Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 4: In a swift rescue effort amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde personally spearheaded an operation to bring back around 160 Maharashtra residents stranded in Dubai, including 84 students.
Two chartered flights carrying the stranded passengers landed safely in Mumbai late Tuesday night. The returnees included students of Indira University and three faculty members, who were flown back on two Embraer aircraft operated by Star Air. The special evacuation was mounted as airspace closures amid the regional conflict left thousands of Indians stranded across the Middle East.
According to officials, Shinde’s office proactively reached out to students and tourists from Maharashtra after learning about their plight. Several passengers said the Deputy Chief Minister personally spoke to them over the phone, reassuring them and promising safe passage home.
“We were in great distress, but Mr Shinde told us not to be scared. Soon after, a special chartered flight was arranged for us,” one passenger said.
A student who returned to Mumbai said their seven-day educational trip to Dubai was disrupted after the security situation deteriorated and flights were cancelled. “The Maharashtra government helped us at every stage. Dy CM Eknath Shinde’s support was immediate and positive. I am very happy to be back home,” the student said.
Indira University Dean Shikha Sindhu said the institution had been coordinating with authorities, but the breakthrough came following direct intervention from the Deputy Chief Minister’s office. “The moment the issue came into the public domain, we received prompt and effective support from Dy CM Shinde’s office,” she said.
In a message shared on social media, Shinde said the safe return of Maharashtra citizens stranded at Fujairah Airport was made possible with the cooperation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He said the operation brought immense relief to families who had been under severe mental stress due to the crisis.
On arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the passengers were received by Shiv Sena leaders, including Murji Patel and party spokesperson Shaina NC. Party leaders said arrangements were also made to transport the returnees to their respective hometowns across Maharashtra.