Diwali, the festival of lights was celebrated across the UAE by Indian expatriates who decorated their houses with lights while children burst crackers.
In Dubai, areas like Bur Dubai and Karama, especially, wore a festive look as most residential buildings were lit up with lights.
“We had a wonderful festival despite recession,” said Ararti Sinha a Bur Dubai resident. “Although we would have spent much more on fire crackers if we were in India, we still managed to enjoy it here buy bursting light crackers,” she said.
Bursting of crackers which started a little after sunset went on late into the night. Children as well as adults were seen bursting crackers in front of their buildings and in open grounds.
Many were even seen abandoning their fire crackers at the sight of a police patrol. While it is banned in the UAE to burst crackers that make noise, some stores were selling it secretly for double the profits.
“It was close to 11.30 at night when the cops came and took away all our crackers,” said Diwakar and his friends who were playing near the Golden Sands area in Bur Dubai.
For Shweta Kumar, who lost her job last month, it was the first such Diwali in the last ten years. “I did celebrate the festival but there was nothing much to smile about. Ever since I lost my job last month, I have been trying to find an alternate employment but without any luck. I am running out of my reserve cash. The celebrations were only limited to offering prayers, dressing up and eating good food. No friends were invited this time around,” said Kumar.
Shopping malls too reported brisk sales and had attractive offers to cash in on the festive season. Gold traders told Emirates 247 that sales were better than last year’s.
“We had ten per cent more sales compared to previous Diwali,” said Tomy Joseph, General Manager, Sales and Marketing at Joy Alukkas Jewelry.
There were mixed response though with some jewelers stating that the sales were not as expected especially with record-high gold prices.
The five-day festival began Wednesday with Dhanteras, when devotees buy gold as a symbol of prosperity. During the festival, Hindus make special offerings to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth.