Since 2008, Dubai-based Indian philanthropist Firoz Merchant has helped over 15,000 prisoners reunite with their families. Courtesy: Firoz Merchant
Since 2008, Dubai-based Indian philanthropist Firoz Merchant has helped over 15,000 prisoners reunite with their families. Courtesy: Firoz Merchant
Since 2008, Dubai-based Indian philanthropist Firoz Merchant has helped over 15,000 prisoners reunite with their families. Courtesy: Firoz Merchant
Since 2008, Dubai-based Indian philanthropist Firoz Merchant has helped over 15,000 prisoners reunite with their families. Courtesy: Firoz Merchant

Indian businessman pays Dh1 million to free 700 UAE prisoners


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An Indian jewellery tycoon has paid Dh1 million to clear the debt of 700 prisoners in the UAE and pay for their passage home.

Firoz Merchant, founder and chairman of retailer Pure Gold Group, said the gesture was intended to mark the 48th UAE National Day and the Year of Tolerance.

The businessman's offer of Dh1m is part of a programme he founded in 2008 called the "Forgotten Society".

The initiative aims to give prisoners in debt a second chance, allowing them to be freed and return to their home countries.

Mr Merchant works with officials to identify the most pressing cases of inmates who have completed their sentences but cannot be released until their debt is paid.

“The UAE is home to people of various cultures and religions, and the country has given hope and second chances to many,” said Mr Merchant.

"This is the Year of Tolerance, so we are extending our support so that they can be reunited with their loved-ones.

“The insolvent prisoners being released are from different nationalities, regardless of their religion.”

On this occasion, the inmates being released are from more than 30 countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia and Thailand.

About 150 prisoners are from the Ajman jail and 160 from Fujairah. The remaining prisoners will be released from prisons in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain.

Mr Merchant, a self-made millionaire, has lived in the UAE since 1989 and was granted permanent residency earlier this year.

He was one of the select group of investors, entrepreneurs and researchers presented with a Golden Card to honour their contribution to the nation.

Writing for The National last year, Mr Merchant wrote how his own impoverished upbringing had helped him understand the difficulties faced by those dealing with financial hardship.

He said his inspiration for the initiative was the benevolence of the late Sheikh Zayed, the nation’s Founding Father.

Major General Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, commander-in-chief of Ajman Police, said the money given by Mr Merchant demonstrated a strong sense of social responsibility.

“The support Pure Gold Group has given [inmates] enhances the spirit of solidarity and cohesion and helps them integrate back into society to build a new and dignified life,” he said.

De De Pyaar De

Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

The%20Roundup
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For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.

The biog

Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.

Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella

Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.

The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers. 

Manchester United's summer dealings

In

Victor Lindelof (Benfica) £30.7 million

Romelu Lukaku (Everton)  £75 million

Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)  £40 million

 

Out

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Released

Wayne Rooney (Everton) Free transfer

Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad) £9.8 million

 

 

TCL INFO

Teams:
Punjabi Legends 
Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

Brief scores:

Juventus 3

Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'

Frosinone 0

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

The biog

Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."

Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell 

Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


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The specs

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Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

GP3 race, 12:30pm

Formula 1 final practice, 2pm

Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm

Formula 2 race, 6:40pm

Performance: Sam Smith

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Medicus AI

Started: 2016

Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh

Based: Vienna, Austria; started in Dubai

Sector: Health Tech

Staff: 119

Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)

 

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%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Lowdown

Kesari

Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra