Latest news with #Noufal
The Hindu
29-07-2025
- The Hindu
July 30: a cup of memories, a dash of hope
The name 'July 30' on Noufal Kalathingal's cafe signboard at Mepadi town is more than just a date. It echoes both pain and purpose for him. It is a symbol of his resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. It is a tribute to the loved ones he lost in the Wayanad landslide disaster. When nature ravaged Mundakkai and Chooralmala on the night of July 30, 2024, Mr. Noufal was thousands of miles away, working as a chef in Oman. Just minutes before the disaster, he had shared a tender WhatsApp video call with his wife Sajna and their three children. He never heard from them since. Mr. Noufal lost 11 members of his family: wife and three children, his parents, his brother, sister-in-law and their three children. The scene that awaited him in Wayanad on July 31 was one of unrecognizable devastation. 'I had some hope until I reached Wayanad. My parents' bodies were recovered and buried the day before. It was the familiar sparkle of an earring that confirmed the unbearable truth: my daughter,' Mr. Noufal's words broke. It took Mr. Noufal nearly three months to confirm the identities of his other family members, including his wife Sajna, through DNA testing. With a heavy heart, he revealed the grim reality: 'My wife's remains are scattered in two graves. The same fate befell my children and brother.' The devastating landslide had dismembered bodies beyond recognition, leading to piecemeal burials before DNA results later revealed the true identities. His wife's dream was for Mr. Noufal to return home and start a cafe, a plan he was actively working on. 'I was saving up to make her dream a reality,' he said. Though Sajna is not there to witness it, her presence lives on in every cup of coffee he serves. 'I named my cafe 'July 30' to ensure that the Mundakkai-Chooralmala tragedy is not forgotten, unlike the 2019 Puthumala disaster that is already slipping from memory,' he said. Shared sorrow The Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) helped him set up the cafe in a rented building. He employs six workers who lost their livelihoods in the tragedy. More than coffee and snacks, the menu reflects the region's flavours: biryani, mandi, porotta and beef fry. 'This cafe is not about profits, it is about preserving memories and supporting those who lost their livelihood,' he said. Mr. Noufal's resilience is an inspiration to many survivors. Last month, he married Safna, 37. They are now preparing to move into a house donated by KMCC Muscat wing. Mr. Noufal's journey of healing and rebuilding enters a new chapter.
Indian Express
25-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Restaurant named July 30, new house: Wayanad man who lost 11 of family in landslide rebuilds life
On July 30 last year, the catastrophic Wayanad landslides wiped out 11 members of his family, including his wife and three children. But Kalathingal Noufal decided to rebuild his life, brick by brick. A year later, Noufal's story is one of grit, determination and massive community support. The 43-year-old has found a new partner in life, started a restaurant — named 'July 30' — and got a new house. Noufal lived at Mundakkai, the village in Kerala's Wayanad district that was totally wiped out in the landslides that claimed 298 lives, washed away houses and buildings, and buried whole families. On the day of the tragedy, Noufal was in Oman, where he worked as a chef. The next day, he flew back home, only to find just rubble where his house once stood. He soon learnt that his wife, parents and other close relatives were among 11 of his family to have died in the landslides. 'I had to go through the trauma of seeing their bodies. Of the 11, I could only identify five. The rest were identified through DNA tests,' he said. A few days after the tragedy, he said, 'I made the decision that I should look forward. I realised that my lost life, my family and belongings will never come back. While lodged in a temporary building, I decided not to dwell on the tragedy and the loss.' While counsellors had been deputed to help survivors deal with the trauma, Noufal said he told them not to visit him. 'Because every such session will only bring back those haunting memories. I tried to heal myself.' Not just his family, a large number of residents of his village died in the landslides. He said all this made him feel like going back to Oman, but he decided to stay back until the results of all the DNA tests were released. Then, the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen — a Muslim socio-religious organisation — came forward with help. 'The KNM offered me Rs 7 lakh to find a livelihood. It was my wife Sajna's dream that I should come back to Kerala and settle here by starting a restaurant,' he said. Deciding to carry forward the wife's dream, he started a restaurant-cum-bakery, which he named 'July 30' in memory of the day that upended his life, in Wayanad's Meppadi town on the road leading to the tragedy-hit villages. 'When I named the restaurant 'July 30', many people criticised me. But everyone who goes to the affected areas should recall that day, the tragedy and the loss. That will make people humble and bring them closer to God,' he said. Months after the tragedy, the Oman chapter of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), an expatriate charity organisation founded by the Indian Union Muslim League, bought land and started constructing a new house for Noufal at Moopainadu village in Wayanad. Last month, the KMCC handed over the key of the new house to Noufal. Last month, Noufal ushered in another new beginning by getting married to Safna. He said, 'A lot of people I did not know have helped me get my life back on track. I have never seen most of those benefactors. This happens only in Kerala. Now, people say that my life, the way I put behind those traumatic days, is a lesson for those who lost everything in the tragedy.'
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Time of India
2 held for attempt to steal cattle
Udupi: A special team of Gangolli police arrested two persons for attempting to steal cattle at Nada. SP Hariram Shankar said the main suspects involved in the case include Noufal,23, of Baikadi, Brahmavar taluk, and Nishad,23, resident of Mavinakatte, Gulvadi village, Kundapur taluk. They were presented before the court on Tuesday. Police said around 4 am on July 6, three persons in a white car arrived near Nada GP and attempted to load cattle sleeping next to a medical store into their vehicle. Upon seeing a vehicle on the road, those trying to load the cattle fled. It is alleged that the suspects came with the intention of stealing the cattle. A case was registered at Gangolli police station under sections 303(2) and 62 of BNS. To solve this case, a special team was formed by Gangolli police station, and on Monday, the accused were arrested. In connection with the case, a white car valued at Rs 5 lakh and two mobile phones worth Rs 9,000 were seized.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Police register 81 cases in Al-Muqtadir gold scam
Thiruvananthapuram: After Fort police, Cantonment and Thampanoor police also registered cases based on the complaints of those who allegedly lost money in the gold frauds involving Al- Muqtadir Gold and Diamond Group. The three cases related to the jewellery's Aristo Junction branch were registered at Thampanoor station and those related to the Pazhavangadi branch were registered at Fort police station (55 cases). The 23 cases at Cantonment police station were registered based on complaints related to the firm's Pulimoodu branch. Police said the number of cases will increase in the coming days as there are hundreds of complaints for which FIRs are yet to be registered. The owner of the group Muhammed Mansoor Abdulsalam, managers Noufal and Sabeer, salesmen Jesim, Unais, Rameez, Shemeer and others, along with agents Ashraf, Sabaad and others are the accused in the case. Meanwhile, Fort police also added global manager of the group Gulzar Ahmad Sett as an accused in the case. The accused allegedly cheated crores of rupees from several people by offering gold ornaments at a discounted rate without adding any making charge. People were also cheated by promising attractive profits upon investing in various gold schemes, the complainants alleged. Following this, Al- Muqtadir investors group representatives filed complaints against the firm with the chief minister's office and also with the state police chief. "It is believed that a fraud worth Rs 1,000 crores occurred through its 40 branches from Thiruvananthapuram to Palakkad. Over 2,000 people fell into the trap as the company hired several agents offering 10% commission to canvas people to invest in the schemes across the state," said one of the victims.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
10 more cases registered over Al-Muqtadir gold fraud
T'puram: Fort police registered 10 more cases related to the gold fraud involving Al-Muqtadir Gold and Diamond Group, adding several agents, salesmen and managers as accused in the case. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With the new cases registered, the total number of cases over the fraud rose to 18. Fort police said hundreds of people filed cases for being cheated by offers of gold at a discounted rate and without making charges. Several others were offered a profit share if gold was deposited at the jewellery. The complaints pertain to the branch of the jewellery at Pazhavangadi and there are cases against several branches across the state. "This could be one of the biggest frauds ever reported in the city as several people are coming up with complaints each day. We are registering cases on all complaints swiftly and the probe now is focused on collecting maximum evidence," police said. Meanwhile, police added the manager of the jewellery, Noufal, salesmen Jesim, Unais and Shemeer, and agents Ashraf and Sabaad as accused in the case. The owner of the group, Muhammed Mansoor Abdulsalam, was already added as an accused by Fort police days ago. The cases are registered under multiple sections of BNS and IPC. "After being canvassed by an agent named Unais, I deposited 292g of gold at the jewellery store on Jan 1, 2024, for 11 months. They offered me gold at the existing price during maturity. The price of gold went high during this period and I was supposed to get 364g. But in Jan, there was a raid at the shop and they could not keep their promise. After they crossed several deadlines, I approached police," said Shamla, 52, of Chithara. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Laija N, 48, of Chirayinkeezhu, deposited 92g of gold in 2023 for a monthly income of Rs 9,000 to 12,000 based on the value of the gold in the market. "I got the promised profit clearly in the first investment and the gold was returned after 11 months. I signed a new pact by depositing 109g of gold in June 2024, but I did not get any profit and the deposited gold," Laija said.
