UAE-India airfare crisis: Flights must increase to control prices, says ambassador

Sahebaan UAE, an organization representing the Urdu-speaking Muslim community from the twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, hosted a spectacular family gathering at the Amity School grounds in Al Qusais, Dubai, on Saturday, February 15, 2025. The event brought together over a thousand members of the Sahebaan community from across the UAE, neighboring GCC countries, and India for an evening of celebration, recognition, and togetherness.

The event commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Master Mohammad Faiz and Fazil Rahil Ali. Althaf M.S. welcomed the gathering, emphasizing that Sahebaan UAE serves as a platform for community members to connect, foster unity, and celebrate their shared identity.

Honoring Community Patrons

The esteemed patrons of the Sahebaan Community—Janab Hidayathullah Abbas, K.S. Nissar Ahmed, and Afroz Assadi—were honored for their remarkable humanitarian efforts, charitable contributions, and unwavering support for Sahebaan UAE. The felicitation ceremony was led by Janab Suhail Kudroli, Altaf Khalife, and Samiullah M.H.

Sahebaan Excellence Awards

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the prestigious ‘Sahebaan Excellence Awards’ to individuals who have excelled in various fields. The awards were conferred by the community patrons.

Business Excellence Award: Mohammad Akram, Founder and Chairman of Abu Dhabi-based Al Sitara Contracting, was recognized for his contributions to the business sector.

Sports Excellence Award: International Superbike racing champion and DSBK Superbike Racing Company owner, Nasir Syed of Karkala, was honored for his achievements in motorsports.

Academic Excellence Award (Posthumous): The late Professor Muzaffar Hussain Assadi, a distinguished scholar and thinker, was posthumously awarded. His brother, Sajjad Assadi, accepted the honor on his behalf.

Literary Excellence Award: Writer and poet Irshad Moodbidri was recognized for his contributions to literature. His son, Nihad, accepted the award.

Community Service Excellence Award: Abu Dhabi-based businessmen Mohammad Asif and Sahar Mohammad Asif were acknowledged for their dedication to social causes. Their son, Abdul Ahad, accepted the award.

Distinguished Guests

The function was graced by prominent community members, including Janab Mohammed Muslim Koppa, Director of Vartha Bharathi, along with overseas Sahebaan representatives Janab Safiuddin Mohammed, Mumtaz Hussain, Niyamathulla Asadi, and Mohammed Hussain.

Recognizing Academic Achievements

Students who excelled academically were felicitated with the ‘Sahebaan Merit Award.’ Those who achieved above 90% in their examinations were celebrated, including:

SSLC Achievers from UAE: Faiz Anam, Mohammad Rayaan, and Mohammad Umair Suvaid Khan.

Pre-University Excellence: Muskan Fatima, recognized as the Gulf topper in the commerce stream, alongside high scorers Juveria Firoz, Siham Akbar Ali, Mohammad Rafaan, and Hiba Altaf Salah.

Celebrating Young Sporting Talent

Young achievers in sports were also honored, including Mohammad Aiman, who excelled in the 4x4 100-meter relay, and Mohammad Aiz, associated with the DOFA Football Association.

A Night of Culture and Celebration

Beyond awards and recognition, the evening was filled with cultural performances and activities, particularly for children. The ‘Prince and Princess’ dress-up competition for kids under ten was a major attraction. The event also featured:

Indian Patriotic Dance

Traditional Arabic Dance

Beautiful Dua Recitation by Children

A short documentary about Sahebaan was screened on a large LED display, offering insights into the community’s history, values, and achievements.

Event Hosts and Coordinators

The event was skillfully hosted by Hisrar Tallani, who flew in from Mangalore for the occasion, engaging the audience with his humor and interactive activities.

Children’s programs were coordinated by:

Prince and Princess Competition: Reeha Althaf

Indian Patriotic Dance: Heena Kausar

Arabic Dance: Fauzia Rahil

Dua Segment: Fauzia Shah

Ajmal Mohammed delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all contributors.

Acknowledgment of Organizing Committee

The event’s success was attributed to the tireless efforts of the organizing committee members:

Core Team: Afroze Assadi, Althaf M.S., Ajmal Mohammad, Altaf Khalife, Samiullah M.H., Suhail Kudroli, Asif Mohammad Hussain, Sameer Sharif, Nayeem Khan, Abdul Ahed, and Faizan Khateeb.

Women Organizers: Parveen Assadi, Sahara Asif, and Reena Althaf.

The Sahebaan UAE Family Get-Together was a remarkable celebration of unity, talent, and tradition, leaving attendees with cherished memories and a strengthened sense of community spirit.

The number of Indian high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), those having assets more than $10 million, rose 6 per cent last year to 85,698, according to Knight Frank.

Global property consultant Knight Frank on Wednesday released its 'The Wealth Report 2025', which estimated the HNWI population in India at 85,698 in 2024, as against 80,686 in the preceding year.

The number is expected to rise to 93,753 by 2028, reflecting India's expanding wealth landscape, the consultant said.

The increasing trend of HNIW population highlights the country's strong long-term economic growth, increasing investment opportunities, and evolving luxury market, positioning India as a key player in global wealth creation.

India's billionaire population has also seen a strong year-on-year growth in 2024.

"India is now home to 191 billionaires, of which 26 joined the ranks in just the last year, which was pegged at just 7 in 2019," the consultant said.

The combined wealth of Indian billionaires is estimated at $950 billion, ranking the country third globally, behind the US ($5.7 trillion) and Mainland China ($1.34 trillion).

"India's growing wealth underscores its economic resilience and long-term growth potential. The country is witnessing an unprecedented rise in high-net-worth individuals, driven by entrepreneurial dynamism, global integration, and emerging industries," Shishir Baijal, Chairman & Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said.

This expansion is not just in scale but also in the evolving investment preferences of India's elite, who are diversifying across asset classes, from real estate to global equities, he added.

"In the decade ahead, India's influence in global wealth creation will only strengthen," Baijal said.

Karnataka's Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Madhu Bangarappa, announced that skill-oriented classes will be introduced for students of grades 8 to 12 alongside the regular curriculum from the next academic year.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Skill and Employment Fair organized by the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, and Skill Development Department at the National College of Education, in Shivamogga, he emphasized the importance of skill-based education in shaping students' futures.

"Introducing skill training at an early stage will help students acquire expertise in their chosen fields, secure desired jobs, and lead self-reliant lives," the minister stated.

To improve job opportunities for youth, Bangarappa proposed a transport facility for job seekers. Instead of organizing job fairs at the taluk level—where employer participation is limited—he suggested conducting them at district headquarters with free bus services for registered candidates from rural and urban areas. This initiative will be discussed with concerned officials and implemented next year, he added.