Hasintha Edirisinghe is a determined lady who wishes to assist her country’s artists to get international recognition to highlight the incredible history and culture of her birthplace, Sri Lanka, via the arts. She thrives on becoming the most excellent version of herself by making her dreams a reality.

She is presently the Marketing and Communication Manager at Artiana. Her nine enthusiastic years of expertise as a marketer made her one of the most outstanding marketing professionals in town. Hashintha’s qualifications are impressive enough to impress any employer.

She is not just a well-educated woman but also an achiever. She earned a first-class honors degree in marketing from the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka and relocated to Dubai in 2018 to pursue a Master’s degree in International Business Management from Middlesex University. It was, in her opinion, one of the finest moves she had made.

“I had the opportunity to participate in different programs conducted by the university and meet many professionals. Afterwhich, I started to work at Andakulova Gallery, one of the prestigious art galleries located in Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), where I began my career as a Marketing Manager,” she added. 

Hasintha’s interest in reading Art and History, visiting museums and galleries, and meeting others who value art led to the discovery of her passion. Despite her lack of prior engagement and competence in painting, she was grateful to have creative influencers such as Natalya Andakulova, the creator of Andakaluva Gallery, who encouraged her to be the most excellent version of herself. Conferring, the Andakaluva Gallery is her first foray into the art world.

Hasintha joined Artiana Auction House in DIFC as a Marketing and Communication Manager after three years of experience in an art gallery. As she enters the auction house’s luxury property category, she makes a bold and fresh move that will raise her profile.

She added that “Every day proves challenging with Artiana as we navigate a bigger market and competition on a global scale. Fortunately, I feel like I’m working on my hobbies rather than doing a typical job because I love what I do.” 

Art of life

“Live your life as if everything is rigged in your favor.”

Hasintha has been in Dubai for four years. She considered her transfer to the emirate a turning point in her life, where the city offered her many opportunities. According to her, if someone likes a comfortable and convenient lifestyle, Dubai is one of the best places to live.  

When Dubai Vibes Magazine asked her about her current work, she said that knowing the artists, their works, and their inspiration helps her be knowledgeable about the art world. She added: “On the other side of things, to hear the stories of the collectors, it is very satisfying to help someone build their collection and assist someone in choosing the best piece to decorate their home.”

Working in the luxury real estate sector, according to Hasintha, is a genuine challenge since it requires constant market knowledge. Aside from that, the Dubai real estate market is turbulent.

“It’s challenging yet rewarding work to help someone find their dream home, especially since our property division is developed purely from the relationships we have built with our clientele. We strive to maintain these relationships and give them the best,” she uttered. 

She struggled at first to find her passion. She understands she can speak, help, and listen to others, but it takes time for her to discover the appropriate industry to match her happiness. Fortunately, she has a very supportive and loving family that always encourages her to enjoy and do anything she wants.

“They gave me wings, which brought me to Dubai, and here I found what I love to do and pursue joys in my career. With the art scene thriving and the UAE investing heavily in the arts and culture, building new museums, and hosting exhibitions, it’s an exciting time in the art industry and being a part of it,” she said. 

An advocate of Art and Culture

Her charm and optimism obscure the beauty of her heart. Furthermore, despite being a young achiever, Hasintha aspired to assist Sri Lankan artists in developing their abilities so that they might be shared with the rest of the world.

Sri Lanka, she claims, has a rich history and is home to some of the world’s most outstanding artists. These artists also require more significant government assistance, as the sector needs growth and encouragement to thrive. She is constantly hopeful that her aid will serve as a platform for advancing Sri Lankan and South East Asian arts.

Did you enjoy reading the story?

This story has been featured in the 13th issue of Dubai Vibes Magazine. To get a copy, you may contact Ms. Elaine “Bella” Marbella at +971503196856. If you have an inspiring story or know someone with one, please send an email to us at eic@dubavibesmagazine.com

Like Roy Bennett’s book The Light in the Heart, Elma thinks that “The outward world reflects the inner world. Other people’s perceptions of you reflect them; your reaction to them reflects your understanding of yourself.”

Elma Sahovic, a 29-year-old Bosnian and Herzegovina native, is the Sales and Marketing Manager of Al Ain Palace Hotel. She regarded herself as a superb team player during working hours since she feels that contributing to the team is more important than focusing on personal accomplishments.

She was born and raised in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a heart-shaped country in Europe. This empowered woman has a marketing degree and has worked in the business since graduating from college. Her first professional post was as a Social Media Manager in Bosnia. She not only grasped the marketing sector, but she also had the opportunity to work in a variety of employment responsibilities.

She is currently working in the hospitality industry and likes every minute of her time as a marketer in hotel management. Elma stated that the United Arab Emirates provided her with an excellent chance to advance her career in both the traditional hospitality profession and in a more diversified and dynamic environment.

“My current work combines two of my passions: the passion for hospitality and the second being passionate for marketing. Both fields are dynamic, and the challenges bring me excitement every day,” she said. 

Elma’s ultimate dream

Challenges are an inevitable aspect of life. And every dreamer must overcome obstacles and brawls before achieving their ultimate aim. The growth of COVID-19 has provided Elma with several opportunities to comprehend the significance of life. It introduced new methods of adapting to the surrounding environment. However, she feels that adversity can bring out the best in others.

“I would say the most challenging thing I have faced in the UAE was getting someone to give me a chance to prove my mettle. Even though I had an educational background in marketing and experience in the same field, it took me almost a year to find an entry marketing job. But my perseverance paid off, and Abu Dhabi allowed me to work towards my goals,” she shared. 

Elma went on to say that the COVID-19 epidemic had taught her that life can be unpredictable and that everyone should be prepared to confront adversity. He is now considering relocating to the United Arab Emirates. His ambition is for her to advance in her work and provide financial security for her family.

Abu Dhabi journey

Elma has been in Abu Dhabi since February of this year. Furthermore, she portrays the emirate as a metropolis where individuals from over 200 nations coexist.

“Abu Dhabi provided me the opportunity to be a part of its wonderful tradition and values, which helped me grow tremendously personally and professionally,” she continued.

Saadiyat Mamsha is one of her favorite places in the emirate. The blue lake and excellent restaurants make her unwind on any difficult day every time she visits the region. The location continues to astound her from every perspective.

Lastly, when Dubai Vibes Magazine asked her about her life after work, she said that she enjoys reading, visiting fine dining restaurants, fitness regimes, and online courses. 

Did you enjoy reading the story?

This story has been featured in the 13th issue of Dubai Vibes Magazine. To get a copy, you may contact Ms. Elaine “Bella” Marbella at +971503196856. If you have an inspiring story or know someone with one, please send an email to us at eic@dubavibesmagazine.com

Life is a succession of 5ks, not a sprint or a marathon. Seek God’s grace at each stride of those 5ks. Every day, do an anonymous, random act of kindness. “Be compassionate whenever possible; it’s always possible,” says HH Dalai Lama. 

Aster DM Healthcare’s Chief of Service Excellence (Corporate), David Thomas Boucher, is 63 years old. He was raised in Europe and the United States of America (USA). He completed his undergraduate studies at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and his graduate studies at the University of South Carolina.

David, a man of immensity, had worked in various vocations before becoming a successful professional. He revealed during the interview that his first paid work was as a rodeo cowboy clown helper in South Dakota. Furthermore, at 14, he founded his first firm, a house-painting business with a high school classmate. His practicality spared him from completing his bachelor’s degree. He spent seven years painting homes and saving every dime to pay for his education.

He is now the Group Chief of Service Excellence at Aster DM Healthcare. He was in charge of 27 hospitals, 250 pharmacies, and 175 physician clinics. On the other side, he is the corporate lead for Medical Value Travel to Dubai and Aster Medcity in Kochi, India.

Vicissitudes’ latitude

David has worked in hospital management for 44 years, which he regards as a blessing. He began his career as an undergraduate student at Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1978. He worked for BlueCross and BlueShield of South Carolina for more than three years before taking the post of financial director at a hospital in northern Vermont, USA.

He shared: “Nine years later, I moved to North Carolina in my first CEO’s position, then was later the CEO of two hospitals in South Carolina.” It also comes to the point that he returned to BlueCross in the year 2000 and was involved in contact center management and health information technology initiatives. 

In 2006, he believed his stay at Bumrungrad International Hospital (BIH) in Bangkok, Thailand, to be a life-changing vacation. He said, “After returning to BlueCross after a week in Bangkok, I was asked to develop and incubate Companion Global Healthcare, an insurer-owned medical tourism facilitation firm. I traveled and visited hospitals in almost 30 countries with Companion.”

When he was set to retire in 2017, he was offered the Chief Business Transformation Officer position at BIH. He joined Aster DM Health Care in January 2021, after taking a few months off and withdrawing for the second time.

When Dubai Vibes Magazine asked him about his career, he answered: “Perhaps the highlight of my career was leading the turnaround effort at an American hospital in my first hospital CEO’s position. The hospital was near bankruptcy when we started, so we had to work very quickly to create a high-performing team. I have used lessons learned from Good Hope Hospital throughout my career.” 

He relishes the opportunity to be with the frontline Asterian daily in his current company. David enjoys spending as much time in their hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, labs, and optic stores. 

View towards challenges

“The most significant challenge is motivating speed to action. While we have made significant progress in service improvements over the past couple of years, we still have a way to go. I am continually signaling the reminder that “It’s not the big, the small, but the fast that eats the slow. So, while we are biased toward action, we need to accelerate the rate of improvement,” David said. 

He also mentioned that he didn’t realize it was okay to seek help until he was in his mid-40s. His most essential conflicts are those he fights within himself. It was tough for him at first to become a servant leader. However, after he submitted it, things were considerably more straightforward.

Today, according to David, he is living the dream. He visited Asterians and facilities throughout the GCC and India. He always reminds himself that it is a huge responsibility, but it is also much pleasure.

Dubai Life

He stated that Dubai is the safest place he has ever lived, and he appreciates living as a minority. David noted that Dubai has everything excellent. Overall, he finds it simple to evaluate and advertise Dubai as a medical tourism destination because the emirate has exceptional facilities and great physicians and nurses.

Gold Souks Market/ Creeks near the Al Fahidi Fort is one of his favorite spots in Dubai. As someone has always been fascinated by commerce, the souks give him a glimpse into the works of finance.

Did you enjoy reading the story?

This story has been featured in the 13th issue of Dubai Vibes Magazine. To get a copy, you may contact Ms. Elaine “Bella” Marbella at +971503196856. If you have an inspiring story or know someone with one, please send an email to us at eic@dubavibesmagazine.com

Chef Syed has spent 14 years in the United Arab Emirates. For over two decades, this man of distinction acquired a great deal from his experiences in his chosen profession. He is now the Executive Chef at Novel Hotel in Abu Dhabi, where he oversees nine restaurants.

The businesses he manages are quite different in terms of culture and food. His diverse network of connections pushes him to become more than simply an executive chef and a culturally informed member of the culinary world. One of the restaurants he works with is a 40-year-old French restaurant, which he is proud to keep up the standards. Those who come here to eat are enthused about it.

As an international chef, Syed makes it a point to learn something new regularly. He cooks foreign cuisines ranging from European to Asian cooking, and as a result, he knows new things.

“As an Executive Chef, I like to cook everything. I love cooking all cuisines because the learning in culinary never ends,” he said. 

He also stated that while he is learning anything, he makes it a point to share it with his team: “When I am studying, I can also provide practical duties to my team and swiftly guide them on preparing and maintaining the recipes.” And all of this knowledge may be used to prepare a delicious meal.

How did it all start?

Chef Syed’s knack for cooking began as a kid. As he recalled, whenever his mother made meals for their family, he used to stand behind her in the kitchen as she prepared the dishes. And over the course of several years, he honed it and gradually learned how to cook. He feels his mother impacted his skill.

The skill he discovered and understood enabled him to accept it and pursue a lifelong ambition. After many years of hard work and effort, he achieved his dream of becoming a chef.

“After I finished my culinary course, I had the opportunity to work with one hotel in my hometown as a steward. And from then on, my journey continued until I became an executive chef,” he said. 

He began his career in the UAE 14 years ago in a hotel in Dubai, where he learned a lot about the hospitality sector. Staying in Dubai for ten years provided him with all conceivable possibilities and expertise about the topic he is most passionate about.

As the executive chef of a hotel, the most challenging component of his job is making his visitors happy and content. The question that usually arises in his thoughts is, “Do my visitors love the cuisine I prepared?”

“It is not easy because you need to create more effort for them to satisfy. Doing your best is essential. I always do my best to maintain and keep the authentic taste of every food from different parts of the world,” he shared. 

Leader of the band

Chef Syed is the leader who makes sure everything is in order. He treats his coworkers equally, listens to their views, and is open to fresh ideas. He is a leader who is well aware of his team’s circumstances and efforts.

“To be honest, I’m pleased with my team because they understand me, and I understand them too. It is easy for me to convey my message to them because they listen to whatever I say, and I occasionally seek their opinion, which I don’t mind doing,” he stated.

Chef Syed considers himself successful in his field right now; when asked about his definition of success by Dubai Vibes Magazine, he stated that he had already fulfilled his aim. He had dreamed of being a successful executive chef, and now he had the chance.

He shared his secret: “The key is that I promised myself that I would be an executive chef one day, and here I am!”

Although success being on his way, Chef Syed still wishes to travel to another country to demonstrate his skills and learn new things. His knowledge of the emirates, on the other hand, is sufficient. If given the opportunity, he is always quick to take advantage of it.

Finally, he stated, “Knowing where you want to go is one of the most important things to consider.” And to obtain complete information, one must concentrate. As long as they are motivated, everyone can achieve whatever they want.

Did you enjoy reading the story?

This story has been featured in the 13th issue of Dubai Vibes Magazine. To get a copy, you may contact Ms. Elaine “Bella” Marbella at +971503196856. If you have an inspiring story or know someone with one, please send an email to us at eic@dubavibesmagazine.com

It’s an age old saying that laughter is the best medicine.  For one-night-only, this May 15th at The Agenda in Dubai, that’s exactly what the doctor has ordered as South Africa’s leading funny-men, Dr Riaad Moosa, Joey Rasdien and Schalk Bezuidenhout harness the powerful benefits of laughter when they bring the unique comedy experience of ‘The New Material Comedy Tour’ – a live stand-up show coupled with an exclusive film screening – to the Dubai Comedy Festival.

Following the 2021 release of New Material, a hilarious and heart-warming film about a dutiful young Muslim man who moonlights as a stand-up comedian in Johannesburg, South Africa, the formidable comedy trio have teamed up again.  With this royal flush of comedy heavyweights, this is guaranteed to be a top-notch night of entertainment showcasing not only the very best in homegrown South African stand-up talent but patrons will also be treated to a special ‘Comedians Cut’ screening of the film as well.

Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gtCD4P1I8c

As an award-winning comedian, actor, writer and presenter, Riaad Moosa is one of South Africa’s most popular and acclaimed comedians – and he happens to be a qualified medical doctor too.  He certainly seems to have the remedy for nation’s ills – a healthy dose of laughter, straight up – and hold the aspirin.  

Joey Rasdien’s endearing stage persona is intellectually absurd, physically hysterical and thought-provoking.  He not only makes you laugh, but makes you think as well.  

Schalk Bezuidenhout is instantly recognisable – you can’t miss his signature jerseys, hair and moustache.  As one of the most exciting voices in South African comedy, he brings his unique upbringing and daily life experiences to the comedy stage.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that it would open this May Saih Al-Dahal Road Improvement Project which links Saih Al-Salam Road with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

The old single-lane road is being removed and replaced by a dual carriageway extending 11 km comprising two lanes in each direction, along with a median and three roundabouts to ease the movement in all directions. The new road will link with the entry points of Al Qudra Lakes.

“The project aims to increase the road intake from an existing 1,800 vehicles to 4,000 vehicles in each direction to accommodate the continued growth in traffic volumes and ease the mobility of residents and visitors to the oasis on both sides of the road, desert areas and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority.

RTA has accomplished several development projects in the area including the widening of Saih Al-Salam Road over a 21 km stretch from Al Qudra R/A, nearby the cycling rest area, up to the intersection with the Dubai-Al Ain Road via Al Lisaili and Al Marmoom. Nine R/As are being constructed at junctions to ease the traffic flow and enhance the traffic safety of the neighbourhood.

Projects also included the construction of four camel and horse crossings, a cycling track, service roads, parking spaces, and widening of the existing parking area at the Dubai International Endurance Village in addition to street lighting and rainwater drainage networks.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, today approved the formation of the ”Hatta Traders Council” to support the implementation of the Hatta Master Development Plan, which forms an integral part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said that under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai places the highest priority on supporting young Emirati entrepreneurs and empowering them to ensure their success. The emirate places its citizens at the heart of its development plans and considers them partners in achieving its goals, Sheikh Hamdan said.

The Hatta Traders Council, which will fall under the umbrella of Dubai Chamber, will act as a platform to support young businessmen and entrepreneurs in Hatta through the exchange of expertise and joint coordination and will work to maximise the benefits from new economic opportunities, Sheikh Hamdan said.

Sheikh Hamdan approved the formation of the Council under the Chairmanship of Mana Ahmed Al Kaabi. Members of the Council include: Ahmed Mohammed Al Hashemi, Khalifa Ali Al Bedwawi, Bakheet Mohammed Al Meqbali, Majid Khalfan Al Bedwawi, Khalifa Saeed Al Mutaiwei, Mohammed Khalifa Al Kaabi, Khaled Abdullah Al Bedwawi, and Khaled Ali Al Bedwawi.

The Council is set to play a key role in supporting young entrepreneurs who own small and medium businesses, by empowering and enabling them to implement projects and creative ideas to advance sustainable economic development in the Hatta area and the emirate of Dubai.