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This is the safest place to live on planet: Haresh Mirchandani

Though he got a break, he soon started facing problems at work and decided to quit.

Haresh Mirchandani's journey in Dubai began some 19 years ago when he came in search of a job on visit visa for 14 days with the help of a far-off cousin. He wasn't aware that he was coming on a visit visa until he was told to book return tickets at the airport.
He came to Dubai with a dream to make it really big as at that point of time he was going through personal struggle back home. He lost his parents and was facing financial difficulties when he decided to take the risk of quitting his job at the Bombay Stock Exchange and move to Dubai with nothing in hand.
After much struggle, Haresh got a job and came back to Dubai on employment visa. Though he got a break, he soon started facing problems at work and decided to quit.
"I had only Dh100 in my pocket when I quit my first job in Dubai and I was thrown out of my accommodation as I couldn't pay the rent. My initial days in Dubai were very tough. I used to walk from Deira to Bur Dubai to save 50 fils on Abra, sleep on the staircase of a bank in Bur Dubai and was completely destitute.
Once when I was totally fed up with life here, I contemplated working at Khaleej Times newspaper (that I now subscribe to) as a delivery boy!
I used to notice KT delivery boys at the signals that time. I spoke to one of them to find out how they are paid. He told me their salary with incentives and a free cycle. I thought this would be a good option to survive. But, before I could apply for it I got a job offer in the insurance sector. I have never looked back after that."
Although he went through the toughest phase of his life in Dubai, Haresh says it has made him stronger and he has literally "grown" with the city. He is now so attached to the UAE that he cannot even think of going back and settling in his homecountry,  India.
"I don't see any reason to move back to India from here. This is the most safe and secure place to live on the planet. My children are getting good education here, name anything and you will get everything here in Dubai. I think I will spend the rest of my life with my family here and will try to give back to the country that has given me so much in the last two decades. 
Interviewed by Ankita Chaturvedi. Street Talk is a weekly column to get a glimpse of people's lives in the UAE
ankita@khaleejtimes.com