In a heartwarming display of compassion, MA Yusuff Ali, chairman of the Lulu Group, has come to the rescue of a distressed woman in Kerala who was evicted from her home due to an unpaid loan. The incident, which unfolded in North Paravur, Kerala, saw Sandhya, a mother of two, and her children aged 12 and 7, left homeless after officials from the non-banking financial company (NBFC) Manappuram Finance evicted them.
Sandhya and her husband had taken a loan of ₹4 lakh from Manappuram Finance in 2019 for the construction of their house under Kerala’s Life Housing Scheme. The loan was taken in Sandhya’s name, and the house, built on a 4.8-cent plot in Madaplathuruth, was intended to be their family’s home. However, escalating material costs hampered the completion of the project. Adding to their woes, Sandhya’s husband left her and the children in 2021, leaving her solely responsible for the loan.
The outstanding loan amount, including accumulated interest, ballooned to nearly ₹8 lakh over the next three years. Manappuram Finance repeatedly warned the family about the unpaid loan, but Sandhya was unable to make the payments. On Monday, officials from the company initiated foreclosure proceedings and proceeded to change the locks on Sandhya’s house, effectively rendering her and her children homeless. The officials even refused to allow them to collect their belongings.
The plight of Sandhya and her children was brought to light by local media, prompting intervention from Opposition leader VD Satheesan. Satheesan appealed to Manappuram Finance to allow Sandhya and her children to stay in the house. However, it was the intervention of Yusuff Ali that brought about a life-changing solution.
Upon learning of Sandhya’s situation, Yusuff Ali, the Abu Dhabi-based businessman and Kerala native, immediately directed his team to repay the entire loan amount. He provided the family with ₹10 lakh, covering the outstanding loan and leaving a surplus for their future. The remaining money was put in a fixed deposit, ensuring financial stability for the family.
On Monday evening, Lulu Group’s media coordinator handed over the keys to the house to Sandhya, bringing an end to her ordeal and allowing her and her children to finally have a home again. This act of kindness by Yusuff Ali showcases his unwavering commitment to social responsibility and his willingness to help those in need. His generosity has not only provided immediate relief to Sandhya and her children but has also secured their future, offering them a fresh start and a sense of hope.