Our Bureau
Dubai
After nearly 40 years away from home and facing significant health challenges, 85-year-old Dr. Rashid Anwar Dhar is finally returning to his hometown and family in Srinagar, Kashmir. The Indian Mission in Dubai facilitated his repatriation.
Dr. Dhar had been receiving care in various UAE hospitals for the past two years, his situation further complicated by health issues and a lack of proper identification documents. Because, he could not provide detailed personal information when first contacted, Dr. Dhar’s case presented unique challenges to consular officials. The Indian Consulate in Dubai coordinated with authorities in Jammu & Kashmir to trace Dr. Dhar’s family and confirm his identity. Medical staff at Dubai’s Rashid Hospital worked to stabilize his condition for the journey home.
A social worker involved in the case said that Dr. Dhar’s situation touched their hearts. They added that imagining someone his age, so far from home for so many years, they were determined to help him reconnect with his roots. The repatriation effort required coordination between multiple departments of the Indian Mission, including the Medical Desk, Consular Wing, and Passport Section, all working to verify his nationality and process travel documents.
The Indian Association of Sharjah provided temporary accommodation, meals, and medical support. Recognizing Dr. Dhar’s fragile condition, they arranged not only his air tickets but also an escort to accompany him on his journey back to Srinagar.
As Dr. Dhar returns to India, he carries decades of stories and experiences from his time abroad. For his waiting family in Srinagar, his return represents the closing of a chapter that has remained open for nearly four decades. The Consulate General of India in Dubai emphasized the importance of maintaining valid documentation and legal residency status to avoid similar difficulties.
