FINDING & CREATING a HOME

Priti Mahajan reflects on her journey of moving from Mumbai to Dubai, where her home has become a sanctuary, filled with her family's travels, memories, and the life they've built together

- PRITI MAHAJAN

I have have often wondered what the word home truly means. Is it the deep sense of belonging I feel when I visiting my parents in Chandigarh? The thrill each time I touch down in Mumbai? Or the tender emotion that washes through me whilst watching my daughter sleep peacefully in her bed in Dubai?

I was brought up in Chandigarh where my roots are deeply embedded. Mumbai is where I spent most of my adult life and I have an unshakable, irreparable bond with that city. Accepting Dubai as home therefore, was a process. I must admit however that Dubai is easy to fall in love with -with its proximity to India, a thriving expatriate community, and unparalleled safety. For me, its rich cultural landscape teeming with new experiences, evolving ecosystems, diverse perspectives, and layered history-was a big plus.

My husband Gaurav, our daughter Jiya and I arrived in Dubai four years ago with nothing but our suitcases, leaving behind the familiarity of our belongings packed away safely in storage in Mumbai. We set up base in a serviced apartment at Vida Emirates Hills, overlooking the Emirates golf course. Two enjoyable years went by before we decided to drop anchor and thus began our search for a more permanent home in the city.