Some impressions are deeper and long lasting with a flash of wit which revive the essence of my experiences to cherish the memories and a sweet reminder to remain grateful for the opportunities.
In the year 2005, I mugged up and successfully managed to get through the MBA campus placement. I felt like over the 14th moon, when I was offered a job in Dubai. Being a flounder, It was safe and significant to start a career in the middle East. I hustled up on my maiden journey.
The other day, on first of Muharram, I was feeling home sick but I had a sigh of relief to know that there are half a dozen Imam Bargahs in Dubai. For the first time in my life I got a chance to attend functions and hear the sermons of Maulana Zeeshan Haider, Dr Kalbi Sadiq and Nawhas of Mir Hassan Mir and he Nadeem Sarwar. These gatherings were allowed in select areas but there was freedom, respect and this impartiality was highly appreciated. On the contrary in Kashmir people cross swords, beat the drums of religiosity and can even harm each other without any remorse and sensibility on such occasions.
In cosmopolitan Dubai,I never felt troubled for the practice. I performed my Salah with ease at every mosque but at my native place we pray separately and cannot bear to see each other worshipping at one place.
Its not an easy task to get a driving license in UAE. Even more than 70 percent of the experienced drivers fail and can not get through in first few years. And I must admit it’s nothing less than any degree but in Kashmir you will not be surprised to behold the people who are not familiar with the ABC of driving and yet posses authorised driving license. No wonder accidents on our streets are galore.
HONKING MANIA
I always find it difficult to drive in Kashmir where on a slight collision one is entitled and greeted by abuses no matter whether you are at fault or not. Sometimes you may even receive a punch or two for pleading your case. Honking is our habit. We unnecessarily honk, so that people can lose focus and aggravate our stress levels. Bikers are hardly bothered about the safety of others and every day the number of elderly are knocked down by them.Its free for all on Kashmir roads.
In Dubai every traffic incident is handled very promptly and professionally and the defaulters cannot dare to cross the line. Honking is considered the most disrespectful thing and can put a person in a big trouble. If someone is crossing the lane, even the ruler of Dubai in his favorite Mercedes-Benz Jeep will stop and respectfully let others cross the street.
The way busiest Dubai traffic is streamlined to pave way for the ambulances to save the precious human lives in time is possible because of the little efforts of drivers to turn their vehicles sideways but in Kashmir neither people nor traffic police are interested in learning and be familiar with the traffic management rules on how to handle the emergencies.
CLEANLINESS
Dubai is very clean city. The standards of hygiene are such that even the streets are far better and cleaner than our own drawing rooms. The sweepers are so committed that you can’t see any disposal cups of soda or sulaimani tea lying anywhere. Commuters are not permitted to eat and drink in metro and can be penalised if they litter. Contrary to this, once I was traveling in a train from Banihal to Baramulla and I became furious to find one old gentleman tearing apart his own seat. When I confronted him, his response shocked me. He said he had paid for the journey and he had every right to do whatever he likes. I felt sorry for his behaviour and mindset. Unfortunately that person is not an exception. One can often see street lights, tree protectors and other public property vandalised for fun.
Once on a Dubai Corniche, I plucked a blade of green leaf from a barren shrub and there was this old Emirati (almost in his 80’s) sitting in his land cruiser, watching me keenly. He in a flash of seconds got down and ran after me with pounding heart and broken breath to teach me a lesson but somehow I managed to escape for the fear of deportation.
Here in Kashmir, people are hell bent on converting dense forests into barren lands, wet lands into concrete colonies, Dal Lake into marshland. For last three decades LAWDA has siphoned off millions but failed to clean at least 15% of the Dal and Nigeen lakes. We are turning our water bodies into garbage dumps.
DUBAI FOR ALL
Out of fear It’s not advisable for women to travel and walk alone after 6 pm in Kashmir but in Dubai, one can be behind the bars if any lewd remark is passed even at a prostitute. Such is the security for womenfolk.
In Ramazan, lavish Iftars are arranged for the expatriates. People from all walks of life feel honored to come forward and contribute for the grand feasts and basic necessities are provided to the down trodden.Few organizations have started community kitchens to provide affordable meals to those who deserve and are deprived of the luxuries of life.
We need not to be rich enough to swim and sip Fili Cafe at Mamzar,watch sunrise and smell tasteful Barbeque fragrance at Jumeriah, Payas at Pak Ghazi, enjoy delicious buffet at Barbaque Delights, watch the sunshine city from the top of Burj khalifa, undertake Hip Hop city tour, 100 Dirham Desert Safari, play or cheer for our favorite KSL cricket teams, learn about different cultures at Dubai Global Village, pray peacefully at the magnificent mosques and enjoy the endless bachelor parties .
MELTING POT
Post Pulwama the animosity between India and Pakistan reached to its zenith. Leave cricket rivalries aside, the two communities have been living in harmony since many decades in Dubai. They work, enjoy and eat together. Indians love Pakistani cuisine and Ibrahimi, Karachi Durbar, Barbecue Delights are some of their favorite hangouts.
Although Dubai Duty Free, DSF, Mashreq Millionaire and my Instore promotions are the reason for prosperity of many entrepreneurs but there is no match for those having the passion for excellence,scaling the skies and aiming high to bring more and more positive changes, developing peaceful communities and creating the best career paths for better future prospects.
Every one has the toughest share of struggles but their hearts are at peace and feel proud for the recognition n rewards which has been the best and beyond !!!!
For many Dubai is much more than Burj al Khalifa. Within four and a half decade, the visionary leader turned a desert into the most happening place of the world.
Today they are proudly standing tall because of their hard work ,the freedom and opportunities this city has been providing them, reasons for the fulfilment of their dreams, touching the million lives and the smiles they can bring to their dependent families.
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