That was my second visit to Dubai (UAE — United Arab Emirates). It comprises seven autonomous Emirates in the Persian Gulf. Important among them being Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah (famous for conducting cricket Test matches watched by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim). A great place for shopping, famous for gold souks (gold market) and holiday. Night life is made attractive both indoor and outdoor. I saw some white kerb crawlers said to be Russians. It costs less also, being near to India like Malaysia and Singapore, but equally good. Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE and largest of the Emirates in geographical area. But Dubai is the happening place. Therefore, one would expect an Indian expatriate to venture into big business in Dubai rather than in Abu Dhabi. But not for one Indian.

That Indian is now doing extremely well in UAE headquartered in Abu Dhabi. He is Dr. B. R. Shetty from Udupi, Mangalore. He was twice Vice - President of Udupi Municipality from BJP when Dr. V. S. Acharya, former Health Minister in H. D. Kumaraswamy's Ministry, was the President. I had an opportunity to meet Shetty in his new apartment in Abu Dhabi, measure his accomplishments, know him and also his family members. It was a memorable meeting on 22nd Sept. 2007, a luncheon meeting with my wife and a couple friends. B. R. Shetty had just arrived that morning from Trivandrum where he had been to participate in a function. Yet, called us and sent a car to pick us up from our Dubai hotel.

Indeed he is a celebrity. An Indian Moghul in UAE. He is considered an “Indian Cultural Ambassador in UAE”. His business and industrial achievements apart, he is also known for his socio-cultural and humanitarian activities both in India and UAE. He is the Managing Director and CEO of three flagship companies: NMC Speciality Hospitals, UAE Exchange and Neopharma, covering healthcare, financial services and manufacturing — especially pharmaceuticals. He says the Czarene of Indian Biotechnology, Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon Ltd., also gets her products manufactured in his units. He is also into hotels, food etc.

Therefore, it is not surprising that in Janurary 2007, he was awarded the President's Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in acknowledgment of his outstanding achievement in the field of business and in recognition of his valuable contribution in promoting the honour and prestige of India and in fostering the interests of overseas Indians. He was also recognised for his outstanding contribution as a prominent Indian businessman in February 2007 by the Dubai Government. The Abu Dhabi Government has also honoured Dr. B. R. Shetty with the first ever “Order of Abu Dhabi” award. While savouring the liquid appetizer at the luncheon party, we indulged in small talk about his old times. A kind of nostalgia. He says he was a very simple person [Innocence of a person who has not tasted big money!] with no ambition to make money, wanting to help people whenever occasion presented itself and gave two interesting incidents as example.

He had purchased a gold sovereign (about 10 grams) for Rs. 2,800 and was keeping it with him. After a couple of years he happened to meet a lady, known to him, who bemoaned the sudden spurt in gold prices and her need to buy a gold sovereign for her daughter. The price was Rs. 4,800. Without a thought he told her that he had a gold sovereign purchased for Rs. 2,800 and he would give it to her for the same price. And he gave it to her! It did not even occur to him that he could slightly increase the price. The woman was overwhelmed and blessed him for this noble gesture.

In another instance, an old man mentioned his desire to live near or around the Sri Krishna temple of Udupi to Shetty and requested help. Accordingly, Shetty found a house and the old man purchased it. Later the old man visited Shetty and in a gesture of gratitude offered him Rs. 10,000. Shetty, true to his nature, said no. The old man was surprised. When people demand high commission for this kind of special service, Shetty considered it a help and social service. Of course, he too must have blessed the young Shetty. And such instances could be many in Shetty’s life. No wonder he landed in UAE and there too continues to serve the people in a manner God would appreciate and say: "Son, you are the blessed one."

Incidentally, it was a revelation for me to learn from his lips that the “King of good times” Vijay Mallya, who ventured into Dubai and was allegedly caught in a misadventure with the Ruler, was rescued at high cost by B. R. Shetty. That debt, the “King” owes to this Indian Moghul in Abu Dhabi even today.

Another revelation that surprised me beyond belief was about the gift of a Rs. 10 lakh diamond - studded wrist watch he presented to a Kannada actor who is also a politician. May be for favours done. This actor - politician, proudly flaunts this watch in parties and functions making others of his class look small and people like yours truly envious. No prize for guessing the actor, please.

After lunch it was time to leaf through photo albums and framed photos. My attention was drawn to a group photo with Puttaparthi Satya Sai Baba. Shetty, of course, was there. Looking at the photo, Shetty spoke of an interesting incident that preceded the taking of that photo.

It appears, Shetty had gone to Puttaparthi with the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi and some Italian friends of the Sheikh. When the Italians were introduced, Baba suddenly told Shetty that there was another Italian at the far corner of the huge hall and he be also brought before him to meet the Italians. So it was. He went to the far corner and enquired gently if any Italian was in the congregation. And lo and behold, there indeed was one — meek and humble — who got up in utter surprise and disbelief. When he appeared before the Baba, he prostrated. "I have been coming here for the last 10 years regularly. But I was not able to meet you. This is the first time I am able to get a personal darshan," he told Baba overjoyed with tears in his eyes. He was blessed, introduced to his fellow Italians and was asked to join the group for a photograph.

How did Baba know there was an Italian at the far corner? How could he remember him on seeing these Italians? Could be, that is Baba's way.

Our talks veered to Shetty's hospital where his wife, a medical doctor, also works. It all began when he was asked by the authorities to run the State - owned free public hospital which is now shut. I asked how then poor people can get medical care. Shetty shot back: There are no poor people in this country. I shut my mouth.

No wonder every time I go abroad (that's not often anyway) I return realizing how poor a country we are, how indisciplined we are, to what extent we lack civic sense, how dirty our cities are and wondering whether we really have roads remotely comparable to what I have seen abroad. Look at our taxi and auto drivers, all over India. In UAE, a taxi driver should know English, have good appearance, good manners and are tested for knowledge of various locations. Even take an exam. Our ancient India remains ancient while ancient Muslim countries like UAE, Malaysia and others are marching ahead of us, becoming modern looking like western countries. Indeed they are taking on the modern world, on their own terms despite their conservative Islamic traditions.

Think of this. Dubai and Abu Dhabi today have the vision for positioning these city-States as world class business centres. What the hell are we doing with our God-given Bangalore? Hell. Perish the thought. There is compensation. The city of gold, Dubai, is beckoning the world. Go there. The El Dorado of the West Asia.

K. B. Ganapathy
Editor in Chief
Star of Mysore
Mysore

Visitor's Feedback:

Dear Mr Ganapathy
I read your article, I do agree with what you have written about Mr Shetty, but I beg to differ with you, in other comments about India and your comparison with UAE, Malyasia and rest of the Muslim countries. Let me put the records straight, I have lived in this part of the world for more than 20 years.

First about poor people, gulf looks like an El Dorado, but it is like Kannada proverb, (in English translation ) the other side always looks greener or other man's wife is always prettier.

When you live here and experience the problems you will definitely say India is any day better than any other country in the world, I have seen a few countries myself, and I am writing with experience. Corruption, discrimination and poverty exist here just like India, only thing these countries are better are cleanliness, and orderliness., but both are because you are always under the threat of the local law enforcing authority.

You don't get a free press, totally censored, to quote an funny instance, a leading local daily by oversight advertised the availability of liquor in a leading restaurant run by a five star hotel. Some fanatic Muslim guy complained against it, and do you know the result, the paper was not allowed print its next edition. You cannot criticise the local leaders, every news is censored. Then how do you expect to get the true news from these countries. Come on you are an editor, you should have a balanced view, not one sided secondly you will know the true value of India only when you stay out and feel the homesickness.

I have stayed out of India for more than 20 years, today I only wear cloths, watch and shoes which is made in India. Mine and my friends children who were studying here for more than 10 years now doing their higher education in India, say India is 100 times better than any other country in spite of its all drawbacks and none of them want to come back here and look for work.

So please write anything, but don't degrade yourself and India, without knowing the facts in detail. I can write in reams of paper in praise and criticising India, but when I see the picture in complete dimension , I feel in spite of all it wealth and outward looking beauty these countries are only mirage, India is only the country which is real.

with regards
Ravi Shankar
justintime4336@gmail.com

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