But, he says, “Saudi Arabia is a wonderful place with congenial people and cordial atmosphere, making it an ideal learning ground for expatriates.”

Waseem, who has seen the Kingdom develop during his stay, and his wife Ayesha are leaving on Saturday for Lucknow but recollect their residency as “eventful and satisfying.”

He is among one of those privileged few who has prayed inside the Holy Kaaba and performed Haj 11 times.

A nostalgic Waseem still vividly recollects the day he arrived in Jeddah. “It was a pleasant evening in January, in 1974, that I first arrived in Jeddah — the Bride of the Red Sea. I just fell in love with her,” he said.

Speaking about old Jeddah, Waseem said, “In those days Jeddah was a city of just half a million people. Housing was cheap with a 2-bedroom flat rented out at SR200-300 and villas for just SR500. A family of 4-5 people could purchase a week’s groceries for SR100-150.”

Even the taxis cost only SR2 for any distance, but the preferred mode of transport was the coaster buses at 2 “gurush” (today’s 10 halala), Waseem said, adding, the only source of entertainment then was the screening of a weekly film by the Indian Embassy and the Saudi Channel 1.

Today there is a sea change, in the mode of transport and cost of living, but the one common trait that has been constant is the kindness and generosity of the local people, he said.

He said, contrary to perceptions, the interaction between Saudis and expatriates was high, cordial and friendly. “I cherish fond memories of Saudis — their honesty and generosity during my early days,” he said.

“During prayer times, shops including those in gold souks, were never locked. Shopkeepers used to put a net to cover the entrance to the shop and their goods,” he said while elaborating on the negligible crime rate in the Kingdom. “It still is the safest place in the world,” he added.

Waseem, who began his career with India’s national carrier Air India in 1964 at Calcutta, was sent to the Kingdom initially for three months to train the staff of Hatim Travel Agency, the then GSA of Air India, and to explore the market.

“You will be surprised to know that within three months Air India’s revenue increased tenfold and my posting was extended to one year,” Waseem said, adding that he also managed the inaugural Air India flight to Jeddah.

Waseem joined Hatim Travel Agency as general manager from Air India in 1980. Waseem resigned from Hatim Travel in 2005 and joined another big name in the travel industry, Zahid Travels, as operation manager. He retired from Zahid Travel in February 2010.

He was immediately hired by Attar Travels as manager IATA offices in the Kingdom. However, due to some difficulties in renewing his iqama on the grounds of his age, 70, he was left with no option but to leave the Kingdom with a heavy heart.

While speaking about his experiences in the Kingdom, many a time Waseem became emotional, particularly, when he spoke about the holy month of Ramadan. “I will terribly miss our Saudi friends and the iftars with them during Ramadan. It has enriched me with many unforgettable and beautiful memories.”

Waseem also fondly recollects the day when he met the late Indian Premier Indira Gandhi in 1982 when the leader laid the foundation stone for the International Indian School in Jeddah.

“A villa in the Baghdadiyah district housed the embassy and the school earlier and ironically my daughter Bushra Shahnaz Waseem, who now lives with her husband Imtiaz Ali Khan and three children in Alkhobar, was one of the first students of the new Indian school.”

As time wore on, Waseem recited an Urdu couplet to sum up his feelings, “Teri duniya se door, chale ho ke majboor, zara yaad rakhna, Jayeen kahin bhi hum; apni duaoon mein, hamen tum yaad rakhna.” (I am compelled to go far from your world but please remember me, no matter where I go, in your prayers).

“I shall be leaving the Bride of the Red Sea, with a heavy heart. But then again I am not really leaving her, for she will always be in my heart wherever I go,” he quipped.