We don’t meet many people. Therefore, the handful that we meet, are held dearly. They graced our lives and make it better. (Most of the time. Haha!) Thanks for meeting and accommodating us. Thanks for remembering us, inviting us and being our friends. Thanks for showing up, or just being there!
Diwali 2024 at our home, with Mihir and Aru, kids of our neighbours, and daily play-mates/ friends of Jayden!
Most of our gatherings happen during the Indian festive season. We’re half-Indian now anyway, and somehow, we’re more connected to the Indian diaspora in the UAE, than the others (like my fellow Malaysians, or the Chinese (my work colleagues), whom we used to meet a lot when we were in International City, or the Arabic) (probably because of the larger numbers of Indians in the UAE, and in the area that we live in).
Anu and Rajeshri (mother of Mihir and Aru), on Diwali, at their home
Another fellow resident of Oia Residence, KP Singh with wife Abha, and their 2 daughters, Advika and Shreya. Unfortunately, this would be their last year staying in Oia Residence. They’ve moved to a villa in Victoria Heights, Sports City… That’s what you call ‘Upward mobility.’ Way to go! Hope to still see you guys, OK?
Yet another Oia Residence family, Umesh Agarwal, Bhavna and their daughter, Dyuti, at our home. Last year’s Diwali was a little strange, in that some celebrated it on 31-Oct, while others celebrated it on 1-Nov. Umesh’s family celebrated it on the earlier date, that explains why they were not in festive clothes, which they’re usually in on Diwali
All part of the ritual, Anu blessing Milind, our neighbour, father of Mihir and Aru (above), on Bhai Dooj, celebrated 2 days after Diwali. On Bhai Dooj, sisters bless their brothers. Anu sorta adopted Milind as her godbrother when we moved to Motor City. That explains this ritual
Then we have the kids and their friends.
Justin with 2 of his friends, Moaaz and Angelina (if I’m not mistaken). Nope, don’t have better photos of Justin and friends, as Justin’s in Dubai only for 2 – 3 months in a year, and he usually hangs out outside, when he’s with friends… Even this photo, was sent by a friend to him (I took it out from his phone)… And that's not his specs (Justin doesn't wear specs). There’s another better photo of him with friends, but I’ve already posted it earlier
JAYDEN, why that sulky face??? Here’s he, with birthday girl Talia (…is that correct?!?), a classmate of Jayden’s. On a rare birthday celebration that he was invited to. At the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, in the neighbourhood (Dubai Studio City) next to ours… Jayden, you should be thankful, for being invited, not show a silly face! Even if you're not the best of friends with the girls in your class...
Jayden with his school choir mates (he isn’t shy about singing, and he could master tunes and lyrics pretty fast). Performing at a pre-Christmas function at a nearby Studio One Hotel, in Dubai Studio City
Then there are his teachers. Jayden with his Year 6 class teacher, Mr Chris McAuley. He would turn out to be one of Jayden’s favourite teachers of all-time
These are Jayden’s (and previously, Justin’s) school’s leaders. I only know one of them, Mr Nav Iqbal (far left, carried by an alien), the principal of the school, i.e. the GEMS Metropole School. The lady to his left, is a family member of the founder of the GEMS group of companies, which run many schools in the UAE
Here’s Jayden’s ‘right-wing’ guitar teacher, Sayan Ghosh. He used to be Justin’s teacher as well when we were staying in International City. Apart from teaching music, he organizes musical events and parties, hires out caravans and boats (yup, he owns a caravan (or 2) and a boat), teaches martial arts (Krav Maga), and maybe more. For the last few years, he’s given up on renting apartments in Dubai, and moved to a beach staying in a caravan…
And finally, my work colleagues… Last year was quite a fruitful year with photos, due to the string of farewells of colleagues leaving for a better future, or retiring.
A party organized by 2 ex-colleagues, Saji Gopalan (Structural Engineer – middle, bald-headed), and Sufian Qasem (Site Engineer – on the far left), who were leaving the company for a better future, at the CSCEC’s Close-Out Office in Al Awir. Thanks mates, for the treat. Wish you success wherever you go! Aruna (far right), tuck in your tummy, will you? The rest of the people, who are visible here are, from left: - Ashik Abdullakutty (Sr Stakeholder Coordinator – in dark green shirt); Shahjahan (Office Boy – in blue), Zhu Xiaofei (Admin Officer – after Saji), Madhavan Elampilan (Sr CAD Engineer – in pink shirt, talking to Saji), Basil Al-Araj (Project Manager, an Iraqi, seated – he would also retire a few months later), Madiha (Document Controller, the only lady in this photo), Jeboy Chacko (Technical Engineer), Ajayakumar Arjun (Commercial Manager, in pink shirt), Sajid Mahmood (Time Keeper), Usama (Safety Officer), Hazir (Land Surveyor), and Fayaz Ahmad (Electrical Engineer)
At the retirement party of our long time Safety Head of our Civil and Infrastructure Division, Mr Thomas Daniel (middle). With us, on the left, is Anilkumar Madhusoodhanan, Divisional Quality Manager. All the best Thomas! Thanks for your able leadership and sound guidance on all aspects regarding safety, for the past decade…
A group photo for the farewell of Faizal Abbas (Site Engineer – middle, chequered shirt) at the entrance of our Al Awir Close Out Site Office. The front row consists of, from left: - Jothidoss (Store Manager), Anoop Jayapalan (Quantity Surveyor – he would also leave, a few months later), Mohammed Siddiq (Quantity Surveyor), Faizal, and Madiha. The back row consists of, from left: - Safana (Quantity Surveyor), Arslan Chaudhary (Electrical Engineer, who has also left), Sunil Kumar EP (Quantity Surveyor), Hazir, Fayaz Ahmad and Sajid Mahmood
Another group photo. From left: - Jothidoss, Madiha, Faizal Abbas, Aruna Kumar (QAQC Manager), Eyad Al-Khaligy (Project Manager), yours truly, Ashik, Arslan, Aiman Gadallah (Sr Traffic Engineer), Siddiq, Sunil Kumar, and Anoop. Smile!
Thanks again. I hope you will all have a bright & hopeful future ahead of you. That’s all for now!
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