INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Join the Indian Independence Day celebrations with ‘Sparkles of India’ at Abu Dhabi’s Du Forum at Yas Island. Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty (centre) will be there as will be chef Varun Inamdar (above right) the latter conducting a live cooking workshop. Experience maestro Kailash Kher (above left) in his natural singing element followed by India’s Got Talent finalists Beat Breakers. There will also be opportunities to play life-sized board games.

From August 16-18. Day pass for Dh45 and three-day pass for Dh75. Visit abu-dhabi. platinumlist.net.

Not only is Fujairah’s Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort (right) the perfect getaway, but it’s also home to the 72nd Indian Independence Day celebration. Let your taste buds savour paneer tikka, mutton rogan josh or some piping hot pakodas. Then go on a sugar-rush, Indianstyle, with motichoor laddo, rose kulfi or lipsmacking gulab jamun. August 15, from 7-11pm for Dh99 per person.

Partake in a two-in-one celebration of Independence Day and Onam at Dukes Dubai’s Khyber. Start your meal with the traditional mango lassi and choose a three-course menu (above right) catered to both vegetarians and meat-lovers of Dubai. Let your taste buds relish the Kothamalli chicken of South India or Vadiyan Da Pulao, the spice-coated soya nugget cooked with fragrant rice. Dh180 per person from August 15-18, 5-11pm. Visit dukesdubai.com.