Dubai: Even as rousing cheer and applause ripped through the gathering of about 900-strong sales and distribution team of Gulf News, Mohammad Kabeer could distinctly hear the chime of wedding bells for his sister.
Kabeer, 26 who works as a distributor bagged Dh10,000 in the subscription campaign award ceremony held at the Palladium in Media City on Wednesday.
An elated Kabeer who was honoured for canvassing the largest number of subscriptions, said the prize money he received will change the fortune of his family, especially that of his 18-year-old sister Vajikarniza.
"My biggest dream is to marry off my sister. My father died a few years ago and that responsibility is mine now. I am going to send the whole amount to my mother who will now speed up her search for a suitable match for my sister," said Kabeer, who hails from Tamil Nadu, India.
He has been working for Gulf News for the past one-and-a-half years.
Welcoming public
On outshining nearly 900 employees, Kabeer said he found people so welcoming when he approached them with the Good Living subscription offer, introduced by Gulf News.
"When I see their responses and friendliness, I feel so proud to be working for such a popular product. It actually makes my job of getting subscriptions so easy," Kabeer said.
The award was organised by Gulf News for the fourth consecutive year to recognise the outstanding contributions of its sales and distribution team in helping the newspaper's retain its leading position in the market.
Awards were given in nine different categories. Individuals, teams and area managers were separately honoured in the function attended by Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Executive Director of Publications and Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News, Duleep George, Executive Director of Marketing and Sales at Al Nisr Group and other senior management team members.
Lauding the hard work and commitment of the sales and distribution team, Duleep George, said they did an exceptional job despite the economic conditions and competitions in the market.
"We have to thank the editorial [department] and other departments that give us a fantastic product. But at the end of the day, you are the ones who deliver it," George said to a cheering crowd.
When Jaya Anish clinched the third top honour in the individual category, it was again a girl's future that would be secured.
Anish, 23-year-old distributor from Tamil Nadu, India said he will use the Dh8,000 he won for his sister's marriage.
"I could not do much for my family when I was working as a mechanic back home. But ever since I started working for Gulf News from 2008, my family's lot has improved tremendously. Now I will be able to renovate my house so that my sister will get good proposals," said Anish.
Sweetening the success story of the newspaper is the personal and professional achievements gained by its long-time staff members like Thomas Philip, 59.
The account group manager who was recognised for his unflinching association with the company said his last thirty one years of service with the company has been his most fulfilling experience.
"I started as a sales supervisor at the age of 28 and have risen through the ranks as circulation sales executive, assistant branch manager and branch manager, Sharjah, to reach my current job profile," Philip said.
"The best thing about working for the company is that it makes you feel you are part and parcel of it. It is a wonderful feeling and I am proud to be associated with the company," said Philip, who hails from Kerala.
A beaming Mohammad Azhar, a distribution agent who has over nine years experience with the company said he and his family owe it to Gulf News for all their good fortune.
"I bought a house for my family, married off my two younger sisters, could send my parents on Haj and give my two children good education — all because of my job. I am sure I could not have achieved any of those if not for the employee friendly policies of the company," said Azhar.
