I was leading a happy, rather very happy life in Bangalore. Bangalore - as most of you who know the place will agree, is a geographically blessed city. The weather there is nothing like anywhere in the country, and specially for a guy who had hitherto spent all his life in Kolkata and Orissa, Bangalore was "straight out of a dream" stuff. It is overnight from Kerala, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Coorgh, Kodaikanal, Ooty, Goa. Name a place where you would wish to spend a weekend, and it will all be within the reach of a road trip from B'lore.
What added to the charm of the city was the cosmopolitan population, most of which is probably in the 25-35 age bracket. Mumbai is the city of dreams, but somehow in reality, people in Bangalore looked happier. The usual din and bustle of city life is inevitable anywhere, but what matters more is how you feel within and without that "noise" around. How many of us truly love the city we live in - probably very few. But Bangalore was an exception. And I fell in love with the city too.
But human nature is fickle. Like the moon, our mind wanes and waxes. Despite a busy, decent-paying job, in a blue-chip Software MNC, I had a desire that I want to work abroad - not very far from India, but somewhere where I get the feel of an exotic location without being worried about the time it would take to travel back to India if I have to. I shortlisted Dubai and Singapore. The 'Powers to be' did a lucky draw, and poof-----up came the name ----- Dubai :)
To say that the offer letter from a renowned company from Dubai really got me excited, would probably not be entirely incorrect. I was excited about going abroad no doubt, but doubts about the company, the pay package, the city, and long heard rumours about 'D' company did unsettle my mind a bit.
But after a lot of rumination, and convincing by my friends, I decided to give Dubai a shot. My mother's confidence in my decision made things easier. Also, the excitement others expressed on hearing about my new job and place made me feel that I am now obligated to move out of India. I could not dampen their expectations and excitement.
So I finally landed in this city - DUBAI on a hot afternoon of July 2012.
The airport itself gave me a sound indication of what lay ahead. Flashing pillars, spic and span floors, high ceilings, numerous elevators and travelators, and people pouring in from all sides - Dubai had announced itself grandly. It was too perfect for an Indian to digest. For someone who was used to unruly crowds, people breaking queues from everywhere, rude officials and airports that look like war zones, Dubai looked like a Utopian land. And it's not that this perfect order was only there at the airport. It extended into the city as well. From the highways to the malls to the most busy markets - Dubai was an example in orderliness.
What added to the charm of the city was the cosmopolitan population, most of which is probably in the 25-35 age bracket. Mumbai is the city of dreams, but somehow in reality, people in Bangalore looked happier. The usual din and bustle of city life is inevitable anywhere, but what matters more is how you feel within and without that "noise" around. How many of us truly love the city we live in - probably very few. But Bangalore was an exception. And I fell in love with the city too.
But human nature is fickle. Like the moon, our mind wanes and waxes. Despite a busy, decent-paying job, in a blue-chip Software MNC, I had a desire that I want to work abroad - not very far from India, but somewhere where I get the feel of an exotic location without being worried about the time it would take to travel back to India if I have to. I shortlisted Dubai and Singapore. The 'Powers to be' did a lucky draw, and poof-----up came the name ----- Dubai :)
To say that the offer letter from a renowned company from Dubai really got me excited, would probably not be entirely incorrect. I was excited about going abroad no doubt, but doubts about the company, the pay package, the city, and long heard rumours about 'D' company did unsettle my mind a bit.
But after a lot of rumination, and convincing by my friends, I decided to give Dubai a shot. My mother's confidence in my decision made things easier. Also, the excitement others expressed on hearing about my new job and place made me feel that I am now obligated to move out of India. I could not dampen their expectations and excitement.
So I finally landed in this city - DUBAI on a hot afternoon of July 2012.
The airport itself gave me a sound indication of what lay ahead. Flashing pillars, spic and span floors, high ceilings, numerous elevators and travelators, and people pouring in from all sides - Dubai had announced itself grandly. It was too perfect for an Indian to digest. For someone who was used to unruly crowds, people breaking queues from everywhere, rude officials and airports that look like war zones, Dubai looked like a Utopian land. And it's not that this perfect order was only there at the airport. It extended into the city as well. From the highways to the malls to the most busy markets - Dubai was an example in orderliness.
Its been about 6 years for me in this City now, and it never ceases to amaze me. A new bridge, a new tower, a new tourist attraction pops out of nowhere every 3rd day here. Life moves like clockwork from weekend to weekend. And amid all the hullabaloo of a typical city life, Dubai still manages to maintain its orderliness. I often wonder - more than 40% of Dubai's population is Indian, then how come we maintain such perfect discipline here? The funnier part is that the moment we reach India, our behaviour changes totally. It's very evident from the scene you witness on the flight the moment it touches the India soil. Everyone is in a rush to leave the aircraft first. Jostling and elbowing starts from the time the plane lands at the Indian airport and even before the pilot can make the customary announcements about the local time and weather. Its a funny scene to witness. These same people had entered the aircraft in Dubai in a perfect column. But a different person emerges out of them in India. As if there is a reset button in us which restores the Indian DNA in us the moment we are in our country. I am not judging whether it is good or bad. I am no one to comment. But it's interesting to observe nonetheless. And I am not aloof from the crowd. I share the same DNA. Its probably a reflex action - 'survival of the fittest' instinct 😃
Dubai needs Indians and Indians need Dubai. Being in Dubai is a matter of pride, and I have experienced this pride in the way my parents feel and in the way a lot of my relatives and friends treat me now. Despite so many Indians being here, it's a good thing that we have retained the good part of India here, and kept out the not so good part. We have not turned Dubai into another India. But the bigger question is, when will we turn our India into Dubai - or even better? I hope soon 😊
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