Witnessing change
I am a Jordanian who has been living in Abu Dhabi since December 1971, the month UAE was declared the union of the seven emirates.
My father who arrived in Abu Dhabi, in 1968, was working for the government. Three months after my birth in Palestine, I moved to Abu Dhabi and at the age of four, I went to study of a private villa of a British woman where she ran a kindergarten! At the age of six, I went to Rosary School and had a big number of friends.
We lived in the early 1970s in Abu Dhabi, which was growing gradually. Most of the roads had no traffic signals and there were roundabouts everywhere and hardly any traffic. My father used to buy the newspaper from the salesman with a bike at the traffic signal.
I witnessed various changes such as the removal of roundabouts, the removal of the outdoor cinemas and the expansion of Corniche Road. Saadiyat Island used to be a weekend getaway by boat for barbeques, which now accommodates the most luxurious villas.
I miss the old days and the great memories I had in the 1970s and the 1980s. The UAE has always been a magical place. I am still living and working in my city of Abu Dhabi. I got married here and I have two children who were born in Abu Dhabi as well. We are lucky to work in the UAE. It’s the safest and most secure country and will always be.
From Mr Nawaf Abu Ghazaleh
Abu Dhabi
The goodness of the UAE
I have been in the UAE for almost 43 years. I first visited as a trader, and it was a very good experience. I wished to have property here in the UAE and, by the grace of God, I now have my own property in Sharjah that I have had since 1980. Now it’s been 24 years since that happened. All my family is here now.
The UAE has given me a lot of things, which I cannot just write in words. There aren’t enough words to describe the goodness of the UAE. I have been a part of this country and union. I was so very happy to hear about Dubai winning the Expo 2020. I want to see this country grow more and more in a good way. I am so glad to be a part of it. I wish everyone here in the UAE a Happy National Day this year.
From Mr Shaukat Ali
Sharjah
Destined for greatness
I landed in Dubai on July 20, 1970, with a visa issued by the Trucial States Council and I had $2 (Dh7) in my pocket after a seven-day journey in a passenger ship called MV Sardana. The same day, I moved to Sharjah. The two emirates were connected by a single carriageway. I saw the land, with palm tree leaf-thatched houses, very small shops and cafeterias, car showrooms with one or two cars on display and electronic showrooms with a few radios and tape recorders.
I felt confident on this country’s future, which I had chosen for my future. I felt there is a positive energy in this country. There were no newspapers to know day-to-day developments, I came to know from my sponsor. I respected him as a father and he told me how the seven independent emirates would be joining to form the United Arab Emirates.
Today more than 200 nationalities are living in the same country, keeping their own cultural values while living here in the UAE. This country has given opportunity to millions of families. With the prayers of millions, UAE will progress further and further, and I believe that the UAE will remain a developmental benchmark for many countries.
I wish the leaders, citizens and all residents of the UAE a happy National Day.
From Mr K.V. Shamsudheen
Dubai
Proud to watch the evolution
My father Laxman Mohandas was born on October 16, 1950 in India. He arrived in Dubai in 1964 and his parents had already been living in Dubai since 1962. He landed in Dubai by a ship that arrived at Sea Customs – currently the textile market in Bur Dubai.
He has seen Dubai developing. My Father started his career in 1972 at an electronic shop with a salary of Dh350 per month, which was a high income during those days. His mode of travel from Bur Dubai to Deira used to be an abra with a cost of 10 fils per trip. He has experienced a lot in Dubai. Growth since then till now makes him feel proud of being one of those who has seen Dubai coming up at a fast pace, with it now being a popular attraction for tourists. Every day he tells me that Dubai is a blessed country.
From Mr Jaiesh Bhatia
Dubai
Lovely memories
I have been a resident of the UAE for 39 years. I moved here with my parents in 1975. I grew up in Sharjah and remember the colourful bulbs that lit up at the roundabout every National Day. I studied at the Indian High School in Dubai and participated in flag hoisting. What I recall in the emirate of Sharjah was that each lamppost had colourful bulbs decorated, with two UAE flags on each side. I watched the UAE National Day parade on channel 33, which is now Dubai One, and it was held in Abu Dhabi. My parents took me for a drive to watch traditional dances. The entire road was lit up. The Dubai Clock Tower was beautifully decorated with lights, too. This was in about the late 1970s. One such event was when the late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was hosted in Dubai. I have some wonderful memories of celebrating the UAE National Day.
From Ms Priti MacKinnon
Abu Dhabi
Stories of the past
My father came to the UAE in 1972 at the age of 19 in search of greener pastures. In the 42 years that he has spent in the UAE, he has witnessed an immense transformation. He often tells us how the World Trade Centre was the only iconic building in Dubai at that time. And today, Dubai has taken the world by storm with its sky-high towers, its world-class malls, the best transportation system and a multi-cultural environment that welcomes all.
To us, the UAE is our home. We have spent all our lives here and cannot think of being anywhere else in the world. It has given us so much, from quality education to decent jobs, a safe environment and better standard of living. We are so grateful to this country for giving us these wonderful opportunities and fond memories. However, this will be our last National Day celebration in this beautiful country, as we plan to relocate permanently. But, we will be celebrating this occasion with great fervour and zeal.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Proudly born and raised
Being born and brought up in the UAE for the past 24 years, I’ve come to love this country as my own. Growing up here and witnessing the great many accomplishments of this country and seeing the numerous opportunities available to both the national and expatriate population alike, I’m quite proud to say that I’m a resident of this great nation. I would like to wish the people of this country my sincere congratulations on its 43rd National Day, and pray for future blessings of continued prosperity on the UAE.
From Ms Christine Lobo
Dubai
Feels like home
I have spent equal amounts of time in my life in both India, where I was born and grew up, and in the UAE, which has became my second home for the past 18 years. I call India my place of birth and the UAE, my place of work. It’s a cosmopolitan country that has embraced people from various walks, cultures and nationalities. It has given hope to a lot of lives who left their home country to dream of a better tomorrow. I hear a lot of friends who say that they miss home. I honestly feel I am at home. I have come to know many different cultures and countries through my various interactions with people at work.
The UAE is home to so many brands that one is spoilt for choice and so many countries are easily accessible for travel from here. They welcome all tourists with open arms.
When the UAE won the Expo 2020 bid, expatriates along with UAE nationals waited with pounding heartbeats for the final announcement, and our hearts filled with joy when we heard the UAE had won the bid. I live away from home, but I still feel at home since the country has made me feel so protected and safe. My respect and love to this nation will be forever embedded in my heart!
From Ms Sandhya Shetty
Dubai
Best wishes
Everybody has been waiting for the colourful and wonderful National day celebrations. Now this day and its celebrations have gone beyond the UAE and its nation - it became a universal celebration. All the expatriates are celebrating this day together. People of all different nationalities joined the National Day parade and participate in different colourful events. It is really an event for everyone. I have been enjoying National Day celebrations for 17 years. The colourful buildings, malls, markets, shops, offices and roads are dazzling on this day. The UAE is our second home and for that we say long live the UAE.
From Mr M. A. Mannan
Abu Dhabi
Understanding cultures
Celebration is a time for reflection. As the UAE celebrates National Day, it is time for me to reflect what this wonderful country means to me. When I look back in gratitude, I realise that I have spent a major portion of my life, around 17 years, here. This period has been very defining for me. The UAE has helped me to grow as a professional and as an individual. The growth of the UAE has been an inspiration for me and the visionary approach of the leaders have proved time and again that nothing is impossible when we put our heart and soul into whatever we do.
The UAE has provided me with opportunities and over the years, I have been exposed to a melting pot of cultures that has broadened my outlook towards life. My interactions with people from various parts of the world have helped me to look at life from various perspectives. My understanding of the UAE culture has enabled me to appreciate the greatness of the Arab world. The safety and security I enjoy in this country has strengthened my love for the country. It is difficult for me to highlight a single facet that makes me love this country. My everyday experiences have proved time and again that my decision to live in the UAE is indisputably correct.
From Mr C. Sunil Roy
Dubai
Welcoming and dynamic
I landed in Dubai in May 1999, and I have been enjoying the harmony and hospitality of the great leaders who have dedicated their lives to the welfare of its people. I still remember the first day I was travelling from the Dubai International Airport to my accommodation. I found the place was welcoming to me.
Today, it is unbelievable the transformation the country has seen and is seeing every second, so much has been developed at an amazing pace. It is fantastic progress every individual in the nation has contributed to.
The initiatives taken by the visionary leaders are a proven fact that I live in a dynamic nation, which is spearheading its growth and competing with other developed nations. The peace, prosperity and comfort in this country is second to none and every expatriate community living in this country will totally agree with me that they cannot enjoy the same security and comforts back in their home country. I take this wonderful opportunity to salute the great leaders, who provided us with such a pleasant land to live in.
From Mr Dorairajan Ravi
Dubai
Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders.
