Anand Mahindra’s Monday motivation is Dhiraj Jain, who opened his house to 200+ stranded Indians in Dubai, calls it true 'Atithi Devo Bhava'

When business leader Anand Mahindra shares his weekly Monday Motivation, it often highlights individuals whose actions quietly inspire millions. This week, the spotlight fell on Dhiraj Jain, an Indian businessman whose remarkable gesture in the UAE has become a powerful reminder of the timeless Indian ethos of “Atithi Devo Bhava” (The Guest is God).

Taking to X, Mahindra wrote: “When recent flight disruptions left several Indian families stranded in Dubai, Dhiraj Jain opened the doors of his farmhouse and welcomed them in.”

He added that Jain’s kindness is “a wonderful reminder that the Indian ethos of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ should travel with us wherever we go.”


Mahindra concluded with a heartfelt tribute: “Sometimes all it takes is one person opening a door… to restore people’s faith in each other. Salute to you, Dhiraj.”

A Haven for Stranded Travellers in the UAE

When flight disruptions across the Gulf left hundreds of Indian travellers stranded amid rising uncertainty in the Middle East, many families found themselves scrambling for accommodation in the busy travel hub of Dubai. With hotels filling up rapidly, options became scarce.

Instead of waiting for authorities or airlines to intervene, Rajasthan-born entrepreneur Dhiraj Jain chose to act.

He opened his sprawling farmhouse in Ajman, transforming it into a refuge for stranded travellers. What began as a simple gesture quickly turned into a large-scale humanitarian effort.

According to reports, Jain arranged 11 vehicles across Dubai to safely transport stranded families to his property. Within hours, the farmhouse had become a temporary sanctuary for more than 200 Indian travellers.

A Community Built on Care

Upon arrival, guests discovered a thoughtfully organised setup designed to make them feel safe and comfortable.

The property featured:

• Two large halls, each accommodating around 50 people
• Tents and mattresses arranged across the grounds
• Fresh home-cooked meals, tea, and snacks
• A safe and welcoming environment for families
• But Jain’s initiative offered far more than just shelter.

Travellers who arrived anxious and exhausted soon found themselves participating in yoga sessions on the lawn, cricket matches, and communal dinners, turning an uncertain situation into a moment of connection and community.

In one video shared by Jain, around 150 guests had already departed as flights resumed, while 80 to 90 travellers remained at the property, awaiting their onward journeys.

Restoring Faith in Human Kindness

The videos circulating online capture a heart-warming scene: strangers sharing stories over cups of tea, families practising yoga in the open air, and children playing games while waiting for updates about their flights.

What could have been a stressful ordeal instead became an experience of collective support and hospitality.

Jain’s efforts demonstrate that compassion knows no borders. In a moment of global uncertainty, his actions brought together people from different regions, backgrounds, and professions under one roof.

The Spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava”

For many Indians, the phrase “Atithi Devo Bhava” is more than a cultural slogan, it is a deeply rooted philosophy of welcoming and caring for guests.

Dhiraj Jain’s response to the crisis embodied that spirit perfectly. By opening his doors to strangers, he showed how traditional values can guide modern acts of generosity, even thousands of kilometres away from home.

Inputs from agencies