I was very happy when returning from school. It was not like all other days. Today I got my answer sheets of the exam which was conducted before Christmas. I scored good grades and in two subjects I became class topper. I was very thrilled. My teachers and classmates congratulated me on my achievement. I thanked them. I somehow wanted to reach my home early so that I could to share this happiness with my family. I asked the driver of the school bus to drive the bus at high speed so that I could reach home fast. The moment I entered the home I was surprised my mom was busy preparing special dishes and servant was busy cleaning our house even my room!!! (Actually, it is the rule of my house that I should clean my room). I wondered how they knew about my achievement. I asked my mom why she is preparing special food for tonight and that too vegetarian item. Before answering my question she asked the reason for my happiness and also asked whether I got my answer papers. I was surprised. I always think of how mothers understand their children’s emotions without speaking to them. I told my mom she is really genius and appreciated her sixth sense. I told her that I got my exam papers and in two subjects I am the class topper. Even though she was kneading the flour for chappathi she hugged me and kissed on my forehead and congratulated me. I again asked her who is coming today. She told that our close family relative from Ahmedabad is coming to visit us and will there with us tonight. While drinking hot tea and savoring banana chips I asked my mom is that the Ajay uncle who recently went for a Dubai tour. She nodded and said the tour package was formulated by their colleagues. He is really a lucky man I whispered and moved to my room to get fresh.
By the evening Ajay uncle and my dad reached our home. My mother welcomed them by offering fresh pineapple juice. We all sat together and engaged in a formal conversation. My dad told the main purpose of uncle visit is, he had a board meeting at his office over here in Hyderabad. And today was the last day of the meeting and my dad invited him for dinner. And my dad picked him from his office. Uncle inquired about my studies and my mom told him about today’s performance. He congratulated me. My mother asked him about his Dubai tour. He replied, it was beyond his expectation, the trip was fabulous and they all enjoyed to its maximum. He suggested my dad take us to Dubai by availing of tour packages. My dad who is least interested in long journeys did not welcome his suggestion and replied that there is nothing to see in that desert. Who said it is a desert city? asked my uncle. The city is no longer a desert. It has turned into one of the richest cities in the world and also one of the most sought tourist destinations in the world.
My dad again questioned him by asking what is the need of wasting money to see only camel rides and belly dances in Dubai? Ajay Uncle corrected my dad’s assumption by explaining more about Dubai. Dubai is one blooming emirate of the UAE. The United Arab Emirates comprises of 7 emirates they are as follows Sharjah, Ras-Al-Khaima, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Umm al-Qaiwain. Abu Dhabi is called as the capital of the UAE. For a long time, I had a doubt whether Dubai is a country or a city. He told that the word emirates mean a royal state and hence Dubai can also be treated as an ordinary state ruled by a royal ruler. Each state has its own King or Sheikh for Dubai it is Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum the ruler. The capital of Dubai state is Dubai city. And hence my lifelong doubt has been cleared then. Thank you, uncle. I also asked him didn’t he feel any difficulty to spend his vacation with Arab locals who speaks only Arabic. He smiled and replied it is our myth that Dubai is composed of Arab people. Actually the city comprises only 15% of Arab locals and the rest 85% are foreigners. And among these foreigners, Indians are seen as abundantly. And about the matter of communication, most people love to communicate in Hindi and English and only the Arab speaks in the Arabic language. It was the vision of the present ruler that Dubai should become one of the best cities in the world and within two decades it has become a superlative city in the world by constructing skyscrapers such as Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Mall and many more.
My mother asked what the secret behind the success of Dubai is. Uncle told it is the oil, pearl diving, fishing and farming and also manpower. The same manpower we have here also she told. But uncle said that what we have here are the people above 45 years and what Dubai has is people aged between 20-45 years and that is the perfect age to work hard. As aforementioned the city comprises mainly foreigners, after earning good money they return back to their homeland at the age of 45. My dad asked uncle is it true that the ATMs over there give gold bars. I and mom were astonished by hearing the question. Uncle smiled and replied yes. He also told that due to the presence of deserts the city receives high humidity and scarcely receives rain therefore air conditioners are installed in every public place such as railway stations, bus stations and so on. What about the crimes my dad asked. Even though the city welcomes different cultures and traditions they strictly adhere to their religious beliefs and laws. Smoking is restricted in designated areas only. Women are allowed to wear short dresses. Alcohol and pork are available only to non-Muslims and so on. Severe penalties are applied even for small offences.
We continued our conversation on the dining table. He praised my mother for preparing such lovely dishes. To my surprise, she prepared my favourite kheer for dessert (for becoming topper in the class). Dubai is actually a treasure of man-made wonders. it is not possible for one to describe its beauty literally to everyone. Therefore it would be good to visit the place by availing of tour packages. A trip to Dubai will be really expensive my dad said. Uncle suggested the name of the Dubai tour Trawell agency. He said that they curate packages at cheap rates and also provide excellent hospitality. My dad was impressed and assured us that he will take us to Dubai very soon.