'With no electricity, we slept outdoors'

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With no electricity, we slept outdoors
For me, to be able to secure a bright future for my family is the greatest achievement in life.

Dubai - The level of efficiency and regulations to form and maintain a business in Dubai encouraged people to launch their careers and make Dubai home.

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Sandhya D'Mello

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Published: Sat 3 Feb 2018, 8:38 PM

Last updated: Sun 4 Feb 2018, 1:15 PM

I travelled to Dubai on a British India passenger vessel, Dwarka, from Mumbai in May 1956. I was 18 then and felt I had reached a totally different world. Water and electricity were not available during those times. Animals delivered slightly salty water from Jumeirah wells to the place I lived.
My first job was with the Dubai Government customs department as accounts head and I continued there for two years. I used to save most of the salary apart from what I spent on basic essentials in those days.
With no electricity, the extreme weather, especially in summer, took a toll on us and we slept outdoors. To tackle the humidity, people soaked their blankets before they went to sleep. The Indian Rupee was the currency used then as the dirham was yet to be initiated. 
I challenged my senior on the first day of my job, proving that the total figure signed by him in the accounts book was wrong. If I had not disclosed it, there would have been a 1,500 Indian rupees additional buffer for the company, which in those years was not a small amount.
Due to my honest act, I was appreciated and later transferred to Dubai Petroleum Company with a senior designation. This encouraged me to be with the same organisation for 28 years. I had to regularly visit company operations in Houston Texas (USA) as a senior finance executive.
Forty years ago, there was no automation and all bookkeeping used to be manual, even in all banks here. The level of efficiency and regulations to form and maintain a business in Dubai encouraged people to launch their careers and make Dubai home.
My son, Piyush Chaterbhoj, graduated from Richmond University in London in 1991 and I took early retirement from Dubai Petroleum Company and started my own business, Dubai Trade Link LLC. Dealing with building materials, the business has grown and we have completed 25 years successfully. 
Procedures and formalities were well in place even during those times. The regulations in Dubai were easy to follow and the government encouraged people to start successful ventures. I had some business expertise being part of my father's business and it helped me when I started my first venture. 
Although am known to be a workaholic, I have also supported the Indian community in Dubai. I was a trustee nominee of the Indian High School years ago. I was also an honourary member of the Hindu Temple Committee.
My father is my role model, he taught me to follow honesty - better die than to lie or cheat. It was by following this rule that I achieved success. Honestly is something I abide with and encourage the same to my family.
I had lost my father at a very early age (during my teens) and had the responsibility to take care of my mother and siblings. For me, to be able to secure a bright future for my family is the greatest achievement in life. 
I received the IBPC Award (India Business and Professional Council) by the Indian Ambassador to the UAE in 2007 for completing 50 years in Dubai. 
My aim is to work until my last breath. Today, at 78, I have a Facebook account and I operate it myself. My golden rules are 'Don't give up and try until you succeed' and 'Set up goals and grow with honest acts'.
In Dubai, I admire the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, whom I had seen working from earlier than 6am every day. My favourite leader in India was the late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and currently, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
sandhya@khaleejtimes.com
 


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