“I want to leave behind a legacy”

It is a story about a journey from abject poverty, through desolate orphanage to educational excellence, enviable career path and inspirational achievements.Abdul Nassar, a 42-year-old expatriate from Kerala, has not only become an inspiration in his native area but also in Qatar among well qualified and successful people. Born and brought up in a family always struggling to keep the wolf from the door, Nassar has made significant achievements through his resolve, determination and hard work. He is a marathon runner, a writer, and a motivational speaker.Nassar, who currently works with Qatar Petroleum as a chartered accountant, in an interview with Community shares his struggle and accomplishments at length.Sharing his background, Nassar said: “I have three daughters. My wife is a homeopath. I have been in Qatar since 2007.I was born into abject poverty. My father was a religious teacher in a mosque. When I was about 12, my parents sent me to an orphanage to ease their financial burdens. In the time spent in the orphanage, I learnt that education was the only way forward. I felt very lonely and urged my father that I would live with him in the mosque, where he used to teach and go to a nearby village school. When I realised that my father put me in the orphanage because of poverty, I committed myself to getting good education.“In my 10th grade examination, I barely got passing marks because I had not attended a good school. However, I passed 12th grade with excellent marks and did my BCom [Bachelor of Commerce] with distinction. During my college days, I learnt kung fu and worked as an instructor to support my education expenses. Later, I completed Chartered Accountancy in three and a half years with the support of some welfare organisations.“After joining the Indian Oil Corporation through a campus interview, there was no looking back. I have worked with Cairns Energy in India, Sabic in Saudi Arabia, Tasweeq in Qatar and am now working with Qatar Petroleum. I have supported my two younger brothers and a sister. One of my younger brothers is also a chartered accountant. My nephews and nieces are all inspired by me and doing well in studies.After obtaining good education and prosperous career, Nassar started working hard. The challenging career brought both affluence and bad health at the same time.He said: “My health started deteriorating; I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I went on medication. I got worried when one of cousins, in his mid-40s died in his sleep in the UAE where he was working. It was six years ago that I got inspired by the words of a visiting motivational speaker from Canada. I turned to a healthy lifestyle where I started regular walk, then jogging and finally, running. After two years practice, I started attending different marathons. I covered 42-kilometre-long marathons in Qatar, Kuwait, and France.Nassar recently took part in Ironman Race in Malaysia. He prepared for the race only after he got knee problem and was suggested to go for cross fitness training. He said: “I started thinking about preparing myself for triathlon, running, swimming and cycling. My knees improved by doing cycling. For swimming, I got proper training to be a professional swimmer.“In Ironman Race, I did eight kilometre open sea swimming, cycling for 180 kilometres, and running for 42 kilometres. It is considered the toughest one-day endurance challenge. I did all this in less than 15 hours. I may be the only chartered account completing the race so far.Meeting the challenges successfully, Nassar turned to be a motivational figure. He has also penned a book The Road Less Travelled. He has shared his story to inspire others. He is also a very good toastmaster. “I thought about sharing my story and motivating others a few years ago when I visited my village and some schools. I always tell the students in my native area that they can get everything in life only through education. The students got interested in my life and my friends advised me to note down my personal experiences. I got my book published very recently. I have started paying back to my people. I got good help from different people in my childhood and now I can pay it forward.“I have learnt that if you want to achieve some big goal, you need to break it into short targets. I did it while I was doing chartered accountancy. I would always concentrate on my subject or one paper instead of thinking how I would pass the whole course.“In Qatar, I also see many people looking for some kind of motivation. Both my successful career and athleticism are a sort of motivation for many people here. One needs to come out of one’s comfort zone.Nassar’s book has been receiving a good response both in Qatar and in India. “It is an international publication and its publisher is from Australia. The book is available online. It is basically a speech from me. The readers feel that I am talking to them. They feel connected.”People in Qatar see him more as a fitness inspiration. They come to him for advice on physical fitness. “Currently, I am having sessions on how to improve physical fitness while doing a regular job or a business,” he said.Sharing his future plans and goals, the marathon runner said: “I have bigger dreams. My book speaks about what is the real purpose of life. I have been switching my goals in all these years. I have learnt a lot. I want to share what I have learnt and see people happy. I want to leave behind a legacy.“I plan to work and raise awareness against the dowry system. I also plan to raise awareness about how important it is to support and educate a girl child. I will work for gender equality.“I also focus on a particular area where I will work to support the people. I want to support the people facing false and frivolous litigation. I want to discourage misuse of law especially in India.”In his advice to the young people, Nassar said: “What I have realised throughout my life is that the time is an invaluable thing. We have very limited time. I want to do different things. I will advise the youth that life and time both are very limited. Make maximum use of your life.”