Gurtej Singh's 23-Year Wait: A Tale of Separation and Reunion

Gurtej Singh, a native of Mattewara village in Ludhiana, moved to Lebanon in 2001 to secure a better future for his family. Stranded due to a lost passport during the 2006 Lebanese war, Singh waited 23 years to reunite with his family. His return was facilitated by AAP Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal.

When Gurtej Singh travelled to Lebanon to earn a better living for the future of his family in Punjab, little did he know that he would have to wait 23 years to reunite with them.

A native of Mattewara village in Ludhiana district, Singh moved to Lebanon in 2001 with five to six people from his village. While the others returned home following the outbreak of a war in the country in 2006, Singh became stranded after losing his passport.

His efforts to secure a duplicate passport from the Indian Embassy were unsuccessful, leading to years of fear and uncertainty in Lebanon. However, AAP Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal recently raised the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs, leading to the issuance of a duplicate passport.

Finally, on September 6, Singh was able to return to India, reuniting with his family after 23 long years. His story is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by migrant workers.

(With inputs from agencies.)