From the Editors: Dubai all set to roll out the red carpet again

DUBAI ALL SET TO ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET-YET AGAIN: As 2020 draws to a close and the world looks for ways to beat all the gloom that has dominated the year in view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, Dubai is set to roll out the red carpet for its residents and visitors to usher in the New Year – in strict compliance with health and safety protocols. Right from ensuring non-stop Metro services for almost 48 hours to providing designated pedestrian crossings on Sheikh Zayed Road near the Burj Khalifa-Dubai Mall Metro Station, Dubai authorities have drawn up an elaborate blueprint to ensure hassle-free movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on New Year’s Eve and well into New Year’s Day. These arrangements are in keeping with Dubai’s image as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world – an image that Dubai has lived up to, year on year. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

FRESH LOOK NEEDED TO FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING: Weather disasters take a toll not just on lives but also on the economy. In 2020, 3,500 lives were lost (in the top ten natural disasters) and 1.5 million people displaced due to this. It also meant that the insured damages were worth $150 billion. Many natural disasters cannot be stopped, but scientists say global warming is playing a huge part in some of them. Heatwaves and floods are becoming more common and poor nations often pay a price in terms of human and economic toll. In 2021, along with fighting COVID-19, governments and people around the world must take a renewed look at steps to tackle global warming leading to climate change. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

The visitors were all smiles at last as India dumped the baggage of their Adelaide humiliation and set their sights firmly on victory in Melbourne. A depleted Indian attack shrugged off an injury to paceman Umesh Yadav to rout Australia’s batsmen and set up a platform for a series-levelling win on day three of the second Test on Monday. This is the title-winning India we know and, thankfully, they have shown up before the series is done and dusted. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

THE WORLD STOPS TURNING WITH RAJINIKANTH: If the last few days are any indication, Rajinikanth’s health scare had thousands of his fans perched on a knife’s edge, praying for his speedy recovery. The clout that Thalivar (fondly called by his fans) commands across India is visible every time a film readies for release, with flashing neon lights systematically spelling out ‘Superstar’ before any filmmaker dare use his name on screen. One cannot truly comprehend the sheer star power that Rajinikanth commands unless they’ve witnessed one of his hyperbolic productions on screen. His recent health scare, which saw him admitted in a hospital following hypertension, saw thousands praying for his health, even as mass hysteria had others firmly in their grip. The cult of Rajinikanth’s status is one few can decipher, but it is safe to say that when the superstar takes pause, the world stops turning for his army of loyalists. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]