TAKING A CUE FROM SONU SOOD, MASALA KING DHANANJAY DATAR OF DUBAI SENDS INDIANS HOME
J Venkat
With the UAE being hit by the massive COVID-19 pandemic, Indian migrants in the UAE are queuing up outside the Indian consulate to try and get back to their motherland – India. Thousands of blue- and white-collar workers are unable to deal with the financial crisis and medical emergencies arising due to COVID-19. “I haven’t been paid for the last two months,” says one worker. “I need money to buy a ticket to get back home,” says another. “My wife is thirty-two weeks pregnant and we cannot afford to get the child delivered in the UAE. I have no job and no money. It’s a very difficult situation for me.”These Indian expatriates have found a helping hand in entrepreneur Dr. Dhananjay Datar from Maharashtra, India. The man behind the Al-Adil group of companies in the UAE has sponsored the travel of more than 3000 Indians to India thus far besides their COVID-19 tests, medical emergencies and food needs wherever necessary. And as we speak, is working on sending the next set of Indians home.
An award-winning entrepreneur, Datar is known for his brand association with actors like Vidya Balan, Karishma Kapoor, Sunny Leone, Juhi Chawla, Shilpa Shetty and Madhuri Dixit among many others. In fact, his autobiography was launched two years ago by Madhuri. This time around, Datar is being touted as his actions make him no less than a star himself. But the earthy entrepreneur dismisses the accolades with his statement. “It is one of the largest emergency evacuations and all hands need to be on deck. As a fellow Indian, I am simply doing what I can.”“This effort of Datar comes as a breath of fresh air in these times of masked existence,” avers H.E. Vipul, Consulate General of India in Dubai, U.A.E. “We have already sent eleven flights to India. Five of them have repatriated over 3000 Indians. I am glad that Dhananjay Datar of Al-Adil group came forward to sponsor the air tickets and COVID-19 tests. Such support is always welcome.”
Adds Datar, “I understand that many individuals who have lost their jobs are unable to make use of this initiative to go to their hometown since they do not have the money required. I will be coordinating with the approved bodies to extend a helping hand to those in need. All necessary guidelines in connection with this will be strictly followed. I am thankful to those who are involved in the repatriation process.”Next on the cards are 13-14 flights that would bring more expats back home. While on Indian grounds, an actor like Sonu Sood has made migrants feel safe and respected, Datar seems to be performing a similar laudable effort.