A reader pays tribute to Indian musician Ravi Shankar, pictured with The Beatles' George Harrison in 1967. AP
A reader pays tribute to Indian musician Ravi Shankar, pictured with The Beatles' George Harrison in 1967. AP

Shankar kept a tradition alive



US move is important, but Syria needs more help

US recognises Syrian opposition coalition (December 13) is good news for the Syrian people.

However, while it makes a statement, it really does nothing to help those who are suffering on the ground as the Assad regime continues to attack its own people.

There are still many obstacles before there can be peace, and the attitudes of other nations towards the crisis are very important.

However, I can only reiterate what many have said before me: how long can the world stand back and watch the slaughter of the innocents continue?

P Mack, Abu Dhabi

Proof of how UAE gets things done

Khalifa Port opens for business (December 13) demonstrates that leadership and vision are the keys to the UAE's success.

Antonio Niembrow, Abu Dhabi

Walmart claims raise questions

Inquiry in Walmart lobbying charges (December 13) was interesting.

The opposition parties have welcomed the Indian government's decision to appoint a retired judge to head an inquiry into recent allegations of Walmart influencing officials so they could enter the Indian market.

Despite passing the Foreign Direct Investments Bill in both houses of parliament, the United Progressive Alliance government is now facing these allegations.

What will the party do to clear this issue?

K Ragavan, India

Shankar kept a tradition alive

I appreciated your tribute to Ravi Shankar, A life devoted to music (December 13).

Music lovers like me who grew up in the 1960s will, of course, remember him best for his work with The Beatles, particularly in teaching the sitar to George Harrison.

However, it is important to remember that Shankar was not just a significant cultural ambassador for his country, but a prolific teacher of an art that was in danger of becoming extinct.

Had he not popularised classical Indian music, it may well have gone the way of far too many artforms, languages and traditional practices, and the world would have been the poorer for it.

Anthony Spencer, Dubai

Beckham keeps us all guessing

I acknowledge the great football talent of David Beckham, but he now only seems interested in how much more money he can get from the game before he's too old.

Beckham cryptic about move (December 13) - where he says "We'll see" after being asked if he'll join Al Jazira - may show that he has a previously unrevealed yet playful sense of humour.

It is certainly interesting that the man best remembered for his years with Manchester United would be in talks with the man who owns that club's archrival, Manchester City.

Of course, Beckham still has something to offer the game, but surely it's as a mentor or an ambassador rather than as a player.

As for him becoming a manager, well, I don't think he has the right motivation or instincts for the job.

N Michaels, Dubai

Prisoner should be compensated

I refer to High court reverses murder conviction of elderly Pakistani (December 13), about 82-year-old microbiologist Khalil Chisti, who has been in jail for 20 years.

The Indian government must pay compensation to Mr Chisti.

I believe the Indians kept him locked up on trumped-up charges because he was a brilliant scientist and they wanted to deprive Pakistan of his research.

Sadr Khan, Pakistan

Europe deserves its Peace Prize

I am writing in reference to your editorial cartoon about the European Union winning the Nobel Peace Prize (December 11).

I think the EU deserves the prize. There are tensions at present, but they all have to do with the financial problems of countries such as Greece and Spain.

The northern European nations are doing very well and are financially stable and organised, save money and have the best human-rights record in the world.

The Europeans have demonstrated an ability to stay civil, and not threaten or kill each other. They have shown that they can work with each other, as they have in solving the crisis in Greece.

I'm proud to be from north Europe, and proud of our education system, which teaches us to respect all colours, cultures and religions.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

RESULTS

6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

RIVER%20SPIRIT
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeila%20Aboulela%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Saqi%20Books%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

UJDA CHAMAN

Produced: Panorama Studios International

Directed: Abhishek Pathak

Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla

Rating: 3.5 /5 stars

Get Out

Director: Jordan Peele

Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford

Four stars