Mathunny Mathews Biography 
Mathunny Mathews was a resident in Kuwait, who remained in headlines in the early 1990s for the safe airlift evacuation of about 170,000 Indians from Kuwait during the 1990 Invasion of Kuwait and Gulf war. Hailed as the world's largest civilian evacuation in history, Mathunny Mathews added his name to the list of those social leaders, who stood for the service of those people who stayed away from their mother country and dear ones, to earn a living. His efforts came to limelight once again after 25 years, when a Bollywood movie was made based on these rescue operations. The movie titled Airlift released in January 2016 starred Akshay Kumar modelled on Mathunny Mathews, and opened to overwhelming response from all corners. The movie was a blockbuster. Unfortunately Mathunny Mathews died the following year.
Mathews hailed from Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. Eraviperoor near Kumbanad was his hometown. He was born in 1936. He moved to gulf during his younger days and worked with Toyota agency in Kuwait owned by the Al-Sayer Group. He reached Kuwait in 1956 at the age of 20. Spending so many working years with the company, he retired as company’s managing director in 1989. He was popularly known as Toyota Sunny. He also served as the chairman of the Jabriya Indian School in Kuwait, and one of the founding members of the Indian Art’s Circle.
Mathews had a very successful professional career in Kuwait. Yet he gained immense popularity due to the magnificent part he played in airlift evacuation of about 170,000 Indians from Kuwait during gulf war in the early 1990s. When Sadham Hussein invaded Kuwait over the oil disputes, thousands of people turned helpless. Majority of working people were Indians, with Malayalis being the major subgroup. Around 170,000 Indians became homeless and lost their all savings and money, and their lives too were in threat. Most of their passports were held by Kuwait employers who were either dead or fled from the place.
Some of Indian businessmen stood together, organized a group and helped Indians to reach the country. When thousands of Indians were stuck in Kuwait during Gulf war, with the support of Indian government, an airlift operation was held which safely brought 1,70,000 Indians to their mother nation.
Published: July 28, 2018
Updated: July 28, 2018
