Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Oct 26: A 38-year-old mother of three children died on the spot after falling from the balcony of her fourth-floor apartment in Shaikha Latifa building near the Deira Creek yesterday.

The woman has been identified as Mehnaz Shahid, an Indian.

The tragedy, according to the police, occurred around 2pm. On being informed, officials from Naif police station rushed to the spot and found the body lying in a pool of blood. The body was moved to Rashid Hospital.

It is not yet clear how she fell from the balcony.

The police quizzed several people including her family members.

According to a police official, the victim’s uncle said that the woman was alone when the accident took place. “She probably fell while trying to clean the balcony by removing the movable railing,” the uncle told the officials.

The woman had been married for 14 years to an Indian businessman and leading a happy married life. The uncle said the woman had happily escorted her husband to the door when he left at 1.30pm. Nelofar, an eyewitness who was walking towards the building at the time of the incident, told Khaleej Times that she saw the woman falling down.  “It was a horrible scene. I was on my way to teach some

children living in the same building when I saw a woman falling down. The victim was wearing a white shirt and green trousers,” she said.

Meanwhile, the body has been transferred to General Department of Science for autopsy.

The tragedy follows last Friday’s death of a Filipina crew member of Emirates after she fell from a high-rise building in Deira.

UAE: World’s Second Largest Pearl to go Under Hammer in Dubai
Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Oct 26: The famous Arco Valley Pearl, one of the world’s most historical and the second largest natural pearl, will be auctioned in Dubai next month.

The UAE Pearl Revival Committee yesterday announced that the auction would be held on November 19 in Dubai in connection with the first International Pearl Convention.

The convention is being organised to revive UAE’s distinguished pearling tradition and make it the keystone of the country’s cultural identity.

The 575-carat Arco Valley Pearl is expected to raise $6-8 million at the auction.

“The pearl is baroque in form, which means it is of an irregular shape, and is classified as a ‘natural blister pearl’. It measures 79 x 41 x 34 mm and is white in colour with overtones of pink and yellow,” said Abdalla Al Muaini, Head of Dubai Gemstone Laboratory.

“Pearls are a real asset and a good investment. Cyclical changes play an important role in the pearl market, and the recent years have witnessed a renewed interest in pearls. We aim to provide an opportunity for pearl collectors and investors to interact closely. We need everyone’s support to make this event a success,” said Khaled Al Sayegh, chairman of the UAE Pearl Revival Committee.

The international convention, which will be in Dubai on November 19 and in Abu Dhabi on November 21, is expected to give investors and industrialists a chance to see the glory and scope of the pearl industry.

Various events are being planned as part the convention highlighting the wide prospects of the lucrative industry. The events are Pearl Theatre, Pearl Concert, Pearl Seminars, Pearl Classes, Arabia Pearl Exhibition, Cultured Pearl Display and Pearl Fashion also will be the attractions international convention.

“The convention will lay the foundation for a remarkable revival of our wonderful history in the pearl industry,” said Khaled Al Sayegh.

“Historically, the world’s best pearls came from the Gulf. They were naturally formed. The discovery of large deposits of oil signalled an abrupt end to the pearl industry in early 1930s. Those who once dived for pearls sought prosperity in the economic boom ushered in by the oil industry,” he said.

UAE: School Bus Conductor Charged with Molestation
Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Oct 26: Two kindergarten children’s parents from a private primary school in the emirate have alleged that their children were molested by the school’s bus conductor. According to the Gems group which manages the school, two parents had a few days ago alleged ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a school bus conductor.

Police sources said, “The Rashidya Police who investigated the allegations have already referred the bus conductor to the Public Prosecution.” 

Parent J.J. claimed to Khaleej Times, “My five-year-old daughter had been refusing to go to school for the past few days and we couldn’t understand the reason. She then told us she didn’t like the bus conductor as he had been molesting her in the bus for the past few months. My husband and I were shocked and rushed to the school to talk to the authorities.

She added, “We leave our children in the morning in the school thinking they would be safe on campus and this is what happens. We filed a complaint with the police on October 17 - the same day after bringing the incident to the school’s notice.”

The parents said the conductor was picked up by the police the same afternoon. The principal of the school, Lawrence Hartnett, told KT, “An allegation of inappropriate behaviour by a bus conductor was made by a parent to Kindergarten Starters on October 17.” The second complaint was made a day later.

Gems has launched a full investigation into the incidents and appointed a senior member of Gems corporate personnel, unconnected to the school, to manage this process.”

Hartnett added that the bus conductor had been immediately suspended and removed from duty, before being taken into custody by the police.

He added, the school is also in contact with the two parents who have complained about these incidents, both involving the same bus conductor, and “(We are) responding fully to any concerns raised.”

Meanwhile, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), education authority that supervises private and public schools in Dubai, said it was aware of the case. “The matter is currently in the hands of the police and the school concerned and, whilst the KHDA cannot comment on a legal case, we take any allegation of this nature very seriously and will follow the case carefully.

“Every child has the basic right to a safe and secure educational environment, and all schools and institutions have a duty to provide this, whilst children are in their care,” a KHDA statement said.

It also added that as the authority responsible for education and human development in Dubai, the KHDA constantly reviews policy, and when appropriate, considers changes to maintain and improve the safety and security of schools and the students on campus.