Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 1: A number of young people from India enticed into flying to Gulf countries with the hope of earning lucrative salary have got stranded there. Out of 73 such people stuck at Kuwait, 40 persons, most of them from the city and surrounding areas, have reasons to forget their sorrows and smile. Because these 40 persons are almost sure to be flown back to their native places, thanks to the generosity of a few persons.

The city (south) MLA D Vedavyasa Kamath, has assured to arrange for 21 tickets, chairman of Aditi International at Kuwait, Akash S Panwar, and another non-resident Indian there have together promised to sponsor 15 tickets. Kuwait Bunts Sangha has offered two tickets. Another NRI, Mohandas Kamath, and his friend Binu Philip, have come up with sponsorship of a ticket each.

MLA Vedavyasa Kamath

Kamath stated that ticket booking is on and would be finished by Monday. He recalled that he had promised to bring back 34 young people from Mangaluru who were stranded there. Noting that 21 among them have got their passports back, their tickets would be booked soon. The tickets for the other 13, who are yet to get their passports back, will also be arranged, he added.

Panwar said he has sponsored 15 tickets for the young job aspirants from Andhra Pradesh stuck at Kuwait. Panwar had come forward after learning about the predicament of the youth who were left without money and food, and had provided them with food and other needs.

In the meanwhile, Mohandas Kamath expects 40 of these young men to reach their homes by July 10.

In the meanwhile, sources said that the camp contractor on Saturday, asked the youth to leave, and cut water and electricity connections to the flat where they lived. The youngsters therefore are finding it extremely hard to survive there under hot conditions. The NRIs cannot do much other than shifting them to another labour camp. Several NRIS, along with victims and Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, had urged the union government to sponsor tickets through the Indian embassy at Kuwait. But it is learnt that this involved cumbersome procedures and hence almost impossible.

These youngsters have also been helped by ex-chairman of Institution of Engineers, Inbatamizh Ilangovan, Joseph Panicker, B Sekhar, Bharatiya Pravasi Parishad Association, Raj Bhandary Suratkal, Vijay Fernandes, Madhav Naik, KKMA - Naushad Jussain Bajpe and Mabiya Kadaba as well as Mohanraj from Andhra.

Tulukoota Kuwait has provided groceries to these young men. There is information that tickets have since been confirmed and the victims of the job fraud would be arriving in India in three batches, Jul 13, 15, and 17.