December 1988, I set foot on Dubai airport, a tiny airport but spotlessly clean. A car waiting for me at the airport takes me to the Intercontinental Hotel where I settle down for the night. Next morning I am picked up at 8am for my journey to the Khaleej Times office. We pass by Sheikh Zayed Road, named after the late ruler, a long stretch with two or three small three-storey buildings, the rest is all sand and rubble. The only noticeable landmark is the tall World Trade Center building. From the outside, the Khaleej Times' office looks like a large shed painted white but well-furnished with offices and cabins.

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May 2009, I retire after an eventful 20 years with Khaleej Times, the offices now located in a posh new building with state-of-the-art printing facility. On my way to the airport I pass by the same road, which now looks like a mini Manhatten with skyscrapers, surrounded by 5,6 &7 star hotels, all well-known international chains. The road boasts of the world’s tallest tower called Burj Khalifa named after the present Abu Dhabi ruler — 163 floors, 2723 ft high.The airport is now ranked among the top five in the world, with three terminals and a total capacity of 80 million passengers annually.

Khaleej Times was owned by Galadari brothers one of the renowned business conglomerates in UAE with interest in automobiles (Mazda & Ford), food (Baskin Robbins ) and hotels (Intercontinental Chain, Radisson).

My first day at office, after a brief meeting with the MD, my friend  Khalid (we had to address him as Mr Ansari in the office), I am asked to meet Galadari Junior who is looking after the newspaper. A young man, barely 30, in full Arab regalia is seated not in his chair but with legs folded on the table. I am taken aback but I maintain my composure and chat for a while. Khalid later told me that Junior found me a bit soft and meek, when his idea of the head of the ad department was of an aggressive person who would secure business, with brains or brawls. Khalid wanting a free hand, spoke to Galadari Senior and managed to get the young turk moved to Galadari Automobiles. He left the ad business totally to me.

The office car used to pick me up and drop me back. To get a driving licence in UAE is like winning a lottery. After a month of rigorous traning and nearly a month’s salary in fees, I am ready for the test drive. The site of two police officers — one sitting next to me and the other in the back seat — is a bit unnerving, so, in my anxiety, instead of the reverse gear I press the forward and fail at the first attempt. However, I get through in the second attempt and there is praise all around as if I have passed a major exam. As per tradition, I distribute sweets to celebrate the occasion. I get ready to purchase my first car in Dubai, my office colleagues speculating whether the boss will drive a Merc or a Jaguar. But having taught the values of living within one’s means, I buy a 1.6 litre compact vehicle called Applause from the Japanese Daihatsu stable. And it serves me well for many years.

My Dubai journey continues, but let’s take a pause to celebrate the festive season. May the peace and blessings of Christmas be yours and may the coming year be filled with happiness.

The author is a well-known stage personality