When her cousin got engaged, Jameela wanted to do all she could to make the wedding as memorable as possible for the motherless girl. “My uncle does odd jobs and is not financially sound. In fact, none of us are, but every bride dreams about her wedding dress, and we wanted to get our girl the best one possible.”
That’s when Jameela received a forwarded message from a relative in Dubai about a boutique in India that was offering two or three wedding dresses, bangles, footwear and bedsheets, all for free.
Jasmine, who works part-time as a nurse in a private clinic, was also on the lookout for a good bridal dress for her sister. “Every saving we make on the wedding expenses could be collected and used to buy one more ornament. When we learnt about a boutique offering bridal dresses for free, we were ecstatic,” says Jasmine.
The colourful story of Rainbow: The Women's Outfit
Enter Sabitha AK, who has been running a clothing shop, Rainbow: The Women’s Outfit, from her house for the past eight years. Sabitha, 40, is part of a group of 22 women entrepreneurs in the Kannur district of Kerala, who keep in touch through social media and hold exhibitions of Indian clothing every month. The women keep aside a portion of their earnings and distribute it among the needy. Sabitha also collects bridal dress donations, and distributes them to young women in orphanages and from less-privileged families who need clothing for their wedding.
“But I always noticed that even when the girls accepted the dresses, their faces did not have that spark of happiness I expected. It struck me then that every girl dreams of choosing her own wedding dress. We take our own daughters to the best shops, but choices are limited or non-existent for girls from less-privileged homes. I wanted to help.”
Then, during India’s Covid-19 lockdown, a friend called Sabitha with an urgent request. “She wanted a dress for a bride, but I did not have one to hand. So I turned to my WhatsApp group and sent an audio message asking if anyone had a bridal dress at home that they could donate. Within a short time, many came back with positive responses.”
This was at a time when coronavirus cases were at a peak in the southern Indian state and people couldn't move about freely. So, Sabitha collected the dozens of dresses and took them to the bride-to-be, who could pick out a dress of her choice. "That's when I realised that recycling bridal dresses was the optimal solution," she says.
We have received boxes filled with expensive designerwear, unused clothing and accessories
She discussed the idea with her husband and her business partners, and enthused by their support, Sabitha sent out a video message one evening. When she woke up the next morning, her phone was filled with messages.
She received calls, not only from within the country but also from the UAE, Switzerland and the UK. “The response amazed me,” she says. Her phone has not stopped ringing since.
After that initial overwhelming response, Sabitha roped in like-minded people from other districts of Kerala to open outlets that work both as collection and distribution points.
Designer bridalwear on offer
The shelves and racks in Rainbow’s mezzanine, which overlooks the living area of her house, are filled with heavily worked lehengas, gowns, dupattas, saris, costume jewellery, footwear and handbags.
“We have received boxes filled with unused clothing from shops that have folded, expensive designer wear and unused accessories. We sort and organise them and distribute to the other outlets according to need. In some places, like Kochi for example, we have more demand for dresses, which I send over from Kannur.”
Sabitha has set some rules for the dress-distribution aspect of her business. “We encourage the brides themselves to come and select the dresses because this is for them. We also ask for a letter from a religious authority or from their village or ward representative to ensure that no misuse happens.” The girls are also under no obligation to return the dresses or the accessories.
Cultural sensitivities
Since Sabitha also runs her boutique from her house, the girls who come to pick up dresses are assured anonymity. “No one knows if they are visiting my regular boutique or looking through the bridalwear section.”
As news of Sabitha's venture spead, people from other states in India have contacted her. Swetha from Bihar read about Sabitha while she was in Kerala and reached out. "In the village where I stay, people have very little. But according to local customs, it's unthinkable for them to take second-hand clothes. Whenever I return to the village after coming home, I take back clothes to distribute, but I have to be careful to not cause offence," she says.
Swetha says while people's lifestyles are frugal, their traditions are not. When girls are married, they carry many items for the groom's family, from utensils and blankets to clothes for the extended family. Swetha works through a network of social workers and friends to identify people willing to accept donations. Connecting with Sabitha inspired her to continue her work. "The brides here need more than a dress or two. So we make a package and hand it over to the bride's family, assuring them full privacy. For them, even a small package goes a long way."
We make a package and hand it over to the bride's family, assuring them privacy. For them, even a little goes a long way
Sabitha has also received enquiries from Gujarat, Pune and Jharkhand, among other places. “So far, within Kerala, I have outlets in 12 of the 14 districts. The owners are people I know or have met. In case of other states, due to restrictions I cannot travel, but I hope to visit soon.”
Within six months, Sabitha’s Rainbow: The Women’s Outfit has given dresses and accessories to about 1,000 girls. Besides the accolades they’ve been receiving, Sabitha and her team members also get calls from people asking them why they cannot distribute new dresses, to which her stock reply is: “Please buy and send a dress, I will be happy to hand it over to a deserving girl.”
Sometimes, people also ask Sabitha why she is doing this, or what she hopes to achieve "The smiles on the faces of the girls and the relief in the eyes of their parents brings a joy that's indescribable. As long as people will donate their wedding outfits, I will continue doing this."
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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South Korea
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ECBDC%20real-value%20pilot%20held%20with%20three%20partner%20institutions%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20buy%20now%2C%20pay%20later%20regulations%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20for%20the%202023%20launch%20of%20the%20domestic%20card%20initiative%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPhase%20one%20of%20the%20Financial%20Infrastructure%20Transformation%20(FiT)%20completed%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
Uefa Nations League: How it Works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
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What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
Race card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m
9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
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
