Kundapur man among six Indians killed in Riyadh fire mishap; Bodies to be flown home soon

July 2, 2011

Riyadh, July 2: Seven people including a man hailing from Kundapur taluk in Udupi district, were killed in a fire mishap early on Saturday morning at Riaydh, the capital city of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The tragedy occurred in a residential room in the upper part of Al-Suvailin Supermarket in Bathha area of the capital.

Muhammad Kota

The Kundapur based victim, who was working in the same Supermarket, has been identified as 44 year old Muhammad Kota. The deceased Keralites are Abdul Rahim from Thrissur, Sulaiman and Ahmed Kabir from Nilabur, Sajith, Mavelikkara and Ajith from Ernakulam. The seventh victim is Salahi Rajesh from Nepal.

It is gathered that only seven people were there inside the flat, when it was engulfed by the fire.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed confirmed Six Indians were among seven persons killed in a fire mishap. “Five of the victims were from Kerala. The other Indian victim in the fire, which broke out in the second floor of a building at Al Bathha area of Riyadh, hailed from Karnataka”, he said.

He said that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh has been instructed to make arrangements for bringing home the bodies of the six Indians as soon as possible.

"Our embassy in Riyadh has been asked to make arrangements for flying home the bodies of the victims at the expenses of the Indian Government," Mr. Ahamed said.

Expressing sorrow over the loss of human lives in the accident, he said the Saudi Government would be ordering a thorough inquiry to ascertain the cause of the fire.

A large number of Indian workers including Keralites and Mangaloreans stay in the building.

Family shell-shocked

The news of the tragic death of Muhammad has left his family members in Padukere of Kota village in Kundapur taluk, shell-shocked.

Son of Late Abdullah alias Annunji Saheb and Late Khatheejabi couple, Muhammad was working in Saudi Arabia for past eight years. He is survived by his wife Aishamma, son Junaid, a PUC student, daughter Yasmeen, a class-X student, six brothers, three sisters and a large number of relatives and friends.

More details are awaited.

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Dakshina Kannada’s 8-year-old author debuts novel on world stage at Sharjah Book Fair

Media Release

November 24,2025

Sharjah, UAE: Ayisha Basheer Esra, a talented young writer hailing from Aramboor in Dakshina Kannada’s Sullia taluk, marked a significant milestone in her burgeoning literary career with the launch of her debut novel, The Betrayal of the Kingdom, at the Sharjah International Book Fair. The prestigious event, recognized as the world’s largest book fair, provided a fitting stage for the unveiling of Esra’s work.

The official release ceremony was conducted by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director of the Religious Affairs Office of the Sharjah Government and a distinguished member of the royal family, underscoring the significance of Esra’s achievement. Mrs. Lini Shivaprasad, Principal of GEMS Millennium School, Sharjah, had the honor of receiving the first copy of the novel.

The event was graced by the presence of numerous distinguished guests, reflecting the widespread recognition of Esra’s literary talent and the anticipation surrounding her debut novel. Among the notable attendees were Syed Panakkad Munawwarali Shihab Tangal, Dr. Mariam Al Shenasi, the UAE’s renowned writer and Head of Dar Al Yasmin Publications, Dr. K. K. N. Kurup, Retired Vice Chancellor of Calicut University and Historian, Sharjah Businessman Shamsuddin Bin Mohideen, Nizar Talangara, President of the Sharjah Indian Association, V. T Salim, Director of Silver Home Real Estate, Munir Al Wafa, MD of Lipi Publication Akbar, and other esteemed individuals.

At the remarkably young age of eight, Esra has already established herself as a prolific writer, authoring and publishing collections of short stories in addition to her newly released full-length novel. Her dedication to writing and her exceptional talent have positioned her as one of the youngest authors to achieve such literary success.

Esra is the daughter of Basheer and Haseena, residents of Aramboor, Sullia, and currently a student at Sharjah’s GEMS Millennium School. Her early accomplishments serve as an inspiration to aspiring young writers and a testament to the power of nurturing creativity from a young age.

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