Mangaluru youth stranded in Saudi Arabia returns home; family thanks Indian Social Forum

Al-Jubail/Mangaluru, Nov 5: An expatriate worker hailing from Moodbidri on the outskirts of Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district, who was stranded in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after allegedly being duped by a travel agency, finally returned home thanks to the timely help from the Indian Social Forum (ISF), Eastern Province team.

A young man hailing from Moodbidri in Dakshina Kannada worked in a desert in Al-Jubail Saudi Arabia who was being conned by a travel agent returned home safe on 3rd November thanks to the timely help from Indian Social Forum (ISF) Eastern Province Team.

According to his family members, Nagaraj had flown to the oil-rich kingdom a few months ago after being selected in a job interview conducted at Rolex Tours and Travels, Mangaluru. He was promised a job as industrial electrician in a reputed company in Al-Jubail, the industrial hub of Saudi Arabia. He also paid certain amount of money to the travel agency.

However, after he landed in Saudi Arabia, he was forced to work as an assistant in a farm in a remote area in Al-Jubail with no proper food and accommodation. His sponsor company denied that the electrician profession visa was issued to him. On the other hand, when Nagarj’s brother Sukumar approached the same travel agency to bring him back, it reportedly demanded SR 9,000.00 (Rs 175,000). He paid Rs 100,000, but got no response for a month.

Meanwhile, Sukumar came to know about Indian Social Forum’s role in helping several such stranded Indians in the kingdom. He approached ISF member Hasan Kinnigoli and sought help.

Following this, a team of ISF from Jubail comprising Hasan Kinnigoli, Imthiyaz Bajpe, Kaiser Kannangar, Ashraf Ullal and Naushad Katipalla met Nagaraj in the desert and assured him the safe return to home. The team constantly followed up with the sponsor company and convinced the management about his situation and ordeal. The ISF was finally successful in getting exit visa and his pending salary from the company. The travel agency also had to return the money taken from Nagaraj’s family.

Nagaraj’s brother Sukumar and mother Gangavati have appreciated the selfless service of ISF members. We are grateful to the Indian Social Forum for extending relentless support during the most distressed time,” said Gangavati.