The author moves on to the second part of their message dedicated to the soul of the Indo-South African community, recalling elements that were missed in the first letter. They urge readers to remember the bioscope, shirts, and specific mannerisms of speech.
Recalling the freezer, the author describes finding a two-liter ice cream container filled with beans or dal, an unprecedented occurrence in the history of their community. Next to it was a row of margarine containers holding items unrelated to margarine, such as chutney, soy, buttons, needles, and thread.
Lost items, like bread bags or Diwali or Eid festive packaging, were not thrown away because the generation that crossed the ocean empty-handed considered waste an insult to labor. Grandmothers preserved such things, remembering poverty and wishing that their descendants would never know want.
Despite their frugality, members of this community could look like kings on Saturday. The McIver shirt held a special place, worn untucked to emphasize its unique meaning. Two perfectly ironed lines on the back of the shirt served as a statement that the family valued its dignity, even while counting every penny.
The author notes that a sudden guest would be given a full plate of food, and the aunt would insist: 'Eat, eat—you are not eating enough!'
Special emphasis is placed on speech patterns. The community is unique in greeting each other with the question, 'Have you eaten?', which served as the constitution of their concern for a person's well-being. Even if a plate was visible, the aunt might look at the empty dish with regret, saying, 'You haven't eaten properly.' They adapted the English language, transforming it into their own, much like how cream soda became mindrel. Phrases like 'once' meant 'wholeheartedly,' and good events were achieved not by luck, but through hard work.
Instead of speaking of death, they said, 'My dad was three years late,' reflecting an unwillingness to accept finality. In this system, every adult was an uncle or aunt, regardless of blood relation; a bicycle courier or shopkeeper performed the functions of relatives, supervising children.
Saturday was dedicated to visiting the bioscope, not the cinema. The bioscope, especially in Shah Jahan on Grey Street, was a palace with two thousand four hundred seats. Going there was an event when families arrived in saris and costumes, wearing McIver shirts. The film was always called a 'film,' not a 'movie.' They spoke of Amitabh not as an actor, but as a family member fighting for justice on screen.
The author mentions that it was the Rajabys who brought Mohammed Rafi to this country, which influenced the author as a singer and helped him understand the language. Humor also played an important role: they laughed at themselves, and comedians acted as historians.
The author acknowledges that modern trends have led to cultural changes: accents are fading, people use opportunities instead of luck, and films are replaced by streaming. They regret that children polish their English for the outside world but do not regret it. However, they warn that when the last aunt stops asking 'Have you eaten?', a part of the community will disappear.
They call on readers to ask visitors on weekends if they have eaten, and to do so sincerely. They also suggest preserving containers, calling neighbors 'uncle' or 'aunt,' ironing something for someone, and telling children about their community's heritage.
Due to the impact of the war on the tourism industry, Dubai has begun taking steps to attract visitors. Dubai residents can receive the equivalent of 3000 dirhams, which is about 815 US dollars, if they invite their family or friends to visit the city.
Despite the apparent unusualness of this initiative, the realities of the war necessitate unconventional measures. The amount of $815 will not be issued in cash; instead, it will be provided in the form of various benefits, such as discounts on hotel bookings and free attraction visits.
This offer is valid only for guests arriving between July 20 and October 31. This time frame covers the summer months, which are usually the low season for the hospitality industry, but under the current conditions of war, this season has proven extremely difficult.
This step is part of a broader package of measures aimed at maintaining the viability of the industry. These measures include the suspension of the 5.45 dollar nightly tax and the cancellation of the 7% municipal tax added to hotel and restaurant bills. This entire set of measures is part of a $400 million package approved by Dubai to save businesses and the tourism sector amid the ongoing conflict.
The benefits include, among others, the following offers: 45% discounts on all room types, suites, and villas at Melia Desert Palm, as well as gift vouchers for spa treatments worth 100 dirhams per person and for food and beverages worth 100 dirhams per stay. Additionally, guests can benefit from a 35% discount on the best available rate and a free room upgrade at ME Dubai by Melia.
Full refunds are also provided when booking at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Waterpark, W Dubai Mina Seyahi, or The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. Extra bonuses include a free entry ticket to Aquaventure World, a free day pass at IMG Worlds of Adventure, and a 50% discount at Grand Hyatt Dubai Waterpark.
During the hot season, people love to eat cucumbers in salads, so many households buy a large quantity of this vegetable. After purchase, the cucumbers are placed in the refrigerator for storage. Many believe that cucumbers will remain fresh in the refrigerator for a long time, but this is not the case. Cucumbers stored in the refrigerator begin to shrivel after 2-3 days, and after 4-5 days they can dry out so much that they become unpleasant just to look at.
Because of this, many people consider shriveled cucumbers spoiled and throw them away. However, it is not always necessary to do so. Sometimes cucumbers start to look shriveled and dry due to lack of moisture during storage in the refrigerator. There is a simple way to restore the freshness of cucumbers stored in the refrigerator, and you do not need to buy expensive products for this.
If you want to quickly restore a fresh, juicy, and crunchy appearance to shriveled cucumbers, the ice method can help. To fix the condition of the cucumbers, take a bowl filled with ice and cold water. Submerge the cucumbers in this icy water for about one hour. The cold water helps return lost moisture to the cucumber, which can partially restore its crunchy texture.
Another simple way to freshen up a cucumber is to use a damp kitchen towel. Take a clean paper or kitchen towel, slightly wet it, and tightly wrap the cucumber in it. Then leave it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will help the cucumber absorb the necessary moisture, and it may look significantly better than before.
If you want cucumbers not to shrivel quickly, it is important to follow the correct method of storing them in the refrigerator. With a little attention and the help of simple home tricks, you can prevent premature wilting of cucumbers and also make shriveled cucumbers usable again.
An international session dedicated to the development of tourism cooperation took place in St. Petersburg. The event was held within the framework of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The main focus of the session was on increasing the flow of tourists between CIS member states, as well as on exchanging experience regarding assistance to tourists in emergencies. Parliamentarians from CIS countries, representatives of relevant ministries and state structures, experts from the tourism industry, and international organizations took part in the event.
Participants discussed the need to strengthen partnership in the field of tourism, enhance traveler safety, improve emergency response mechanisms, and expand tourist exchanges between CIS member states. Parallel to the forum, bilateral and multilateral meetings were held to discuss prospects for joint projects, experience exchange, and the creation of safer and more convenient travel conditions.
Special attention was paid to the development of tourism infrastructure, the implementation of digital technologies, the improvement of emergency assistance systems for tourists, the harmonization of safe tourism standards, and the exchange of best practices for forming a unified tourism space in the CIS countries. At the conclusion of the meetings, participants reaffirmed their commitment to the further development of cooperation, experience exchange, and support for initiatives aimed at expanding practical interaction in the tourism sector among CIS member states.
