Everyone has a reason to smile on Wednesday (March 20) – after all, it’s International Happiness Day. And in the UAE, which is ranked as the happiest country in the Arab world as per the World Happiness Report, the celebration has been ongoing for the entire week.
Various government entities and private companies have lined up several offers, including free bus rides and outdoor events at Hatta, Dubai; to free pick-up aboard Tesla electric vehicles for tourists at the airport; free movie screening, smartphones, instant gifts at leading stores and discount on environment fines.
This is the third year that the UAE is celebrating Happiness Week, which kicked off on a happy note on Sunday (March 17) as around 25 musicians from around the world serenaded commuters at various Dubai Metro stations with a wide range of music genres, including traditional, classical, street beat and fusion.
The celebration will culminate on Friday with an initiative by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) giving residents and tourists a free trip to Wadi Hub in Hatta.
According to UN World Happiness Report of 2018, the UAE came first in the Arab world for the fourth consecutive year and ranked 20th among 156 countries globally in the happiness index. The UAE also ranked first globally regarding the satisfaction of residents from other countries.
On March 20, 2016, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved the National Charter for Happiness.
“Our aim is to make happiness a lifestyle in the UAE community as well as the noble goal and supreme objective of the government,” said Sheikh Mohammed, underscoring the importance of creating positive environment for all government employees and instilling values of positivity in all ministries and government entities.
Sheikh Mohammed also emphasised the importance of listening to ideas, proposals and opinions of individuals and corporations regarding happiness and positivity and recognised the need for accurately measuring happiness among members of the community.
Free rides, smartphones and music fest
Tourists arriving on March 20 will be picked up from the Dubai International Airport in style as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is offering at least 100 free trips aboard Tesla electric cars.
Exciting prizes also await commuters who will participate in “Search for Happiness Icons’, a contest aimed at encouraging people to use public transport. ‘On Your Way to Happiness’ is a surprise for RTA employees, offering them a chance to win in raffle draws for smartphones, electronic devices, purchase vouchers and others,” according to Yousef Al Rida, CEO of RTA’s corporate administrative support services sector.
For those who are looking for an outdoor adventure on Friday (March 22), the RTA is also offering free bus rides to Wadi Hub, Hatta. Loads of activities and entertainment await those who would like to join but seating is limited. So it is best to reach well in advance at various pick-up points across Dubai.
The bus from the Mall of the Emirates Metro Station will leave at 8:00am, followed by the bus from Al Rashidiyah Metro Station at 9:00am and the last bus will leave from Dubai Mall Metro Station at 10:00am. The departure timings from Hatta are fixed at 3:00pm, 4:00pm and 5:00pm.
Meanwhile, riders of Dubai Metro have until Saturday to enjoy music from 25 international artists. The music festival is taking place at the Burjuman, Union, DMCC, Al Rigga and Burj Khalifa Metro stations from 6:00am to 11:00am and 4:00pm to 9:00pm.
Source: khaleejtimes
