‘I would leave home at 1.30am to reach Al Ghusais on time’
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He initially started working at Gulf News to help his family overcome some problems, but continued working here because he felt like “part of a family”, A. Abdul Razak who has worked for Gulf News as a distribution agent since December 5, 1985, said.
A world away from his home — the city of Thrissur in Kerala — he has worked relentlessly for all these years. From going door to door to spread the “joy of reading a newspaper” to cycling 175km daily in the past, while ensuring that readers get their newspaper without delay.
“My accommodation was located in one end of Deira and I would leave at 1.30am to reach Al Ghusais on time.”
Two accidents in the pursuit of the newspaper’s timely delivery have not put a dampener on Abdul Razak’s enthusiasm. Pain in his shoulder and steel rods in his leg after the accidents have not hindered him at work.
Armed with optimism and passion for his job, he even takes the screams, profanity and even an occasional newspaper thrown at him for being a few minutes later than expected as a good sign: that people eagerly await the newspaper.
Abdul Razak savours the chance to talk to his customers and these interactions are the favourite part of his job. He says he “feels good” when customers enquire after his health, in case he is “not the one delivering their paper”. However, it’s also sad watching everyone celebrate occasions like Eid with their families, while he is working the paper route. Nonetheless, he says these feelings soon fade away in the hustle and bustle of work.
This agent aspires to do this job for as long as he can “with the same discipline and hard work” he has put in for the last 33 years.