Capturing the spirit of Ramadan

Ramadan is a very special month and it is very different from all the other months that we experience in the year (“Google launches new search feature to mark Ramadan, Gulf News, May 14). The most obvious thing is the ambience that prevails during this time. The month has a great impact on how people conduct themselves, especially those who are fasting and those who interact with people who fast during the month.

It is very noticeable that there is an effort put in by people to be courteous and well behaved. As the leader of an informal amateur photography group, I take my shutterbugs to the labour camps surrounding Dubai and Sharjah to participate in the iftar proceedings, apart from encouraging them to capture the spirit of Ramadan.

It is a beautiful moment for all of us when we make an effort and manage to share their spirit and be with them at the time of ending their fast. This is one of the most important activities I look forward to during this month. It gives me a lot of satisfaction, and it is a great opportunity to see the larger picture of the less privileged who also need our attention, and this is the least we can do. Ramadan, indeed, brings in the mood for contemplation.

From Mr Mohammad Arfan Asif

Dubai

I miss you Mom

My mother was the chief executive officer (CEO) of our house (“Kareena champions girls’ education at Unicef

event”, Gulf News, May 15). Her day commenced at five in the morning an ended at around 11. That’s a minimum of 18 hours, daily.

She blended a ‘hands-on approach’, with pertinent delegation as a parent. She was adroit at all functions of management — be it finance, production or marketing. She was a strong cementer of her team.

To achieve this, she sacrificed her own stances and comforts. She did so, ungrudgingly. She was unsparing in her efforts. If a team member had an exam at school, and woke up at four in the morning to study, the CEO, would get up, at 15 minutes before to make a cup of tea.

The CEO also maintained a rigorous network with the kith and kin. She always knew what was happening, where, and gave her counsel wherever sought.

She managed her time thriftily. She was never free, but she always had time, for anything worthwhile. She did not maintain a digital diary, but yet found time to visit an ailing relative or stitch a missing button. She never compromised on matters of principle like integrity, keeping a promise or meeting commitments.

Above all, the CEO worked with complete passion for her team. She never thought of any reward or gain for herself. Her sole goal was that her team should perform well.

Some years ago, the CEO passed away, and was snatched away from her team. Every Mother’s Day, I ponder how much management I could have learnt from my wonderful mother. Now it is too late.

From Mr Rajendra Aneja

India