Stranded For Over 90 Days: Dubai-Based Youngster In India Is Worried About Losing His Job In The UAE

Since the UAE halted all aviation activities on March 19, it’s been nothing less than chaos for all the UAE residents stranded overseas.

Expat families that have been torn apart are having an exceptionally difficult time coping with the current travel restrictions.

Small children have been separated from their parents for several months now, many residents have reportedly lost their jobs due to the fact that they have no way of returning and many are stranded alone with little to no money and are struggling to find accommodations.

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One such struggling expat who’s been stranded in Bangalore, India for more than 90 days is Mohammed Waqas

The 23-year-old youngster has been desperately attempting to return home, back to his family and loved ones here in the UAE since mid-March.

Being away from his family for such an elongated period has been mentally and financially draining for the fresh college graduate, as his middle-aged parents are currently living alone in the UAE.

The youngster also has NO source of income after being put on unpaid leave by his employers here in the UAE.

“I applied for Twajudi the day it was announced. I was initially relieved that the UAE was taking action to get back stranded residents… But fast forward 3-months and I am still in the same position as I was on March 21.

As of now, I have my 4^th application under process and I am hoping to get some good news from that.”

Waqas travelled to Bangalore, India on March 12 for a short vacation, little did he know his 9-day vacay would turn into a 90-day struggle.

With the UAE strictly suspending all flights on March 19 (in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19), Waqas, much like several other residents, had to face a series of cancelled flights and vague responses from airlines plus embassy staff on when he would be able to return home.

“As I was on a vacation for 10 days, most of my essentials and budget ran out pretty soon…”

Waqas was initially chilling in Chikmagalur, a hill station Karnataka, India and from there he headed to the city as he was preparing to fly back home.

Being on budget during his trip to India, after the lockdown was imposed in both the UAE and India, Waqas became exasperated with his mounting expenses and lack of income.

“I was born and brought up in the UAE, I don’t have any relatives in this particular state. The UAE is my home.

So, after scurrying around to find accommodation my friend who’s a college student here in Bangalore let me stay at his place.”

Although Waqas hails from India, he calls the UAE his home as he’s been born, raised and practically lived in the emirates all his life.

The Dubai-based youngster mentioned how his heart goes out to all those, who unlike him, have unfortunately not been able to find apt accommodation and are running out of resources to survive on.

Not losing hope and making the most of his time being quarantined in India, Waqas befriended a cute little Bonnet macaque (monkey) and named him Marcel (clearly we have a Friends fan over here)

Waqas sees the exotic animal as a good luck sign and has bonded with the monkey over their shared love of food. He can be heard saying “man, we’re so lucky to have him,” towards the end of the video.

AWWWWWWWWdorable!!!

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Being as optimistic as possible, Waqas is hoping to return to his family as soon as the UAE grants him permission via the ICA portal and is constantly in touch with his family and friends here in the UAE.

ALSO READ: 29,000+ Stranded UAE Residents Are Getting Restless Awaiting The ICA Approval To Return Home