The tragic incident led to the death of a number of innocent people from Yemen
mena3 hours ago
Born to a low-income family in a remote south Indian village, birthday celebration was an unfamiliar affair for Mahroof Kulathil until his Emirati bosses notified him of its significance just before his 43rd birthday.
"Had I not come to the UAE, perhaps I might have never noticed my birth date," Kulathil who arrived in UAE 20 years ago tells Wam.
When his Emirati bosses congratulated him for being born on the same day of the UAE's founding day, 2nd December, 1971, and felicitated him at a National Day function, it turned out a new life for the man from a humble background.
"There was no such thing called birthday celebration in my family and places where I studied,"says Kerala-born Kulathil who works as an assistant at a federal government entity in Abu Dhabi.
He had attended a madrasa (religious school) in his village, secondary school in a small town where he studied until grade 10, and a college where he studied a two-year certificate course in Islamic religious education.
He feels the generosity of his bosses has added a new colourful chapter to his life.
Kulathil still remembers the day he received that phone call from a colleague that transformed his life to a "significant existence" during the National Day holidays in 2014.
He was back home to spend the holidays with parents, wife and children. The colleague called up and told him a congratulatory letter had come for him from the top management at his workplace who found out the coincidental birthday just ahead of that National Day.
For Kulathil, that letter was a great recognition.
"I felt so happy and excited. They were so generous to recognise a person doing a small job," Kulathil says smilingly.
On subsequent National Day celebrations, he enjoyed being congratulated by everyone at his workplace.
"However, the celebrations in 2017 was something special," he recollects.
"One of the bosses put me on a camel and offered me an enjoyable ride during the celebrations!"
He says these gestures make him realise how deeply Emiratis love their country. "They love me because I was born on their country's founding day. See the importance they give to anything or anyone related to their homeland."
He also feels destiny has helped him land in the right place. "Otherwise why should I reach this country [having a coincidental birthday] and enjoy this much love and recognition?"
Kulathil feels fortunate to have witnessed a fellow-villager receiving a bigger recognition in the UAE.
"Our entire village celebrated when Kunhi Mohiuddin who worked as an office assistant at Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court was given a farewell by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, [Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces] in January 2018."
As Wam reported, Sheikh Mohamed met the expat and expressed his thanks and appreciation to the 63-year-old Mohiuddin for his hard work and dedication.
"The UAE is proud of its brothers and friends who contributed to the march of development and progress in the UAE. We owe them all the respect and appreciation and affection for their efforts and faithful hard work," Sheikh Mohamed said.
"Thanks to this job, my family is well settled and even I was able to help my extended families as well," Mohiuddin had said.
Kulathil said he too had the same experience after reaching the UAE and especially after joining his workplace in 2008.
"I was able to clear my accumulated debts and constructed a house for my family."
He brought two of his brothers who found jobs in Abu Dhabi.
Now he is trying to give a better education to his four children aged 20, 15, 10 and 5. "I am grateful," he concludes.
The tragic incident led to the death of a number of innocent people from Yemen
mena3 hours ago
Alongside regional leaders, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the meetings
world3 hours ago
Twice Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is set to make his Olympic debut while Nadal will be eyeing his third gold medal after wins in Beijing and Rio
sports4 hours ago
The quake was at a depth of 503.2 km
asia4 hours ago
The defending champions overpowered TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 in Cairo
sports4 hours ago
Although the Gunners are top as they chase a first title for 20 years, Manchester City are regarded as statistical favourites to win a fourth successive crown
sports4 hours ago
Doctors urge residents to take such situations seriously: 'Sharp objects can pierce the food pipe and can migrate into areas like the chest, causing further complications,' an expert says
uae4 hours ago
Highly-rated 19-year-old Turkish midfielder Arda Guler scores match-winner on his first La Liga start
sports4 hours ago