Balangir: Allegedly sold by her husband to to a UAE national in Mumbai, Hasta Mahanand, who hails from Jagua village under Titilagarh block in Balangir district, finally made her way back to India from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after seven years of anguish and estrangement from her loved ones.Her homecoming was made possible through the coordinated intervention of the Indian Consulate in Dubai and the UAE ministry of foreign affairs, besides financial aid from Indian Community Welfare Fund.According to reports, Hasta was married to one Premananda Mahanand, after which they travelled to Mumbai in search of work in 2019. During their stay in Mumbai, Mahanand allegedly sold his wife to the UAE national to work as a househelp.Hasta briefly came to India in 2022 with her employer, but after going back to the Gulf then, her family slowly lost all contacts with her. Her passport was allegedly retained by her sponsor illegally, and her ability to travel or communicate freely was significantly constrained.As months stretched into years, with no word on her whereabouts, the family’s anxiety deepened. In desperation, they approached local authorities as well as some social activists. A social worker brought the matter to Odisha high court for help.The case gained fresh momentum when a video showing Hasta pleading for help began circulating on social media. In response, authorities ramped up efforts to locate her and re-establish communication.Officials at the Indian Consulate in Dubai liaised with Emirati authorities and began verifying her identity through official records. Once she was found, the consulate discovered she was struggling financially and had no means to return to India on her own.According to reports, the consulate arranged temporary housing and other essentials for her. Her flight back home was organised with assistance from the Indian Community Welfare Fund, which also covered the cost of her ticket.After all the required paperwork, she was granted permission to travel back to India.Hasta’s return has brought immense relief to her family, especially her three daughters, who spent years anxiously with their grandparents, waiting for any news of their mother.
