'The final farewell is not to a location, but to a period in your life that will forever remain with you,' remarked Manjuran Joseph Jacob, who has resided in the UAE for nearly half a century. When Manjuran decided to move from Muscat, Oman, to Dubai in 1978, he couldn't foresee the path this journey would lead him on. Yet, 46 years on, as he prepares to leave the country, he admits he is still not emotionally ready. Despite this move, he anticipates a probable return in the near future.

'I’ve established a home here' In a conversation with Khaleej Times, he expressed, 'In more than four decades, I’ve created a 'home' here. Departing now, I’m not just leaving a geographical spot, but a lifetime of experiences that have defined me. I haven’t spent as much time in my native India as I have in the UAE.' He noted that upon his arrival, he was single and is now a grandfather to several grown grandchildren.

'Thus, I sense a bittersweet feeling in knowing that while I may exit the UAE, one can never extract the UAE from me,' stated the 75-year-old Indian expatriate. Reflecting on his early days, Manjuran shared, '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 numerous friends.'

The septuagenarian, who holds a Golden Visa, has decided that even as he departs for his hometown in Thrissur, Kerala on Saturday, he will return to the emirate annually to spend a few months. 'Sometimes, it’s tough to articulate the reasons, but it ultimately boils down to how accustomed my wife and I have become to the life we chose decades ago. I spent 45 years with the same organization, advancing from an accountant to General Manager in a company I played a pivotal role in founding and nurturing over the years.' 'The UAE has provided me with so much -- a place to grow, to succeed, to love, and to live,' he added.

Similarly, Alphonsa Jacob, his 65-year-old wife, found it challenging to balance teaching children, managing household duties, and working during her early years in the UAE. 'My company granted me much flexibility when my children were young, those were tough times. However, over the years we’ve gained a lot from this city. Now we're very content 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 compensate for the lost time.'

Alphonsa emphasized how she has aged while witnessing the city's growth and transformation. '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 remembered how during her younger years, her husband would only get tickets to travel to India once every two years.

'Consequently, we often missed family gatherings and festive celebrations. However, as we stayed on, over time, as Dubai flourished, we too benefited from its prosperity. Gradually, we began traveling to India more frequently, almost every six months.' The long-time Dubai resident, who has mainly lived in JLT, noted that convincing her husband to retire had been difficult.

'Initially, he had said he would retire at 70, but that decision was delayed by another five years…as if he was never ready to retire. Today, we are deeply thankful for this place, and we will certainly keep coming back. But as we prepare to bid our farewell, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions -- nostalgia for the places 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’.'