A collection of stories in Malayalam extracted from real life experiences of expatriates was released in Jeddah recently. The book titled "Malbu Kathakal" (The Malbu Stories) was authored by local Keralite journalist M. Ashraf. C.K. Hassankoya, news editor of Malayalam News daily, released the book by giving a copy to well-known short story writer Rubeena Nivas at a function held at Lucky Durbar restaurant auditorium in Sharafiyyah. Noted journalist and writer Musafir presided over the function in which Gopi Nedungadi reviewed the book. Those who felicitated the author on the occasion included Basheer Vallikkunnu, Advocate Shamsuddeen Kodakkodan, C.O.T. Aziz, A.M. Sajith, T. Salim, Abdul Shukoor Ali, Ameer Cherukod, Umar V, Rasheed Varikkodan, Usman Pandikkad, Mirza Sharif, K.C. Abdurahman, Zulfikar Othai, Mehboob Pathapiriyam, Basheer Thottiyan, K.M.A. Latheef, Abdullah Mukkanni and Mumthaz V. The speakers noted that the stories are an accurate illustration of diverse experiences of ordinary expatriates who shed their sweat and tears while trying to make ends meet. With sharp wit and wisdom, the author makes readers introspect while highlighting their qualities of innocence, empathy and care for others, and at the same time make them laugh at the snobbery and pretensions of some others. In his speech, Ashraf said he wrote these stories of simple delights and sorrows of expatriates in a humorous vein so as to give them a good reading experience. Khaled V. Irumpuzhi welcomed the gathering to the function, which began with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur'an by Ajmal Ashraf. Arangu Art and Cultural Forum organized the function. Bookberry India published the book, which is a collection of 30 stories published earlier in Malayalam News daily.
