Doha, Qatar: In a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Zainul Abideen, Vice President of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) National Committee and Deputy Chairman & Managing Director of Safari Group, shared his concerns and vision regarding India's aviation safety, the rights of overseas Indians, and the changing dynamics of retail business in the Gulf.

Touching on India’s booming air traffic, he highlighted that thousands of domestic and international flights operate daily, but voiced concern over the government’s lack of direct control in the aviation sector. “The Indian government today does not operate any national airline of its own. Everything is in the hands of private players,” he said. “When the entire sector is privatized, how can the government take strong and direct security measures? Aviation is a sensitive area where the government must have some command-especially in today's world.”

Zainul Abideen further urged the Indian government to strengthen aviation safety measures, particularly in light of rising global turbulence linked to climate change. “We are seeing stronger and more frequent air turbulence across the world-scientifically linked to climate change. In this situation, strict safety checks, proper aircraft maintenance, and updated technology are not optional-they are essential,” he stressed. “India must ensure that no aged aircraft flies without complete maintenance checks. This is a direct appeal to the authorities.”

He also pointed to the changing attitude of aviation personnel, saying, “The new generation of pilots is technically skilled but sometimes lacks the deep commitment required in this field. Aviation demands full responsibility-strikes and negligence cannot be taken lightly. The government should establish stricter oversight and consistent training systems.”

Reflecting on the evolution of aviation in the Gulf region, he noted that Gulf Air was one of the earliest airlines, initially jointly owned by several GCC countries, including Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. Over time, each of these nations established its own national carrier-such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Saudia-leading to the diversification of the Gulf aviation market. “Today, Qatar Airways and Emirates are among the top global carriers because these countries gave top priority to aviation, investing heavily in innovation, infrastructure, and safety. India, with its vast population and growing economy, should aim to reach such global benchmarks,” he said.

Zainul Abideen also made a strong case for Pravasi (Indian expatriate) voting rights, particularly for the millions of Indians working abroad who contribute heavily to the nation’s economy. “Expatriates-especially from states like Kerala-sacrifice a lot to build better futures for their families. They send money home, support development, and stabilize the economy. Yet they still don’t have the right to vote. How can we ignore such a critical section of the population?” he questioned. “Their basic needs like air travel and political participation must be addressed.”

Zainul Abideen also raised strong concerns over the consistently high airfares in the Gulf sector, especially during peak travel seasons. “For many years, ticket prices on the Gulf-India route have remained unreasonably high,” he noted. “I, along with others, have taken steps to address this issue-including filing cases in court and speaking directly with authorities.” He added, “We once again raised this issue recently in Parliament. Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil strongly voiced the concern with great urgency and clarity.” Despite these repeated efforts, he expressed disappointment that there has still been no real intervention from the government. He stressed that even during this vacation season, airfares often surge fourfold, putting undue financial pressure on expatriate families.

“Still, we believe that if all of us come together and continue pushing, we can bring the prices down,” he said. Linking the issue to larger rights, he added, “Once expatriates receive voting rights, we can raise these demands more authoritatively. When we have the power to vote, the government cannot ignore our voice.”

Turning to his business journey, he described the highly competitive retail environment in the Middle East. “China is the world’s factory, India is the world’s office, and Turkey is a major global supplier—especially in textiles and home products. Most products sold here come from these three countries, particularly China, which makes the market extremely competitive,” he noted. “But at Safari, we have built a unique culture that connects deeply with customers and sets us apart.”

Safari Hypermarket, under his leadership, has earned a loyal customer base through consistent value, affordability, and community-focused events. “From the beginning, our belief was: the customer comes first. Whether it’s offering the best prices on essential items or creating joyful shopping experiences, we have always focused on heart-level connections. That culture cannot be copied-it has to be built,” he said.

He proudly mentioned Safari’s strong, dedicated team and revealed that multiple new outlets are in the pipeline, marking the company’s continuous expansion in Qatar. “We have an honest, sincere team. And we’re growing steadily. We’re not just about retail-we’re about relationships.”

Zainul Abideen’s message, both as a business leader and a socially responsible leader deeply connected to national concerns, was clear: India must give priority to aviation safety, recognize the vital role of expatriates, and uphold its global responsibilities in both governance and innovation.