Children playing on the rides at Darb al-Saai grounds yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed.
Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter
The 13-day long Qatar National Day programmes, being staged at the Darb al-Saai are to conclude on Saturday. The events that started on December 8 with the hoisting of the National Flag, witnessed citizens beaming with patriotic fervour and pride while expatriates expressed solidarity with the nation.
The National Day had its true reflections at Darb al-Saai as thousands, including nationals and expatriates, paying tribute to the nation in their own fashion. It was also an occasion for the leading organisations in the country to showcase their efforts to work for the progress of the country.
On the penultimate day of the celebrations, the venue was a sea of humanity as the whole area was filled with men, women and children. At many of the stalls, the organisers had to control the entry of the visitors, as there was not enough space for the visitors to be accommodated inside. People had to wait in queue for several minutes until people inside the booths came out.
The activities also witnessed several educational and training programmes for people of all ages. There were also serious efforts to spread the idea of healthy living and the need for lifestyle modifications. Several organisations focused on traffic safety and environmental protection among others.
Culture and heritage of the country was another focus of the festivities with the whole venue representing the flora and fauna of the country. There was a peek into the history with the old trades and ways of living being highlighted at different booths. It also included the country’s traditional food, handicraft, clothes and other household articles.
Several organisations, such as Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation, had several activities to instill the idea of healthy living. They also organised lectures and several medical tests and screenings, free of cost, to everyone. It also turned to be an occasion to spread the message of fighting some health concerns in the country such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and some other diseases
One young national said that he was at the venue almost daily from the first day. “I used to come here everyday along with my friends. This is really an exciting venue, as I came to know many things about the legacy and the old traditions of my country. I am a university student, and though, I have heard many things about the history of the country, this place gave me a great learning experience about my country's past.”
Another national said “ I am very proud of my country. I can see the changes that have taken place in my country over the decades.This place reminds me of the great strides, the nation has taken to reach the present status. I pay my tributes to the great leadership of the country.”
An expatriate, at the venue said that it was a great experience to understand more about Qatar “We are all indebted to this nation for many reasons. Therefore, it is my duty to express solidarity with this country on the occasion of the National Day.”
