MUSCAT, JUNE 13
A Tamil Nadu native of India, who was stranded in the Sultanate of Oman for 15 years without identity documents after her passport and papers were destroyed in a fire, has finally returned home, closing a long chapter marked by loss, uncertainty and resilience.
Gulzar Hazar Nisha’s ordeal began when her passport was destroyed in a house fire in Suhar while she was working in Oman. Her difficulties were compounded when key documents in India were later lost in a sea storm that destroyed her family home, leaving her without any valid proof of identity.
Originally from Mayiladuthurai in Chennai, she had travelled to Oman 18 years ago for domestic work. After an initial return visit to India two years into her stay, tragedy struck on both sides, making it impossible for her to re-establish her documentation. The family even lacked copies of her original passport, which had been obtained earlier using a ration card.
Her inability to prove her nationality left her stranded for years. During this period, she was unable to return home to attend her husband’s funeral following a fatal road accident or be present at her daughter’s wedding. Most recently, she had been yearning to see her ailing mother.
Despite repeated attempts, even assistance sought through the Indian Embassy in Muscat initially did not yield results due to missing records. Her son also made several unsuccessful efforts over the years.
A breakthrough came in 2026, when coordinated efforts between authorities in India and Oman helped resolve the long-standing impasse. Following interventions in Tamil Nadu, verification by the district collector, and renewed coordination with the Indian Embassy in Muscat, an emergency certificate was issued.
Community efforts also played a key role. Volunteers from Ruwi KMCC, including Rafeeq Sreekantapuram and his team, assisted in tracing and organising documentation to establish her Indian nationality.
“Once we came to know about her situation, we worked to help organise the papers needed to prove her citizenship. We received strong support from the Royal Oman Police, the Ministry of Labour and other authorities,” said Rafeeq, expressing gratitude for the coordinated efforts.
Following the confirmation of her nationality, authorities in both Oman and India facilitated her return, finally enabling her to reunite with her family after 15 years of uncertainty.
Social worker Rashid Haroon, a member of the Tamil community based in Oman, said support networks would continue assisting her resettlement in India. “Her challenges may continue, but volunteers in Tamil Nadu are also stepping in to support her as she settles back home,” he said.
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