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Khaleej Times
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Look: 53-year-old Dubai doctor defies injury to scale Europe's highest peak
A 53-year-old Indian expat and full-time medical professional in Dubai has become one of the oldest Indian women from the UAE to summit Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest peak at 5,642 metres. Dr Kiran Vemuri reached the summit on July 10, days after sustaining a leg injury that nearly forced her to pull out of the expedition. 'What makes this summit especially meaningful is that I undertook it 10 days after a leg injury,' she said. 'At this stage of life, women often fight not just physical but societal limitations. My climb was about proving to myself and others that resilience, grit, and belief can defy age and setbacks." A long-time Dubai resident, Dr Vemuri lives in Executive Towers, Business Bay. Her training ground? The stairs of her own building. 'My tower has 41 floors and I used to climb 100 floors in 40 minutes, about 2.5 rounds up,' she said. 'It helped build stamina, and since it was right outside my door, there were no excuses.' Her successful Elbrus ascent is the latest milestone in a two-decade-long passion for high-altitude trekking. Her list of past adventures spans continents: Everest Base Camp (5,364m), Roopkund (5,029m), Rupin Pass (4,650m), Kilimanjaro (5,895m), and Stok Kangri (6,153m). 'Kilimanjaro happened way back in 2012. Elbrus was a natural next step, but mentally, it was harder,' she said. She likened her journey to the Bollywood film Vijay 69, in which a 69-year-old man trains for a triathlon. 'He doesn't do it for medals. He does it to feel alive again,' she said. 'This climb was my version of Vijay 69.' The knee injury nearly derailed her plans. 'I was honestly quite shaken and worried. I had pain even walking, forget climbing a mountain. I could barely take the parking stairs,' she said. Under medical supervision, she followed a strict recovery plan. Two days before departure, she got the go-ahead. "Armed with painkillers, knee support and prayers, I went ahead.' She described the summit as euphoric. 'That moment is not about milestones. It's pure gratitude. I prayed to the morning sun and thanked the universe. It felt powerful, like real, money-can't-buy happiness.' The climb had its share of challenges. While the ascent was steady, the descent tested her mental limits. "While descending, I hit a psychological wall," she said. "I told the trek guide, 'It's not my job to get back to base; that's your problem.' He laughed and said, 'That's not my job either. You can stay here forever.' It was both scary and funny. But when the goalpost is clear, willpower gets you through." Since her return, she's been flooded with messages from women. 'Many women I know, including some of my classmates, are grandmothers now, which is nice. There are people telling women in their 50s: to slow down.' 'I wanted to send a different message: You can pause. You can rest. But don't slow down. There's still so much to explore, to feel, to experience. Whether it's a mountain, a new passion, or charity, 50s is the new 40s.' Her family was worried, especially after her injury, but never wavered in support. 'My husband, my sons Shrikar and Krish, and the extended family were behind me all the way,' she said. Next up for Dr Vemuri is Mount Mont Blanc, planned for next year. "There's always a next,' she said.
Times of Oman
20-07-2025
- Times of Oman
30 expats, including 21 women, arrested for immoral acts in Muttrah
Muscat: Police Command in the Governorate of Muscat arrested thirty individuals — twenty one of them women of various Asian nationalities for committing acts contrary to morals and public decency in a hotel in the Wilayat of Mattrah. Legal procedures are currently being completed against them. In another incident, an Omani citizen and an Indian expat were arrested for possessing a significant quantity of psychotropic substances. The Directorate General for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, operating under the Police Command of the Northern Al Sharqiyah Governorate, carried out the arrests. According to authorities, both individuals were found in possession of a large number of psychotropic pills, which were allegedly intended for illegal trafficking and distribution. Legal procedures are currently being completed against them.
Khaleej Times
17-07-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Marina fire: Some tenants struggle to find new homes one month after blaze
It has been a month since a fire broke out in a residential tower in Dubai Marina, affecting over 3,820 residents from 764 apartments. While the flames were quickly brought under control and emergency teams cleared the area, many residents are still struggling to find a place to call home. The fire, which broke out on the night of June 13, caused extensive damage to several floors of the high-rise. While no fatalities or major injuries were reported, dozens of apartments were left uninhabitable. For many residents, the ordeal didn't end with the fire, it marked the beginning of a difficult house-hunting journey. Prateek, an Indian expat, had moved into the tower just a few months before the incident. 'We were living on the 29th floor,' he said. 'But now, my family has returned to India, and I have moved in with a friend.' Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Prateek was paying Dh94,000 annually for a two-bedroom apartment in the building. After the fire, he began searching for similar accommodations nearby, but even with an increased budget, he is unable to get one. 'I have been looking around Marina and nearby areas. Even at Dh105,000, I can't find a proper two-bedroom flat. Everything is either too small or far too expensive,' he said. For some residents, the fire not only left them without a home but also brought unexpected expenses. From buying clothes and electronics to replacing documents and daily essentials, the financial burden has been steep. 'Had to start over in a new area' Ali Reza, an Iranian chef who had been living in the tower for three years, has now moved into a shared apartment in Barsha Heights. In the initial days after the fire, he spent a few nights in a hotel and then with friends, carrying only the few items he managed to grab during the evacuation. 'The building was close to my workplace. I could take essentials, my passport, clothes, and some work items,' he said. 'But I'm thankful to friends who helped me during the move. One of them even gave me a spare mattress and utensils to use until I could get back on my feet,' he added. 'I had to get my own space' Lizy, a Filipina expat, initially stayed at a friend's house after the fire. But after a few weeks of sharing a room, she decided it was time to find her own space. 'I found a studio nearby. It's not far from work, and it was all I could afford,' she said. Lizy managed to retrieve most of her belongings, including documents and clothes from the damaged building, but she's still waiting for her advance rent and security deposit to be refunded. 'That money could've helped me cover my new rent and set up utilities,' she said. 'I have followed up a few times, but there's still no clarity. It's been tough because everything happened so suddenly, but I'm trying to adjust.' The watchman informed Khaleej Times that residents cannot access their belongings unless the flat owner initiates the process. 'The owner of the flat has to send an email to the building management requesting access,' he said. 'Once approved, the management will give a specific time to enter and retrieve items.' He added that those with furniture and large electronics need to file a move-out request in advance. 'If someone has furniture, they have to submit a move-out request, and the management will assist in taking everything out safely.'
