Deira Clock Tower

It's probably the opportune time to write about the Deira Clock Tower (mostly referred to as Clock Tower)

Just about a week back, the famous Clock Tower got all its 4 clocks replaced with a new set of brand new Omega clocks. The clock tower is probably one of the most famous landmarks in the city. Its an iconic structure situated at the northern end of the Al Maktoum bridge towards Deira.

Here is a short note on the origins of the monument from Dubai As It Used To Be

"Sheikh Ahmed of Qatar was Sheikh Rashid's Son-in-Law. In the early 1960s Sheikh Ahmed gave Sheikh Rashid a Clock as a Gift. It was a very large Clock. Sheikh Rashid did not know what to do with such a large Clock! My predecessor Mr Bulard had just completed building Zabeel Palace for Sheikh Rashid so he made a sketch of his idea for a Clock Tower. Mr Bulard gave the sketch to his Engineer to make the structural calculations and produce a design. The shape and design of the Clock Tower was from Mr Bulard's own ideas and did not represent an Oil Drilling Bit or any other object. In the early 1960s the area where the Clock Tower is located today had become an important road intersection so Mr Bulard suggested this as a suitable location for the Clock Tower. He also suggested the Clock Tower be placed on a traffic roundabout to protect the Tower. This was one of the first roundabouts in Dubai. "

Since its construction in the early sixties, the structure has gone through various changes including a major refurbishment in 1972. But this is probably the most important as this is the first time that all four clocks have been replaced at the same time.

The new Omega clocks are fitted with the latest GPS technology to ensure the highest degree of accuracy.

Dubai's seat of justice

"Implementation of justice in the society, through precision and promptness in adjudicating lawsuits, execution of judgments, decisions, judicial orders, contract and document authentication, by relying on qualified national cadres and regulations, procedures, and new developed technology."

This is the mission statement of Dubai Courts.

The judicial system in Dubai into 3 stages i.e.

1 The Court of First Instance: It is the first stage of litigation.

2 The Court of Appeal: It is the second stage of litigation.

3 The Court of Cassation: It is the supreme and ultimate stage of litigation

http://www.dubaicourts.gov.ae

Dubai's Eco Warrior?

When I visited the Dubai Flea Market early October, one of the stalls certainly caught my special attention. Amidst all the colors and clutter of a typical flea market, this one stood out. So I had made a note of the seller's details with an intention to catch up and find out more.

Raina Chandra is probably not someone who would catch your attention at first sight. But behind that quiet and soft spoken personality is a remarkable home grown eco warrior. Raina's concept, aptly called Rainassance makes magic and absolutely stunning jewelery out of waste paper. Paper that most of use find useless is quietly transformed into beautiful colorful trinkets by Raina's creative imagination.

"It is about rethinking design to be able to replace traditional materials with alternate ones, hence reducing resource consumption" she wrote to me.

The products are entirely handcrafted by her which means that every bead is unique. And every time you buy a Rainassance product, you will be contributing to a conservation of our scares resources and a greener environment.

While this may appear to be a commercial venture to some, one needs to experience the sheer passion she exhibits in promoting this absolutely brilliant venture. May be a drop in the ocean of eco-ventures, but a very big one certainly.