On #InternationalWomensDay
This story reported by BBC Gujarati stands out.
Do read this thread 👇
Tejal Patel, a Gujarati woman, mother of two refuses to return to India when Indians stranded in #Ukraine️ are being evacuated. She won’t return to India till she repays debt
This story reported by BBC Gujarati stands out.
Do read this thread 👇
Tejal Patel, a Gujarati woman, mother of two refuses to return to India when Indians stranded in #Ukraine️ are being evacuated. She won’t return to India till she repays debt
Tejal Patel walked two days from Kharkiv to Poland from war torn Ukraine with thousands other refugees.
She is from Gujarat who went to Ukraine paying Rs 7.5 lakhs to agents to earn money to support her family after she and her husband lost jobs during Covid19 pandemic.
She is from Gujarat who went to Ukraine paying Rs 7.5 lakhs to agents to earn money to support her family after she and her husband lost jobs during Covid19 pandemic.
Tejal used to work in a private firm earning Rs 8000 in wages while her husband Pravin used to drive school van. Both lost jobs during pandemic (schools shut and private companies laid off workers).
The couple survived selling jewellery for two years till they became broke.
The couple survived selling jewellery for two years till they became broke.
They didn’t have money left for school fees of children. No source of revenue forced them to look for opportunities to go out of India.
A friend of husband was an immigration agent. Husband was unable to find any suitable work opportunity so agent suggested wife Tejal can find
A friend of husband was an immigration agent. Husband was unable to find any suitable work opportunity so agent suggested wife Tejal can find
a job of cooking for Indian students in Ukraine.
Leftover jewellery and borrowings raised Rs 7.5 lakhs to be repaid in instalments from wages of Tejal.
Tejal started working in a hotel in Kharkiv, Ukraine cooking for 27 Indian students’ tiffins. Hotel provided lodging/boarding
Leftover jewellery and borrowings raised Rs 7.5 lakhs to be repaid in instalments from wages of Tejal.
Tejal started working in a hotel in Kharkiv, Ukraine cooking for 27 Indian students’ tiffins. Hotel provided lodging/boarding
Tejal would cook 75 parathas, daal, rice, curry daily and send Rs 30,000 every month to India to repay debt.
She carried in for 5 months like this leaving Tejal with a debt of remaining Rs 5.5 lakhs.
Then Russia invaded Ukraine. Tejal had to leave Kharkiv along with Indian
She carried in for 5 months like this leaving Tejal with a debt of remaining Rs 5.5 lakhs.
Then Russia invaded Ukraine. Tejal had to leave Kharkiv along with Indian
students fleeing to Ukraine’s border with Poland. The bus stopped 28 kms away from border due to traffic jam. The group started walking surviving on two slices of bread and water for 24 hours.
It took them another 48 hours to get through. Tejal lost her mobile phone in this.
It took them another 48 hours to get through. Tejal lost her mobile phone in this.
One student who used to visit her hotel for food, gave her phone while students left for India.
Tejal stayed in Poland, determined to repay her debt come what may. She says, how do I repay lakhs of rupees with mere Rs 8000 salary?
Tejal is hopeful of getting a work permit in
Tejal stayed in Poland, determined to repay her debt come what may. She says, how do I repay lakhs of rupees with mere Rs 8000 salary?
Tejal is hopeful of getting a work permit in
Poland and will keep working till she earns enough to repay debt and support her family. She’s already found work in an Indian shop in a Polish mall.
Tejal has sold off her earrings to pay for rental accommodation. She’s hoping to fund her son’s school fees as he will be in
Tejal has sold off her earrings to pay for rental accommodation. She’s hoping to fund her son’s school fees as he will be in
12th board next year. Daughter is in 7th standard. Tejal want to accumulate enough for her daughter’s future wedding too. Till then she won’t come back to India, even if govt provides free flight.
Link to BBC Gujarati story
bbc.com/gujarati/india…
Link to BBC Gujarati story
bbc.com/gujarati/india…
Please note both Tejal Patel (B.Com) and husband Pravin are graduates and struggle to find jobs in model state Gujarat. It's not just students (MBBS) who migrate out of country, the economic migrants from middle and lower middle class are in big numbers too.
@Bhargavparikh14 your story
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