Speed

We all agree to the point that each country has different cultures, different values and different social codes. But the problem comes when a country is an amalgamation of rich and not so rich, educated but not so well read, of east and of west, of few natives and a lot of foreigners. But these foreigners are not just tourists, they are the ones who have given some important years of their lives and helped build the nation, reach to a point where it is now. So what is the bone of contention?

The place I want to discuss about is Dubai, where East meets West. So simple but so sarcastic. My stay in Dubai was a memorable experience as it would be for anyone stepping out of the country for the first time. Huge buildings, good infrastructure, clubs, nightlife and huge malls, these are somethings which may attract a lot of people to this city. But surprisingly none of these was the reason for my trip being a memorable one. These are the things that I have seen in India, in the budding corporate hub, Gurgaon. Parties, nightlife, buildings, nothing worked as an enchantment for me. Infact the only thing that I would have looked forward to was the racing cars, whoozing whapping past us on every road and every signal. One thing that made me fall for the city was the its speed. Its not just the roads, its something else, the passion of so many people from so many countries settled in this city for some reward in life. It does not matter what color, what nationality, what region you belong to, the only thing that matters is if you are driving a Hummer or Lamborghini. Not being a car freak, I was simply awed by the speed with which these pacers flew on the roads of Dubai.

But there was one thing which kept me away from the unearthly experience of feeling my heart racing to the speed, its the law which wont allow me to speed to the thrill without fear of being caught. The only enchanter that kept me bound to the city became a heartache.

This was from the city where there are so many Indians that in the region called Bur Dubai I never felt I was out of my country. Infact we never tried talking to any taxi driver in any other language except hindi knowing that he may be an Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or some origin who'll understand our dialect.

When there is so much Indianization, infact Asianization in Dubai then why not make it easier for people like us to take a toll and drive our way through. I have even heard that it costs a million (in my terms) to get a driver's license in Dubai. Infact Asians face a lot of problems while trying for license and have to try it time and again and get it in. It doesn't just keep the people from adapting to the city of their career away from their heart but also makes them crave for their homeland. It keeps them reminding of the fact that this is not where they belong to, it is just one stop in the long journey of the life.

All I want to say that we believe in the saying"When in Rome , do like the Romans do" but now its time that the world adopts India's philosophy of "Atithi Devo Bhava" and make it easier for the International citizens of today to be in a foreign land. A person like me will always miss their city, their life and all the things related to their country. But in today's world where all of us are appointed to take care of our global brands and citizens, it is responsibility of all business cities to take care that tehy actually make the foreigners feel at home make the life more inviting for them.