Jebel Hafeet to catch the sunrise
took to life in the UAE like a fish to water,” says Anita Mehra, a history teacher who has been a Dubai resident since 1982. “After 35 years, this is not my second home, but my first. With her interest in both history and education, she feels blessed to have witnessed the journey of a nation. “Eking out an existence could not have been easy for the local population. Not only have they survived in harsh conditions, the people of UAE have persevered to put this country on the map.”
Her favourite place, though, is the top of the Jebel Hafeet mountain. “The memory of the long winding drive up the mountain has stayed with me all these years. Of course, much has changed since then, but the (then) stark place lends itself to contemplation even today. When people think that it’s only about the malls and tall towers, I usually suggest a trip to Jebel Hafeet to catch the sunrise.”
Mehra misses the Rex Drive-in Cinema, an open-air theatre from the early ’90s. She says, “We used to try to reach early to grab the best viewing spot. The kids would sit on the roof of the car and enjoy the snacks we’d bring along. During the intervals, we’d discuss the plot, share treats with friends, and enjoy the open skies. We could see the twinkling stars clearly. It was a great way to spend the evening.” The theatre doesn’t exist any more and a lot of other cinema concepts have sprung up, but talk to any longtime resident of Dubai and the sentiment towards Rex is echoed in many of the accounts.
As the country has emphasised the use of digital technology, a lot has changed, including the education sector. She says, “Education in the UAE has taken a quantum leap in 35 years. The teaching strategy has shifted to enquiry-based Learning (EBL), where students are largely responsible for what they want to learn. Today, I focus on more experiential learning. The transition has not been easy for teachers either, and we’ve had to unlearn what we knew, to be able to teach the digitally inclined student. It’s been possible only because of the futuristic vision of the leaders of the UAE.”
Through all the change, the primary sentiment has remained the sense of safety. “About 28 years ago, while on a picnic at the Jumeirah Beach, I found a handbag. It was bursting at the seams with two brown packages, 11 credit cards, and lots of cash. I deposited it at the police station. A week later, I was called to the CID headquarters and felicitated for my honesty with a Seiko wristwatch. While the official police photographer clicked my picture, they asked me if I knew how much cash was in the bag (Dh160,000!), and I said I had no idea. This just goes to show the values of the Dubai Police force; a big salute to them. I have always felt safe and secure in the UAE,” she smiles.
It’s the shared experiences from the late ’80s that helped in bringing residents closer and in retaining a sense of community even after they’ve moved to other countries. “Our weekends meant a trip to Ravi Restaurant in Satwa to get home delicious kebabs in time for the Thursday night Hindi movie on Channel 33 (now Dubai One). It was our connection to our earlier life in India. It was also the channel to watch for English shows, and in those days, Richard Coram was a household name. He was our source for news,” she reminisces.
When former residents visit, they get nostalgic about the earlier era and have a sense of pride at the dramatic changes in the urban landscape. “Regardless of where our friends have moved to, we celebrate every accomplishment of the leaders and the people of the UAE together. A mention of Dubai on the news is all it takes to evoke a sense of pride.” She closes by saying, “No matter where I travel, as soon as the plane comes home, the sight of the desert and the houses below brings me a sense of belonging.”
eva@khaleejtimes.com