The Goat Life: Meet Migrant Worker Najeeb Who Has Inspired Prithviraj Sukumaran's Aadujeevitham

Aujeevitham, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, is scheduled to make its atrical debut on March 28. film, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Blessy is an aptation of best-selling novel Aujeevitham by Benyamin, which is based on true life story of a Malayali migrant worker Najeeb. 

Who is Najeeb? 

story of Najeeb, a Malayali migrant worker who was coerced into becoming a goard in Saudi Arabia, is told in Aujeevitham. Najeeb was drawn to Saudi Arabia by prospect of employment, but he ended up getting stuck in a terrible circumstance. man experienced loneliness and hopelessness in dition to physical suffering as a result of being forced to work as a goard in difficult circumstances. 

As per News Minute, Najeeb fled his country in pursuit of employment that would allow him to live a better life. agent told him that he would be given position of a grocery salesman, but this turned out to be a white lie. Najeeb’s hometown friend introduced him to an agent in Mumbai, who handled his visa arrangements. 

Life in Saudi Arabia

After reaching Saudi Arabia, Najeeb was forced into role of a goard and was brutally treated by his employer. He kept a constant eye on him to foil any escape attempts. Najeeb was tortured by his situation and was cut off from society with no human interactions. He endured a gruelling two years of living among hundreds of goats with no break from harsh surroundings.

His boss owned 700 goats, which he h to herd. His employer watched him via binoculars to make sure he didn't try to flee. Najeeb was forced to sleep outside his boss’ small desert hut and was not given any water for personal hygiene or bathing. For food, he was given stale kuboos and a single-shift dress to wear with no or clothing to change into.

Escape

Najeeb was left alone one night in 1995 after his bror and boss h departed for latter's daughter's wedding. He raced out of place and continued running without stopping for hours. 

Following a terrifying voyage, he came upon anor Malayali imprisoned in a similar situation. A few of Najeeb's family members were present in Riyh. After corresponding with m and seeing m, he gave himself up to nation's legal system— sole recourse available to migrants such as himself who have been deceived by agents and have misplaced documentation such as ir passports and visas. 

Najeeb was given a ten-day prison sentence and n got deported back to India. He met his son for first time, who was alrey 2 years old by n. Najeeb went back to his job as a wage labourer. Two years later, his bror-in-law gave him a free visa to Bahrain. At time of interview with News Minute in 2018, Najeeb was still employed in Bahrain.