NRI, stuck in Oman for 30 years, dies waiting

A 56-year-old Indian who was stuck in Oman for the last 30 years after losing his passport and other documents, died in Muscat on Sunday night, a day before he got signed documents to prove his nationality.

Thannivelil Madhusudhanan, who hailed from Ponkunnam in Kottayam district, left for Oman in 1977. His family had not heard from him since 1983. Till about a fortnight back, when they received word that he was alive, but ill.

"For nearly 10 years, we inquired about him... we had lost hope,'' recalled Madhusudhanan's younger brother, Biju.

On January 15, some social workers reportedly admitted an ailing Madhusudhanan to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He had been eking out a living doing odd jobs.

A PTI report quoted a social worker as saying that "he had a National Cadet Corps certificate and a copy of his ration card, but embassy officials insisted that he should provide his 'nativity certificate'."

The social workers informed Madhusudhanan's family, who then obtained a 'nativity certificate' to facilitate his return home.

After decades, Madhusudhanan spoke to his mother Thankamma. His father died about five years back.

"He spoke to me and expressed his longing to come home... Now, we are waiting for his body,'' said Biju.

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