UAE jewellery showrooms flooded with fortune seekers

Dubai - It is not just the Indians, many other communities are taking advantage of the gold rates on offer

Fortune seekers thronged various jewellery outlets in different emirates on Friday to buy a piece of gold ornament on Akshaya Tritiya, on the belief that buying gold on the auspicious day will bring more luck and prosperity to their families.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, a cross section of Asian customers said the Akshaya Tritiya promotions offered by the outlets prompted them to purchase gold on Friday. Mahesh Suravarapur, an Indian engineer from Andhra Pradesh, spent Dh35,000 to buy ornaments for wife Usha and daughter Gnapika. Indians, mainly south Indians, are the main buyers, but other communities too are trying their luck. For Filipina Jaffry Salangsang, buying 18 kt gold from Malabar Gold brought half kilogram of gold fortune, while three other Indians, Prasanna Kumar, Santhosh and Sheikh Dawood, too won half kilograms each.
"We believe that buying gold today will bring more luck and fortune, a tradition that we are following for 10 years. Even though we are Indians, we came to know about the importance of this day only after coming to Dubai. Today is also my daughter's birthday and I have spent Dh35,000 and we expect more fortunes. Our wealth has not gone down after coming to Dubai," said Suravarapur.
"I don't like wearing much gold but today is my birthday and our Hindu family believes in this mythology," said his daughter. Being at the month-end, many customers are using credit cards, said Khasim Bacer, branch manager at Malabar Gold. "From those who buy gold today, there will be more lucky winners."
Mohammed Rafeeq, who does not believe in the myth, also bought gold to gift to his friend. "I am gifting a gold ornament to my friend, who believes that it will bring more prosperity. I know there's a marketing gimmick by jewellers but many people buy gold today," Rafeeq, an executive with Max told Khaleej Times.
Rinesh Raphel, assistant manager at Joy Alukkas outlet, said it is mainly Indians who purchased gold on Friday morning. "We have 60-70 per cent more sales than normal days. We expect more crowds in the evening, as it is the most auspicious time to buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya," Rinesh said.
"It is not just Hindu customers who are buying today. Since there is an offer, many communities including Filipinos are buying gold, utilising the offers. Three Indians and one Filipino have become richer by half kilograms of gold each as part of our promotions," said Faisal A.K., director, Malabar Gold and Diamonds. More promotions are taking place in other countries as well, he said, adding that most of the 100 outlets have more crowds on Friday.
Newly married Indian couple Abhilash Kurup and Sari Nair bought gold as it's the first Akshaya Tritiya after their marriage. "When I was a bachelor, I never bought gold on this day. Now that we are married, there is more expectation of prosperity. For Malayalees, buying gold is always important and on this day, it is more important," said Kurup.
Jeena Joy said she is buying gold to take advantage of the special offers. "I wanted to buy some gold and I am utilising the special offers and promotions. Many people believe buying gold today brings more luck and prosperity," said Jeena.
sathish@khaleejtimes.com