• Introducing New Categories: Global Recognition, Medical Education, Pharma, Veterinary Care, and AI Breakthroughs

Dubai, UAE: The Fifth Annual HEALTH Awards Gala, organized by HEALTH Magazine, is gearing up to honor excellence in healthcare once again this year on November 20, 2024, in Dubai. This distinguished event serves as a platform to acknowledge remarkable contributions and innovative brilliance within the healthcare sector. Nominations from across the GCC are now open, and the addition of global categories adds sparkle to the ceremony this time, with the winners set to be revealed during a gala event in Dubai on November 20, 2024.

New segments including Global Recognition, Medical Education, Pharma, Veterinary, and AI breakthroughs have been added to the categories. Anticipated to draw over a thousand attendees, including healthcare leaders, professionals, and prominent Arab and Bollywood celebrities, this event showcases the healthcare industry’s commitment to excellence, advancement, and celebrating success.

Following the great success of last year, where 63 esteemed awards were presented, the Annual Health Awards has been a platform to publicize and promote significant achievements in the healthcare sector since its inaugural edition. The Annual Health Awards 2024 aims to inspire healthcare professionals and institutions to dream big and embark upon great endeavors.

The UAE Ministry of Economy’s projection of healthcare spending potentially reaching $26 billion by 2028 aligns with the nation’s substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure and services. The report further states that this commitment is exemplified by the ongoing development of 700 healthcare projects, totaling $60.9 billion, primarily driven by private sector endeavors.

Dr. Thumbay Moideen, in explaining the goals of HEALTH Awards, said “These initiatives are geared towards promoting excellence and enhancing the quality and infrastructure of the healthcare industry in the region. As a result, such improvements not only cater to the local population but also position the UAE as a leading destination for medical tourism, thereby further boosting the nation’s healthcare sector.”

The HEALTH Magazine Awards are expertly run to ensure transparency and fairness in evaluating the nominees by a bench of prominent jury members.

The 2024 HEALTH Awards showcase an expanded range of categories aimed at recognizing excellence in the healthcare sector. This year, new segments have been introduced, including Global Recognition, Medical Education, Pharma, Veterinary, and AI. Under the corporate categories, accolades will be conferred upon outstanding entities across various fields, including Clinic of the Year, Hospital of the Year, Academic Hospital of the Year, Diagnostic Centre of the Year, Healthcare Insurance Company of the Year, Medical Academic Institute of the Year, Pharmaceutical Innovation of the Year, AI-Driven Healthcare Innovation of the Year, Veterinary Hospital of the Year, and Veterinary Clinic of the Year. These diverse categories reflect the multifaceted nature of the healthcare industry and highlight excellence and innovation across different sectors.

In the Individual Categories, HEALTH will honor contributions in healthcare from a personal perspective. These categories include Leaders in Healthcare, comprising Founders, Owners, and Entrepreneurs in the field; Executives in Healthcare, encompassing roles like CEO, COO, CMO, and CFO; Physicians, Surgeons, and Medical Specialists exhibiting exceptional expertise; Women in Healthcare who have made remarkable strides in the industry; Innovative Researchers in Healthcare pushing boundaries; Dedicated Nurses providing critical care; and Pharmacists ensuring the safe and effective use of medications. These categories collectively celebrate the dedication and innovation within the healthcare community, acknowledging their pivotal role in promoting health and well-being.

Nominations for HEALTH Awards 2024 can be submitted for a total of 60+ organizational and individual categories. For more details on the award and categories, and to submit your nominations, please visit the website:

• Prominent oncologists, gynecologist, plastic surgeons, top management from UAE’s leading organizations, including both government and private entities convene to spotlight breast cancer mitigation at Pink Warriors Event

Dubai: The grand success of the recent Pink Warriors event, hosted by HEALTH Magazine, marked a significant milestone in the UAE’s commitment to breast cancer awareness and mitigation. The event concluded on a high note at the prestigious Shangri-la Hotel, Dubai, bringing together a network of prominent oncologists, gynecologists, plastic surgeons, and healthcare professionals from leading government and private organizations in the UAE.

The event’s highlight was the thought-provoking panel discussions, which not only provided a comprehensive 360-degree perspective but also shared valuable insights from breast cancer survivors. Distinguished speakers, including Ashraf Mallak, AVP & Managing Director of MSD for GCC, Dr. Deborah Mukherji, Medical Oncology Consultant at the CMC Hospital, and Kate Hoffman, Group Chief Nursing Officer at NMC HealthCare, were joined by Pink Warriors Shivani Radia, a former director with Deloitte, and Jennifer Croes, Conservation Scientist. The lineup also included Mitun De Sarkar, a Clinical Dietitian and Nutritionist from Northwest Clinic and CEO of Simply Healthy, along with Mahesh Balani, the Chief Operating Officer of InsuranceMarket.ae, who each provided invaluable insights during the event. The esteemed presence of Chief Guest, HE. Dr. Mouza Al Ameri, Breast Oncoplastic surgeon at Tawam Hospital (Al Ain), and the inspiring keynote delivered by acclaimed actor, author, and cancer survivor Lisa Ray, added a distinguished touch to the event.

Dr. Mouza Al Ameri emphasized the significance of Pink Warriors as a premier platform fostering collaboration among healthcare experts, decision-makers, and industry leaders, advocating for innovative solutions in breast cancer awareness and management.

“We were thrilled to join hands with Health Magazine for their inspiring annual ‘Pink Warriors event.’ This remarkable occasion saw profound dialogues unravel, shedding light on the courageous journeys of breast cancer patients and survivors, narrated from their unique perspectives,” Ashraf Mallak, Managing Director of MSD GCC, said.

“At MSD, our commitment lies in nurturing meaningful partnerships that empower the voices of cancer patients and drive awareness of the importance of early detection. Our dedication extends to our active involvement in the WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI), established in 2021. With an ambitious mission to curtail global breast cancer by an annual rate of 2.5 percent, we aim to save 2.5 million lives worldwide over a 20-year period,” he continued.

Collaborating partners for the Pink Warriors event included prominent names, such as Friends of Cancer Patients, Pink Caravan, MSD, NMC Healthcare, Thumbay University Hospital, Clemenceau Medical Centre, Orchid Fertility Clinic, Life Medical Center, the Healthy Home, Newby Tea, F&P.ae and Mrs. Rekha Gandhi, serving as catalysts for meaningful dialogue and comprehensive education on breast cancer awareness. Their support and commitment have contributed to the event’s success and paved the way for a more informed and engaged community in the fight against breast cancer.

“It’s crucial for all of us to unite in the battle against cancer. This challenge doesn’t solely belong to governments, international organizations, or corporations, but also to communities and individuals. Breast cancer remains one of the most significant challenges of our time, and it’s essential for each one of us to contribute to the fight in our own way. Pink Warriors provided an excellent platform to address this challenge collectively and stand united for the cause,” said Nousheen Salma, Director, Thumbay Media.

• The event, supported by Friends of Cancer Patients and Pink Caravan, will feature a keynote speech by Bollywood actor Lisa Ray and Her Excellency Dr. Mouza Al Ameri, a prominent Breast Cancer Surgeon and member of the UAE Federal National Council, as the chief guest.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Pink Warriors, the breast cancer awareness initiative of HEALTH magazine, is set to host the second edition of the convention on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at the Shangri-La in Dubai. This event will unite government officials, healthcare industry leaders, breast cancer survivors, and experts from the UAE to raise awareness and support the cause.

In partnership with Friends of Cancer Patients and Pink Caravan, this event will open with a keynote address by cancer survivor, author, and actor Lisa Ray. It will also comprise a panel discussion on all aspects of breast cancer ranging from early screening, importance of self-examination, treatment, fertility preservation and nutrition to first-person accounts of resilient survivors.

Renowned Bollywood Actor Lisa Ray is set to deliver a keynote address, and the event will be honored by the presence of H.E. Dr. Mouza Al Ameri, a member of the UAE Federal National Council in the UAE Federal Government and a prominent Breast Cancer Surgeon as the chief guest and panelist.

The event is organized by HEALTH magazine and is sponsored in partnership with MSD, NMC Healthcare Clemenceau Medical Center Hospital, Thumbay University Hospital, Orchid Fertility Clinic, and Life Medical Centre and supported by The Health Home, corporate gift partner Ferns N Petals, and styling partner The Artist, radio partner Luv 107.1, among others.

According to a 2021 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), the year 2020 saw 2.3 million women receiving diagnoses of breast cancer worldwide, resulting in 685,000 deaths. By the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the previous five years, establishing it as the most widespread cancer globally.

Health magazine has consistently taken a leading role in addressing and amplifying the concerns that matter most to its readers. Breast Cancer Awareness is a cause that demands ongoing teamwork, solidarity, and unity.  Pink Warriors is a platform aimed at forging a stronger collective effort to strive for a world free of cancer. This event serves as a forum for sharing knowledge about the advanced medical treatments available in the UAE and promoting awareness of the importance of regular screenings. Remarkably, the event has garnered exceptional support and participation from both governmental and private entities, thus maximizing its outreach and impact in advocating for this cause.

In addition, the event will feature a networking reception, offering attendees the opportunity to meet the experts and business leaders in the healthcare domain across both private and government sector.

About Health Magazine

Health is a bi-monthly and bi-lingual (English & Arabic) magazine. One of the premier health & lifestyle magazine based out in UAE, it’s published by Thumbay Media- the media company of Thumbay Group. The magazine was launched in 1999 and is licensed by the National Media Council of UAE. Organically, over the past two decades, HEALTH magazine has nurtured a network of high net worth executives who not only have featured in the magazine but have been involved with our magazine-led events.  HEALTH Magazine’s social platform, including Instagram, Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn allows firms and individuals to reach out and connect with an audience of over 35,000 followers worldwide. For enquiries about the magazine and its events, please reach out to info@healthmagazine.ae

• Supported by Friends of Cancer Patients and Pink Caravan, the event will feature an illustrious list of guest speakers for panel discussions and survivor stories.

Pink Warriors, the breast cancer awareness initiative from HEALTH magazine owned and run by Thumbay group, will be marking October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a high-profile convention on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Shangri-la (Dubai), bringing together government authorities, healthcare business leaders, survivors and experts in the field from the UAE.

The event, held in collaboration with Friends of Cancer Patients and Pink Caravan includes panel discussions and breast cancer survivor stories, shedding light on the importance of early diagnosis of breast cancer, encouraging regular self-examination, and a better understanding of the treatments available. Dr Wadeia Abdul Rahim, Director of Medical Education and Research Department, Dubai Healthcare Authority will be the chief guest at the event.

As per a World Health Organization’s (WHO) Report published in 2021, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685 000 deaths globally in 2020. As of the end of the same year, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer.

Featuring multi-disciplinary topics such as: Explainer, everything you should know about breast cancer and how early does screening begin; preparing yourself if you are diagnosed with breast cancer and Survivors Speak, the event will host talks by UAE’s leading oncologists, gynecologists, among other experts. The event, being hosted by HEALTH magazine, is supported and partnered by more than 10 private entities including Thumbay University Hospital, RAK Hospital, Prime Hospital, NMC Healthcare, Meitra Hospital, Danube Properties, Star Metropolis, Orchid Fertility Clinic, Aafiya, ICREA, Al Adil, Kef Holdings, hair oil partner Emami, fashion partner Splash, Womanaari.ae, among others.

Health magazine has always been at the forefront to reflect and amplify the issues most important to the audience, and Breast Cancer Awareness is a cause that requires sustained collaboration, solidarity and unity, and, thus Health Magazine has come-up with the platform Pink Warriors to work together to emerge stronger and create a cancer free world for all. This event is a platform to exchange expertise in highlighting the advanced treatments available in the UAE, and raise awareness about regular screenings.  The event has received unmatched response and support from both, the government as well as private organizations, for maximizing the reach of this cause.

In addition, the event will feature a networking reception, offering attendees the opportunity to meet the experts and business leaders in the healthcare domain across both private and government sector.

About Health Magazine

Health is a bi-monthly and bi-lingual (English & Arabic) magazine. One of the premier health & lifestyle magazine based out in UAE, it’s published by Thumbay Media- the media company of Thumbay Group. The magazine was launched in 1999 and is licensed by the National Media Council of UAE. Organically, over the past two decades, HEALTH magazine has nurtured a network of high net worth executives who not only have featured in the magazine but have been involved with our magazine-led events.  HEALTH Magazine’s social platform, including Instagram, Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn allows firms and individuals to reach out and connect with an audience of over 35,000 followers worldwide. For enquiries about the magazine and its events, please reach out to info@healthmagazine.ae

• Two MOU signed with Thumbay Group and Gulf Medical University for Mutual Cooperation.

Thumbay Medicity was honored by the Visit of Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Information Technology & Biotechnology, Science and Technology of Karnataka, India on Monday 18th October 2021. President & Founder Dr. Thumbay Moideen received the Honorable Minister in his office. This visit has opened several doors to Thumbay Group and GMU to strengthen the relationship ties with Karnataka India in areas of Higher Education, Healthcare & Research.

Also present, were the other top officials of the university, Associations & Hospital, They later proceeded to visit Thumbay University Hospital. The Minister was given a guided tour of the entire Thumbay Medicity and Thumbay University Hospital and was introduced to the activities of Thumbay Group.

The Minister was highly impressed by the infrastructure and facilities provided by the management and congratulated the President Dr.Thumbay Moideen for having made such a remarkable progress in such a short span of time. The Minister Said “I am proud of Dr. Thumbay Moideen a Man from Karnataka could Establish such a big Institution which serves the United Arab Emirates for its Higher Education Needs, this a very humble cause and very much needed for this country, Education provides the Real strength to build the future of society and the country, Education can change the way we live. Thumbay Group has been fulfilling dreams of many people and providing quality Healthcare creating an impact to the society.”

Thumbay Medicity, Ajman, plays a key role in the advancement of medical education, healthcare, and research. It houses the Gulf Medical University – the region’s leading private medical university, Thumbay University Hospital – the largest private academic hospital in the region, Thumbay Dental Hospital – the first private dental hospital in the country and the largest academic dental hospital in the Middle East region’s private sector, and Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital – the biggest state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospital in the country.

Thumbay Medicity also has outlets of Thumbay Pharmacy – including the biggest robotic pharmacy, in addition to the central lab of Thumbay Labs – the biggest CAP-accredited private diagnostic facilities in the region. It also has leisure and hospitality amenities, such as Body & Soul Health Club and Spa, Thumbay Food Court with diverse food brands and cuisines, The Terrace Restaurant, Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe, With its state-of-the-art facilities and superior amenities, Thumbay Medicity is expected to attract 15,000 visitors daily.

With its state-of-the-art facilities and superior amenities, the smart Thumbay Medicity is expected to attract 15,000 visitors daily.
Dubai: In a milestone moment on the UAE’s journey toward becoming to a cashless society, leading business conglomerate Thumbay Group has signed an agreement with PayBy, the innovative fintech start-up. Under the agreement, PayBy will support Thumbay Group’s digital transformation with its mobile payment-based projects, to build a cashless and smart community with enhanced experiences for all stakeholders.

The agreement with PayBy was signed by Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President, Thumbay Group. Also present at the occasion were Akram Moideen Thumbay, Director, Thumbay Technologies, Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President, Healthcare division, Thumbay Group, and Prof Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University.

Always at the forefront of adopting new technologies, Thumbay Group started its digital transformation journey to enhance customer experiences for patients and students, and protect public health with safe, cashless and contactless transactions.

Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President, Thumbay Group, said: “The partnership between the Thumbay Group and PayBy is a key pivot in the group’s digital transformation journey, showcasing the benefits of a cashless society in a self-contained community such as Thumbay Medicity. The collaborative model is a win-win proposition for all: customers, business, employees and the larger community. It reflects the kind of imagination and innovation made possible by the UAE’s digital-first business ecosystem.”

With customer experience being the prime competitive differentiator for the post-pandemic landscape, a frictionless customer journey will build loyalty and grow revenues. The PayBy contactless, cashless ecosystem, being introduced exclusively for Thumbay Group, will thus deliver positive impact at scale. It is sure to disrupt every aspect of payments and customer experience.

Thumbay Medicity, Ajman, plays a key role in the advancement of medical education, healthcare, and research. It houses the Gulf Medical University – the region’s leading private medical university, Thumbay University Hospital – the largest private academic hospital in the region, Thumbay Dental Hospital – the first private dental hospital in the country and the largest academic dental hospital in the Middle East region’s private sector, and Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital – the biggest state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospital in the country.

Thumbay Medicity also has outlets of Thumbay Pharmacy – including the biggest robotic pharmacy, in addition to the central lab of Thumbay Labs – the biggest CAP-accredited private diagnostic facilities in the region. It also has leisure and hospitality amenities, such as Body & Soul Health Club and Spa, Thumbay Food Court with diverse food brands and cuisines, The Terrace Restaurant, Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe, as well as the Thumbay Housing Project to accommodate 2500 staff and students, coming up soon. With its state-of-the-art facilities and superior amenities, Thumbay Medicity is expected to attract 15,000 visitors daily.

• Festival commences on July 1 and will run until August 31^st, 2021
• Winners to win Laptops, Mobile phones, Gift vouchers and cash prizes worth AED 15,000
• The action packed event features online contests including Summer Walking Challenge, Dental Hygiene Champion, Weight Loss Contest, Baby Show amongst others

Ajman, UAE: Making summer super fun while reaching out to the public with an important message of ‘Touching Life, Health for All’, Thumbay Group, the leading healthcare provider in the country founded by Dr. Thumbay Moideen, today announced its mega Online Summer Health Festival 2021.

Starting from Thursday, July 1 until August 31, 2021, the exciting carnival offers UAE residents a great opportunity to stay engaged, get connected and become healthy as majority choose to stay in the country during the summer break. Divided into six distinct segments namely Newborn Care, Children Care, Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Elderly Care, the family health festival will be catering to the needs of all the members of the community.

With the intention of keeping the residents constantly on their toes, the two-month long festival features different contests each week including  a Kids Talent Show, , Summer Walking Challenge, Weight Loss Contest, Online Baby Show 2021, Online Supermom Contest, Dental Hygiene Champion, Delivery Booking Bonanza and a Pain Assessment Program.

“Our Summer Health Festival is a unique initiative and a one-of-its-kind event being done in the UAE in these times. Summer is here and as we are still in the midst of a raging pandemic where travel restrictions, sudden lockdowns and new variants are a reality, we feel it was important to create an event for the society which not only helps the community stay connected, engaged but also gives them the opportunity to win big whilst encouraging them to adopt a healthy lifestyle in a fun way.

We have all realized that in today’s world, our most important asset is our health and we wanted to communicate this pertinent message of health and wellness in the most simple and exciting way by giving people reason to celebrate health through this biggest summer festival”, commented Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group.

“All the contests are well thought out and carefully designed by our team of doctors and wellness experts, keeping in mind the population demographics. It is a fact that participating in community events help people achieve their health and wellness goals quickly and in a more effective way. Our events are curated to encourage the contestants have healthy competition and drive the community spirit, therefore, elevating mood and touching lives. For instance, taking up challenges such as Weight Loss, Walking Challenge or the Dental Hygiene contest will help people bring rewarding transformation to themselves. Additionally, acknowledgement and winning can provide a higher level of motivation. Moreover, our experts will provide the necessary support and guidance to all the candidates whenever needed”, stated, Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President of Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division.

Not only the winners get to win amazing prizes such as Laptops, Ipad’s, Mobile phones, gift vouchers and cash prizes worth AED 15,000 but all the participants are also entitled to a plethora of freebies. Upon registration contestants can avail Free Dental Consultation, Free Eye Test at ZO&MO, and Free Body & Soul Day Pass alongside an antibody test for only AED 50, PCR Test for only AED 90 and several other marvelous prizes and gifts.

Everyone is invited and welcome to participate and be part of this incredible family event, to register please log onto

The second in the series of chartered flights arranged by Thumbay Group, UAE and the Bearys Cultural Forum (BCF) Trust, Mangalore to repatriate stranded Kannadigas in the UAE took off from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport on 25^th July 2020. The flight was fully occupied with 178 passengers including the sick and elderly as well as those in need of urgent medical attention due to chronic illnesses, pregnant ladies and kids. Passengers also included those facing visa issues and job losses.

Implemented under the leadership of Dr. Thumbay Moideen – Founder President of Thumbay Group & Founder Patron of BCF and Dr. B K Yusuf – President of BCF, these repatriation flights are organized on a purely charitable basis, with all necessary steps and precautions in place to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers. Thumbay Group assigned its fleet of buses to transport the passengers free of charge from their residences in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman to the airport. The organizers also provided free meals and refreshments to the passengers, in addition to PPE kits and face-shields distributed free of charges.

Dr. B K Yusuf – BCF President, Dr. Kaup Mohammed – BCF General Secretary, other office bearers of BCF, as well as Thumbay Group’s representatives Mr. Farhad C – Director of the Hospitality Division of Thumbay Group and Engr. Farwaz P. C. – COO of the Construction Division were present at the airport to see off the second group of passengers. ARISTOCRAT Travels supported the ticketing, boarding and related processes for the passengers. Support was also extended by social organizations including KCF-UAE, Bhatkal Jamath, Bhatkal association, BCCI, BWF, DKSC, KNRI, Kannadiga Help Line, KDKGS-UAE, Dubai Konkans, KSS and Dubai Kannadigas.

The passengers were received at Mangalore airport under the leadership of Mr. Mumtaz Ali – patron of BCF and other distinguished personalities of Mangalore including Mr. B. M. Farookh – Hon. MLC, Mr. Moidin Bava – former MLA, Mr. U. T. Ifthikhar, Mr. S. M. R. Rashid – President of BCCI central committee etc.  The passengers were transferred to the hotels where they had registered for the mandatory quarantine.

The first flight in the series, with 186 passengers had taken off on 21^st July 2020. The next flight under this joint initiative is scheduled to take-off from Ras Al Khaimah airport to Mangalore on 10^th August 2020. A few more similar repatriation flights are to soon follow, in the coming weeks.

In a humanitarian gesture to help fellow citizens in distress, the first in the series of chartered flights arranged by Thumbay Group, UAE and the Bearys Cultural Forum (BCF) Trust, Mangalore to repatriate stranded Kannadigas in the UAE took off from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in the wee hours of 21^st July 2020. The flight was fully occupied, with 186 passengers, all of them desperate to fly back to India for various reasons.

The initiative was conceived and implemented under the leadership of Dr. Thumbay Moideen – Founder President of Thumbay Group & Founder Patron of BCF and Dr. B K Yusuf, the President of BCF. The flight was organized on a purely charitable basis, with all necessary steps and precautions in place to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers. Thumbay Group assigned its fleet of buses to transport the passengers free of charge from their residences in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman to the airport. The organizers also provided free meals and refreshments to the passengers, in addition to PPE kits and face-shields distributed free of charges.

The passengers on the first flight included many elderly individuals, people with serious illnesses like heart-related health issues and diabetes, pregnant ladies and little children as well as people who had lost their jobs and those with expired visas. Dr. B K Yusuf – BCF President, Dr. Kaup Mohammed – BCF General Secretary, other office bearers of BCF, as well as Thumbay Group’s representatives Mr. Farhad C – Director of the Hospitality Division of Thumbay Group and Engr. Farwaz P. C. – COO of the Construction Division were present at the airport to see off the first group of passengers.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Thumbay Moideen said, “This joint initiative of Thumbay Group and BCF is to support our fellow Kannadigas desperate to fly back home. We are happy that we have been able to reach out to many of them, to help them fly home to their families. We thank the Governments of the UAE and India, and the Indian Consulate, Dubai, for their support in making this happen. In the coming days, many more stranded Kannadigas would be repatriated under this joint initiative.”

Dr. B K Yusuf thanked Dr. Thumbay Moideen and the office-bearers and members of BCF for their efforts to make the initiative a success. “We are proud that this initiative has brought relief to many Kannadigas and their families today. BCF is grateful to Thumbay Group for its support and partnership for all our humanitarian programs for the support of the needy.”

Dr. Kaup Mohammed said that it was a matter of pride that the much-awaited Thumbay-BCF repatriation flight had been carried out successfully. “Measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the flight and its passengers throughout the journey,” he said. He also thanked all the social organizations including Bhatkal Jamath, BCCI, BWF, KCF, DKSC, Kodagu Kannadigas, Kannadiga Help Line, Dubai Konkans and KSS,   for their support.  He specially thanked Mr. Syed Hassan Razeen, the owner of ARISTOCRAT Travels for his support in the ticketing, boarding and related processes. On behalf of Milano Optics Group and Maxcare, free gift hampers were distributed to selected passengers.

The passengers were received at Mangalore airport under the leadership of Mr. Mumtaz Ali – patron of BCF and other distinguished personalities of Mangalore including Mr. Moidin Bava – former MLA, Mr U. T. Ifthikhar, Mr. S. M. R Rashid – President of BCCI central committee and many others.  The passengers were transferred to the hotels where they had registered for the mandatory quarantine.

The second flight under this joint initiative is scheduled to take-off from Ras Al Khaimah airport to Mangalore on 24^th July 2020. A few more similar repatriation flights are to soon follow, in the coming weeks.

The biggest Indian vegetarian restaurant chain, ‘Saravanaa Bhavan’ has opened its latest outlet at the multi-cuisine Thumbay Food Court at Thumbay Medicity, Ajman. Saravanaa Bhavan was initiated with humble beginnings in 1981, Chennai, Tamil Nadu by Mr. P. Rajagopal and has become the world’s largest South Indian vegetarian restaurant chain. With the explosion of growth and popularity over the years by maintaining the superior taste and quality, presently, it boasts over 100 branches scattered across regions such as Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America.

Saravanaa Bhavan’s policy and strategy as enuciated by the CEO, Mr. Shiva Kumar are as follows:

• To conceive, create and maintain dishes of superior taste and genuine quality.
• To offer its food and services at a value-for-money price point.
• To motivate and support members of its teams at all levels.
• To continuously grow profitably with a keen sense of social responsibility.

This is the second restaurant to open at the food court, preceded by ‘The Terrace Restaurant’, a HACCP certified (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) Indo-Arab restaurant operated by the Hospitality Division of Thumbay Group. Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Vice Chancellor – Academics of Gulf Medical University, Ajman was the chief guest of the opening ceremony, in the presence of Mr. Farhad C., Director of Thumbay Group’s Hospitality Division.

Mr. Farhad C said that the addition of Saravanaa Bhavan has ensured that a variety of choices are available for customers, when it comes to selecting their favorite food. Announcing that a popular Arabic restaurant is slated to open its outlet at the Food Court shortly, he said, “Apart from our promise of best quality and taste, ensuring a safe dining environments for guests is the utmost priority at Thumbay Food Court. We have taken special measures to ensure the safety of diners and staff, in the light of the pandemic. We welcome everyone to experience the perfect ambience to enjoy a meal with family and friends.”

Thumbay Food Court’s multi-cuisine food court was inaugurated at Thumbay Medicity, Ajman last year. It offers a unique culinary experience as it features vibrant flavors of India and the Arab world, in a splendid ambience complemented by spacious seating and cozy interiors. The food court is designed in line with the ‘Live & Learn’ concept, to benefit the students and faculty of Gulf Medical University as well as visitors and staff from various hospitals within the surroundings, by facilitating greater social, academic, professional and intellectual interactions to enrich the learning environment.

The food court has enhanced the aesthetics with premium lighting, contemporary architecture and seating that accommodates 250 people. It mainly serves the anticipated 20,000+ floating population of Thumbay Medicity. It also has a meeting/conference hall for gatherings and parties. The location of the food court makes it accessible for people from within the hospital as well as outside, with free parking available for vehicles.