From the Editors: The year that was and the year we want

LET’S USHER IN THE NEW YEAR – RESPONSIBLY: As the sun goes down for one last time this year, as the revellers get set to make the most of the embers of a late winter night, before the dawn of a brand new year, and as we all get ready to savour those fantastic fireworks lighting up the night sky above Dubai and the UAE at the stroke of midnight, here’s hoping and praying that may positivity and optimism reign supreme in the New Year. We in the UAE, and all around the world, have stood shoulder to shoulder for the last two years, battling an invisible enemy that has taken its toll on life and livelihood. Yet, human spirit has triumphed over all odds -- finding enough strength, stamina and reason not to be baulked by a pandemic. Just as Expo 2020 Dubai continues to bring the world under one roof, just as we all once again assemble with friends and family tonight and get ready with our smart phone cameras to capture the memories for posterity all over UAE and across the globe – here’s wishing everyone a Happy 2022! And finally, as responsible community members, let us take a pledge to indulge in the celebrations responsibly, with complete adherence to all safety and health guidelines. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

LET’S RING IN NEW YEAR WITH NEW HOPE: Remember December 31, 2020? Yes, many of us had hoped that COVID-19 will leave us in 2021. But, sadly enough it was another tumultuous and pandemic-ridden year. 2021 started with hope with life-saving vaccines being rolled out, but the emergence of Omicron put a damper on our optimism when things were looking brighter. Many countries have called off or curtailed celebrations to welcome in 2022, fearful that Omicron will take advantage of gatherings to spread even faster. But here is the good news coming out of latest studies: An unsung arm of the immune system appears to protect against severe disease with Omicron even when antibodies wane that helps to explain why a record wave of infections hasn’t engulfed hospitals so far. T cells, the body’s weapon against virus-infected cells, were primed enough by vaccination that they defended against Omicron, the studies have found. So, as we bid goodbye to 2021, lets leave behind the disappointments and welcome 2022 with new hope. [COMMENT BY Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor]

2022: VIRAT KOHLI & CO ROUND UP A GREAT YEAR IN TESTS If the Indian cricket fan had been somewhat disappointed at the team’s inability to win one of the ICC championships (World Test Championship, T20 World Cup), they can take heart from the stellar show of Virat Kohli & Co in the longest format of the game. They ended the year as No.1 team in Tests, breaching another fortress in Centurion where South Africa had ruled from its inception and completing a cycle which began 11 months back with a win at the Gabba. Since that famous Test win at Brisbane, India have won eight Tests in 2021 and lost only three - beating top sides like Australia, England and now South Africa all away from home. The Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri regime, for once, deserves all the credit for this journey! [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

MOVIES AND MUSIC KEPT UP GOING IN 2021: The year hasn’t been easy for anyone. With the new wave of COVID-19 hitting again, it seems like the storm is not over just yet. But there are a few things that have helped us get through the year. We welcomed distractions in the form of pop radio hits; shows such as ‘Squid Game’ kept us on the edge of our seats; Bollywood movies such a ‘83’ and ‘Rashmi Rocket’ let us escape into other worlds. It’s likely that 2022 will bring us more enjoyment and inspiration. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]