Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, June 23: NRI businessman and philanthropist Zakaria Jokatte was presented with the "Guest of Honour Award" at a ceremony hosted by the Mangaluru Press Club on Monday, June 23. The event was inaugurated by former MSEZ PRO Ramachandra Bandarkar.
After receiving the award, Zakaria delivered an emotional address, recounting his journey from poverty to becoming the founder of one of Saudi Arabia’s top industrial service companies.
“This is a deeply emotional moment for me. I hail from Jokatte and am one of five siblings—one younger brother and three sisters. I failed my SSLC as I couldn’t complete my education due to our family's dire financial condition. At one point, we lived in a Gutthu Mane (ancestral house), but my father incurred heavy financial losses and fell into bad habits, which left us in poverty.”
He continued, “At a young age, I started selling jaggery door-to-door, carrying 50 kilos on my head. That step, I believe, was the beginning of my success. My parents’ blessings and the support of my siblings have always been my inspiration.”
Zakaria went on to share his early struggles in the workforce: “Later, I started working as a welding helper for a salary of just Rs 4. Then I joined a dredging company for a year, which proved to be a very good learning experience.”
He also recalled how his social service connected him to a life-changing opportunity: “With the Masjid, we used to perform duff and go door to door collecting funds for the marriage of underprivileged girls. One day, I attended the wedding of the daughter of a man known as Bawa Tiles. I asked him if he could help me go to Saudi Arabia for work. That’s how my journey began on September 27, 1979. I worked for six months as a construction labourer there, which was extremely challenging. In between, I also worked in Mumbai.”
“Eventually, I returned to work with the same dredging company in Saudi, doing various jobs and earning about 600 Riyals a month. I focused on improving my skills and learning as much as I could,” he said.
His hard work and focus soon bore fruit when he was selected for a rare opportunity. “Out of 500 applicants, only 13 were chosen, and I was one of them, selected by a Dutch industrial services company. Within six months, I was chosen for tough training in Holland. In just two years, I was promoted five times until I reached the top position. That experience gave me the courage to start Al Muzain in 1996.”
Almuzain, now one of the leading industrial services companies in Saudi Arabia, caters to the complex needs of the petrochemical and refinery sectors. “My core principles have always been safety, quality, and commitment. Today, ALMUZAIN employs around 7,000 people, most of whom are from the coastal belt of Karnataka. I treat my employees as partners—their success is my success, and mine is theirs.”
Zakaria emphasised that he has no intention of stepping away from his work. “I don’t plan to retire—it’s up to God when my time comes. True happiness lies in hard work. No one ever became poor by helping the needy. Don’t react to criticism. We are born naked and will leave this world the same way. We can’t take our money with us. What matters is love, care, and compassion.”
He concluded with a message of hope and development for his homeland: “For true success, you need to have a dream. Our district must develop, and people must live in peace and harmony.”
He also shared current initiatives and future plans: “I have collaborated with Yenepoya to build an international school and university in Saudi Arabia. I’ve also partnered with known doctors to open a clinic in the UK and am planning a football academy in collaboration with Juventus. Plans are underway to set up a skill development centre in Mangaluru.”
Extending a helping hand to youth from underprivileged backgrounds, he added: “If any diploma or mechanical engineering graduates from underprivileged backgrounds are seeking job opportunities, they can reach out to me. Our company provides one week of initial training for all new recruits. I am ready to help anyone willing to work hard.”