Around the world, millions of families celebrated Diwali on Saturday, November 14.
Homes were lit up and special prayers were said for the Indian festival of lights, which symbolises the victory of good against evil.
Diwali (or Deepavali) is a Hindu celebration that marks the return of Rama (a demigod and protagonist of the epic Ramayana) to his kingdom of Ayodhya, after he defeated the demon king Ravana. The city was lit up with diyas (lamps) to welcome its ruler, a tradition that continues to this day with households lit up to celebrate the five-day festival.
In the lead up to Diwali, homes are thoroughly cleaned (akin to spring cleaning) and decorated with lamps, fairy lights and rangoli drawings etched out in colourful powders on the threshold, in a bid to entice Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity.
Fireworks and sweetmeats are other markers of the celebration.
While Diwali celebrations were not quite as grand for a lot of people in 2020 because of the pandemic, many still gathered with friends and family to mark the festival.
Scroll through our gallery above to see how people around the world celebrated marked Diwali
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
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- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
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