Umashankar Kumar, a resident of Kotia village in the Kudhani Muzaffarpur district, returned home after four months. He had gone to work in Dakar, the capital of West African Senegal. Upon his return, he was greeted by his wife Chandni Devi and children, and he cried out of emotion upon seeing his family after a long absence.
According to Umashankar, the initial reason for his departure was financial difficulties related to his daughter's wedding in the family. At that time, an acquaintance informed him about the possibility of getting a job in Senegal with a salary of 60 thousand rupees per month. Based on this hope, he arrived in Dakar on May 17, 2026.
However, upon arrival, Umashankar found that the situation was drastically different from what was expected. Instead of the promised 60 thousand rupees per month, he was offered a contract for 30 thousand rupees. Starting May 19, he began working at a meat processing plant belonging to a company. Umashankar claims that the company confiscated his passport and visa and then forced him to work about 12 hours daily.
During his employment, his health deteriorated, and his blood pressure continued to rise. Loneliness and constant work abroad increased his stress. He also reported that all the money he had in Dakar ran out, and he faced problems even with food.
Umashankar admitted that in Senegal, he repeatedly felt that he would never be able to return to India due to lack of funds and the fact that his passport was held by the company. In this situation, he sought help. His problems came to the attention of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy.
Following the initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy, the company's management was summoned to the embassy on Wednesday, where Umashankar was also invited. The entire situation was examined over approximately four hours. Under the embassy's direction, the company owner returned Umashankar's passport, and a flight ticket was arranged for his return to India. With his passport back, the path home was open.
Umashankar arrived at Delhi airport on Sunday and then took a special train from Delhi Junction to Muzaffarpur, which departed at six in the evening. After four months abroad and the hardships endured, he reached his home in Kotia village late on Monday evening. The family's joy was immense, and he cried while hugging his wife Chandni Devi and children. This moment was very touching for the children and the entire family who saw their father after a long time.
Returning home, Umashankar stated that he had lost hope of returning to India, but thanks to the initiative of the central minister and MP Dr. Rajbhushan Chaudhary and Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta, he was able to return to his land. He emphasized that he would never forget his four-month experience in Senegal. For Umashankar, who hoped for better wages abroad, this journey turned out to be full of difficulties.
Umashankar made it clear that he does not intend to travel abroad again. He wants to work either as a hired laborer or engage in another job directly in India. According to him, after facing such problems while working abroad, he does not wish to leave again. When news of Umashankar's return spread, relatives and neighbors started visiting him. His return after four months brings joy to a family that remained away, hoping for higher income.
