From dust roads to highways but never homesick - expat

Abu Dhabi: He joined the Abu Dhabi government as an accountant on his 25th birthday on February 2, 1968. Forty years on, the Indian says, the land has undergone a magical transformation.

A few trees have blossomed into thousands; what were once dusty roads are today rolling highways; and ornate buildings speak of a prosperous economy.

"My first day in the office was memorable. It was raining heavily when I landed at the Old Buteen Airport and four decades later, on my 65th birthday, it rained too," said Richard D'Souza, 65, who works as a general controller at the Finance Department of the Government of Abu Dhabi.

"I have never felt homesick. My colleagues and superiors have treated me as their own."

He was promoted to the rank of senior accountant soon after joining as an accountant in 1968. Although he has passed retirement age, D'Souza's tenure has been extended because of his dedication to his job.

D'Souza, who hails from Mangalore, Karnataka, said he is touched by people's love and hospitality. Once during a trip with his family to Liwa his four-wheel drive got stuck in the sand.

"Memories of that day are still etched in my mind. My family and I were extremely afraid. Suddenly villagers came out to help me and even arranged for a mechanic. They invited us to their homes for snacks and drinks. When the vehicle was fixed, and we were about to leave, the villagers would not let us go. They had slaughtered a goat and prepared lunch for us. We were fortunate to have experienced such grace and generosity."

D'Souza said he is privileged to have seen the UAE metamorphose under the leadership of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Abu Dhabi in the late sixties was a few trees, a few multi-storeyed buildings and just three roads. Water was brought from Al Ain.

"Today, I just have awe ... I look at the thousands of trees and the modern infrastructure in sheer wonder. Shaikh Zayed's vision has been realised and Abu Dhabi now marches on towards further progress."

He married after arriving in Abu Dhabi. D'Souza and his wife have played an active role in the Indian community. He has been the Governing Board Member and Honorary Treasurer of the Abu Dhabi Indian School since 1980. He was also a Founder Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 1984, and Founder Member of the Indian Business and Professional Group.

He has seen the inflow of chartered accountants from India in the recent past.

"When I formed the Abu Dhabi chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 1984, there were just 40 CAs as members. Now there are 500 members."

D'Souza is toying with the idea of going home and fulfilling another dream of setting up a charity.

Charity

"Although I am not very rich, I have made enough money for myself so I would like to devote the rest of my life to others."

He lost his wife in 2001. She was a doctor with Ministry of Health. She was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. His only daughter lives in London with her husband.

His friends are his biggest asset in Abu Dhabi. And a little golf and tennis have also made his life happier.