Over the next few days, over a dozen more flights are planned, to fly back more expats, including probably a few to Mumbai, depending on Indian Government’s clearances. Besides the medical tests and travel, Al-Adil Group helped provide full rations to around 50 poor and penniless labourers from Telangana who had no other resources left.

Datar describes the Kerala government as “very aggressive” to bring back Keralites with nearly 16 daily flights from the UAE where nearly 65 percent of the workforce is Indian and 90 per cent businesses also are owned/run by Indians. The Al-Adil Group is the leading manufacturer and distributor of Indian foods and non-food items with 34 outlets selling the ‘Peacock’ brand in the Arab world and India, employing over 500 employees.

The Akola-born entrepreneur, who rose from humble beginnings when he couldn’t afford a bicycle, now zooms around in a Rolls Royce, ranking among the richest Indian NRIs, but helps poor Indian farmers by eliminating middlemen in procuring his requirements to ensure a best deal for them. He also has been seen in events alongside top Bollywood stars like Madhuri Dixit, Karishma Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Shilpa Shetty among many others associated with his product brands.