分类： society

The Sino-Foreign Youth Marxist Dialogue, held on Saturday at Guangxi University in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, brought together scholars, international youth delegates, and media representatives to deepen mutual understanding and promote cross-cultural communication. Participants included scholars from Peking University, Wuhan University, and Guangxi University, alongside over 20 international delegates from countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Argentina, and Vietnam. The event aimed to build consensus through intellectual exchange, foster friendships via cultural learning, and enhance dialogue across civilizations. Leonel Octavio Predut, an Argentine youth delegate, shared his unexpected discoveries about China, highlighting the seamless integration of modernity and tradition in Nanning and the kindness of locals. Zin Nway Hlaing, a Burmese student, expressed her ambition to bridge cultural understanding between Myanmar and China, emphasizing China’s cultural richness alongside its technological and economic prowess. Prior to the dialogue, participants visited Baise, a city in western Guangxi renowned for its revolutionary history, to explore its cultural and tourism attractions.

In a heartfelt gesture, Dubai-based real estate developer Kalpesh Kinariwala has announced a Dh25,000 reward for any credible information leading to the whereabouts of Rakesh Kumar Jangid, a 39-year-old Indian man who has been missing in the UAE for over two years. Kinariwala, the founder and chairman of Pantheon Developers, was moved to act after reading a recent report in Khaleej Times detailing the family’s ongoing struggle to find Rakesh.

Kinariwala, who lost his father at a young age, expressed deep empathy for the family’s plight. “I know what it means for a family to suddenly lose the person they depend on,” he said. “If this gesture can bring even a small ray of hope to his children or help trace Rakesh, it’s the least we can do as a community.”

The businessman has coordinated with local authorities and the Consulate General of India in Dubai to ensure the reward aligns with ongoing investigative efforts. He emphasized that any credible lead received through the reward will be promptly forwarded to the authorities. The Dh25,000 reward will be given to anyone who provides verifiable information that helps locate Rakesh.

Rakesh, a marble installer from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, arrived in Dubai on June 21, 2023, on a 60-day tourist visa, hoping to secure a job. He maintained regular contact with his family for two weeks, but his last call on July 6, 2023, described a distressing incident at a construction site in Jebel Ali. Since then, his family has been unable to reach him.

The family’s search has been fraught with challenges. Rakesh’s elder brother, Makhan Lal, traveled to Dubai in March 2024 after receiving a vague voice note from the agent who arranged Rakesh’s job, claiming he was in jail. Despite extensive searches in hospitals, detention centers, and construction sites, no trace of Rakesh was found.

The family has endured multiple tragedies since Rakesh’s disappearance, including the loss of another brother in a train accident and the sudden death of their youngest brother. The reward announcement has brought a glimmer of hope to the family, who remain desperate for answers. “We just want to know what happened to Rakesh,” Makhan said. “Our parents are getting older. His children ask about him every day.”

As the UAE prepares to celebrate its 54th Eid Al Etihad, residents are planning short getaways to make the most of the four-day holiday announced for December 1 and 2. For those seeking convenience and affordability, visa-free destinations within a four-hour flight are an ideal choice. Here are five top-rated locations that promise hassle-free travel and unforgettable experiences.

1. **Georgia**: Just a 3.5-hour flight from the UAE, Georgia offers a blend of European and Asian cultures. With its picturesque mountains and historic towns like Tbilisi, UAE residents can enjoy a 90-day stay without a visa.

2. **Uzbekistan**: This Central Asian gem provides visa-on-arrival for UAE residents, allowing a 30-day stay. Explore the cultural treasures of Samarkand and Bukhara, or delve into Tashkent’s vibrant markets and Soviet-era architecture—all within a 3.5-hour flight.

3. **Armenia**: UAE residents with a valid Emirates ID can obtain a visa-on-arrival in Armenia. Known for its scenic landscapes and ancient monasteries, Armenia is a perfect escape from the desert heat, just a 3-hour, 25-minute flight away.

4. **Nepal**: A 4-hour flight takes you to Nepal, home to Mount Everest and stunning Buddhist and Hindu temples. UAE residents can enjoy visa-on-arrival and immerse themselves in the country’s serene beauty and warm hospitality.

5. **Azerbaijan**: A 3-hour flight to Baku opens the door to Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage and natural wonders. From the UNESCO-listed Old City to the modern Heydar Aliyev Centre, this destination offers a unique blend of history and modernity.

These destinations not only save time and effort but also provide a refreshing break from routine, making them perfect for a short holiday during the Eid Al Etihad break.

China’s education system is undergoing significant demographic changes, with the primary school student population reaching its peak in 2023, according to Education Minister Huai Jinpeng. Middle schools are expected to follow suit in 2024, while high schools and higher education institutions are projected to peak in 2029 and 2032, respectively. These shifts reflect broader population trends and have prompted the Ministry of Education to reallocate resources to address regional disparities in school placement and resource distribution. Minister Huai emphasized the need to prioritize areas experiencing rapid population growth and urban centers with high concentrations of school-age children. The ministry also plans to expand educational facilities to accommodate these changes, ensuring equitable access to quality education across the country. This strategic response aims to mitigate the challenges posed by fluctuating student numbers and to maintain the stability of China’s education system in the coming decade.

In the drought-stricken regions of Maharashtra, India, the harsh realities of climate change are reshaping the lives of young girls. As wells dry up and rainfall becomes increasingly unpredictable, the burden of water collection falls heavily on their shoulders. Seventeen-year-old Ramati Mangla is one of many girls who must walk several kilometres each morning to fetch water, often missing school in the process. ‘I have kept my books,’ she laments, ‘but what if I never get a chance to go back?’

With men migrating to nearby cities for work, girls like Mangla are left to shoulder the responsibility of water collection, a task that consumes hours each day and leaves little time for education. Local officials estimate that nearly two million people in Nashik and Nandurbar districts face daily water shortages. This crisis is not unique to Maharashtra; it mirrors a broader trend across India’s rural heartlands, where climate-related disruptions are pushing millions of girls out of classrooms.

A 2021 UNESCO report highlighted the global impact of climate change on education, warning that millions of girls worldwide could be forced to leave school. In India, this pattern is already evident, with teachers reporting a sharp decline in girls’ attendance, particularly during dry months. Struggling to survive, many families see no option but to keep their daughters home or marry them early.

The UN children’s fund has noted that children in drought-prone areas, burdened with family responsibilities like water collection, struggle to attend school regularly. For Mangla and countless other girls, climate change has turned the simple act of fetching water into a stark choice between survival and education.

Mangla’s story is part of a photography series by Shefali Rafiq, featured in the 2025 Marai Photo Grant. This award, organised by Agence France-Presse, honours Shah Marai, the former photo chief at AFP’s Kabul bureau, who was killed in a suicide attack in 2018. The 2025 theme, ‘climate change,’ highlights its profound impact on daily life and communities, as seen through the lens of young South Asian photographers.

Nestled in the heart of Beijing’s Qianmen Hutong, Naga Tree Cafe has emerged as a sanctuary for individuals with disabilities, offering a unique blend of social enterprise and public welfare. Founded by Ren Jiayi, an entrepreneur with disabilities who has undergone double titanium hip replacements due to ankylosing spondylitis, the cafe stands as China’s first inclusive space of its kind. Since its inception a year ago, Naga Tree has become a spiritual refuge, providing a platform for wheelchair users, visually or hearing-impaired individuals, and others to express themselves freely and confidently. The cafe sustains its 756-square-meter space through diverse revenue streams, including venue rentals, brand collaborations, and the sale of coffee-related products. Beyond conventional facilities like ramps and adjustable tables, Naga Tree is equipped with state-of-the-art restrooms featuring automatic doors, transfer boards, and an anti-fainting system that ensures safety by opening the door automatically if no movement is detected within 25 minutes. Ren emphasizes that accessibility is not merely about meeting government standards but about addressing the real needs of people with disabilities. Naga Tree also serves as a social classroom for the disability community, where blind visitors enjoy music and borrow braille books, and wheelchair users mingle freely in a barrier-free setting. A regular visitor described it as ‘more than just a cafe,’ highlighting its role as a transitional space where individuals regain confidence and reintegrate into society. Xu Yanchun, an accessibility supervisor in Beijing, praised Naga Tree for its meticulous attention to detail and its employment of people with disabilities, providing them with opportunities for work and social interaction. Xu added that the success of small businesses like Naga Tree inspires others to follow suit, creating more opportunities and spaces for people with disabilities to work and engage in social activities within society.

The Jingxin Wetland in Hunchun, located within the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Jilin Province, has recently become a temporary home to over 10,000 wild geese. This early winter spectacle has drawn bird enthusiasts and photographers eager to document the migratory birds as they rest and forage. Spanning more than 5,800 hectares, the wetland offers a rich food supply and a thriving ecosystem, making it a crucial stopover for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds each spring and autumn. The sight of these magnificent birds taking flight against the backdrop of the wetland has become a symbol of the region’s ecological health and natural beauty. The event underscores the importance of preserving such habitats to support biodiversity and sustain migratory patterns.