DUBAI // A joint association has been formed to build on the good relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka by bringing the communities in Dubai closer together.
Organisers of the Overseas Pakistanis and Sri Lankans Society (OPSS) plan to hold talks with representatives from the governments of both nations to look at ways to develop the society.
"The two countries have a unique relationship that dates back more than 50 years but it's one that not many people are aware of," said Mobisher Rabbani, one of the founders of the society and its first president.
"We'll be looking at doing cultural exchanges as well as developing business links and organising cricket matches. We want the society to be open to allow non-resident Sri Lankans and Pakistanis [to join] for free."
On an unofficial basis, the first project of the OPSS has been to send food to the Sri Lankan consulate in Dubai for the victims of the February floods in Sri Lanka, when more than 300,000 people were displaced.
"It is a wonderful idea to bring the two communities closer together," said Abdul Raheem, Sri Lanka's new consul general in Dubai. "We have growing numbers of Pakistani tourists visiting Sri Lanka and our trade and diplomatic relations have been long-standing and very positive."
nhanif@thenational.ae
India squad
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, K.L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur.
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.