Bhubaneswar: An Odia youth stranded in Saudi Arabia after the expiry of his employment contract will return to India on July 26 following the intervention of Odisha Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain.
Pralay Ranjan Mohapatra, a resident of Jagatsinghpur district, had travelled to Saudi Arabia on May 24, 2024, to work as a wheel loader driver with Majd Al-Harbi Co. His contract ended on April 30, 2026, but the company allegedly did not allow him to return to India.
The matter came to the minister’s attention after Pralay’s mother, Pratima Sethi, sought his help in bringing her son back. Swain subsequently wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, requesting immediate intervention.
Following the minister’s request, the Indian Embassy in Jeddah held discussions with the employer to secure Pralay’s final exit clearance and flight ticket. After continuous follow-up, the company granted the final exit and arranged his travel.
Pralay is scheduled to return to India on July 26.
His prolonged stay in Saudi Arabia had caused distress to his family, especially as his father, Sadhu Charan Sethi, has been unwell. His return has brought relief to the family, which thanked the minister for his efforts in securing his safe return.
