Bhubaneswar: The mortal remains of an Odia migrant worker who died in Qatar were brought back to Odisha on Thursday through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the state government.
The deceased, identified as Kuna Khuntia from Khallikote block in Ganjam district, had travelled to the Gulf country about four months ago in search of employment. He was working as a labourer with a private company in Qatar.
According to officials, Khuntia’s family was informed of his death on March 6. The information conveyed to the family suggested that he died suddenly while resting in his room.
After receiving the news, the bereaved family appealed to the authorities to help bring his body back to Odisha so that the final rites could be performed in his native village.
Responding to the request, the Ministry of External Affairs, in coordination with the Odisha government, facilitated the repatriation process. Khuntia’s mortal remains arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar on Thursday morning.
Khallikote MLA Purna Chandra Sethy and Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty of the Odisha Paribar directorate, received the body at the airport. Arrangements were subsequently made to transport the mortal remains to Khuntia’s native village in Ganjam district.
