Wealth Redefined

Dubai is the closest holiday destination from India. Yet I happened to holiday to Dubai for the first time all the way from Sweden only this Christmas.

I did not think the place could astonish me in anyway as I have heard and read a million stories about Dubai. Besides, I have lived in Singapore with which it is often compared.

Nevertheless, being there physically just took the air out of my lungs. This oasis that was barren until the discovery of oil in 1971 had a foreigner population spur of over 300% thereafter. The abundant oil find in Abu Dhabi in spite of Dubai’s love hate relationship with its neighbour led to the formation of the seven UAE states. This makes the region obscenely wealthy. Dubai especially with its glamour image and free trade policies has turned into a financial refuge for the rich and the glitterati.

What the place lacks in sophistication it makes up with its spill of obscene wealth. They have created artificial beaches that are calm and serene. They have reclaimed land constructions to make gigantic villas, which maybe better called palaces. They have built artificial ski resorts and ice skating rinks so that they do not have to travel a million miles to get a taste of a different weather. They have built 828-meter tall towers to feel at the top of the world. They have created a new standard of luxury by making seven star hotels.

The city is on an economic downturn presently and all I saw was giant malls filled with shoppers carrying fancy shopping bags and a New Year firework display that could have fed an entire country for that day. The Sheikhs certainly have their priorities laid out clearly; they punish the criminals severely to make their land safe for none other than the larger and perhaps richer community of the tax invaders. They take hospitality seriously and do not mind going that extra mile to attract the rich and famous. They have managed to work out a win win situation for indulgences in entertainment, experience and the exotic. All in turn to their own benefit.