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Daily Tribune
7 days ago
- General
- Daily Tribune
Stronger Than Steel
The Night Bahrain Witnessed the Power of She 'My prosthetic arm was not my identity. I wanted to live without hiding — and that's when everything changed.' - Shaikha Al Shaiba 'I didn't just climb Everest. I carried the hopes of every person who's been told they can't.' - Dr. Arunima Sinha It's not every day you sit in an auditorium and feel your heartbeat sync with stories of sheer resilience. But that's exactly what happened at the Leela Jashanmal Memorial Lecture in Manama, an evening that turned into a masterclass on bravery, grace under fire, and what it truly means to rise, again and again. The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) auditorium was packed to capacity, buzzing with anticipation. I found myself surrounded by people from all walks of life, leaning forward, holding their breath, much like I did, as two incredible women took the stage and rewrote the definition of strength. The event, hosted by the Indian Ladies Association, was a tribute to courage in the face of adversity. But no introduction could have prepared us for the impact that Shaikha Al Shaiba and Padma Shri Dr. Arunima Sinha would have on our hearts. Bahrain Trailblazer Shaikha Al Shaiba's story didn't begin in a sports arena. It began in silence. In the shadows of judgment, stares, and whispers. With one arm, she knew early on that society would define her by her difference. What they didn't expect was that she would choose her own definition. 'My prosthetic arm was not my identity,' she told the crowd. 'I wanted to live without hiding — and that's when everything changed.'Her voice wavered only with passion as she recalled how she joined races, learned to swim from scratch, and pushed herself to compete in one of the world's toughest triathlons, Ironman 70.3. With just two months of training and no prior swimming experience, Shaikha completed a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride, and 21.1 km run, not to prove a point to the world, but to honor the strength within her. She trained in Bahrain's heat, battled through injury, and swam against waves colder than fear itself. She didn't just cross finish lines, she tore down barriers along the her biggest challenge came with loss. 'When my father passed away, my world went silent,' she said. 'I stopped living for a while. But then I remembered, I have a life to honor, and a legacy to build.' That's when she got back on the bike. Even after a near-fatal accident in Riyadh that broke her hand, head, and hip, she didn't stop. She showed up to work in a cast and later crossed another finish line in Paris. Why? Because resilience, as she said, 'is not about pretending the struggle doesn't exist, it's about rising anyway.' From Train Tracks to the Top of the World Then came a hush, the kind that settles right before a storm of emotion. Dr. Arunima Sinha, India's first female amputee to scale Mt. Everest, stepped forward. But before she became a mountaineer, she was a national-level volleyball player, and a victim of unthinkable violence. She was thrown off a moving train by robbers in 2011. Left on the tracks, limbs crushed, consciousness flickering and the cruel rhythm of 49 trains passing by. It was seven hours before help no anesthesia, she underwent an emergency leg amputation. But even as she lay in a hospital bed, riddled with rods and screws, she made a declaration no one could have predicted: 'I will climb Everest.' Arunima's journey wasn't just vertical, it was spiritual. She trained for 18 months, faced repeated rejections from sponsors, and endured brutal climbs with one prosthetic leg and a spine held together by determination. 'People only saw what I didn't have,' she said. 'They didn't see the fire inside.' In 2013, she reached the summit of Everest, not just for herself, but for everyone who's ever been told they couldn't. She now leads a foundation that supports amputees and underprivileged children in India, proving that healing isn't just personal, it's communal. That evening, under the soft lights of BIBF's auditorium, something magical happened. The crowd didn't just listen, they transformed. Tears were wiped quietly. Hands clapped louder. Hearts were realigned. The stories of Shaikha Al Shaiba and Dr. Arunima Sinha were not about tragedy. They were about triumph. About what happens when a woman decides that her narrative won't be written by were not just speeches. They were battle cries. They were love letters to the human spirit. They reminded us that our scars are not symbols of shame, they are stamps of survival. And as I walked out that evening into the cool Manama air, I realized something, I had forgotten to breathe. But I left with lungs full of courage, a heart full of awe, and a soul that had just witnessed greatness. Honoring Academic Excellence A special Academic Felicitation Ceremony recognized top-performing students from New India School, Asian School, New Millennium School, New Horizons, and The Indian School. Principals proudly joined their achievers on stage as their names were displayed, celebrating excellence and dedication in front of a distinguished audience. Shaikha won the Riyadh Duathlon (5krun, 20kbike, 2.5krun) Shaikh at the Dubai Fitness Challenge Snaps from Ironman 70.3 hel in Bahrain Dr. Arunima Sinha speaks at the Leela Jashanmal Memorial Lecture The world's first female amputee to climb Mount Everest in 2013 and the first female amputee to climb Mount Vinson, the highest peak of Antarctica. India's PM Modi congratulates 'pride of India' Arunima Sinha Opening address from ILA President Smitha Jensen
Daily Tribune
02-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
The Night Bahrain Witnessed the Power of She
From Train Tracks to the Top of the World Then came a hush, the kind that settles right before a storm of emotion. Dr. Arunima Sinha, India's first female amputee to scale Mt. Everest, stepped forward. But before she became a mountaineer, she was a national-level volleyball player, and a victim of unthinkable violence. She was thrown off a moving train by robbers in 2011. Left on the tracks, limbs crushed, consciousness flickering and the cruel rhythm of 49 trains passing by. It was seven hours before help no anesthesia, she underwent an emergency leg amputation. But even as she lay in a hospital bed, riddled with rods and screws, she made a declaration no one could have predicted: 'I will climb Everest.' Arunima's journey wasn't just vertical, it was spiritual. She trained for 18 months, faced repeated rejections from sponsors, and endured brutal climbs with one prosthetic leg and a spine held together by determination. 'People only saw what I didn't have,' she said. 'They didn't see the fire inside.' In 2013, she reached the summit of Everest, not just for herself, but for everyone who's ever been told they couldn't. She now leads a foundation that supports amputees and underprivileged children in India, proving that healing isn't just personal, it's communal. That evening, under the soft lights of BIBF's auditorium, something magical happened. The crowd didn't just listen, they transformed. Tears were wiped quietly. Hands clapped louder. Hearts were realigned. The stories of Shaikha Al Shaiba and Dr. Arunima Sinha were not about tragedy. They were about triumph. About what happens when a woman decides that her narrative won't be written by were not just speeches. They were battle cries. They were love letters to the human spirit. They reminded us that our scars are not symbols of shame, they are stamps of survival. And as I walked out that evening into the cool Manama air, I realized something, I had forgotten to breathe. But I left with lungs full of courage, a heart full of awe, and a soul that had just witnessed greatness.
Biz Bahrain
29-05-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
BIBF and Financial Academy signs strategic partnership to develop human capital in Saudi insurance sector
The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Financial Academy in Riyadh to deliver specialised training programmes and professional workshops in the field of insurance across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership aims to enhance the capabilities of national talent and improve the performance of the insurance sector. The agreement was signed by Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh, CEO of BIBF, and Manaa Al Khamsan, CEO of the Financial Academy. Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh said that the partnership marks a strategic step forward in supporting professional qualification pathways within Saudi Arabia's insurance market. It includes the launch of a suite of specialised training programmes and advanced workshops, delivered exclusively in partnership with the Financial Academy, as well as joint efforts in developing professional qualifications and micro-credentials that address rapid industry shifts and evolving market needs. On his part, Al Khamsan highlighted that this high-impact partnership reflects the Financial Academy's pioneering role in nurturing and advancing human capital within the financial sector, particularly insurance, by adopting global best practices and standards in professional education. He also noted the alignment of the training offerings with the Financial Sector Development Programme under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. He added that the agreement reflects the confidence that regional and international institutions place in the Academy's capabilities and its distinguished status as a leading provider of professional training and development in the Kingdom's financial sector. BNA(R)
Zawya
28-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The BIBF and the Financial Academy sign a strategic partnership to develop human capital in Saudi insurance sector
Manama – The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Financial Academy in Riyadh to deliver specialised training programmes and professional workshops in the field of insurance across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership aims to enhance the capabilities of national talent and elevate the performance of the insurance sector. The agreement was signed by Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of the BIBF, and Mr. Manaa Al Khamsan, Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Academy. On this occasion, Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh stated that the partnership marks a strategic step forward in supporting professional qualification pathways within Saudi Arabia's insurance market. It includes the launch of a suite of specialised training programmes and advanced workshops, delivered exclusively in partnership with the Financial Academy, as well as joint efforts in developing professional qualifications and micro-credentials that address rapid industry shifts and evolving market needs. For his part, Mr. Al Khamsan affirmed that this high-impact partnership reflects the Financial Academy's pioneering role in nurturing and advancing human capital within the financial sector - particularly insurance - by adopting global best practices and standards in professional education. He also highlighted the alignment of the training offerings with the Financial Sector Development Program under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. He added that the agreement reflects the confidence that regional and international institutions place in the Academy's capabilities and its distinguished status as a leading provider of professional training and development in the Kingdom's financial sector. About the BIBF The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) is the leading provider of education and training in the region, established in 1981 under the Central Bank of Bahrain. With a commitment to enhancing human capital, the BIBF serves not only Bahrain but also extends its reach to 64 countries worldwide, solidifying its global presence. The BIBF is dedicated to delivering excellence across a broad spectrum of business disciplines. It partners with numerous international institutions to offer thought leadership, assessment, and training in key areas, including: Banking and Finance Islamic Banking Executive Education Accounting and Finance Academic Studies Leadership and Management Insurance Digital Transformation and Project Management For more information, please contact the Marketing and Corporate Communications Department at: Email: media@ Website:
Biz Bahrain
22-05-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
BIBF renews strategic partnership with PRMIA
The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) renewed its strategic partnership with the Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during an official visit by PRMIA Chief Executive Officer Justin C. McCarthy to the BIBF headquarters. The agreement reinforces both institutions' commitment to advancing professional development in risk management across Bahrain and the region. It enables BIBF to continue offering training aligned with PRMIA's internationally recognised certifications, including the Professional Risk Manager (PRM), Associate Professional Risk Manager (APRM), and Operational Risk Management Certificate (ORM). The partnership aims to support capacity building by equipping professionals with globally benchmarked qualifications and practical skills. Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of BIBF, said that the extension of the collaboration with PRMIA reflects a shared commitment to excellence in professional education and enhances BIBF's ability to deliver world class training in support of the region's risk management and financial sectors. McCarthy noted that the partnership with BIBF has been instrumental in broadening access to high quality risk education in the region and expressed interest in continuing the successful collaboration. BIBF continues to serve as a key regional hub for financial training, supporting professionals in Bahrain and beyond. The renewed MoU also includes enhanced support through the BIBF's growing e-learning platform, enabling candidates to access virtual classes and flexible learning options.
