There are many ways of celebration

Dubai - For businesswoman Kiran Nihalani, this Diwali has brought in good news. She is signing a new contract and is expecting it to do well as it is starting on the auspicious occasion.

  The biggest Indian Hindu festival is keeping the markets and malls buzzing with visitors, showing the strong presence of the Indian community in Dubai.
The festival of lights (as it is commonly called) commemorates the victory of good over evil, and is celebrated over a period of five days with the Hindu New Year also falling on the penultimate day. Many see these days as extremely auspicious to sign new contracts, deals and even for buying gold.
For businesswoman Kiran Nihalani, this Diwali has brought in good news. She is signing a new contract and is expecting it to do well as it is starting on the auspicious occasion.
"I feel it will work well. Although we don't celebrate the festival on a very grand scale this year since my husband passed away, me and my kids will do some charity work on this day. We plan to distribute some food packs among workers as we feel they are away from their homes and it feels good to see their faces light up with a smile as we wish them Happy Diwali and give gifts."
Rajesh Shah, along with his wife Leena and son Yug, are celebrating this Diwali in a unique way. "We are Jains, an Indian community that believes in non-violence and love towards all living beings. Our son decided to go eco-friendly this Diwali and has decided not to use firecrackers in order to protect insects other living creatures. So instead of burning money in crackers, we prefer to enjoy the grand Diwali party in the UAE arranged by our community.
Apart from decorating our house with diyas, my wife will make our special homemade snacks like Mathiya, Choraphadi etc. and delicious sweet like Ghughra," Rajesh said.
Housewife and working professional Divya Yashraj said: "Diwali to me is lights, sweets and fun time with family. In my childhood, Diwali was lights, lamps, crackers all around and wearing new dress. I remember we used to make my own lamp out of clay from the field. It used to be fun to dirty your hands to get a perfect diya/lamps and dry it for a day or two. Far away from home, I consider Dubai my second home as we are able to follow all our traditions here."
Dubai resident Kalpana Kanjani said: "I wait for Diwali all year round as it gives me yet another chance to celebrate big time with family and friends. Cleaning of the house, lighting up the house with fancy lights and diyas, making rangoli, shopping for new clothes and the list goes on. It keeps us in touch with our culture and unites the family. I have been in Dubai all my life and love how we celebrate Diwali here. It is the start of a new prosperous year for us."
Students with special needs from Al Noor Training centre wished everyone diwali by way of their art and craft work. The centre's Smiles and Stuff Store is offering their hand-made sweet boxes on the special occasion. Also artists with special needs from art studio Mawaheb sent their special wishes to the people of Dubai by way of a small video clip, where all of them of different nationalities are seen saying Happy Diwali in their own beautiful way.
Working professional Megha Lakhiani loves the subtle way Diwali is celebrated here in Dubai. "The streets look lovely as I see decorative lights adorn so many houses here and it at once lights up my mood. Even if it is 2am or later, you just don't feel as if it is any later than 9pm as so many people can be seen dressed up in traditional wear coming back with family or friends."
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai