Struggling expat seeks aid

Manama : An Indian man living in a dire state in Bahrain is seeking help from his government to return home.

Rasik Kumar Chhaganlal Panchal, who scrapes a living by accepting alms at the Manama Souq, claims that he is ill and wants to go back home to his family.

However he is currently facing a travel ban due to failed payments to a bank and his landlord. He owes his landlord BD3000 and BD 1000 to the bank. 

“In the 90s I went to Abu Dhabi, UAE where my brothers were working,” he explained in his letter to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

“I worked there for 10 years doing several kinds of painting works.

“Then I shifted along with my family to my hometown in Surat, Gujarat.

“I started working as a painting sub-contractor in Surat municipality for about two years.

“Later I got a job as a painting supervisor in Bahrain.

“I am in a very difficult and critical situation.

“I have been operated for Achalasia Cardia.

“I am terribly scared and facing lot of health problems as well as loss of memory. “I kindly request you to look into this matter very seriously and take action.”

 A social worker, who asked not to be named, is helping Panchal to communicate with the Indian Government.