From the Editors: Saudi Arabia has done it again - Hajj season free of COVID-19

DECISION TO HOLD INDIA ADMISSION TEST IN DUBAI A HUGE RELIEF: In a major relief to parents and their children planning to study medicine in India, the Indian government has chosen Dubai to be the first location outside the country to hold the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical college aspirants. This is a massive decision for thousands of students. With the COVID-19 situation in India still remaining grim and return flights remaining suspended, the future of these students was in doubt. The decision also shows how critical the UAE expat community remains in India’s decision-making processes. [COMMENT by Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor]

SAUDI ARABIA HAS DONE IT AGAIN - HAJJ SEASON FREE OF COVID-19: The Hajj season has passed off successfully free from COVID-19, thanks to an integrated system of health facilities in the holy sites, including hospitals, health centres and well-equipped ambulances. All government entities involved in serving the pilgrims have made great efforts to implement the Hajj health plan to ensure pilgrims’ safety. The early efforts and precautionary measures, which necessitated limiting the number to 60,000 inoculated faithful, bore fruit. For this year’s Hajj, the second to be staged under the shadow of the pandemic, the authorities had rolled out electronic Hajj cards that allowed contactless access to religious sites, accommodation and transport. Instead of communal water dispensers, an army of robots was deployed to distribute sacred water to the faithful. All those involved in this gigantic task deserve the praise for the job well done. [COMMENT by Stephen N.R., Senior Asociate Editor]

TOKYO OLYMPICS GAMES WILL LOOK LIKE NO OTHER DUE TO THE PANDEMIC: The Tokyo Olympics have had an extra year of preparation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Games were postponed in March 2020 but today is the big day where the action finally begins – albeit under huge criticism from the Japanese public. The Games will look and feel different to any other what with masks, social distancing and quarantining but most jarring will be the lack of spectators to cheer on the competitors. Over 11,300 athletes from 207 countries will be competing over the next two weeks while Tokyo remains in a state of emergency. Even though we are still in the middle of the pandemic, today’s opening ceremony offers the world hope that we can and will prevail. [COMMENT by Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

SPACE FOR OLDER ARTISTS: A few years ago, veteran Bollywood actress Neena Gupta famously made a social media post advertising that she was looking for work. It was eye-opening for many, because despite her name being well-known she was still having to ask to be hired. Since then, Gupta has been on a roll and will star with actor Anupam Kher in a new project ‘Shiv Shastri Balboa’. Amid talks of representation, we must not forget to include older actors who have the skill and range to take on a variety of roles. [COMMENT by Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor - Features]