(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)
Published: Thu 5 Sep 2024, 6:00 AM
Last updated: Thu 5 Sep 2024, 7:42 AM
'The final goodbye is not to a place, but to a time in your life that will always be with you," said Manjuran Joseph Jacob who has spent nearly five decades in the UAE.
When Manjuran chose to relocate from Muscat, Oman, to Dubai in 1978, he had no idea where this journey would take him. However, 46 years later, as it is time to pack up and leave the country, he says he is still not mentally prepared. Even as he takes this step, he anticipates he will probably return soon.
'I've built a home here'
In an interview with Khaleej Times, he said,“In over four decades I've built a 'home' here. Leaving now, I am not just departing from a geographical location, but from a lifetime of experiences that have shaped who I am. I haven't spent as much time in my home country in India as much as I've spent in the UAE.”
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He said when he came here, he was a bachelor and now he is a grandfather with a few grown-up grandkids.
“Therefore, I feel there is a bittersweetness in knowing that while I may go out of the UAE, one can never take the UAE out of me,” said the 75-year-old Indian expat.
Recalling the early days, Manjuran said,“A year after I arrived in the UAE, I got married, my wife gave birth in India and then joined me here, my sons were raised here. They are married and have become parents. So, now I have family here and several friends.”
The septuagenarian, who is a Golden Visa Holder, has decided even as he leaves the country for his home town in Thrissur, Kerala on Saturday, he will always come back to the emirate annually and spend a few months here.
“Sometimes, it's hard to articulate the reasons, but it ultimately comes down to how accustomed my wife and I have become to the life we chose decades ago. I spent 45 years with the same organisation, progressing from an accountant to General Manager in a company that I played a key role in establishing and nurturing over the years.”
“The UAE has given me so much -- a place to grow, to succeed, to love, and to live,” he added.
Challenges of early years
Similarly, Alphonsa Jacob, his 65-year-old wife, believes it was a difficult time as she balanced teaching children, managing household responsibilities, and working in the early years of her life in the UAE.
“My company allowed me a lot of flexibility when my children were young, those were challenging times. However, over the years we've got a lot from this city. Now we're very happy because our two sons are well settled, and we have grandchildren.”
“We missed out on being with our children all the time due to being working parents and not having much time to spend with them, but now we can make up for the lost time.”
Alphonsa highlighted how she has grown older while witnessing the city's development and evolution.
“The Dubai government has done an exemplary job in developing the emirate for both its citizens and residents. The safety and infrastructure of this city and the public amenities for its citizens and residents are outstanding.”
She recalled how during her younger years, her husband would only get tickets to travel to India once every two years.
'Reaped benefits of prosperous Dubai'
“As a result, we often missed family gatherings and festive celebrations. However, as we stayed on, over time, as Dubai flourished, we too reaped the benefits of its prosperity. Gradually, we began travelling to India more frequently, almost every six months.”
The long-time Dubai resident, who has primarily lived in JLT, noted that persuading her husband to retire had been difficult.
“Initially, he had said he would retire at 70, but that decision was pushed back by another five years...as if he was never ready to retire. Today, we are immensely grateful for this place, and we will surely keep coming back. But as we prepare to say our goodbye, it's natural to feel a mix of emotions – nostalgia for the places that we've frequented, the people we've met, and the experiences that shaped our time here, especially with all the memories, experiences, and the unique vibe the city offers...it's like 'heaven to me'.”
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