To celebrate the 70th Indian Independence Day, Healthcare conglomerate Aster DM Healthcare identified blue collar workers across the Emirates, and enabled them to feel the spirit of freedom by giving them a day off and a memorable #JoyOfFreedom day out.

• Initiated under Aster’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, the activity aligns with the company’s core value of make a difference in the lives of each and every member of the community
• Aster volunteers took up the role of these workers, who range from different walks of life, to fulfill their responsibilities for the day. .

Dubai, UAE, August 20, 2016:   Celebrated annually on 15th August, Indian Independence Day commemorates the end of British rule in India. The occasion is marked with a national celebration of the spirit of unity, freedom, sacrifice and patriotism. To help a group of underprivileged workers in Dubai, who are living away from their families and home country, connect with the same spirit for the day, Aster DM Healthcare approached their bosses and arranged for them to be given the day off, while Aster volunteers fulfilled their duties for the day.

T.J Wilson, Executive Director & Group Head – Governance & Corporate Affairs of Aster DM Healthcare said: “Indian Independence Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate our culture and history. In India it is a public holiday and there is a lot of buzz and excitement. For many, it is day spent celebrating with friends and family and doing all the things that connects with the spirit of unity, patriotism and freedom. However, for Indian workers in Dubai, many cannot afford to take the day off and it becomes just another working day. We wanted to truly capture the essence of freedom and give these workers an opportunity to fully embrace the day without having to worry about the loss of salary.”

The group were taken for a fully-paid, ‘taste of freedom’ day out, with an array of exiting, adrenaline-packed activities, such as iFly indoor skydiving and Jet Skiing. Their heart-warming reactions were captured on camera, with a moving video illustrating just how much the experience meant to them.

“Giving back to the community is at the center of everything we do. So this year we wanted to do something different, something truly memorable.

Independence and freedom are the core things that make us feel alive. Seeing the huge smiles on the workers face and knowing that for one day they didn’t have a care in the world. That is essence of what the day is about,” said T.J Wilson

In India, 15 August is celebrated as a national holiday and citizens in the country as well as abroad commemorates the day through flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events. 

“To me freedom is about enjoying all those little things in life that make you happy”, said one of the group. “This experience was all of that and so much more. Living away from home can be really hard, especially when you can’t be with your family to celebrate. Not only was I able to fully embrace a day that is part of my culture, but the memories created are ones that will stay with me forever.”

View the #JoyOfFreedom video: