Kerala man goes 'missing' by choice for 40 years in Dubai

Stories of reunions are usually tearful or happy–this is well, bizarre! Baputty or Abdulla Punathil Usman who hailed from Thrissur district of Kerala went to Dubai in 1974-75 from Mumbai on a ship with a valid visa and went missing for 40 years. He was found on a hospital bed in Dubai by his family this Friday. So, where did he disappear for 40 years? According to an Indian Express report, Baputty lived in an Arab’s house and has never seen the city–he hasn’t even heard about the famous Burj Khalifa. Although the minimum wage for a domestic worker in UAE is 1,100 dirhams, Baputty told his nephew Haneefa that the Arab paid him 500 dirhams. However, government sources who are investigating Baputty’s story told IE that he worked for an old lady “who liked him and treated him well.” But it was Baputty who did not want to leave and never asked for a raise. “He was just happy staying there,” the sources told IE. But, Baputty’s friends and family think the Arab was the villian. Speaking to The Indian Express, one of Baputty’s friends from those days, Abdul Gafoor, said that he met him when Gafoor was running a transport business with his brother - also a friend of Baputty. [caption id=“attachment_1767427” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  UAE has around 17.5 lakh Indian expats of whom 8.5 lakh are from Kerala, according to statistics provided by the Indian Consulate. AFP[/caption] “He was always vague whenever we asked him about his family. He used to say he was Abdulla from Malappuram.” Baputty’s nephew Haneefa, who came to get his uncle back said that the Arab for whom his uncle worked for should pay for his treatment and his return. “He says he was happy there because they gave him food and a place to sleep. But that’s because he has no idea about what’s been happening in the world outside. He’s been in hospital for a month now, and the Arab has not come to visit him. Will my uncle get some financial compensation and an air ticket back home?,” she asked. Read Baputty’s full story in the Indian Express here.