Dubai has grown on me, says expat of 41 years

Dubai: This December 2012 marks 41 years of being in the UAE for Indian expatriate Noel D’Souza — a milestone he shares with the country’s Federation.

Speaking to Gulf News from his home in Karama where he has lived for almost 33 years, he said, “My intention was to work for only two years in Dubai.”

D’Souza was 26-years-old when he was compelled to work in the UAE. At the time, his sister and her husband were in Dubai, and his mother, a widow, wanted to live close to her children.

“My sister is the eldest of three siblings. My youngest brother was away due to his role in the Indian Navy. I was working for the Central Bank of India in Mumbai while my mother was in our home town in Mangalore. The best way to live close to our mother was to come to Dubai, and her to join us. Reluctantly, I decided to relocate. My visa was issued by the British Consulate in Mumbai,” he said.

His first memory was of sand — stretches and stretches of sepia-toned dunes and flat planes. “I was shocked. There was one built-up road from the airport to Deira, and a few settlements of traditional Arabic houses. Bombay [now Mumbai] was far more developed,” he said.

The starkest difference for him was the lack of infrastructure and a lifestyle bereft of socialisation. “There were one or two hotels and limited television programming in English. I recall watching a 30-minute English series The Saint [starring Roger Moore]. Most of the time football matches were aired with Arabic commentary,” he said.

Still the decision to move his base to Dubai afforded him the privilege of providing the best education to his two children — son and daughter, and work in finance.

His first job offer was as an accountant. “Back in the day, an accountant did more than just accounts. I would do duties of a clerk and even an office boy! The work culture was family orientated. It was easy to get a job through word of mouth,” he said.

Barely a month after his relocation, the Trucial States made way for the Federation. Gradually, economy boomed post discovery of oil. Two and four-storey buildings grew in number and trade flourished. Salaries doubled and tripled, and many employees turned entrepreneurs.

He said the changes were rapid. “The simplicity of life began to disappear. The close-knit communal atmosphere grew more corporate and mechanical. Yet I admire the vision of the Rulers. In such a short span of time, they have led UAE’s extraordinary growth,” he said.

D’Souza retired two years ago, and continues to call the UAE his home. “Dubai has grown on me. It is one of the cleanest and safest places I have been or heard of. I do not regret relocating to the UAE. I couldn’t have had a better life.”