A BLIND expatriate unable to fly home because of an outstanding BD1,999 compensation claim is set to have his travel ban lifted thanks to the generosity of a Bahraini businessman, after his plight was highlighted in the GDN yesterday.
Indian Hari Krishnan, who lost his vision four years ago due to glaucoma and has been without a job or shelter, received a cheque for the full amount after the kind-hearted stranger, who wishes to remain anonymous, read about his situation in the newspaper.
An emotionally overwhelmed Mr Krishnan thanked the donor for the support.
“I can’t believe it happened so quickly – until yesterday I was at a loss as to how to make this much money.
“My family is happy and our prayers are with the generous person who had mercy on me.
“I’m also grateful to all those who helped and supported me, especially social workers Sudhir Thirunilath, Subair Kannur, the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) and the Indian Embassy.
“I’m so grateful to the GDN for considering to highlight my case.”
The 55-year-old has been living in a Sikh temple in Budaiya in recent months unable to return home because he was barred from leaving the country due to a debt owed to a Bahraini.
The GDN reported yesterday Mr Krishnan had not been able to visit his wife and son since 2014 and was seeking help to return home.
Mr Krishnan became fully blind in 2018 and had nine legal cases against him filed by telecom, car rental companies and business associates, as well as fines for expired residency. The Indian Embassy, ICRF, Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC) and several other individuals had helped in partially clearing his fines.
However, a 10th case involving BD1,999 cropped up when the man applied for an immigration clearance to travel.
Mr Thirunilath, expat association Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC) country head, who was following up with the case, said that the office of a prominent Bahraini businessman called to inform him that a cheque for BD1,999 was ready for collection to cover the outstanding debt.
“It was a great gesture indeed and now we will pay the money to the Bahraini man and the case can be closed,” he said. “We hope Hari can travel within a week.”
Meanwhile, other individuals also reached out to the GDN offering support to Mr Krishnan.
“I got a call from yet another Bahraini family who gave BD400 when they heard the original amount was cleared. They said the money could be given to Hari to help cover any other debts or expenses,” added Mr Thirunilath.
The GDN reported that Mr Krishnan has accumulated debts of around INR700,000 (around BD3,600) back in India as he had to borrow money to survive over the last four years.
He arrived in Bahrain in 2007 to work as a fire and safety supervisor for a private company that closed down. He then went on to work for a number of other firms.
Meanwhile, he was receiving glaucoma preventive treatment and his doctor had recommended that he return home for surgery in 2017 but legal cases prevented that option. Instead he lost his sight. Mr Krishnan now awaits to return to Kozhikode, Kerala to join his wife and 16-year-old son.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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