• An Indian clay artist, Sujata Chitrakar, works with an idol of the goddess Kali ahead of Diwali in Kolkata. EPA
    An Indian clay artist, Sujata Chitrakar, works with an idol of the goddess Kali ahead of Diwali in Kolkata. EPA
  • An artist gives the final touches to an idol of Kali, the Hindu goddess of power, in Siliguri, West Bengal. AFP
    An artist gives the final touches to an idol of Kali, the Hindu goddess of power, in Siliguri, West Bengal. AFP
  • Members of the Just Sewa Society distribute lamps and grocery items to people in need during an event ahead of Diwali, in Amritsar. AFP
    Members of the Just Sewa Society distribute lamps and grocery items to people in need during an event ahead of Diwali, in Amritsar. AFP
  • An Indian clay artist works with idols of the goddess Kali in Kolkata. EPA
    An Indian clay artist works with idols of the goddess Kali in Kolkata. EPA
  • A street vendor applies dye to earthen pots to be used as decorative items, in Hyderabad. AFP
    A street vendor applies dye to earthen pots to be used as decorative items, in Hyderabad. AFP
  • People shop at a crowded market in New Delhi. Reuters
    People shop at a crowded market in New Delhi. Reuters
  • People shop for paper lanterns and other decorative items in Mumbai. AFP
    People shop for paper lanterns and other decorative items in Mumbai. AFP
  • A vendor selling firecrackers in Allahabad. AFP
    A vendor selling firecrackers in Allahabad. AFP
  • A street vendor sells decorative items at a market in New Delhi. AFP
    A street vendor sells decorative items at a market in New Delhi. AFP
  • A street vendor dyes earthen lamps in New Delhi. AFP
    A street vendor dyes earthen lamps in New Delhi. AFP
  • Shoppers buy decorative items in New Delhi. AFP
    Shoppers buy decorative items in New Delhi. AFP
  • People hold placards to raise awareness on air pollution caused by firecrackers, in Siliguri. AFP
    People hold placards to raise awareness on air pollution caused by firecrackers, in Siliguri. AFP
  • People buy decorative items at a market in Amritsar. AFP
    People buy decorative items at a market in Amritsar. AFP
  • A shopkeeper hangs artificial flower garlands in Amritsar. AFP
    A shopkeeper hangs artificial flower garlands in Amritsar. AFP
  • Flower garlands at a shop in New Delhi. AFP
    Flower garlands at a shop in New Delhi. AFP
  • A vendor carries a bunch of roses at a flower market in New Delhi. AFP
    A vendor carries a bunch of roses at a flower market in New Delhi. AFP
  • A woman makes garlands in New Delhi. AFP
    A woman makes garlands in New Delhi. AFP
  • Shoppers in Chennai. EPA
    Shoppers in Chennai. EPA
  • An artist gives finishing touches to an idol of Lakshmi in Kolkata. AP
    An artist gives finishing touches to an idol of Lakshmi in Kolkata. AP
  • People buy flowers, fruits and essentials at a city market in Bengaluru. EPA
    People buy flowers, fruits and essentials at a city market in Bengaluru. EPA
  • A shop selling earthen lamps in Bengaluru. EPA
    A shop selling earthen lamps in Bengaluru. EPA
  • A worker hangs decoration items in Amritsar. AFP
    A worker hangs decoration items in Amritsar. AFP
  • An artisan paints a statue of Lakshmi on the outskirts of Hyderabad. AFP
    An artisan paints a statue of Lakshmi on the outskirts of Hyderabad. AFP
  • A young artisan at work in Hyderabad. AFP
    A young artisan at work in Hyderabad. AFP
  • A vendor arranges decorative lights at a market in New Delhi. AFP
    A vendor arranges decorative lights at a market in New Delhi. AFP
  • A worker arranges artificial flowers in Amritsar. AFP
    A worker arranges artificial flowers in Amritsar. AFP
  • A potter loads dried clay earthen lamps into a furnace in Allahabad. AFP
    A potter loads dried clay earthen lamps into a furnace in Allahabad. AFP
  • A craftsman paints earthen lamps in Amritsar. AFP
    A craftsman paints earthen lamps in Amritsar. AFP
  • A visually impaired youth makes candles to be sold for Diwali in New Delhi. AFP
    A visually impaired youth makes candles to be sold for Diwali in New Delhi. AFP
  • An artisan works on an idol of the goddess Kali on the outskirts of Hyderabad. AFP
    An artisan works on an idol of the goddess Kali on the outskirts of Hyderabad. AFP
  • Customers visit a shop selling decorative electric lights in Kolkata. EPA
    Customers visit a shop selling decorative electric lights in Kolkata. EPA
  • Potters make diyas or earthen oil lamps in New Delhi. AFP
    Potters make diyas or earthen oil lamps in New Delhi. AFP
  • A worker makes candles in Ahmedabad. AFP
    A worker makes candles in Ahmedabad. AFP
  • A worker at a candle making shop in Ahmedabad. AFP
    A worker at a candle making shop in Ahmedabad. AFP
  • A woman at a flower shop on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. AFP
    A woman at a flower shop on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. AFP
  • Women work inside an artifical flower shop in Ahmedabad. AFP
    Women work inside an artifical flower shop in Ahmedabad. AFP
  • Workers make firecrackers at a workshop in Ahmedabad. AFP
    Workers make firecrackers at a workshop in Ahmedabad. AFP
  • Girls prepare wax-filled earthen lamps ahead of Diwali, at a centre for visually challenged girls in Ahmedabad. AFP
    Girls prepare wax-filled earthen lamps ahead of Diwali, at a centre for visually challenged girls in Ahmedabad. AFP

UAE

Many Indian schools in Dubai to celebrate Diwali with four-day weekend

The Indian festival of lights will be marked across the world on November 4

Anam Rizvi
Anam Rizvi

November 02, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Many Indian schools in Dubai will close on Wednesday and Thursday to celebrate the Indian festival of Diwali.

Schools will resume classes on Sunday.

Pupils and teachers celebrated together on Tuesday before the festival.

Many educational institutions declare a holiday every year to allow families time to mark the occasion in their homes.

The Indian High Group of Schools, which closes its doors every year for the festivities, will allow about 13,000 pupils between its three campuses and staff members to take a two-day holiday on Wednesday and Thursday.

Delhi Private School Dubai has also declared a two-day holiday and pupils will return to classrooms on Sunday.

  • Performances to celebrate Diwali – also known as India's festival of lights – got under way at Expo 2020's Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre on Friday. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Performances to celebrate Diwali – also known as India's festival of lights – got under way at Expo 2020's Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre on Friday. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Events to mark the five-day festival began with traditional dancing. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Events to mark the five-day festival began with traditional dancing. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The performance told the story of Diwali, a Hindu celebration that marks the return of the Hindu god Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya, after he defeated the demon king Ravana.
    The performance told the story of Diwali, a Hindu celebration that marks the return of the Hindu god Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya, after he defeated the demon king Ravana.
  • The colourful performance wowed the crowds. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The colourful performance wowed the crowds. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • This year's Diwali celebrations were a stark contrast to muted meetings last year because of the pandemic. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    This year's Diwali celebrations were a stark contrast to muted meetings last year because of the pandemic. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • This year, friends and family will unite and celebrate in style. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    This year, friends and family will unite and celebrate in style. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Expo 2020 Dubai has celebrations planned throughout the five-day festival. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Expo 2020 Dubai has celebrations planned throughout the five-day festival. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • In the spotlight: Diwali 2021 gets under way at the world's fair. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    In the spotlight: Diwali 2021 gets under way at the world's fair. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Crowds gather in Al Wasl Plaza every evening to watch immersive shows that light up the dome at the Expo. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Crowds gather in Al Wasl Plaza every evening to watch immersive shows that light up the dome at the Expo. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A special projection show has been prepared for visitors during Diwali celebrations at Al Wasl dome. Photo: EPA
    A special projection show has been prepared for visitors during Diwali celebrations at Al Wasl dome. Photo: EPA
  • Light and sound shows are being held across the Expo 2020 Dubai site for one of the biggest Hindu celebrations of Diwali. Photo: EPA
    Light and sound shows are being held across the Expo 2020 Dubai site for one of the biggest Hindu celebrations of Diwali. Photo: EPA
  • Impressive display of a light show every evening at the world's largest 360-degree projection dome, Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Impressive display of a light show every evening at the world's largest 360-degree projection dome, Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A Diwali light show at Expo 2020 Dubai will be beamed from the control room of Al Wasl dome. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A Diwali light show at Expo 2020 Dubai will be beamed from the control room of Al Wasl dome. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Al Wasl control room, which delivers spectacular shows each day, will project immersive light displays during Diwali festival. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Al Wasl control room, which delivers spectacular shows each day, will project immersive light displays during Diwali festival. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Gems Our Own Indian School, Gems Our Own High School – Al Warq’a, Gems Modern Academy and The Millennium School in Dubai will also be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

However, Gems Our Own English High School Dubai and Our Own English High School – Sharjah (Boys and Girls) and, Gems New Millennium School Al Khail will be closed on Thursday only.

"In celebration of Diwali, a number of Gems Education Indian-curriculum schools will be closed on November 3 and 4 to allow pupils to celebrate with their families,” said Michael Guzder, vice president of education at Gems Education.

"The decision to close school on the Wednesday and Thursday, or only Thursday, rests with the principal of each school and is taken with full permission from the education regulator.”

Pupils at Gulf Model School have a two-day holiday for celebrating Diwali.

Celebrations have already started across the UAE. The world’s fair has sparkled with lights since Diwali celebrations began across Expo 2020 Dubai at the weekend.

Festivities started on Friday and will continue throughout the week, with plans to attract millions of Indians who live and work in the UAE to join in with the outdoor entertainment on offer.

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

Updated: November 04, 2021, 6:43 AM
UAEIndia