Dubai hotelier checking in on Khaleej Times birthday

For 38 years, The owner of Dubai's oldest hotel hasn't missed a single edition of the first English broadsheet

Dubai's oldest hotel and Khaleej Times have both carried a long legacy. Here's an insight to what they share in common and how the newspaper remains an integral part of its success story.

In 1978, when Khaleej Times saw the light of the day, Lakhmichand Lulla, Dubai's first hotelier received an invite from Abdul Rahim Galadari for the newspaper's opening ceremony.

"I still remember when Mr. Galadari presented the first copy of the paper to the late His Highness Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum, how the UAE leader's eyes glowed with pride and joy," recounts the late hotelier's son Prakash Lulla.

"Shaikh Rashid then turned to my father and said how proud he felt that Dubai finally had an English newspaper of its own. It was an extraordinary achievement. But then, the UAE is all about such achievements."

Before Khaleej Times came into existence, photocopied news items were distributed to not more than 100 to 150 families of the Indian community.

"My father built the oldest hotels in the UAE dating back to the 1950s. At that time there was no medium to facilitate communication hence it was very difficult for us. Khaleej Times, since its inception, has been instrumental in creating awareness about hotels and the hospitality industry," added Lulla Jr who is now the director of the Astoria and Ambassador hotels in Bur Dubai, both of which his father opened.

The hotel manager Kamlesh Rajani pulled out a huge file of old newspaper cuttings from Khaleej Times, brushed off the dust that had settled over the years and smiled as he flipped through the memories.

"These document 38 years of our hotels," he proudly said.

The Ambassador hotel has hosted several banquets for the rulers' guests and received many prominent Indian politicians and celebrities - Khaleej Times has been a part of it all.

Bold for its times

Lulla Jr. added, "When I was in school, I remember Khaleej Times came to our doorstep and my father ensured that my brother and I read it. We grew up reading this newspaper hence it got ingrained in us naturally. Now it's not a question of loyalty, it's about having a comfort level. I don't think we will be comfortable reading any other newspaper now."

For 38 years, Prakash Lulla hasn't missed a single edition. Particularly impressed with the newspaper's human-interest stories, he recounts how its fearless reporting brought relief to construction workers.

"I remember Khaleej Times actively reported about the plight of construction workers who put bricks and stones together in the scorching sun during the summer months. The issue was quickly addressed and the government enforced a mandatory midday break for labourers from 12.30 to 3pm."

There were other instances as well, he added, "When the rents in UAE went sky-rocketing, the newspaper aggressively reported about the pain and suffering of the lower and middle-class people. Soon after, a rent cap was brought in place."

The success mantra, therefore, is quite clear.

The brochure of Ambassador hotel mentions integrity and honesty. Pointing out at those two words, Lulla Jr. said, "You tell me, 30 plus years, what can stand without integrity and honesty. Khaleej Times is itself a living example!"

- nilanjana@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE