Stranded Indian celebrities laud UAE’s efforts to ensure safe passage

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Prominent Indian celebrities and sportspersons, who were stranded in the UAE following closure of airspace amid tensions in the Middle East, have expressed gratitude at the country's unstinting efforts to ensure their safety and safe passage back home.

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The Indian double Olympic medalist and badminton champion PV Sindhu was foremost among them. Sindhu was left stranded at the Dubai airport on her way to the All England badminton tournament after flight operations were suspended in the city as a safety measure.

On Tuesday, the shuttler wrote on social media that she is back home in Bangalore safely. And the 2019 winner of the World Championships (women's singles) lavished praise on Dubai's authorities for their prompt action and professionalism.

"The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I’m truly grateful to be back to my house," she wrote on X. "A heartfelt thank you to the incredible ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport staff, immigration, and every single person who stepped up and took such good care of us during a very difficult time. The empathy and professionalism meant more than words can say."

On March 1, when she was in Dubai, she was struck by the concern and empathy she and other passengers received. The actions, she said, gave her a "huge sense of calm".

"The authorities here in Dubai have been incredibly supportive through a very difficult situation. From the moment things escalated, we were taken care of with genuine concern and efficiency," Sindhu wrote on X. "We were provided a hotel room and clearly informed that until we are able to safely travel back, everything is being taken care of and covered. That reassurance alone brought a huge sense of calm."

"At every step, we have felt safe and looked after. The empathy being shown here is honestly out of this world. Every single person, from Emirates staff to immigration officials and the ground teams at the airport has gone above and beyond to help people who are stranded. They are doing everything in their power to look after every individual affected, and that deserves respect and appreciation."

Bollywood actress Esha Gupta, too, had a similar story to share.

“Back home. Thank you for all your prayers and wishes” she wrote on Instagram. 

The Indian actress, model, and beauty pageant titleholder said she witnessed the "strength of the UAE", during the crisis.

"We were at the Abu Dhabi airport. The ground staff and airport security immediately lunged to action and stayed calm throughout even though we were all in this situation together," the Jannat 2 star wrote.

Gupta, who is now back in Delhi, thanked the UAE government for "working in solidarity with every country for the citizens of the world".