Finally, 142 Odia expat workers and families have arrived at the Biju Patnaik International Airport Bhubaneswar from Bahrain.
These workers were stranded without any jobs in the Kingdom of Bahrain because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the visitors who visited Bahrain to meet their near and dear ones also were happy that after all-most three and half months they returned to their motherland by Air India Flight AI 0940 under the Indian PM Narendra Modi’s Vande Bharat Mission which took off from Bahrain International Airport.
The Embassy of India had been working towards facilitating the comeback of Odia migrants from Bahrain to Bhubaneswar in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and Air India under the Central Government’s Vande Bharat Mission.
Dr. Arun Kumar Praharaj, Founder of Bahrain Odia Samaj, a prominent Odia in Bahrain who is also the CEO of Dadabhai Group of Bahrain was liaising closely with the Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Chief Minister of Odisha, Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy for the approval of a direct flight to Bhubaneswar and to ensure a smooth transition.
Over the past 3 months, he was consistently communicating with the relevant ministries and Airline officials to enable a direct flight to the Temple City.
With the support of the Embassy of India in Bahrain, Government of India and the Government of Odisha, a flight to Bhubaneswar was arranged via Delhi. The process for issuance of air ticket advice had started a week back and was concluded a day before the departure.
Everyone was delighted when the historic direct flight from Bahrain to Bhubaneswar landed at the Biju Patnaik International Airport.
Dr. Praharaj and his COVID Help Executive Committee Members were working day and night to help the people to provide them food, groceries, financial help, getting them their settlement from the companies, registration with the Indian Embassy in Bahrain for repatriation and above all morale support to make them feel secure.
“We are truly delighted that by the grace of God our Odia people have reached their motherland safely and now they are with their family. We will continue to provide help to all stranded people through our own community efforts and in collaboration with ICRF also as they are really doing a commendable job for all, ” said Dr. Praharaj.
