Instructions to make decisions within one minute

Agamir Somoy: Do you remember your father?

Manwar Hossain: I remember him every day, at every step.

Agamir Somoy: What do you remember most?

Manwar Hossain: When he was sick, I would see my father before leaving home for the office. After returning from the office, I would rush to him first. This still causes me a lot of pain.

Agamir Somoy: Which of his instructions do you still follow?

Manwar Hossain: He used to say, “Do not keep anyone waiting. No work should be left pending. Whether the answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ make the decision within one minute. A one minute delay means 14,000 minutes will be lost. Because we have 14,000 employees.”

Agamir Somoy: He was so smart despite not having much formal education.

Manwar Hossain: He learned everything from life. He learned through hardships and through being deceived. He also learned through profit and loss. He had Allah’s blessings and my mother’s prayers.

Agamir Somoy: Can you give an example?

Manwar Hossain: When the managing director of Anwar Landmark went to my father, he asked him, “You have built the building and included windows. Along with light and air, the sound of the call to prayer should also be heard.”

Agamir Somoy: Do you have any memories of your father with your grandmother?

Manwar Hossain: My father respected my grandmother immensely. Once, at an event, he was asked what a mother means. He began to cry. Then he said, “A mother means a ‘mother.’ There is no one more unfortunate in this world than someone who has no mother.” My father would not start any work without informing my grandmother.

Agamir Somoy: Do you remember any other instructions?

Manwar Hossain: My father used to say, “No one is born poor. Never look down on or belittle anyone. If someone is hurt by something and curses you, and Allah accepts that curse, your life will be ruined.”

Agamir Somoy: Did your father have any strict instructions regarding any particular issue?

Manwar Hossain: He used to say, “There is a lot of profit in the bidi and cigarette business. We must never get involved in this profitable business.” As the eldest son, I received many private instructions from him. I cannot share all of them. He prepared me in that way so that in his absence, I could fulfill his role and take responsibility for the family.

Agamir Somoy: Is there anything he particularly loved that still makes you think of him?

Manwar Hossain: He never sent anyone away empty handed. But he strongly rebuked beggars. He used to say, “If you give them alms, they will not work. If they do not receive alms, they will find some kind of work out of hunger.”

Agamir Somoy: I heard that he used to engage in a lot of charity and social work?

Manwar Hossain: (Remains silent for a while) You heard correctly. But I do not want to discuss the details. My father prohibited me from doing so.

Agamir Somoy: What did he give the most importance to?

Manwar Hossain: He addressed all employees as “you” in an informal and familiar manner. He would tell the employees, “Your sons and daughters should become doctors and engineers and come to work at my organization. They should not come looking for small jobs.” We had a guard. I cannot remember his name at the moment. My father’s encouragement and inspiration played a role in both of his children becoming doctors.

Agamir Somoy: The day your father died?

Manwar Hossain: How could I cry! The people around us, our neighbors, were crying so much that I was amazed by their emotions. My father could easily mix with people of all ages. He would keep in touch and ask about their wellbeing. That is why they had so much affection for him.

Agamir Somoy: You have 14,000 employees. When do you pay their salaries?

Manwar Hossain: Before the end of the month, on the 25th. During Ramadan, bonuses are given 15 days before Eid. The same is done for Eid al Adha.

Interviewed by: Rafiqul Bahar
Joint Editor, Agamir Somoy