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Indian expats prepare for festival of lights

DUBAI — Expatriates from the Indian sub-continent are in a jubilant mood as they prepare to celebrate the Indian festival of Diwali tomorrow. Several jewellery, garment and sweet shops and homes of expats are wearing a festive look as they prepare to welcome the ‘festival of lights’.

In an attempt to feel closer to their motherland, people use the occasion to adorn their homes with colourful rangolis (drawings) , flowers, lamps etc. Many, especially North Indians, also buy expensive jewellery as the festival is considered extremely auspicious and believed to bring luck.

Nehul Dhirajlal Jagda, bought his wife 10 gold bars after saving up money for a whole year. He and his family have already planned a get together on Diwali and are looking forward to it. “We are about 30 people and since my whole family is here, we will celebrate the festival together,” he said.

However, he added nostalgically, how he misses celebrating the festival in India.

Damas Jewellery’s assistant sales manager Praveen Bangera said that with the gold prices shooting up this year, many of his customers opted to buy diamonds instead of gold.

“This is the most auspicious festival for Indians as they buy gold. But, with gold prices extremely high, people are going for diamonds this time.”