‘Ghar Wapsi’ For Odisha Couple Stranded In Goa Post Lockdown

Bhubaneswar: The ordeal has ended and they are now back home in Odisha’s Malkangiri after being stuck in Goa since February this year.

Mithun Sarkar (31), his eight-month pregnant wife Sarita and their one and a half years old son landed at Visakhapatnam at 10 pm on Thursday and reached their native place in Chitrakonda on Friday morning. Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) had come forward to ensure their safe return home after media reports highlighted their plight.

District unit coordinator of KISS Amiya Ranjan Parida told the media that a social activist in Goa helped them undergo COVID-19 test and booked their flight tickets.

Notably, Mithun (30) had moved to Goa in search of a job and took up the job of a security guard with a private company at a monthly salary of Rs 13,500 on March 17. However, the company refused to clear his dues after paying 13 days’ salary. He was unable to pay the rent of the house, he was staying in having exhausted all his savings.

Left without a job or money post lockdown, they had sought help from the Odisha government to return home.