Happy Birthday UAE

 When I express myself to the public that I have been living in the UAE for 41 years they are in awe. All what I can contemplate of on this day is how UAE has evolved over a short span of time.

This reminisces about the time before a live audience singing the UAE national anthem in high school, I stood at ‘attention’ to show deference for the country. Our PE instructor had trained us to stand at attention, come what may — even if a bee tinkles around our heads.

Thank you, UAE, for giving me and many others the privilege to live here with myriad facilities available for the ease and convenience catering to the needs of the public. Due to the topnotch developments out here, there are many who head down to UAE to make their living.

There was a time I would escort my dad to his office at the World Trade Centre when I was a kid. Looking out from the 19th floor, all I could see was barren land. The WTC was the only building on Sheikh Zayed Road. But look at it now, filled with state-of-the art buildings on both sides that entail hotels, offices, cafes, restaurants and also the eminent and biggest skyscraper the Burj Khalifa located in the hustle and bustle.

With key economic development projects, the country is laying greater eminence on empowerment of its people. A hearty thanks once again.

Mathew Litty, Dubai