IMAGES- Abbrevations for life

An important signboard in daily life
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

What is it that makes images so significant in one’s life? Does one feel lost and isolated standing amidst probably nothing? Of course one would, and at the end it might just agitate them making them feel oblivious. To create representations of things in the world around is why we created pictures. Thus images, symbols, icons or whatever one would want to term it form a very distinct space in one’s life. “To paint an image you should know what it is”, it does not need to be real as abstractness can also lead to a splendid creation.

Imagine driving across a road signaling no sign boards, wouldn’t you feel that your nearing toward the dead end, hence understanding the importance of signboards becomes mandatory. One indeed feels stranded not knowing anything present to their north, south, east and west. Well, to me images are reproducing visions created substantially inside one’s head.

Here are certain symbols which make us or try to make us vigilant people. When we come across different sign board communicating different messages, have we ever thought about the reason behind their creation and what makes them to be shaped in that manner? Getting to the point why are stop signboards painted red in color, what is the difference between using a triangular board or a circular one, when all they do is guide us on the road.

To keep drivers vigilant
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Triangles as a symbol of depiction are used for the reason that they are the most dynamic and active of all the shapes. As energetic objects they convey a sense of direction, the end result or a warning. Hence they are used for indicating what lies ahead for you. Circles on the other hand are also very important when it comes to symbols. Circles being appropriate in drawing the viewer’s attention, and know for giving direction they can overpower an image’s main message. Know to create rhythmic patterns circles are considered self-explanatory and hence highly used in all types of sign boards. Lines

are also said to be used for depicting figures in signboards as lines are used to represent objects with insignificant height and width. Talking about the colors used in the signboards, they are created for an individual’s attention and safety.

The color red is used for the reason being that it is the most noticeable color to the human eye. Red is known to have a longer wavelength and quicker recognition ability by the eye. Thus red is used for traffic signal lights, stop signs and other warning and attention getting purposes. Termed as a warm color, this attention grabbing color was and till date is considered a very intriguing substance.

Ali Haider, a driver by profession, says “I am thankful firstly to the tutors of my driving classes who made me signs literate. It would be really difficult for me to be a vigilant and a safe driver if I could not interpret these signboards around me.”

All one can say is that symbols are created not only to inform but also to make one conscious and aware about his/het whereabouts. It is created to notify and if taken in that way, it will do a great deal to one and all.

Weaving a path to success

Tailoring has become a thriving business lately. Thinking of it not to be a very interesting job will be thoroughly undermining it. The profession has its own set of unique skills to master. From a lot of patience to finesse in handling the materials tailoring is not always an easy task. Today the term tailoring can have a vivid understanding by different people. It can be called an art, as it has survived from ages and a basic tool for designers in the world of fashion and glamour. Secondly, it can also be thought of as a tradition, as it has been followed as a profession from centuries by families and is passed on to successive generations thus keeping it alive. Due to the growing economies all around the world, in present times tailoring is considered as a profitable commercial venture and very much put into practice globally. Dubai has a whole lot of tailoring shops spread across from the narrowest streets to shopping complexes.

The tailor’s work revolving around a pair of scissors, a needle and a set of threads, a tailor makes sure that he constructs something which we can comfortably fit into. These makers of men’s and women’s suits, coats and trousers and many such similar garments put in their best in order to make us feel and look the best.

Mohammad Usman
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Mohammad Usman shares his story as to how tailoring has always been the ideal job for him and will continue to be so. I have been in this occupation from the past 6 years says Usman, tailor at Arora uniforms and fashions and have been thoroughly enjoying every bit of it. I completely disagree when I get to hear that tailoring is a waste of time, as it has made me the sole bread owner of my family, where most of my members are drivers.

“I love to make clothes and a feeling of contentment sets within me when I see people fit into clothes stitched by me.” Trained as a ladies tailor in his hometown back in India, and working in Arora since the past four years Mohammed has had his own share of ups and downs.

I lived a very rough life in India and hade to work day and night to feed my family of six, and when I got the opportunity of coming to Dubai, without a second thought I grabbed it willfully.

Usman at his desk
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

In the beginning it was really difficult to adjust here, as I was working in Palmom limited in Jebal Ali which had a totally different working structure and mechanism. Now that it’s been a considerable time since I have been here and working with an efficient staff, work has become easy and fun. When asked about what is the hardest part of the business, he says “coats and pants for women are hard to stitch and time consuming, so we take less of those orders. We specialize in stitching suits, uniforms and jeans and receive a lot of orders pertaining to them. We don not leave any room for complaints by our customers, but if any we are open to alteration.

Speaking to Usman I realized that, tailoring similarly like quite a few professions has its own hardships involved. Someone focused and dedicated like Usman will only know the techniques to master the trade.

Unity in Diversity

Buildings lit for the occassion
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

On 2nd December UAE celebrated its 38th National day. In the year 1972 seven Arab states,namely, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras-Al-Khaima, Ajman, Fujairah and Um-al- Quinn came together under the able leadership of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, then ruler of Abu-Dhabi emirate, to bring the seven emirates under one umbrella and thus the nation of United Arab Emirates was born.

Under the patronage of present President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan the city was in its best morale paying a tribute to the founder and father of the nation Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and 38 years of patriotic spirit among the nationals. UAE flags were fluttering all across the nation symbolizing peace, strength and harmony amongst the people of the nation including large number of expatriate population. The entire city was lightened and fairs were set up across the city highlighting the importance of the day.

It was indeed a very colorful and musical extravaganza as events had Arabs singing and dancing to the beats of their traditional music.

Cars decorated for the day
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Abu Dhabi being the capital of the nation had the most extravagant fireworks that took place for three consecutive days and some exclusive cultural shows staged, symbolizing the significance of the day. Getting out on the streets and joining the nation in the celebration gave a very unique feeling of pride and satisfaction. It looked like everyone had got together to observe the perseverance taken by the nation to transform this barren land into the very prosperous UAE.

Anil Prakash, an Indian expatriate and resident of Abu Dhabi, says, “The massive festivity shows the solidarity amongst not only the citizens of the nation but also the entire expatriate community, and this feeling arises as we want to show how much we care and pray for the progress and prosperity of the country, with the same spirit that we hold for our home country.

Shopping complexes, residential building, buses and cars all were painted in the colors of UAE and it seemed like a particular theme had been setup in the colors of which all nationals had mixed themselves.“The 38^th birthday of the UAE shows the unity of the seven emirates in one heart. It stands a proof that all the emirates are united as one and can fight any body.” This according to Ahmed Hamza, caught dancing to the Arabic tunes with many nationals.

Raghav Naryan, 16 years old says, “Unity in diversity is how I can define the spirit of the nation as toady we all have come forward, irrespective of our origins, to salute to 38 years of peace and prosperity of the United Arab Emirates.”

With the blissful celebration continuing for three days all together the nationals of the country look forward to experiencing many more years of harmony and success on the soil of the Middle East.

Hardships- Another name for life

Today Dubai has become a home for millions. People of several casts, being multi linguists themselves reside in the city. The city thus has become an aspiration for millions to leave their home towns in search of their own discrete identity. Among this large score, a massive population consists of people from the Philippines. A large percentage of them come here on a visit visa looking out for appropriate jobs and once they get through a job, they are confirmed by the employer’s who hand them their employment visa. I came across quite a few of them which made me realize that living life for them is more of a compulsion for their survival as well as their families. If you go to see, on an average most of them are engaged in domestic help, thus making their life quite miserable.

Mario, bell boy
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Mario, a bell boy at the Capital Residence hotel, says “I worked as a car rental mechanic back in Philippines and it’s been two years since I have moved to Dubai. I do not like my job here because I do not see a better future for myself in here, he says. My salary is too less to earn a living and I surely did expect to get something better than this. Slightly emotional he says, I can’t wait to get back to the Philippines.

Khey, cashier
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Khey, a cashier at “nine city garments” shares a similar story like Mario. “My life in Dubai is not good; we have a handful of customers coming to our shop daily, due to which sales suffer, causing a problem for especially my salary. I have been in Dubai since three years, and had to leave my previous job as Iwas taken undue advantage of, she says. I am missing my familya lot and wish to get back to Philippines soon.

Day and night some of them work in desperate need for money, which they send across to their families back home so they lead a better life. This being one of the prime reasons for them doing jobs against their will also.

Theresa, Guest

service incharge

Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

“I miss my family a lot when at work, especially my husband who is in Philippines. I do enjoy at times but the only reason I work here is that my family does not face any sort of difficulty”, says Theresa; Guest service center in charge at the Dar Al Sonds Apartment, Le Meredian.

Alvin, cashier at KFC

Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Alvin, a cashier at Southern Fried Chicken says, “I always wanted to be a manager, but working for seven years at the same post; I have become used to the fact. My brother is the only one here, so I don’t feel lonely. I just wish I could get back to Philippines as there is no place better than home.

Mary Ann, Housemaid

Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

"Life is okay for me in Dubai”. Till now I have been treated and paid well at all the places I have worked, says Mary Ann; a housemaid. I stay at my madam’s place and wish it was home than servant quarters. I do get very tired and that arouses the feeling of helplessness at times.”

The urge to get back home is what was reflected while talking to them. Despite facing a lot of difficulties they carry a grin across their face not wanting to bring out their sorrows within. “If only life was so good, a bed of roses.”

Ramadan- A testing time

Every year Muslims around the world get together to observe the holy month of Ramadan. It is that time of the year meant for complete devotion to the almighty, self-control and reflection of truthfulness and spirituality. During the month of Ramadan Muslims show their devotion to God by fasting or refraining from any kind of delicacies.

Ramadan in a way is considered important for the Muslims, as not does it only bring them closer to the almighty, but also makes them believe in the hardships faced by the poor and the destitute, thus making them a part of their prayers.

Amidst the busy streets of Bur Dubai, somewhere in the suburbs of the Rolla streets stands a very shabby building, a part of which is the Ahmed Murad grocery. Pushing through the dusty covers hanging at the door opens a very small and quite congested grocery having all the necessary food as well as certain household items stacked randomly on top of one another.

An area sufficient for maximum four people to fit in, I walked up to one of the employee’s of the grocery who was seated at the counter.


A slightly hesitant Noufal Ahmed when asked as to how Ramadan is treating him replied with a slight grim on his face that “Despite fasting through the day, sitting at the grocery from morning 11 to midnight comes as a major shortcoming to me, as I can hardly devote some time to Allah and I have to get done with my Iftar meal in half an hour thus giving me merely some time to spend with my family.

When asked whether this holy month brings any benefit of a sort, he replied; “Plenty of customers come beaming in minutes before Iftar commences which is surely a boon as well as delivery orders come in bulk during this time.

He also said that water to which Muslims have to refrain from during their fast is the best sold commodity in the month. Ahmed feels glad that he gets a little raise in salary during the month, which may not compensate with the time lost to be spent with his family but surely benefits him in a good way.

Bur Dubai- The Rajdhani of Dubai

Amidst the eventful lanes of Bur Dubai lies the street where I happen to spend nine years of my life, namely the Rolla Street. A walk down the street is surely worthwhile. Supermarkets with flashy boards, small laundry shops with doors opening, let out the smell of freshly pressed clothes. Barbers singing loudly as they weave their scissors through their customer’s hair, pans and spoons battling their way to create the best in restaurants, everything brings about a cheerful spirit to those striding by this street.

For a casual hangout
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Living in Bookash building all these years has led to carving some of the best memories of my life.

From groceries, to large supermarket outlets, from small laundries to express laundries, from cafeterias to SFC and shopping centers, you name it and you have it.

At the end of the street stands Khaleej Center, a shopping complex, which is considered as an ideal place to chill out after a very tiresome day.

Having famous outlets of Perrie Cardin, Hang Ten, Levis and food outlets such as KFC and Mc Donald’s dropping into the complex for a refreshing time surely would be a great deal. Adjacent to Khaleej Center is the Al Rais shopping center, a residential complex. A few gadget stores, a shop or two for garments, a play area for kids as well as an exchange centre, residents can make the best out of such privileges.

Shopping and residential complex
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Describing Rolla with every step I take would be a long affair, so why not get you the best of the boulevard.

Kailash Parbat, a famous restaurant known for its rich taste and legacy in all cuisines is the latest addition to the street directly from the coasts of Bombay. The mélange of cuisines designed to appeal customer’s taste buds is surely creating a buzz.

Citi Mart, a departmental store open 24 hours for its customers proves to be an added advantage. Catering to all shopping needs at any hour of the day becomes easy for customers as they will not have to restrict their shopping hours. Know for bringing to its customers fresh stocks of fish directly exported from India and a lot more Citi Mart proves to be ideal place for grocery customers.

Further down the road few parlors, saloons, a photocopy depot, a mosque, an optician and an internet café border the street as well.

The dazzling gold center

Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Bakewell, another sought after place to visit stands amongst the tall buildings in the neighborhood. To give a nudge to your sweet tooth this is the place to indulge into some of the finest pastries and confectionaries. Opposite to the bakery stands Dar Al Sonds Hotel Apartments, by Le Meridian the four star hotel known for its luxurious accommodation facilities for its customers. Get to the opposite side of the road and you find yourself standing in front of Atlas Jewellery, a branch amongst hundreds of them across the Middle East with shelves displaying vivid and eye catching varieties of dazzling gold. The dazzle attracting lots of customers who make their way past the shop. Baqer Mohebi know popularly as the landmark of the street is always a topic of discussion when it comes to talking about Rolla Street. The supermarket receiving a huge appraisal from its customers has thought about extending its branch parallel to its current one. Till date people from across the Middle East do make it a point to pay a visit to Baqer Mohebi.

Popular for fresh vegetables imported directly from India, and a very supportive staff the market is crowded with shoppers all day long. With a string of many more small shops covering the street, Rajdhani restaurant bring any end to this colorful street. Coming all the way from the Rajdhani- Delhi, it is striding with the highest acclaim from the Dubai Municipality, the “ ek thali ki parampara” followed by this restaurant has tantalized many taste buds. A last minute plan to step into the restaurant will not be a disappointment as the staff is always at your service.

Rajdhani ki Rajdhani
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Packed with people through out the day, and a surrounded by a colorful ambience it’s a pleasure to be a part of such a neighborhood.