will play a significant role in protecting user privacy and limiting entities’ use of personal data for profit.

Other concerns include foolproof plans in anticipation of crises, keeping people at the center of all policies and processes with inclusive mechanisms, and ensuring an ‘open by default’ policy that makes government data accessible for the public to peruse and engage with.

AI ASSEMBLE! A WORLD TO SAVE

Hot on the heels of the COP26 climate change conference, the UAE commits to far-reaching structural and legislative changes to ensure a hopeful future for the planet.

With the UAE particularly vulnerable to the water crisis, it looks towards reducing the overall demand for water resources by 21 percent by 2036. It also intends to reduce the water scarcity index by a ratio of three points, drive up the reuse of treated water to 95 percent and increase the national water storage capacity up to two days.

The UAE Net Zero 2050 goals align with the Paris Agreement, striving to achieve net-zero emissions in line with the country’s requirements, in collaboration with the energy, economy, infrastructure, industry, transport, waste, and agricultural sectors. In tandem, the UAE’s ‘Energy Strategy 2050’ looks to increase the share of clean energy in the overall supply from 25 percent to 50 percent by 2050. Not only does this reduce the carbon footprint of power generation by 70 percent, it also saves the nation AED 700 billion by 2050.

Having begun its stride towards renewable energy over 15 years ago, the UAE has invested over 40 billion USD to date, to hike up production capacity of clean energy

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Artificial Intelligence has sneaked up on the world, with

private companies all over the world scrambling to incorporate it into their business. But the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI) sees AI playing a big role in achieving the objectives of UAE Centennial 2071.

The post-mobile government phase will have all future government services, sectors, and infrastructure projects rely on AI. The never-seen-before initiative in the Middle East and the world will encourage investments in stateof-the-art AI technologies that augment government performance and efficiency. As soon as 2031, the UAE will achieve 100 percent reliance on AI for government services and data analysis.

ATTR ACTING THE RIGHT TALENT

Visas are indispensable to the UAE economy with almost 90% of its 10-million-strong population being expatriates.

There are some intriguing new visa schemes in the works, notably the Green Visa, which will expand self-residency status for investors and skillful individuals, and the Freelancers Visa, enabling the self-sponsorship for those who work independently. This comes after the introduction of the remote worker visa, allowing even individuals who work overseas to live in the UAE for one year, and the 10-year Golden Visa, selectively granted to only the highly skilled and choicest of residents and investors.

Going beyond those who seek out the UAE, the country will also be reaching out to other nations for mutual economic benefit. With all-encompassing economic partnership agreements with eight key global markets, it aims to increase the UAE’s existing AED 257 billion by an additional AED 40 billion annually through trade with international regions.

The UAE’s global economic partnerships strategy which formulated these agreements

aims to double the national economy in the next ten years, from AED 1.4 trillion to AED 3 trillion. The partnerships will be bolstered by the 10x10 program, which operates to achieve a yearly growth in the country’s exportations by 10 percent in ten strategic markets: China, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Russia, Poland, Luxembourg, the UK, the Netherlands, and Indonesia.

PROTECTING THE WORKING CL ASS

The working class of the UAE has ensured, through tremendous determination and resilience, that the nation rises to its highest potential. At the same time, they work on making a living and attaining a better life for themselves. Under ‘NAFIS’, which means ‘complete’ in Arabic and which falls under the ambit of ‘Projects of the 50’, there are several policies in the works to protect and compensate for this class.

THE POST-MOBILE GOVERNMENT PHASE WILL HAVE ALL FUTURE GOVERNMENT SERVICES, SECTORS, AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS RELY ON AI

2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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SPECIAL FEATURE

THE UAE AIMS TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST INHABITABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENT ON MARS BY 2117

‘NAFIS’ aims for Emiratis to hold 10 percent of the UAE’s private-sector jobs by 2025. Through the ‘Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council’, it’s all set to launch strategies that will create 75,000 positions for Emiratis, incentivizing a move to the private sector. In addition, the Merit Programme looks to incentivize national cadres in specialized fields, such as Emiratis working in high-impact positions like financial auditors and accountants, lawyers, analysts, coders, and nurses.

For those who harbor business ambitions, a subsidized career break with a 50% salary of six months to a year will be available to Emiratis in Federal Government positions to pursue entrepreneurship. The Early Retirement scheme offers an excellent avenue to Emiratis in Federal Government positions to explore business opportunities in the private sector by taking early retirement.

BE YOND PL ANETARY CONFINES

The UAE has high ambitions for space exploration. By 2024, it intends to have a 100 percent Emirati-manufactured lunar rover, to study various aspects of the moon’s surface and use the findings to develop the science behind high-precision astronomical technology.

But the most ambitious of UAE’s ambitions by far takes us out of the way of the country… by a few million miles.

Driven by a thirst for exploration and a passion for limitless knowledge, the UAE aims to establish the first inhabitable human settlement on Mars by 2117.

The project, whose roots lie

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in the present, is a gift for future generations. Directives have been issued to the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre to prepare a 100-year plan charting its implementation. In preparation for the same, the UAE will build a complex of buildings called Mars Scientific City, stimulating the red planet’s terrain and harsh environment in every conceivable way. It will also conduct agricultural tests and studies around food security in the future. Any team designated for Mars exploration will have to endure this Mars simulation for a whole year.

ONE EMIR ATE, MANY STATES

Every state that comprises the UAE has its own separate challenges and growth trajectories, recognizing and nurturing, woven into UAE’s policy.

The smallest of the seven Emirates, Ajman is characterized by the jagged Hajjar mountain range and its rustic charm, retained even in the turn of the times. The Ajman 2021 vision focuses on the formation of a happy society and the need for a green economy that is in conjunction with UAE Vision 2021 and the National Agenda. Ajman 2021 sees the indicators of a happy society as one that embodies a positive outlook, revers its heritage, and works in tandem with the environment.

Sharjah, a significant hub of innovation and a zealous entrepreneurial spirit with 45,000 small and modest enterprises, focuses on manufacturing, real estate, gas, tourism, education, healthcare, business services, and logistics. Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 aims to play to its strengths by attracting over 10 million tourists by 2021.

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority will collaborate with the tourism sector to ensure the success of this goal.

While Abu Dhabi is well covered on several major projects, one of the most exciting from the Centennial

SPECIAL FEATURE

Vision 2057 are more than 50 strategic initiatives for Abu Dhabi Police, including harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and pioneering thinking in future security work. By 2057, Abu Dhabi Police intends to launch a satellite that prevents police data piracy, and in a twist that makes sci-fi pale in comparison. By 2117, Abu Dhabi will have designed a police station for the UAE Mars settlement by 2117. Gear up to witness patrol vehicles in space, nano-robots for firefighting, and robots as nearly 50 percent of the police force.

Dubai is a glittering gem in the crown jewel of the UAE, and as such the Emirate carefully implements the right strategies to augment its status. Already ranked the fifth-best city in the world by Resonance Consultancy’s World’s Best Cities Report 2021, Dubai homes amenities, comfort, and a culture that makes it an indisputable contender for the number one spot.

The kingdom has some strategies in store for Dubai’s growth and the ease of its citizens, such as the Dubai Health Strategy 2021, which aims to alleviate the suffering of chronically ill patients with state-of-the-art medical

with a goal to establish the Emirate state as a hub of 3D printing technology by 2030.

One aspirational plan in Dubai’s infrastructure dreams is its Autonomous Transportation Strategy, which imagines at least 25 percent of the transport on Dubai roads transformed to autonomous mode come 2030. This bold ambition wishes to bring AED 22 billion in annual economic revenues in several sectors by reducing carbon emissions, transportation costs, and accidents and saving millions of hours otherwise wasted in primitive transportation to enhance the productivity of individuals.

The hyperloop project is a logistic marvel in the making, with every detail more astounding than the last. Faster, cheaper, and more sustainable than other existing modes, it is based on vacuum technology that will help cover the 140 km between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in a mind-boggling 12 minutes flat.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Virgin Hyperloop and UAE’s Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) acknowledges their collaboration over the research and innovation, making the UAE a center for the development of the hyperloop transport technology.

From plans of the future to the perfect execution of the present, one of UAE’s most prominent events has shaped up to leave the world agog at its mounting and scale. The exceptional Expo 2020 being held from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022 will honor humanity’s creativity and resilience while putting major technological advances in the fields of medicine and science in the spotlight.

Being the first World Expo held in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa region, it welcomes 192 countries and every prominent and upcoming business, multilateral organization, and educational establishment.

FOR THE PEOPLE

care, a culture of early detection and raise awareness of prevention through early and often check-ups.

Dubai Plan 2021 tackles the urban environment covering natural and man-made assets, looking to heighten the living experience of Dubai dwellers and propel the economy.

Smart Dubai 2021 envisions a 100 percent digital reality where the last paper transaction will be issued in 2021 by the Dubai Government.

There are also some long-term industrial plans in the pipeline, such as the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 to secure Dubai’s industrial future with sustainable businesses built on sound knowledge and innovation. In addition, Dubai’s 3D Printing Strategy was launched in April 2016

Celebrations for the National Day are already underway, having begun 50 days before 2nd December to mark the country’s Golden Jubilee milestone. The ‘50 days to 50’ initiative invites all who call the UAE home to visit old attractions and new ones, unearth hidden gems around the country, submit photographs that hold meaning to them, and learn and sing the UAE’s national anthem and participate in the celebration wholeheartedly.

This Golden Jubilee and the potential it holds for the future is a poignant one for all of UAE, its states, and the people who inhabit it. Poised on the cusp of another 50 years of meteoric growth and path-breaking reform, let us rejoice this National Day for the journey we have traversed so far, for it is no less than a celebration of our own life’s milestones. J 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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SPECIAL FEATURE

UAE-INDIA towards a brighter future The future is looking better than ever for the two countries as India and the UAE formalise their economic ties By G. Kalyan Kumar

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golden period beckons in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-India relations with the spectrum of cooperation widening with an oncoming free trade agreement, likely to be signed in the first quarter of 2022.

The spadework on the proposed agreement is underway. In September, India’s Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal and UAE minister of state for trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi met in New Delhi and discussed significant matters on trade expansion.

The UAE is home to 3.5 million Indian expatriates constituting roughly about 30 percent of the country’s population. The UAE is also India’s second-largest export destination and third-largest trading partner. During a joint press conference, Goyal said the two nations wanted to sign a formal India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by March 2022. Goyal added that both UAE and India are looking to cross $100 billion in merchandise trade while mentioning that both sides have drawn up an “aggressive and ambitious” time frame to conclude the trade agreement. Specifically, the pact will raise bilateral trade in goods to $100 billion and services to $15 billion within five years of signing the agreement.

UAE excited about the trade agreement Minister Zeyoudi stated UAE’s excitement about a trade agreement with India that could boost bilateral trade. He noted that in the first half of 2021 alone, the total volume of non-oil trade between the two sides hit $21 billion.

The ministers underlined the need to promote bilateral cooperation under the ambit of the 2017 MoU on cooperation and trade remedies. India’s focus on the extended neighbourhood has paid off strategically in the widening collaboration with the UAE. In 2019-20 the two countries clocked close to $60 billion in bilateral trade.

India in Expo 2020 Dubai Meanwhile, India has established a significant presence in the Expo 2020 Dubai, which kicked off on October 1, 2021. Economic experts pre-

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# His Excellency Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade in a meeting with Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of India

dict the mega-event to further stimulate bilateral trade and investment. Here, India showcases its ‘unlimited opportunities for the global community’, telling the growth story and inviting all to benefit from it.

The India Pavilion in the 2020 Expo is parading an innovative kinetic facade with 600 colorful blocks of rotating panels bearing the theme – ‘India on the Move’. It has attracted participation from 15 Indian states, nine central ministries, and centrally ruled union territories, who have lined up B2G and G2G meetings. The states include Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, Ladakh, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.

Their culture, food, and business opportunities are on vibrant display at Expo 2020.

Among the top Indian companies participating in the Expo 2020 include Reliance, Tata Group, Adani, Vedanta, Hinduja Group, and L&T, not to mention several UAE-based Indian investors such as Lulu group, Malabar Gold, IFFCO, KEF Holdings, and Aster, among others.

Other participating Indian organizations include Hindustan Unilever Limited, ITC, Air India, ICICI Bank Patanjali, Dabur, Oyo, Trident Group, Baidyanath, Apollo Hospital, Sun International, Ease My Trip, MIKO, Daawat Rice, Bank of Baroda, BLS International, NPCI, Jagran Lake City University, Petrochem, Nikai, Al Dobowi, and Shycocan.

India’s export basket According to data, India exports petroleum products, textiles, engineering and machinery products, chemicals, stones, gems and jewelry, precious metals, minerals, food items including tea, meat, seafood, cereals, sugar, fruits, and vegetables to the UAE. India’s imports from UAE cover petroleum and petroleum products, minerals, chemicals, wood products, precious metals, stones, gems, and jewelry.

UAE has been one of the largest investors in India, with investments worth $11 billion as of March 2021. According to official data, many Indian companies have made considerable investments in the UAE and the total value is around $85 billion.

Dubai property luring Indians UAE’s long-term residency visas have excited Indian investors seeking housing properties in the UAE. According to reports, Indian HNIs continue to be the top investors in Dubai.

In a major reform, the UAE government decided to grant long-term residency visas to professionals and investors. Property consultants identify this as a key driver in rising investments in residential properties of Dubai.

Under the new visa regime, UAE will offer long-term premium visas spanning five to ten years, targeting entrepreneurs, professionals, and specialists in technical, medical, scientific, and research areas.

Abu Dhabi too is now an emerging attraction for property investments. According to property consultants, many Abu Dhabi developers, including Aldar, offer viable rental schemes to boost property purchases. In addition, the advent of tourist attractions such as Yas Island and Ferrari World

In terms of market segments, the demand is highest for luxury properties especially in locations like Palm Jumeirah

has also escalated housing demand in Abu Dhabi.

As per an Anarock consultancy official, which caters to Indian property investors in the Middle East, Dubai has one of the most affordable markets in luxury housing compared to any other world city. A spokesman of a Delhi-based property consultancy also confirmed the surging demand from Indian investors in UAE housing. They include cash-rich businessmen and wealthy professionals.

In terms of market segments, the demand is highest for luxury properties especially in locations like Palm Jumeirah. The sought-after price range is INR 20-60 million, which is equivalent to $266,500 to $800,000.

GCC ties growing India’s relation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which comprises of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, is also on the upswing. The fillip in GCC ties has been prominent since 2015, reflected in trade, investments, and security cooperation.

However, a gap induced by the curtailed economic activity from the COVID-19 pandemic wave needs to be bridged. The slashed growth momentum led to a slight decline in the total trade between India and GCC recently. In April and October 2020, business came up to $39.98 billion, amounting to GCC share in India’s foreign trade at 12 percent, in contrast to 33 percent in the same period during 2019-20. Today, India imports 38 percent of its oil requirements from GCC. It is apparent that trade and investment opportunities are booming across India and the UAE. Now the onus is on business owners, industry, and the officials to facilitate its optimum leverage. J 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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INTERVIEW

A JEWEL IN THE UAE CROWN A highly successful women entrepreneur with a passion for humanitarian activities, Her Excellency Laila Rahhal El Atfani is an inspiration to women and youth around the world.

Pallavi Biju presents this person of note on the many hats she wears

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hilanthropy lies at the heart of human greatness. As a goodwill ambassador, International Ambassador of Peace and Tolerance, Ambassador of Humanity as well as the Founder and President of Business Gate, Initiator of I am Africa, Vice President of FIA Federation, Vice President of the Voice Magazine Middle East, among numerous diverse roles, Her Excellency Laila Rahhal El Atfani is a luminary for all.

In this day and age, where empathy falters in the face of our preoccupied lives where we cannot care about more than one thing at a time, it truly takes a person of great willpower and caliber to juggle her business and her philanthropy without compromising on the quality and output of either.

An Entrepreneur With A Heart Of Gold With an extraordinary and multi-faceted career that spans across years and countless countries, Her Excellency lives by the adage, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”. Being a goodwill ambassador and the constant desire to help people, always demands her 100%. But, as she puts it, to be good to others, one first needs to be good to themselves. “If you’re not a good person, just remove the title of goodwill ambassador from your CV”, says this righteous crusader. Her sage words are to respect humanity, be humble, tolerant, and to bear in mind that no man is an island; you need people as much as they need you. This benefactor believes that Unity defines Humanity and that we together can change our world for the better, if we work with one heart.

Switching gears to being a highly successful entrepreneur, she acknowledges that all businesses and entrepreneurs go through similar trajectories – their ups and downs, challenges, and obstacles

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“A person who wants to be successful will only be able to achieve true success when they empower and uplift other people along with them”

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to overcome. She, however, does not worry herself with competitors; she believes in collaborators.

“The key to business is teamwork,” she reveals, “Always strive to build a great teamwork.”

Empowering The Leaders Of Tomorrow Her Excellency is the patron of the Arab Youth International Model United Nation (AYIMUN). This year, the AYIMUN welcomed over 350 delegates from around the world, despite the trials of a global pandemic. She attributes this massive turn-out to the youth of today, a highly motivated and intellectual demographic. As the founder of the Youth Gate in Cambodia, she affirms that if we equip the youth with the right knowledge and empower them with the right skills and tools, they will capably lead the world to success. The youth of today are creative, innovative, and resourceful enough to mobilize the technology available to them in the right way for good. She has wise words for the youth - “Be a brave heart who will lead the change in bringing the best of tomorrow as you are the key to a better tomorrow.”

A visionary entrepreneur herself, she is attuned to the cause of women empowerment. She rejects inquiries of how to be a great woman leader or how to succeed as a woman entrepreneur. “Leadership is leadership. An entrepreneur is an entrepreneur,” she states, “It doesn’t matter whether it is a man or a woman.” To be a great leader, there is some criterion that forms the basis of outstanding leadership, but there is no set mold, and certainly no one gender to be accomplished at it. At the end, the most important quality of a great leader is to empower others. “A person who wants to be successful will only be able to achieve true success when they empower and uplift other people along with them,” she notes.

As someone with a keen interest in empowering SMEs and Micro- SMEs, Her Excellency says, “For me, SMEs are the big businesses of tomorrow, provided they find someone to support, guide, and empower them.” She believes that a business needs a clear strategy and vision, a core team, and a good advisor. But, most importantly, the makings of a successful business emerge from knowledge. “Nev-

er enter any business if you don’t study the market.

Always seek knowledge and study more, and if you don’t know… LEARN.”

Finding Positivity In The Pandemic The pandemic has been a time of growth and learning for H.E. Laila Rahhal El Atfani. She was able to train and mentor many people online and was able to open doors for online education through her platform. However, she is quite regretful that this global pandemic snatched several lives and livelihoods, and given the physical restrictions, she simply could not help every soul. On the other hand, according to her, the pandemic gave us a chance to rethink who we are and what the future should be about.

It helped create a better vision for humanity than what exists today and “to remove our ego, to remove our superiority complex, to remove a system of bureaucracy.” She applauds the people who were able

“For me, SMEs are the big businesses of tomorrow, provided they find someone to support, guide, and empower them” to sustain their businesses during these challenging times. “We need to refresh our minds. The pandemic has taught us that to make our lives sustainable and successful, and we will have to put up a tough fight,” she asserts.

The Journey So Far And Beyond When asked about how she got to the top of the game, she is clear that it isn’t a journey unique to her caliber alone. If the drive to succeed and reach great heights comes from within us, then the power to do so also resides within each one of us. She says, “The question is whether you can rise to the challenge or not.” While on the journey to success, there are some ideals or role models that we can emulate and aspire to be like. We can be similar to them, but we can never be them. “We have our own DNA and our own fingerprint; we can’t be exactly like another person,” she laughs.

For this exalted soul, her next goal is monumental; for people worldwide to be happy and to ensure that no one out there suffers from a lack of medication, food, water, or education. She urges all of us to put our hands together and help those in crisis. We are not immortals, but the small impact we make in our meager lifetime can change humanity for the better, bringing love and peace to all. “I am not God,” she concludes, “I am just a small drop in the big ocean, whose end goal is to help people and, in turn, humankind.” ✪ 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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INTERVIEW

Food for your eyes Making food look good for the camera is no mean feat. Qiraat Attar captures the story of commercial food photographer & stylist Teena Agnel who revived a long-dormant love for food and pointed her lens at cuisines turning it into a thriving business

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hen you look at a billboard with chocolate ice-cream, a scrumptious pizza, or a juicy burger, and your stomach rumbles, that is you unknowingly acknowledging the food photographer and the stylist for having done a delicious job.

Teena Agnel is one such maestro, an international-award-winning artist behind the lens, with her life recipe composed of a scoop of unwavering discipline, a dash of multi-tasking abilities, and topped off with the pursuit of perfection.

Armed with the belief that we owe it to ourselves to craft a life that gives us joy and fulfillment, Teena spills the beans on her hustle, leveling up from amateur to expert at food photography and styling, and her crucial balancing act between advancing her passion and managing family life.

to work in India, but the year I moved to the USA, the visa situation changed, and I was stuck with a dependent visa.” This situation made it more difficult for Teena to find a job for many years. “Once you’ve been home too long, companies don’t want to hire you because of the career gap. Being in a foreign country and out of the workforce, your confidence takes a nosedive.”

But there were greater plans awaiting her. It was after watching the movie ‘Julie and Julia’, portraying the life of the culinary powerhouse Julia Child that Teena was hit with a burst of inspiration and the idea of blogging struck her. She was unaware that what started as a way to hone her skills would instead reacquaint her with her long-dormant passion and turn her career around.

Loading the blank reel

“I was constantly trying out new recipes. When I decided to start blogging, I knew that photography played a major role. So, I got myself my first DSLR. However, the initial clicks were awful. That’s when I started researching Food Photography. I came across amazing photography e-books from blogs like ‘Pinch of Yum’ and ‘Recipe Tin Eats’, which helped me understand the basics of DSLR, photography, and styling.”

Teena vivaciously also talks about Rachel, creator of ‘Two Loves Studio’, and ardently followed her advice, having learned valuable lessons from her courses. “She’s got this wonderful website. And I love her style of photography – a light, airy, and minimalist look where the food is always the hero.”

$ Sugarmoo Desserts

Finding her footing After moving to Dubai, Teena quickly realized her niche; her first client was a nutritionist who wanted her to click the recipes she had created for her clients, which she also converted into a cookbook.

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Photo: Gaurav Bambral

Teena’s life trajectory will find resonance among many women. A software professional who moved to the USA after marriage, visa conundrums led to a long break from the corporate workforce. “I used

Practice shots

INTERVIEW: COVER STORY

Once you’ve been home too long, companies don’t want to hire you because of the career gap” — Teena Agnel, Commercial Food Photographer & Stylist 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Some of her recent work: (L to R) 1484 by Puro, Galerie Du The by Ahmad Tea, AJ Kitchen, California Pizza Kitchen

“Later, I was approached by another client asking, ‘Would you like to be a food stylist?’ And I didn’t even know that food styling existed,” she laughs.

Once she decided to turn her passion into a business, Teena obtained a freelance license, thereby allowing her to enter the UAE market. Starting with local clients, she built up her portfolio to include some of the most quality brands in the region, with international brands soon following suit.

Behind the scenes We take this opportunity to pick her brains and ask for a peek behind the curtain. We have all seen the mouth-watering ads of cheesy pizzas and stackedyet-sloppy burgers. So how do they achieve the look?

“When it comes to restaurant photography, the food doesn’t stay on the set for long. So, you can use simple styling techniques like brushing oil on the meat and spraying water on salads. A solution of glycerin and water creates a condensation effect on a glass of cold drink. If you’re photographing pasta, brush it with its sauce just before the shot so it looks fresh. When I style food in a restaurant setting, I always use my gloves and stick to water as a spray.

In commercial photography, where the food is going to be featured on packaging or billboards, typically three or four items are done in a full day which can stretch to 10-12 hours, sometimes more.”

Employing some nifty ‘tricks of the trade’, there

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is more here than what meets the eye. “If shooting a poster campaign for an ice cream brand, most of the time it’s not real ice cream. It could be mashed potatoes or even shortening and sugar mixed with color. Having said that, some brands also shoot with real ice-cream. In that case, the team must work in a cold and controlled environment. It may sound deceptive, but there’s a logical reason for it. Ice-cream starts melting within a couple of minutes. To create the look of the freshly scooped ice-cream is very tricky, a craft very few food stylists have mastered.”

Her USP Teena caters exclusively to restaurants and food-related brands, creating images and content for their menus, social media, websites, catalogues, and online delivery platforms.

What keeps Teena’s clients coming back is that she provides both food photography and styling together, with her own range of props and backdrops, which significantly brings down their costs without compromising quality.

Her clients also hail her professionalism and detail-oriented She has been awarded Food Photographer of 2021/22, UAE approach. In addition, having taken on a full-time assistant to help her during shoots, she is free to focus her energies creatively on delivering her best work. The result is a glowing portfolio that is as aesthetically jaw-dropping as it is skillful.

INTERVIEW

The hidden lows The harder the journey, the sweeter is the reward.

Teena is no stranger to this. “Even when people are successful, they doubt themselves. I do feel discouraged sometimes, and some days can be extremely tiring. But at the end of the day, I tell myself, I would rather be working hard than doing nothing. While a lot of people wish to retire early, I am quite the opposite as I would rather keep working until my very last day.” She says with a smile.

She recalls being a stay-at-home mom before starting her own endeavor, balancing home while working on her very first blog posts. “In America, such as the lifestyle that my husband and I were the cooks, the cleaner, the nanny, pretty much everything. Since my older one was then only oneand-half years old, it took me about five months to launch my first recipe blog (www.artofpalate.com) with 26 recipes. I am glad I took that small step.”

With her move to Dubai, the pressure eased, and she breathed a sigh of relief. “The best thing about Dubai for me was I could find help. I had my second child by then. We had a nanny who would come for a couple of hours in the morning and sit with my baby while I would create my recipes. I would edit at night after putting my baby to bed.

Family is such an important part of our life journey.

We were blessed to have my parents, parents-inlaw, siblings, and cousins visiting more frequently, providing additional support. Having help at home created the avenue of pursuing my career seriously and dedicating my energy to it. Even today, there are days my shoots go on for 16 hours sometimes, so having help is indispensable.”

Through Teena’s lens of experience If you are someone looking to pursue food photography but are confused by the sheer volume of resources out there, Teena has some remarkably valuable advice. “Get a basic DSLR based on your budget, a 50-mm lens and start experimenting with natural light. I started with a cropped sensor camera and a 50 mm lens. Now I use a full-frame camera (Canon 5D Mark IV). 100-mm macro lens is my go-to lens for almost all my work.”

What about high-quality smartphones? “While they do work for flat lays and lifestyle shots, there is limited scope for what you can do with a smartphone. On the other hand, a DSLR offers great control and gives you more room for creativity.”

Teena’s foray into this creative profession and her learning curve may seem unfathomable to many, especially women who reluctantly sacrifice their careers for domesticity. She asserts, “Age is just a number. Your mid-thirties or forties or even fifties are not too late; there are many who start their career at that stage and beyond. Also, never call your business a hobby if you want to generate income

!

Teena adding the touch of perfection in her shoot

When I decided to start blogging, I knew that photography played a major role” from it. Today, despite having a professional portfolio and a body of work, people still wonder if this is only my pastime.”

Family dynamics Given the creative and unconventional nature of her profession, it took time for even her parents to fully understand this type of business. “Sometimes my dad would say, get a job,” she smiles. “To date, they are surprised that there is a demand for such niche skills.” Nonetheless, her family has been supportive, be it her husband or her sister.

Both are her best friends and her biggest critics.

Her kids often proudly proclaim that she is the world’s best chef.

With so many milestones reached, including the Prestige award as UAE’s Food Photographer for the year 2021, Teena is still buzzing with energy and anticipation for her future endeavors. “I have recreated and photographed more than 300 recipes from around the world and had the pleasure of working with some amazing brands, brands I could never dream of until a few years ago. I hope I can continue my creative journey. Despite it all, there is so much more learning to do.”

Life comes full circle, as she expresses her desire to help women rejoin the workforce after having taken a hiatus for reasons beyond their control. “When a gap in their resume causes them to stay home, it disappoints and disheartens them. I wholeheartedly empathize with these women because I have myself been in this position.” Here’s hoping that this story reminds them that with a bit of courage and perseverance, there is a life waiting to be crafted on their terms, for their story is still unfinished! ✪ YOU CAN REACH TEENA AT hello@teenaagnel.com ; www.teenaagnel.com 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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INTERVIEW

The Big NAIM in Hospitality With years of hospitality experience, Naim Maadad, the founder and CEO of Gates Hospitality is the mastermind behind several stunning culinary experiences in and around the UAE. Pallavi Biju catches up with the man for whom curating fun, fine dining is serious business

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ospitality is an industry built on offering attention and care to its patrons. So, it goes without saying that only a person with pure passion finds success in this space.

Naim Maadad, the CEO and founder of Gates Hospitality, who has also been at the helm of many resorts and hotels around the world, is a person built with a certain caliber who fulfills all the requirements to the T. With the restaurant business in his veins, courtesy of his family’s heritage, Maadad was able to pursue his dream from a tender age and admits that this passion for hospitality and the culinary industry was carved into his destiny. With his initial fondness for the culinary trade and finely honed skill at his job, his journey, thus far, has been tremendously exciting.

Building An Empire Established in 2008, Gates Hospitality has ascended to position itself as a leading hospitality company in the UAE, representing elite concepts that caters immaculately to its affluent guests’ lifestyles. With over 45 years in hospitality, 23 restaurant launches, and 11 hotel launches, the company also offers advisory services including hospitality guidance, asset management, pre-opening foundation, and day-today operations. It is firmly committed to developing world-class hospitality services and is keen on developing a suite of self-made F&B concepts while franchising alongside certain handpicked brands of restaurants both in the MENA region and abroad.

Notably, in 2018, the company proudly franchised the Red Farm Restaurant to Covent Garden in London, United Kingdom.

The four principles that the company abides

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by are ‘Enrich, Engage, Belong, and Innovate’.

Naim Maadad ascribes the company’s success to its strong brand ethos and pillars that they do not compromise under any circumstance. Every brand under the company is unique, offering authenticity rather than a run-of-the-mill experience. He believes that his tenure, having led several established hotels and resorts, has helped scale Gates Hospitality to new heights. Maadad says, “Every aspect of culture, heritage, business ethics, hospitality standards, lifestyle, and holistic approach has been imbibed in the formation of these brands which are varied, unique, and trendsetters in their own right.”

His brand’s international forays have helped him realize that an authentic concept that attains success in one region cannot be duplicated in another region, for it must hold its own inimitable appeal. The geography and topography of the place have to be a part of the hospitality expe-

A brand-new feather in the cap of Gates Hospitality is them handling six venues at the large-scale and elaborately staged Expo 2020 Dubai rience that the customer receives. “The industry varies in each region by imbibing the uniqueness of that place and offering their traditional cuisine in innovative ways,” says Maadad. After establishing one of his restaurants in the shopping and entertainment hub of West London, Covent Garde, Maadad now aims to take his brand to other destinations in the GCC, Australia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UK, and the USA.

Powering Through The Pandemic The global pandemic wreaked havoc in every industry, and the hospitality industry was no exception, one of the worst-hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Gates hospitality managed to overcome the obstacles through pure willpower, hard work, and innovative strategies. Staying firm and uncompromising on their business values, ethos, vision, and mission, they have been able to skilfully steer through the challenges and are now slowly starting to thrive again.

Through the isolation and uncertainty of lockdowns and quarantines, the company reconnected with its clients and well-wishers. They kept the ball rolling with events like online cooking classes, cookery boxes, online quiz nights, murder-mystery-themed virtual nights, and other engagements, which helped them stay connected with their business stakeholders and their loyal client base keeping them connected with the unmatchable Gates Hospitality experience. These events were highly appreciated by their customers and clients, and some even become hot-trends adopted enthusiastically by their competing brands.

As a part of their community efforts and to give back to society during the turbulent pandemic, Naim Maadad, along with award-winning author Flavel Monteiro, released the book ‘Come Together for India’. The e-book featured recipes from Indian-origin chefs from across the world and launched on August 15, Indian Independence Day, costing an affordable $5. All the contributions from the e-book were routed through reputable charity organizations like Dubai Cares and Vibah.org to India via the consulate. “We felt it was an apt way to reach out and support India in its efforts in fighting the pandemic,” says Maadad, who co-authored the book.

The Way Forward Although Gates Hospitality has achieved many accolades and awards by acclaimed platforms, the founder sees the company’s biggest achievement as the team that believed in the venture and took their first steps together in 2010, still part of its story and going strong. He affirms that this passion is what drives the success of any organization.

A brand-new feather in the cap of Gates Hospitality is them handling six venues at the largescale and elaborately staged Expo 2020 Dubai.

“We are extremely delighted to be part of the Expo 2020 journey, and it is wonderful to be involved in bringing never-seen-before brands to the vibrant city of Dubai – contributing in its endeavor to become the culinary capital of the world in future,” says Maadad.

As someone who has been a part of the hospitality industry for decades, Naim Maadad believes that the post-pandemic growth would imbue renewed passion and energy in the business, boosting it towards success in the times to come. In addition, Dubai is set to host many global events in the near future which will further drive tourism, thus expanding the hospitality industry. According to him, Dubai will be the “culinary hub” in the times to come and is buzzing for the exciting journey.

The hospitality industry is an ever-evolving and dynamic industry. Especially with the new trends in technology and innovation, the hospitality sector is set to grow leaps and bounds in the near future. Therefore, Naim Maadad’s parting advice to the new generation of people in the hospitality industry is to “strongly believe, be passionate and chase your dreams without giving up.” ✪ 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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PRO TALK

Financial Freedom & Mindset Coach

Dipak Bhadra

Cheat Sheet to

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Your mental relationship with your finances is key to determining how wealth comes to you. Use these pointers to gauge your ‘money mind’ and pave the way to financial freedom

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veryone wants to be financially free, but few are able to achieve it. When it comes to financial freedom, most people remain fixated on their present status – their existing income, bank balance, current skillset, awareness, contacts, or resources on hand. At the first sign of an obstacle in their path to financial gains, they give up on their dreams.

As per Napoleon Hill’s famous book ‘Think and Grow Rich’, what we ‘Think’ about all day, every day, becomes our reality. So, before you read further, I want you to think and maybe jot down how you visualize your life with financial freedom: • What does that life look like?

• How are you spending your time?

• How do you feel about living that life?

• Will you be doing something different?

Maybe pursuing your passions?

An Achiever’s Mindset I learned from my mentor Bob Proctor that success or financial freedom is 5% strategy

Financial Freedom is 95% about Mindset and only 5% about Strategy 42

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and 95% mindset. If Mindset is so important, then what are we doing to sharpen it? How well do you know your own mind?

Is your Mindset about money and success around…

• Prosperity and abundance, or lack and limitation?

• Freedom or stagnation?

• Being a winner or a victim of your circumstances?

A true achiever’s mindset is hindered by limiting beliefs about money or wealth, some of which have been fed into us since our childhood, like: • Money doesn’t grow on trees • Money is the root of all evil • You must work hard to earn more money • Rich people are greedy and usually unhappy Do they sound like your beliefs about money?

Your journey towards financial liberation will continue to be a struggle until you rewire your Mindset and adopt a new belief system, called Paradigms, about money.

Do You Know Your Paradigms?

Paradigms, simply put, are a multitude of habits deeply rooted in your subconscious that

you perform unconsciously even though they don’t serve you. Some common pitfalls directly related to finances are: • Your thinking habits: Are you thinking from your present situation or from the perspective of your goals?

• Your spending habits: Do you have the spending habits of a rich person, a middle-class person, or a poor person?

• Your time: Are you occupied with goal achieving activities or stuck with routine tasks?

Your answers to the above questions will help you greatly to move towards your financial freedom dream. However, if your answers are not encouraging at the moment, don’t fret; you have to work on them to progress to your big goal of financial freedom.

The 3 A’s of Financial Freedom Let’s talk about the three A’s for achieving financial freedom: Awarness: about your finances is everything.

When your passive income exceeds your monthly expenses, you are wealthy and financially free. Passive income is what comes to your bank account from your accumulated assets, created via your job or your business.

They can range from real estate, intellectual property (Books, music audios, video courses, etc.), or stocks.

Financial awareness encompasses both your active and passive income. The road to it requires clarity on your passive income goals – the exact or a ballpark amount you want to earn, the timeline to accomplish it, and which passive income vehicle you would like to engage with.

Again, if all of this is an unfamiliar territory or seems like a foreign language to you, or seems too insurmountable to accomplish, you can always raise your level of awareness by following a simple rule - ‘specialized knowledge, combined with professional coaching over a reasonable period of time’.

Fortunately, I opted for two of the world’s best mentors - Robert Kiyosaki (writer of ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’), a master teacher about Money and Financial Freedom, and Bob Proctor (of ‘The Secret’ fame) a Mindset and Success mogul. So ask yourself - Do I have a mentor in my life who helps me, guides me, and makes me accountable for my big goals?

Alignment: it refers to lining up your big financial goals with your present belief system, paradigms, and self-image. By bringing together your conscious mind, subconscious mind, and physical body, you can achieve any-

Success is all about 3As Awareness Alignment Actions towards your Goals

thing you previously believed was impossible.

Alignment bridges the gap between knowledge and action. It is the ‘knowing versus doing’ gap that stops millions from living their dream life, despite having all the knowledge at their disposal. Ask yourself – Am I one of them?

Actions: Finally, the above ruminations are meaningless unless you implement the knowledge with the right actions. Ask yourself – Am I taking new productive actions every day towards my financial goals?

Re-thinking your pattern

Savings

Investments

Tithing (Charity)

What is your spending pattern?

• Do you pay yourself first - building assets to generate passive income, or do you pay others first through rent, mortgage, credit card loans, and other expenses?

• Do you spend like a rich person, middle class, or poor person?

Robert Kiyosaki teaches a simple lesson Pay yourself first. Here is how you should do it.

Buy 3 Piggy banks today - Name them as Savings, Investing, & Tithing (Charity). Put a fixed amount of money every day, first thing in the morning. The amount can be as small as $1 or $5, but make sure that it is an amount you can continue to put in.

To start building a Mindset of Prosperity & Abundance is the beginning of a new journey to Financial Freedom. Every day, you are making a choice to pay yourself first.

This isn’t to say that you should default on your payments that you owe to others for which you are obliged and committed. Simply put, when you raise your own income, you also reduce inconvenience and complications for those who form your financial network.

At the end of the day, finances aren’t rocket science – it’s just a way to have your hardearned money work for you. Using this as a beginner guide, you can demystify wealth and attract it in the right way. J DIPAK CAN BE REACHED AT dipak@dipakbhadra.com 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Serial entrepreneur, Speaker and Author

David Tee

PRO TALK

Startups Slipups

THE LEARNING NERVE The most valuable lessons you can have as a startup CEO those that come on the back of failure. Here are some pointers at what you can expect and how you can reengineer success from failure

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he role of CEO / founder in a startup is probably one of the most diverse jobs it is possible to have. You do everything from buying the printer paper, to paying the bills, to developing the strategy.

But the diversity is also the reward as you see your whole business grow and appreciate what went into that success. In this series I will consider some of the things I have learned over 35 years in and around startups, and share some advice for new CEOs. This month, we look at what happens when things don’t go to plan, how to deal with this, and how it makes you stronger.

Cock up It’s human to sometimes get this wrong. But that’s all part of the learning experience of being an entrepreneur. Within your team, try and foster a culture of ‘trying, failing, learning,

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and then doing it right’. Only through experimentation will innovation thrive. And not every experiment will be successful. Punishing failure will be counter-productive in the long run.

Chalk up When things go wrong, chalk them up to experience, learn from them, and move on.

At my first startup, we won a huge order for one of our products. It was fairly simple; two floppy disks (remember them?), a manual, and a registration card, in a box. Our customer wanted thousands of copies, in batches, over a number of months.

The first batch of a couple of thousand, we assembled ourselves, creating a production line in our small office and dragging in some friends to help, paid for in pizza! It took us a couple of days and was great fun (for a while).

We shipped the completed items and our

customer bundled them with their product for sale. During a random quality inspection of their finished product, they found that two disks in one of our boxes were identical! Cleary, we had made a mistake during assembly.

They called us and told us we had to go through all their products and find the matching box with the other two disks. And also check that there were no more cases where the disks were misassembled.

This took us days, sitting in their warehouse undoing the outer product packaging, finding our box, opening it and checking the labels.

Then we had to reassemble their product again, without damaging anything. We eventually found our mistaken box, and amazingly there were no other errors.

After this experience, we outsourced the assembly of our product so any future issues became theirs to fix, and we could concentrate on our core business.

Crack up

team and ended up with seven ‘equal’ partners. Things went smoothly enough for another three years but eventually getting strategic decisions made became very difficult. So I left.

But because we didn’t have any partnership agreements in place, there was no way for me to take out any value from the business.

If you are going to be co-founders partners, always make sure you have the ‘pre-nup’, the

The role of CEO / founder in a startup is probably one of the most diverse jobs it is possible to have. You do everything from buying the printer paper Partnership Agreement agreed, written and signed before you start making the big decisions. That way everyone knows how they can get out, and what it means for the equity of the business. Investors will insist on such an agreement being in place.

Being CEO of a startup is stressful. You are responsible for the livelihood of many people, returns on investment of many investors, satisfaction of (hopefully) many customers.

Making sure you don’t crack up under the pressure is vital. Some people thrive on stress.

If you don’t, make sure you continue to participate in your favourite de-stressing activity.

The company needs you!

Many successful CEOs I know are also passionate about other things; cars, flying, fitness, food. They find time to participate in activities totally away from the business that allows their brains to recover, and often their subconscious solves problems for them.

Screw up

Break up

There are many more ‘Ups’ (Heads up, Free up, Light up, Make up etc) in his book Upstart Ninja: So, you want to be a startup CEO? and at https://upstart.ninja J

Being in partnership with others as co-founders of a startup is like being married, especially if there is no one natural leader in the group to take on the role of CEO. Being with partners is great. It provides a natural collective support group for when times are tough.

It allows frank discussion about the state of the business as everyone is sharing the pain.

But it also means decisions have to be taken collectively and often there is no natural leader to push through a final result. The more partners that join – as you grow the company and merge with others – the harder it can get.

Eventually, there will be a breakup, a divorce, and that could be messy.

My first startup was formed by two people, swiftly followed by a third person joining. After a couple of years, we merged with another

Every now and then you will screw something up. Your code will crash and you’ll lose the data of a key customer. Your investor pitch will fail, and you’ll miss out on that round you thought you needed to survive. A key employee will forget a vital sales meeting and you’ll lose the business to a competitor.

These things happen. But unless your business is directly controlling nuclear weapons, the chances are you can overcome the mistakes. Sometimes you will need to fire someone. Sometimes you will need to forgive someone. Every time you will need to put the event behind you rapidly and move forward.

DAVID CAN BE REACHED AT davidphtee@gmail.com

2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Business Strategist and Digital Transformation Specialist

Shailesh Saxena

PRO TALK

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Digital 4.0 is here

THE NEXT WAVE

We’ve come a long way from steam engines. Digital 4.0 is taking industrial processes to a new frontier in every aspect of functioning

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he increasing diffusion of digital technologies is changing our everyday lives; businesses across industries are experiencing quick-changing demands. Technological megatrends today have created conditions ripe enough for a revolution.

Welcome to Industrial Revolution 4.0!

The advent of the Digital Transformation Digital Transformation or DT will look different for every company; it can be hard to pinpoint a definition that applies to all.

However, in general terms, DT could be defined as the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business. It improves processes and productivity, delivers better customer and employee experiences, manages business risk, and controls costs. This results in fundamental changes - how businesses operate and how they provide value to customers. However, it’s a cultural change as well that requires organizations to continually challenge the status quo. This would often

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mean drifting away from traditional business processes that companies were built upon in favor of relatively new practices and the new normal of today’s world.

Improving customer experience has become a significant goal in the present times and thus a crucial part of digital transformation.

This digital disruption impels companies to change; it is all about digital “FOMO” (Fear Of Missing Out).

To digitalize or not to digitalize There are several reasons a business may take on Digital Transformation. By far, the most likely reason is – to go digital has now become synonymous with survival. Therefore, every company, whether homegrown or corporate, needs to accelerate and innovate effectively and strategically, thereby gearing you up to meet the changing market requirements and business needs.

The greatest challenge for digital transformation is identifying and harnessing continu-

ously evolving, cutting-edge technologies to unlock new revenues, business models, and markets. In the wake of the still ongoing pandemic, an organization’s ability to quickly adapt to market pressures, supply chain disruptions, and rapidly changing customer expectations has become critical. This relates to seamless customer experience which is the most important discriminating factor for how a business will perform. There are an immensely popular wide range of technologies such as SaaS, Mobile, Robotics, IoT (Internet of things), Virtual Reality (VR), increasing in number and prevalence, shaping and defining the Digital Transformation of companies. And businesses must embrace these technologies and understand that they are the source pushing multiple advantages. It is a strong belief that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will be the key technologies that will propel organizations through Digital Transformation. By automating tasks, companies are better able to free human capital to focus on more interesting aspects of businesses. Implementing smarter and more compatible business processes with AI will allow humans to focus on more important conceptual, challenging and creative aspects. In the work environment, AI will allow us to work more efficiently, reduce human errors, and automate processes. With assisted intelligence in place, such as Chatbots and Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools, one can simulate human conversation, answer questions or personalize learning experiences.

It is human intelligence that has set the ball in motion for the entire process, and thus, they continue to be indispensable in the digitalized world. One would not deny that change affects people dramatically. It’s our natural instinct to want things to stay as they are. The way we respond and relate to change varies from person to person, so it can be hard to get an objective answer from a subject about how they feel about a changing and significantly more digital environment. Many people would rather not admit openly when they are uncomfortable with new technology.

As inhabitants of an ever-evolving world, we do not want to be perceived as ‘backward’ or ‘passive’. Instead, we want to be seen as progressive, innovative, and capable.

The new digital normal The industrial revolution 4.0 is complex for companies – big or small. There are primarily four types of digital transformations –

• • • •

Process transformation Business model transformation Domain transformation Cultural transformation.

This multi-dimensional nature of digital transformation, therefore, must involve various teams in an organization to collaborate and adopt the change successfully, leaving more value on the table. Although IT will play an essential role in driving the digital transformation strategy; it is the responsibility of everyone to adapt and implement the massive changes that come along with digital transformation. For this reason, digital transformation is interpreted more as a people issue.

While the world is talking about this technological shift, an important aspect is the benefits of a successful digital transformation strategy. Well!! The key benefits could be improved customer engagement, improved digital traffic, increased agility, improved customer experience, better employee engagement, better data insights, to name only a few.

Improving customer experience has become a significant goal in the present times and thus a crucial part of digital transformation Your friend in the Digital Age The subject and expertise of Digital Transformation is critical and is basically leadership-driven. Technology and Data are not the core requirements alone. If we want to take a reasonable leap, then it has to be people-centric first. The technological shift worked for many organizations because their leaders went back to basics and focused on changing the mindset of its valuable people as well as the organizational culture and processes before they decided what digital tools could be adopted. What the members envision is to be a part of the organization’s future to drive the technology, not the other way around.

Just implementing the technology isn’t enough. The newly adopted technology has to tightly hold hands with the Key Performance Indicators, customer insights in tandem with the effectiveness of the business processes.

Only then can we say that we have successfully transformed to the new normal.

“The future is closer than you think. You can pay attention now or watch the transformation happen right in front of your eyes”.

-Nicky Verd (Africa’s Digital Transformation Maverick) J 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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COMMUNITY SERVICE

A serving of help Spreading smiles, one meal at a time, Misbaah Mansuri meets Ayesha Khan who is winning the world with her noble community service venture, Food-ATM

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n a quest to eliminate hunger and help less-privileged communities get through financial crunches, UAE-based Ayesha Khan, originally from Gujarat, India, kickstarted the cheapest Food ATM in the country, a service that delivers three-course meals to 2,600 blue-collar workers daily in Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman, priced at just AED 3.

Whipping up happiness Ayesha’s journey started with stints in the IT engineering arena and working as part of several Government of Dubai projects after moving to Dubai in 2005. She enjoyed a fairly high-profile professional tenure but what gave her heart contentment was feeding the less privileged. “As a stress buster, I would cook and then distribute my experimental meals to all the cleaners, drivers, gardeners at my workplace. They all were very appreciative, and unknowingly, I started playing a role in their lives.

Their savings were being sent home, and life situations were getting addressed in their native land like education being funded, elderly getting medications, and that’s what made me really upbeat about what I was doing,” she shares.

Genesis of the Food ATM A grateful army of blue-collar workers would catch up with Ayesha for occasional chats at her office, and that’s how dawned the realization of how she was now playing an integral part in their lives.

Further conversations with them helped Ayesha understand their plight deeper, and that’s where the idea of a Food ATM sowed seeds. Finally, she stepped up to take her initiative to the next level.

“All these workers I spoke to used to have debit cards from their banks wherein their salaries used to get credited. But their wages being too low, used to be all spent by sending home to their families by

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the 1st week of credit itself. They used to laugh at their pains, saying that they certainly have a card in their pockets, but the card has nothing in it.

So I decided to make a Smart-Card for them which doesn’t have money in there but has meals till the last dinner of every month. Hence the name ‘Food-ATM’ which they can relate to,” Ayesha reveals.

Priced at AED 3, keeping the cost of healthy, nutritious daily meals fairly economical has made it affordable for lower-income workers to not compromise on food as well as have savings kept aside for their respective families.

Interestingly, Ayesha believes that not being from the food industry has helped largely in keeping the business policy and CSR objective intact.

“The quantity of food we offer as part of any meal is large enough to support any worker’s hunger needs. The meal is nutritious too,” she observes.

Her weekly menu consists of seven different breakfasts, lunches, and dinners comprising veggies, eggs, and meats. “500ml water is also offered with every meal for the workers, making it an attractive combination of Hot Meals + Cold Water,” Ayesha adds.

Challenges, no bar However, it’s not been all hunky-dory for FoodATM has bravely weathered several storms with a smile. Narrating these Ayesha reminisces, “Intending to be of help to the industrial area workers, I chose Al Jurf 2, Industrial area in Ajman, UAE to set up the Food-ATM facility. However, instead of allowing me to operate and support the workers herein, I was faced with adverse situations such as hostile behavior and mental-physical abuse. Some workers actually pelted stones on my car, with some stones also hitting me, causing my feet to bleed. After a lot of searching as to why and who was trying to harm me, I got to know that some of the workers who had a cafeteria owned by friends/ relatives in the vicinity suspected me to be a rival and hence wanted to drive me away. Facing several hardships, I somehow sustained the facility and kept going without any local business, instead getting work from various corporates outside the industrial area,” Ayesha shares.

As if these roadblocks weren’t enough, the pandemic posed as another storm just when the FoodATM facility stabilized a bit. While there were some regular business opportunities, the venture faced severe cost fluctuations for each raw material, packaging material, etc. Yet, we needed to maintain a low-cost Aed 3/- per meal.

“All our payments were overdue for over 3 to 4 months since customers were in no-business status owing to the pandemic,” Ayesha opens up. Apart from this, a few staff members on annual leave got stuck outside UAE due to no flights to return and strict travel bans, and Food-ATM had to operate in full-fledged operations with less manpower at hand.

Shining on Having shone through these storms, today several organizations who support this CSR initiative are joining hands with Food-ATM to provide consistent support to the lower-income communities through partnerships for commodities and work orders so that the reach can be increased, in a bid to touch more lives. The venture has fetched coveted recognitions such as Award & Appreciation certificates

They used to laugh at their pains, saying that they certainly have a card in their pockets, but the card has nothing in it from Ajman Chamber of Commerce & Ajman Government CSR Department, Microsoft recognition in the Social Impact startups entrepreneurship program ME, Dr. Mahmoud Al Burai, Sr Advisor, Government of Dubai, selection & endorsement for Refugees Project, UAE, among others. Apart from this, it has also participated and achieved the Guinness World Record of providing 50,000 meals to 50,000 needy lower-income workers in 5 hours.

The venture has also associated with multinational companies like Ducatus, United Foods, Aseel LLC, etc., for daily meals and Ramadan support. Meanwhile, Ayesha has also been recognized as Mentor for Women Entrepreneurs at the United Nations (UN) Women in October 2021.

Nailing and scaling it with the Food ATM facility, Ayesha wishes only to continue feeding souls and brightening lives. “We are now planning our global presence in partnership with the local governments of each region. We’ll do it until there is a day when there are no lesser-privileged communities struggling to make ends meet,” a resilient Ayesha expresses. ✪ 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Beyond Business / tr avel

ICE, ICE BABY Beyond Business / tr avel

The Chinese are known for their rich and varied culture. SREERAM VISWANATH explores why snow-bedazzled Harbin and the Ice and Snow festival is the perfect place to take a sabbatical amidst the hustle and bustle of our existence 50

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very New Year in Harbin, China’s northeastern ‘Oriental Paris’, begins with a festival of ice, as fabled as it is majestic. This city is home to the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, the largest such festival in the world. The iconic event draws millions of people to Harbin’s freezing climes, with temperatures nearing - 40 degrees Fahrenheit. But the harsh weather is worth it when one witnesses the skillful, massive decoration of ice sculptures, colorfully lit to glow ethereally under the inky sky. With that time of year just around the corner, Harbin prepares to welcome the multitudes with a kind of warmth that the Chinese are always known for.

A Storied History While the festival made its foray into the world in 1963, it may have its roots in the days of the Qing Dynasty, when peasants and fishermen placed candles inside blocks of ice cut from the Songhua River to create makeshift lanterns. Interrupted due to the Chinese Cultural Revolution, it made an illustrious return in 1985 that drew local and international visitors in strong numbers.

At the beginning of the new millennium, the Harbin Ice Festival merged with the

tr avel

International Ski Festival in Heilongjiang to form the grand winter celebration known as the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.

The event bagged the prestigious Guinness World Record for the world’s most giant snow sculpture; it was 250 meters long, 27 feet high, built over 13,000 cubic feet of snow. This composition consisted of two parts – depicting the Niagara Falls and the ‘Crossing of Bering Strait’. The popularity of this mega-event even made Disney drop into China as a featured sponsor of the event in February 2009.

This particular event displayed beloved Disney characters, princesses, and Disney-themed buildings and moments.

The festival draws participants from across the globe. Artists and experts of different nationalities, including America, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Russia, China, etc., play a defining role. Teams of 10,000 people build the ice

and snow structures in just 15 days. The annual festival forms an essential part of the Chinese culture and creativity, as well as Harbin’s local customs. While the theme changes every year, some sculptures are recreated over the years following resounding fanfare. The festival also has a hint of romance to it, as those looking to tie the knot can do so in a memorable wedding ceremony, surrounded by glittering snow and towering ice castles.

Can it get any more romantic?

Get your long woolen coats ready for the 38th Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival begins on the 5th of Jan, 2022. The highlights of the festival include:

Harbin Ice and Snow World: This little ice world is a pure delight to the eyes. It houses gigantic sculptures like palaces, buildings, and even the Great Wall of China, which are particularly stunning at night.

/ Beyond Business

Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo: This island, the second biggest venue of the festival, is also home to some larger-than-life sculptures. For those who wish to venture into the wilds, the venue also houses a zoo for the majestic Siberian tigers.

The event bagged the prestigious Guinness World Record for the world’s most giant snow sculpture Zhaolin Park: The Ice Lantern Fair at the Zhaolin Park is among the three principal competitions and one of the prime attractions of the festival. The gorgeously lit sculptures are extraordinarily detailed, imaginative, and very quirky.

Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival: The Harbin Songhua River Ice and 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Beyond Business / tr avel Snow Carnival celebrated on the Songhua River is thronged by visitors who enjoy ice and snow activities.

Did you know? The Songhua is one of the main rivers of China and the longest tributary of the Amur. As we’ve seen, this river is intricately linked with the origin of this festival.

Four hundred years later, nothing has changed. The sculptures cut out from the gigantic ice blocks of the river are used to make beautiful castles, monsters, and giant goddesses, for instance, the Egyptian Sphinx, a massive steam train, and a giant pagoda. The river is also an adventure spot for those who wish to skate and cycle on its frozen horizons. It is humbling to remember this river as the origin of this enduring tradition.

Harbin will host more than 400 activities for its latest festival, highlighting its trademark charm of ice and snow

The Yabuli Skiing Festival: The Yabuli Skiing Festival is held at the Yabuli Ski Resort, built on the Yabuli Sun Mountain, a part of the Changbai Mountain Range. The resort is the largest of its kind in China with the country’s largest ski jumping facilities. The thrilling activities, the adjoining forest, and the availability of luxurious amenities make this place a haven for tourists.

Harbin will host more than 400 activities for its latest festival, highlighting its trademark charm of ice and snow in tourism, culture, fashion, trade, and sports.

Harbin, a City That Embraces Ice The Chinese are known for their vibrant culture, thanks to their storied history, unrivaled optimism, ‘never quit’ work ethic, and the ability to adapt to hardships - that typifies the people of this country. Harbin folks are a long-standing example of this adaptability; in the sub-zero temperatures, while some motorcyclists wear thick-layered furry clothes,

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the limelight as a region occupied by an overwhelming majority of immigrants from the Russian empire. Apart from its Russian legacy, the city today serves as an important gateway in Sino-Russian trade. No wonder then, the China Tourism Administration voted it as “China Top Tourist City” in 2004.

The Sound of Music and Trade

others choose to embrace these extreme weather conditions without winter apparel. Likewise, its occupants have been known to courageously swim in the icy waters of the Songhua as the ice begins to melt.

Harbin, a sub-provincial city of Heilongjiang province, is a multicultural city that has traces of Han culture, Manchu culture, and Russian culture. In fact, Harbin was named after a Manchu word and translates to ‘a place of dying fishing nets’.

The Songhua River not only forms the basis for the origin of the Ice Festival but of the city itself.

The city was founded in 1898 with the coming of the Chinese Eastern Railway and first hit

Harbin has more to offer beyond its icy heritage. Its musical roots date back to 1908 when China’s oldest symphony orchestra was formed in Harbin, as was China’s first music school, founded in 1928. The city is also known for the Harbin Summer Music Concert, held every year in August. In addition, the city was appointed as a “UNESCO City of Music” in 2010 as a part of the Creative Cities Network.

Harbin supports flourishing industries such as textile, food, automobile, aircraft, electronics, metallurgy, chemicals, building materials, and power manufacturing. Their major corporations include the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, Harbin Electric Company Limited, and Northeast Alloy Processing Factory. In addition, the city hosts the Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair every year, attracting 1.9 million exhibitors and visitors from more than 80 countries.

Places of Interest Many tourist attractions are proof of the versatility this city offers to China and the world.

To round out your trip to Harbin, a visit to these historical places is an absolute must:

Saint Sophia Cathedral: The largest Orthodox Church in the Far East, Saint Sophia Cathedral is a monumental work of art. The cathedral has now been turned into Harbin Architectural Art Gallery that showcases Harbin’s many multicultural and architectural aspects.

Zhongyang Street As Asia’s longest, with its 1400 meters long and 21.34 meters wide Pedestrian Street, locals dub Zhongyang Dabe as a gallery of European architectural art. The street is divided into different portions that feature remarkable western architecture, stores, and restaurants.

Long Ta-Dragon Tower: The Chinese certainly are architectural innovators. This 336-meter-tall multi-purpose steel lattice television and observation tower is the tallest in China and the second tallest in the world. The dragon tower serves the purpose of television broadcasting, telecommunication, transmitting FM/TV

broadcasting, and observation.

The tower is built-in with buffet restaurants and observation decks that provide a panoramic view of the city.

Those seeking a little more thrill can take a walk on the ‘Exciting Ring’, the longest transparent glass walkaway in the world that guarantees to make you euphoric and dizzy at the same time.

Grand Theatre Opera House This is a feature building, one which will leave you awestruck with its unique horseshoe shape, only amplified by its blissful natural surroundings and topography. Its brilliant architecture was recognized by ArchDaily, a magazine known for its extensive architectural coverage, for the “ArchDaily 2016 Building of the Year Award”.

Don’t pack light The weather conditions at Harbin are for those at the peak of their endurance. It is imperative that you stock up on fur-lined shoes, fur-lined leather gloves, ear muffs, packs of shoes, down jacket, padded pants, scarf hat, and masks. Digital cameras and other electronic equipment can be kept inside the jacket when not being used, as the batteries drain quickly in the cold weather. Remember, the festival is

all-too-popular. We recommend booking your tickets much in advance.

Can we Travel?

China still follows many safety restrictions that prohibit people from certain countries to travel.

Citizens of the UAE and the Middle East can travel to China provided they have a confirmed history of vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or Sinovac, and a COVID negative certificate prior to three days of travel.

The city hosts the Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair every year, attracting 1.9 million exhibitors and visitors from more than 80 countries Foreign nationals from the following countries are temporarily restricted from traveling to China: 1. Bangladesh 6. Italy 2. Belgium 7. Philippines 3. Ethiopia 8. Russia 4. France 9. UK 5. India 10. Ukraine If your country is on the restricted list, there’s always the next time. And for those who can, the hospitality of Harbin will keep you warm and fulfilled even in the coldest of winters. J 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Beyond Business / health

THE HEALTIER SIP With 75 percent of our body being composed of water, the importance of adding the right kind into our systems cannot be stressed enough. Misbaah Mansuri uncovers the healthier and better choice

I

t is a scientific fact that about 70% of the human body is made up of water, and hence we’ve been rightly told that we need to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day.

But we haven’t been guided on the kind of water that is best suited for our bodies. While every cell, tissue, and organ in our body needs water, not all water we drink is beneficial. The profound effects the right kind of water has on our mind, body, and spirit is not a concept alien to us.

Alkaline Water

Although bottled and packaged water is readily available and may seem like the most convenient choice, all the added contaminants, harmful chemicals in the plastic, and the acidity of the water make it harmful to the body, affecting the body’s pH and anti-oxidant balance.

For the unversed, pH is a scale used to measure the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution, giving it a number from 0 to 14, where a pH of 1 would be very acidic, and something with a pH of 14 would be very alkaline. The body’s normal pH is between 7.35 - 7.45 (alkaline), and the older we get, the more acidic our body tends to become. The other factors besides age are diet, stress, parasites, and over-the-counter medication. In this day and age, when most of us increasingly consume foods and beverages that are highly processed and sugar-laden, our body is left in a state of acidosis, leading to illness and accelerating the aging process. Most diseases, illnesses, and bad bacteria thrive in an acidic environment. Too much acid in the body

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also results in loss of energy, increased fatigue, and drowsiness. By deliberately restoring the body to an alkaline state, we can regain control of our health, and the easiest way to do this is by drinking water with a good amount of alkaline minerals.

It is observed that alkaline water can neutralize the acidity levels in the body. While normal packaged drinking water has a neutral pH of 7, alkaline water typically has a pH between 8.5 to 9.5, and is definitely more than just a health craze.

Anti-Oxidant Water

Besides acidosis, the other creepy molecules our bodies deal with on a daily basis are what we know as Free Radicals that cause diseases and accelerate aging. These unstable molecules resulting from normal metabolic processes damage the body’s cells, which loses its capacity to combat these radicals as we age, resulting in more free radicals and oxidative stress.

What if the water we drink also had properties that could combat the free radicals? The good news - water with a pH of 8 or more has a negative ORP value (oxidation-reduction potential) that gives alkaline water an edge over regular water.

Nutrition, participants were given water to drink after their workout, which was half alkaline water, half regular purified water. Those who consumed alkaline water saw that their blood viscosity reduced to about 6.30% compared to those who drank regular water, with their viscosity averaging 3.36%.

According to research, it is found that drinking naturally carbonated artesian alkaline water with a pH level of 8.8 may help deactivate pepsin, the main enzyme that causes acid reflux (The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 2012). In addition, alkaline water is known for its immune system support, skin hydration, anti-aging, colon-cleansing, detoxifying, and weight loss properties. Hence, it comes as no surprise that several celebrities from Beyonce, Miranda Kerr, to Tom Brady have professed their love for alkaline water.

Watering It Down

ALKALINE WATER IS KNOWN FOR ITS IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT, SKIN HYDRATION, ANTI-AGEING, COLON-CLEANSING, DETOXIFYING PROPERTIES Put simply, ORP is the ability to act like a pro or anti-oxidant and more negative the water ORP value, the more anti-oxidizing it is known to be.

A High pH and negative ORP make alkaline water good and health-full for your body because it nourishes your body’s fluids and aids the body in returning to a balanced state to obtain optimal health.

Scientifically Backed Benefits

It is also known that versus regular water, alkaline water has an increasing hydrating effect through blood viscosity. Blood viscosity is, basically, the level of hydration being measured. When you have a low blood viscosity, your hydration level should be potentially higher. In a study done by the Journal of the International Society of Sports

Tom Brady

Beyoncé

Miranda Kerr

So, where does one source alkaline water from?

The best source is water from the springs. Naturally occurring and minimally processed, spring water is rich in minerals that are the healthiest option for the body. Unless you are fortunate to live close to the springs where you can get freshwater, most people switch to packaged alkaline water sold in bottles. But by the time it reaches you going through the bottling, logistics, distribution, and retailing; the water loses its potency.

Also, chemicals in the bottle leach into the water making it a not so healthy option.

This is where live water makes an appearance.

Rapidly gaining fame in the fitness and health community, live water is here to stay in the world of quick-fading fads. Live water is water that comes from ionizing machines that produce alkaline water right at home. These devices not only filter tap water but also produce ionized water through electrolysis and can be used for various purposes, including drinking, cooking, as beauty water (pH 6), and cleaning.

Making The Switch

It is recommended to drink eight to twelve glasses of alkaline water each day to experience its optimal benefits, as with regular water. Rehydrating with alkaline water after a strenuous workout and kick-starting your day with alkaline water well gets your body prepped up for the rest of the day ahead and is known to give you the oomph to keep going. Furthermore, it is advised not to make a fast switch but rather transition slowly by starting with a few glasses of alkaline water and with a lower pH and gradually go up as your body gets used to the change.

So make use of water power by making the switch to better water. Changing water can indeed change your health and life! ✪ 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Beyond Business / auto

A NAV I G AT O R F O R T H E

If there's an SUV that's setting high expectations with its hi-tech specs surrounded by impressive built and style, it's the 2022 Lincoln Navigator. So buckle your seatbelts as G S Harshitha takes you on a tour of Auto world's newest SUV sensation

Design

The exterior • The Navigator is elevated with a uniquely designed, dual-finished grille and a new front end to accord it a boss look with a comfortable dynamic feel.

• Apart from the all-new grille, headlights, rims, front fascia, and wheels design, the Navigator Black Label 2022, its highest trim, adds two exciting themes to the 2021 version: 'Central Park' and 'Invitation'.

• While all trims offer muted, dignified exterior tones in grey, silver, and blue variations, the Black Label does come in an additional stunning Manhattan Green.

Cabin style and interiors • Vast and soothing interiors bal-

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ance the 'beast mode' exteriors of the Navigator. The acoustic laminate glass separates your personal space from the chaotic outside world.

A lockable dampened glove box secures your essential belongings.

Materials like open-pore wood trim and massaging seats give a lavish look along with decadent comfort.

• The seats are so sculptural and customizable that you can adjust the thigh supports to different heights.

• The cargo space is abundant, especially when the third row is folded.

Efficiency and Mechanics Engine • The Navigator has a one for all engine-and-transmission combination with about 440 horsepower. The twin-turbocharged front-engine, not to mention the 10-speed automatic ability to shuffle through gears provides power without perturbance.

Mechanics • This car is a long-wheelbase

model that results in quick accel-

ROADS

'trailer backup', when the technology overtakes the steering wheel to guide the vehicle on your behalf. This nifty piece of intuition is offered as standard equipment.

• The Lincoln's engineers have targeted everything from sight, sound, touch, and feel, giving a responsive powertrain and impressive handling capabilities fixed with an advanced 3.5 liter twin-turbo V6engine.

Tech & Infotainment • The car has been adapted with

simple, satisfying technology displayed on a 13.2-inch LCD center touchscreen. The ActiveGlide technology lets you operate with your eyes closed and hands-free driving, paired with a hands-free voice control system of the vehicle and smartphone apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the car system can pull off overthe-air software updates with the help of an on-board 5G Wi-Fi hotspot which also lets you enjoy the amazon fire TV experience.

In addition, the basic 14-speaker Revel system can be upgraded to a 28-speaker Revel Ultimo 3D stereo, part of the luxury package. eration with a power of 450hp at 550(rpm) rotations per minute and 510 lb-ft torque at 3000 rpm increasing the stability of the vehicle on the road.

Performance • The most captivating performance enhancer is the all-new Active Glide technology, allowing the car to connect you to your journey with its semi-autonomous self-driving mode, even with your eyes closed and being hands-free.

• Underneath the formidable veneer, the mechanical pieces are familiar. Its heavy-duty tow package includes Trailer Reverse Guidance which reflects the direction they want their trailer to head when the knob is marked

Safety

• Lincoln makes safety its top

priority and makes efforts to keep it up to date. This includes blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking as well as pedestrian detection.

Nemesis

• The 2022 Navigator competes

with the 2021 Infiniti QX80 as they are both a luxury bargain and BMW X7 that provides both off-road and on-road bling with comfort.

X-factor

• The Navigator has an adaptive

suspension with road preview through a front camera which helps to evaluate and warn the driver about the condition of the road ahead, reducing the impact of discomfort for both the vehicle and passengers.

• The rear digital display allows you to control seat settings that include heat, ventilation, and massage settings, surrounding your body in a comfort bubble for therapeutic relief.

Price point

(top car trim + if any options available for this) • The base model costs around $80,000 while the Black Label L goes up to $105,000.

Near Misses • The large size of the car

inhibits manoeuvrability and results in a stiff ride, also affecting fuel efficiency despite its small engine. In addition, the numb feel of the steering and sheer bulk prevents enthusiastic drivers as it results in sharp impacts and bouncy rebounds.

When does it launch?

• Expect the Lincoln Navigator

2022 to cruise your lanes in early 2022. ✪ 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Beyond Business / st yle

MARK YOURSELF

Etched into your skin, a tattoo is as personal as it is forever.

To make sure your body art is worthy of its permanence, what you think and what you ink should be perfectly aligned. Qiraat Attar explores some tattoo styles that stand the test of time

“Wear your heart on your skin in this life." ― Sylvia Plath

T

There are clothes and shoes, even makeup and hairdos, but there is nothing more personal, more enduring, and more revealing of your motivations and inspirations than a tattoo. Unlike more transient fads, tattoos become a part of you, almost like a branding that you wear on yourself, affirming your identity. While people have been wary of this particular art for not entirely unfounded reasons - they are permanent, there is considerable white-knuckling in pain, and a good tattoo can cost a pretty penny - this form has gathered a lot of steam over the years.

As much as tattoos are stylish, they could not be less about style if possible. Tattoos can 58

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mean a lot of different things. They could signify the memory of a dearly departed, a calendar date that means the world or words you live by. On the flip side, they could be whimsical and instantaneous - where you got something because you like it and it looks beautiful, no symbolism but no less important for it.

There’s no dearth of press telling you exactly what tattoo to get, but according to us, there’s only one kind - that which you will cherish on your person forever, and discovering that idea is a journey for your lonesome. But that doesn’t mean we can’t nudge you in the right direction by suggesting styles that depict your idea in the most befitting way. So, whether it is your first tattoo or your seventh one, get set on your inspiration, and course through our suggestions to find the most alluring and artistic expressions on your skin.

AS PER THE (UN)CONVENTION PSYCHEDELIC TATTOOS Psychedelic tattoos are an increasingly popular way to pay homage to the movement that began in the 1960s. They are characterized by bold, eye-catching colors and stunning, almost ominous motifs - skeletons, mushrooms, three-eyed creatures, endless outer space - almost like the universe in a snowglobe. Frequent use of spiral, repetition, even visual tricks makes most people do a double-take when they spot a psychedelic tattoo. Given their stunning display, they are often done on prominent regions of the body, such as the forearms or chest. If you have an adventurous personality with a penchant for the unexpected, this might be your style.

SURREALISM OR ABSTRACT TATTOOS Surreal art is a choice for the brooding thinkers - they know the world isn’t as it seems, and they sketch that mystery on their skin. Surreal body art is characterized by blacks and greys and sometimes a splash

of color, twisting the mundane into the unexpected, revealing a deeper meaning. They often feature motifs such as masks, staircases, split faces, or mirrored images, with as many different interpretations as there are admirers of your body art. If you enjoy layered messaging with easter eggs hidden in plain sight, look no further.

ANATOMICAL AND MECHANICAL BLEND Imagine seeing your femur bone etched on your skin instead of feeling it under or pretending your ball and socket joint was actually

made of toothed gears and clock parts. Sounds freaky, right? These tattoos have become increasingly popular, with skilled artists creating accurate, realistic depictions of the inside of our body outside, highlighting our vulnerability, mortality, and sometimes our inexplicable need to blend our humanness with machinery as if we were undergoing our own industrial revolution. If you love the idea of mimicking the bicentennial man with a beating heart and some factory parts, you could get a blend of these styles on your person.

2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Beyond Business / st yle

THE APPETIZER TATTOO STYLES Some evergreen styles if you’re new to tattoos and would like to dip your toes in before you go all out with more complex designs later!

room for experimentation, for you and your tattoo artist can figure out what font style will look best, if you want an outline of the words or completely filled in (which may hurt more), and the size. It can be a delicate scribble in casual penmanship or huge roaring letters emblazoned across your shoulders or biceps. Either way, it’s a surefire way to wear your word with pride.

MINIMAL TATTOOS

TEXT TATTOOS You don’t need us to tell you.

This is a classic. Text tattoos are basically letters or numbers that hold unforgettable meaning - a noteworthy date, your child’s name, or a quote that held you and gave you strength in your darkest times. There is also ample 60

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There can be so many reasons to start off with a minimal tattoo - they hurt less, and you still sport a bare, uninked look, because they blend in instead of standing out.

They trade heavy design for meaning and metaphor by keeping it uncomplicated, which means it might be easy enough for any tattoo artist (still, make sure you pick a good one!). Minimal tattoos can be delicate and feminine, like fernes, tendrils, and other

patterns across wrists or ankles, or even a tribal symbol or one of your faith on your arms.

Even more inconspicuous is the micro tattoo. Given their size, people love to feature them on the backs of fingers or spread out across the collarbone. They can also be a great way to fill the negative space between larger, more ornate tattoos.

Try out a minimal or micro tattoo if you’re skeptical of body art, and you might just give yourself a tiny, beautiful symbol etched on your skin.

GEOMETRIC TATTOOS Straight edges, symmetrical, linear, and art measured from edge to corner - what’s not to like? Geometric tattoos are a godsend for those who want their tattoos precise and perfectly proportioned. People who like exactness to their art - a method to madness - will find resonance with this style.

The look is sparse, with clear lines, angles, and sometimes an absence of color. Even when featured prominently, they look incredibly classy and convey determination, discipline, and sombre beauty, quite like neo-architecture. If you find free-spirited tattoo art uncharacteristic and prefer looking formal, this one is perfect as a subtle, understated style.

PLAYING WITH COLOR The next two styles, packed with flair and playfulness, are certainly not for the fainthearted. These sprawling tattoos will take up some massive real estate on your body, so be sure you’re ready to have a saga depicted across you.

THINK BEFORE YOU INK

FULL BODY TATTOO This style is honestly more of a symphony of multiple styles - often flowing down the body in a splash of color and bold technique. Full body tattoos can either tell one cohesive story or just be pictorial depictions of short tales famous singer Ed Sheeran’s body art accumulated lovingly across his body over the years.

The most common full-body tattoos are those that either depict nature, such as rolling seas, blooming florals, dark jungles, or scenes from mythology - for instance, Medusa, Lord Shiva sitting in meditation, or archangel Michael’s triumph in battle.

WATERCOLOR There is nothing more vibrant than a watercolor tattoo - it’s like the festival of Holi yielding decadent blended colors on you. These tattoos are

characterized by a silhouette or design set against the backdrop of riotous shades - pinks, purples, reds, and yellows abound. While the spread of ink may seem daunting, in reality, the watercolor tattoos need fewer punctures in your skin and hence are less painful than darker tattoos of the same size. As a result, these are much sought after on their own as well as a gorgeous backdrop for other, more rugged runes - a yin and yang on your person, blending hard lines with yielding hues.

If you are getting text tattoos, make doubly sure it doesn’t have a spelling error, for that will be one hard mistake to erase.

Additionally, every tattoo artist has a certain mastery and flair for a particular style, so pick your style first, and find the artist that is sure to create it perfectly.

Back in the olden days, when self-expression rules were rigid and tattoos were considered unprofessional, people were skeptical about hiring folks with tattoos, especially in customer-facing roles. Times have changed, though; if it's not offensive or hurts sentiments, there is no reason why anyone should react with anything other than awe and marvel at your latest ink. Having said that, if you would like to hide it for personal reasons, a little foundation makeup can be a savior!

Lastly, we cannot stress enough the paramount importance of tattoo hygiene.

While that is a whole other laundry list of instructions, you’d do great just following your tattooist’s instructions to the letter, and not skimping out on the aftercare.

Getting a tattoo may inevitably sting, but the recovery from it doesn’t have to, so do your due diligence.

So when you do decide on your ink, just take a deep breath and settle in; when you are being handled by a skilled professional, you are in very good hands.

It is no easy feat to wear your beliefs and artistic tastes boldly on your person for the world to see, but you’re over the hump of self-doubt to one of self-expression. That in itself deserves a cheer.

And if you, like most people, are afraid of the pain, think of it this way - the pain is but momentary, but a gorgeous tattoo is forever. J 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Beyond Business / a spire+ An entrepreneur needs to know a lot. Way more than the business idea he or she is growing. Aspire brings you a range of knowledge each month that will keep you in the loop and have you effortlessly conversing with everyone, from your local grocery store owner to your investor to your bank manager. Success is not what you do, it is how you do it, and this is how…

The Age of Adaline

The Age-Old Question Thanks to modern medicine and aesthetic procedures today we live longer and better and look younger and sexier than our ancestors ever could.

As a generation obsessed with defying the march of time, what would happen if we managed to halt the hands on the clock. The Age of Adeline is a beautifully told story of one woman who stops ageing and the challenges that ensue from a life being Dorian Gray. The incandescent Blake Lively delivers an elegant and moving performance as a woman who struggles to stay with the times amidst a phenomena we would all like, but few would really want.

The perfect fantasy film to get your mind off the business of the day and to wrap you in enchantment and the unknown…

Available on Netflix, but regionally specific, you might have to search for it. And if you can’t find it, don’t stop looking...

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READ it

WATCH it

The Unpublished David Ogilvy

The Man Who Got It Pretty much everyone who is into branding and advertising has heard about the incredible David Ogilvy. The media genius understood all there is to understand about this intricate game built an advertising empire of some distinction. His agency launched some of the most famous ads ever created and in doing so left an indelible mark in the annals of marketing history. But more than his body of agency work, the true measure of this man was his incredible wit, his incisive thinking and his ability to cut to the chase on relevant issues. The Unpublished David Ogilvy is your management Bible for those seeking to build a business or are running one. A collection of his letters and memos to his team, as well as his manifesto for buying Aga Cookers when he was a salesman, this book of timeless wisdom will leave you amused, enlightened and rethinking all your paradigms in one quick and entertaining read.

Available on Amazon. Get your copy today. You won’t regret it, that’s a promise

DO it

WEAR it

You Tube

Cook up a storm Nowhere in the world offers food like the UAE does.

Name your budget, your ambience preference, your choice of cuisine and you can be pretty sure that one of the Emirates has it. But how about taking that world into your own home. With it’s incredible supermarkets and choice of ingredients, not to mention cookware, becoming your own Jamie Oliver was never easier. With the range of cooking channels both on television and YouTube being creative in your own kitchen was never easier.

This channel by Lieblingsrezepte is mesmerizing with sounds of the kitchen, food being prepared and cooked that is sure to get you hungry even if you are not. This baked potato and minced meat recipe from grandma’s diary is simple, easy, and looks great in presentation too. So go ahead and impress… https://youtu.be/UBpYZcUwqdk

Geometric Shapes

Wearing the Right Angle Be it a modern reinterpretation of classic, argyle patterns or repeated square patterns that resemble plaid or checkerboard designs, geometric shapes have been taking the fashion world by storm, and knitwear is not falling back on the trend. Gone are the days when winter fashion meant dull colors and drab knitwear. Chunky outfits with bright colors and bold patterns are making a comeback, making geometric knitwear the unisex fashion trend to look out for, especially as the temperature starts to fall.

Designers have been obsessed with this trend for the Fall-Winter 2021 season as the repetitive and concrete patterns give angles and depth to what would be an otherwise simple outfit. The chunkiness of the knit pieces gives an effortless yet cool look, while the geometric patterns and bold colors add an element of intrigue to the outfit. The style has been featured in works of well-known designers from Prada to Alexa Chung, making it a must-have in your fashion wardrobe this winter season.

Compiled by Sangeetha Shinde J 2 0 2 1 — D E C — ASPIRE

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Beyond Business / the l a st word

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

O

ne of my favorite fairy tales as a child was the story of Snow White. I was fascinated by her life and her princess lifestyle. Sure, she had a tough time, but she emerged victorious and ended up with a prince. Who, let’s face it, played only a cameo role, despite being a saviour, which appealed to the budding rebel and feminist in me.

I had a beautiful hard-cover storybook with beautiful pictures of Snow White in her castle, and the most magnificent picture was the one of the stepmother standing in a stunning gown in front of her magic mirror demanding to know who was the fairest of them all.

As I grew older, much, much older, and life and humanity beat the idealism and fairy tales out of me, and I began to identify more with the stepmother and the looking glass she held before herself. I realized that this, my favorite childhood story, held other lessons besides that of being beautiful, young, and patient. I realized that I, and quite possibly you, we all possess magic mirrors. We all create this unique lens for ourselves shaped by our experiences of how we view the world and want to see ourselves. And most importantly, how we would like the world to see us.

Social media seems to be the mirror of choice for most people these days, and our images are distorted to capture the best 5 percent of our lives... which, truth be told, is a pretty dishonest thing to do to ourselves and others.

But deep down inside us, when we take a close and hard look at ourselves, what do we see? Did we run down a friend, did we not show gratitude or return favors in equal measure, did we take more than we gave, did we lie about our accomplishments and affections, did we mean what we said in kindness or unkindness?

I realized some years ago I didn’t like my reflection too much. I didn’t really like some of the people I was hanging out with, and I was trying too hard to fit in with those who did not share my values. I realized I was not writing enough, nor was I standing up for what I believed in. I had

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not forgiven myself or others for mistakes made, and I held onto the past in unhealthy ways. So I stepped away from those people. It left me isolated, and they came after me like spitting cobras for walking away, but I felt better about myself. For four years I didn’t post anything on social media, and it was liberating. I started writing again and published two books on the back of being true to my art. My healing abilities rocketed as I spent more time looking inwards. I didn’t get to socialize as I once did, but the few connections I focused on were, and are, profoundly enriching to my soul.

And so the journey continues... I allow my magic mirror to tell me the truth these days, unvarnished by any illusions I may have of myself. And then I go to work on that truth. It’s awfully hard most of the time, and I truly hate what I see on some days. But I do know that before I leave this world, I want to be my own Prince Charming and rescue myself from the perils of my own ego. I have understood that to truly see beauty in myself, my outer and inner selves need to match in authenticity. There’s no point in being a shiny apple on the outside and filled with poison on the inside. I know I want to look into my magic mirror someday and have it look back at my heart and soul and say I’m the fairest of them all...

I guess I want my life to be a fairy tale. Do you? And if so, what would you like your mirror to reflect… for in the answer to this question lies all you need to be everything you need to be. J

Sangeetha Shinde Tee is an author of four books, editor of 3 international magazines, an acclaimed healer, and reluctant entrepreneur.

Also an unconventional traveler, rebellious truth seeker, and inveterate animal rescuer, she is working on her fifth book - a collection of ghost stories from around the world. Find out more about her life, books, and work at www.sangeethashindetee.com