Kerala man stranded in Bahrain returns home after 42 years

An Indian man stranded in the Middle East for over 40 years, is finally set to reunite with his family in Kerala.

Gopalan Chandran, a 74-year-old man, hailed from a small village near Powdikonam in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He went to Bahrain 42 years ago in 1983, to secure a well paying job and support his family.

However, he has been stranded there ever since as he lost his passport after his employer’s death.

Owing to this, he became undocumented and fell through the cracks of immigration, making it impossible for him to leave from there.

However, many years later, Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), an NGO which comprised retired judges, lawyers and journalists, fighting for Indians facing injustice in India and abroad, made it possible for Chandran to return home.

The NGO sharing the story on their Facebook handle, on April 22, said, "Today, we share a story that will stay with you long after you read it-a story of loss, perseverance, and the extraordinary power of human compassion," PLC said in a post on Facebook. "In 1983, a young man named Gopalan Chandran left his small village near Powdikonam, Kerala, and set off for Bahrain, full of hope and dreams for his family. But life had a different plan. When his employer passed away and his passport was lost, Gopalan found himself undocumented and stranded-trapped in a foreign land for 42 long years."

The Pravasi Legal Cell team headed by Sudheer Thirunilath coordinated with the Embassy of India in Bahrain and the Kingdom's Immigration Department making Gopalan’s return possible.

“They worked tirelessly to bring Gopalan's story to light—navigating legal mazes, providing shelter, tracking down long-lost family, and coordinating with authorities,” the NGO added.

PLC further said, "Gopalan finally return home to see his 95-year-old mother—who never stopped waiting for her son. He boards his flight home today morning with no belongings—only memories, tears, and the dream of reuniting with family. This isn’t just a story of a man going home. It’s a story of what happens when humanity, justice, and relentless kindness come together. It’s a symbol of hope for countless migrants who remain unheard. Welcome home, Gopalan. You were never forgotten."

The NGO also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to both the Indian Embassy and the Bahrain Embassy for their help and cooperation.