6/14/2024
Kuwait fire: KG Abraham, MD of NBTC group where deceased Indians worked, was behind a film on migrants
Jun 14, 2024 09:58 AM IST
KG Abraham's NBTC group, which was established in 1977, currently operates in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Kerala businessman in Kuwait KG Abraham, who co-produced the film Aadujeevitham that depicted the challenges faced by a Malayali worker in Saudi Arabia and earned ₹150 crore worldwide, was the partner and managing director of the firm in Mangaf where most of the 45 Indians, including 24 from Kerala who died in the massive blaze on Wednesday, worked.
A Kuwaiti citizen and several foreigners were arrested on Thursday for charges related to causing death and injuries due to negligence in security and safety measures. The public prosecution has begun investigating the fire to understand how it started and what led to the tragic incident. There is no official information yet on the cause of the fire. Some local media suggested it might have started due to a gas leak from the building's ground floor. The prosecution stated that a special team inspected the fire site and visited hospitals to question those injured in the incident.
At least 49 foreign workers died, and 50 others were injured in a fire at a seven-story building in the southern city of Mangaf, where 196 migrant workers were staying.
Media reports claimed the building was owned by Abraham's NBTC group, which was established in 1977, currently operates in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It offers services related to engineering and construction, hotels, logistics and retail.
Who is KG Abraham?
KG Abraham hails from Niranam in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. The 69-year-old businessman is one of several businessmen from Kerala who succeeded in the oil-rich Middle East. He was the third child in a farmer’s family and flew to Kuwait in 1976 at the age of 22, Indian Express reported.
With a civil engineering diploma and a strong ambition, he started working at a construction company, Badha and Musairi, for a monthly salary of 60 dinars. Seven years later, Abraham became a partner in NBTC (Naser Mohamed Al-Baddah & Partner Trading and Contracting Company) with an initial capital of 4,000 dinars.
Initially, NBTC focused on smaller civil construction projects in Kuwait. Eventually, NBTC expanded beyond Kuwait and entered sectors like oil and gas. Starting with 90 employees, it grew into a significant employer in the Middle East, employing 15,000 people, the company's website states.
Along with NBTC, he heads the KG Group, which produced the renowned film Aadujeevitham. Abraham is also the chairman of Crowne Plaza, a luxury hotel in Kundannoor, Ernakulam, and a partner in KGA Elite Continental Hotel in Thiruvalla. He has invested in real estate projects in Kerala as well, Kerala Kaumudi reported.
He also owns a supermarket chain named Highway Center in Kuwait.
Abraham, known for his charitable activities, had also criticised the current LDF government, stating that the flood relief funds raised from expatriates in 2018 did not reach the intended beneficiaries, The Indian Express reported.
What has NBTC group said so far?
The group said in a press release, “We are in touch with the families of those who lost their lives and those who are injured. We will keep all updated on a regular basis, the true and factual information about the incident. Our team is relentlessly working on all the arrangements needed thereof and assures everyone that we will not spare anything for whatever is needed on our behalf.”
It added that the NBTC would offer “fullest assistance to the families of those who unfortunately lost their lives and to the families of those who are injured. We assure the families of those who are injured that almost all are reported to be stable by hospital authorities.”
“We will pay to the family of every employee who passed away ₹8 lakh. Besides, we will pay out the insurance when the claims are received. We will always be with the families and will offer employment to members in the family and other help,” it further said.https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/kuwait-fire-kg-abraham-md-of-nbtc-group-where-deceased-indians-worked-was-behind-a-film-on-migrants-101718331838907.html
Aadujeevitham - The Goat life is a 2024 Malayalam-language survival drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Blessy. The film is an international co-production involving companies in India and the United States. It is an adaptation of the 2008 best-selling Malayalam novel Aadujeevitham by Benyamin, which is based on the real-life story of Najeeb, a Malayali immigrant laborer, one among thousands of Indians who were forced into slavery in Saudi Arabia as goatherds on secluded farms in the deserts by the native Arabs.[6] The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Jimmy Jean-Louis and K. R. Gokul in lead roles, with Talib Al Balushi, Rik Aby, Amala Paul and Shobha Mohan in supporting roles. The film was initially banned in the GCC countries other than UAE, subsequently the ban was lifted in all the countries except in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.[7][8] The novel was also previously banned in the same countries.
Blessy had wanted to adapt Aadujeevitham ever since he read the novel in 2008 and has cast Prithviraj as the lead. The following year, he bought the rights from Benyamin and began writing the screenplay. However, due to budget constraints which prevented substantial progress, the film went into development hell. Blessy spent years searching for a producer, finally finding one in 2015, allowing the project to gain momentum. Jimmy Jean-Louis and Steven Adams joined Blessy as co-producers. A. R. Rahman composed the film's original score and songs.
Principal photography took place in phases between March 2018 and July 2022 through six schedules in the deserts of Wadi Rum, Jordan and the Algerian desert in the Sahara with some scenes shot in Kerala, India. The crew was stranded in Jordan for 70 days from March to May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions. They were eventually repatriated to India via the Indian government's evacuation programme, Vande Bharat Mission. Filming concluded on 14 July 2022.
The film was released worldwide on 28 March 2024 and grossed over ₹160 crore (US$19 million) till date.[9][10] The Goat Life is currently the 3rd highest grossing Malayalam film of all time, the 2nd highest grossing Malayalam film of 2024, the 4th highest grossing South Indian film of the year as well as one of the highest grossing Indian films of 2024.
Plot
In Saudi Arabia, Najeeb Muhammed and Hakim, two Malayali immigrants, arrive seeking a better life with visas arranged by their acquaintance Sreekumar. Stranded at the airport without knowing their employer, they are approached by a local Arab who mistakenly assumes he is their boss. Following a long journey, they are separated, with Najeeb left to work in a remote desert goat herd.
Enduring harsh conditions and isolation, Najeeb witnesses the demise of a fellow goatherd, realizing the peril of his own situation. After years of suffering, he is reunited with Hakim, who introduces him to Ibrahim Khadiri, a Somalian goatherd with knowledge of escape routes. They seize an opportunity during the Khafeel's daughter's wedding, fleeing into the desert.
Their journey turns perilous as they struggle to find sustenance and direction, resulting in Hakim's death and Najeeb's near demise. Eventually, Khadiri also disappears. Alone in the desert, Najeeb eventually reaches civilization with the help of a passing Arab, and finds a local Malayali restaurant owned by Kunjikka, who nurses him back to health.
However, Najeeb's troubles are far from over. He faces imprisonment due to his own documentation issues where he meets the Khafeel, who leaves him as he is not his official sponsor and cannot take him back. Despite this setback, Najeeb eventually returns
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