2 lucky workers win free air tickets at police event

dubai — More than 500 workers gathered at the Zabeel Park on Tuesday evening to celebrate the International Day of Happiness, with two lucky workers walking away with an air ticket back to their home countries.

As part of an initiative by Dubai Police, more than 2,000 workers across the city took part in happiness activities in three locations, including workers accommodations in Jebel Ali and Al Muhaisnah as well as Zabeel Park.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Brigadier Abdullah Khadim Surour, director of Bur Dubai Police station, said: “We want all people in this country to be happy. By bringing the workers out today we want to show them that Dubai Police officers are their friends, neighbours. Taking part in initiatives like this builds happiness in a community.”

Workers from more than 10 different companies turned out and took part in fitness activities including a foot race and a tug-ofwar, with five winners from each round winning prizes.

After showing up to the day out, all the workers received a coupon, which gave them the chance to win a flight ticket home, with two lucky winners bagging the top prize.

Major Fuad Murtadha Hussain Ali Taleb at Dubai Police said bringing workers together on a day that celebrates happiness is the “UAE’s way of saying thank you” for everything they do for the country.

Bringing along 22 workers from the Hotel in Dubai, hotel representative Sanja Trojanovic told

Khaleej Times it was a welcome break for their staff.

“We want to support the happiness day and show our colleagues that it is important to have fun in life, not just to work.”

And for Indian cleaner Ashok Arandhkar, the day out was a welcome surprise.

“I work from 6am to 2pm so when I got back to my accommodation this afternoon, I found out we were coming here. My friend told me we were all going. It feels good to come out and see everyone so happy.”

Another worker, Nepalese expatriate Govinda Thivari, said: “Being newly away from home is hard but the UAE is putting on events like this to make us, the workers, feel welcome. I am feeling very happy here.”

Representatives from Du were also on site on Tuesday handing out free Sim cards loaded with Dh25 credit for workers to call loved ones back home. And as an extra bonus for the workers, South Indian actors Tini Tom and Meera Nandan took to the stage to greet all those in attendance.

I work from 6am to 2pm so when I got back to my accommodation this afternoon, I found out we were coming here. My friend told me we were all going. It feels good to come out and see everyone so happy.” Ashok Arandhkar, Indian cleaner