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Father’s day special: Meet the Dads in UAE
Khaleej Times met a few businessmen - and busy men - who find time for their kids in the midst of hectic professional lives.
- PUBLISHED: Tue 21 Jun 2016, 9:03 PM UPDATED: Thu 2 Feb 2023, 3:01 PM
It's not so “daddy cool” when it comes to parenting, as mothers are the one who walk away with all the praise, leaving the fathers behind in the credits department. Comon lore has it that fathers are lacking when it comes to spending time with their children, or teaching them - whether it's moral values, or math before the upcoming exam!
Khaleej Times met a few businessmen - and busy men - who find time for their kids in the midst of hectic professional lives, and how they not only justify, but satisfy their families in their role as fathers.
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Top of the list is Rizwan Sajan, head of the Danube Group - founder-chairman to be precise. The billionaire and one of the UAE's most noted business personalities says he finds his real place and identity with his family, and also credits his sense of responsibility to fatherhood. His son, Adel, a director at Danube Group, also helps him foster lifelong business relationships.
Recalling how Adel started working for the company, back in his schooldays, Rizwan says, “In Adel's early days at the company, I would put him onto various tasks and in different departments, during his summer breaks. His first assignment was at the warehouse, with the blue collar workers, and thereon, he worked in almost every department until he turned 19.”
Though the father-son duo did not get to spend quality time with each other early on, things are better now, notes Rizwan. “We get to discuss things and even exchange some lifestyle tips, and we enjoy every bit of it.”
New age dads
Abhishek Mathur, director of Bollywood Parks in Dubai, has been married to Jyoti Rana - and his work - for 16 years, as he puts it. The father of two kids, Satya (15) and Sia (10) shares a friendly bond with them. “I want to be friends with my kids, and so want them to have complete faith and trust in me,” Abhishek says. For him, fatherhood is all about trying to get to know his children's likes and dislikes. “I ask for their daily school and social updates, and make it a point to get up early on weekends, to have breakfast, play board games, or go swimming with the kids,” he says. Of course, like most kids, they think he's trying too hard to be “cool”! But that doesn't stop Abhishek from looking forward to the day they can drive him around, and when they can go clubbing and partying together.
Zayd Maniar, founder and group managing director at Howrath Mak, says he is the most dedicated and focused person at work but relaxed and cool around his family. Blessed with a son Isa (8), and a daughter Zahra (5), he says fatherhood has made him more responsible and disciplined. “Being a father is a lot more about being a friend than people think. For me, the ideal way to spend time with them would be at the beach, or having an early dinner at a restaurant of their choice. Cycling and swimming also tops the list. He adds, “Coming home every day after a manic day at work and listening to them makes it all seem worthwhile.”
Exceptional fathers
Sujit Sukumaran, a cerebral palsy survivor and successful entrepreneur, derived inspiration from his father E.N. Sukumaran, who is no more now. He remembered how his father took up the challenge of shaping him into the person that he is today. Sujit recalled, “I was written off by every school, but my father, who never believed that adversity should define a person, displayed complete confidence in me. Despite my disability, he had great expectations from me; he used to always say 'son, go from disability to capability'. He was a pillar of strength and motivated me to lead a happy and successful life. I want to thank you, Dad, for everything.”
Gopal Radhakrishnan, father of Vaishnavi Gopal, a young girl who has limitations in mobility, strongly supported and instilled strength in her to take on her problems and face the world. Today, she works as as an assistant librarian at a school. Gopal talks about how his journey of self discovery started 21 years ago, along with his daughter's. “Motivation is the key in Vaishnavi's improvement; as a father, I was always there for her and will always be. She has come a long way and proved to the world nothing is impossible.”
ankita@khaleejtimes.com