Feature - 38th UAE National Day

December 3, 2009
793 words

Colors of a Nation

The Constitution of the United Arab Emirates was written on December 2, 1971. The day saw the rulers of the seven emirates stringing a thread through all the emirates to make it the united nation it is today. Thirty-eight years later, the nation takes a moment to reflect upon the hard work and perseverance that went into transforming the then arid land into the pride of the Middle East.

Cars painted with the national colors and symbols
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

There are over 200 nationalities of diverse cultural backgrounds living in the UAE. Most expats living in UAE come from Southern Asian countries — such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines. The UAE’s expat community also includes people the UK, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. UAE has a speedy development rate, with new buildings and roads springing up every month. A country on such a fast pace to development needs all the hands it can get. By creating favorable conditions for expatriates, Dubai lures them in with its promises of healthy and comfortable style of living. Dubai has a thriving population of experts, and continues to attract more over the years with promises of tax exemption. Dubai has always welcomed expats with open arms and the expats have held on tight. It is one of the most rapidly developing urban centers in the world, and one of the only cities where expats far outnumber the locals.

Abraham George has lived in the UAE since the 1970’s. Having come here with three shirts in his beaten up suitcase, George reminisces about the days gone by. “The UAE offered me plenty of career opportunities I did not have access to back in my country. Thirty years ago, Dubai was known only for its pearl diving and its gold markets. Now it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. I remember when the trade center was the tallest building for miles and miles around. Today it is dwarfed by all the other buildings on Shaikh Zayed Road.”

Today UAE is losing its hold over the expats, Increasing rents and unstable jobs have resulted in many expatriates packing their bags and moving on in search of greener pastures. “UAE isn't quite the heaven it used to be” says George. Rents have recently risen, People need job security and need to be able to afford the high cost of living that Dubai offers.

Bringing their joy to the streets of Dubai
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Bernadette Dsilva, who came to UAE from the Philippines 10 years ago says, “Dubai has given me opportunities to do things and go to places I wouldn't even dream of. We live and breathe in such a multi-cultural hub. Celebrating the national day alongside the Emirati people makes me happy and proud to be a part of this nation”

Ali Asgar, a student from Pakistan has been born and brought up in the UAE. He holds that the general feeling of apathy among most expatriates towards National Day celebrations stems from a trait to associate themselves as belonging to the place they are born. “I love the UAE, because I have lived here all my life. I know more about the history and culture of this place than I do about Pakistan, my hometown. I love the place and this is the place I want to raise my own family. Thirty eight years and growing, this place has given me everything I have today. But I understand that a large number of my friends feel nothing for the nation, as they do not feel one with the UAE like I do.”

On the second of December, the nation was painted in its national colors, with buildings, streets, cars and even people in the national red, black, green and white. While the nationals sped around the streets in decorated cars, waving their high in the air, expats enjoyed their day off.

Prasanth Pantheeradth and his wife Deepa moved to the UAE six months ago and are delighted with the sights of National Day Celebrations. “The people here celebrate with so much pomp and joy. You don’t get to see sights like these elsewhere, where a people, who are usually so calm and composed take a day to truly celebrate their joy in style.” The couple tried to step onto Mamzar Corniche in a bid to see the rally. “We were stuck in traffic amongst a hoard of others who wanted to catch a glimpse of the very same sights.”

With dark clouds of debt looming above them, the people of the nation seem to have outdone themselves. Be it spray painting their cars, or wearing their national colors, the locals have pulled out all stops in this years celebration. The UAE flags that flutter high across the nation on this joyous day represent the peace, strength, courage and hope of the Emirati people.

Colors of the nation..
Photo Credits: Blassy Boben

Light Feature - Home of an Expatriate

September 16, 2009
640 words

Queer sights in the expat home.

Of all the civilized communities known to man, expatriates take the prize for being the most eccentric of the lot. Having flown from their nests in search of greener pastures, here is a community that will surprise you with its unique style of dealing with things. Expats for the most, constantly hover over the threshold, not knowing whether to cross over and submerge themselves into the local culture, or to stay within and hang tight to the remnants of their own fast eroding culture.

“I’m all about reusing”, says Mrs Nayantara John, a housewife “Growing up, we dint have the luxuries we see today, Wastage of any kind makes me unhappy, so I reuse! Good for the environment. Good for my wallet” she laughs. Her house is filled with containers of every size and shape, she uses peanut butter jars for spices, milk bottles to store cold water, old clothes to dust her house, and ice cream containers for everything from curry to her impressive collection of colorful thread. “While being ever-receptive of other cultures, should be proud of our heritage, our rich and colorful history. We should be able to carry it with pride, wherever we go, and whichever part of the world we settle in”. she says, smiling through the delusional cultural pride that radiates from her pickle filled jam jars and her other knick knacks.

Megha Kumar, hailing from Kerala, is highly aware of her transience as an expat. “My family is all about preserving everything we own, everything from furniture to electronics are covered for the most of the day.” This might have its roots in miserliness, Although no expat worth his while will admit to it. They refuse to put things to use unless they absolutely have to. Adjustment is the magic word. “We keep everything from empty boxes to old electronic appliance manuals to sachets of ketchup to wet towels from fast food outlets”

Expats tend to prefer interiors that remind them of home. Interiors are all about practicality, although we do try to fill it with as many bric-a-bracs as possible. Most expat houses will have a maniplant growing in the corner, lucky bamboo arrangements and balconies bursting with whatever plants can survive in the Dubai heat. Jaspreet Saluja, a teacher with the Indian High School Dubai says, “I love having plants around, both real and artificial, My house is filled with both plants as well as plastic flower arrangements.

Marie Alves, a banker hailing from Philippines, agrees to missing home. “We try to get to get our homes here to look like homes back in Manila” When asked about the one item one can expect to find in every Filipino house, he says “A rice cooker. I am truly Pinoy. My family has rice for every meal of the day. As is the case in many Filipino homes. We actually have two rice cookers”
Most people believe that expats tend to clutter their houses less than local families, as they move around every few years. While this is true for some, most expats believe in saving up the good stuff to take back to their hometowns. “My parents buy gold, and electronics and other things, to take back home when we finally leave Dubai. They are kept untouched for a number of years. Things are affordable and are of better quality here. But they take up too much unnecessary space around the house. All that clutter! We even save up on plastic bags because they are such a rarity in India”, sighs Reshma Jose, a student.

What all these people have in common is a story of struggle away from home, one where they try to make the best of their surroundings. Man adapts to his surroundings quickly. If Immigration may very well be the most developed form of adaptability ever.