Dubai: license plate sells for $15 million in charity auction, shattering world record
Dubai: In Dubai, a rare car license plate has been sold for a world-record price of 55 million dirhams ($15 million or ₹ 123 crore) to a wealthy bidder, breaking the previous record set in the United Arab Emirates over ten years ago. The sale of this highly sought-after license plate has made headlines around the world.
During a charitable auction organized by Emirates Auction LLC, plate number P 7 was sold for a staggering 55 million dirhams ($15 million or ₹ 123 crore) on Saturday. The unique license plate appears to show only the number 7, with the letter P situated off to the side. The auction's proceeds will benefit the 1 Billion Meals Endowment, a global food aid initiative led by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Charitable auctions of vanity license plates have become a regular occurrence in the UAE, allowing the ultra-wealthy to display their status and affluence while giving back to the community. The most recent auction shattered the previous record set in 2008 by businessman Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Khouri, who spent 52.2 million dirhams on a license plate featuring the number 1 in Abu Dhabi.
The identity of the individual who paid a staggering 55 million dirhams ($15 million or ₹ 123 crore) for the coveted P 7 license plate remains undisclosed.
Not only in the Middle East, but vanity plates have also commanded exorbitant prices elsewhere. Earlier this year, a single-letter "R" plate was sold at an auction in Hong Kong for an eye-watering price of HK$25.5 million ($3.2 million).
Dubai has long been a haven for the super-rich to showcase their affluence and enjoy a tax-free lifestyle. Despite concerns over economic instability in other parts of the world, the emirate's economy continues to thrive, boosted by high oil prices that also benefit neighboring countries and top customers. The influx of wealth has helped bolster the real estate market, making Dubai an even more attractive destination for the wealthy.
Dubai's relatively low sales tax rates compared to other countries have made it possible for even moderately-paid expats to purchase high-end cars. However, the recent pandemic-related economic upswing has led to a surge in rent prices, putting a strain on middle-class residents.
In 2016, businessman Balvinder Singh Sahni, also known as Abu Sabah, bought the license plate D 5 for 33 million dirhams. In an interview on Monday, he described Dubai as a city of gold, big people, secure people, and nice people. According to Abu Sabah, everyone in Dubai wants to showcase their status and affluence, making these unique license plates highly sought after by the elite.
During an interview, Abu Sabah shared an anecdote about his first visit to the luxury hotel Burj Al Arab in 2006. He was denied entry because his car's license plate had too many numbers. The hotel staff informed him that he would need a two-digit license plate or a reservation to gain entry. Abu Sabah always dreamed of owning a single-digit number plate, and when he had the opportunity to purchase D 5, he went all-in, knowing that the proceeds would go to charity. Being a self-proclaimed numbers guy, he explained that the D 5 plate was an ideal fit for him, as his favorite number is nine. He also pointed out that by adding D (the fourth letter of the alphabet) with five, you get nine.
At the time of reporting, there had been no response from the Guinness World Records to a request for comment.
Unlike some other exclusive license plates, the plate that was sold over the weekend can be transferred to any vehicle registered in the emirate, regardless of whether it's a supercar or not.
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'Engineered narratives': West Bengal guv on alleged molestation charges against him
Kolkata, May 2: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Thursday said he will not be cowed down by “engineered narratives” and the "truth shall triumph” after TMC leaders claimed that a woman working at Raj Bhavan levelled allegations of molestation against him.
In a statement, the Governor said, “Truth shall triumph. I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives. If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God bless them. But they cannot stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal,”
To the Raj Bhavan staff "who expressed solidarity with him following some derogatory narratives that were circulated by two disgruntled employees as agents of political parties," a communication by Raj Bhawan said.
The Governor’s statement came after senior TMC leaders claimed this evening in a series of social media posts that the woman, who had levelled the allegations, has been taken to a police station to complain against Bose.
Though police sources said they received a verbal complaint, there was no official word on whether a formal complaint had been registered.
“BIG. Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose was accused of molesting a woman. How utterly appalling and Horrifying. Ahead of @narendramodi visit to Kolkata who is supposed to stay overnight at Raj Bhavan, a woman has alleged that she was molested while she went to meet the Governor at Raj Bhavan today. The complainant has been taken to the Hare Street police station for filing a complaint. The woman has accused the Governor of molesting her. Shocking and disgraceful,” TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose said in a post on X.
Fellow TMC MP Saket Gokhale also posted on his X account regarding the issue.
West Bengal Women and Child Development Minister Shashi Panja said it is “shameful” that the Governor has maligned his post and has used it to “torture a woman”.
“It is appalling and shocking to see such an incident. This is the same Governor who had reached out to Sandeshkhali to talk about women’s rights and Nari Shakti. This is shameful that the Governor sought undue advantages in the pretext of giving her a permanent job. We want Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be addressing rallies in Bengal tomorrow to react on this issue,” she said.
According to sources in the Governor's House, the "woman employee with the help of her alleged boyfriend who is also an employee of the Raj Bhavan was blocking complaints (from people) being sent to the Election Commission of India.
"When she was reprimanded for that, she went outside and alleged molestation. She is in the habit of throwing tantrums against her colleagues because of some disease," a Raj Bhavan official said.
The West Bengal Governor and the TMC government have shared an acrimonious relationship since he assumed office in November 2022 and had several run-ins on various issues.
The BJP said it has to be seen whether this a “conspiracy by the TMC” or has an “iota of truth in it”.
“We all know that the TMC is politically cornered on the issue of SSC scam and is looking for a breathing space. So this needs to be seen whether this is a conspiracy by the TMC or it has any iota of truth in it,” BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said.
BIG. Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose accused of molesting a woman. How utterly APPALLING and HORRIFYING. Ahead of @narendramodi visit to Kolkata who is supposed to stay overnight at Raj Bhavan, a woman has alleged that she was molested while she went to meet the Governor at Raj…
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) May 2, 2024
Shameful that a constitutional office holder should try to prejudice an impartial investigation by attacking the motive of the complainant. We have seen this happen in that infamous Saturday Hearing of the Supreme Court. Respect women! https://t.co/E6eJLQvFXO
— sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) May 2, 2024
