Worked on New Year's Eve? You were not alone

Dubai - As the UAE celebrates New Year's eve, some people are working hard behind the scenes to make sure everything works properly.

While Dubai was busy partying on New Year's Eve, there were some who were working hard behind the scenes to make your plans work. They didn't go out to watch fireworks or experience the countdown to ushe in 2016 as they are the invisible force that helps the show go on the city. Khaleej Times learns from them about their dreams and wishes.
Pharmacist
Shymaa Fathi, an Egyptian at a 24-hour open pharmacy in Barsha is on the 7 pm to 7 am shift, New Years' Eve or no New Years' Eve. She's writing prescriptions when we approach her to ask her what her wish is for 2016.
Her New Year's plans: Shymaa is one of the several hundreds of workers in sectors such as hospitals/ medical professionals, transport, security, police and hospitality sectors, among others, who won't be on the streets trying to get the best view of the fireworks. Shymaa says last year, too, she was working at the pharmacy, as she has been a pharmacist for 3 years.
How I Wish..."Happiness for my family, my children, my husband, my mother, and peace for the world." Hopes to be able to go back to her husband and children as soon as possible. This year, she'll see them after 7am on January 1.
Security Guard
"Where will I go," says Ram Bahadur, a Nepalese guard on night shift manning a cluster of office buildings in Tecom.
New Year's plans: After office hours, the neighbourhood wears a deserted look every night. Parking lots are empty. There's no traffic. But he has to be there, wielding a register and a pen to note down license plate numbers. It's just a regular night for me he says. He's heard there might be fireworks elsewhere in Dubai.
His wish for 2016: He says he doesn't have one. Or perhaps it's the camera that he's shy of and doesn't want to say.
Waiter at a restaurant
A waiter at a restaurant near the Mall of the Emirates, Deepak Singh has been in Dubai for seven months now. He's from Dehradun, India. His wife is back home, with his parents.
New Year's plans:He is alone here and was on a night shift on new year's evening. "People come at even 5am to eat butter chicken," he says.
His wish - 2016 brings happiness and peace. What about for himself? He says for me too, happiness and peace. Last year this time too he was on the service staff at a restaurant back in Dehradun. But that place shut down at the stroke of midnighton new year's eve. Since his present workplace isopen round the clock, he has to stay on duty to serve the late night revellers.
Emergency Room Receptionist
Maricris E Vicente is a busy woman, filling out the paperwork for incoming cases at the emergency room at Al Zahra Hospital.
New Year's plans: She'll be home to Deira only at 7am on January 1, after her shift gets over at 5am. She smiles at the mention of fireworks. No chance she will get to see them because this is only her first month at work. And paperwork doesn't stop for New Years.
How I Wish..."Peace in the world, peace for all families."
Metro Staff/ Tram Patrollers
A night patroller at a metro station manning crowds and being on guard on New Year's Eve, Mohamed Fakeem from Colombo has no plans for the new year.
His wish: In Dubai for 8 years, and previously with metro security -now with Dubai Tram - Mohamed Fakeem wants to bring his wife and 16 year old daughter to Dubai in 2016. His eyes well up as he voices this wish.
Tram staff Zeeshan Ahmed, who previously worked with airport cargo and has been in Dubai for a year and a half, says he wants to go back to Karachi as he misses his land, his people, his family.
His wish: Peace of course, he says, everyone wants that. "More money, more comforts - everyone wants that, too."
nivriti@khaleejtimes.com 

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