Pune: A group of 84 Master of Business Administration (MBA) students from Pune’s Indira School of Business Studies (ISBS), along with accompanying faculty, remains stranded in Dubai amid spiraling West Asia tensions triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the subsequent killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Reports said the students had embarked on a five-day academic study tour to Dubai. Their itinerary included return flights for two batches: 40 students on Saturday and the remaining 44 on Sunday. However, abrupt airspace closures across the region left the entire group of 84 stranded as airlines cancelled or rerouted services to and from the United Arab Emirates.
ISBS Dean Janardhan Pawar reassured families on Sunday, stating, “All the students and staff members are safe. They have been shifted to a hotel in Dubai, and we are in constant touch with them.” He emphasized the institute’s round-the-clock monitoring to ensure their well-being.
Indira Group of Institutes chairperson Tarita Shankar emphasized that the institute has been coordinating with central authorities to facilitate their return. “We are in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The safety of our students is our priority, and we are making arrangements to bring them back at the earliest once flights resume,” she said.
The crisis intensified after Khamenei’s death prompted Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes across the Gulf, prompting global airlines to suspend operations.
Maharashtra’s Chief Minister’s Office on Saturday in a X post reaffirmed state-level intervention. “The Maharashtra government is in constant touch with the concerned authorities. All necessary assistance will be extended to ensure their safe return,” it stated, adding that officials are coordinating with the Centre and providing regular updates to affected families.
