(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Maghanmal J. Pancholia
Chairman, Arabian Trading Agency
I arrived in Sharjah from Karachi in September 1942 aboard a Chinese Cargo ship called 'Woo Sang' by paying a fare of Rs23 only. The journey to Sharjah took eight days after touching the ports of Gawadar (Pakistan), Muscat (Oman), and Bander Abbas (Iran).
Life was very difficult in those days as there was no electricity, especially in summer. There were no roads and hardly any cars. Camels and donkeys were the mode of transport at that time.
Fortunately, Sharjah had RAF Airport about 3km from town which was built during war time, where we had a small showroom to sell day-to-day items to the British.
There were no formal procedures or permissions required to start any business. We simply had to rent a shop and start textile or foodstuff business. Annual rent was Rs100 or Rs200 depending upon the size of the shop.
In those days, there was little international trade done and we conducted most of the business only with locals. We had no choice but to learn Arabic and Persian languages to do trade with them. We learnt Arabic and Persian not by going to school or employing a teacher, but by interacting with locals, both Arabs and Iranians on a daily basis. Hence, most of business community members of those days including myself had working knowledge of both the languages. Hardly any foreigners used to visit Dubai in those days.
Relations between all the inhabitants were very personal and cordial, everything was based on trust. The economy was not in good shape due to the collapse of the pearl industry. We used to pay courtesy calls on the Rulers and visited them frequently. We approached them for help whenever there was a problem, and they helped us solve it immediately.
Looking back, I feel my life in Dubai has been successful both in terms of business and social work. Thanks to His Highness Shaikh Rashid who granted me a large plot of land for the purpose of education, I founded the Indian High School. I could also serve Dubai on the boards of Dubai Electricity Co, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Al Maktoum Hospital for 15 to 20 years.
My favourite leader is His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who with his vision has modernised Dubai and the UAE in the shortest possible period.
Staff Reporter
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