Tens of thousands descended on Dubai Cricket Stadium on Monday. Victor Besa for The National
Tens of thousands descended on Dubai Cricket Stadium on Monday. Victor Besa for The National

Crowds flock to Dubai cricket stadium to welcome Modi



DUBAI // Thousands of Indian expatriates braced themselves for a seven-hour wait in temperatures peaking at 45ºC to hear prime minister Narendra Modi’s speech at Dubai Cricket Stadium.

Tens of thousands descended on the Sports City venue for a free night of live music and traditional Indian dancing ahead of Mr Modi’s speech.

Traffic was nose to nose, backing up to the E11. The stadium concourse swelled with crowds from as early as noon to get in to see the event or watch it on big screens outside the stadium.

Every spare patch of ground became a parking spot as streams of buses ferried crowds as close to the stadium as possible. The authorities were more than ready for the expected crowd of 75,000, with 330 stewards and more than 100 police and security officers in position.

A few minor casualties, succumbing to dehydration in the heat, were quickly seen to by one of the 16 teams of paramedics or eight doctors on standby.

Sandeep Nair, a 22-year-old engineer from Kerala, had travelled from Abu Dhabi to the event. “We feel someone like Mr Modi can take our country forward,” he said.

Mr Modi was received by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, which “shows you the kind of man he is”, said Mr Nair. “It took me four hours to get here but it is a party atmosphere and worth it.”

There had been more than 45,000 applications for tickets, with seating for 30,000 and a further 45,000 expected in standing areas in and around the stadium.

Sumesh Nair, 34, said: “Our ministers have come and gone but I have never seen an atmosphere like this.”

Ankit Joshi, who comes from the same area as the prime minister, Gujarat, had been eagerly anticipating the visit. “It has been something like 34 years since a visit by an Indian leader of this kind so it is a special time,” said the production manager who moved to Dubai two years ago. “I have seen Modi’s career develop with interest from my hometown. What he has done for India and business in particular is impressive.

“There are so many Indians living in Dubai, it is extra special for all of us that he has been invited here. I’m sure the links with the UAE will only get stronger.”

nwebster@thenational.ae

Brief scoreline:

Liverpool 2

Mane 51', Salah 53'

Chelsea 0

Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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Henrik Stenson's finishes at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship:

2006 - 2
2007 - 8
2008 - 2
2009 - MC
2010 - 21
2011 - 42
2012 - MC
2013 - 23
2014 - MC
2015 - MC
2016 - 3
2017 - 8

COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

if you go

The flights

Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com

Seeing the games

Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com

 

Staying there

Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com

 

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

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