KG Abraham: Kerala millionaire tied to Kuwait apartment where 45 Indians died
‘Aadujeevitham’ translates ‘The Goat Life’ is a 2023 film about the struggle of a Malayali migrant labourer in Saudi Arabia. The film that made Rs 150 crore was co-produced by KG Abraham, a Kerala-based multi-millionaire. Ironically, Abraham is also the managing director of the firm which owned the building in Kuwait where 45 Indian workers lost their lives in an inferno on June 12.
A massive fire in the building killed 49 people, 45 of whom were Indians. Some of the bodies were so badly burnt that forensic tests were needed for them to be identified.
On Friday, an Indian Air Force plane brought back the mortal remains to India. The victims include engineers, drivers, supervisors and other professionals.
Who is KG Abraham and what is NBTC, the company that owned the building in Kuwait?
Abraham is the managing director of NBTC or Naser Mohamed Al-Baddah & Partner Trading and Contracting Company. It was established in 1977 and provides services in the fields of engineering and construction, logistics, hotel and retailing.
Abraham also heads the KC Group, which co-produced the film, ‘Aadujeevitham’.
A person who invested in post-war Kuwait and saw his fortunes grow, Abraham’s assets are worth Rs 4,000 crore, and he also owns a supermarket chain called Highway Centre in the Middle-Eastern country. He also owns a five-star property, the Crowne Plaza, in Kochi.
KG ABRAHAM WENT TO KUWAIT FROM KERALA IN 1976
Abraham came to Kuwait in 1976. The 22-year-old Kattunilath Geevarghese Abraham was ambitious, and he knew opportunities awaited him in the Middle East.
He made the journey from Niranam in central Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district to Kuwait. He completed a diploma in civil engineering.
His first job was in a construction company called Badha and Musairi and his salary was 60 dinars. Just seven years later, he would become a partner in NBTC. He would now start taking up minor civil construction work in Kuwait.
The Kuwait war was an important juncture in Abraham’s life. When the war started, he was on a holiday with his family. A month later, as the war ended, he returned to Kuwait. He invested in the country’s development after the war.
His construction company would go on to expand into oil and gas and other fields.
Abraham employed more people and the company, which started with 90 workers, expanded to 15,000 employees.
His assets were worth Rs 4,000 crore, and he also owns a supermarket chain called Highway Centre in Kuwait.
BACK HOME IN KERALA: HOTEL, CHARITY AND FEUDS
In Kerala, Abraham is a stakeholder in a five-star property in Kochi, the Crowne Plaza.
He also came into conflict with public works minister T U Kuruvila after he allegedly tried to sell 50 acres of wasteland to him. Abraham had already paid Rs 7 crore, but he refused to be part of the deal after he felt he was being defrauded.
When Kuruvila refused to return the money, Abraham went to the government and this led to the resignation of the minister.
Abraham also called out the CPM-led Left Democtaric Front government when he felt the 2018 flood relief funds collected from expatriates were not reaching people.
He also criticised the government when, in 2023, it said it would tax vacant houses as well. He said he would stop giving funds to politicians.
