Bhubaneswar: Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain has urged the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and ensure the safe return of an Odia youth stranded in Saudi Arabia.
In a letter to Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Swain requested immediate steps for the repatriation of Ranjan Mohapatra from Jagatsinghpur district.
According to the letter, Ranjan Mohapatra went to Saudi Arabia in May 2024 and joined ‘Majad Al-Harbi’ Co. as a wheel loader driver. His work contract with the company expired on 30.04.2026. However, his mother Damam Sethi has alleged that the company is not allowing him to return to India even after the contract period ended.
The family said Ranjan’s father, Sadhu Charan Sethi, is in poor health, which has increased their mental distress.”Ranjan Mohapatra, son of Odisha, is stuck in foreign soil and his family is spending days in worry here.
From a humanitarian point of view, the Ministry of External Affairs should intervene immediately and take necessary steps to bring him back to the country safely as soon as possible,” the Minister wrote.
Swain has also requested the Indian Ambassador in Saudi Arabia to take immediate action in the matter and facilitate Ranjan’s early return.
