Bathinda couple stranded in Dubai returns safely, thanks Sikh community, others for help
The couple had gone on a leisure trip to Dubai on February 23 and were scheduled to return on February 28
The Bathinda-based educationist couple who had been stranded in Dubai since Saturday following the temporary shutdown of airport operations amid tensions in the Middle East returned safely to India today.
Neeru Garg, Principal of SSD Girls’ College, Bathinda, and her husband Prof Parveen Garg, who recently retired as Vice-Principal of DAV College, Bathinda, first landed in Mumbai in the wee hours along with around 225 other evacuees. They later reached Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali, in the afternoon.
The couple had gone on a leisure trip to Dubai on February 23 and was scheduled to return on February 28.
Speaking after her return, Neeru Garg expressed gratitude to those who supported them during the ordeal. “I am thankful to everyone who supported and helped us, especially the Sikh community,” she said.
She said the response from people back home and Indians living abroad was overwhelming. “Every time I opened my phone, I found nearly 2,000 messages from people offering money, support and even medicines. One of my former students told me that her brother was in Dubai and asked me to contact him for any help,” she added.
During the crisis, the couple initially struggled to find accommodation after being asked to vacate the airport late at night. They then moved to a hotel located about 20 km from Sharjah airport, which they had to leave the next day. Later, they shifted to the residence of an acquaintance arranged through their neighbours in Bathinda, where they stayed until arrangements were made for their return.
Earlier, in a video message posted online, Neeru Garg had appealed to the Union Government for evacuation after their return flight from Sharjah was cancelled due to the sudden closure of airport operations, claiming that she was running out of money and medicines.
Thereafter, Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Dr Ravjot Singh had spoken to her over the phone, while Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring had written to Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar seeking help for the stranded passengers.
Neeru Garg said they had to spend extra money on hotels and cabs during their stay. “The flight tickets were arranged by the airline with which we had booked our earlier tickets,” she said.
She added that several people, including senior citizens, were still stranded there. “I appeal to the Union Government, especially the Punjab government, to arrange a chartered flight for them as the situation there is tough,” she said.
Her husband Parveen Garg said some travellers were returning via Muscat by paying extra. “Those who can afford to pay extra are coming via Muscat, but the cab charges alone cost around Rs 50,000 more,” he said.
