Dear Dad,
Hope all is well at your end?
How are grandpa and others doing there?
It had been a couple of weeks
since I wanted to ask you something. Do you remember an incident that happened
23 years back while I was doing my Masters in Coimbatore? Way before social
media became a norm, there was a competition by the local Malayalam newspaper
Malayala Manorama in their weekly newsletter named 'Sri'. It was a general
knowledge quiz which ran for a few weeks. Every week I had to find the answers,
fill in the blanks and post the page back to Manorama office.
When the result was announced
I won the second prize which was a return flight ticket for two from Kochi to
any location in the Gulf states. Since I was still studying, I gifted those
tickets to you and mom. You chose to visit the UAE which I remember was your
first ever international trip together. It always remained a happy memory for
me.
After a lovely visit to
Dubai, Sharjah and a few other Emirates in the UAE, you came back to India,
with lots of amazing stories about this highly prosperous State in the Gulf
region. One thing I distinctly remember was, you were impressed with all the
greenery and flower beds that greeted you everywhere you went, which was
probably the least you expected in a country built on a desert!
Six years before this visit
to UAE, you had been on a solo trip to the US and Europe for almost
a month. You were fascinated to see an equivalent level of infrastructure and
lifestyle in UAE. Now, as I recollect many of the stories
you narrated to me on your return from UAE, I had seen sparks of surprise and
sheer delight for the success achieved by this region. You were beaming when
you narrated how advanced and liberal a country UAE was, even a quarter of a
century ago.
Eight years after your trip
to UAE, as you may remember, Ruby and I landed in Dubai from Bangalore to work
with one of the greatest known brands in the aviation world, Emirates! This was
year 2011. Ever since that day, I personally lived through similar, if not
more, surprises this country kept in store for us.
Among the many things the
world celebrates about the seemingly impossible feats achieved by this great
land, one thing always stood out. The leadership of this young nation and how
down to Earth they are in the ways by which they absolutely take care of the
people who live here. They support the local population but equally care for
the expats. In fact, with the last 15 years of living in this beautiful nation,
I can vouch for the fact that, every passing year, the love showered by this
country on the citizens and residents alike are simply out-of-the-world.
Dad, you left us to join our
Lord three years back. With the current happenings here in the Middle East, I
would have expected a call from you every day if you were around, asking how we
were, with the genuine concern any loving parent would have about their expat
children. I want to reassure you dad, while you may be gone, we do have equally
loving parents here in the UAE in the form of rulers of this land, who not just
consider our safety as their responsibility but even care for us the way you
cared as a father.
Dad, I want to promise you
one thing. This is a land that taught us the true value of tolerance. I am
certain that, as long as the leaders here remain committed, combined with your
blessings from Heaven, as we say in this part of the world, Insha Allah, we
will remain safe. Do not worry!
Love you lots...
