Growing up in the sands of time
The standard of safety, security and other public services that are available in the UAE is really very high and the country is blessed with a visionary leadership
The excitement was growing as the Kuwait Airways flight from Mumbai began its descent onto Dubai International Airport. I landed with loads of dreams and expectations. The dream was to save enough money within two- three years and go back to my home state of Tamil Nadu and start a small business. The ‘ two- three’ years that I intended to stay here have now turned 35!
I vividly remember the day — September 18, 1978 — that changed the course of my life. As I stepped on the tarmac at the airport, a gust of hot air blew over my face. It was hot and humid. I started to sweat, but the perspiration and the heat did not stop me in my tracks as the determination in me to make it big gave my legs enough strength to take quick strides to the immigration counters. There were not many of them, just five.
I strutted out of the airport. My next destination was Deira. I scanned the area for taxis. There were no metered ones. Moreover, most of the taxis had no airconditioning. The ones that did, boldly proclaimed ‘ A/ C TAXI’.
I was put up in a villa, shared by 12 others. I was lucky that I had a room with AC. The rent was less than Dh100 per person, including electricity and water. Food was very affordable — Dh10 was more than enough for a day’s cup of tea, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Transport was cheap. It used to cost only Dh1 to share a ride in a taxi from Deira to Airport Road. And for 50 fils, one could travel anywhere within the city on Dubai Municipality buses, while a trip on the abra to cross the Dubai Creek would cost 25 fils.
Accommodation was available in plenty and came cheap in the 1980s and 1990s. A three- bedroom apartment came with a price tag of Dh15,000 a year, while a four- bedroom villa was available for just Dh25,000 in Deira. At the government housing colony, built for low- income expatriates, in Al Ghusais, Al Shaab, Karama, Satwa and Shaikh Zayed Road ( opposite Mazaya Centre), the rent used to be Dh4,000 for a single bedroom flat and Dh7,000 for a double bedroom.
There were plenty of jobs, both in government and private organisations. The salary, however, was not much. I was offered a job in a publishing house after a walk- in interview that lasted just two minutes.
Medical facilities were free at government hospitals until the 1980s. All that one needed to have was a work permit. Both my children were born in New Dubai Hospital and I did not have to pay anything. Getting a driving licence was quite easy. I got mine at the first attempt, even though I had learnt to drive only after coming to Dubai. I bought a second- hand Mitsubishi Colt, 1983 model, in 1985 for Dh1,500. The price of a new Honda car or a Toyota Corolla was around Dh16,000 at that time.
There was not much entertainment. Once in two- three months, my roommates and I used to pool money to rent a TV and a VCR to watch movies at home. At the cinema, a ticket cost Dh6 for orchestra and Dh4 for a balcony seat. There were open- air cinemas in Al Ghusais, Al Shaab, Satwa and Jumeirah. Tickets were priced at Dh2 each. Channel 33 on the local television network used to telecast Hindi films on Thursday nights. I watched some of the best movies on this channel.
In 1980, Al Ghurair Centre — Dubai’s first shopping mall — was opened. We used to go there during weekends.
Letters sent by post were mostly the mode of communication. An international call had to be booked through Emirtel ( now etisalat) and it would cost Dh12 a minute.
The 1980s were also the time when cricket took Sharjah by storm. I was at the stadium when Javed Miandad hit that famous last- ball six to beat India in the final of Austral- Asia Cup in 1986.
With the opening of Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone in 1980s, Dubai’s march to progress gathered steam. On what used to be a two- lane Shaikh Zayed Road was the famous World Trade Centre landmark and there were only three more high- rises along the highway till Jebel Ali. There were no barriers running along the middle of the road and no street lights and very little traffic.
After the Gulf War, in the 1990s, the business boom started in Dubai and the UAE. Skyscrapers and hotels sprang up almost everywhere. Thereafter, Dubai never looked back.
The progress of the UAE during the last 35 years has been amazing and stands as an example to the world. The standard of safety, security and other public services are really very high. The UAE is blessed with a visionary leadership.
I have grown up along with the growth of the UAE and been a witness to steady progress over time. I was fortunate to witness the transformation of the emirates into one of the best countries of the world. I also praise God and thank all the people who helped me in making my stay of 35 years in this country as comfortable as possible. Indeed, it is a dream come true!