Daijiworld Media Network (SR)

Dubai, Jun 18: Owner of popular Indian restaurant chain in the UAE ‘Eat & Drink’, V P Abdulla Mahmood, passed away at his home town of Kozhikode in Kerala on Monday, June 17.

Abdulla, 62, was under treatment for cancer in the US and India for the past six months, said a senior company executive, as per Gulf News.

“He and his wife Zainaba were back at home in Kozhikode. He was admitted in Aster MIMS Hospital yesterday after his condition worsened. He passed away around 5 pm today (Monday),” said Nishanth Arippoovil, HR manager of the group.

His two daughters and a son are UAE residents. They had flown to Kerala to attend the funeral of Abdulla on Tuesday.

The Eat & Drink, established in 1982, emerged from humble beginnings to become a renowned name in the restaurant and catering industry in the UAE with the slogan of 'quality food at affordable prices', and they also maintain the highest possible standards of hygiene and cleanliness. The group currently has 40 branches and more than 1,000 employees.

Back in Kerala, Abdulla was the managing editor of Malayalam newspaper ‘News Kerala’ and the chairman of CBSE school ‘Sapphire Central School’ and he was also managing several other business establishments in Kerala.