Thank you for being my voice and companion

Jayashree Kulkarni: Khaleej Times helped fill the emptiness I was feeling. It is a part of my extended family because it cares about what I write.

On October 17, 1980, Jayashree Kulkarni set off from her hometown in Pune, India, to start a new life in Abu Dhabi. Now a 35-year resident of the UAE, that date also marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with Khaleej Times.
With a thirst for all things news, it was seven little words from her new neighbour that sealed the deal for Kulkarni.
"'It brings the world to your doorstep'. Those were the exact words he told me," she says.
What her neighbour was talking about was Khaleej Times - a newspaper which he himself had been subscribing since its launch in 1978. At that time, the newspaper was still in its infancy with only a few years under its belt. But today it is celebrating its 38th year in the UAE.
"It is everything that you are looking for when it comes to news from both here and at home," Kulkarni says.
For 35 years, Kulkarni hasn't missed a single edition. And even if she can't get her hands on a printed copy, she will revert to her computer screen for her daily dose of KT news.
"What keeps me reading is the fact that it keeps evolving. Take for instance the appointment of the new Happiness Editor. I was on top of the world when they announced that news as it brings brightness to your day."
After both her son and daughter emigrated to Australia back in 2004, Kulkarni says she felt a sense of emptiness swarm over her.
Though "not a great writer", she felt compelled to pick up her pen and began regularly contributing to KT's 'Letter to the Editor' column.
Thirteen years on, she has submitted over 1,700 letters to the newspaper - winning the accolade of 'Prize Letter' a total of eight times.
"Khaleej Times helped fill the emptiness I was feeling at that time. Even now I feel like it is a part of my extended family because it cares about what I write."
From money saving tips to inspirational letters about "dreaming big", Kulkarni's repertoire of letters span a vast array of subjects - but there's one issue she refuses to write about.
"I write about anything and everything, but I always steer clear of politics as it is a very sensitive issue."
From retail vouchers to rice cookers and paintings to free subscriptions, Kulkarni has certainly received her fair share of goodies from the newspaper - but it is the "giving back" element that keeps her writing.
Reminiscing on the first time she received news of her prize winning letter, she said the fact that her words were "encouraging others" was prize enough.
"It was a piece I sent in to the Wkend magazine about striking the right balance between saving cash but not living frugally. I think it won because everyone loves to find new ways of saving while still enjoying life, especially expatriates."
For Kulkarni, being a regular contributor to the newspaper still remains satisfying 13 years on, and for now there's no sign of her letting up anytime soon.
"I'll keep voicing my opinion and using Khaleej Times as my launch pad."
To commemorate Khaleej Times' extra year in the UAE, she says she has one message of hope for the future.
"Happy 38th birthday Khaleej Times. May it make leaps and bounds for the next 38 years."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com