Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Dec 2: Proving that grit and determination can move mountains, the Indian man who walked a 1,000 km to attend court hearings has finally been rewarded for his unflinching persistence. Jagannathan Selvaraj, who was living in a public park for the past two years after his employer threw him out, has finally been able to fly back home.
As per a report published in Khaleej Times, Selvaraj flew to Chennai by Air India flight on Thursday December 1, thanks to the intervention of the human rights department of Dubai police, Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and Indian consular officials. "Justice has prevailed in Dubai,'' the report quoted him as saying. He also thanked the Dubai police.
After his story appeared in the media, Dubai police took immediate action and tracked him down. "He was then taken to a facility from where he was located by Indian officials after (Sushma) Swaraj tweeted that she had asked Indian mission officials to help him," the report stated.
After landing in Chennai, Selvaraj proceeeded to his hometown Tiruchirapalli.
"I am very happy. My employer has returned my passport and a ticket has been arranged by the Indian Consulate Dubai," an elated Selvaraj told Khaleej Times. "People in this country are so generous, their genorosity knows no bounds. Two years ago I could not go to India and attend my mothers funeral. Thanks to Dubai, I am able to go back to India," he said.
A carpenter by profession, Selvaraj's employer allegedly did not return his passport and he was thrown on the streets without money. He spent two years in a public park. After the intervention of the officials concerned, the company handed over the passport on Thursday, it is learnt. The company had refused to give him permission to go back home to attend his mother's funeral. The case was settled months ago after two years of hearing, but Selvaraj was stranded without proper travel documents.
"A poor worker could win a court case against his employer despite all the problems,'' he said.
Selvaraj, who was living in Sonapur, had to attend court hearings in Karama, but he had no money to travel. So he chose to walk to and fro 54 km every 15 days for two years. "I had to walk 2 hours in the morning to reach the court in Dubai. I used to get up early morning at 4 am on the days the court was to hear my case. Every 15 days, I had to walk all the way to the court because I did not have the money to pay for bus or taxi," he had said, adding that he must have attended at least 20 court hearings this way.
Soon after the news appeared in the media, several helping hands came forward offering to sponsor his return ticket.