A Floral Homage: UAE's Values and Onam Celebrated in Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, healthcare workers at Burjeel Medical City created a special pookkalam using 600 kg of flowers imported from India. This floral carpet symbolizes the UAE’s commitment to tolerance, generosity, and sustainability, while also celebrating Onam's essence of togetherness. The event highlights cultural unity and shared values.

In a heartfelt tribute to the UAE's values and the spirit of the Onam harvest festival, healthcare workers at a hospital in Abu Dhabi crafted a special pookkalam, a traditional Malayali floral carpet, using 600 kg of flowers flown in from India.

This year's floral display at Abu Dhabi's Burjeel Medical City (BMC) aimed to symbolize the UAE's focus on tolerance, generosity, peace, sustainability, and innovation, all while embracing the spirit of Onam, a festival renowned for its message of togetherness.

The giant pookkalam, assembled with 600 kg of fresh flowers imported from India, was arranged by over 100 healthcare workers in the atrium of BMC, the flagship hospital of Burjeel Holdings. "Onam is more than just a festival for us; it is a time to reflect on the values of togetherness and community. This year, we wanted our floral carpet to not only symbolize Onam but also the values that the UAE stands for," stated Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chief Human Resources Officer of Burjeel Holdings.

"It's a celebration of both our cultures and shared ideals, especially in a year where the UAE has demonstrated incredible kindness through initiatives like the visa amnesty," Kumar added.

The recently launched visa amnesty program allows individuals to regularize their visa status without incurring overstay fines or administrative fees, underscoring the country's spirit of generosity and tolerance. While Onam is traditionally marked by grand celebrations at BMC, this year's festivities were subdued in remembrance of the recent landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. The floral carpet stood as a symbol of unity, hope, and collective strength, serving as a reminder of community solidarity in times of crisis, much like the global and local efforts to assist during the Wayanad landslides.

(With inputs from agencies.)