UAE is 50; me too!

Since my childhood my birthday is always celebrated with an additional flavour of UAE's National Day. A week in advance to my birthday the streets and buildings around Dubai starts gleaming with decorative lights and UAE flags. Some government buildings like Municipality HQ and Dubai Court also never forgets to highlight my age! Whenever I drive around during that time with my relatives or friends, they all know my age by looking at the government buildings. Which means I can never hide or lie about my age!.

On December 1st 1971, my parents and my uncle were strolling along the abra pathways. It was a cold evening and the cold breeze was giving a comfort feeling to all the strollers. But my mother did not feel comfortable to walk around carrying the 9 months old baby in her womb. My talkative dad was discussing to uncle about the expected announcement of UAE’s independence from the British rule. As my mother was not comfortable to walk they all decided to sit on one of the bench on the abra pathway.

It was around 9:00 p.m. and they reached very close to Maktoum Hospital. My dad said let's see if Dr. Abraham was still on duty. As soon as they stepped into the hospital, doctor was at the reception and was about to leave for the day. Without any hesitation doctor checked my mother and suggested to get admitted that night in the hospital. Seeing the malayali nurse Annama on duty, my mother felt comfortable to get admitted in the hospital. My mother slept peacefully that night in the hospital. Next day, which was December 2nd 1971, by 12 noon mother was taken to the labour room and I was born by 12:15 PM, on the same day that UAE got its independence. Perhaps my birth on December 2nd 1971 has created that extra bonding between me and Dubai. 

Time has flown, UAE and me are young by 50 years now. Lots and lots of transformations happened to both of us in this short span of time. Both of us are strong to fight against all the odds and move ahead in this 4.0 industrial revolutionary era. I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for giving all of us a safe place to live and work and also to experience a world class living in Dubai.

 

I am fortunate with my current employment in the capacity of General Manager of Al Nahda Centre, which is a centre to provide government services. This centre is a semi government organization where I interact with UAE government’s officials daily. By assisting customers daily in completing government document formalities, I feel very gratified.  

I feel always proud to say that I am born in Dubai, and to share my birthday with UAE's National Day.

- Shamim Yusuf

***