LUCKNOW: The second wave of Covid may have ebbed, but it has hit the reunion plans of families in the city which are split between India and UAE on the festival of Eid-ul-Zuha.
Many citizens who work in the Emirates are unable to come back home on Bakrid even when they have holidays since flights from India to UAE are still not operational.
The decision on resumption of flights is likely on Wednesday, meanwhile most male workers have sent their wives and children home for Bakrid and have no other option but to celebrate the festival alone.
“I came to Dubai just before the pandemic struck in 2020 and haven’t visited home since. I had saved enough to go home and celebrate Baqrid with family in Lucknow, but there are no return flights from India yet. If I go home and the flights don’t resume, I will be stranded and lose my job here,” said Mehfooz, an embroider from the city.
“I teach at a school in Sharjah where my summer break will continue till August, so I managed to come with my two years old son to be with my parents, but my husband could not come along despite Baqrid holiday since we weren’t sure when the return flights will resume. He will be alone on the festival and we will celebrate over video call,” said Nigar Khan.
Moreover, many males who came home to look after their parents infected by Covid are stuck for over several months while their families are in UAE.
“My parents contracted Covid in April and so I flew down to look after them. It has been nearly three months since, my wife and two daughters are in Dubai. I have never been away from my family for so long. This split on a festive occasion after so much turmoil and agony of pandemic is really upsetting for us,” said Adil Niyaz.
