The annual Global Day celebrations organized by the Student Affairs Department of Gulf Medical University (GMU) owned by the Thumbay Group– a leading medical University in the region-were celebrated virtually with a limited audience in person, on 15th March 2021. Organized every year to appreciate the cultural diversity of the students and staff of GMU, the event was a convergence of culture and traditions of the 86 nationalities that form the student cohort of GMU.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU was the chief guest of GMU virtual Global Day 2021. Accompanied by the Vice-Chancellors and Deans, the students had exhibited the food and costumes, as well as other exhibits relevant to their culture and history online.
More than 1000 attendees online including the students and staff of the University as well as their families and friends joined. Admiring the students’ efforts, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said the annual Global Day was an occasion to celebrate the togetherness of GMU’s students and staff, emphasizing the University’s ‘Unity in Diversity’. Diverse Healthcare professions expressing their diverse cultures and Learning from one another.

Some of the top countries participating were United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, France, and Iraq. The first place was secured by Pakistan followed by Nigeria and India the second and third place respectively.

The United Arab Emirates secured first place in the Arts category, which was a great achievement. The Student Council also thanked the Chancellor and all students for making this event a success in these challenging times of the pandemic.

Celebrated every year, GMU Global Day seeks to admire the unity in the cultural diversity of GMU’s student community hailing from over 86 nationalities. The event encourages the students to display the essence of their ethnicities and cultures, whilst allowing them to know and appreciate each other’s culture.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.

Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.

He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.

Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.

He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.

He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.

Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.

The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.

“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.