ASPIRE — An Entrepreneur & Lifestyle Magazine - Dec 2020 by ASPIRE Business and Lifestyle Magazine

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N T S EM A TO HE P R IR A P AT B AB LE ES ecial Iss u Sp

ssue  al I ci DECEMBER — 2020 ISSUE 3 aspiredubai.ae — AED19.25

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Inside

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www.aspiredubai.ae

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THE UNSTOPPABLE ARAB EMIRATES

At 49, the UAE can lay claim to the most turbo-charged makeover that any country has ever witnessed. Aspire looks into the success story that only gets bigger and bolder with time. We also speak to ten eminent nationals to gather their pride towards their country and their sentiments on the occasion of the UAE National Day.

Dr Sara Al Madani

Chef Musabbeh Al Kaabi

Dr. Eng. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Ali

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INSIDE

Sharihan Al Mashary Brigadier Dr Ali Mohammed Hussain Singel

Mona AlHebsi

A ball and the Hand of God

Maya AlHawary

Adel Al Awadhi

A tribute to the deity of the football field: Diego Maradona

Bulletin bytes

Bite sized interesting news from around the world!

Green shoots of eco-economy Discover how progressive businesses are embracing sustainability and widening their focus beyond profit on a new pathway towards economic growth

Stepping into the future with Augmented Reality Let’s simplify our understanding of Augmented Reality and how it is going to change the way we function

Events

Great upcoming or ongoing events that you may want to add to your calendar

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Yousif Al Sahlawi Amna Al Qubaisi

The Small Business Resiliency Kit

The ‘Technology’ Pillar of Ecommerce

Tactical advice on building a rock-solid foundation of your business to create resiliency that will help you weather any storm

Take a deep-dive into the world of ‘Technology’ which is the second pillar and the backbone of any ecommerce venture

Organisation Citizenship: A Great Employee Engagement Tool

Ring in 2021, With this Year-End Ritual

Taking a closer look at Organizational Citizenship Behavior, its different types and best practices, and of course its benefits

The Rituals you need to ring in 2021 with the intention of co-creating your life to get your desired outcomes

PUBLISHER

Sumeet Gupta EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Shagufta Patel PRODUCTION

The Purple Stroke JUNIOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Khushi Bagga Arundhati Surendran « OUR CONTRIBUTORS »

Rajashree Balaram Journalist/ Scriptwriter

Crest, trough and Johnny’s depth

Priscilla Khambatta

Business Mentor, Trusted Advisor

Deepa Narayanan Writer/ Storyteller

Sabeeh Ghugharia

Speaker, Strategist, Goal-Catalyst

The rise and fall of the quirkiest Hollywood superstar and cynosure of many a movie buff, Johnny Depp

Pledged to a Sustainable Mode of Living

Journeys that empower

Making a difference in varied domains, Iftikhar Hamdani can be fittingly declared as an Envoy for Sustainability; we endorse

Travel sometimes involves warding off danger, leaving you at the mercy of others. Not always fun, but always leaving one empowered is what we realize

Supercharge Yourself With Superfoods

New Attractions In Dubai

Dt Geetika Uppal educates us on Superfoods and its benefits along with a simple recipe to yummy up your diet

A golf enthusiast or not, TopGolf is the place for games, music, food, and more.

Sunil Nair

Digital Marketing & ECommerce strategist

Dt. Geetika Uppal Gold-medalist in Nutritional Science

Kim Shelar

Meditation & Executive Mindset Coach

Sunil Duggal

AR Wearables Consultant

1601, Corporate Business Hub, Burj Gate, Dubai, United Arab Emirates T +971 508 498820, +971 565 774075 / 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 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

Editor's note A YEAR THAT WAS…

A AGUF T SH

TEL ‫٭‬ in, to begin again where life had stopped. This time more evolved, more energized, and more expanded, taking in all the learnings in our stride. And what could be a better example of what evolution and progression looks like than the UAE, which has unfolded itself so magnificently since it came to be a Union! Celebrating its spirit is this special edition dedicated to this bountiful country that stands testimony that it is always mind over matter and vision over valiance. The Cover Story is a tribute to this land of hopes and dreams and its citizens, that have welcomed over 200 nationalities to call this place their home. And because this land only speaks of the future and progress, it is only befitting that we focus on all that can set us propelled further ahead. Be it the tech page on augmented

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reality or the emerging trends of eco-economy; the technology one needs to set up ecommerce or the resiliency kit to withstand the bumps along the way; the superfoods that can turbocharge you or the strength that your travel trepidations bring you; be it the erratic behaviors of a celebrity to the behavior of your organizational community, we have touched it all. And now, as we set to finally bid this year a good-bye, what better than performing a yearend ritual to let it go by with the dignity it deserves. After all, not all fall-outs come to break you. Some come to test you and raise you to a plane of higher existence. As you prepare to leap forward into the new year, I will leap with you and see you on the other side when we speak next. Until then, stay safe and be well. And yes of course, enjoy the season’s best!!! J

G U F TA

T’S HERE. December of 2020 is finally here. Most people have been blatantly waiting for the year to end, for obvious reasons we are well aware of. And whilst the sun rose and set as it should, the moon glistened in its waxing and waning cycles as it always does, seasons came and went by like they always do in perfect rhythm… yet this year was anything but the same. A microscopic entity catapulted the world and several lives in a frenzied ruckus. A virus incapable of ‘doing’ anything unless it enters an environment that supports its proliferation and its consequent act of destruction, ‘did’ manage to doom and drown in grief & sadness humanity, bringing it to its knees. Some perished, some crumbled, a few were set back by a couple of years, families unsettled… a blanket of disruption and chaos enveloping the moods. And amid this global hysteria, some found the purpose of their being and uncovered a new meaning to their run-of-the-mill humdrum existence, like the silver lining on a dark cloudy sky. Reminds me of the lyrics from Just give me a reason, “we’re not broken just bent, and we can learn to love again.” And love we did. We picked up ourselves in all the crumpled heap that we were

Tribute

A ball and the Hand of God

he cheering and chanting that filled the streets of Argentina and around the world - echo to this day. And they all cheer for one man, one legend: Diego Maradona. The football star passed away in a home in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, on the 25th of November, less than a month after his 60th birthday. Since his debut in the sports world at 16, Diego Maradona was an icon playing for Argentinos Juniors, where he played for five years and scored 115 goals over the span of his career in the club. After a year of playing for Boca Juniors, he made his way onto Barcelona, then Napoli and his reputation continued to soar along with the tales of his skills, and for good reason. But for all the notoriety his playing in the clubs brought him, it was like holding a candle to a raging flame when compared to his playing for the national team. The 1986 World Cup was where the world truly first heard the name

Diego Maradona and paused. Captaining the Argentinian team was a man determined, and a man capable of delivering. With his awe-inspiring dribbling and analysis of the playing field, he stunned us all in every minute of every game Argentina played. The most notable of his achievements is no doubt, the game against England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World cup, where he scored both goals for his team. The ‘Hand of God’ and the ‘Goal of the Century’ are magnificent titles that formed the pillars of his legacy as a player and as an icon that cannot be ignored. As much influence Maradona has had on the sport, the sport has had on him. During a TV interview 15 years ago, Maradona was asked what he would say to himself in the cemetery, to which he responded, “Thanks for having played football because it’s the sport that gave me the most happiness and freedom, and it’s like having touched the sky with my

hand. Thanks to the ball.” “Yes, I would put on the tombstone, ‘Thanks to the ball’.” Indeed, this was a man born to play football. Though he was akin to a deity on the field, it was unfortunate that he built dangerous habits that pulled him to his health issues late in his life. But regardless of every controversy that he was stuck in, it is an irrevocable fact that his tenacity, skill and pride are to be remembered. And the World will remember. Every moment when the audience was stunned silent during a game we will remember. Every spectacular goal made in the face of opposing players singling him out - we will remember. And every nutmeg, dribble, or show of skill completely reconstructed by a man who looked to be writing poetry on the field - we will remember. Thanks to the ball, we will remember. ✪ by ARUNDHATI SURENDRAN 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

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Elon Musk is now the Second Richest Person in the World Overtaking Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates, Elon Musk has become the world’s second most wealthy person as of November 2020. Elon Musk’s net worth bounced up to $128bn (470.144bn AED) after the surge of Tesla’s shares. Tesla is already globally recognized as the most valuable car firm, and now the company’s shares are being added to one of the leading US share indexes, S&P 500. During his speech, Musk said that it would be reasonable to expand Tesla within the European Markets, initiating with a small car. “In the US, the cars tend to be bigger for personal taste reasons,” he said. “In Europe, (they) tend to be smaller.” The firm is believed to become the “biggest new entrant” on the S&P 500, with its market value starting at over $500bn!

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BY TE S

Biden’s Presidency is welcoming news for many! “America is back – We’re at the head of the table again,” said President-elect Joe Biden during his first interview, after the confirmation of his presidency, with NBC News. Biden said that he would eject Donald Trump’s “America First” strategy transitioning to a more welcoming US, eager to lead and embrace new global associates once again. He also said, “I’ve spoken with over 20 world leaders and they are pleased and somewhat excited that America is going to reassert its role in the world and be a coalition builder.” Europe seems to be happy about Biden’s win since Trump’s leadership appeared to have imposed taxes on European car imports, a step that would have sabotaged the region’s car industry. Biden’s Victory is also being perceived to have a positive impact on Egypt’s economy.

Sheriff Kamel, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt said, “Over the last four decades the government and the private sector in Egypt collaborated with businesses in the US regardless of who was in the White House, whether a republican or a democrat.” Since the late 1970s, the USA and Egypt have developed strong diplomatic and economic bonds. According to Sheriff Kamel, the USA is the third-largest contributor to the Egyptian economy. 1,300 American companies are operating in Egypt, and the US-Egyptian trade was valued at an approximation of 8.6 billion in 2019. Amr Hussein Elalfy, Secretary-General of CFA society Egypt, believes that Biden’s leadership shall come with a more “stable global economic order,” resulting in the advancement of capital markets.

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Photo: Pexels-The Lazy Artist Gallery

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100% ownership for Expat Entrepreneurs in the UAE! On Monday, November 23rd, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, announced a proclamation stating that foreign nationals would be allowed 100 percent ownership of commercial companies in the country. All these years, foreign nationals have established their businesses in the UAE with the mandatory requirement of an Emirati sponsor. Based on the new amendments, businesses can now be fully established by non-Emiratis with a one-year timeline given to comply with the modified law. The timeline may extend under the cabinet’s influence as suggested by the Minister of Economy, Mr Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri. The law grants local authorities a set of powers which include setting a set percentage of Emiratis in the capital distribution and

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company board of directors, approving company establishment requests, and identifying the charges based on the UAE Cabinet-adopted policy. This, however, does not apply to joint-stock companies. Firms that wish to become a joint-stock company may sell over 70% of the company after authorization from appropriate authorities. The decree also permits the cabinet to build a committee consisting of representatives for the authorities to suggest activities of strategic influence and the procedures required to license companies working in these areas. Lastly, it is important to note that the law equips stakeholders to sue a company in civil court over any “failures of duty” that result in potential losses. ✪

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Green Shoots of Eco-Economy More than ever, businesses today have discovered a new pathway towards economic growth, one that is green and sustainable in nature. Misbaah Mansuri gives a lowdown on how progressive businesses are embracing sustainability and widening their focus beyond profit

imes might have been difficult but it’s been heartening to see how even in the midst of it all, people are leading the push to better the world. It’s amazing how from a global perspective, especially post-Covid we have all had a chance to reassess what is important in life and that life can be fragile. The pandemic

has given us a chance to reset and rebuild the new normal. And hence the thought that we should start making better choices. That said, environmental policies, products, and information drives have affected the psyche of consumers. A recent Deloitte survey indicated that 98 percent of companies reported reformulating at least some part of their 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

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Illustrations: Sumeet Gupta

A growing body of evidence suggests that as companies gravitate towards increased emphasis on the concept of sustainability, their business results improve

It is estimated that Green Investments in Dubai would touch a whopping

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BILLION BY 2030

product portfolio to align with new health and wellness policies. That said, several recent developments indicate that leaders of many large enterprises have accepted the reality of climate change and have realised that they need to step up their focus on environmental sustainability.

SIMPLIFYING SUSTAINABILITY

To be sure, Dubai is the goldmine for sustainability startup enthusiasts. The launch of the Energy Strategy 2050 by His Highness Sheikh

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has bolstered this journey and says a thing or two about the importance being given to it. Moreover, Sheikh Mohammed unveiled the Dubai Green Fund worth AED 100 billion to finance investors in the clean energy sector. With that, it is estimated that Green Investments in Dubai would touch a whopping USD 30 billion by 2030. Furthermore, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) is the key player in transitioning Dubai into a green economy through a number of initiatives aimed at increasing reliance on clean energy and efficient production and consumption of water.

GUNNING FOR GREEN BUSINESSES

More and more businesses today seem to have realized that embracing the concept could emerge to be great for both the bottom line and the brand. They are now increasingly aware that their actions have an impact on the planet, whether it is burning fossil fuels, cutting down rain-forests or filling landfill sites with plastic and other waste. Hospitality businesses adopting the concept are benefiting from lower operational costs

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THE GIVING MOVEMENT

alongside substantial reputation gains. A survey by Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) brought to light that sustainable practices have helped hospitality businesses reduce energy and water consumption costs by more than 20%, reduce solid waste and waste-water disposal costs by more than 15%, improve the quality of the tourism ecosystem in which they operate, and improve staff motivation. Going green might not be an entirely new concept, but businesses sure seem to be pushing the envelope for innovation while at it. A case-in-point is The Giving Movement, a fashion brand born during the time of the Covid-19 crisis. The Dubai-based entrepreneur’s ethical practices, sustainable fabrics and a charitable initiative have combined with the contemporary look and feel to grow a client base almost overnight that spans a broad spectrum of demographics and ages. Its attributes of being sustainable and ethical helped the brand sell over 7,000 units and donate more than $23,000 to charities within 12 weeks of the launch. Dubai-based startup The Concept too has been making its presence felt in this landscape, thanks to its innovations that

a fashion brand born during the time of the Covid-19 crisis; its attributes of being sustainable and ethical helped the brand sell over 7,000 units and donate more than $23,000 to charities within 12 weeks of the launch

help boost the aviation sector’s efforts in the sustainability domain by eliminating non-sustainable hardware from it. Its redesigned lightweight in-flight economy food tray called NEOS Fly combines functionality, sustainability, technology and conveniences, and is geared towards making a positive impact on the environment, while also allowing airlines to save money in the long run as well. And then there are green designer brands like Urban Nest, Tribe Dubai, Home and Soul, Trends who are creating practical pieces of furniture from things like ethically sourced materials, reclaimed wood, layered bamboo among others. Beauty for good or clean beauty is another trend that has been gaining momentum which is only soaring given the changing preferences driven by the Covid pandemic. This growing awareness has led to a drastic surge in ethical cosmetics sales, with the global cosmetics market size expected to reach US$48.04 billion in value by 2025 according to a recent report by Grand View Research.

NOW IS THE TIME

A growing body of evidence suggests that as companies gravitate towards increased emphasis on the concept of sustainability, their business results improve. A recent PwC analysis for the World Economic Forum shows that industries that are highly or moderately dependent on nature generate more than half of global GDP ($44 trillion), underscoring the financial exposure for businesses worldwide if current trends continue unabated. The global response to Covid 19 is, in many respects, the expression of this purpose-led approach to solving problems. And seems like it could be a catalyst to supercharge the thinking, the action and the execution of sustainable initiatives and purpose-led investments. It might be just a trigger that fires sustainable finance and proves that it is a long-term growth opportunity. And hence, going green seems to be more than just a trend. By acting now, businesses will be well-poised to reign over the hearts and minds of generations to come. J 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

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STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE WITH AUGMENTED REALITY

Augmented Reality is no longer a thing of the future. As the world shapes up to this revolutionary technology, Sunil Duggal, an AR wearables consultant, helps simplify our understanding of it and how it is going to change the way we function.

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reaking beyond mere pilot applications, the enterprise potential of Augmented Reality (AR) now continues to grow more than ever, as companies increasingly leverage cases of great use that now abound. Progressively, these attempts are encountered by circumstances made conceivable by AR and innovations in IoT (Internet of Things) — sensors and associated gadgets that help assemble the actual scene with a more expanded and incorporated computerised version. However, it is in the midst of this whirlwind of action, that many are ignorant of the broader ramifications of AR’s rise. The rapid rise in augmented reality innovation assumes an essential part in the progressive change of coordinated businesses these days.

Understanding AR

Image: Pexels-Sound On

AR as we know it, is super laying actual and real environment with computer created data. The super imposed information can include pictures, text, video, animation, so forth, and in real-time. On similar lines, ‘Extended Reality’ is an innovation that allows overlying actual items with related data, thereby leveraging the screens of gadgets like AR brilliant glasses, tablets, and cell phones. For example, looking at a building will tell you its history, specific information if any, etc. Overall, AR comprises of four essential cycles that make the extra data layer conceivable. 1. Scene capture: The reality to be augmented is captured using either an implicit camera of a cell phone or head-mounted presentation (HMD). 2. Scene identification: As we go forward, the captured reality is checked upon by the AR framework, and it is determined where predefined content can be added. Visual markers or devices like GPS, sensors, infrared, or laser aid in identifying this point. 3. Scene processing: As the scene becomes identified and recognised, the corresponding virtual content is then requested from an associated information base. 4. Scene representation and visualisation: Finally, an AR framework produces a final picture that consolidates a captured real-time scene and the added content.

Some applications of Augmented and Expanded Reality

It should be noted that AR goes beyond adding the extra details and refinements. What’s more is that it makes a great user interface

that permits an exciting method of how individuals associate with their current workflows in various cases of logistic, manufacturing, oil and gas and other industries. AR is making practical inroads with: Manufacturing and Assembly: Smart glasses are the holy grail of augmented reality, which promises to overlay data that can furnish labourers with visual guidelines/instructions and markers, measured steps and directions for assembling parts, and fixing tasks. The sensors on gadgets assist with assembling the relevant data to help in specific method steps (data gathering, task following, and so forth) that in turn prompts quicker, more secure, and better quality task fixes. With AR coming of age and gaining momentum, product manuals are relics of days gone by. Reader manuals require the correct and realistic representations alongside the ac-

One among the various attributes of AR, is that it can dispense with a portion of the repetitiveness of a cycle by expanding and upgrading the primary job, and smoothing out cooperation and correspondence between parties curate understanding of words. This is where the role of AR glasses come to play; the cell phone enabled /glasses-empowered AR programs effectively perceive overlay text or video guidelines to give the best insights, taking into account constant guidance as seen following the client activity. AR advancements can likewise help transportation suppliers coordinate high gathering norms by observing get-together cycles, utilising progressed picture received and its acknowledgement abilities. Preparing and Learning Content: When it comes to the assembling or support of vehicles or machines, expanded reality additionally proves to be useful to speed up the preparation cycle, facilitating it to become more effective, quicker, and mechanised. The usage of an AR headset can help students see the interior segments of machines or vehicles and their parts just by taking a look at them. Moreover, it can help mechanise the preparation cycle in assembling or upkeep of autos as well. Maintenance and Repair: A specialist wearing AR glasses, even without a bit of knowl2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

Tech love edge of the gear being referred to, can perform upkeep and its fix with the help of a distant master or seller, remaining heads-up and sans hands the entire time. This reduces the dependence on key workforce without weakening hardware yield. Some organisations bring to the table an added type of assistance, for instance, get together and fix. Presently, such complex aptitudes require long and concentrated preparation for workers specialised in these activities, and any blunder can prove very costly. AR frameworks allow specialised authorities to distinguish and fix both blunders and errors by recognising issues, and furnishing staff with itemised fix guidelines through AR smart glasses. All of it together can bring down the general error rate. Product Design And Development: Conceptualising, prototyping, and conventional planning can be inconceivably long and requiring asset escalated measures. Furthermore, it requires regular updates and to and fro correspondences between related gatherings. All this even before anything is passed to creation and assembly, which likewise requires further

The beauty of augmented and expanded reality is that it offers a bunch of crucial abilities that can essentially improve adequacy and efficiency in various processes

repeated audits before a final product is ready. One among the various attributes of AR, is that it can dispense with a portion of the repetitiveness of this cycle by expanding and upgrading the primary job, and smoothing out cooperation and correspondence between parties. For instance, imagine a chief or leader who can see the genuine item being planned and developed progressively through AR. They could easily give bits of knowledge and course correction that would unnecessitate the to and fro that practical frameworks require. Remote Support: Remote assistance takes this entire concept even further. The idea is moving beyond setting virtual channels over machine congregations, onto a shop floor. AR innovation is increasingly being fused with help applications so that organisations can more readily offer assistance to clients. In case of any glitches or issues, you can easily associate an expert with representatives on location for instant help. With the use of keen glasses, the expert from a different location can see accurately what the professional on the site sees. This is made plausible by constant video and sound transmission, which helps in: ¡ Expanded efficiency & productivity ¡ Improved nature of work with visual instructions ¡ Decreased travel cost ¡ Faster repair cycles ¡ Restructuring the labour force with intuitive digital workflows These days, it’s interesting to see that renowned organisations like Coca Cola and BMW are encouraging correspondence among mechanics and specialists with the assistance of distant AR help. Joining and Transformation AR applications can likewise be seamlessly incorporated with backend frameworks. Take, for instance, Enterprise Resource Planner (ERP) such as SAP and Oracle, and Workforce Management System (WMS) that guarantees the ongoing information workflow achievability inside the mainstream activity. The beauty of augmented and expanded reality is that it offers a bunch of crucial abilities that can essentially improve adequacy and efficiency in various processes. Additionally, it can disrupt how activities are coordinated in various organisations and make it quicker and more real-time. Market players can now significantly bring down their costs and increase their profitability and that is something that all want to augment and expand in their reality. J

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THE FUTURE BLOCKCHAIN SUMMIT 2020 The Future Blockchain Summit, the UAE Government’s official Blockchain event hosted by Smart Dubai will be a live, in-person event, co-located with GITEX at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Considered to be by far the most influential blockchain summit on the planet, with over 10,000 attendees from 132 countries, the event brings together global enterprises, venture capitalist, Blockchain start-ups and government

entities for intelligent and targeted matchmaking. If you are a novice to the world of Blockchain, the event will host insightful workshops to get you started with the basics. Follow it up with more regulatory updates and the practical application of Blockchain across various industries. The event will be open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on the 6th, and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on the 7th – 9th of December. 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

Events

FURNITURE 360 – HOME FURNISHING EXHIBITION The UAE has ensured to keep all interior lovers and homemakers in mind as it brings to you the Furniture 360 Expo 2020! This exhibition will be hosted at Expo Centre Sharjah from the 14th till the 19th of December. With exhibitors showcasing their finest designs and collections for home décor, indoor and outdoor furnishings, lighting, office and commercial foyers, be sure to find your pick of furniture at a price that

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suits your budget. Introduced this time at the fair will be a special section bringing all that you would need to turn your living space into a high-tech, yet environmental safe & user-friendly ‘Smart Home’. Furniture 360 has now turned into an annual event due to its appreciation in the UAE. The buyers’ market will open from 10 am to 10 pm on all the days with an entry fee of only 5 AED and ample free parking.

THE ORGANIC & NATURAL EXPO 2020 The Middle East Organic & Natural Product Expo is to be hosted in Dubai from 15th to 17th of December 2020 at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The only Expo of its kind in the MENA region offering a variety of natural and organic products from Superfoods to Make-up. You can watch, learn, and taste food items created Live by MasterChef’s in an organic kitchen. The event also has

a beauty corner where you can get a makeover done using organic products. Furthermore, there are several activities to indulge in such as the Happiness Yoga Extravaganza for a calm start to your day, learning about Tea and Coffee from a specialized pavilion, learning about new product launches, attending organic conferences and much more. The event will take place from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with different activities to offer each day. ✪

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C O V E R

S T O R Y

UNST ARAB EMIRA

TOPPABLE B ATES As makeovers go, the UAE can lay claim to the most turbo-charged and transformative one that any country has ever witnessed. At 49, its magnificent strides are most prominently evidenced in its buff infrastructure and storied extravagance.

COVER STORY

But the shiny veneer is only a light preface to a land that has shaped the lives of its people as well as the substance of their hopes, in indelible ways. Rajashree Balaram looks into the success story that only gets bigger and bolder with time

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“I

was only 12 when our family moved from Iran to Dubai,” says Sima Kameli, 59, who was formerly top brass at a lofty multinational bank in Dubai. The retired Kameli, who now heads staff operations for a swish salon, speaks animatedly of the UAE, often running her fingers through her deep brown bob. “I have traveled to many countries and enjoyed a variety of experiences, but I would still say that the calibre of service offered in the UAE is unmatched anywhere in the world.” While that might sound like natural bias towards the place that she has called home for the past 47 years, Kameli’s love for the UAE is not blind. It has fermented in good time, engorged with recollections of ‘the way things were’. The present-day flamboyance of the land has not quite obliterated her memories of its once humbler, rustic edition. Now vacationing in Italy, she gives into wee sentimentality as she speaks of the quiet, sandy nothingness that once marked the country. “It was normal for us to trudge through shin-deep sand on our way to school. Even weddings were held in tents pitched outside people’s homes, and the banquet tables used to dig their weight into supple sand. Only the very affluent could afford to have carpets under those tables. We couldn’t have imagined back then that someday people from all over the world would flock to hotels in the UAE to host some of the most spectacular weddings on earth!” (According to a survey, affluent Indian and Emirati families spend as high as Dh25 million on weddings. Definitely not a figure to sneeze at!)

EVERYTHING OUT OF NOTHING

In 1973, when Kameli landed in Dubai with her architect father, the United Arab Emirates was still a freshly stapled concept, fed wholly on unanimity fostered by the grand vision of HH Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It hadn’t quite been two years since December 2, 1971, when the towering visionary had forged the federation of the seven emirates. “There were no cafes, theatre halls, hotels, and hardly any cars. There was not even a single department store, let alone malls. Can you imagine a Dubai like that?” Kameli’s question is purely rhetorical; most anyone would find it difficult to imagine the UAE without its symbols of conspicuous wealth and razzmatazz. (Just a fleeting thought of the Burj Khalifa in your mind’s eye is enough to blot out any possible nostalgia around moderation.) To everyone living outside of it, the general perception of the UAE tends to be painted in various shades of gold. By now it has become legendary as the fabled land of expats, where everyone goes to settle in and get rich; a tax haven that leaves you with enough surfeit to build a larger home, buy a plusher four-wheeler, max out your credit card at the world’s best shopping malls—basically, build a grand story for yourself that otherwise may have eluded you if you hadn’t moved into this wonderland.

Affluence and material comforts have been so widely peddled as the country’s driving themes, that one would imagine success to likely be a cliched soul-less prize. Not really, though, if a report published by the Boston Consulting Group, last year, is anything to go by—it ranked the UAE among the happiest countries in the world, scoring above USA, Canada, Belgium and France against a sizeable line-up of happiness indicators.

PART DESTINY, PART KARMA

Of course, happiness may not be an easy achievement when all you have is a bed space to yourself—as so many do, even after having lived in the UAE for a significant length of time. Take Caroline ‘Carie’ Beale, for example. Originally from Bangalore, she moved to Dubai in 2001, to work as a secretary in a construction company that was then steering the Palm Atlantis project. “Growing up, I belonged to a family that had limited means,” she reminisces. “There was never enough money. Within months of moving into Dubai though, I got my husband and kids to move here on my visa. Life changed drastically in a few years. We moved from a one-bedroom to a

The general perception of the UAE tends to be painted in various shades of gold. By now it has become legendary as the fabled land of expats, where everyone goes to settle in and get rich two-bedroom apartment to a villa.” For personal reasons that she is too sore to elaborate on, Carie and her family had to move back to India in 2014. “I didn’t have trouble getting a job in India, but the culture was starkly different to what I had become accustomed to in here. From time management to administration to bureaucracy, nothing felt good enough. I couldn’t wait to get back to Dubai,” she says candidly. Part of the discontent was also her uneasiness with a less privileged life. In 2018, she packed her bags and returned to the UAE, though a series of personal miseries had eaten into the savings she had set aside. “I admit that I had led life rather recklessly. I had spent money on things I didn’t really need. The UAE makes it easy to be imprudent if you are not mindful. You feel constantly lured by goodies staring at you from every corner—be it gadgets, cosmetics, food, clothes. All those temptations do crazy things to your willpower. You earn a lot but you feel impelled to spend just as much, and stay on top of your social circle.” In her second innings now, Carie works as a freelance consultant for a recruitment firm, and is shortly expected to join a retail fashion chain. For now, her living quarters have shrunk to a bed space in a women’s dormitory. “In March 2020, I was planning to start a finance liaison firm that was proposed to be an intermediary between 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

Circa 2005 Dubai now

investors and projects. Unfortunately, those plans folded up because of COVID.” Carie has no plans to return to India, though, and insists on making it big in Dubai. Her sunny optimism is a fitting complement to a place that abounds with rags-to-riches stories of all kinds. She is fully aware that on bad days when her struggles overwhelm her, she could draw inspiration from the story of philanthropist Ghanshyam Pagarani, founder of the renowned UAE conglomerate, the Yogi Group, who started his journey in Dubai as a janitor in an automobile showroom. Or she could look up to the rise of Dubai-based Syrian real estate tycoon and serial entrepreneur Firas Al Msdaddi, who once sold shoes to put food on the table. When hope wears thin in the UAE, it becomes important to remember the many who challenged their destiny here and lived to tell a grand tale.

WOMEN ON TOP

Kameli is a testament to such tenacity—she waited nine years to get her first promotion. “I was a woman in a man’s world. Back in the 80s, the banking industry in the UAE hardly had any women in executive roles.” The spirited Kameli worked for 38 years in the banking industry—starting out as a trainee officer and exiting as the Head of Operations & Control. Along the way, she took on more than a few challenges—from turning bank branches into profit-making centres to training young Emirati women banking officials to take on big-

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ger job responsibilities. It’s not that patriarchy walks light-footed in the UAE, but for a country that only half a century ago was bristling with fiefdoms and tribal lords, it is not exactly a modest achievement to now have eight women ministers in its cabinet—the highest number in the Arab world. According to stats, women have homed in 66 per cent of the UAE’s labour force and add up to big head count in education, health and banking—exceeding the presence of men. Of course, there have been a series of steady developments in the administrative space that have helped rocket girl power. In 2015, the UAE launched the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women that laid down the framework for all federal and local government bodies— the private sector as well as civil society organisations— to chart out exclusive plans and provide decent living standards and jobs for women. Two years later, the UAE Gender Balance Council issued guidelines to help companies draw up a clear blueprint on gender balance practices. Leading this confident march is Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation. The Sheikha has always been resolute in her cause to bankroll and facilitate powerful initiatives that not only empower women in the UAE, but also regionally and internationally. (It’s worth chewing on that as far back as five years ago, Emirati women had already staked out 22,000 businesses in the UAE with investments exceeding AED 45 billion.) lion’s share of the applause, though, should be justly reserved for the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who doggedly believed in the untapped potential of women and championed efforts to make equal space for them around decision tables. Despite having no traditional education and moulded entirely by orthodox Bedouin ways, the late Sheikh was a free thinker who backed his simple, inspirational words with far-reaching actions. “It was normal to find him waving back at you from his car, if you greeted him from your car window at a traffic red light,” says Sanjeev Sarin, a 61-year-old Fujairah-based maritime professional. Forty years ago, Sarin’s move to the UAE, was wrought in a near-cinematic mid-sea feat. “I was a Delhi boy, on my way to becoming the captain of an Indian merchant navy ship at that time. I was aboard a vessel passing by the Persian Gulf, when I had an accident and had to be airlifted by a chopper rescue service.” After hospitalisation and recovery, Sarin was in no shape to re-join the navy. Thankfully, he was offered the role of a radio officer by a major shipping and trading group based in Dubai. In 1985, when Sarin moved to Fujairah, he actually got to know what ‘the middle of nowhere’

Atlantis at the Palm, Dubai

When hope wears thin in the UAE, it becomes important to remember the many who challenged their destiny here and lived to tell a grand tale exactly meant. “There was only one cinema hall, and it was infested with rats and had a squeaky sound system,” he says with a chuckle. “Even the water we received at home used to be brackish. So, we’d drive over to Fujairah airport, with jerricans kept in the boot of our car, and queue up at the two taps behind the airport that provided sweet water.” Though Sarin loves Delhi, he no longer misses it: “The UAE is my home now. There’s nowhere else, I would rather be.” He is also one of the founding members of the Indian Social Club, which became a popular community platform for the then small diaspora. When the club had newly started, the frequent house parties had helped create a sense of togetherness, which he feels has gone missing with the easy access to posh entertainment centres. “We’d always take the effort to invite Indians who had freshly landed in Fujairah. Each one of us knew that feeling of being ‘a little lost’ when one is new to a foreign land.”

RESPECT COMES FIRST

According to World Bank estimates, the expat population in the UAE is over 88 per cent, and that includes people from 200 nationalities. Judging by those demographics, the UAE is indeed the melting pot in the truest sense. Also, with the launch of the UAE Centennial 2071, a national strategy to make it the best country in the world in the next 50 years, more people from all around the globe

could gravitate here to seed their futures. When they arrive, there will be enough to leave them in deeper awe. “The administrative framework is so clearly drawn, that there is no room for corruption. I really love that about this country,” says Samer Abdu al Jubrail, an operation theatre unit manager at a leading hospital in Al Ain. The 39-year-old, who moved from Syria to Al Ain in 2005, leans towards humour when he sums up the rapid change that he has witnessed in the past few years: “Earlier, one could drive into the parking lot and easily find at least 15 vacant parking spots. Now we end up spending 15 minutes looking for a place to park!” When he moved out of Syria, Jubrail was keen to see a wider world and gain more recognition and respect as a nurse. “Here I have been offered so many opportunities to participate in conferences and seminars to help me upgrade my skills. I have felt constantly encouraged to acquire fresh expertise and advance my career.” Though, for the past two years, he has been unable to meet his parents who live in strife-torn Syria, he is grateful for video calls. For now, there are many Indians, Pakistanis, Lebanese, Egyptians and people from other nationalities, who are part of Jubrail’s comfort zone. “We get together, we talk, we laugh,” he says. “But no one really knows much or enquires about the other’s personal life. And I wonder if that is always a good thing.” J 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

Dr Sara Al Madani

nown to be the one defying gender and cultural norms, Dr Sara Al Madani ventured into the business world at a time when very few Emirati women dared to do so. And that says a thing or two about the risk-taker and visionary that Dr Al Madani is. She dons multiple hats and ensures she shines through them all. The serial entrepreneur is an advocate for women, a fashion designer, brand ambassador, and an influential social media personality. Dr Al Madani has paved a gem-strewn path for herself across industries and is a well-recognised name across multiple fields including fashion, beauty, entertainment, and more recently, technology. Inspired to start her own business at the tender age of 15, Dr Al Madani’s success as a young entrepreneur and businesswoman has propelled her into the spotlight as an inspiration to both Emirati and expat women. In addition to her own Sara Al Madani fashion design company, she’s founded and directed a number of businesses, including Social Fish, a marketing, branding and social media consultancy, and Proposal Cupid, an events company specialising in proposals, engagements and weddings. A believer of the importance of being an active member of the community, inspiring the younger generation and continuously sharing knowledge, experience and information, Dr Al Madani is an accomplished speaker having participated in over 200 engagements, including frequent fireside talks at universities, colleges, and institutes. She aims to inspire women in the UAE to be more active and self confident in order to achieve success. A pioneer in tech, she is also known to create immersive content for businesses. With a long list of awards and achievements including illustrious titles like the Entrepreneur of the Year, GCC Inspiring Women Leaders and Ecosystem Influencer of the Year awards, the fiercely determined and passionate Dr Al Madani has been setting new standards and continues to champion women, in the UAE and beyond.

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As CEO of multiple and varied companies, how does the changing face of UAE make you feel? It makes me proud that I belong to a country that has a vision, and that my aspirations and defined objectives are safe. This country is a believer, an upholder, and offers the support system and everything that I need to grow as a visionary and leader.

What advancements do you wish to see in the next few years? What I would love to see are more women in different sectors that are predominantly regarded as male territory, and more women on board seats within finance, in both public and private sectors. I want to see the UAE grow towards the vision it’s building and leave an imprint around the world. When our country does that, we are all part of that movement.

Can you define the significance of women entrepreneurs as contributors to the UAE economy? Women in the past five to six years have been making great strides. Come to think of it, 70% of university graduates are women and 80% of graduates with the highest grades are women. Imagine all that force was sleeping within the economy, and now imagine that force being active in the economy! The difference is huge, and there is not an iota of doubt that women have had a hand in where the country stands today.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has

been your greatest learning? DON’T SETTLE. We live only once, so never settle. Learn from your mistakes, and do mistakes because that is how one learns. But, never settle. You have one shot at this life; don’t let it go waste by settling

What is the one skill that you want to learn now that it is absolutely essential to adapt to the ‘new normal’? The one skill I want to learn is to live my life on Zoom! I love meeting people. During the pandemic that hasn’t been so easy anymore, and even if we do there are so many precautions that we need to keep in mind. So, we have to learn and adapt to this new lifestyle; I don’t think we will ever return to our earlier life. Corona has changed it all.

How do you celebrate the National Day? I celebrate it with my family and friends, doing the whole traditional thing.

On the occasion of the 49th National Day, what is your special message to your country men and women, and to all the fellow residents who have made Dubai their home? The UAE is the land of dreams. So, for everyone living here— expats, locals, male, female, whoever and whatever you are— remember, this is your home and this is where your dreams are going to come true. This is where you can be what you want to be. This is where tolerance and love take place, and vision takes shape. So, you made the right choice by making the UAE your home.

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COVER STORY

Chef Musabbeh Al Kaabi

he first Emirati chef ever, Musabbeh Al Kaabi is the captain of the UAE culinary team. He was also the winner at the Dubai World Hospitality Championship Gold Award in 2014 (second season) that saw participation from 12 Arab countries. Musabbeh entered the culinary scene around 18 years ago after having served in the UAE military for seven years. Kaabi had always loved cooking (mostly inspired by his mother) and thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent in his kitchen. When he turned chef, it was not common for Emiratis to work in the kitchen. That did not deter him, and he continued pursuing his passion and after multiple interviews, proudly joined the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in 2006. Since his foray into the field, he has participated in many culinary programs and frequently upgraded his skills from the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management and throughout his career with the Jumeirah Group. A distinguished member with the Emirates Culinary Guild, Chef Musabbeh has received one gold medal, two silvers and one bronze from the Guild for his exemplary work. Besides, he has also been selected as a juror for many culinary competitions such as Gulf Food-Dubai, DE Sial-Abu Dhabi, and East Coast Culinaire-Fujairah, amongst many others. Chef Musabbeh is also well known for his Ramadan cooking shows on Kuwaiti TV channel Al Rai TV and Sharjah TV. He continues to present various TV food shows and cooking demonstrations across the region, including the UAE culinary programmes to audiences in the USA, on behalf of the Jumeirah Group, where he is now the Executive Oriental Chef at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

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The changing face of the UAE in the culinary field—how does that make you feel? I am incredibly proud of all the famous chefs, who have contributed to promoting Emirati cuisine not only in the region but to the world at large. Being part of the Dubai culinary scene for many years now has been an absolute honor and privilege.

What changes do you wish to see in the next few years? I wish to see Emirati cuisine being promoted and celebrated in all parts of the world—even more than what it is today.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has been your most significant learning? The past few months have taught me that it’s important to always innovate and look ahead in life. We must keep looking for opportunities around us, and utilize our talents to enhance the experience for our guests.

A hotel kitchen is all about expert skills and the right attitude. How can one apply this to daily life? The trade teaches you to plan and organize everything ahead of time, and also to keep your calm and stay focused as things

can become challenging at times. These skills are quintessential for staying ahead in life too.

What has been your greatest reward as an Emirati chef? I’ve been extremely fortunate to witness the evolution of Emirati cuisine and take in its successful progression over the past 20 years. This in itself is a great reward.

How do you celebrate National Day? Every year, at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, we put on a grand show for all the UAE nationals & residents as we celebrate this auspicious occasion, with live cultural performances, live cooking stations and exclusive offers with up to 49% savings, where we together celebrate the spirit of the nation.

On the occasion of the 49th National Day, what is your special message to your countrymen and women, and to all the fellow residents who have made Dubai their home? I want to invite all my fellow residents and nationals to observe and celebrate this milestone with their loved ones. We live in the best country in the world, and we are fortunate enough to have the best hospitality experiences that this world has to offer.

COVER STORY

Mona AlHebsi

n award-winning Emirati leader, accomplished hotelier, seasoned HR professional, author and success coach, Mona AlHebsi is a recognized name in the UAE hospitality industry. She began her professional stint in 2005 with the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel—a defiant step for an Emirati woman, given the perceived societal reservations about the industry. The experience opened her up to a world of glamour, endless discoveries, and extraordinary challenges, which made her a reckoning force in the MENA region and an inspiring success story to many of her peers. Despite achieving incredible results, there came a point in her life where she felt an emptiness inside. Observing a similar pattern with many of her friends and colleagues, she began looking for ways that would make her work more rewarding personally and impactful for her community too. The answer came at a reflective moment when she realized that her happiest and most fulfilling moments were when she decided to be more courageous and take total responsibility for the results she achieved and the decisions she made. It also led her to realize that the more formidable the decisions she took, the more rewarding were the outcomes. The effect on others was more profound too. Mona had found her mantra in life—the more odds you beat, the greater will be your feat! Beat The Odds is her enlightening and inspiring guide where she shares her tried and tested secrets to achieving personal and professional excellence in the face of the most daunting conditions. With several internationally accredited qualifications, Mona has spoken on different forums and has appeared on many media channels. She strongly believes that there is much more she is meant to achieve and, therefore, continually looks for fresh ways to expand her horizons. With the right tools and guiding principles that enabled her to turn the table around and change her reality, she hopes she can help others beat the odds.

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The changing face of the hospitality industry over the past years—how does that make you feel? The change has come with a profound message for all the professionals in this field: change, or you will be changed. It now depends on the individual’s mindset and propensity to transform and be more open to trying new ways to delight colleagues and customers. We need to start appreciating the new opportunities that come our way, and reignite our creative and human side of running the hospitality business. Only then will we be able to stay sustainable in the face of challenges.

What changes do you wish to see in the coming years? I would like to see more people think innovatively and reconnect with their human element to provide more authentic service to all stakeholders. I realized very early in my life that we can connect with others no matter how diverse we are, if we talk more about our similarities rather than our differences. Others become willing to listen and buy in, and the result is a win-win outcome for all. I’d like to see a balanced approach in the hospitality industry between people and profit. Unfortunately, a lot of business owners don’t know how to balance these and mostly focus on short-term gains, which harms their businesses and reputation in the long run. They tend to forget that ‘people’ are the essence of any business, and without them there is no business. Finally, I’d like to see more

Emiratis as movers and shakers of the industry. We will not get very far if we hire locals for entrylevel positions and then keep them there without both tangible and intangible perks and proper development plans for them to grow and succeed. We need to run campaigns about the existing Emiratis in the industry and the opportunities available for their peers.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has been your most significant learning? The past few months have taught me to know my priorities in life, and have the courage to make the right choices at the right time. It is always important to re-evaluate your current situation and ask yourself whether it’s relevant to your current needs and aspirations or not. It’s all about being adaptable but not losing sight of the bigger picture and staying hopeful that tomorrow will be better for those who have the right intentions and continue doing the right things in all circumstances.

What is the one skill that you want to learn now that it’s essential to adapt to the ‘new normal’? I would like to have more patience, be more relaxed and peaceful about the things I can’t change because a lot of things in life will ease up/happen with a matter of time.

What has been your greatest reward as a hotelier? The ability to experience so many

different stimuli in the form of new opportunities, experiences, people, places and feelings. The life of a hotelier is one of its kind, and you never know what’s going to happen in the next minute in your day or who are you going to meet or where you will be in a matter of a few hours. It’s a lot of glamour and excitement, and this lifestyle is very appealing and addictive to those who have already tried it.

How do you celebrate National Day? I love to showcase the Emirati culture in the form of a big celebration if I’m at work. When at home, all family members gather and spend quality time watching nationwide celebrations on TV, inflating UAE colours balloons and decorating the home. We also enjoy the delicious traditional food like harees, thareed and lugaimat cooked by my lovely mother.

On the occasion of the 49th National Day, what is your special message to your countrymen and women, and to all the fellow residents who have made Dubai their home? Let’s come together to create a better tomorrow. We can do that by extending respect and affection towards each other, by realizing that we are all unique and yet connected somehow as part of one great entity. Let’s stay true to ourselves but also respect and celebrate each other’s uniqueness, special gifts and contributions. Let’s continue to build this beautiful land of UAE that we all love and admire. 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

Brigadier Dr Ali Mohammed Hussain Singel

erving as the Brigadier and General Health Advisor at the Dubai Police Health Centre, Dr Singel is known for his noteworthy contribution and has been highly awarded in recognition of his efforts in the police force. Brigadier Dr Ali Mohammed Hussain Singel completed his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Dermatology from the University of Wales, and then went on to graduate as an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) from the University of Wales, U.K. A Harvard Fellow, he is registered at the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Upon his return, he joined the Dubai Police Health Centre as consultant dermatologist in March 2003. He soon took over as Director of the Centre, a role that he successfully managed for 13 years. During this tenure, he oversaw the Health Centre that provides medical service to police employees, family members of the employees and detainees, and the several clinics within its premises. His contribution fetched him the title of the Best Departmental Director in 2010. In his current role as General Health Advisor – Dubai Police, Dr Singel has been part of many medical panels in the UAE that determine and formulate the National Health Care Policy. He is regularly involved in organizing various medical conferences, seminars, workshops for primary and secondary healthcare. He has also been actively involved in managing effectively the COVID crisis that swept the country and helping the Emirate spring swiftly back into action. Donning multiple hats, besides that of a consultant dermatologist and a laser skin specialist, Dr Singel is a television presenter too. From 2005 to 2013, he hosted a medical show ‘VITAMINS’, on Dubai Television. Several other shows came by, and so far, he has collectively presented over 500 episodes over a span of 15 years. One of his proudest moments was in 2009, when he was honoured by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,

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Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai for Outstanding Performance. He was also awarded by Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior, for being an Outstanding Officer and for General Performance. He has also been recognised for his active participation in highlighting children’s right and their protection and awarded by UNICEF in July 2010.

cultures and people living here.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has been your most significant learning?

The changing face of UAE over the years—how does that make you feel?

The past few months have brought a sense of appreciation for what I have and where I live. It has taught us that living together is meaningful, and one must learn from the past to build a better future. It has made us aware of the importance of dealing with the now, the present moment.

I feel thrilled about my country’s astounding achievements over the years. It evokes in me a sense of loyalty and pride that we belong to this land that is our home.

What is the one skill that you want to learn, now that it’s essential to adapt to the ‘new normal’?

What advancements do you wish to see in the coming future?

Learn more about virtual life and the virtual way of working. It is absolutely essential now—either you upgrade or you miss out.

Our government is doing very well in keeping up and adapting to global changes. Lately, we saw how scrupulously they coped with the pandemic by introducing all updated technologies in different fields in a very systemized way. The UAE, no doubt, is an advanced country; my wish is to see it lead the way in various areas such as economy, science, sports, etc.

Healthcare, media, law and order—what’s unique about these spheres in the UAE? The UAE is a relatively safe country with a well-established law and order in place. We are quite advanced in terms of healthcare and available facilities. Our media is flexible and varied to suit all

How do you celebrate National Day? We remember our founding fathers Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashed and their momentous decision to unite the different Emirates as one. Our families and friends gather and cook traditional food to express our joy.

On the occasion of the 49th National Day, what is your special message to your countrymen & women, and to all the fellow residents who have made Dubai their home? This land is a gift from God. Let’s continue building it up and keeping it safe, with good intentions. Let’s always stick together as one big, happy family.

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COVER STORY

Sharihan Al Mashary

harihan has been a seasoned hotelier for over 13 years (Culinary, F&B Operations, Commercial, Revenue & Finance), and holds the distinction of being the first female Emirati General Manager the UAE has seen. Beginning her career at the 7-star Burj Al Arab and the Madinat Jumeirah, she grew through the ranks with the pre-opening of two luxury properties—Palazzo Versace Dubai and Address Boulevard. Being a top performer with top-notch merits to her belt, she was appointed as General Manager at the Emaar Hospitality Group. In her role as a GM, she retained a strong focus on quality and guest satisfaction. She also initiated new commercial and market segment strategy; developed a tactical culinary/F&B direction; and built teams of potent calibres within their roles for an effective and efficient lean operation. Her unbeaten and consistent track record of operational strength, performance excellence, financial & commercial acumen, and people development got her promoted yet again—this time as Cluster General Manager for Manzil Downtown and Vida Downtown in 2020. During her tenure, Sharihan has won several awards as ‘Best General Manager for the UAE and the Continent’, along with several awards for the hotel and its food & beverage outlets. She has played an instrumental role in developing Emirati nationals in hospitality, gender and pay equality initiatives, and her training and support for the UAE National Youth in EmiratesSkills (ACTVET) and WorldSkills International, which has also won her ‘The Young Arab Leader Award for Hospitality Impact’. Sharihan has represented the UAE and her country as the appointed young leader for UAE for the Asia Society for ‘Asia 21 Young Leaders Class 2019-2020’, where each year the young visionary leaders meet and take on some of the toughest and most meaningful challenges in the world. They collaboratively re-imagine and re-shape the relationship between Asia and the rest of the world. One of her more recent wins has been the Emirates Woman Achiever Award. She also presents in the Sustainable Development Solutions Youth Network (SDSN

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Youth), an initiative by the United Nations to empower youth globally to create sustainable development solutions. She was also felicitated with The David Rockerfeller Bridging Leadership Award for her commitment towards the Goal 8 and 8.7 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as one of the founding members of Global Sustainability Network (GSN). Sharihan remains deeply committed to train the UAE national team in Hospitality for WorldSkills and EmiratesSkills competitions. It’s a role in which she provides vocational and technical education to help participants excel.

hospitality industry.

Young Arab leaders taking charge of new initiatives and their implementation—how has it made a difference to the UAE as a nation?

What has been your greatest reward as a hotelier?

Being awarded with the honour of ‘Young Arab Leader Award for Hospitality Impact’ was a tremendous achievement, one I didn’t expect. I’ve dedicated my life to my country and my industry. As a leader, young—or young at heart—learning never stops nor does the responsibility of positively impacting people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership (of course in a business world, profits are vital; yet building a sustainable eco-system is a tool towards a successful, prosperous model). My late father always believed that no matter what field or career my siblings and I pursued, it must serve a purpose for humanity and one’s community. He believed that it is very important to always be a selfless, fair and responsible leader. I am deeply interested in the future of the UAE youth and, as a hotelier, in the career path of the next generation that enters the

What changes do you wish to see in the next few years? An accelerated hospitality plan to impact the 2030 Agenda, especially in economic growth, education and employment for the UAE’s national youth. We are one of the most connected nations, geographically and also holistically. Being a young change-maker and leading expert, I’ve actively advocated discussions that fortify collaborative global movements in sustainable development and to further its implementation on a national, regional, and international scales.

The ability to influence positive change in an old system; shift and modernise the ‘traditional management style’ to make it more agile, empathetic and pragmatic; advocate for ethics and values and the SDGs; write and develop youth programmes and national traineeships in hospitality; focus and advocate for equal-gender opportunity and pay; support and train the UAE national team for EmiratesSkills and WorldSkills international competitions; mentor and advocate for hospitality education and future career paths.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has been your most significant learning? Life has changed for everyone this year; for some, it has changed significantly, and for others, it has been more a change of perspectives. I dare say that this year was not a learning class; instead, a school of thoughts that’s been learnt. To some, the pandemic has

The ‘new normal’ has been only waiting for the right time to emerge; it is inevitable. I am picking up Machine Learning and embracing a deeper appreciation for technology and the digital spectrum. I’ve always believed that in being a specialist, one must acquire the talent and skills of being a generalist, and we see exactly that happening in many industries. The more we diversify our skills, experiences and talents, the more we can contribute. This has been one of my successes as a young strong hotelier.

How do you celebrate National Day? We celebrate our beloved country’s national day through a celebration of our heritage, which includes enjoying the traditional clothing, food and music; getting together with family and friends, neighbours and community; decorating our homes and cars with the UAE flag and showing our respect to our country’s leaders and founding father. This year, we celebrate 49 years of unity, spirit, resilience, hope, prosperity and deeply rooted traditions and legacy. There is no country in the world like the United Arab Emirates. It’s very special. We are a patriotic nation with insatiable dedication.

On the occasion of the 49th National Day, what is your special message to your countrymen and women, and to all the fellow residents who have made Dubai their home

been a theory, but the majority of industries experienced turbulence that impacted people, planet and prosperity. World leaders and industry leaders gathered to work together for a shared global goal. Never before in a time of complete social and physical disconnection, have we been ever so connected as countries and

sectors. It is the power of partnerships and intergenerational relationships to become all-inclusive and creative, and to protect and thrive in an eco-system.

What is the one skill that you want to learn now that it’s essential to adapt to the ‘new normal’?

This is the only country, where across all the seven emirates, residents, tourists and citizens feel as one. Everyone who went to school here proudly sings the UAE national anthem; it is our home and theirs. So, to all Emiratis and to everyone who lives, visits, resides and identifies with the UAE as their home, a Happy UAE National Day! I am blessed and proud to be an Emirati. There is no sand as precious as the sands of my land. 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

Dr. Eng. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Ali

ith a burning desire to be a useful resource to his country, Dr Eng. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Ali felt guided to choose a purposeful educational journey and a career path beginning as early as age 15, when he joined Etisalat Training School alongside pursuing BTEC in Software Engineering. On completing his course from the Etisalat Training School, he was selected for the Planning Department of Etisalat and continued to be resourceful in the department with client database requirement added to his job portfolio. Growing his career within the company for 21 long, fruitful years he managed the infrastructural network of Northern Emirates, also applying his skills as a cartographer for base maps and Etisalat Underground Infrastructure Network. The experience was a remarkable learning for him into the Geographic Information System (GIS) in localizing the framework network points throughout the country. These years also saw Dr Eng. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Ali pursue his Bachelors’ and Masters’ in Business Administration from the Skyline University College, Sharjah, following which he took up a key position with the Dubai government. During this tenure, he gained a PhD in Knowledge Transfer to help develop human capital for the country. Deeply passionate about learning and exploring new avenues of education, his lifelong foresight has manifested itself as the Smart Inspiration UAE Training Centre that was opened in November 2019.

The changing face of the UAE over the years—how has it shaped you? Having excellent leadership, along with gracious welfare for the citizens of the United Arab Emirates, we feel very blessed to be born here. The country’s leaders as directed by the vision of the founding father of the UAE, late HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, have worked on governance, which takes care of funding homes, education and even marriages for the UAE nationals. Our people, both men and women, have

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learned to study and make the nation proud through their innovative and progressive thinking. Our leaders are building a nation that offers the best to its people even as it remains globally conscious.

What advancements do you wish to see in the coming years? I would like people to know that they are born for a purpose, and it is important to live that purpose with zeal. Secondly, education is our mainstay now. Also, there are growing employment opportunities for both women and men, thus paving the way for happier homes, peaceful societies and communities. I would like to see more inroads into the reach of education and utilization of new knowledge towards sustainable living.

‘Knowledge Transfer of Human Capital’—what does it imply and what is its significance for the nation and its people? Knowledge is a treasure; it’s a combination of experience and attitude. I am continually endeavouring to spread knowledge as widely as possible—not contracted into different versions, but new knowledge. Mashallah, we have lots of innovations around the world and in the UAE itself. Every person must have access to knowledge without any barriers. New knowledge is what I seek daily. I am exploring more about innate intelligence, the analysis of genetic behaviour and how rewiring of the brain with thought management can change a person, despite his genetic influence. I love to discover and learn more on neuroscience, so that I can impart the knowledge to commu-

nities and people around me.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has been your most significant learning? I have noticed a new thirst for self-development among all people—a realization everyone has become sensitive to during COVID-19. I too have embarked on acquiring intuitive and creative sensibilities with innate intelligence at SMART INSPIRATION UAE TRAINING, which is my dream learning centre. I have also noticed that enrollment at the centre has grown during the past few months.

What is the one skill that you want to learn now that it’s essential to adapt to the ‘new normal’? I am very attracted to learning brain science, and I shall soon embark on this study.

How do you celebrate National Day? This year celebration of UAE National Day is very different as we are focusing on staying healthy first due to COVID-19. Nevertheless, it is a great time to introspect on the leadership’s goodness towards its people. I respect the them for building a safe and secure community.

On the occasion of the 49th National Day, what is your special message to your countrymen and women, and to all the fellow residents who have made UAE their home? I want to advise citizens and residents to be conscious of our leaders who are taking care of the nation with much care. I’d say, trust the leaders with their decisions.

COVER STORY

Maya AlHawary

aya Alhawary is known to be the first ever Emirati woman to become a principal of a school in the MENA Region. She recalls that the great opportunity came when His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak asked for a female principal to run his school, which was also one of the first schools belonging to the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai. This new school features a blended learning environment, the first of its kind in the UAE. Alhawary managed it for two years, following which in 2012 she was appointed as principal and acting director of Dubai Women’s College High School. In a decade, she has come a long way; from being a vice-principal at the Dubai Carmel School, she is now chairperson of the Board. An accomplished Tedx speaker, she is also the first PhD scholar in the UAE to research on emotional intelligence (EI) and its effects on leadership. Her own battle with depression led her to delve deeper into EI. She was also named Knowledge Ambassador to the UAE Red Crescent in 2017, where she was a volunteer lecturer. Besides being the Director of Planning, she is also a consultant on education and operations (something that she dabbles into part-time). Her passion, though, lies in the training arena, especially in soft skills like positivity, happiness, tolerance, emotional intelligence and communication. In 2019, Alhawary’s social media page was counted among the 50 influential. She has authored a book “‫( ”أسرار التجديد في زمن الكوفيد‬Renewal Secrets In The Time of COVID), which was showcased at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2020. She has trained several government employees around the Emirates in the past two years, and was also appointed Tolerance Knight under HH Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humeid AlNuaimi in 2019. Her contribution in the education and community service space has fetched her coveted titles like the Life Achievement Award by HH Sheikh Ahmad bin Faisal AlQassimi in October 2020 and 2020 Ambassador of Community Service in MENA.

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The changing face of the UAE over the years—how has it shaped you? The United Arab Emirates provides such an excellent platform for individuals to grow. Women, especially, have a voice here—we aren’t put down. We are given the opportunity to access education and to thrive in every field. We are encouraged to be innovative and creative, and to follow the footsteps and the path of our leaders and their successors. As the UAE progressed, my field became more relevant— especially with COVID when mental health issues, emotional intelligence, self-awareness and social awareness have turned so crucial. I’ve noticed that people want genuine people to speak up and tell their stories, and that has pushed me to thrive even more and not shy away.

What advancements do you wish to see in the coming years? In alignment to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Rashed Al Maktoum’s vision for the next 50 years, emotional intelligence needs to be focused on in every corner that we can think of. People have also realized that the healthier your mental health, the more you can give towards your family, your profession and your country. I wish to see high-level leaders of the government and staff members of all private and public sectors to gain more awareness and learn how to apply emotional intelligence. It needs to be used as a key performance indicator to see how effective people are in their work.

As a recipient of the Life Achievement Award, which part

of your journey has been the closest to your heart, and why? Every part of my journey is precious, and each came out of a struggle—even my book. Being documented worldwide is an accomplishment, something that I’m really proud of. Long back, I was shot down for going against the ‘norms’ of the family. All I was doing was putting forward my ideas that I knew will help others as it helped me create a purpose in life. It cost me dearly, because not a lot of people can understand a woman’s passion and desire to thrive. Being a strong woman doesn’t mean you are rude, or that you will overtake and override. Women have equal rights as men to raise their voices. Every talk I gave, everyone I spoke to, or gave advice to or consulted with has been a beautiful part of this journey.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has been your most significant learning? My first learning is that nothing is handed to you. You alone are responsible for pulling yourself out of the gutter. If you have depression, you have to resolve it; if you have anxiety, you have to deal with it; if you do not have enough money, you have to find a way to earn it. Nobody is going to help you, because honestly everybody is engulfed by their own problems. The other lesson is that you can’t be selfish. Even if you are stuck in your hole, you should offer a helping hand to those who need it. That’s what spirituality as well as emotional intelligence is all about. My third lesson is that you get what you give. I love energy, I love the Universe and Allah. Different

same anymore.

How do you celebrate National Day? I love celebrating the national day with my family and country. As thinkers, activists, and influencers, we want to show the spirit of the union through our work and our lives. When you devote your life to the people and open up to them, you show them ways to adapt to the new norms. When you are a role model, that is the spirit you need to offer. If you are true to who you are, your values and your country, the truth will come right back at you. And with truth comes happiness.

On the occasion of the 49th National Day, what is your special message to your countrymen and women, and to all the fellow residents who have made the UAE their home?

religions have different names for this superpower, and we have to believe in it because that’s our hope in this world.

What is the one skill that you want to learn now that it’s essential to adapt to the ‘new

normal’? One needs to learn to adapt to change. Adapting is the new norm now. It’s going to let loose from here in terms of technology, innovation, creativity, professions, change in mindsets, etc. Inevitably, things are not going to be the

Love one another; love is the glue that will keep you intact. Opinions and experiences may differ, circumstances and people change, but when there is love, it changes the whole dynamic. Children are the seeds of every nation, but adults are the water and the sun and the soil. So please be aware of what you do, what you say, how you say it and how you love them. Their mental health depends on your mental health. Only if you are aware of your emotions and sought self-control, will you feel motivated to go to work every day and feel encouraged through life. When you have that awareness towards society, it is only then that you’ll be able to live a peaceful life. Even the turmoil that you pass through will help you understand that things don’t happen to you, they happen through you. 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

Adel Al Awadhi

ounder and Executive Chairman of The Corporate Group (TCG), Adel Al Awadhi is a towering man with over 20 years of business development expertise spanning different sectors such as infrastructure, energy, transport, health, training and education, BPO, ICT, aviation, and facilities management. Extremely adept at bidding, acquisitions, JVs & partnerships and strategies, developing national human capital and business growth, his role requires him to manage and advise all the subsidiaries under TCG as well as develop businesses across the MENA region. A graduate of marketing and international business from the Colorado State University, USA, and an MBA in International Business from the American University, Dubai, he has also completed the Mohammed Bin Rashid Leadership Program, besides an Executive Development Program from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Switzerland. Adel has worked as a marketing manager for JAFZA attracting foreign investments across different sectors and regions, playing a significant role in the new JAFZA and its subsidiaries’ branding and communication, internally and externally. He has also worked with Serco, a British-listed Company, as marketing and communication director, leading the team on strategy, communication, and execution. He has also guided RTA in branding and launching the Dubai Metro, and managed marketing and communication for the public transport under RTA. Functioning closely with governments in nationalization programs for developing the human capital of UAE and Saudi nationals in the transportation sector, his notable contribution in the arena of public transport in the GCC region include bidding and tendering for Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public transport consultancy, marine, cycling, Saudi Railway, Qatar Rail, Jeddah Metro, Makka Metro, Bahrain public transport, besides a few other transport-related opportunities. He presently holds prominent positions within these organizational bodies: • Executive committee member for British

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Business Group (BBG) as Government Relations Director • President of GCC alumni for IMD Business School • Board member of Smart Life Foundation, a voluntary non-profit organization helping blue-collared workers • Non-executive board member for Back to Business UK, bringing together the international business community to promote trade and investment In 2015, Adel re-branded The Corporate Group and its subsidiaries and introduced the Superbrands Award. TCG is now a member of Dubai SME and strategic partner with Dubai FDI and DED in attracting foreign investment and advising companies for market entry globally.

The changing face of the UAE— how does that make you feel? The UAE has a vision to change from a country reliant on oil economy to service, technology, and trading. Being connected to a world population of one billion with just three hours of flying time and with more than two billion with a 5-hour flight connectivity makes it all so much easier. I am proud to be an Emirati under the leadership of our government, thriving to be number one and continuing to put the name of the UAE on the global map to be recognized as a safe, secure, transparent, and happy place to live in. We are a new country ready to take on bigger visions and newer challenges. We want to share our success stories with the world, and learn more and more from others.

What changes do you wish to see in the next few years? I look forward to seeing a stronger UAE identity internationally.

We have learned from our leaders to always represent the UAE as a brand (we are all Zayed sons). We are looking forward to changes that bring knowledge and enrich our expertise, focusing on renewable energy, sustainability, innovation, technology, well-being, and advancement in healthcare, education, and science to build a world-class smart city.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has been your most significant learning? First, I thank Allah (God) every day for blessing us with health, security, and many other things that we do not appreciate on a daily basis. As time passes and an incident occurs, we as humans start reflecting upon it. The government programs and the community were incredibly supportive in dealing with the pandemic. We have learned that we can do business in other markets, make things more efficient, and still enjoy life with limited resources and movements. We know that we can always do better with planning and managing our time in a better way (working, well-being, family time, business, socializing, and many more).

What is the one skill that you want to learn now that is essential to adapt to the ‘new normal’? Transformation and digitalization processes make work more efficient, cost-effective, reachable, and reduce errors. This is what we need to upgrade ourselves with.

The Corporate Group and its subsidiaries have been doing

Day? Is there anything special that you do? 2020 will be a special year, now that we are compelled to celebrate in a different way. Nevertheless, we are excited to be around our families, relatives, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and business partners. We will celebrate not only with Emiratis but also with all residents of the UAE and our friends/partners globally. We are the only country in the world with more than 200 nationalities and representing many religions.

On the 49th National Day occasion, what is your special message to your countrymen and women, and all the fellow residents who have made Dubai their home?

great work for the past 11+ years. What has been its contribution to the nation? We are an SME company; the founders and shareholders have an obligation and are keen to give back our experience and knowledge to the community and the country. We, therefore, have a strong belief in corporate social responsibility, and are proud to receive CSR awards from bodies like Dubai Chamber for the past three years and being on the top

in the list of 100 best SMEs in Dubai for the past four years. The group has offered several internship opportunities and recruited more than 80 students for training in corporate environments. We mentor and coach entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs, and have recently launched webinars on knowledge-sharing programs for UAE locals, residents, and international corporates.

How do you celebrate the National

We are proud of what our leaders have planted and built over the past four decades for us UAE citizens and the residents of more than 200 nationalities living here. As the founder of the Emirates, HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, said, “This land is for everyone. People are most welcome to live and work here.” We are grateful to our leaders for their vision to make this country known on the global world map as a peaceful, safe, and tolerant country. We need to thrive and work on the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, to make this country a world leader in different sectors and areas. We have a challenging journey ahead to reach and maintain this status. We look forward to celebrating the 50th golden jubilee next year for the UAE, and to see the world in better shape and an exciting one after the global pandemic of 2020. We have learned many things that made us challenge ourselves to see a different future. We are ready for the change. May Allah bless us all. 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

Amna Al Qubaisi

acing her way to victory, Al Qubaisi has been competing in motor-sport, a male-dominated arena, since the age of 13 and has proved her mettle, time and again. The 20-year-old Sorbonne University student took on karting nationally and then moved internationally, competing in world championships over three times. Her last F4 Race in November 2019 was the latest milestone in her burgeoning motor-racing career wherein she became the first Emirati female driver to win in F4. Another highpoint of Al Qubaisi’s career was at Euro X30 in Wackersdorf, Germany, when she managed to secure the 5th position against 50 drivers. The young icon of Arab motor-sport began her F4 debut with Prema Power Team in 2018 at the F4 Italian Championship with a 12th position top finish. Her main sponsors are Kaspersky Lab, Abu Dhabi Racing, Renoir Consulting, and Omeir Travel Agency. To be sure, she is no stranger to breaking new grounds in motor-sports. Al Qubaisi, who has kept the country’s flag flying high as she powered her way to victory in F4UAE’s first race in the Trophy Round, has now set sight on her F3 debut with new sponsors onboard, even as she currently focuses on her studies.

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How has the UAE supported and shaped you to follow your racing dreams? My country and the people of my country have shown me immense love and support, even though racing has always been considered a male-dominated career. Many locals have been commenting on my posts, sharing them, and writing to me. The UAE has empowered many women in many different sectors—not just in sports—and I am grateful for the liberal-mindedness that our leaders have shown.

Do you see the significance accorded to sportswomen as a representation to the changing face of the UAE? Sports has always been a field that not many Emirati women— or men for that matter—have ventured in. It will be great to see us bag some laurels in this arena. I am happy that I am among the first ones leading this space.

Could you elaborate on the progressive changes you wish

to see in the coming years? I would like to see more locals playing and participating in all kinds of sports, not just a chosen few. When we can do well in other fields and make a name for ourselves worldwide, we can certainly do well in sports too.

How do you celebrate National Day? I spend National Day with my family. In my university days, my friends and I would paint the UAE flag on our cheeks, apply henna, and wear our traditional clothing. We would also return to traditional practices such as riding camels, sewing, and making traditional foods.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has been your most significant learning? Not being a calm person, earlier I used to get impatient with everything that I had to deal with. Through these tough times, I have had the chance to focus on myself and learn the virtue of being patient.

What is the one skill that you want to learn now that is essential to adapt to the ‘new normal’? There’s so much to learn… so much that I haven’t even thought about. However, so far, I’ve been doing pretty well with things and I’m happy with myself.

What would be your special message to the youth of the UAE? My special message to the youth of the UAE and the world would be to persist and not give up. I know it sounds cliched, but it’s a necessity. There have been a few times when I’ve come close to almost giving up, but if I had then I wouldn’t be where I am today. So always persist to the pinnacle of your goals and don’t stop there; keep on going, make some new goals, and keep challenging yourself. 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

COVER STORY

Yousif Al Sahlawi

ousif Hussain Al Sahlawi, the founder of Al Sahlawi & Co Advocates & Consultants (established in 1997), avoids the spotlight and would rather have his work take centrestage. As a passionate advocate, Al Sahlawi has tailored the organization and its services in ways that align with the needs of his clients; his main goal is to exceed expectations always. He was the former public prosecutor for the Ministry of Justice from 1988 to 1997. Thereafter, he was Executive Director of Dubai Customs for a decade. The experience helped him to pioneer and specialize in custom procedures and technical affairs relating to import, export, re-export, transit, customs warehouses, free zones and other customs formalities and requirements, and resolve all legal issues arising in these areas. An avid football fan, he has also been part of the UAE football team, and currently heads the Federation of UAE Football Association. His organization being around since the beginning of the professional sports era in the UAE, a special division of sports litigators from his team have assisted and debated in the drawing up of the rules and legislations that govern professional sports in the country, and have contributed majorly in drafting the constitution of the UAE Football Association. As an active member of PRAE LEGAL, a global network of international prestigious law firms widespread throughout the world, the organization led by Al Sahlawi has developed a successful global network of expertise to meet the demands of modern commerce. Commercial awareness and strong business acumen are key strengths of his team of legal experts. With over two decades of litigation experience, AL SAHLAWI & CO can provide focused, efficient, and an appropriate legal solution to a range of litigation cases in the most cost-effective way. His company’s performance and work ethics are soundly based on the potent combination of local expertise, coupled with international standards and ethics in supporting institutions achieve their business goals and aspirations.

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The changing face of the UAE over the years—how does that make you feel? The UAE, with the presence of a young and wise leadership, was able to take significant steps in all fields, whether economic, social, security or political. The UAE leads the region’s countries in the volume of non-oil trade, which is a fundamental pillar of the state’s economy. Distinctly unique, the UAE has provided a fertile environment for innovation, development, and prosperity in areas such as infrastructure, education, health, urban development, etc., and not limited to these. The ambitions of the UAE have no limits. Its distinguishing factor is its young leadership that is open to the world and seeks to make it an exceptional country.

What advancements or changes do you wish to see in the next few years? I hope that the country and the state are able to make strides of development with more attention to detail in all the fields and industries. I believe that we will reach the day when the state can depend on itself, especially in all the vital sectors essential to a country’s development.

How advantageous is the UAE as compared to the rest of the world in matters of legal

importance? The UAE has always been keen to respect the provisions of the judiciary without interfering with its competencies and rulings. It is distinguished by the existence of laws that regulate various areas of life. Most importantly, the UAE is adaptable, and there is a rapid response to any changes that may arise if there is any need to issue a law or amend an existing one. The UAE was and is still keen to respect and implement law regardless of its parties, so individuals, institutions and companies have complete confidence in the UAE’s judiciary and the governing laws.

Life has changed for many in the past few months. What has been your most significant learning? Life during the pandemic has been impacted drastically as many concepts have changed. Traditional work methods have changed forever, keeping pace with the new work norms as per the requirements of the modern world. Also, speaking of the legislative structure of the UAE, look how well the state has managed to keep pace with the circumstances, and issued laws based on the current requirements that go hand in hand with a lot of craftsmanship and realism.

What is the one skill that you want to learn now that it’s essential to adapt to the ‘new normal’? The most important skills or qualities that one now needs are flexibility, realism, and acceptance of change. He who does not have these skills or qualities cannot cope with and coexist in the current circumstances.

How do you celebrate National Day? I usually celebrate it with my family or with the institution that I belong to, and I also visit some tourist spots in the country. I believe we must give this day its right to instil in our children the feeling that this day has a special significance, especially as it expresses belonging, loyalty and love for the homeland.

On the occasion of the 49th National Day, what is your special message to your countrymen and women, and to all the fellow residents who have made Dubai their home? The UAE is a state of tolerance irrespective of colour, race, and religion. It deserves to be loved, and the love must be tender and generous. We all need to contribute to its elevation, development and stability, regardless of whether we are citizens or expatriates. 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

the current wave:

Business Mentor, Trusted Advisor

Priscilla Khambatta

PRO TALK

s s e n i s u B l The Smal

Y C N E I L RESI KIT HERE IS SOME TACTICAL ADVICE ON BUILDING A ROCK-SOLID FOUNDATION OF YOUR BUSINESS TO CREATE RESILIENCY THAT WILL HELP YOU WEATHER ANY STORM

ou finally did it. You had an idea, a dream and finally, you decided to start your very own business. Everything seemed to be going great guns, and you had plans of expansion too, hiring more people, maybe even opening multiple branches. But then an unprecedented incident struck the world and you were thrown in disarray. Businesses face troubles every day. It could be a delayed order, or a customer complaint, and you may have even been able to predict and prevent such calamities. But, in the midst of a global pandemic, one can now see businessess shutting down everywhere. The rules of the game have completely changed. But, all is not lost! According to CNBC, the global economic outlook is beginning to look positive. As you know, the Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, Apple and Google have reported profits during a time when there was a massive economic downturn! You might be thinking that they are giant conglomerates, what could you as a small business possibly do? We are in an unprecedented time right now. We are not weak, and as humanity, we have immense power in our mind. I agree we have seen more in a year than we have seen in the past several years put together. How do you as a leader, manage your mindset and create momentum in your business is all that matters! Here’s your business resiliency kit, that will help you ride

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What to do in a cashflow crunch?

Well firstly, stop thinking of it as a “crunch”. Change to a positive mindset, probably listening to massive action audios every day. ✦ Dump your ‘Stinking Thinking’ - bills are mounting, sales are diminishing, customers are not paying, market is terrible…. ✦ Think of good cashflow thoughts - tremendous sales opportunities, payment terms, increased profit margins, return customers, investment opportunities, fast-moving stock. In other words, GET POSITIVE. Also, get into the ACTION mindset and take actions immediately. Lack of actions means you will start to WORRY, and WORRY breeds FEAR. This is what will keep you awake at night. Taking ACTION will improve your mindset. ✦ Focus on to become Income Heavy and not Expense Heavy in your business. If cashflow is CRITICAL, then ACT NOW. ✦ Prepare a plan of action: » Calculate Breakeven for business and salespeople » Reduce non-income generating expenses by 10% » Increase prices marginally » Review wages as % of sales » Increase conversion rate with the sales team, train them and create a system for the sales process » And most crucial is

Next, engage with your audience in a new conversation! Currently, the world is continuously barraged with Covid messages. We need to draw a sombre tone, mirror our messaging, and acknowledge the reality in our messaging in our advertising aligned to our goal and helping others buy professionally. Finally, be persistent. Newton’s Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So, there will be a comeback to the economy, and you want to make sure you’re at the forefront. Stay in the game, continue advertising. Be persistent.

ASK for HELP – From suppliers, teams, banks, customers, even friends! You never know where it could make a difference

Do you ‘WOW’ your customers?

This is a fast-paced day and age, and we need to recognise that our customers now have a greater choice - no longer can we rely on the fact that as long as our customers are satisfied with what we do, they will stay with us! It’s all about Delivery Mastery – How do you get your product or service to your customers, so they are loyal to you. Repeat business from your customers is possible in every business and not necessarily for the same product or service. A real good example is of Australian dentist Paddy Lund. His theory of ‘Critical Non-Essentials’ states that only giving more or better service is not enough. The WOW factor is engaged when you astound the client with a service that is tailored uniquely to them. This service would be so far-reaching that they not only say WOW to themselves but also go and tell everyone they know about it. As a doctor, Paddy’s attention to detail for his customers’ needs was unparalleled. He put TV’s on the ceiling, put ‘pain buzzers’ in patients’ hands to alert him when to stop, he began serving a selection of teas and freshly ground coffees and eventually started a silver tea service! He leveraged his WOW factor to such an extent that even to this day, people who were his patients 20 years ago still recommend him to others.

Are you missing out on the new world of communication – Digital Marketing?

To continue being resilient, we definitely need to reach out to more people. Here the focus is on audience expansion, not revenue maximisation. Focus on building your client list, expanding virtual audiences and getting your message out there! Don’t focus on your revenue component. It’s easier said than done, but remember that people are scarcity-minded and scared. Instead, with your newfound mindset, widen your reach with unique free content and continue to put out your offer that people will find hard to resist. Today, with the new tool of Digital Marketing, it has never been easier. For example, as of this month, Facebook ad costs are down by 40%. ‘Now’ would be the ideal time to build your budget and devise your strategy. The revenue will come!

Facebook ad costs are down by 40%. ‘Now’ would be the ideal time to build your budget and devise your strategy.

Does your team, your customers and supplier accept you as a leader?

Leadership stems from giving assurance. Create certainty in your mind, start strengthening it, take massive action and generate momentum. COMMUNICATE like crazy with your clients and your team. Show them the torch and lead from the front. Show competency not authority, by having a crisis plan, a cashflow plan, and a business plan stating clearly the process that everybody has to follow to overcome the problem. Communicate with empathy and measured authority and be a resilient leader.

How good are you at scaling up?

Building alliances and formalising relationships is a powerful route to growing your business, especially for small businesses. Alliance with businesses that have your database – Gym owners, Lawyers, Accountants etc. Partnering with them should serve dual gains and positive outcomes for both partners involved. This is the fastest way to grow your market share. Not only will this expand your market share, it will also help you develop a methodology of testing and measuring leading indicators in your business at regular intervals based on the climate of the market. All parties will find benefit through this process and will be eager to work with you. When faced with an overwhelming tide of problems that seem insurmountable; building a rock-solid foundation of your business to create resiliency is what will help you weather any storm. These few tips will help you develop your Business Resiliency Kit and allow you to rise above the competition and take your dream to new heights! ✪ PRISCILLA KHAMBATTA CAN BE REACHED AT priscillakhambatta@actioncoach.com 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

PRO TALK

Speaker, Strategist, Goal-Catalyst

Sabeeh Ghugharia

Organisation Citizenship

A GREAT EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT TOOL

Have you ever come across an employee or a colleague who will always go that extra mile? The one person who goes above and beyond their responsibilities for their colleagues and the company. What they’re demonstrating here is called Organizational Citizenship Behaviour. Let’s take a closer look at what it means, its different types & best practices, and of course its benefits.

rganisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) is a term that’s used to describe all the positive and constructive employee actions and behaviours that aren’t part of their formal job description. It captures all that employees do voluntarily and willingly to support their co-workers and that which benefits the organisation as a whole. OCB is not part of an employee’s contractual tasks and something that’s required from them on the job.

While organisational citizenship behaviour isn’t something every employee will engage in, it can have tremendous benefits for both the workforce and the organisation 46

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Organisational citizenship behaviour was first defined by Dennis Organ (Professor of Management at the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, a member of the Academy of Management and the American Psychological Society) in 1988 as, “individual behaviour that is discretionary, not explicitly recognised by the formal reward system, and that in the aggregate promotes the effective functioning of the organisation.”

Types of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour Organ identified five different types of Organizational Citizenship Behaviours, which are explained as follows:

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS Conscientiousness is defined as behaviour that involves a certain level of self-control and discipline that goes beyond the minimum requirements. You can spot these employees easily as they are the ones who show up on time and stick to deadlines, plan things well, and make sure the work is managed and delegated before they proceed on holiday. They are well organised, highly accountable, and have a sense of how their work impacts others. Their deliverables are consistent even when they do not have a manager to nudge them.

COURTESY Courtesy is polite and considerate behaviour towards other people; in this case, their colleagues and team members. Examples of courtesy at work include greetings, asking how their holiday was, enquiring about their kids’ well-being, asking about the progress of a project they’re currently working on, etc. In essence, asking a question related to a (personal) subject that shows people you’ve listened to what they were saying.

CIVIC VIRTUE Civic virtue is all about representing in good light the organisation one works for. For instance, how do they talk about the organisation to their friends and family? It is where the employees become brand ambassadors for the organisation they work with. Civic virtue is also demonstrated by employees who actively engage in fundraisers, social events, and corporate social responsibility or even support initiatives for co-workers. It is this behaviour that creates a sense of community and camaraderie within the organisation.

ALTRUISM Altruism in the workplace happens when an employee helps or assists another employee without expecting anything in return. A simple example of altruistic behaviour is when someone takes over (part of ) a co-worker’s task who is over-swamped by work, or volunteering to help clean up space after an internal company event. Altruism boosts employee morale, productivity, and effectiveness at the workplace. This, in turn, leads to better job performance and higher job satisfaction.

SPORTSMANSHIP Sportsmanship is about an employee’s ability to take losses in good stride. It’s about being able to deal with negative surprises or situations that don’t go as planned, and not

demonstrate negative behaviour when such an incident arises. An example of good sportsmanship is an employee who is temporarily taking over the tasks of a team member who has called off sick or while a staff is on maternity or paternity leave. While this considerably increases this employee’s workload, there is no complaints whatsoever, rather a sense of ‘taking one for the team’. (commonly used sports jargon)

OCB captures all that employees do voluntarily and willingly to support their coworkers and that which benefits the organisation as a whole

BENEFITS OF OCB ✦ Boosts employee morale ✦ Increases people’s levels of work meaningfulness ✦ OCB positively affects employee productivity and performance ✦ Creates better social interactions between employees ✦ Reduces stress levels at work ✦ Creates a sense of community among employees ✦ Is favourable for the employer’s brand

ON A FINAL NOTE While organisational citizenship behaviour isn’t something every employee will engage in, it can have tremendous benefits for both the workforce and the organisation. It is certainly worth looking for ‘OCB potential’ in candidates during the hiring process, and actively involving managers in setting the right examples at the workplace. If this isn’t something that is already part of performance management at your workplace, it’s time to rethink and make Organisational Citizenship Behaviour an intrinsic part of your company culture. J SABEEH CAN BE REACHED AT drsab.isin@gmail.com 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

Sunil Nair

PRO TALK

The ‘Technology’

Digital Marketing Expert & Ecommerce Strategist

PILLAR OF ECOMMERCE

Illustration: Macrovector-Freepik

Having looked into ‘Merchandising’ as the first of the five ‘Pillars of Ecommerce’, we now march onto the second pillar in the series by deep-diving into the world of ‘Technology’, which is the backbone of any ecommerce venture

echnology comes into play when sellers connect with their customers via mobile and/or web platform. It enables effective management of customer orders, deliveries, returns, and payments of purchased goods along with customer retention programs. This requires a very structured and well thought through framework. Ecommerce draws on different technologies to facilitate every step of the customer’s journey. An ecommerce setup broadly can be divided into these four segments: • The Infrastructure (Website layout) • The E-Marketing Side (creating awareness) • The Operational Side (order processing, return management, and customer care) • The Accounting Side (reconciliation and bookkeeping) Technology plays a crucial role in each of the above steps. By using either off-the-shelf

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or custom coded software/programs, we can better manage the above stages, each of which can be further broken down for easier understanding as below:

1. THE INFRASTRUCTURE

a. Inventory management systems

2. THE E-MARKETING SIDE

a. Ecommerce catalog and product display (e-store) b. Marketing and loyalty programs

3. THE OPERATIONAL SIDE

a. Client Relationship Management (CRM) b. Shipping and returns Management

4. THE ACCOUNTING SIDE

a. Account Management Systems There are multiple ecommerce tools and technologies available today and it’s always good to know the resources required to build each of the above sections to form a robust ecommerce store, from start-to-finish. Let us

take a more in-depth look into each of these to gain better insight.

1. THE INFRASTRUCTURE a. Inventory management systems Businesses need to know where their products are, organize them effectively, and understand when to reorder at any given point in time. Having a robust Inventory Management System (IMS) is vital for any ecommerce business. Ecommerce IMS gives businesses up-to-date information about the status of what products are overstocked, in stock, under-stocked, and out of stock. Inventory management is also very closely tied to a company’s P&L. Logistics and analytics play a significant role in inventory management. Your stock tells you about the purchasing trends, seasonal trends, and fluctuating customer demand, which helps assess and formulate the right merchandising and marketing strategy. Proper inventory management helps Ecommerce companies with: • Efficient business practices: With a good IMS, you’ll save time and get more value out of your team. If stocks are accounted for properly, the time it takes warehouse teams to learn about an order, determine where the item(s) are stored, and package the order for shipment is reduced to the minimum. • Keep an up-to-date track of all inventory: As the business grows, it brings in a high product mix, cross-border shipping, and multiple warehouses. The complexities of managing inventory increase manifold, and selecting robust inventory management software helps keep everything in order. • Amplify customer experience: A wellaligned IMS helps in the proper display of in-stock products, which paves the way for a better customer experience around product availability. • Eliminate dead stock and wasted inventory The risk of dead-stock or wasted inventory is a nightmare to ecommerce business owners. A good IMS helps to get better visibility into this aspect of inventory management with ease. It also points out when products will go out of stock or when their products will reach the end of shelf life, thus eliminating the need for extra storage charges and heavy discounting to sell inventory. Some of the well-known IMS available in the market would be; • Seller Cloud; • Channel Advisor, • nChannel; • Katana; • 4PSite

2. THE E-MARKETING SIDE a. E commerce catalog and product display (e-store) As online shopping has now become a ‘necessity’, websites and apps have become critical for businesses and organizations to showcase their products, services, and brands. Today, we can typically classify four types of ecommerce: 1. B2C (Business-to-Consumer) 2. B2B (Business-to-Business) 3. C2B (Consumer-to-Business) 4. C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer) One can choose from hundreds of eCommerce shopping cart platforms that are available off-the-shelf. You only need to carefully evaluate important features like site load time, rendering on various devices, compatibility with different payment gateways, SEO-friendly features, and more. Some essential features that one should be looking at when considering an ecommerce platform would be: • User-friendly User Interface and User Experience • Content management capabilities • Promotion and discount code tools • Easy-to-use checkout • Search engine optimized code and layout • Reporting tools and custom report features • An integrated blog/articles section • Email marketing features or easy integration • Mobile friendly, multiple payment options. (Credit card, PayPal, PO, Terms, etc.) • Scalability to add new features Listed below is a selection of the most common cloud (SaaS) and software-based ecommerce platforms currently prevalent in the market that one can consider. Shopify • Great speed and fast load times • Easy setup • Add-ons available

Ecommerce IMS gives businesses up-to-date information about the status of what products are overstocked, in stock, understocked, and out of stock. Inventory management is also very closely tied to a company’s P&L

• Custom domain name set-up • Great design templates

Bigcommerce • Awesome inbuilt available management tools • Supports multiple • Excellent marketing currencies options available • 24/7 Support op• Loads of Apps tions Wix • Free plan available • Easy-to-use online • Tons of options payments with templates • Easy to use Drag• HTML5 editor and-drop interface available 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

PRO TALK

Squarespace • Attractive Template Designs • Great Analytics • Affordable

• Excellent marketing tools • No Transaction Fees

WooCommerce • It’s free available • Based on WordPress • Email Marketing • Coupon Codes facility OpenCart • Easy Set-Up • Low Running Costs

• Plenty of Themes to choose from

Volusion • Natural Interface • Customer Support

• Integrating Inventory

osCommerce • Large Community support • Many Plugins and

Add-ons available • Easy to Hack and Modify

3Dcart • Extensive Product Storage Options • Wide Range of Payment Gateways

Supported • Strong Chat and Phone Support available

Magento Commerce • Stock Control available • Enterprise-grade

features present • BI Reporting available

CommerceCloud • Inbuilt Predictive intelligence • Personalised shop-

ping experience • Omnichannel Commerce

b. Marketing and loyalty programs Customer loyalty programs help increase retention, profit, and the likelihood of your customers returning to your site for repeated purchases. Customers making a repeat purchase are often rewarded with a discount, a free item, or specific merchandise for being loyal customers. The cost of these freebies usually works out to be far lesser than the actual cost of acquisition of a new customer with the same ticket size. It is also found that repeat customers often keep increasing their basket value and become more valuable to the business in due course of time. All these make having loyalty programs an essential part of any ecommerce setup. The advantages of having a loyalty program software for your ecommerce store are:

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Customer loyalty programs help increase retention, profit, and the likelihood of your customers returning to your site for repeated purchases

• Identify loyal and repeat customers • Collect data and determine target groups • Customize rewards as per buying behaviors • Customers can go cardless • Reward flexibility • Automation Named below are some of the top Loyalty software programs available: • Giftbit • Marketing 360 • LoyalZoo • TapMango • FiveStars

3. THE OPERATIONAL SIDE a. Client Relationship Management (CRM) As the online retail experience (omnichannel) continues to evolve, buyers are getting better at buying than sellers are at selling. The consumer’s dependence on their social networks, online price comparison/recommendation engines, and other technology enablers to help arrive at their purchase decisions is ever-increasing. An effective CRM solution helps store, retrieve and map your customer journey, and use user data to drive sales. Leveraging the benefits of CRM catapults businesses to solve a range of business problems while saving time and money. Types of ecommerce solutions: • SaaS CRM solutions • Open-source systems SaaS CRM solutions or “boxed” solutions are ready-made solutions that can be adapted to your business’s needs through extensions and third-party integrations.

Open-source systems allow you to customize all processes as per your business needs. Open source solutions require the assistance of experienced solution providers. These solutions being custom-built help close all the requirements much more accurately. Benefits of CRM Solution include collecting relevant customer data, re-engaging with customers, enabling email marketing, data analytics, customer support management, and social media integration. Some of the main features by which one can select an apt CRM for their business is as under: • Features and functionalities to organize both sales and marketing • Data collection, storage, and retrieval facilities along with analytics and reporting • Easy integration with external applications • Pricing policy and models • Hidden costs and Total cost of ownership Some of the well-known CRMs for ecommerce available in the market are: • Salesforce • SAP • Zendesk • Zoho • HubSpot • Folio3 • Microsoft • Metrilo Dynamics • AgileCRM

• • • • • • •

• Zendesk • LiveAgent • Avaya Contact Centre • Integra • Agile CRM

4. THE ACCOUNTING SIDE a. Account Management System

b. Shipping and returns management Customers prefer phone support when reaching out to customer service and they should not be left waiting on hold while agents struggle to answer queries. Adding a call center solution to your CRM enhances your customer-centric approach and helps you to provide a seamless order confirmation and return management system. Reducing customer friction and increasing front line efficiency should be the prime focus of any ecommerce venture. Customers can discover your ecommerce business via various communication channels like email, live chat, or social media. Integration of all these channels helps companies to give their customers a unified experience. A satisfied and happy client becomes a returning customer, which helps lower customer acquisition costs and increase the lifetime value of the customer base. Some of the features to check while going in for a Call Centre telephony system would be: • Omnichannel • Outgoing Calls • Call Routing • Usage Pricing • Call recording • Cloud-Based • CRM Integration Calling • Reporting Some well-known service providers of Telephony solutions are as below: • HubSpot Help Desk Software

Nextiva Bitrix24 TalkDesk Five9 Ring Central CloudTalk Dixa

Adding a call center solution to your CRM enhances your customercentric approach and helps you to provide a seamless order confirmation and return management system.

The need for an ecommerce accounting software arises as the requirement for accessing real-time financial data, syncing sales and orders from multiple channels, bank reconciliation, purchase orders and expense management, multi-currency pricing, tax management, bill payments, manage inventory, control costs, and employee salary among others would otherwise be a nightmarish task for the organization. Integrating the right ecommerce accounting software solution helps online sellers align data from multiple online channel accounts and keep their business financial records in sync. Any accounting software that you would be considering for your ecommerce business should ideally be checked off with the following primary criteria: Functionality, Integrations, Price point, and Customer support. The features to look out for in your choice should tick off these boxes: • Easy-to-use navi• Cloud-based system gation • Banking integration • Multi-currency • Support and on-gopricing ing training • Tax bundling • Scalability and • Payroll software flexibility • Bank reconciliation Some of the leading eCommerce accounting software currently available in the market are: • Xero • Wave Accounting • QuickBooks Online • Tally.ERP 9 • Sage • Alignbooks • FreeAgent • Zoho Books On continuing our journey into understanding the ‘Five Pillars of Ecommerce’, next we shall look into ‘Marketing’, yet another interesting aspect of eCommerce. Until then, stay safe, stay blessed, and wishing all of you the season’s best. Please note: None of the software listed in this article was done to give them any particular rating or recommendation order. Neither the author nor the magazine endorses or is benefitted in any way by reference to any of the softwares. User discretion is warranted. ✪ SUNIL NAIR CAN BE REACHED AT sunilsn72@gmail.com 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

Ring in 2021

Meditation Expert, Energy Healer & Executive Mindset Coach

Kim Shelar

PRO TALK

With this Year End Ritual A Ritual which we know as a symbolic activity involving gestures, words, actions, or objects performed in a set sequence, are really more rational than they appear. Rituals provide the essential tools that help us to set the exact intention and participate in co-creating our own lives to get our desired outcomes.

ew Years’ eve is the most celebrated day across all cultures, geographies and age groups. The one day each year that the whole world unifies, families and friends gather to ‘bring in’ the new year and let go of the year gone by. Some cultures and traditions have rituals in place to mark this moment. I remember growing up to a New Year ritual where a figure was dressed up as an ‘Old Man’ and burnt as the clock stuck 00:00 hours representing the end of old un-serving habits and behaviours. Every year comes with its own agenda to teach everyone something that they need to learn. The year 2020 came with a Massive Lesson and while the situation was similar globally, how it impacted each of us was as unique as a finger print. It’s a known truth, (or unknown to some) that experiences will keep repeating themselves when the lesson is not learnt. With that said, here is a trusted process (a ritual if you may call it so) and the reasons for it, to close the old year and truly welcome the new year in its full glory.

... 1 ... Take time off to make a list of all the waves you rode this year This process commonly known as ‘reflection’ is quite an understated process. Take the time to relax before you begin reflecting. Next, walk yourself down memory lane through all the highs and the lows, all the active actions taken and the passive moments begone, all the

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lessons and the breakdowns, and then make a list of it. Neuro-Science has proven in the studies of Neuro Plasticity (a term coined by Dr Norma Doidge which he speaks about in his book – ‘The Brain That Changes Itself ’) that the process of releasing thoughts onto paper actually works. What this means is when we actively begin to write down a thought, the unstructured form that is manifested in the mind, now forms a clear process on paper. While the answer may not come immediately, having ‘data and facts’ before one’s eye is a good place to begin.

... 2 ... Segregate the memories as a Lesson, Blessing or Stuff to let go off Lessons would imply things you have learnt from a person or from a situation. Blessings would include anything or anyone that you are in gratitude for. Stuff to let go off are simply the things that occurred around you- like the news and other daily activities of less or no importance. This process serves the very base of growth, as it brings focus and energy to what you can control and then how to approach each aspect of a stimuli with a structure.

... 3 ... From this categorized list make a ‘To Do’ list. The ‘To Do’ list may include the people you might need to call, a list of belongings you

... 5 ... Create the North Star for the year to come. When we have a purpose, come rain or sun, we stay focused. Lay out the most ideal life that you would like to create in the coming year and then back it up with monthly smaller goals and tasks. Integrate all segments of your life into it. Work, family, friends, recreation, self-growth, fitness and nutrition for a truly holistic life.

... 6 ... Create a FUTURE YOU representation How would you look and feel if you achieved all that you desired. Try to find the visual representations of the future you and place it at strategic places around you. The Power of Visualization, active or even passive is one of the biggest tools in manifesting your desired life.

... 7 ... Plan your Finances

I remember growing up to a New Year ritual where a figure was dressed up as an ‘Old Man’ and burnt as the clock stuck 00:00 hours representing the end of old un-serving habits and behaviors would like to donate, or a list of places you now plan to visit. This step ensures that every action is aligned to an element of expansion within you. The list essentially has things on it of relevance that brings either joy or closure to you.

... 4 ... Saying goodbye. This is the most important step, that of closure. Say goodbye to the year that has passed and say goodbye to the feelings, the lessons and the blessings that it brought. Often we are in such a hurry to move on that we forget to correctly find closure. “I could have done this differently”, or “I should have done this differently”, energetically keeps us tied back to the same place. Make an intention to release the past right where it belongs, in the past.

The biggest failures are a result of unplanned spending. Make a list and a percentage allocation to all the elements of your Life. While finance and meditational practice have no overt co-relation, it’s most definitely the most powerful element that causes insecurity, stress and a tool for abuse. Manage it well.

... 8 ... Lastly, bring in the new year as you would welcome a Baby. When we have a new family member we do not compare them with the earlier babies; we love them just as they are. Likewise, bring in the new year with Love, Hope and Expectation of Magic for the life ahead. Here are my few must have gifts to bring in the new year. " A journal to write your dreams " Some lovely stationary to make these intentions and manifesting your desires " Candles, essential oils or room mists to make your home smell divine " A book, a dress, a shoe, or anything that you have had your eye on for a while " A frame that you can use to put up your most favourite memory from the year gone by On that note I wish you all a Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2021. J KIM SHELAR CAN BE REACHED AT hello@kimshelar.com 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Pledged to a Sustainable Mode of Living Iftikhar Hamdani can be fittingly declared as an Envoy for Sustainability. He is a proponent of it not only in one dimension and the technical aspect of the term, rather his interest towards it can be seen in varied domains that he has lent his ideology to.

oming from a hospitality background and with over 20 years of experience, Hamdani is known for his notable ground-breaking sustainable campaigns and has been recognized with several awards and certifications as a testament of his success at being on the forefront of sustainability within the UAE’s hospitality industry. Over the last decade, he has revolutionized the hospitality industry with his committed enthusiasm to carry out projects on environment, community and charity.

Environment Sustainability Known as the initiator of green programmes in the northern emirates, Iftikhar has made his mark, efficaciously engaging hoteliers to follow suit. In early 2012, he applied the ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ principle and led the Zero Landfill Project in Ajman, that aimed at achieving zero waste dis-

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posals into the landfill. He pioneered and put in place a waste management system that made use of a compost machine to turn the kitchen’s waste into usable natural fertilizer. The composts were then used to enrich the Urban Farm (430 square meter piece of land) that he instated to cultivate organic produce for the kitchen. Apart from this project, he con-

Iftikhar with his son Sarim at the Old School Challenge, Ajman

joined several smaller CSR campaigns and organized environmental roundtable conferences in the region. A regular speaker and panellist at various hospitality and sustainability conferences locally and internationally (USA, UK, Italy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan), Hamdani says, “Having sustainable business practices leads to an enhanced reputation and brand image, which translates to greater profits for the organization in the long term. It all begins with the mindset to foster positive change in our environment.”

His Laurels He was lauded as Brand Ambassador of Wyndham Hotel Group in 2012 and announced for Wyndham Hotel Group EMEA President’s Award for

Mr. Hamdani receiving the Alleem Sustainability Excellence Awards from Mr. Lazaro Nyalandu, MP, Ministry for Natural Resources & Tourism, Tanzania with Dr. Rashid Alleem, Founder & Executive Chairman of Alleem Business Congress

CSR 2016 owing to his involvement in various charitable and sustainable programmes. He was also the recipient of Alleem Sustainable Development Excellence Awards in 2012. Hozpitality Excellence Awards named him as CSR Champion 2015 & 2017, General Manager 2016 and Inspirational General Manager 2019. The other awards he has won include CSR Professional of the Year at the Gulf Sustainability and CSR Awards 2018; Game Changer at Arabian Travel Awards 2019; Inspiring Hotel Leader in Middle East 2019 at the Versatile Excellence Travel Awards by TravelScapes; and the title of Green Personality at the Ajman Sustainable Tourism Awards 2019.

Mr. Hamdani felicitated by HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Head of the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Social Development, and HH Sheikh Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Ali Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi for AL Ihsan Charity Association’s ‘A Safe Ramadan’ Campaign

Human Sustainability What gets him to achieve these wonderous feats he says is his vested interest in the wellbeing of his staff and the people he interacts with. Hamdani considers himself as their family away from home. As far as his immense experience is concerned, he has been able to prove that remuneration is not the only basis to keep staff happy, especially them being miles apart from their own families. “Human sustainability is about appreciation, care, empowerment and engagement, which will always lead a company to success, as well as personal career growth for the individual,” is his staunch belief. In accordance, Hamdani has invested in his staff for their training & skill programs that eventually developed their career to a better one; he has improved their health and safety at the workplace; encouraged their engagements in corporate social responsibility programs to make them feel worthy. Being a transparent leader, he always makes his staff comfortable to share their thoughts, ideas, suggestions about work and even personal matters, eventually leading to a very low iteration rate for his organization. “It takes two to tango,” he quotes and continues to say that it is both, active cooperation and understanding of leader and the staff to achieve a company’s goal. For him, it is never a leader or a team working alone, but both

“Human sustainability is about appreciation, care, empowerment and engagement, which will always lead a company to success as well as personal career growth for the individual” parties working together with proper guidance from the leader pointing in the one direction to success.

His Plan for 2021 Tackling food wastage is what he has set his intent upon for the coming year. “There is so much of food that is trashed every day, especially on events, that can feed a hungry stomach,” hinting at the less fortunate families and the workers in the labour camps. Hamdani wishes to collaborate with other hospitality leaders on sharing the untouched food with the less privileged through impactful yet straightforward actions. “Donating food is just one of the many ways to help the people and the environment,” he upholds. Though this is not new for him as he used to ‘food donation’ each year for special occasions like Ramadan and World Food Day; his 2021 vision is to continue it in a consistent daily manner regardless of any occasion. Speaking of this new program that

he is so diligently putting together, he says, “We will not only nourish the hungry; we will also simultaneously avoid the cooked food going to the bin. Sharing meals with someone, especially those in need can be a spiritually uplifting experience… it does not only fill the empty stomachs, but it also feeds our souls.” Hamdani appeals and encourages others in the hospitality industry to not throw away surplus cooked meals from their outlets and donate it instead. He is willing to share his learnings and findings with other stakeholders as his projects have clearly shown the profits it could reap for the brand and also benefit the industry on the whole. “Sustainability is all about creating systems that maintain itself long after its initiator isn’t around, and that includes creating leaders as well. Real CSR is what you leave behind in the hearts of people – not as projects on a piece of paper,” acclaims this true envoy. ✪ 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

CR E- ‫٭‬

R&R

ST & R

RE S T &

N-

R E AT I O

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CELEB TALK TRAVELERS’ TALES HEALTH EXPLORE HOBBIES

CREST, T ROUGH A ND

OHNNY’S

EP TH

UNPOPULAR OPINION ON THE RISE AND FALL OF THE QUIRKIEST HOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR AND CYNOSURE OF MANY A MOVIE BUFF, JOHNNY DEPP

BY RACHIT GUPTA

Film Critic and Screen Writer

ow the tide has turned for the world’s most famous and lovable pirate. He’s gone from being the apple of every Disney connoisseur’s eye to being called a ‘wife beater’, ‘alcoholic’, ‘derailed’ and few more unpleasant christenings. Well, Johnny Depp once said in an interview, “I am doing things that are true to me. The only

thing I have a problem with is being labeled.” He won’t be happy with these less-than-flattering epithets, surely. So what made, the once King of Hollywood box-office and the most bankable off-beat star since James Dean, become public enemy? De-evolution of character. Many celebrities either fall from grace or become victims of their own stardom, in the long run. Michael Jackson, went from being the greatest music icon in the world, to being a pop-culture nip-

and-tuck Frankenstein. Tiger Woods went from being one of the most respected sportsmen in the world to being a train-wreck of a family man. Kevin Spacey went from being Keyser Soze and Lester Burnham to being, universally tainted. Depp, is just one more entry onto this infamous list that features many more. The fact is, that famous line from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, ‘you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain’ has a 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

R&R / celeb talk contrived relevance to real-life celebrity history. Being in the limelight, having billions of dollars, being the object of affection for millions is no easy job. You surf long enough and the tide will wipe you out. There’s no absolving the actions of Depp and many others like him. Nine out of ten times the onus of the path of self destruction comes down to the way the celebrity handles their fame and fortune. And perhaps that’s exactly what’s plagued Johnny Depp. For those who are self-quarantined under a rock, Johnny Depp is embroiled in an ugly and less-thangracious legal battle surrounding his separation from ex-wife and actress Amber Heard. There’s been so much mud-slinging in this case that, both parties have tarnished and tainted each other’s image to the point where fans and colleagues are forced to reconsider whether they want to watch Depp and Heard on the screen again. Divorces are generally unpleasant, but this one has turned out as cringe-worthy as an episode of Indian crime based shows. And in this turmoil of slandering and legal proceedings one party has come out worse than the other and that’s Depp. Its come down to the fact that he’s been off-loaded from the Fantastic Beasts and the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchises, amongst others. Most and many media houses and experts in the West are now placing bets on the fact that Depp’s career in Hollywood has imploded. All this, because Depp chose to file libel cases against publications that printed and allegedly attacked his public image, as unflattering and bizarre nuggets of information kept popping from his separation battle and ‘abuse’ related cases with his ex-partner Heard. These details have been as graphic and unsavoury as ‘finding poop in the bed’, ‘throwing liquor bottles at your spouse’, ‘attempting to slash your wrists’ and a whole host of expletive-riddled domestic wrestling matches. Basically, there is no grace left. And that is the crux of the problem with why Depp’s public image is plummeting faster than the average human being’s tolerance for lockdowns. At no juncture has Depp

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I AM DOING THINGS THAT ARE TRUE TO ME. THE ONLY THING I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IS BEING LABELED or his team of publicists, managers and social media influencers ever thought of consolidating his image as a graceful man. Cut to, 1987 and Johnny Depp was a beautiful young man, who pulled off adventure in the TV series 21 Jump Street with élan. It was at this juncture that Depp had the world at his feet, the Hollywood studios beckoning with superlative career opportunities, but Depp made an uncharacteristic and wise decision. He chose to indulge in his quirk and off-beat instincts. And thus the world got a marvellous artistic collaboration between director Tim Burton and Depp with the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands. It was the foundation of Depp’s future stardom. In Scissorhands, he managed to evoke pathos and emotions from behind a thick layer of make-up and a clay-cold appearance. Honestly speaking it was like falling in love with a corpse and you didn’t even have to be a goth to appreciate that. Nevertheless, that’s how Depp managed to transform into so many

characters that have defined his long and illustrious career – Jack Sparrow, Ed Wood, Raoul Duke, Donnie Brasco, The Mad Hatter, Sweeney Todd, Willy Wonka and many many more. It is said that at one point Disney wasn’t even sure of Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow from the first Pirates of The Caribbean movie in 2003. But upon release, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl ended up earning $650 million at the worldwide box-office, a figure that was hair-raising and euphoric, at the time. And the best part was, audience surveys suggested that it wasn’t the swashbuckling action and stateof-the-art CGI that endeared viewers to the movie, but it was Depp’s zany comic genius that made the whole franchise so affable and exciting. That was the big-bang in Depp’s career, a move that eventually saw him become the numero uno star in Hollywood what with he even raking up a Guinness World record for earning $75 million pay cheques. Long before the Avatars and Avengers became box-of-

fice rockstars, it was Depp’s calypso capers that were top draw at the big screen. Parallel to his driving force behind Disney’s ascension to the monopoly status, Depp’s collaborations with director and bestie Tim Burton allowed his off-beat image to thrive. Here was an LA superstar who didn’t have the machismo and swagger that is blatantly obvious about his ilk. There are beautiful men like Brad Pitt and George Clooney, but Depp was that rare man who exuded a boyish grace, he could carry a stunning set of locks with the elegance of Katherine Hepburn. He actually had the sublime dexterity to be able to pull off masculinity with the right amount of feminine grace. On-screen he was the man with a thousand faces and off-screen he was the man with a consistent, Don Juan DeMarco personality, he was a pheromone magnet. The operative word here is ‘was’. This innate quality of being affable is now a thing of Depp’s past. Over the years, he was considered to be one of those men who were impervious to the ticking clock. Till 2012, when Depp was about 49, it seemed like he didn’t age, infact, it seemed like his physical beauty was moving in the opposite direction. And then, he broke up with his then long-time girlfriend Vanessa Paradis and it was like she walked out with his de-aging potion. It was either that or the wild streak that liquor and Amber Heard brought into Depp’s life, that turned him into the quintessential star, aging well beyond his years. And this is perhaps the most crucial juncture where Murphy’s ill-fated law took control of Depp’s egomaniacal ascension. Fan boys will eagerly dump the fault on the girlfriend and absolve the true artiste by calling him naive and gullible. But the reality check is irrefutable. Depp’s first impression with Heard happened on the sets of their 2011 film Rum Diary. He was 48 at the time, and their official relationship status only finds credence in the year 2015, so that makes him 52 by the time that he became besotted and started living with her. At that age, you cannot be naive and gullible to the point where you can’t tell the

difference between right and wrong, you can’t be taken for a ride, you cannot blame your spouse and allege that she took away $650 million from your coffers without your knowledge. Even if your swimming in a sea of rum and trekking a mountain of substance, you won’t suddenly turn into a country bumpkin. Certainly not after having claimed that your creative leanings align themselves with the likes of Marlon Brando and Hunter S Thompson and that you are definitely not mainstream. So there’s no way that the inebriated soul can put all the blame squarely on Aphrodite. Apollo must take responsibility for his own failings. From an observer’s standpoint, the primary and only failing of Depp, 2017 onwards, since his divorce from Amber Heard kick-started, has been a complete absence of self-censorship. Wisdom lies in knowing that forgiveness is the noblest form of revenge. So if a celebrity and millionaire of the status of Depp found himself irked and irate at the way Heard handled him, his emotions, his trust and his wealth, then he should’ve just courted his tirade privately, forgiven and moved on. She had the percipience of donating the $7 million that she received in divorce settlement from Depp to charity. Depp instead found himself filing libel cases in courts against publications that alleged he was guilty of domestic violence. Instead, if only he’d kept his head low, gone on to replenish his coffers with another billion dollar Pirates movie, who knows, maybe even have achieved a final hurrah teaming up with good ol friend Burton in a movie that could’ve won him an Oscar at the ripe old age of 60. Jeff Bridges, Paul Newman, John Wayne, Jack Nicholson all won their Oscars

at 60, looking like they were at least 10 years older. Johnny surely had an edge over these esteemed gentlemen. Alas, we’re at the end of 2020, the pandemic and the waves of lockdowns have turned many into cynics. There’s another unpopular opinion floating out there that die-hard Depp fans have formed an online community of vengeance and targeted the prospects of Heard’s Hollywood career. There was a petition for throwing her out of the Aquaman franchise, a petition that managed to get 1.5 million signatures, too. Depp once said, “Me, I’m dishonest, and you can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly, it’s the honest ones you have to watch out for.” Even his strongest detractors will agree that Depp was never dishonest to his craft as an actor. Even when he portrayed memorable characters in failed films like Mortdecai, The Lone Ranger, Dead Man and many more, his charisma and talent never wore down. Such is the depth of his talent that he even made a corny chameleon seem as cool as Clint Eastwood in Gore Verbinski’s Rango (2011). Heck, such is his mystique that he could sell risqué through Jack Sparrow’s shenanigans in a Disney movie. Such is his power of enchantment that he made every freakish character in a Burton movie seem perfectly normal. If only, Depp had chosen to be wiser and sailed through his separation and middle-age saga as stealthily and swiftly as the Black Pearl. But then, crest and trough are part of a never-ending cycle. What goes up, must come down and perhaps the crest will rise up again. There’s still hope that the everyone’s favourite pirate, might still return to plunder the spoils of millions of hearts. J 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

R&R / health

Supercharge yourself with Superfoods

Gold-medalist in nutritional science, Dt Geetika Uppal, educates us on Superfoods and its benefits along with a simple superfood recipe to yummy up your diet.

uperfoods, a term we often hear these days refers to foods that are powerhouses of nutrients with minimal calories. They are full of Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants, and Phytochemicals (chemicals in plants responsible for smell and colour). Majorly superfoods are plant-based, but a portion of it comes from dairy and fish too. Examples of some of the popular superfoods are berries, avocado, almonds, kefir, salmon, quinoa etc.

What makes any food a Superfood?

The food on your plate can be categorized as a superfood when it has any or all of these in

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good proportion: 1. Antioxidants that are natural molecules present in certain foods. Their role is to neutralize free radicals (that are the byproducts of energy production, also called toxins) in our bodies. These antioxidant molecules help in preventing health problems like heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke, respiratory diseases, immune deficiency, and also helps in reducing inflammation, detoxification etc. 2. High vitamin and mineral content that helps the body to build stronger immunity. 3. Healthy fats that reduce the risk of heart diseases and regulates cholesterol levels. 4. Fibre found in most of the superfoods helps

Recipe in preventing diabetes, cancer, digestive problems and can even reduce the effects of ageing.

Are only superfoods sufficient for the body?

One big myth is believing that consuming one or two superfoods on a daily basis will help the body protect itself from any chronic disease. Superfoods only help us in preventing the diseases by building up the immunity, and detoxification of the body, but by itself does not guarantee a healthy diet. Eating a particular kind of food alone can lead to a deficiency of other nutrients in the body. This is the reason that superfoods should be combined along with a well-balanced diet. A well-balanced diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins, dairy products, nuts with a limited amount of refined sugar, fats and salt. Eat a “super diet” rather than only a few specific foods. The combination of a healthy and nutritious diet and physical activity works wonders for the body.

Some popular superfoods:

Berries: The most popular superfood, berries are high in antioxidants, healthy fats, fibre, vitamins, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. Studies have shown that berries can help suppress and repair oxidative damage and help maintain normal blood sugar. Some of the commonly used are acai berries, blueberries, Indian gooseberries (amla). Soya: Soya beans are rich in isoflavones (a phytochemical) which helps in reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) in the blood. It also helps in increasing bone mineral as it’s the richest source of plant protein. Avocado: Avocados are high in mono-

saturated fats and help in improving HDL (good cholesterol) in the body. Also rich in Vitamin E and B6, leads to red blood cell formation, leading to detoxification and promotes good skin health. It has high levels of Vitamin A, which helps in reducing the risk of cancer, heart diseases and is good for eyes. Kefir: Kefir is one of the most probiotic-rich foods in the world. It is a cultured, fermented beverage made from kefir grain and raw milk. This looks like yoghurt and is rich in protein, Vitamin B, potassium and calcium. It helps in improving the healthy bacteria ratio in the gastrointestinal tract, that prevents diarrhea and IBS. As its fermented, people with lactose intolerance can also consume Kefir. Quinoa: Quinoa is a super grain that is high in fibre, iron, potassium and is the highest source of protein amongst the grain family. Being naturally gluten-free, it is mostly used as a substitute for rice and is also suitable for people with celiac disorders. Ginger: A prevalent spice used all over the world, ginger has the power of boosting the immune system, fight infections, and it also gives protection against cancer. It has been used for good digestion, nausea and to reduce inflammation and decrease muscle pain. Salmon: Salmon is a rich source of omega-three fatty acids, that helps in lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. It helps in controlling blood pressure, reducing inflammation and boosts the mood. Being rich in Vitamin D and selenium helps in preventing cell damage and is very good for skin, nails and bones.

Tips to make your diet a “Super Diet” Include Rainbow colours on your plate with a variety of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, grains, and lean meat Add shredded greens to soups and stir-fries Opt for lean meat like chicken and fish Add berries to oatmeal, cereal

and salads Include vegetables or fruits in your snacks Include green or matcha tea daily Use turmeric, cumin, oregano, clove, ginger, and cinnamon in your daily cooking Snack on nuts, seeds

Healthy Blueberry Muffin --- I ngr edient s - - Whole wheat flour

1½ cup

Oats powdered

¼ cup

Baking powder

1 teaspoon

Baking soda

½ teaspoon

Fine salt

½ teaspoon

Ground cinnamon (opt)

¼ teaspoon

Extra-virgin olive oil

⅓ cup

Honey or maple syrup

½ cup

Eggs on room temperature 2 1Plain Greek yoghurt

1 cup

Vanilla extract

2 teaspoons

Blueberries, fresh

1 cup

Powdered Sugar for sprinkling on top

1 tablespoon

--- Me t hod - - • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Grease the muffin tin with cooking spray or little butter. • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk them all together. (keep aside 1 tablespoon of flour for later use). • In another bowl, add the oil and honey or maple syrup and beat together. Add eggs and beat well, then add the yoghurt and vanilla. Mix well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients slowly and mix well. • In a small bowl, toss the blueberries with the remaining 1 teaspoon flour (this helps prevent the blueberries from sinking to the bottom). Gently fold the blueberries into the batter. The mixture will be of thick consistency. • Pour the batter in the moulds. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with sugar. Bake for 16 to 19 minutes, or until the muffins are golden on top and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. • Place the muffin tin on a cooling rack to cool. • Can be stored in the fridge for 4 to 5 days for later consumption too. J 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

R&R / tr avelers’ tales

Journeys that

empowe

Travel may not always be fun. Sometimes, it involves warding off danger, and at other times, it leaves you at the mercy of others. Even then, realises Deepa Narayanan, travel has a way of adding to you, leaving in its wake a trail of self-realisation that almost always empowers

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I’ll be honest. When I spoke with Dubai-based Sucheta Phule, a German language expert and filmmaker, and then later with Abu Dhabi-based M Asif Saiyed, a risk-management professional and auditor, I wrestled with trying not to judge which of their travel stories fascinated me more. Thankfully, what ultimately came of those calls was the sense of humility I’d skirted while trying to pick a favourite, merrily ignoring the truth that every human is an explorer—searching and discovering within the strength and wisdom to face challenges not yet confronted, not comparable, but still emerging through with lessons in self-reliance. What especially gripped me about the stories I was invited to partake in was how exceptionally different the two of them were as individuals. Chalk and cheese, some would say. Sucheta, an avid traveller seeking newness and adventure, willingly dived in for new experiences, be it around places, food, etc., while Asif whose travels restricted to work, was contented in seeking familiarity, be that about places, people, or flavours. Yet, by the time I sat down to write this piece, they’d started seeming oddly connected through the likeness I found in how they dealt with their individual experiences. While Sucheta found strength in her fitness regimen and the person she’d become to save her from harm’s way, Asif sought lessons from his work trainings to see him through his challenges in unfamiliar situations. 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

R&R / tr avelers’ tales Unexpected beginnings

Asif ’s travel tale sets off in March 2019, when he was invited to attend a quarterly training conference in Gatwick, UK, an opportunity he considered wonderful but one that filled him with trepidation. Asif has several health conditions, including restricted vision, high BP, frozen shoulders that restricts him from carrying even three to four kilos, and an inability to bear the cold—a rather inhibiting feature, you’d agree, for the UK, where the weather went from smiling sunny to clammy cold at the drop of a hat. Keenly aware of his difficulties, Asif decided he’d assess his risks realistically. “While making travel arrangements, I constantly analysed my health conditions against factors such as the weather there, hospitals near the venue, restaurants that served halal meat, etc.,” he says. He’d even join in on well-meaning colleagues’ jokes that with the minus temperatures in the UK, he’d turn into an ice cream once he got there. “There were also others who’d tell me I was heading into something the universe had set up for me,” he adds, smiling. Asif was not entirely new to travel. As a youngster, Asif had travelled extensively across India for work. After moving to the UAE in 2008, his travel restricted to the UAE–India sector during visits to his parents’ home in Gujarat. So also, the upcoming UK trip would be Asif ’s very first outside not only India and the UAE but also his comfort zones. He began preparations by scouting for warm clothes. Initially, he couldn’t find clothes that fit his small frame in his neighbouring malls. But as his colleagues had said, the universe was leading him. “One day, a security guard at one of the stores I regularly shopped in asked me what I was looking

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twick, with his Asif, first day at Ga rt him up at the airpo d ke mentor who pic

“For someone who relished biryanis and rice and lentils, paying ten pounds for a salad broke my heart”

for and then guided me to a store in the neighbourhood, where I could buy warm clothes meant for the UK climate, at one-third the prices in the malls,” says Asif. More assistance came his way, including his mentor offering to pick him up from the airport and his colleagues at the training helping him at every stage, whether to lug his heavy bags or guide him around. Soon, Asif ’s overwhelming trepidations about travelling began giving away, though the uncertainty of whether the conference venue served halal meat etc., forced him to stick to vegetarian pizzas options and salads. “For someone who relished biryanis and rice and lentils, paying ten pounds for a salad broke my heart,” says Asif with a chuckle. “But I consoled myself, saying I was there for the training, not food!” When the training ended, Asif had three days before heading home. Plans to tour London

were made, with his training buddies helping him get to the city by train, even ensuring he safely boarded a cab for his hotel that night. After an unfulfilling but ‘safe’ dinner of chips, wafers and two cups of tea (of which he promptly posted pictures on social media) Asif decided he’d explore the city the next morning after booking himself into another stay.

One foot up, the other foot down, that’s the way to London town…

Early next morning, after finding an apartment–hotel to move into next, Asif left his luggage in the previous hotel’s cloakroom and stepped out into the streets of London with a small backpack and his passport, phone and some money, trying to remain risk-aware and risk-alert. “Basically, I was constantly looking out for muggers,” he adds with a laugh. While he wouldn’t experience mugging, he’d accomplish many ‘firsts’. “I hadn’t known about their app-based taxis so I found no cabs and began exploring the city on foot,” he says, walking around from 8 am to 4 pm—a first for him. “Back home, I can hardly walk for more than 10 minutes and certainly cannot carry more than 3–4 kg. Here, my backpack weighed 6 kg!” says Asif in wonder. A subway ride, another first in his life, and some more of the unguided but exciting sightseeing later, Asif decided to return for his luggage at around 8 pm. Despite a steady drizzle and his unbelievable exhaustion, the lack of cabs forced him to walk back. Back in the hotel, after another dinner of wafers and tea, Asif got his luggage from the cloakroom and as advised by the hotel staff, he headed out for a cab and got one half hour later. “Before getting in, the risk-manager in me counted

the five pieces of luggage I carried. The taxi dropped me off right opposite the apartment– hotel I’d booked into. I got off the cab, and still standing outside the apartment–hotel, counted the five pieces of luggage again, and was pleasantly surprised that despite the ten hours of walking around, I felt incredibly light. Then it hit me! In the luggage count, I’d forgotten to include my backpack, which was now travelling with the cabbie!” Through an avalanche of emotions as the realisation hit him, Asif began making a list of valuables he would’ve lost with the backpack—passport, phone, and 800 pounds, he decided. “As I stood there, with my palm over my heart, I felt my passport in my left pocket. I realised my wallet and phone were in my trousers’ back pockets,” he adds. That meant the ‘loss’ was 800 pounds. Rushing into the apartment–hotel, Asif blurted out his situation to the staff. Despite their concerns, they couldn’t help without the cabbie details as he had none. Standing there, trying to channel the problem-manager

in him, Asif noted a movement out of the corner of his eyes. Someone was approaching him. And lo and behold! It was the cabbie with his backpack. Apparently, ten minutes after he’d dropped off Asif, the cabbie had noticed the bag and turned around to return it. “I was so overwhelmed by emotions that I just stood there profusely thanking the good man, forgetting to even ask his name or anything else. He merely acknowledged my gratitude and left. Everything in the bag was intact,” Asif says. Clearly richer by the experience and thankful for the people and circumstances that entered his life, he tells me that after the pandemic eases, he plans a Europe trip with his family and several more to Singapore and the US for work, liberated in his realisation that no matter what the limitations, the universe had his back and he’d find a way around it.

Explorations within

Sucheta Phule’s story dates back to before Asif ’s, to 2015. But unlike Asif who confronted challenges away from home,

Going around San Fransisco 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

R&R / tr avelers’ tales Sucheta—who originally belongs to Pune and travelled to Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, several Middle-East countries, all the European countries, and the USA—experienced her travails closer home, in Mumbai. Having started off as German language expert, Sucheta began exploring her storytelling side, following her publisher and filmmaker dad’s path. In 2014, she wrote and directed a feature film based on childabuse, The Journey to Her Smile. Incidentally, Sucheta’s dad, Bal Phule, was the publisher of Chitravedh, a Marathi film-magazine that reached its zenith in the 1980s and 1990s (which Sucheta is reviving now). Also a filmmaker, he had co-produced Gulzar Sahab’s 1990-fantasy-Bollywood-film Lekin, which won several National Awards in 1991. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and so it’s with Sucheta. Her feature film won much acclaim across several prestigious film festivals, including the International Film Festival for Women in Jakarta, the 68th Cannes Film Festival, and many across Zimbabwe, the UK, and India. On December 24, 2015, she reached Mumbai for the Third Eye Asian Film Festival in Ravindra Natya Mandir at Prabhadevi. Her film would be screened on the 29th. Sucheta decided to stay at her

The foodie ready for a spread in Vietnam

“Against the streetlights that streamed into the bedroom, I could see him in his loose t-shirt and shorts with his arm stretched out toward my phone” husband’s cousin large house in a posh gated-community complex close to the venue. The family was out of town for the Christmas holidays. After taking the keys from a neighbour, she stayed in the house for those couple of days, using it only to sleep at night. Her film’s screening went off wonderfully, with almost the entire crew and cast of the film showing up for it, unlike at other festivals where many couldn’t travel to. “Even my mum and mum-in-law attended the event, their first film festival, and were visibly moved by the whole experience,” she tells me. A rather satisfied Sucheta returned to the apartment after seeing her mum off with her relatives in Goregaon, where she’d preferred to stay.

From lights off to insights Food, the best part of her travels

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Back in the apartment, an exhausted Sucheta had a call with her husband at 12.30 am and turned in for the night. While

drifting off to sleep, she imagined she saw her phone’s screen lighting up. Thinking it was her husband calling again, she turned around to check, only to see the silhouette of a man crouching next to her. “Against the streetlights that streamed into the bedroom, I could see him in his loose t-shirt and shorts with his arm stretched out toward my phone,” recollects Sucheta. For a moment, her sleep-ridden mind thought it was a family member. “A second later, the fog cleared and I screamed with everything I had, grabbing his collar,” recounts Sucheta. The scream must have scared the 20-something-year-old witless because he dropped the phone and ran out of the room. As she ran behind him, Sucheta remembered her glasses were on the bedside stool and that she was in her sleeping shorts. “I ran back into the bedroom, grabbed my glasses, wore my pyjamas, and ran behind him

With her husband on the Sa Pa mountain trek in Vietnam, through the terrace rice paddy, with a stragetically positioned rainbow

Cooking it up

but he’d managed to hide in one of the rooms in the huge house.” The apartment’s intercom gadgets, which would have helped her reach the security, seemed too fancy for her to comprehend then. “The sliding doors in the apartment wouldn’t shut well, so none of the rooms were safe for me to shut myself in,” Sucheta adds. Finally, she ran into the washroom, which thankfully had ‘normal’ latches, she says. Once inside and securely locked, she dialled 100 for Mumbai Police. (Later, her cousins would tell her how lucky she was because they hardly ever got mobile range in the house.) The cops were prompt and at her apartment door in less than ten minutes. “Once there, a woman cop with

them asked me to let them in. I refused initially because the thief was still in the house. Then, gathering courage, I stepped out to open the front door, running across the long hallway like a madwoman,” says Sucheta, with an infectious laughter. But the ability to look back at the incident and narrate it with the added chuckles took her a while. For starters, by the time the police had entered the apartment, the intruder couldn’t be found and they kept trying to convince Sucheta that she may have just imagined it all. Over the next few days, while staying with kind neighbours until she had another relative stay with her in the house, she got the security and the cops to view the CCTV footage of the day the intruder broke in. They identified the boy as a house-help in a neighbouring, politician’s apartment, who’d climbed into the house through an unlatched window on the common floor. He had also stolen money from her bag the previous day. The matter was finally settled,

but the experience left Sucheta shaken. It took her six months to even sleep peacefully. “The first time I slept for a whole night was on 19th June,” she tells me. “Every little noise after switching off the lights still keeps me awake till I can identify it.” The laughter that, however, accompanies Sucheta as she recounts the six-year-old incident is born from her changed perceptions about herself. “It still amazes me that my instincts were to scream and grab his collar because through my protected life, I’ve never felt the need to be aggressive. So that incident, scary and scarring as it was, remains an inspiration. It reminds me I came through it on my own. And the rigorous fitness regimen I’d started for weight-loss after my daughter was born in 2009, I realise, added to my agility and presence of mind back then,” says Sucheta. Thus began Sucheta’s hunger for explorations within her, perfectly complementing that which she had long ago fanned and started satiating for the world outside her. ✪ 2 0 2 0 — D E C E M B E R — ASPIRE

R&R / explore

Games, music, food and more… It’s a whole-in-one!

opGolf finally having announced its launch date for the UAE, sports-lovers will now find a new place to enjoy come the December of 2020! A new entertainment outlet opening at the Emirates Golf Course, bringing fun twists to the game of golf along with its much-awaited entry! TopGolf is going to be all about fun and interactive games with temperature-controlled bays and private booths with games, food, and drinks you can experience with your family and friends. The centre covers 60,000 ft of land with 102 golf bays, and one need not worry about losing the ball! The golf balls consist of a microchip and will be wired to your accounts. You can play any way you like - furthest distance competitions, hitting targets, or you can go for accuracy. No matter your skill level and ability, you’re guaranteed to enjoy this excursion!

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But golf courses only cater to those who, well, enjoy golf, right? Not quite true here! TopGolf is undoubtedly aiming to be all-inclusive, and it does not disappoint. Even for those who are not very fond of golf, you can simply enjoy the spectacular view of the location and party with the DJ. It is also the ideal place to enjoy live sporting events, with huge TVs and no age restrictions. The place welcomes every group, families or friends; has three bars and restaurants along with VIP suites and a golf shop. “Generally golf is considered to be an elite time consuming and serious game. TopGolf will make it more accessible, more fun in less time. I am looking forward to its opening,” says Ishu Rupani an investor in Dubai and an avid golf lover. Are you entertaining your clients? TopGolf has a specific event plan for your needs. It also boasts of being the prime location for the corporate

audience and in increasing the efficiency of your group through team-building activities. Indeed an all-in-one place for any group gathering, TopGolf has got your back in planning for it and executing it with flair. Book your calendars and make sure that you pop a visit to this exciting new addition to the jewels of UAE! ✪

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