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New Delhi, May 21: The biggest human evacuation in the world was done by Air India in Kuwait and this was possible due to Matthunny Matthews, an Indian businessman settled in Kuwait on whom Akshay Kumar’s hit film Airlift was based. Matthews, who helped Indians stranded in Kuwait during 1990’s Gulf War to get back home, is no more. He passed away in Kuwait on Saturday.
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar who essayed his character on screen in Airlift movie took to Twitter to express condolences. He wrote, “Extremely sad news, was an honour to portray him onscreen. Thoughts and prayers with his family #RIPSunnyMathew“.
The 81-year-old was not keeping well for the past some time. He belonged to Kumbanad village, Kerala. Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala expressed his condolences saying the 81-year-old had helped many Indians get back home during 1990 Gulf war and his services would always be remembered. ” He made no efforts to save his own life or property, instead he helped his countrymen who had lost everything in war, added Kerala CM.
“He provided food and drinking water to the stranded Indians and we remember it with gratitude,” Vijayan added.
The biggest evacuation in history which also entered Guinness Book of World Records had been carried out by Air India in 1990 under the VP Singh government. Over 1.5 lakh Indians who were stranded in the Gulf war were brought back safely. At that time Mathews had functioned as the Central Government’s “unofficial representative” in Kuwait to coordinate the evacuation process, the Chief Minister said.
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