Adjusting to self realisation and freedom
Glancing through the clouds of Sharjah, the bold mesmerising city lights were the first glimpse of beauty of the UAE that caught my eyes. Not a frequent air traveller, the blinding city lights from above the sky was my first love of Sharjah, which is now my second home.
They say it takes time to adjust to a new place, new sets of people and a new culture. For me, it was very true. The happiness that I felt seeing the city from up above took a back seat, while my adjustment to everything new became the priority. Maybe it took some time to again to feel that genuine ecstatic love for Sharjah. It was an early morning stroll by the Corniche near my house. Somewhere down the horizon, the calm water of the Corniche embracing hundreds of birds flying away into their own world of freedom.
It was a moment of realisation when I, too, felt like one of those white and grey coloured creatures touching the sky, realising my freedom and my dreams of the unknown. It was just a profound split second that I stood there watching the birds. My dislikes of various adjustments to this city turned into a fondness - an affection that you can only feel for something very dear to your heart. Maybe it was at that moment that I truly fell in love with my new surroundings.
From Ms Fareeha Sultana
Sharjah
Memories for a lifetime
My connection to the UAE is my second son who was born on the same day as the UAE National Day, December 2 at Zulekha Hospital Sharjah. What else do I need to remember this day for my whole lifetime?
From Mr Sasi Menon
Sharjah
Community involvement
My strongest connection with Dubai is the 48 Hour Film Project. This year was my fourth year participating and it is something that is incredible. I am absolutely pleased. Our film this year was about labourers all around the world with the message to respect them and be nice to them.
This is an awesome contest with ingenuity, creativity and some nice contacts. It has made Dubai worth living and something to look forward to, for me.
From Mr Imran Kazmi
Dubai
Part of our life now
From the cultural events, the shopping festivals, the carnivals, fasting during Ramadan and the celebrations of Eid, everything has become a part of my family’s lifestyle. I would like to share a few experiences of mine that have made me respect this country. During Ramadan I respectfully follow the rule of not eating or drinking in public places. Last year I fasted for a few days and it was an amazing experience, and I was fully supported by my husband and children. They look forward to joining me in fasting next year.
A few months back I lost a very precious earring of mine that was given to me by my parents on my wedding. It is the blessing of my mother who is no more. The next day I called up the store we had visited and to my surprise they had found it! Since that day, I salute the honesty of the people of UAE.
Another experience was at the Diwali festivities. I was surprised to see the jubilant celebration of the festival with fire crackers and lights decorated all over the Bur Dubai area.
So, when life is comfortable, when there is a sense of security and stability, why should I not be a proud resident of the UAE?
From Ms Anju Chhatwani
Dubai
Heart remains the same
The multicultural atmosphere is what I connect with the most. There is a very homely feeling attached to the UAE. I have been living here for the past 10 years, and I haven’t missed my hometown one bit. The UAE’s welcoming atmosphere is what sets it apart. Today we see everything from architectural genius to a rich history, but besides a dramatic change in its features, the UAE’s heart remains the same!
From Mr Ash Shah
UAE
Growing respect and affection
We have been in the UAE for a considerably long time and a thousand fibres connect us to this land we call home. The interesting impressive skyline, the snaking roads, the manicured landscaped, the rippling waves of the ocean, the mingling of cultures and the mountains have all a huge place in our lives. So, too, do the beliefs on which the UAE was built that one must always strive to be the best. I carry this as inspiration. I think and feel close to the spirit of this country in a huge way. This connectedness is something that grows with every passing day, month and year and as we honour it, from there grows our respect and our affection for this beautiful place we call home.
From Ms Indrani Guha
Dubai
Witnessing the growth
I came to Dubai more than two decades ago, and it has been a roller coaster journey, living through all the ups and downs. I have witnessed the rise of Dubai and the UAE. In fact, Dubai has given me a lot of good friends, my work and living and a huge experience base. The people of the UAE have always displayed friendliness and tolerance towards other cultures.
I take pride in being a part of this era in Dubai in which such widescale development has taken place. Dubai is known as a city of dreams, and I agree with this. Those who come to the UAE and then remain here relish the experience that each day offers, while those who come to the UAE and then return to their native lands, leave with a heavy heart and a lot of memories.
From Mr Ishfaq Mir
Dubai
Representing key values
Probably mankind is the most diverse species on Earth from the outward diversity of our dress and culture to the inner diversity of our ideas, passions and dreams. Once we put diverse individuals together, that’s when we often get the most interesting ideas and conversations.
This very thought, this very reality of our life, was aptly expressed by the theme of Dubai Expo 2020, ‘Connecting minds, creating the future’ - a pledge of partnership. It draws on the UAE’s past, our heritage and our successes. It highlights the fact that we are all united in destiny and outcome.”
In my 10 years in Dubai I have seen and experienced implementations of this vision and ideas of the visionary leadership of the UAE, which results in better security, a better standing of the country and above all better quality of life across the table.
Indeed, I connect myself with this visionary leadership that innovates for a better life every day.
From Mr Sumanta Banerjee
Dubai
Unity in diversity
Humanity’s fundamental wealth lies in its diversity according to Koichiro Matsuura, the former Director–General of Unesco. What better than to cite the people of the UAE in this context?
The UAE is one nation that strives to be known for its cultural diversity and religious ethics, which has its roots in its very own people.
In the tenure of my 13 years in this country, I have witnessed love and respect for every nationality and religion.
The forward thinking of both the authorities and the Emiratis reflects the UAE’s own ambition to be a smart, sustainable and inclusive country - a global destination, to live, work and visit.
This country offers diverse opportunities to excel in any field irrespective of caste, creed or colour.
For me, the people – of course the people - connect me to the UAE.
When people are source of connectivity, culture, monuments and buildings all connect automatically.
From Mr Anjum Hassan
Ajman
How things change…
I still remember when the Bur Juman mall in Dubai opened and the fountains there were the talk of the town. When nothing else was going on, we would go to the Sharjah Corniche for those Dh1 ice cream cones.
We would go to picnics in the Dubai National Park and we would sit in those little model houses that are made of different countries of the world. I remember when the Dubai Shopping Festival started, the Heritage Village was set up and the school took us there. They had also set up the models of the “Seven Wonders of the World”, which people went crazy for! There was this time when Sahara Centre was built and it was believed to be the third biggest mall in the Middle East.
We have seen UAE grow. After spending my whole life here with my family, I happened to find love here, too, and we spent some lovely years and made our own memories. Now, happily married we continue to discover Dubai! We spend each day living here and making a life that most people dream of!
From Ms Maheen Jafri
Dubai
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