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Safety, tolerance, hummus: An Indian expat's love for Dubai

 

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Safety, tolerance, hummus: An Indian expats love for Dubai

Dubai - Will she return? Find out in this exclusive interview.

By Keith Pereña

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Published: Thu 3 Aug 2017, 1:54 PM

Last updated: Thu 3 Aug 2017, 9:13 PM

Indian expat Sangeetha Bhaskran's letter about leaving Dubai has made waves across the country. The emotional letter tugged at the heartstrings of many expats who could relate to Sangeetha's experience of leaving a city she once called home. In fact, the letter can even serve as a guide for those looking for something new to do in Dubai.
Khaleej Times recently got in touch with the author of the viral letter to get to know more about her recent move from Dubai to India and about the things she has learned from living in Dubai. Will she return? Find out in this exclusive interview.

Is Dubai home for you? If not, where is it?

Yes of course Dubai is home for me. It's where I've lived at most of my life and it has formed an essential part of my identity. That being said, I also think the concept of home is very fluid and it's not so straightforward to define in terms of being a physical place anymore. So there are parts of the city where I can go to and feel connected instantly and then others where I've driven past many times and yet they feel alien. Now I'm back in India and trying to rebuild a life here and it will most certainly take time to reach the level of comfort and security that I had in Dubai.

How did you feel being part of this transformation happening right before you?

I am part of the second-generation of expatriates who grew up in a very different Dubai, a slower and simpler city that was expanding at an even pace. My childhood was wonderful as I got to experience being part of a strong Indian community in a setting that was safe. The rulers of Dubai have always harboured grand dreams for the city and watching them materialize has been an incredible experience. I do feel there is scope to slow down a bit and let things happen organically. 

What would be your recommendations to expats looking for new things to do in town?

There's a lot of great stuff happening in the cultural space - plays, musicals, stand-up comedy, slam poetry and writing workshops. I'd recommend looking up websites that list different groups of people based on their interests. It's a nice way to spend a couple of hours with like-minded people and discover off-beat events and activities happening around town. Dubai is also a great place to be a foodie!

What are the differences between living in Dubai and in India? What do you miss the most

Well, this is the first time I'm going to be living in India as a resident and not a vacationist. It is going to be a huge adjustment! Dubai is a smaller, more efficient city with strong values for law and order. I am going to miss the cleanliness and safety.

Given a chance, would you come back to Dubai and start afresh?

For now, I think it's time for me to move forward, discover a new city and create a fresh set of memories with my family. The Dubai chapter will be closed for a while.

Most importantly, what has Dubai taught you about yourself?

Dubai is a melting pot of people and cultures and I think the most important lesson I've learnt is on tolerance and how valuable it is. Being an expatriate has at several instances taken precedence over other aspects of my identity and has broadened my perspective of how I see others. On a lighter note, it has also unearthed a love for hummus and falafels that I will forever carry.


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