Latest news with #PravasiLegalCell
Daily Tribune
04-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
PLC Bahrain Chapter celebrates third anniversary with grandeur
The Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC) Bahrain Chapter marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its third anniversary on April 30, 2025. The event was held at the KIMS Health Auditorium in Umm Al Hassam, Bahrain, and was graced by the presence of esteemed diplomats, government officials, philanthropists, and community leaders. The celebration highlighted PLC's unwavering commitment to supporting expatriate welfare and legal awareness in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In recognition of valuable partnerships, PLC felicitated several key organizations including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Expat Protection Centre under LMRA, Government Hospitals, the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) Bahrain, and KIMS Hospital, for their continued support and collaboration. Welcome address The evening commenced with a warm welcome address by PLC General Secretary Dr. Rithin Raj, setting the tone for the event. This was followed by a presidential address delivered by Mr. Sudheer Thirunilath, the Global PRO and President of Pravasi Legal Cell Bahrain. Gratitude Mr. Thirunilath expressed heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders for their dedicated support to the mission of PLC. A key highlight of the event was the official launch of the third edition of PLC's newsletter, The Bridge, which showcases the organization's ongoing initiatives, success stories, and community engagements. The celebration served not only as a reflection of PLC's impactful journey over the past three years but also as a reaffirmation of its continued commitment to legal empowerment and social justice for expatriates in Bahrain.
Arab Times
26-04-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Stranded Indian Returns Home After 40 Years in Bahrain
MANAMA, April 26: After more than 40 years of being stranded in the Middle East, an Indian man will finally reunite with his family in Kerala, ending a long and heartbreaking journey of survival and resilience. Seventy-four-year-old Gopalan Chandran, an expatriate from India, had been stuck in Bahrain for over four decades after moving there in search of better job opportunities. A native of a small village near Powdikonam in Trivandrum, Kerala, Gopalan had arrived in Bahrain on August 16, 1983, full of hope and ambition to support his family back home. Like many migrant workers, he chased the dream of a better life, but destiny had other plans. Shortly after his arrival, his employer passed away unexpectedly, and Gopalan lost his passport. Left without documentation, he found himself trapped in Bahrain's immigration system, living in a state of legal limbo for decades. For years, Gopalan survived quietly on the margins of society until his plight caught the attention of the Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC)—an NGO comprising retired judges, lawyers, and journalists who advocate for Indians facing injustice both at home and abroad. Sudheer Thirunilath, President of PLC's Bahrain Chapter, along with his team, worked tirelessly with the Embassy of India in Bahrain and the Kingdom's Immigration Department to navigate the complex bureaucracy and arrange Gopalan's return. "Gopalan finally returns home to see his 95-year-old mother, who never gave up hope of seeing her son again. He boarded his flight this morning with no belongings—only memories, tears, and the dream of reuniting with his family. This is more than just a man going home; it's a testament to humanity, justice, and the power of relentless compassion. It's a beacon of hope for countless unheard migrants. Welcome home, Gopalan. You were never forgotten," PLC shared in a heartfelt Facebook post.
Gulf News
26-04-2025
- General
- Gulf News
Indian man stranded in Bahrain for 42 years, finally returns home
Dubai: After 42 years stranded in Bahrain, Gopalan Chandran, an Indian man from Kerala, is finally set to reunite with his family. His long-awaited return became possible thanks to the intervention of the Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), a Delhi-based NGO that advocates for the rights of Indians facing injustice abroad. Chandran arrived in Bahrain in 1983, hoping to secure a better job to support his family in Kerala. However, shortly after his arrival, tragedy struck when his employer passed away, and his passport was lost. Left undocumented, he became stranded in Bahrain for over four decades. Despite his difficult situation, Chandran managed to evade detection until 2020, when he was detained by Bahrain police following a dispute with another expatriate from Kerala. PLC steps in Chandran's story gained widespread attention when it was featured on a Malayalam television program in 2020. Through this broadcast, Chandran learned that his mother was still alive, reigniting his desire to return home. The Pravasi Legal Cell, along with well-wishers, worked tirelessly to gather the necessary documents and help Chandran navigate the legal procedures needed for his return to India. The organisation collaborated with the Indian Embassy and Bahrain's Immigration Department to overcome obstacles and reunite Chandran with his family. In a Facebook post, the Pravasi Legal Cell shared how they worked relentlessly to bring his story to light, providing shelter, tracing his long-lost relatives, and coordinating with authorities to ensure his safe return. Long-awaited homecoming After decades of hardship, Chandran's return to India was finally secured. The 64-year-old boarded a flight to Kerala, where he was reunited with his 95-year-old mother, whom he had not seen in over four decades. Tragically, his father had passed away in 1985, just two years after Chandran left for Bahrain. Life of lost time Despite the emotional joy of returning home, Chandran expressed a deep sense of loss and uncertainty. "I've returned empty-handed. Even my air ticket was arranged by the embassy," he shared. "The future is bleak, and health is not on my side," Gopalan, who remains a bachelor, told The Indian Express. "The world I left behind has changed, and if I go out, I will get lost." Reflecting on his bachelor status, Chandran noted the passage of time during his absence. "Two generations have been born in my family, yet my life remains unchanged," he added, feeling disconnected from the life he once knew. Community support The Pravasi Legal Cell's efforts were crucial in navigating the complex legal processes that made Chandran's return possible. The NGO described his story as one of perseverance, loss, and compassion, highlighting the tireless work of the team and the support of Bahrain's authorities. 'Gopalan's return is a symbol of hope for countless migrants whose stories often go unheard,' the NGO said in a statement. 'His journey from despair to dignity is a testament to the power of community support and relentless humanitarian effort.' Looking forward Chandran now lives with his elder brother Mohanan's family in Kerala. While he has returned to the land he left behind, the emotional and physical toll of 42 years of separation is undeniable. Despite the challenges, he hopes to find peace and rebuild connections in a world that has changed significantly during his absence.
India Today
25-04-2025
- India Today
Passport lost, Indian stranded in Bahrain for 4 decades finally returns home
A 64-year-old Indian stranded in Bahrain for the past 42 years after losing his travel papers finally returned home and was reunited with his family on April 23. Chandran Gopalan, from Kerala, was stranded after he lost his passport along with all other travel documents. This was an emotional moment for his 95-year-old mother, Sanchalakshi. His father passed away while he was in was a resident of a village near Powdikonam in left home at the age of 22 in 1983 in search of better job opportunities. His life took a different turn than what he had expected following the death of his employer in 1986, according to the social media post of Pravasi Legal Cell, a Delhi-based NGO. His father, Gopalan, passed away in he lost his passport and documents, he had to live as an undocumented immigrant, and couldn't return. Hereafter, his primary focus was to evade the worked as a mason to earn a better living for his started working as a painter and kept moving from one place to another in search of work after the death of his employer. He lived in Manama, the capital city of EXPATS IN BAHRAIN CAME TO KNOW OF HIS STRUGGLESadvertisementGopalan's struggles became known to the Indian expatriate community in Bahrain in 2020 when he was detained by the police following a dispute with another expat from Pravasi Legal Cell learnt about Gopalan's plight and vowed to reunite him with his family in NGO's Bahrain chapter president, Sudheer Thirunilath, said that many undocumented migrants find themselves in trouble with the authorities soon after losing their documents, but Gopalan managed to evade detection for GENERATIONS BORN WHILE GOPALAN WAS AWAY"It was Chandran's first encounter with the police since he arrived in Bahrain and remained elusive after losing all his documents. Many people in similar situations end up with the police very quickly, but for Chandran, it took decades. He was jailed for three months," Thirunilath told The Indian Express."The future is bleak and health is not on my side," Gopalan, who remains a bachelor, told The Indian Express."Back home, I have to track down my relatives and friends. While I remain a bachelor, two generations have been born in my family. The world I had left behind in Kerala has changed. If I go out, I will get lost," he Pravasi Legal Cell has worked to bring Gopalan's story to light—navigating legal mazes, providing shelter, tracking down long-lost families, and coordinating with authorities, the NGO said in a NGO team worked closely with the Indian Embassy in Bahrain and the country's immigration authorities to navigate years of administrative hurdles and ensure Gopalan's safe return to his home country.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Indian Express
‘My world has changed; if I go out, I'll get lost': Stranded abroad for 42 years, Kerala man finally back home
After he flew to Bahrain in 1983 with dreams of becoming another Gulf-Malayali success story, Chandran Gopalan is finally back home — for the first time in 42 years. Three years after reaching Bahrain, Thiruvananthapuram-native Chandran's life turned upside down. With the death of his employer, Chandran lost his passport and other travel documents, making him an undocumented immigrant. His focus then turned to keeping away from the eyes of the law. His plight became known to the public in Kerala in 2020 when he was detained by Bahrain police following a tiff with another expatriate from Kerala. He has finally returned home on Wednesday, following the intervention of the Pravasi Legal Cell and with the support of the Indian Embassy and Bahrain's Ministry of Interior. Now 64 years old, Chandran says, 'I have returned empty-handed. Even the air ticket was arranged by the embassy. The only relief was that I could meet my mother, Sanchalakshi, now 95. My father, Gopalan, died in 1985 — two years after I left for Bahrain to work as a mason.' He says the future is bleak and that 'health is not on my side'. 'Back home, I have to track down my relatives and friends. While I remain a bachelor, two generations have been born in my family. The world I had left behind in Kerala has changed. If I go out, I will get lost,' said Chandran. Pravasi Legal Cell's Bahrain chapter president Sudheer Thirunilath said Chandran's case came to their attention in 2020. 'It was Chandran's first tryst with police since he landed in Bahrain and remained elusive after all documents were lost. Some such people, with no valid documents, land up with the police very soon. For Chandran, it took decades. He was jailed for three months.' He said that Chandran's deportation was made difficult due to his lack of documents. At the same time, Chandran's mother's wait for her son was telecast on Malayalam channel Kairali TV's popular 'Pravasalokam' programme about Keralites abroad. 'After watching the TV programme, someone informed Chandran that his mother is still alive. For the first time, he expressed a wish to return home to unite with his family,' said Sudheer. Pravasi Legal Cell and other well-wishers then took up the matter. As Chandran had no documents to prove his identity, they tracked down his family in Thiruvananthapuram and collected the required documents that allowed him to go through the long-winding legal procedure to head back home. 'His journey from despair to dignity is a testament to the power of community support, dedicated humanitarian effort, and the benevolence of the Kingdom of Bahrain's authorities,' said Sudheer. Chandran had left Kerala at the age of 22 and worked as a mason at a company in Bahrain for three years. But with the death of his employer, he lost both his job and his documents. 'Since then, I worked as a painter and moved from one place to another looking for work. For several years, I lived on the outskirts of Manama. I used to write letters to my family in the beginning, but a few years later, that stopped — from both sides. I had to remain in Bahrain as a person without any documents or an address of my own,' Chandran says. He now lives with the family of his elder brother, Mohanan. Mohanan's son-in-law, Suresh, says, 'When nothing was heard from Chandran, our family had approached many people. But he could not be tracked down.'
