Dakshina Kannada's Zakariya Jokatte named in Entrepreneur Middle East 100 NRI’s of the year
Jubail: Zakariya Jokatte, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of ALMUZAIN Gulf Saudi Contracting Company, has been named in this year’s “The 100 NRIs” by Entrepreneur Middle East.
The annual feature by Entrepreneur Middle East recognises 100 outstanding Non-Resident Indian entrepreneurs, and Jokatte has earned a place on the prestigious list.
Alongside Zakariya Jokatte, prominent NRI’s including Dr. Vivek Oberoi, Prashant Goenka, Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Faizal E. Kottikollon are also in the list.
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Zakariya Jokatte is widely regarded as one of the most respected names in the Beary community and among Kannadigas abroad.
Zakariya Jokatte’s story is one of grit and determination, rising from grassroots beginnings to global entrepreneurial success. Born on May 10, 1958, and raised in Jokatte of Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, he is the son of Haji Sheikunhi and Khatijamma and was named after his grandfather, Late Zakariya Haji, who led the Geni Guthu family and held sway over the area now known as Bajpe Town. Despite belonging to a well-known family, Zakariya Jokatte’s family fell on hard times, forcing him to discontinue his studies.
Taking responsibility for supporting his parents and siblings, Zakariya Jokatte initially started a small business selling jaggery door-to-door. The seasonal nature of the trade soon led him to work as a welding helper at New Mangalore Port in 1971 for a salary of Rs. 4. This experience eventually opened the door for him to join a Saudi-based dredging company, marking the beginning of his long-term dream of working abroad. In Saudi Arabia, his early years involved arduous construction work, including carrying cement over 21 floors and assisting in road concreting. Despite these challenges, he focused on learning new skills and seizing every opportunity for growth.
Zakariya Jokatte later joined a Dutch industrial services company, being selected as one of only 13 candidates out of 500 applicants. Within six months, he underwent intensive training in Holland, and in the following two years, he earned five promotions, reaching the highest position possible at the company. This experience inspired him to establish ALMUZAIN in 1996, which has grown into a leading industrial services company catering to the complex demands of the petrochemical and refinery sectors in Saudi Arabia.
Today, ALMUZAIN employs approximately 7,000 contractual workers, many from India’s coastal belt, with plans to expand to 15,000 employees by 2025. Zakariya Jokatte has also supported around 1,500 Kannadigas as employees and helped 200 companies, reflecting his commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and providing opportunities for others.
Beyond business, Zakariya Jokatte has been an active advocate for NRI welfare and women’s employment in Saudi Arabia. He is deeply involved in education and social service through his initiatives, including the Zara Charitable Foundation, and serves as Chairman of M Friends Charitable Trust, Mangalore. He also contributed to founding AlKhaadisa and previously chaired Hidaya Trust. His philanthropic work has earned him numerous awards, including the Star of Bearys Award, Vishwamanya Kannadiga Award, and the Successful NRI Entrepreneur Award.
A strong advocate for youth and community education, Zakariya Jokatte frequently conducts drug awareness programmes and encourages Muslim families to prioritize both religious and secular education for their children.
Notably, Zakariya Jokatte was awarded the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award under the Non-Resident Indian category in 2025.
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One dead in landslide, 235 rescued amid heavy snowfall in J-K’s Kishtwar
Jammu (PTI): One person was killed and another injured in a landslide near a hydro-power project, while over 230 people, including women and children, were evacuated after they were caught in heavy snowfall at the high-altitude Sinthan top in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials said on Monday.
In view of the inclement weather, the authorities have ordered the closure of all educational institutions outside the municipal limits in Kishtwar and adjoining Doda district for Monday as a precautionary measure, the officials said.
A landslide, triggered by rain, struck a hydro-power project site near Dangduru in Kishtwar district on the intervening night of Sunday-Monday, trapping two workers, the officials said.
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While one worker was later found dead, the other was rescued in an injured condition and shifted to a hospital, they said.
In another incident, the officials said, a joint rescue operation by the police, Army and the civil administration successfully evacuated 38 vehicles carrying 235 passengers to safety amid heavy snowfall at the Sinthan Top connecting Kishtwar in Jammu region with south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
“On March 15, information was received that 235 civilians were stranded at Sinthan top due to heavy snowfall and severe weather conditions. Troops of the White Knight Corps were immediately mobilised to launch a swift rescue operation despite the treacherous terrain and relentless snowfall.
“Braving extreme weather and snow-blocked roads, the rescue teams reached Sinthan top and provided the stranded civilians with hot meals, drinking water and shelter. Repair and recovery teams restored the mobility of the stranded vehicles, while passengers from the unrecoverable vehicles were safely evacuated.
“Medical teams rendered assistance and essential medicines to those in need,” the White Knight Corps said in a post on X.
“The mission witnessed seamless coordination between the Army, J-K Police and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, reaffirming the Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives in the harshest conditions,” the post added.
Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, along with SSP Naresh Singh and the commanding officer of the 11 Rashtriya Rifles, supervised the rescue operation, which continued for several hours, the officials said.
