Indian expat stranded in Bahrain finally goes home

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A blind Indian expat who had been stranded in Bahrain for the past 15 years yesterday flew home, thanks to the efforts of social workers. When Harikrishna Eranholi arrived in Bahrain in 2007 looking for greener pastures he never knew what destiny had in store. Ten years ago, he incurred some debts that would become a villain in his life in the form of a travel ban.

Worsening the plight, Harikrishna lost his eyesight after suffering glaucoma three years ago. According to social workers, his company cancelled the visa as he suffered from visual impairment as well. Though Harikrishna attempted to return to India, he was unsuccessful owing to the travel ban. Once he even travelled to the airport, from where he was returned.

All these days of suffering, he was living in a temporary shelter provided by Bahrain’s Sikh community. Seeing the plight, a group of social workers led by Sudheer Thirunilath, who is the Humanitarian Director Middle East Region of World NRI Council and the County Head Of Pravasi Legal Cell, stepped in to support Harikrishna.

According to Mr Thirunilath, one of the biggest obstacles in his way home was a case filed by a citizen demanding BD3,700 from Harikrishna. “We cleared all nine cases against him, but this was still pending as the complainant did not accept our requests.” Subsequently, Pravasi Legal Cell approached the court with the help of their lawyer, who requested the court to consider the mercy petition filed by him and settle the case after paying BD1,999 before the court.

The amount was raised with support from a group of businessmen in Bahrain. “Harikrishna’s mother is 74-year-old and suffering from a heart ailment. He has a wife and teenage son eagerly awaiting his return.

His family is under great stress due to the situation considering his visual impairment,” Mr Thirunilath told The Daily Tribune. Harikrishna boarded an Air India flight to Calicut yesterday.

The success is the result of efforts put in by the Immigration Authorities, Indian Embassy, World NRI Council, Pravasi Legal Cell and ICRF. At Bahrain International Airport, Harikrishna thanked Bahraini authorities, Indian Embassy, Sikh community of Bahrain, social workers Mr Thirunilath, Kerala Pravasi Commission member Subair Kannur along with the management and staff of Shifa Al Jazeera Hospital for providing the timely support and care.