A LONG-Time resident is leaving with fond memories after spending more than three decades in the kingdom. Chandramohan Edathala, a former Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) planning engineer, arrived in Bahrain in March 1994, and after more than 31 years, will return to his hometown in Kerala, India, on January 1 to enjoy retirement.
Mr Edathala has been a GDN reader for more than 30 years and a subscriber for nearly 18 years.
Speaking to the GDN following his 70th birthday, the husband and father of two said he wanted to pursue his passion for travelling while still in the prime of his life.
“I am healthy and can still walk, so I wanted to take this opportunity to travel not just around India, but also around the rest of the world,” said Mr Edathala.
“It has always been my passion and I have made plans to visit either Hong Kong or Bali in May next year. Everybody has been good to me in Bahrain, and I am excited for the next stage in my life.”
Mr Edathala has been an avid reader of the GDN ever since he arrived in the kingdom – a habit sparked one early morning when he saw someone selling a copy.
“There was a man outside a petrol station in Hoora who sold the newspaper every day,” he recalled.
“Without fail, each morning, I would stop my car to buy the paper for 100 fils, back then. I love reading newspapers, and to this day, I prefer them over digital media and social platforms. I enjoy revisiting old copies every now and then – they bring back memories.
“I subscribed to the paper around 18 years ago, and I still have many copies, all of which are on their way to India right now.
“Perhaps the most memorable story I can remember is a special feature on the demolition of the Manama Power House, which was an iconic landmark near Umm Al Hassam.”
Mr Edathala’s tenure with the EWA mirrors a period of unprecedented development and modernisation in the kingdom. He saw the commissioning of major projects such as Durrat Al Bahrain, Riffa Views, the establishment of Khalifa Port, and the construction of vital infrastructure like the Shaikh Hamad Causeway and the Khalifa Causeway.
He also witnessed the developments of Amwaj Islands, Bahrain Bay, Bahrain Financial Harbour, Lulu Island, Diyar Al Muharraq, Marassi Al Bahrain, Water Garden City and Salman Town.
Mr Edathala has also been a cornerstone of the expatriate Indian community in Bahrain and a dedicated member and office bearer of the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS), serving in key roles such as librarian, assistant general secretary, and general secretary.
He has also been an active member of the Indian Club, Kerala Social and Cultural Association, the Palakkad Arts and Cultural Society and numerous other social organisations, remaining consistently involved in community affairs and charity initiatives.
His wife made her Bharatanatyam debut in Bahrain in May 2024 and continues to pursue classical dance alongside mural painting. Parting from her teachers and friends has left her deeply saddened.
Now, as he gets ready to go back to India on New Year’s Day, Mr Edathala expressed his gratitude to not just his colleagues, but to the kingdom as a whole.
“I am immensely grateful to all my colleagues in EWA and to Bahrain’s government,” he said. “Additionally, I would like to thank my friends and compatriots from all the social clubs and organisations I have interacted with. Long live Bahrain.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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