Inside the Dubai factory making 50 tonnes of Diwali sweets

  • Preparing traditional Diwali sweets at the Bikanervala factory in Dubai Investments Park. All photos: Antonie Robertson/The National
    Preparing traditional Diwali sweets at the Bikanervala factory in Dubai Investments Park. All photos: Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Pankaj Agarwal, Director of International Operations at Bikanervala, says the factory is ready for the busy period.
    Pankaj Agarwal, Director of International Operations at Bikanervala, says the factory is ready for the busy period.
  • A team of 150 cooks and assistants prepare a wide variety of sweets from scratch each day.
    A team of 150 cooks and assistants prepare a wide variety of sweets from scratch each day.
  • Workers start bright and early at 6am to produce tasty treats for the Hindu festival of light.
    Workers start bright and early at 6am to produce tasty treats for the Hindu festival of light.
  • Huge quantities of sweets are made each day in the lead up to Diwali to meet high demand.
    Huge quantities of sweets are made each day in the lead up to Diwali to meet high demand.
  • The five-day Diwali festival starts on Monday.
    The five-day Diwali festival starts on Monday.
  • Sweets are loaded onto a van for delivery.
    Sweets are loaded onto a van for delivery.
  • The workforce is divided into four sections – dry fruits, Bengali sweets, ghee and the syrup section.
    The workforce is divided into four sections – dry fruits, Bengali sweets, ghee and the syrup section.
  • There are 18 Bikanervala outlets in the UAE.
    There are 18 Bikanervala outlets in the UAE.
  • Sweets are a popular gift during Diwali.
    Sweets are a popular gift during Diwali.