Sparkle, sans fireworks,
in Diwali celebrations in Gulf
By
Aroonim Bhuyan
Indo-Asian
News Service
Dubai,
Oct 29 (IANS) The prevailing global financial crisis did not
stop the vast expatriate Indian population in the Gulf from
celebrating Diwali with traditional fervour. There were little
fireworks as local rules do not allow that.
Devotees
thronged a temple in Bur Dubai in the heart of this west Asian
metropolis since morning. Houses were decorated with lights
and earthen lamps though fireworks were kept to the minimum
because of local rules.
"Previously
we did have fireworks but nowadays, because of local rules
banning this, we celebrate Diwali without fireworks,"
Utpal Kataky, a long time resident of Dubai, told IANS.
"We
prefer to stay at home and host friends who drop in,"
he added.
The
financial crisis also did not affect Diwali spending by Indians
in the region.
"Not at all," Sudhanasu Sharma, another Dubai resident,
said when asked if his spending was in any way lesser this
time than last year.
"In
fact, I bought a new car to celebrate Diwali this year. Although
my net worth has gone down a little because of the financial
crisis, our celebrations remained the same," he said.
With
prices of gold falling, touching around 80 dirhams ($21) a
gram, people flocked jewellery shops to buy the yellow metal.
Many
shops reportedly ran out of stock of the precious metal due
to the Diwali rush.
Many
expatriates also went to India to do their Diwali shopping.
"I
got all special saris from Pune. We do get to buy saris here
but you do not get enough variety. But my gold shopping was
done here," Janvi Kapadia, a Dubai resident, told the
Gulf News.
In
Oman, Tuesday's celebrations were preceded by a three-day
Diwali event at the Indian embassy in Muscat.
The
Indian mission, along with the Indian Social Club Muscat,
arranged the Diwali festivities at the Embassy lawns in Al
Khuwair during Oct 25-27, which culminated with an evening
of rendition of Mohammed Rafi's songs by local artistes.
Stalls
of henna, tattoos, rangoli (colourful floor decorations),
artificial jewellery, handicrafts and other products from
India attracted the invitees.
The
festivities in the Gulf, which is home to around 4.8 million
expatriate Indians, have not ended yet as Indian organizations
are planning more functions in the weekend ahead.
In
Bahrain, the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam is organizing a grand
show Thursday evening to mark both Diwali and Keralappiravi,
the anniversary of the formation of the state of Kerala.
Prabuddha
Bharata>>>
Vedanta
Kesari>>>
Vedanta
Mass Media>>>
|