Lucknow: Akhilesh Kumar, a resident of Akbarpur who was stranded in the conflict-affected city of Netanya in Israel, has been safely brought back via Jordan following the directions of chief minister Yogi Adityanath and the initiative of district magistrate Anupam Shukla.Officials said this development stands as an example of the CM’s humanitarian approach towards citizens, the sensitivity and prompt decision-making of the Ambedkar Nagar district administration, and effective international coordination.Akhilesh went to Israel for employment, but due to non-cooperation from his employer and war-like conditions, he fell into severe mental distress. His condition deteriorated to the point where he was unable to return on his own. During this time, his wife Kiran Devi, a resident of village Hajpura (police station Sammanpur, tehsil Jalalpur), attended the janata don Mar 25, and made an emotional appeal to the DM for her husband’s safe return.The DM informed the state govt and thereafter the CM instructed senior officials to ensure Akhilesh’s safe return. Accordingly, on Mar 28, a formal communication was sent to the Indian Embassy in Israel. Simultaneously, the ministry of external affairs of the govt of India established continuous high-level coordination with the Indian ambassador in Tel Aviv, consular officials, the Indian ambassador in Jordan, and the Jordanian administration, which accelerated the entire process.Due to the closure of airports in Israel, an alternative strategy was adopted. On Apr 1, arrangements for a Jordan visa and international air ticket were made. On Apr 2, Akhilesh was safely transported by a special vehicle to the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv, from where he was taken by land to the Jordan border. With the assistance of the Indian Embassy in Jordan and local authorities, he was taken to Amman (the capital of Jordan). From there, he boarded a Royal Jordanian flight on Apr 2 and safely reached Mumbai on Apr 3.At Mumbai airport, Royal Jordanian representative Rishabh Singh handed him over to Air India staff. Thereafter, Akhilesh travelled from Mumbai to Lucknow on Air India flight AI-2491. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) also extended support during this process.Upon reaching Lucknow, Akhilesh met his family members and was then escorted to his home in tehsil Jalalpur, district Ambedkar Nagar.On Saturday, Akhilesh, along with his wife Kiran Devi, visited the collectorate and met DM Shukla to expressing gratitude to the administration and the govt.Akhilesh said: “I was going through one of the most difficult and helpless phases of my life, where all hope seemed to be fading.” He credited the continuous efforts of the state govt and the DM for his safe return to his family. Kiran Devi also shared her emotions, stating that the seriousness and priority given to her appeal during janata darshan became a ray of hope for her.She expressed gratitude to CM Yogi, the UP govt, DM Shukla, ADM (finance & revenue) Jyotsna Bandhu, Akbarpur SDM/executive officer Vishal Saraswat, and all officials and staff whose collective efforts made her husband’s safe return possible.
