Diwali celebrations ushered in much-needed festivities and hopes for new beginnings across the UAE on Thursday. The festival of lights is a major holiday in much of South Asia, and is traditionally celebrated for five days.
The third day of the festival, which fell on Thursday, is generally considered the main day. Predominantly a Hindu festival, although Jains and Sikhs also celebrate, Diwali symbolises the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
Like every year, homes in neighbourhoods across Dubai, especially in Bur Dubai, have been lit up since last week in anticipation. For many, the lighting of lamps is to welcome the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, and to usher in prosperity. On Thursday, residents dressed in their finest clothes and exchanged gifts and sweets.
Even the Burj Khalifa marked the occasion by screening a special Diwali light projection show featuring the hit song Dhoom Taana from the 2007 Bollywood blockbuster Om Shanti Om starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. The Dubai Fountain also danced to a Bollywood song to add to the festivities.
At Expo 2020 Dubai, celebrations on Thursday included a headlining concert by top rapper Badshah, as well as special Indian food offerings across the fair's many restaurants. The India Pavilion hosted a number of dance, music and food specials and even set up an interactive musical LED rangoli – the colourful designs traditionally made from flower petals, coloured rice or sand, meant to bring good luck – which is activated when visitors step on sensors, radiating light and patterns to represent happiness, positivity and prosperity.
Al Wasl Plaza, the centrepiece of Expo 2020, presented a specially curated show. The 360º projection on the world’s largest immersive dome was illuminated with Diwali-themed art while live performances were held at the plaza. Celebrations at the Expo 2020 continue until Saturday.
Follow the latest updates on the Expo here
Firework shows also lit up the sky at Bluewaters Dubai, Dubai Festival City and Global Village, which opened for its 26th season last week.
In Abu Dhabi, key landmarks across Yas Island, from Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, to Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi and Clymb Abu Dhabi were lit up in different colours while the Etihad Arena showcased a multicolour display.
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
TRAP
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