Hindi Hub Articles
Dubai is a modern city surrounded by beautiful beaches, desert landscape and rugged mountains. Frequently referred to as the “City of Gold,” Dubai is where Middle Eastern traditionalism meets Western glitz. It is noted for being a very safe, tolerant and friendly city and renowned for its beautiful beaches, modern architecture and cosmopolitan community.
Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates, directly within the Arabian Desert. The city has no natural river bodies or oases, but does have a natural inlet, Dubai Creek, which has been dredged to make it deep enough for large vessels to pass through. Dubai is an important tourist destination and its port, Jebel Ali, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbor in the world. Dubai is increasingly developing as a hub for service industries such as technology and finance.
Of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has the largest population. Dubai’s population comprises mainly of expatriates, with UAE nationals constituting the minority. According to the UAE Ministry of Labor, more than one million residents of Dubai, or 83% of the population is foreign born. The majority of foreign nationals hail from India (51%), followed by Pakistan (16%). Dubai is home to some 100,000 Western Expats.
The official language of Dubuai is Arabic but English is widely spoken, especially in the business sector. Since most road and shop signs, restaurant menus, etc., are in both English and Arabic, one could live quite easily in this city without speaking Arabic. Persian, Malayalam, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Tagalog also widely spoken.
Dubai has a desert climate with temperatures ranging from 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 118 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Rainfall is infrequent and UAE residents term the climate as “seven months in paradise and five more in an inferno.” The warm climate makes it acceptable to wear shorts and T-shirts however, as Dubai is a Muslim city, visitors should be aware of their attire: shoulders should be covered and women should avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing.
All visitors, except for nationals of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (AGCC), which includes visitors from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, will need to have a visa sponsored by a local entity such as a hotel or tour company. British citizens with the right of abode in the UK and expatriate residents of the AGCC of certain nationalities and professions may qualify for automatic 30 day visit visas on arrival, but regulations should be checked before traveling.
There are several items that should not be brought into the UAE including alcohol, pornography, ivory, drugs, walkie talkies, remote & cordless telephones, religious items (crosses, Buddhas, videos with biblical images), firearms, ammunition, draggers, knives, swords and spears.
The unit of currency is the UAE Dirham (Dh), and there are 100 fils in each Dirham. The Dirham is available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 notes and in 25 fils, 50 fils. For every day purchases, such as groceries, cash and credit cards are commonly used. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are available around the clock.
The most popular neighborhoods for expats are areas such as Jumeirah, Umm Sequim, Emirates Lakes, Emirates Hills, Mirdiff for villas and Bur Dubai & Sheikh Zayed for apartments. Each of these areas is prized for its proximity to good schools and shopping. Most expats tend to rent, as until recently they were not allowed to own property in the UAE. However, beginning in the Summer 2002, this started changing. Today, many expatriate subdivisions (including the Dubai Marina, The Greens, The Meadows, Arabian Ranches, the Palm Project, etc.) are available with the option to buy.
For Expats renting a home in Dubai, their rent is usually paid by check. To open a bank account, a passport and visa (or application) will be needed. A work contract or No Objection Letter from a sponsor and a document that can identify one as a local resident, such as a utility bill or driver’s license, may suffice. Non-residents are not able to open bank accounts.
Due to the high expatriate population, the educational system in Dubai is extremely diverse. English is the most common teaching language. The majority of the British curriculum schools have waiting lists and availability of other schools will vary depending on the time of the year the student will be enrolling. Local schools generally have three terms: Autumn, which runs from mid-September to mid-December; Spring, which runs from early January to early April; and Summer, which runs from mid-April through early July.
For university education, many expatriates tend to send their children back to their home country or to Western countries. Even though Dubai has plans to increase more accredited colleges, they continue to send 90% of all potential secondary school students to India for a stronger technological education. A sizable number of foreign accredited universities have been set up in the city over the last ten years. More and more ‘A’ level and International Baccalaurate education institutions are being establishing in the region.
Driving is the most popular mode of transport in Dubai, where people drive on the right hand side of the road. Valid license holders from certain countries will be able to “swap” their licenses for a Dubai one. These countries are: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States.
Anyone holding a license from a country not listed above will have to take a local driving test.
It is mandatory for front seat passengers to wear seatbelts in cars and it is illegal for children under the age of 10 to sit in the front seat. Taxis are plentiful and neighborhood buses are available but most people prefer to drive. If it’s convenient, the abra, a water taxi that crosses Dubai Creek, is another option. There are also buses that provide transportation to many destinations including outside Dubai and throughout the Emirates.
Stores in Dubai are generally open for longer hours than in other countries. Many are open from 10:00am to 10:00pm, with the exception of Fridays when they may be open from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Some of the smaller shops keep to the old tradition of closing for a siesta from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Dubai has international food companies, white goods stores and pharmacies, all selling a wide variety of items at competitive prices. There are retail outlets to suit most shapes, sizes and budgets. There are also many local tailors who will make virtually anything at a reasonable cost.
For the children, Dubai is comparable to many large towns throughout Europe or North America with a wide range of activities tailored especially for the youngsters. Some of the more popular kid-friendly attractions in the area are softball parks, Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai Zoo, Cyber Games Park, Children’s City, Wonderland Theme Park and Magic Planet. There are many activities available both during weekends and after school, ranging from sports to arts. One important thing to remember is that the hot sun of Dubai can be very dangerous for young children. It is essential that they drink plenty of water and use sun block.
Like most major cities, Dubai’s malls are a very popular gathering place for teenagers. To help teenagers learn more about the culture and local customs, a good source of information is the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural understanding. This organization hosts an array of opportunities such as Mosque visits with explanations, and “Question & Answer” sessions.
Dubia has a impressive nightlife, a variety of sports and beach clubs, etc., where singles and married couples and families can easily meet others who share their interests. Most Dubai residents have at one point been new to the city. This being the case, Emiratis are eager to welcome newcomers and are well known for being welcoming, hospitable, tolerant and friendly.
Written by:
Chris Draeger, Group Vice President, Crown Relocations
Crown Relocations has been providing international moving and relocation services since 1965. With 200 offices in 50 countries, Crown has “people on the ground” in all the major Expat communities around the world. Crown provides a range of services to help Expats and their families move and settle into their new home ranging from Orientation Tours, Home finding, School Search and more. Crown also organizes Expat Clubs with regular events to help people meet and socialize with other Expats.
We also serve corporate clients as they develop and manage the relocation policies and employee benefit programs for the staff moving overseas. Services include expense management, program development, policy counseling, customized online reporting and full departure and destination services for the employees.
Crown is a private organization headquartered in Hong Kong, with European HQ in London and Americas HQ in Los Angeles California.
Crown provides free moving quotations on its website at http://www.crownrelo.com
Dubai is a modern city surrounded by beautiful beaches, desert landscape and rugged mountains. Frequently referred to as the “City of Gold,” Dubai is where Middle Eastern traditionalism meets Western glitz. It is noted for being a very safe, tolerant and friendly city and renowned for its beautiful beaches, modern architecture and cosmopolitan community.
Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates, directly within the Arabian Desert. The city has no natural river bodies or oases, but does have a natural inlet, Dubai Creek, which has been dredged to make it deep enough for large vessels to pass through. Dubai is an important tourist destination and its port, Jebel Ali, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbor in the world. Dubai is increasingly developing as a hub for service industries such as technology and finance.
Of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has the largest population. Dubai’s population comprises mainly of expatriates, with UAE nationals constituting the minority. According to the UAE Ministry of Labor, more than one million residents of Dubai, or 83% of the population is foreign born. The majority of foreign nationals hail from India (51%), followed by Pakistan (16%). Dubai is home to some 100,000 Western Expats.
The official language of Dubuai is Arabic but English is widely spoken, especially in the business sector. Since most road and shop signs, restaurant menus, etc., are in both English and Arabic, one could live quite easily in this city without speaking Arabic. Persian, Malayalam, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Tagalog also widely spoken.
Dubai has a desert climate with temperatures ranging from 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 118 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Rainfall is infrequent and UAE residents term the climate as “seven months in paradise and five more in an inferno.” The warm climate makes it acceptable to wear shorts and T-shirts however, as Dubai is a Muslim city, visitors should be aware of their attire: shoulders should be covered and women should avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing.
All visitors, except for nationals of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (AGCC), which includes visitors from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, will need to have a visa sponsored by a local entity such as a hotel or tour company. British citizens with the right of abode in the UK and expatriate residents of the AGCC of certain nationalities and professions may qualify for automatic 30 day visit visas on arrival, but regulations should be checked before traveling.
There are several items that should not be brought into the UAE including alcohol, pornography, ivory, drugs, walkie talkies, remote & cordless telephones, religious items (crosses, Buddhas, videos with biblical images), firearms, ammunition, draggers, knives, swords and spears.
The unit of currency is the UAE Dirham (Dh), and there are 100 fils in each Dirham. The Dirham is available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 notes and in 25 fils, 50 fils. For every day purchases, such as groceries, cash and credit cards are commonly used. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are available around the clock.
The most popular neighborhoods for expats are areas such as Jumeirah, Umm Sequim, Emirates Lakes, Emirates Hills, Mirdiff for villas and Bur Dubai & Sheikh Zayed for apartments. Each of these areas is prized for its proximity to good schools and shopping. Most expats tend to rent, as until recently they were not allowed to own property in the UAE. However, beginning in the Summer 2002, this started changing. Today, many expatriate subdivisions (including the Dubai Marina, The Greens, The Meadows, Arabian Ranches, the Palm Project, etc.) are available with the option to buy.
For Expats renting a home in Dubai, their rent is usually paid by check. To open a bank account, a passport and visa (or application) will be needed. A work contract or No Objection Letter from a sponsor and a document that can identify one as a local resident, such as a utility bill or driver’s license, may suffice. Non-residents are not able to open bank accounts.
Due to the high expatriate population, the educational system in Dubai is extremely diverse. English is the most common teaching language. The majority of the British curriculum schools have waiting lists and availability of other schools will vary depending on the time of the year the student will be enrolling. Local schools generally have three terms: Autumn, which runs from mid-September to mid-December; Spring, which runs from early January to early April; and Summer, which runs from mid-April through early July.
For university education, many expatriates tend to send their children back to their home country or to Western countries. Even though Dubai has plans to increase more accredited colleges, they continue to send 90% of all potential secondary school students to India for a stronger technological education. A sizable number of foreign accredited universities have been set up in the city over the last ten years. More and more ‘A’ level and International Baccalaurate education institutions are being establishing in the region.
Driving is the most popular mode of transport in Dubai, where people drive on the right hand side of the road. Valid license holders from certain countries will be able to “swap” their licenses for a Dubai one. These countries are: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States.
Anyone holding a license from a country not listed above will have to take a local driving test.
It is mandatory for front seat passengers to wear seatbelts in cars and it is illegal for children under the age of 10 to sit in the front seat. Taxis are plentiful and neighborhood buses are available but most people prefer to drive. If it’s convenient, the abra, a water taxi that crosses Dubai Creek, is another option. There are also buses that provide transportation to many destinations including outside Dubai and throughout the Emirates.
Stores in Dubai are generally open for longer hours than in other countries. Many are open from 10:00am to 10:00pm, with the exception of Fridays when they may be open from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Some of the smaller shops keep to the old tradition of closing for a siesta from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Dubai has international food companies, white goods stores and pharmacies, all selling a wide variety of items at competitive prices. There are retail outlets to suit most shapes, sizes and budgets. There are also many local tailors who will make virtually anything at a reasonable cost.
For the children, Dubai is comparable to many large towns throughout Europe or North America with a wide range of activities tailored especially for the youngsters. Some of the more popular kid-friendly attractions in the area are softball parks, Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai Zoo, Cyber Games Park, Children’s City, Wonderland Theme Park and Magic Planet. There are many activities available both during weekends and after school, ranging from sports to arts. One important thing to remember is that the hot sun of Dubai can be very dangerous for young children. It is essential that they drink plenty of water and use sun block.
Like most major cities, Dubai’s malls are a very popular gathering place for teenagers. To help teenagers learn more about the culture and local customs, a good source of information is the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural understanding. This organization hosts an array of opportunities such as Mosque visits with explanations, and “Question & Answer” sessions.
Dubia has a impressive nightlife, a variety of sports and beach clubs, etc., where singles and married couples and families can easily meet others who share their interests. Most Dubai residents have at one point been new to the city. This being the case, Emiratis are eager to welcome newcomers and are well known for being welcoming, hospitable, tolerant and friendly.
Written by:
Chris Draeger, Group Vice President, Crown Relocations
Crown Relocations has been providing international moving and relocation services since 1965. With 200 offices in 50 countries, Crown has “people on the ground” in all the major Expat communities around the world. Crown provides a range of services to help Expats and their families move and settle into their new home ranging from Orientation Tours, Home finding, School Search and more. Crown also organizes Expat Clubs with regular events to help people meet and socialize with other Expats.
We also serve corporate clients as they develop and manage the relocation policies and employee benefit programs for the staff moving overseas. Services include expense management, program development, policy counseling, customized online reporting and full departure and destination services for the employees.
Crown is a private organization headquartered in Hong Kong, with European HQ in London and Americas HQ in Los Angeles California.
Crown provides free moving quotations on its website at http://www.crownrelo.com
Hot Hindi Stuff Online:
The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics)The eighteen chapters of The Bhagavad Gita (c. 500 b.c.), the glory of Sanskrit literature, encompass the whole spiritual struggle of a human soul. Its three central themes-love, light, and life-arise from the symphonic vision of God in all things and of all things in God. Translated by Juan Mascaró
Introduction by Simon Brodbeck
The New Sciences of Religion: Exploring Spirituality from the Outside In and Bottom UpThe New Sciences of Religion is a critical analysis of new scientific research on religious and spiritual phenomena. William Grassie takes a two-staged phenomenological approach working from the “outside in” and the “bottom up” without privileging at the outset any religious traditions or philosophical assumptions. Using insights from economics, evolutionary psychology, the neurosciences, and medicine, Grassie develops a complex and multifaceted understanding of religion as potentially functional and dysfunctional in specific contexts, differentially so for individuals and groups. The New Sciences of Religion then asks what in religion and spirituality might also be true and profound when our received traditions are reinterpreted in light of contemporary sciences. In contrast to the New Atheists, Grassie argues for a concept of God-by-whatever-name that is fully compatible with contemporary science and the reinterpretation of traditional religions. In the end, there is no grand unified theory of religion and none of the many scientific explanations of religion preclude that religions have intuited, experienced, and discovered true and profound insights into the nature of ultimate reality and human existence. This is an original and compelling scientific interpretation of religion and also a religious interpretation of science that will challenge and delight students and scholars alike.
Ask Your Science Teacher: Answers to Everyday Questions: Things you always wanted to know about how the world works.Curiosity stirs the soul of every human. Who has not wondered about how the human body works? Can a person drink too much water? How does gravity make things fall? Why do sunflowers always face the sun. What about a man flying with wings? How big would those wings have to be? How tall can a human grow? Why are tennis balls fuzzy? What happens to the white when snow melts? What does Einstein's famous equation really mean? Why can't we invent a time machine? Do aliens live among us? What is heavy water? Why is it quiet after a snowfall? Why do dogs drool? How risky is driving a car? Mysteries lurk in our house, our body, the outdoors, in the heavens, and the universe. Over 250 "I always wondered about that" questions and answers are in this book. Larry Scheckel has taught high school science for over 38 years and writes a weekly science column for the local newspaper. Known as Mr. Science, Larry Scheckel has given science presentations to thousands of children and adults across the United States. He has been a "full house" presenter at conventions and science seminars. Mr. Science has thrilled audiences for over 35 years with amazing science demonstrations to audiences from kindergarten to adults. Browse the contents of this book and enjoy an entertaining and thoughtful look at how our world works. Discover the secrets of life's most baffling mysteries.
Revolt! The Next Great Transformation from Kleptocracy Capitalism to Libertarian Socialism through Counter Ideology, Societal Education, & Direct ActionChampioning counter ideology, societal education, and direct action professor Asimakopoulos develops a theory to action model for working class movement building toward societies based on self-organization and self-direction. Revolt! begins with an analysis of the 2008 economic collapse showing how neoliberal globalization is intensifying capitalism's contradictions resulting in perpetual crises affecting workers. By looking at the labor and civil rights movements it then demonstrates meaningful working class gains were obtained through high levels of class conflict made possible by radical leaders and ideology, class-consciousness and solidarity through societal education, and even rebellion. Now, argues professor Asimakopoulos, social justice can only be achieved through a new movement which, short of the immediate overthrow of capitalism, can obtain with direct action specific working class victories that will set in motion evolutionary radical change. One strategic proposal is demanding corporate boards of directors only include community and labor representatives. Revolt! will be of most interest to workers, activists, college students, and scholars, as well as anyone interested in the practical side of radical anarchism, Marxism, and social movements.
A History of RussiaWidely acclaimed as the best one-volume survey text available, A History of Russia presents the whole span of Russia's history, from the origins of the Kievan state and the building of an empire, to Soviet Russia, the successor states, and beyond. Drawing on both primary sources and major interpretive works, this sixth edition updates its existing coverage of the social, economic, cultural, political and miliary events of Russia's past and includes a new chapter on the post-Gorbachev era as well as helpful updated biblipgraphies and reading source lists. Examining contemporary issues such as the rise of Yeltsin, the nationalities question, and Russia's attempts to market capitalism, this sixth edition takes the study of Russia straight into the new millennium, continuing A History of Russia's nearly forty-year track record as the leader in the field.
Race and Class Matters at an Elite CollegeIn Race and Class Matters at an Elite College, Elizabeth Aries provides a rare glimpse into the challenges faced by black and white college students from widely different class backgrounds as they come to live together as freshmen. Based on an intensive study Aries conducted with 58 students at Amherst College during the 2005-2006 academic year, this book offers a uniquely personal look at the day-to-day thoughts and feelings of students as they experience racial and economic diversity firsthand, some for the first time.
Through online questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, Aries followed four groups of students throughout their first year of college: affluent whites, affluent blacks, less financially advantaged whites from families with more limited education, and less financially advantaged blacks from the same background. Drawing heavily on the voices of these freshmen, Aries chronicles what they learned from racial and class diversity—and what colleges might do to help their students learn more.
