As this week the colorful Holi and Dhulivandan festivals painted the streets of the Maharashtra state, another form of relief was washing 164 families throughout the state. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde managed to planning the reunion of 164 citizens who were trapped in Dubai after the abrupt development of the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
To the students, tourists and professionals who were caught in the fight between closed airspaces and cancelled flights, it was not just a commute but a rescue mission back home.
Despair to departure: The crisis in the Gulf
The issue started during the weekend, as the military strikes in the Middle East resulted in the instant shutting of important airspaces. One of the busiest airports in the world, Dubai International Airport turned into a localized chaos. Thousands of the stranded included 164 Maharashtrians, including a high population of 84 MBA students of the Indira School of Business Studies in Pune visiting the UAE on an educational tour.
Since regular flights were canceled permanently, the company was in a dangerous limbo. Hotels were getting crowded and contact with the outside world was full of anxiety.
We were watching the news and reading the airspace closures. Whenever a flight was canceled it became more real-we are stuck and it became more real, said one of the students. It was not merely the delay, it was the uncertainty of the war-like situation on us.
The cry of distress finally got to the office of Eknath Shinde. Since the students and tourists were considered vulnerable, the Deputy CM entered a war-room level of coordination.
Read also: Middle East Erupts as Israel and the United States Strike Iran
The Logistics of a Rescue: Midnight Operation
Arranging an individual evacuation in the case of a local conflict is not a mere achievement. It took a fine balancing act between the Maharashtra State Government, the Ministry of External Affairs and the aviation authorities in the UAE.
There were two special Star Air flights that were commissioned under the direction of Shinde. The Dubai main terminals were clogged and had operational challenges, hence the diversion to the Fujairah International Airport in Fujairah a distance of approximately 120 kilometers, which was near the centre of Dubai.
The Rescue Flight Details:
- Flight VT-GSO: Left Fujairah at 3.30 PM local time.
- Flight VT-GSH: Take off at 4.30 PM local time Fujairah.
Shinde did not simply sign a piece of paperwork but directly talked to the stranded citizens over the phone in the past 48 hours. His message was very basic: Do not worry. The Maharashtra government as well as I himself stand with you. We will bring you back safely.”
Read also: US President Donald Trump Claims Destruction of 9 Iranian Naval
Making the Homecoming: Tears at Terminal 2 Human
As the evening of Tuesday rolled on, the air at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at Mumbai was filled with anticipation. As the rest of the city was coming to an end due to the celebrations of Dhulivandan, families were assembled at the arrival gates with their eyes stuck on the flight status screens.
At around 5.30 PM, the relief was felt when the first flight landed. One of the first students to cross the gates was the 84 students of Pune. Wearing clothes worn out by traveling, yet with an inexpressible feeling of gratitude, they received garlands and the weeping hugs of their parents.
Read also: US sinks Iranian warship: Another incident amidst the ongoing battle
A team Work: Ground Team in Dubai
Although the flights were the last element of the puzzle, it was a group of volunteers who took care of the survival of the lost citizens as they awaited the flights. The Shinde office recognized the importance of:
- The Maharashtra Mandal in Dubai: Who was the source of local support and logistics.
- Indian People Forum: Who facilitated the emergency WhatsApp helpline (An Indian People Forum: Who helped coordinate the emergency WhatsApp helpline +971 50 365 4357).
- Yuva Sena members: headed by Rahul Kanal who was in continuous communication with the students so that they could have food and safe place to stay.
The Shiv Sena MLAs, Murji Patel, Dilip Lande and Mangesh Kudalkar were deployed to the airport in Mumbai, to accept the returnees, and that their exit of the terminal into their houses would be smooth.
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