Until a couple of years ago and well into his seventies I watched my father, Muhammed Mukhtar, work 7 days a week 365 days a year and yet showed very little signs of stress. He always has an air of peace and tranquility even at the most frantic of times. I never understood why he was that way, perhaps it was his religious beliefs and convictions.

Apart from work my father has always been fascinated with animals and I have never seen anyone better with them. They seem totally at home with him. His great love however is birds, particularly pigeons. Everyday during spare moments at lunchtime or after work he alway finds time to feed pigeons, watch their flights, clean their space and inspect their wings and coat. As kids we never understood his passion but accepted it. My mother, however always resented the time and devotion my father…