Dubai Chamber of Surprise

I was waiting for my turn near the customer service counter at the office of Dubai Chamber. An elegant looking Arab gentleman came towards me and asked me if he could sit on the unoccupied sofa opposite mine. I gave a courteous consent.

In a while he struck the conversation by asking me if that was my first visit to Chamber’s office, how far I was waiting, and some general questions. We spoke for about 10 minutes on general subjects. I was under the impression that he was also waiting for his turn in the customer window. When I told him that I was working for a university, he expressed his interest in doing a master’s program and asked me the criteria for admission for the working people.

I told him categorically that if he wants to take admission he has to come through merit by writing an entrance and facing an interview. He asked, “Do you mean, I need to give an entrance?” I replied “Absolutely. Only through merits you can qualify to the master’s program. You can take evening/weekend classes if you are working. Where do you work?” “Well I am a Dubai Chamber Employee.” He replied after a pause.

Suddenly I realized that the administration staffs were looking from the corner of their eyes and smiling overhearing our conversation. He looked at them and turned towards me again and replied with a smile “My name is Atiq Juma Nasib and I serve Dubai Chamber like these people in the counter. Since I am the Senior Director, I have to serve more so I wanted to know whether you are happy with our services or not. Come to my office for a cup of coffee please.”

My facial muscles twisted and turned in utter embarrassment and I simply followed him to his office without uttering a single word.

We spoke for another half an hour in general. While I was leaving he gave me a gift which was a recently published magnificent book “Rise of the Nation”. I am convinced that a nation rises because of such role models!

Early Years

My father was a poor pearl diver and my mom was an illiterate house wife who had spent her entire life to raise a large family of a dozen kids. She used to walk a long distance keeping the basket on her head when she used to go to the nearby bazar to bring the items for daily needs.

I am not shy of this, rather feel proud that despite the odds we were very happy and had a natural and fun filled childhood. We were very social and had a great neighbourhood. I was naughtiest of all my siblings. Once I had a casual fight with a play mate. I knew that my mother would give me a set of advice and leave me but my father would punish me severely. So I came back home very late to avoid the encounter. I didn’t enter home, took a portable ladder and climbed the roof which was my favourite hide out and slept there itself. Before the dawn my father woke me up and gave me my dues!!! I regretted having forgotten to remove the ladder and keep it with me.

My father was a visionary and my mother having no formal education, was yet a wise woman. The days were tough but we were all filled with joy, energy and enthusiasm to witness our country spreading its wings in to the new era.

The country was metamorphosing.

My father guided me in to make right decisions while I was at the cross roads and in dilemma and my mother provided me with endless support. Both of them strived to give us the best education and upbringing to all of us.

There was no discrepancy in bringing the boys and girls when it came to education. One of my sisters is a popular journalist, rest of them are teachers. Three of my brothers are in UAE Air Force. Two out of them are pilots. One brother is a martyr. He died while saving life other people. He was a fire fighter.

A friend of mine was studying in the USA influenced me to pursue graduation there. That is how I attained my degree in Political Science and office administration from Denver, Colorado, USA.

Family

My wife is an American of Japanese origin. She was also studying with me in Denver. Once my dad visited me to the US and fell sick. My wife was just a friend then, nursed him with great care and won his heart.

When I returned home, my parents declared that she is going to be my life partner. So before I had decided, my parents had already made up their minds for which I am still thankful to them.

We have three daughters and one son. Both my wife and I have given them complete freedom to choose their life paths and gave the normal upbringing.  We have made them understand that they have to carve their niche in the society on their own. Currently they are pursuing to excel in whatever career paths that they have chosen from a make-up artist to a banker to a media personnel to a hotel and hospitality management.

Career

I loved teaching and feel extremely happy to nurture the young minds. So immediately after my High School Diploma I chose to be a teacher than to go to the University. I was a disciplinarian but very friendly. This made me quite popular amongst my students.

I remember that there was a small boy in my class. He was promoted to the higher grade after the final exams but he refused to go and started crying because he did not want to leave me and was adamant to be in the same class.

He is now holding a good position in the government but I still tease him even in front of his children!

The friend, who influenced me to pursue degree, had become the Director of the External Affairs in Dubai Chamber. He convinced me to join Dubai Chamber to reach out to a larger no of people to serve.

This is how my association with Dubai Chamber began in 1988. I have joined as an administration staff and over the period of time I have raised my level to the Senior Director. I believe that if one grows in the organization from the base rather than having a direct leap, he can have a better control and command over his position which is so essential to be a good leader.

Example is better than precept. I am a humble worker and want to set examp by doing not by preaching.

I have been recently appointed as the Deputy Chair of the International Country of Origin Accreditation Committee of the ICC World Chamber Federation. I am happy not only for holding a powerful position in an international organization but to have bigger opportunity to contribute my services to people in a larger way and  representing UAE in a global arena.

The growth of a nation depends on the growth of an individual. We are extremely fortunate to have the most outstanding visionary leaders who have brought the country in the epicenter of the globe.

We belong to a young and vibrant nation and take pride in it. This adds more responsibilities to us as nationals to give our best support to our leaders.

At the same time, I strongly believe that everyone who is living in this country has equal responsibility to help making UAE a glorious nation.

Even the expatriates who come to this land feel belonging to it and contribute to the betterment of the country because they are treated with respect and honour. This proves how fair and just the leaders we have.

Every morning when I wake up I extend my gratitude towards five entities Allah, my parents, my country, my organization and then to myself. This is my essential morning ritual to start my day.

We should be honest in our conducts, feel responsible towards society, practise good habits and preserve the natural resources. These are the qualities of a responsible and sensible citizen which should be inculcated within and to our youths.

By observing these practices we are extending our hands in the growth and prosperity of our great nation. I am not making these statements for the sake of it but I set examples by practicing them. I still use public transport like metro, bus and even the boats as much as possible.

Saving energy is everyone’s responsibility in whichever part of the globe that we live. We are fortunate to have the natural resources but if we are not concerned, proactive and work towards conserving the energy our upcoming generations will pay the heavy price for it.

On UAE and India Relations:

I don’t see any cultural and social boundaries between both the nations. India is a great nation and has great contribution towards the economic growth of UAE from over 70 years. I visit India very frequently and very warm receive very welcome from the people. Both the countries have great honour and respect for each other.

Pass Time Activities

I am people’s person and love to interact with them. I come forward to extend my helping hand. I also love to know about the social and cultural life of different countries this makes me visit many countries and mix around with people.

At home I love to cook. I make a variety of cuisines which includes Arabic, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Philippines and continental! I remember the recipes by heart. Not only that

but I also knows the secret formula to bring out the perfect and opulent dish.

He certainly has the ingredient, recipe and passion to cook a success story and serve the nation.

Snap Shots:

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Atiq Juma Nasib:    Senior Director of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industries. He

                                  Heads the Commercial Services Sector of Dubai Chamber which is

                                  responsible for facilitating commercial aspects of the business

                                  transactions and providing value added services to the business

                                  community.

                                  He is involved in several projects and initiatives of the chamber  

                                  which includes the prestigious Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum 

                                  Business Award.

                                  He is also the winner of the Dubai Government Excellence Award-

                                  2007.

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