Pune: While thousands of Indian nationals are stranded in various countries of West Asia amid the ongoing conflict, the travel embargo turned into a deep personal tragedy for 25-year-old Pankaj Phadtare, a resident of Daulatnagar in Satara district. The young seaman with a shipping firm, who happened to be in the UAE for work when the conflict erupted, was unable to fly home for a last glimpse of his father, who passed away of a sudden heart attack on Monday.Despite his best efforts to secure a flight from Fujairah City, Pankaj could not travel back due to suspended airline operations following the escalation of tensions in the region.After Pankaj’s father, 56-year-old Dipak Phadtare, succumbed to the sudden heart attack, the family performed his last rites without his son. Pankaj’s cousin Ramakant Phadtare told TOI that they could get no clarity on return flights. “Pankaj is the only son in the family. It was important for him to perform the last rites and be with the family in such situation, but he remained stranded in the UAE due to the conflict. Even now, we do not know when he will be able to return. We only hope he reaches soon so that he can at least perform the remaining rituals,” he said.Ramakant added that the family has been in constant touch with district and state authorities, seeking help to facilitate Pankaj’s early return. Pankaj has worked as with a Mumbai-based firm for the last four to five years and frequently travels across the world for work. “He comes home once in four to six months. This time, he was scheduled to return in a few days but then the unfortunate death occurred suddenly,” Ramakant said.
