A Multi Faceted Personality

Professionally significant achievements

Dr Karim was the first Director of the first ever Domestic Passenger Air Taxi in India, known as Air Asiatic, which initiated its operations with a Boeing 737 during the time when private airlines had begun their services in India. Dr Karim is the one who introduced the upbeat Malayalam Channel, Asianet TV, in the Gulf. It was a boon for many Keralites who have been settled here. Later, Asianet Radio was also launched. Dr Karim is also associated with a number of other business ventures, handling responsibilities at various designations. He is the chairman of World of Stars Advertising (WOSA), an independent franchisee of Jeevan TV- Dubai.He is the Director of Malabar Gold, Dubai and Kerala, Director of Capital Retreat located in Trivandrum- an upcoming four-star luxury hotel, and Chairman Next Link Security System, Dubai. He is also the Vice Chairman of Blaze Park located in Alappuzha, Chairman of Empees Group- the owners of shopping mall, community hall in Kerala, Director of Majlis Health Park in Mundoor, Chairman of ALTA World Travel & Tourism, Calicut, Cochin & Thrissur, and Chairman of San Marco Supermarket & Catering, Dubai.

ALTA has been actively involved in Travel, Tourism and Cargo Services and has been offering quality services which have given them the privilege to represent some of the well known air carriers like Saudi Arabian Airlines, Syrian Airlines, Czech Airlines, TWA and Latvian Airlines in the Emirate of Dubai

Moreover, he has succeeded in promoting tourism of India in the Gulf through various exhibitions, trade shows and group trips organized especially for Arabs. He has also helped hundreds of people seek good job opportunities in the Gulf. Dr Karim has been able to enrich the Gulf about the cultural diversities of India, by supporting Indian art and culture and bringing the richness of the same through various social activities. He was the first Convenor of the Nedumbassery Airport, Cochin, in the Dubai. In any event that sees top delegations from India visiting the UAE with some specific agenda, Dr Karim marks his presence and supports the cause to take it to the right authorities in the UAE.

The Educational Forefront

Gulf Model School, Dubai, prides at having Dr Karim as the Managing Director. The school that has about 3,000 students functions to the levels of excellence under his leadership. The 33-year-old school is successfully training its students to become successful professionals and responsible citizens. Dr Karim is also the chairman of Oxford English School in Venkitangu, Trustee of Sir Syed English School in Chavakkad, and Vice Chairman, Axis College of Engineering & Technology in Chalakkudi, and Chairman of Madar English School, Vadanappilly.
Dr Karim has also been the pioneer of youth festivals of schools in the UAE. His association, Dubai Kairali Kalakendram, with his initiative was the first to organize an event in which all Indian schools, which will come to around 60, and 2500 students take part every year. Moreover, Dr Karim was the convener of EDUCON in the UAE, which was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Altruistic services as a Humanitarian & Social Worker

Dr Karim has led a team of people organizing relief camps for tsunami victims and also raised a huge amount for the same. He has also been active in contributing towards the Chief Minister’s Fund drive for the welfare of the people. Moreover, he has also provided money towards the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund after the devastating earthquake in Gujarat. He also arranged for five containers of food and dress through the Indian Consulate following the earthquake.

VEXAS, an association founded by Dr Karim offers various schemes for the people of Venkitangu. The Association undertakes works like providing pension to needy people and availing job opportunities as part of which they have also been providing sewing machines. In addition to that, they have established a medical center where free and low cost treatments are provided. Besides, he has started an insurance scheme for the people of Venkitangu through which, the families of the deceased members have been given monetary help of upto Rs 20 Lakh.

Dr Karim has also actively participated in the Help the Needy for Kidney scheme in the Gulf. He has been the convener of the cancer awareness seminars conducted in Dubai for Pain & Palliative Cancer Care, with Sunil Dutt and veteran Malayalam film star Madhu.

Dr Karim has been known for the kind of work he has been doing for fellow Indians in the UAE. He is the one who has bridged the gap between Indian art and culture and the diaspora in Dubai. In doing so, he has been acclaimed with various laurels, below mentioned is a list of the same.He was the President of Dubai Kairali Kala Kendram, the first Malayali organization established in 1976, for a record period of 18 times. Earlier, he had also served as the general secretary of the organization twice.He is the chairman of the Middle East wing of Global Kerala Foundation, global chairman of VEXAS(Venkitangu Expatriates Association) UAE, president of Kannoth Issathul Jumaath Committee in Dubai, former president of Muslim Educational Society(MES) in the UAE, founder member of Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC) under Indian Consulate General, member of Indian Worldwide Chapter of Commerce(IWCC), former president of Swaralaya-Middle East, former convener of UMA(United Malayali Association), global chairman of Sree Chithira Thirunal Smaraka Sangeetha Natya Kalakendram, life and founder member of Indian Association Sharjah, Executive member of MSS, president of Indian Relief Committee UAE, former president of POORAM (Association of Thrissurians) and Association of Indian Muslims in the UAE.

Series of Awards & Achievements

In 2015, Dr Karim received a Doctorate in Humanity from the Academy of Universal Global Peace vested by American Federal Government/European Commission. He has also been honoured with various awards. Some of these are as follows:

Bharat Gaurav Awards by India International Friendship Society and Oxford English School, BGA Award from Face International School, Jeevaragam Global Award for exemplary work outside India, AP Aboobaker Musaliar Award from Markaz, Calicut, Santhwanam Award from SYF, Trichur, Award for Best Social Worker from various associations like Sree Chithira Thirunal Smaraka Sangeetha Natya Kalakendram, Trivandrum, Jeevan TV, Dubai Kairali Kala Kendram and BEARY’s Cultural Forum, Pravasi Samskarika Prathibha Award from Welfare Land, Trivandrum, Award of VEXAS for exemplary service to the people of Venkitangu, Best Social Worker Award from Muslim Welfare Association, Trivandrum, Award of Appreciation for Social Work from Nanma Vatanapilly, Award of Appreciation for Social Work from MES, Al Ain, Award of Appreciation for Educational and Social Work from London City College, UK, Dubai Campus, Award of Appreciation by Gulf Model School in Dubai, and Voice of Gulf Returnees Excellence Award, TVM. In 2011, he received Excellent Leadership Award from Kannoth Jamaat Committee and Pravasi Ratna Award for Best Social Worker from Theeram UAE.

In 2015, Dr Karim received a Doctorate in Humanity from the Academy of Universal Global Peace vested by American Federal Government/European Commission. He has also been honoured with various awards.

In 2011, he received Excellent Leadership Award from Kannoth Jamaat Committee and Pravasi Ratna Award for Best Social Worker from Theeram UAE.

In 2012, he was conferred with an award of appreciation for his educational, cultural and humanitarian services by GMS Dubai. In 2013, he received Shaktan Thampuran Award from SNCA Thrissur, Sevana Ratna Award from Sumi Cultural Centre, Award for International Malayali Achievement from KSCS and Ramanujam Award from SPARK, Tamil Nadu. Moreover, he has also won movie awards from the Government of Kerala and Critics Award for movie produced by him named ‘Mazha’.

A man of benevolence, Dr Karim stands as an inspiration for others owing to his social work and initiatives to mark a place for Indians residing outside India. Dr Karim is married to Soudha, a homemaker, and they have four children–two sons and two daughters. Faizal is a businessman, Fahad works for Saudi Airlines, Raseena is an Arabic teacher and Alia is a doctor. All are married and settled.