From the Editors: This day, that year - 10 years of India’s ICC World Cup win

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF SOCIAL MEDIA - It is often said that where there’s a will, there’ a way. Some residents of Abu Dhabi have just proved that right. In a unique gesture of solidarity in these times of a pandemic, several residents across Abu Dhabi have been helping each other avail free tests for COVID-19 screenings. In Abu Dhabi, PCR tests for COVID-19 are conducted on a daily basis as part of a mass screening programme. Since these tests are conducted in different areas of the emirate on different days, some residents have taken it upon themselves to keep others informed about the specific locality or area where these tests are conducted on any given day. On social media platforms, particularly on Facebook, this initiative has taken on a life of its own, whereby some residents have even set up dedicated groups to share information between the group members. While Abu Dhabi and the rest of UAE are doing everything possible to ensure residents and visitors are safe from this pandemic, initiatives such as this are indeed heartening and go a long way in instilling community feeling and solidarity. [COMMENT by Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

FRANCE STRUGGLING TO CONTAIN THE VIRUS - France President Emmanuel Macron has had to order the country into its third national lockdown. He was left with no other choice and had to make the tough decision in an effort to curb the third wave of the coronavirus. With the daily new COVID-19 infections having doubled since February (averaging almost 40,000) and the number of patients in intensive care breaching 5,000 this week, stern action was needed. Schools will be closed for at least three weeks as part of the new restrictions while all non-essential shops will also be shut. There will be a ban on travelling more than 10km from home without good reason too and all in all this is a massive step backwards for France as it struggles to contain this virus. [COMMENT by Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

THIS DAY, THAT YEAR: 10 YEARS OF INDIA'S ICC WORLD CUP WIN - Times flies…April 2 marks the 10th anniversary of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team winning the ICC World Cup at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After June 25, 1983, when Kapil Dev & co stunned world cricket by winning the title at the Lord’s, 2011 witnessed another day to be cherished by the Indian cricket fans. Another 50-overs World Cup is scheduled in India in 2023 and can the hosts emulate it? Only time will tell. [COMMENT by Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

KEEPING IT REAL: Singer Demi Lovato has released a graphic and disturbing video for her song ‘Dancing With the Devil’, which goes into detail recounting her near-fatal 2018 drug overdose. It’s not a pretty video and it even comes with a warning. Lovato has not held back from showing the reality of addiction and how devastating it can be. She could have glossed over it and shoved it under the rug, but she has given people a clear picture of the dark side of stardom. If anything, it’s a warning to those who might be going down the wrong path. [COMMENT by Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor - Features]