Home Lifestyle ‘Real-life Gafoor’: Indian expat who helped many get jobs in UAE returns to Kerala after 51 years

‘Real-life Gafoor’: Indian expat who helped many get jobs in UAE returns to Kerala after 51 years

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By Staff Reporter
Dubai: An Indian expat from Kerala, who lived for 51 years in the UAE, facilitating employment visa processing for thousands in his professional role while personally helping dozens from his hometown secure jobs, has returned home. And his grand welcome party has gone viral.

Thayyil Abdul Gafoor, 64, is affectionately dubbed the “real-life Gafoor” by Malayalis. His name and the character of genuinely helping people secure jobs earned him the title, standing in stark contrast to the fictional conman from the 1980s Malayalam cult comedy classic Nadodikkattu.

Hero’s welcome
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.”

A coordinated drum ensemble greeted him upon arrival. This was followed by a public reception attended by local officials and residents. They also released a tribute video showcasing his life’s journey.
The grand reception was organised by well-wishers from his neighbourhood group, the KKB Group, to honour the man who made dreams come true for many, unlike his infamous on-screen namesake, played by the late Malayalam comedian Mamukoya.

In the 1987 movie, Gafoor tricks Dasan and Vijayan, characters immortalised by legendary actors Mohanlal and Sreenivasan, into thinking they have arrived in Dubai, but lets them off a boat off the coast of Chennai.

The unique reception accorded to the real-life Gafoor, known for never saying no to those seeking help, quickly made headlines and went viral in Kerala.

The unique reception quickly made headlines and went viral in Kerala.
The unique reception quickly made headlines and went viral in Kerala.
Supplied

All credits to Dubai
Speaking to Gulf News from Maruthinchira over the phone, Gafoor said he was stunned by the unique and heartwarming reception. “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.”

“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,” said the father of three and grandfather of seven.

Grocery boy to govt relations manager
Recalling his early days here, Gafoor said he came to the UAE at the tender age of 13 to join his father in 1974. “I came on a minor’s passport and got my visa when I was still in school,” he reminisced.

After landing in Dubai, he spent the initial years helping his father at his grocery in Ajman. Slowly, he picked up Arabic and learned to even read and write.

When he turned 19, he got married and soon got a civilian job at the UAE Armed Forces in Abu Dhabi. “I worked there from 1980 till 1997,” he said.
After that, he had a brief stint with Dubai Transport (the precursor to today’s Roads and Transport Authority). “I worked as a taxi driver for eight months. Once, I dropped off the protocol director of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel to the new hotel. He was impressed with my Arabic and offered me a job as the Public Relations Officer at the hotel.”

From then, there was no looking back. The flagship property was soon followed by several other luxury projects, and Gafoor jumped ranks from the position of PRO to the manager of government relations.

The go-to man
In his 28 years of service with the group, he helped arrange visas and other official documents for thousands of employees. “I have been blessed to work with people of 189 nationalities. I am proud to have helped with their visa, medical and other government-related documents.”

He has been honoured multiple times for his dedication at work and Gafoor thanks his company for taking good care of him.

Outside of his professional capacity, Gafoor earned a reputation as the go-to man for job seekers, particularly from his hometown, and even from other countries.

“He is not the Gafoor who cheated people with fake job promises, as shown ike in the movie. He is the real Gafoor who helped people get jobs and changed lives,” said Prasad, a Dubai resident who was among the well-wishers who threw the viral welcome party.

“Apart from that, he has been a guiding light for our whole village. He taught a village to dream; he loved his homeland and his homies even when he was thousands of miles away. We wanted to surprise him with a unique reception. What we have done is nothing compared to what he has done for us,” he added.

Helping hometown jobseekers
According to community members, Gafoor personally assisted dozens of individuals from his native town in finding work in Dubai, often guiding them through the paperwork and offering references.

“I haven’t kept a count of people whom I have helped get a job. I have been blessed to help people from various countries to get jobs. I only forward the CVs to my contacts and give my recommendation. They get the job because of their eligibility and luck,” said Gafoor.

“Most of the job recommendations from my place come through my wife’s contacts. She is always eager to help people in need,” Gafoor said, referring to his wife whom he married 45 years ago.

Now back in Kerala for good, Gafoor is looking forward to reconnecting with his roots. “I’ve spent a lifetime building a career and helping others. Now it’s time for me to enjoy my homeland. I want to explore life in Kerala, and India. Right now, I am enjoying the monsoon rains and meeting people from my place. I will start travelling later,” he added.

He also plans to oversee the operations of a company making Arabic breads, which he launched 15 years ago.
Source: Gulf News

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