General
Anti Commercial Counterfeiting Exhibition at Abu Dhabi Mall
Anti Commercial Counterfeiting Exhibition at Abu Dhabi Mall by Department of Planning & Economy.
Expats Prefer Sending Money Home over New Year Bash
Expats Prefer Sending Money Home over New Year Bash
Lily B. Libo-on KT photos by Mukesh Kamal 29 December 2008
DUBAI – In normal times, expatriates here would have loved to celebrate the New Year.However, these are not normal times. The impact of the recession on the UAE has made them think twice before spending their hard-earned money on festivities.
So, they are sending money home.
Lorie, a 25-year-old Filipino, is living with her entire family in Sharjah. But, she said her family took a painful decision of not celebrating the holiday season. “We always celebrate Christmas and New Year. But, two of my brothers have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis creeping into the UAE companies. We need to save a lot for the coming days. We have to send money home for their young kids to continue schooling. This is a bad year for us.”
Daya, a 50-year-old Sri Lankan expatriate who has been working in Dubai for 14 years, says she would forego her usual annual buying of new clothes and jewellery for the New Year celebration.
“I will not even celebrate by preparing food for friends and families because my husband is down with cancer. He has been in the hospital for the past three months. I am on my way to my brother’s house to pass on medicines and cash to be hand-carried to Sri Lanka by his mother-in-law. My husband needs this more than the exotic food and new clothing,” she said tearfully.
She spoke highly of her Indian employers because of their understanding of her situation.
They increased her salary and, even bought her medicines. “I am so thankful I have this kind sponsor,” she added.
Mohammed Hassan, 31, said he preferred to send money to his family back home.
“Even if I wanted to celebrate, I could not do it. My family needs the money more than me. What is the use of celebrating if your family will be starving back home? This is not the time to buy new clothes and excellent food to celebrate. Things have changed. Food is costly now. Rents are rising. I have to save,” he stressed.
Similarly, Wiji, 50, said his family back in Sri Lanka always celebrate the New Year by going to the Buddhist temple, preparing food for friends and families, and buying new sets of clothes to wear specially on New Year. “But, here, it is not important anymore because my family is not with me,” Wiji said.
Daya, Hassan, Wiji and Lorie belong to different backgrounds and traditionally, they celebrate New Year. But, now, all are in unison saying, family comes first, before celebration.
Pedestrian Over Bridges at Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Government is on a very progressive development path for the safety and comforts of it’s residence. Al Salam Street development project is already in full swing and now, here is another Quality step from the authorities in this regard.
Pedestrian Over bridges for the comfortable crossing of the public from one side to the other. It will indeed reduce the numerous accidents by careless public. In a way, this is much more enjoyable to view the city around from a different angle as you can see from the pictures above. It is open and safer than the underground passages.
Now, what are you waiting for, test it out today and have a good view of the life around.
It’s time to do some biking
Well well. The development project is on and the roads are too crowded to go around since yesterday. Traffic flow will gain momentum as the road users will explore possibilities of easier alternate routes. The climate is excellent, and the parking is a problem too. Why not, do some walking or biking?
Abu Dhabi Salam Street Development project – Doing it in the right perspective
Abu Dhabi Salam Street Development project – Doing it in the right perspective
Well marked roads and separate track for trucks to go to the Mina Port.
Special safety instructions for drivers to follow the traffic rules
Over bridges for pedestrians to enable safe crossing the big roads. It is always better than the under passes which are some times scary and isolated. Less expensive too and hope the authorities comes up with more such over bridges in other streets which will prompt the jay walkers to cross the road wherever they wish.
Clearly marked sign boards for pedestrians. It’s always a benefit for the visitors to follow the instructions.
At night too, well marked indicators to navigate around.
Overall an excellent example of Total Quality Management approach. Congratulations to the authorities and the organisation who is involved in this development project.
More Free Rides on Abu Dhabi Buses from January 1Adel Arafah
More Free Rides on Abu Dhabi Buses from January 1
Adel Arafah 14 December 2008 for Khaleej Times
ABU DHABI – There will not be any more free trips in public buses in the capital from January 1, 2009.
The Transport Department would fix the bus fare on Monday, Saeed Al Hameli, General Manager of Public Buses Office, told Khaleej Times on Saturday. Sources in the department said the fare would be very low.
For the past six months, 125 state-of-the-art public buses have been transporting passengers to different areas of the emirate free of charge.
The official said the department is planning to operate buses on many new routes, including on the outskirts like Mousaffah industrial area, Khalifa City and other newly constructed towns.
The number of buses will be increased to 1,360 by the end of next year,” the official added.
Al Hameli added that the department has chalked out a plan to be carried out on a gradual basis with a view of operating as many buses as possible in the capital to solve the traffic problem once and for all. The department is also working to make the public buses the quickest means of transport by widening roads and designating exclusive routes for buses, thus encouraging motorists to leave their own vehicles and switch to public buses, he said.
New traffic plans in Abu Dhabi
New traffic plans in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is seeing plenty of traffic changes these days. New routes, new layouts etc and more to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic in and around the city to aid the new road works currently in progress. Added with the tourists flow to the city for the UAE National Day and Eid Al Adha, moving around within the city limits is not going to be an easy task anymore. One thing that has to be commented is the organised manner at which the authorities structure these works and direct and guide the traffic. Extremely praiseworthy.
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