With shattered dreams, Indians in Iraq reach home empty-handed

MADURAI: M Muthukumar went to Iraq in February 2013 with lot of dreams and expectations. Constructing an own house and providing better education for his children propelled him to take up a job abroad. He knew nothing about that country.
All that he knew was he would be paid Rs 30,000 salary and good increment after two years. He spent Rs 1 lakh with the hope that his dreams would turn into a reality.But nothing happened as per his wishes. And, on Tuesday, he returned home empty-handed.
Muthukumar from Kottinipatti in Melur block in Madurai district was working as a construction labourer in Najaf, one of the important cities in Iraq, located 160 km away from Baghdad. "Although I have lost many things in the last one-and-a-half years I am happy that I have at least reached home safe.
"We were four from Tamil Nadu staying in neighbouring areas. With the company having left us in the lurch we were hopeless about our return. We managed to contact Indian officials through the contact number displayed on TV to get back home," said the 33-year-old Muthukumar.
"As soon as I reached Iraq I understood that I was in trouble. I was not taken there with a valid working visa. Life in Iraq was like hell and we felt like slaves. We were not allowed to visit anywhere near due to problems prevailing in the country.
"Last three months is the worse as adding to the civil war we were left to suffer without salary. Today I have nothing. I earned just to repay the money I took as loan for the job," Muthukumar said.
M Kalimuthu, 36, from Allur Panangudi in Sivaganga district was the other from the southern region who reached home safely along with Muthukumar. "We did not fear much initially as the war was taking place very far from us. In the course of time we were not far from it. Once I heard a bullet sound. Internet and phone connection was not available which created panic. Our family members were very anxious about my return. Fortunately, I am back home," he said.
The returnees said that they were paid just Rs 22,000 by their employers. When there was a need no one came forward to help except the Indian government. It was the efforts of the central and state governments that they were evacuated safely, they expressed their gratitude.