Bazaar bargains

It's the season for bazaars, but the bonanza put up by the Indian Ladies Association was something special. Inaugurated by the wife of the Indian Ambassador, Vinu Singh, the event was a fun-filled day for all.

The event was part of the fund-raising activities by the Association for the Special Care Centre, a school for the handicapped, and Abu Dhabi responded like never before.

There were silks from Benares and Bangalore, cottons from Rajasthan, Kashmiri shawls, salwars and other ethnic wear, leather goods, jewellery, artifacts, handicrafts, children's educational aids, cosmetics and much more. The bargains were simply stupendous.

The Centre put up stalls of their own where they had home-baked goodies, pottery and greeting cards, all made by volunteers. And as usual, coming up with something new was the gemologist who was flooded with people wanting to know about their lucky stones.

Children and adults both made a beeline for the henna artists. The doctor's stall had Dr Mary George and Dr. Saramma busy plugging the health line. Hilton's Liwa Ballroom resonated with the laughter of people who participated in the games that were on hand with almost everybody winning a prize.

The food area deserves a special mention as the variety of snacks and hot meals served pleased everyone.

Those still interested in buying the Special Care Centre's greetings cards to help the special children can call the Indian Ladies Association for details.