DUBAI // It has been a tradition that has gone on in Dubai on August 14 for more than three decades.
On the morning of Pakistan Independence Day each year, the owner of Ravi Restaurant puts on a lavish free breakfast at the Pakistani Consulate for 500 members of the community.
Despite their humble appearance, the restaurant chain is extremely popular, with patrons of all nationalities frequenting the three branches to enjoy the delicious Mughlai-Pakistani food.
Its owner, Chaudary Abdul Hameed, has provided the meal to mark Independence Day for the last 35 years.
According to him, this is the least he can do to show his gratitude to the UAE and his own countrymen.
“This party is not from my side only. It is from everyone in the Pakistan community. I just represent them,” he said.
Mr Hameed, who is popularly known as Chaudary Sahib, arrived in the UAE on January 1, 1970 from Wazir-Abad, in Punjab province of Pakistan.
Since then he never looked back.
“This is my home now. I have not visited my village since the last eight years. I don’t feel like going. I feel more peaceful and happy here,” he said.
He started his life in the UAE as a labourer, earning only Dh250 a month.
“I am grateful to the UAE. It has given so much love and respect to an ordinary labourer like me,” he said.
“I have seen hard times in life and I know the importance of good food in the lives of these hardworking people here. That’s why I make sure no one should feel left out especially when we are celebrating our National Day,” he added.
He urged his countrymen to respect and love the UAE.
“This country has given all of us a lot. It provides bread and butter to our families here and back home and has given us so much that we couldn’t dream in our homes back there. This place has special blessings from Allah,” he said.
He is, however, concerned the present civil unrest in his home country.
“It is such a beautiful country and I don’t know what goes wrong. I pray for things to improve in Pakistan,” he said.
akhaishgi@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
SPECS
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
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'Nope'
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
RoboCop%3A%20Rogue%20City
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
