Five days after a devastating landslide swept through his village in Wayanad, Kalathingal Noufal (42) returned from Oman, only to find that his entire 11-member family had been lost to the tragedy. The sight of the destruction and the loss of his loved ones left an indelible mark on his soul. Nearly four months later, Noufal has channeled his grief into strength by opening a restaurant and bakery in Meppadi, naming it ‘July 30’ — the day that changed his life forever.
“I couldn’t think of any other name,” Noufal said, reflecting on his family’s dream that he would return from the Gulf and start a bakery. The name also represents resilience, with the word ‘After’ featured alongside the name on the restaurant’s coffee cup display, symbolizing hope in the face of tragedy.
The landslide claimed the lives of Noufal’s wife, children, parents, and brother’s family. “My wife had always wanted me to return and start a bakery. I decided to honor her wish, though they’re not here to see it,” he shared. Supported by Kerala Naduvathul Mujahideen (KNM), who helped fund the venture, Noufal created this space as a tribute to his family’s dreams.
The restaurant features a painting of the lost village of Mundakkai, a place now preserved only in memory. It stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit amid unthinkable loss.
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