In what could be the most exciting news to me, H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is visiting India this week! For all the people who know less of him, here's a slight intro.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed is the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the Capital of the United Arab Emirates. He is very very widely adored by both Locals and Expatriates alike, most notably because he shares a strikingly similar personality of that of his much beloved father H.H Sheikh Zayed (May god rest his soul in peace).
Why is he so awesome?
One of the main aspects is his humility that makes him stand apart from the rest of the world leaders. Despite being the Crown Prince of the Richest City in the World( As reported by CNN), he drives mostly himself, in a Nissan Patrol. Thats what the Average Joe in Abu Dhabi drives, so its quite surprising to see the CP to drive the same car, that too by himself! Him driving around how he makes sure Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are well within his eyes, its always good to know a leader is first-handedly making sure the city is doing well.
He is also very accessible to his public, head to the Jones the Grocer in Al-Nahyan area and you'll easily find him there, most likely surrounded by excited people wanting to take a picture. That's also where is office is.
Beyond that, there are some very interesting anecdotes of him as well.
There was a news story on how he offered a school kid a ride home, who was waiting in the heat for her dad who was running late to pick her up. Surprisingly, the girl declined saying her Mom had told her not to accept requests from strangers. At this, another Officer working for His Highness then informed the little girl that this was no stranger, but the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi! The girl however replied she was well aware of the fact, but still didnt want to disobey her mom. What happened next? Well, Sheikh Mohammed decided to then wait for her dad with her!
Super-Economic Power:
He is also why Abu Dhabi is on the global map today, be it the Yas Marina Circuit, or the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum. Not only that, the Cleaveland Clinic Abu Dhabi also opened doors recently thanks to his company, Mubadala. NYU Abu Dhabi is another success story credited to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed. He doesn't care if these earn money or no, all he wants is that his citizens get the best of everything in the world, be it Healthcare, Education or simply Leisure events.
With that, i wish Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed a very successful visit to India!
The Writer is a student hailing from Abu Dhabi, currently pursuing his studies in Mumbai.