The road less travelled proves successful

Ibrhaim Kutty (65), an entrepreneur in the business of aluminum products, is a person who never misses an opportunity for social service. Called Kutty Mothalali or Kutti Sahib or Kutty Dhani, he is looked upon by Malayalis residing in Manipal and Udupi, as the man to approach during difficult times. Kutty's ideology and beliefs can be narrowed down to two things, God and parishrama (hardwork), the latter incidentally is the name of his house at Hiriyadka.
His journey from a school drop out to a successful entrepreneur makes for a good celluloid story.At 16, Kutty hailing from Ilamadu of Kollam district, ran away from home in 1962 while studying for matriculation. With Rs 3 in his pocket, his only dream was to be an entrepreneur.
Kutty landed in Kochi and ended up as a canteen worker assigned to grind chilies. With the dream of becoming an entrepreneur still burning in his belly, he moved to Tamil Nadu and later to Coorg, where he worked as a watchman in an estate. The first phase of his entrepreneurship ended and he returned home. His father Abdul Hameed, a shop owner, gave him Rs 300, after selling a tree. Kutty set out with the Rs 300 and joined Malabar Metals, Kozhikode, as a trainee without any salary.
His friends supported him for two years, until he joined as a full-fledged metal spinner at Periyar Metals, Ettumanoor, for a salary of Rs 375. Life took turn when Kutty married Ayesha, an orphan, in 1973. From that day onwards, his determination to become a successful entrepreneur grew and he landed in Udupi in 1974. He joined Souza Aluminium, Volakad, and later started his own unit Shaji Metal products.
He is now one of the founders of Kerala Cultural and Social Centre (KCSC), an outfit of Keralites residing in Udupi. KCSC now boasts of 1,000 members and their families. It has been a hub of cultural and social activities. Kutty, who prefers to be a back-room boy had served KCSC as its secretary for couple of terms, and is now serving as vice-president and also the chief of the organizing committee of Onam festival.
Kutty never misses an opportunity to get involved in social work. Blood donation is another area where he never misses a chance to support needy patients.