THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The time is 3:45 am on Monday morning. Outside the arrival lounge of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport terminal, an old couple from Haripad are anxiously scanning the flight schedule.They will have to spend one more hour to catch a glimpse of Vipin R, their 26-year-old son, who is one of the six Keralites returning from Saudi Arabia, rescued by the state government from a jail in Dammam - as part of the newly-launched ‘Swapna Saphalyam’ to bring back NRKs stranded in Gulf countries.“He left for Saudi Arabia last November, a month after his wedding. His bag was stolen and with it his labour card. He was admitted to a hospital in Dammam due to mental depression,” said K Raveendran, Vipin’s father. There are around 300 Keralites doing their time in Saudi jails.Speaking to Express, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said this initiative by the government with support from Norka Roots would see hundreds of Keralites stranded in Gulf countries heading back home. “The state government will do everything to bring back those who are in jail. But we have our limitation when it is a criminal case,” he said.Rajeev from Varkala pinned the blame on fraudulent sponsors. “I’d spent over Rs 2 lakh last year for visa and labour permit. For four months I was in Dammam unable to contact my family or friends. I am grateful to the Kerala government and Keralities in Saudi Arabia who facilitated our return,” he said.The story is a bit different for Sajeev Ramanadan from Attingal, who spent last six months in jail.’ Four of us shared a small cell, food was scarce, medical care non-existant,” said Sajeevan.The oldest is 51-year-old Abu Shehaman from Thiruvananthapuram. “I broke my leg and the sponsor took back my labour card. I was in jail in Dammam for a year,” he said.
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