Dubai: You don’t have to be a millionaire to celebrate New Year. You can have a ball with less than Dh10 in your pocket. And if you’re broke, all you need are friends who can come to your rescue for a big celebration with a big packet of crisps, a big bottle of your favourite soft drink, chicken biryani and a cup of hot masala chai.
This is how Abid Zareen, 24, a Pakistani construction worker, has been ringing in the New Year along with co-workers at his labour accommodation. He and his friends have been celebrating the New Year in this fashion for the past five years.
“I earn Dh1,200; one-third of my salary is sent home and with whatever is left I just manage to get through the month. We at the accommodation all pitch in and make sure that we all have a good time. There are a dozen of us and for this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations we have planned to contribute a minimum of Dh6 each and get food and drink for the party, which will end by 9.30pm. After that we will venture out to Rolla to enjoy the city lights and excitement. By 12.30am we will be back at our accommodation.”
Mohammad Asif, 28, a Pak-istani waiter who works near Dubai Creek in Bur Dubai, said he won’t be celebrating New Year as he will be busy with customers. “What do you mean by New Year’s celebrations?” he asked.
Ryan Paul, a 29-year-old Filipino cleaner, is often slightly envious of people who can enjoy a New Year Eve’s party in a high-end restaurant compared with his modest cele-brations.
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“I wonder how it would be if I had lots of money. I earn a salary of Dh1,400 and cannot even think of going anywhere — close to picking up the menu of the restaurants that are lined up in and around the Burj Khalifa. And so each year I, along with a group of friends, get some food and drink from a restaurant in Satwa. We play some music and that’s it. But yes, I do have a lot of fun and laughter as we have people, who we care about and love us, on New Year’s Eve. I make sure I call home and wish my family a good year ahead.”
Unlike Paul, Abdul Karim, a Bangladeshi abra driver, 42, is not bothered about New Year’s Eve and celebrations. “Last year I was not even aware of when the year ended. New Year’s Eve is like any other evening for me. All I think is how many passengers will I get to ferry the next day and off I go to sleep in my abra. New Year celebrations are for people who have money and time,” he said.
It’s a similar case with Moiudin, a 38-year-old Indian delivery man who works in a tea shop in the old souq area. “I just don’t care. We get a lot of customers at our tea shop. But I make sure that I call home and wish my family a happy New Year. If I get the time I will watch the fireworks.”
