Elderly amnesiac Indian expatriate returns home to Kashmir

An 87-year-old Indian man, Rashid Anwar Dhar, who had been stranded in the UAE after losing his memory, returned to his home in Kashmir on Wednesday. His return comes just in time for the Eid Al Fitr festival. The Indian Association Sharjah (IAS), the Indian Consulate in Dubai, and UAE authorities collaborated to facilitate his journey home. Dhar was found abandoned outside the IAS office in January 2024. Nissar Thalangara, the IAS president, described his situation as heartbreaking. With the help of the Indian Consulate, they managed to locate his family, which led to arrangements for his safe return. IAS volunteers took care of him during his time in Sharjah. Officials noted that Dhar claimed to be a doctor from Jammu and Kashmir. However, they are still working to confirm this information. Dhar mentioned that he had married and had a son before leaving Kashmir, but eventually remarried in the UAE. His struggle began after the death of his second wife, which led to financial and health issues. Although details of his past were murky, authorities managed to find his old passport, which was issued in 1989. This allowed the consulate to issue him an Emergency Certificate for his travel back to India. The Emergency Certificate is a temporary travel document for those without a valid passport. Sree Prakash, the IAS secretary, expressed gratitude for everyone's efforts to help Dhar, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. He emphasized that this story represents love and kindness that transcends borders and faiths. The community is pleased that Dhar can celebrate Eid with his family.