Riyadh: Suresh Paswan, a native of UP Maharajganj, was stuck at Riyadh airport after his family waited for a week at the Delhi airport after his luggage did not reach him. He was working as a shepherd in Hail and was picked up by his employer at Riyadh Airport on August 25. He was supposed to be on a Nas Airlines flight departing for Delhi at 8.40 that night. He completed the baggage check and immigration procedures and waited for the gate to open at Terminal No. 3. However, the area he was in has changed. The correct gate could not be found. Even though it was announced till the last time, the flight flew on time as it was not seen.

The family members had reached Delhi airport to receive Suresh. After a long time after the arrival of the plane, the person was not seen and when he inquired with the authorities, he realized that only the luggage had arrived and no person had arrived. Many days were spent at the airport hoping for every arriving flight. I tried to call the phone, but I didn’t get it. Relatives are worried not knowing what happened.

Meanwhile, the duty manager of Riyadh Airport, Malayalee social worker Shihab Kotukad, called out that an Indian man has been in terminal number three for a few days. Mauni is silent. The manager explained that he does not eat, does not bathe, does not change his clothes, he is sitting in the same position. Shihab immediately informed the Indian Embassy Community Welfare Secretary Moin Akhtar. He suggested to go there and see and do what is necessary.

Then Shihab and Palakkad association office bearers Kabir Pattambi and Rauf Pattambi reached the airport. With the permission of the authorities, he entered and spoke to Suresh. However, he was in a state of mental breakdown and could not speak much. He took the phone in his hand and dialed the number of the last caller. A relative working in Dammam picked up the phone. He said that he was in trouble for a few days without any information about Suresh and his relatives were waiting at the Delhi airport. Shihab informed him by calling the number of Suresh’s wife which he had given. They were relieved to know that the man was alive.

The next attempt was to bring home as soon as possible. The embassy offered all assistance. Air India has assured that if you take the ticket and bring it to the second terminal, it will bring you home. According to this, the Air India ticket was taken. Airport authorities are also ready for terminal shifting. He was wearing the same clothes for six days and was tired. He had no other clothes to change into. There was nothing but the passport. Shihab and his team went out and bought new clothes. However, Suresh was not ready to change his clothes or move from his seat. After trying hard and putting on new clothes, I realized that it is not easy to transport from Terminal No. 3 to Terminal No. 2 as it is quite a distance.

The Air India flight is on Sunday at 9.30 pm. It was finally decided that he would be put on the NAS flight departing from Terminal 3 at 8.40 pm. Got a new ticket. A fellow passenger was tasked to bring the man safely to his family members in Delhi and released him. Although he could not recover completely from the trauma he suffered when he got stuck at the terminal, he reached his loved ones in Delhi on Monday afternoon.