KUWAIT: People watch as the van carrying the mortal remains of M Mathews (inset) is preparing to leave the premises of the National Evangelical Church Kuwait (NECK).

KUWAIT: Thousands of people flocked to the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait (NECK) in Kuwait City yesterday to bid a tearful adieu to M Mathews, a well-regarded social leader and Indian industrialist, whose mortal remains were kept in the church hall for people to pay their last respects. Mathews, popularly known as Sunnychayan, passed away in Kuwait on May 20, 2017 following a long illness.

Church volunteers and relatives struggled to control the mourners from all walks of life as they poured into the church to have a last glimpse of Sunnychayan, who played a crucial role in the evacuation of around 170,000 Indians from Kuwait in the aftermath of Iraqi invasion of the country in 1990, which is considered to be the world's largest civilian evacuation in history.

Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain, Indian Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Shubashis Goldar, Al-Sayer Group CEO Mubarak Al-Sayer, EMKE Group Chairman Yusuff Ali MA and NBTC Group Managing Director KG Abraham were among the dignitaries who paid tribute to Mathews. Braving the dust storm, a large number of people including top banking officials, businessmen, principals from various Indian schools and Indian community representatives also thronged the church to pay their last respects to the departed leader.

Mathews' constant communication with the United Nations and the Indian government eventually resulted in the safe evacuation of thousands of Indians who were trapped in Kuwait following the Iraqi invasion.

Mathews, son of the late A C Mathew and Aachiamma of Kumbanad in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, reached Kuwait in 1956 by ship and joined the Naser Mohammed Al-Sayer and Company in 1957. He retired from service as general manager in 1989.  During his six-decades-long life, Mathews built a vast network of friends and well-wishers in Kuwait. Mathews was one of the founding members of the Indian Arts Circle (IAC) which had been the common cultural platform for Indians for many years. He was the chairman of Jabriya Indian School, and officiated as chairman of the Indian Business Council. He also played an important role in the formation of the Malayali Christian Congregation in Kuwait.

He is survived by wife Mary Mathew and children James, Annie (Delhi) and Susan (lawyer, United Nations Human Rights Commission, Geneva). His body was flown to India yesterday, where his funeral will be held at 2.30 pm tomorrow at Elim Pentecostal Church, Kumbanad, Kerala.

By Sajeev K Peter