The week gone by was one of celebrations, festivities and gratitude. After all, it was the week when our beloved UAE celebrated her 43rd birthday. People of various nationalities felt a deep sense of appreciation to this land that we all call home. Malls and stores pampered busy shoppers with discounts and special offers, while school children dressed in the colours of the UAE flag and proudly sang the national anthem. What a beautiful feeling of positivity all around.
I’ve been a resident of UAE for the past 16 years and for me, it was love at first sight. The minute I stepped on this land, I fell in love with this nation of opulence and opportunities.
So many of us have grown with the nation, and as I talk to friends, so many stories unfold.
Seema Shetty, founder and MD of BiteRite, Zari Zardozi and Food World, has been in the UAE since her childhood and she says: “My fondest memories are the stories we would hear about Shaikh Zayed. The little gestures he would think of made the biggest difference to us. It bonded all the different nationalities that came together like a big family.
“But my first memories of Dubai are asking my parents the age old question ‘are we there yet?’ while driving. ‘When you see the World Trade Centre then we’ve reached Dubai’, would be their answer.” continued Seema.
Paras Shahdadpuri president of the Indian Business and Professional Council and chairman of the Nikai group of companies, came to the UAE in 1987, at a time when the highest taxi charge was Dh10 within the city. He remembers a time when he met the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan while walking down the Abu Dhabi corniche. He greeted Emiratis and locals with the same warmth and friendliness.
Ram Buxani, chairman of International Traders Ltd, landed on UAE soil on a rainy day in November. He felt an instant connect with this land and fondly remembers the close community they lived in, irrespective of religion and nationality. Ram Buxani said: “UAE was crawling behind developed countries for several decades. This status has been corrected after the third quarter of the last century and this young country is now rubbing shoulders with any A class nation on the global map.
“From an oil dependent economy, UAE is converting itself into a tourist destination — cultural, tourism, recreational, academic and medical and health tourism,” he added.
I agree. I always felt this country was my silent yet sturdy partner in progress, helping me grow and evolve. It’s a special bond I share with this nation.
So, to the land that has lovingly cared for us, I say a big ‘Thank You’.
Happy 43rd birthday, UAE. We love you.