'I had just $8 when I landed here'

Abu Dhabi - I was the first outdoor salesman of Abu Dhabi, who would book orders from supermarkets and general stores and deliver the merchandise - heavy cartons - on my shoulders.

Dr B.R. Shetty
Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of NMC Healthcare
I landed in the UAE on May 3, 1973, on an Air India flight. I was a 29-year-old man who had only $8. I came out of the airport terminal empty-handed as the Air India aircraft I flew with did not bring my baggage. So I had no clothes, shoes and other things I had brought with me.
I am thankful to a friend of mine, who was working here as an engineer, for advising me to come over to work here as the country had recently become a federation and rich oil resources were being pumped into building the new country.
I was the first outdoor salesman of Abu Dhabi, who would book orders from supermarkets and general stores and deliver the merchandise - heavy cartons - on my shoulders. I received my first salary of Dh500 from my employer, Al Fahimi group, which I sent to my mother to pay off the first installment of our family debt.
Back then in the mid-1970s, Abu Dhabi was a small town and oil revenues were building up, bringing prosperity into the city and society.
The city attractions were built around Corniche, Khalifa Street, Hamdan Street and Electra Street. Civic facilities were not as modern and luxurious as it is now.
My relocating to Abu Dhabi was lucky for me as it took me just 18 months to help my family out of its debt trap.
In 1975, inspired by the vision of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of providing the best healthcare facilities for UAE nationals and expatriates, I came up with an idea to set up a clinic and a pharmacy in a two-room apartment in the Madinat Zayed area.
New Medical Centre was started with a doctor, a dentist, a fully-equipped pathology laboratory, X-ray facilities and other services, which were available for a nominal fee. It was something new in an era when medical services were provided free of cost by the state. So, I introduced a new concept of paid medical services, which was quite successful.
In terms of business environment, the UAE has reached the league of the top 10 nations in the world. Now, everything is online and there are one-window services available. In the early days things were not so easy.
My favourite personality is Shaikh Zayed, the founder of the UAE, who built a welfare state and economic power in just few decades, and provided an environment and ecosystem allowing entrepreneurs like me to flourish and grow without money.
The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, are also leaders I deeply admire. Their leadership, acumen and futuristic thinking have made the difference in every sphere of life.
 

• Abu Dhabi