“Aadu Jeevitham”
“Aadu Jeevitham” is a Malayalam novel written by Benyamin, first published in 2008. The novel tells the story of Najeeb Mohammed, a young man from Kerala who travels to the Gulf in search of a better life, but ends up being trapped in a labor camp in Saudi Arabia for nearly two years.
The story begins with Najeeb leaving his village in Kerala to go to the Gulf with a group of other men from his area. They all hope to find work and earn enough money to support their families back home. However, when they arrive in Saudi Arabia, they discover that the conditions are far worse than they expected.
Najeeb and the other workers are taken to a labor camp, where they are treated like slaves. They work long hours in the scorching heat, with little food or water, and no breaks. The camp is run by a cruel overseer named Abu Muhannad, who beats the workers mercilessly for any infraction, no matter how small.
Najeeb tries to keep his spirits up by talking to his fellow workers and dreaming of his family back home. He also becomes close to a Pakistani worker named Ravi, who shares his dreams of a better life. However, things take a turn for the worse when Ravi is accused of stealing and is tortured to death by Abu Muhannad.
Najeeb is devastated by Ravi’s death and becomes increasingly desperate to escape the camp. He eventually manages to sneak out one night and begins a perilous journey through the desert. Along the way, he faces many dangers, including sandstorms, hunger, and thirst. He also meets a kind Bedouin family who offer him shelter and help him on his journey.
After months of wandering in the desert, Najeeb is finally rescued by a group of fishermen and brought back to Kerala. However, he is not the same person he was when he left. He has been scarred by his experiences in the Gulf and struggles to adapt to life back home. He also feels guilty for leaving his fellow workers behind and resolves to tell their story to the world.
In conclusion,
“Aadu Jeevitham” is a powerful and poignant novel that sheds light on the plight of migrant workers in the Gulf. It is a story of hope, resilience, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.