From the Editors: A privilege to live in Dubai

PRIVILEGE TO BE IN DUBAI: It should come as no surprise that 95 per cent of residents living in Dubai find the city the best place to live in. The findings of a Community Development Authority survey only go to reaffirm what we’ve always known. Safety and security apart, what Dubai offers in terms of its social fabric where people of different nationalities live in harmony is perhaps unmatched. Where else in the world would you also find facilities that are so accessible and state-of-the-art? It is not only a matter of pride, but also a privilege to live in Dubai. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

RESUMPTION OF UN- LED LIBYA TALKS MUST BE WELCOMED: On Monday, the UN-led peace talks on Libya resumed virtually. The UN has indicated that the discussions are on a selection mechanism for a future administration to help lead Libya out of decade-long turmoil and instability. Libya, with its immense hydrocarbon wealth and talented people, deserves much better. The delegates carry on their shoulders the hopes and aspirations of ordinary Libyans, who seek stability and prosperity in their country and an end to the militia rule that has brought such misery. But their task is a difficult one, and they are alive to challenges that lie ahead. [COMMENT BY Omar Shariff, International Editor]

HEARTFELT FAREWELL TO LONELY ELEPHANT KAAVAN: Pakistan’s lonely elephant Kaavan was given a farewell party by children and well-wishers before he flies off for a new life in Cambodia this week. It was a refreshing and heartfelt gesture by residents who had flocked to see the elephant in the zoo for 35 years, during which Kaavan suffered neglect, apathy and torture. It has been an uphill task to reach this juncture. Two lions of Islamabad Zoo were not so lucky, having died when unprofessional animal caretakers tried to transfer them to a private farm in Lahore. Hopefully the years ahead will be happier for Kaavan in the Cambodia sanctuary and the scars of the past will soon be erased from memory. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

CAN INDIAN OPENERS MAKE UP FOR ROHIT SHARMA’S ABSENCE? It will be a big opportunity for Indian openers like the senior pro Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal to make up for the absence of Rohit Sharma, who will be missing the entire white ball series against Australia as well as the first two Tests next month. Sharma, who could not fly out with the team from Dubai due to a hamstring problem, had been a pillar of most of India’s exploits in the shorter format for nearly last eight years while he had fitted into the role of an opener in Tests seamlessly since last year. It will be a big test of character, then, for the Indian batsmen against Mitchell Starc & Co, who will be targeting this obvious chink in their rivals’ armour right from the first One-day International in Sydney on Friday. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

Indian entertainment is more than just the over-the-top flair of a Bollywood film. That has been shown with Netflix web series ‘Delhi Crime’ winning the Best Drama Series award at the 48th International Emmys. It’s an accolade that sheds light on not only pertinent social issues, but the ability of local talents to bring forth artistic, subtle and deeper storytelling that might otherwise be missing from mainstream fare. The acclaim that projects like ‘Delhi Crime’ and ‘Made in Heaven’ have gotten show that the Indian audience wants to see rich and complex content. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto Assistant Editor – Features]