News Headline
Dubai tries out a bilateral approach to popularise itself
MUMBAI: Dubai has moved into a two-pronged approach-The highly popular website of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) : www.dubaitourism.ae and the Earth Television’s worldwide network of cameras for daily live broadcasts to millions of people across the world.
The DTCM website has seen a unique growth since its launch almost five years ago and has generated an all-time record of 586,761 hits on a single day in
January, an average of over four million hits a month.
The DTCM Manager, Information and Technology, Mr. Suhail Buhelaiba, said:
“The website www.dubaitourism.ae has been playing a crucial role in broadening the international profile of Dubai.On January 20, we crossed the 550,000 mark.”
In 1999, the DTCM department joined the list of organizations to launch online reservation service to allow the visitors to find and reserve rooms at
Dubai hotels and hotel apartments.
The other novel feature is the electronic One Stop Information Centre
(OSIC), which allows public to obtain vital information about Dubai tourism
and business sectors. Visa information and tourist tips, Photo Gallery, Dubai Locator, Dubai Weather and Calendar of Events and Exhibitions are other attractions on the website.The website has English, Japanese and Arabic versions as well.
The EarthTv’s latest network of cameras is said to be the world’s largest remote-controlled broadcast camera network, with 60 camera countings. Dubai is EarthTV’s first Middle East camera destination. Earth television network’s main objective is to produce a daily 24-hour live program from locations around the world. This new technology makes it possible for the first time ever to broadcast live the most beautiful places and fascinating locations of our planet.
Earth TV, a part of Germany’s TELCAST Media Group offers viewers what is going on in the world. The networking got off to a sparkling start and captured the spectacular shots of Dubai’s New Year Eve fireworks for the network’s TimeLapse special programme broadcast in Belgium, Hong Kong, pan-Asia, Portugal,
Turkey and the UK. This special broadcast was shown on different TV channels.
Additional features provided by EarthTV are a link on the EarthTV’s
website to Dubai’s website, detailed monthly report, and the use of live
broadcast signal locally(Germany).
The DTCM has had an office in India for the past six years which has been functioning as an initial contact point and query-processing centre for companies interested in doing business in Dubai, for the Indian travel trade and the media.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
