Kamal Ghorui
Esha Gupta safely returned to India, landing in Delhi on March 2 after being stuck in Abu Dhabi since February 28. In a recent post, she confirmed her return, appreciating fans’ concern and prayers amid the ordeal. Describing the ordeal as incredibly challenging due to escalating Middle East tensions, she thanked the Indian and UAE governments for their quick assistance and help.
Esha Gupta returns safely to India
The ‘Rustom’ actress shared an emotional note on her Instagram for fans on Tuesday. It read, “Back home. Thank you all for your prayers and wishes. It was very tough to be in the situation that we all were. Truly gods blessing to safe!”.
Esha Gupta recounts airport chaos
Gupta went on to describe the chaotic events of the past three days while stuck in Abu Dhabi. “It started when I was at the airport on the 28th(Sunday). By 1pm the airport was closed, chaos all around as none of us knew what happened. Then the news started coming of the missile attack and no one knew what the next minute held for us. Strangers consoling each other, all calling their families back home. Here, I would like to mention, that what I saw was strength of a country which is UAE. We were at the Abu Dhabi airport. The ground staff and airport security immediately lunged to action and stayed calm throughout even though we were all in this situation together. I hadn’t checked in myself by then so I took a turn and left back to my hotel in Abu Dhabi. Following are the stories that we heard first hand from the people we met later in our hotel that night.”
Esha Gupta on passenger support
She shared how airport passengers received cash vouchers for meals. “Of course everyone had to wait to get their luggage and for the authorities to sort things. But after few hours, each and every passenger had to be in a cue and they were all given accommodation at all the available hotels in Abu Dhabi. By 9pm that night, they had buses ready for transfers to different hotels across the city and island. The government before it was out in media had ordered all the hotels to provide for stay and food to the stranded passengers. Again, this did not mean that they had strangers stuck in rooms, but they made sure only families or friends were together. We all were getting notifications alarms on our phones by the MOI of UAE to seek shelter. We also were getting reassurance alerts when situation seemed calm to them,” she explained.
Esha Gupta praises hotel staff
She then praised the hotel staff and management, who worked tirelessly and patiently to handle everything amid the tough circumstances.“Not once did we see the people, all scared internally but no one created stress, we all were in this together. Etihad had sent us all mail/messages for rebooking or refunds. We kept calling the airline in the hope to be on the next flight home, did not matter the city till we can land back in our own country. The ground staff on calls of the said airline were the most helpful and again, very calm, we had reached the airport much before so were lucky enough to be on the first commercial flight of Etihad which flew to Delhi yesterday afternoon,” she wrote.
Esha Gupta lauds UAE response
Even with the airport only partially functional, staff kept their cool and stepped up to aid travelers in every possible way. Esha commended the UAE authorities for their robust leadership and rapid response to safeguard all those affected. “All this shows just the backbone of a country and its strength, they took action when needed, no blaming anyone, just strong decisions. Thank you to everyone who helped and are helping people of the world to get back to their home. Your country is truly special,” she wrote.
Esha Gupta thanks the governments
Esha further thanked the government of India and wrote, “Thank you for our government for providing its citizens with reassurance and working towards getting us all back. Thank you to uae government in working in solidarity with every country for the citizens of the world! Radhe Radhe.”
