Latest news with #Gafoor
NDTV
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Kerala Man Spent 51 Years In UAE Helping Indians, His Viral Return Will Move You
Thayyil Abdul Gafoor, a 64-year-old Indian expat from Kerala, has returned home after spending over five decades in the United Arab Emirates. Gafoor, who lived in the UAE for 51 years, played a key role in facilitating employment visa processing as part of his profession. Beyond his official responsibilities, he was known for personally helping many individuals from his hometown secure jobs in the Gulf. His efforts earned him deep respect among the Malayali community and the affectionate nickname "real-life Gafoor", a nod to the character from the Malayalam cult classic Nadodikkattu, though unlike the film's fictional conman, this Gafoor is celebrated for his genuine support. A video of his grand welcome ceremony in Kerala has gone viral on social media, with many praising his selfless service to the community over the years. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Siyotechandtravel by shihabu (@siyotechtravel) According to Gulf News, last week, he left Dubai for good after multiple farewell parties by friends and colleagues here. On his arrival at Calicut International Airport, Gafoor was given a surprise welcome. A busload of well-wishers shouting slogans and hailing Gafoor ushered him on to a state-run KSRTC bus rented to transport him to his village, Maruthinchira, in Malappuram district. As they reached their village with an overwhelmed Gafoor aboard the rented bus carrying a banner welcoming him, a public announcement through loudspeaker was made from an escorting vehicle: "Our own Gafoorka (brother Gafoor) has landed."
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Indian man who helped countless people land UAE jobs returns after 51 years, greeted by roaring busload of people
An Indian expatriate from Kerala, who spent over five decades in the United Arab Emirates assisting thousands with employment visas and personally guiding dozens from his hometown into jobs, has now returned home. The man, identified as Thayyil Abdul Gafoor, received a grand welcome as a roaring busload of people greeted him in Kerala, a moment that has since gone viral. The Indian expat known as the 'real-life Gafoor' left UAE after decades of helping jobseekers and received a grand welcome in Kerala.(Instagram/siyotechtravel ) Check out the clip here: Fondly called the 'Real-life Gafoor' Thayyil Abdul Gafoor, 64, is widely known as the 'real-life Gafoor' among Malayalis, a name earned for his generosity in securing jobs for others. The title draws a contrast with the fictional conman Gafoor from the 1980s Malayalam cult comedy classic Nadodikkattu. According to a Gulf News report, Gafoor bid farewell to Dubai last week after multiple parties organised by his friends and colleagues. Upon arrival at Calicut International Airport, he was greeted by a surprise reception. A busload of well-wishers shouting slogans rented a state-run KSRTC bus to carry him to his village, Maruthinchira, in Malappuram district. A celebration fit for a local hero As Gafoor entered his village aboard the bus, an escort vehicle announced through loudspeakers, 'Our own Gafoorka has landed.' His arrival was marked by a drum ensemble, followed by a public reception attended by local officials and residents. A tribute video highlighting his life's journey was also screened. The reception was organised by members of his neighbourhood group, the KKB Group, to honour the man who, unlike his on-screen namesake played by the late comedian Mamukkoya, truly changed lives. 'It is all thanks to Dubai' Speaking from Maruthinchira, Gafoor told Gulf News he was overwhelmed by the grand welcome. 'It is all thanks to Dubai,' he said. 'I reached heights that I had never imagined I would because of Dubai's generosity. If anyone's life has changed because of me, it is all thanks to Dubai. I have only been a catalyst.' He added, 'I am always grateful to Dubai and the UAE for providing livelihood to not just me, but millions of Indians, especially those from Kerala. In my case, it is the fourth generation that is calling the UAE home now.' Looking ahead in Kerala Community members said Gafoor personally helped dozens from his town with paperwork and references for employment in Dubai. While he admitted he never kept count, he credited his wife of 45 years for connecting many job seekers through her network. Now back in Kerala, Gafoor plans to enjoy his homeland, reconnect with people, and oversee a company producing Arabic breads, which he had started 15 years ago. 'I've spent a lifetime building a career and helping others. Now it's time to explore life in Kerala,' he said.
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Real estate firm PropNex donates $6 million to Community Chest for 25th anniversary
Find out what's new on ST website and app. (From left) PropNex co-founder Alan Lim, Community Chest chairman Chew Sutat, PropNex executive chairman Ismail Gafoor and PropNex CEO Kelvin Fong at a MOU-signing ceremony on July 15. SINGAPORE – PropNex, Singapore's largest real estate agency, will make a $6 million donation to the Community Chest to commemorate SG60, in addition to contributions to other charitable initiatives, including The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF). The donations were announced on July 15 by the firm's executive chairman Ismail Gafoor, at a ceremony for the company's 25th anniversary celebration. The event, which was hosted at the Marina Bay Sands convention centre, was attended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The $6 million donation, to be made over the span of 12 months, is the company's single largest contribution to the charity. In addition, PropNex has pledged to donate $1.5 million annually from 2025 to 2027. The property firm first started donating to Community Chest - the philanthropic arm of Singapore's National Council of Social Service - in 2013, and has given the charity over $10 million in the last 12 years. Community Chest supports children with special needs, children at-risk, and in low-income families, along with other causes. Since 2009, PropNex has been supporting organisations focused on underprivileged children and education, including Hair for Hope and Food-For-Families. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms, 1 lawyer over seized properties Singapore Air India crash: SIA, Scoot find no issues with Boeing 787 fuel switches after precautionary checks Opinion What we can do to fight the insidious threat of 'zombie vapes' Singapore $230,000 in fines issued after MOM checks safety at over 500 workplaces from April to June Business 'Some cannot source outside China': S'pore firms' challenges and support needed amid US tariffs Opinion Sumiko at 61: Everything goes south when you age, changing your face from a triangle to a rectangle Multimedia From local to global: What made top news in Singapore over the last 180 years? Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Mr Gafoor said the firm places an emphasis on its employee volunteering. He pointed out that employees would organise events for organisations such as the Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home. In 2024, PropNex's employees brought the home's children to an outing at Universal Studios. 'Giving money is easy,' said Mr Gafoor. 'It must be a culture within the organisation.' Mr Chew Sutat, chairman of Community Chest, said this was an example of sustainable philanthropy, as it 'is not just about dollars and cents – it's also about time.' Separately, Mr Gafoor also announced that PropNex has set up the PropNex Foundation, a fund which would support the education needs of underprivileged students. To launch the foundation, some $254,000 in education grants will be awarded to 160 students in Singapore in 2025. At the event, Mr Gafoor said his dedication to philanthropy was inspired by his father's journey to build a better life for him and his five siblings as a newspaper delivery man. 'My dad came from nothing, no education. He's a survivor. He came to Singapore and made a difference. I wanted to bring the same ethos to everyone,' he said. PropNex executive chairman Ismail Gafoor presenting a cheque for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund to The Straits Times associate editor Zakir Hussain on July 15. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Those childhood stories can also be found in Mr Gafoor's new memoir, 'I Am Not Good Enough', which was also launched on July 15. Mr Gafoor said profits from the book will be donated to the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which provides pocket money to children from low-income families. He also made an initial donation of $25,000, and presented a mock cheque to Mr Zakir Hussain, a board trustee of STSPMF and ST associate editor. At the event, Mr Gafoor also announced that he would step down as PropNex's CEO and will be the firm's executive chairman going forward. He added that deputy chief executive Kelvin Fong will take over as CEO.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Two-wheeler rider dies after hitting fallen electric pole in Kochi
KOCHI: A 54-year-old man died after his motorcycle hit a fallen electric pole at Kumbalam in Ernakulam in the early hours of Saturday. The incident sparked protests from local residents, who blamed the police and KSEB officials for the delay in removing the pole that posed a threat to the lives of commuters. The deceased has been identified as Abdul Gafoor, a resident of Aroor and an Usthad (religious teacher) at a mosque in Kumbalam. According to police, the accident occurred around 4.30 am while Gafoor was on his way to the mosque for morning prayers. A newly installed electric pole, not yet connected to power lines, had collapsed onto the road near St Mary's School around 3 am during heavy rain. Unaware of the obstruction, Gafoor crashed onto the post and sustained serious injuries. He was rushed to a hospital by police but succumbed to his injuries. Prior to this accident, another two-wheeler rider, a pujari had also crashed onto the same pole and sustained injuries. He was shifted to a nearby hospital. By morning, officials from KSEB and the Fire and Rescue Services removed the pole from the road. The Panangad police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Gafoor's body was handed over to his relatives after a postmortem examination. Local residents have expressed anger over what they describe as a negligent and delayed response from authorities. Simi Joby, member of Pravanam ward in Kumbalam panchayat, criticised the lack of prompt action, and the failure to place warning signs or barricades. 'It took several hours for the authorities to clear the pole from the road, even though the public had alerted them early in the morning. At the very least, some kind of warning should have been placed to alert motorists. In the meantime, two accidents occurred, one of which turned fatal,' she said. Responding to the criticism, Panangad police officials said they attempted to move the concrete pole twice in the early morning hours but were unable to do so as it was too heavy. 'We alerted KSEB and Fire and Rescue officials. Our team tried twice to remove the pole but couldn't, as it was a heavy concrete structure. While our personnel were still at the spot, we received an alert about another urgent incident and had to redirect our personnel,' a police officer stated. Authorities have since moved the pole to one side of the road. KSEB officials attributed the delay to a shortage of staff during the early hours.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tiger kills man inside rubber estate in Kerala's Malappuram
Kozhikode: Residents took out a protest march on Thursday morning after a tiger attacked and killed rubber tapper Gafoor Ali (43) at a rubber estate in Adakkakundu near Kalikavu in Malappuram. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They blamed forest department for failing to act even after confirming the presence of a tiger in the area three months ago. Gafoor is survived by his wife, three children and his mother, who is recovering from a stroke. The tiger attacked Ali, a native of Kallamoola in Chokkad panchayat, around 7.15am while he was tapping rubber inside an estate at Ravuthar Kunnu, around 3km away from the forest boundary under Karuvarakundu forest station limits. Abdul Samad, a fellow rubber tapper who saw the attack, said the tiger jumped on Ali from behind, bit his neck and dragged him away. "It happened all of a sudden. I saw a large tiger leap, bite his neck and drag him away. He let out a single cry and then there was silence," he said, adding that he shouted for help but there were no houses nearby. Later he phoned others and people arrived at the spot. They followed the trail of blood and found the body around 200m away from the spot where the tiger had attacked Ali. Forest officers said the tiger had eaten part of his body. The estate is owned by Edakkadamban Nazeer Hussain. The incident led to widespread protests and angry people prevented anyone from shifting Ali's body. Wandoor MLA AP Anilkumar said he had alerted the divisional forest officer about tiger presence around three months ago and had also raised the issue in the assembly and informed forest minister AK Saseendran. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The protesters demanded an enhanced compensation, a permanent govt job for a family member and added that the tiger must be shot. They ended the protest after three hours when DFO Dhanik Lal gave an undertaking that apart from the compensation of Rs 10 lakh, SDMA would be urged to provide an additional sum of Rs 4 lakh. Considering the family's hardship, the wife would get a temporary job immediately and a recommendation will be given to the govt to give her a permanent government job. Gafoor was laid to rest at Kallamoola Juma Masjid burial ground. A 25-member team from Wayanad and Palakkad were deployed to capture the tiger. Cages were deployed and kumki elephants will also be roped in for the operation. Saseendran said forest veterinarian Arun Zachariah will be a part of this team. The minister said that tiger presence was reported in the area two months ago and forest department had undertaken a vigil then. He added that CCF (Northern Zone) Deepa KS was asked to submit a report on the incident.
