W. Asia flare-up fuels worries

As tensions escalate, families of workers from Uttar Pradesh in Israel and pilgrims stuck in Iran are a worried lot

- Qazi Faraz Ahmad

LUCKNOW: Family members of hundreds of UP youths working in Israel are a worried lot these days as the war between Israel and Iran has intensified, leaving them praying for the safety of their near and dear ones. Daily video calls are the only way to check if their kin are safe in Israel. As per a rough estimate, over 4,000 workers have gone to that country from UP over the past one year to work on various projects.

Birbal from Sahebpurwa hamlet in Bahraich says he is confident that his brother Shivam Sahni, who went to Israel, is in safe hands. Speaking over the phone, he said: "I spoke to Shivam this morning and everything was fine at his end. All the workers are safe; they are told to go into bunkers whenever the alarm goes off for any air strike. I am sure the government will bring them back in case there is any kind of danger."

"Many youths from our village have gone to Israel for work...the latest one went around a month back. I think the hype about the war is more in the media than in reality. We keep talking to Shivam over video call every day to check on his well being," added Birbal.

Manoj Kumar Nishad of the same hamlet is concerned about the safety of his two nephews who are also in Israel. "We all are concerned about their safety.

I spoke to them today at 10:30 a.m. Though my nephews are in Hadera, their friends are working in Tel Aviv where the situation is a bit tense. Those in Tel Aviv are living in bunkers for the last four days. Work is stalled in this city for now. My nephew Ram Achal in Hadera told me a few days back that the war intensified with three missiles hitting Tel Aviv."

"I have just made an international recharge for my phone. In case there is no internet, we can talk normally on the phone. I just hope everyone remains safe there," added Nishad.