Odia Women in Dubai Yearn to Return Amid Israel-Iran Conflict Tensions
While many non-resident Indians (NRIs) from West Asia are rushing back to India due to escalating regional tensions, a group of Odia women currently vacationing in Odisha are expressing a strong desire to return to their second home in Dubai. These women, who have built stable lives and careers in the United Arab Emirates, are determined to go back as per their original schedules, despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Personal Lives Interrupted by Regional Conflict
Chanchal Patra, one of the women affected, explained that she had planned her trip to Bhubaneswar during her children's spring break but had to advance her travel dates due to the initial air strikes. "Although flight operations have been reduced, I managed to bring my children to Odisha while they had holidays," she stated. However, Patra emphasized her intention to return to Dubai by March 30, when the vacation period concludes. Her commitment underscores the deep roots many Odia expatriates have established in the UAE.
Golden Visa Holders and Long-Term Plans
Another Odia woman, who requested anonymity, has been stranded in Bhubaneswar since February 26—just two days before the air strikes commenced. She had originally planned to stay until March 5 and return to Dubai with her mother. "I want to go back as I have my own house in Dubai," she revealed, highlighting her status as a golden visa holder, which grants her a 10-year residency in the UAE. This long-term security makes returning to her established life a priority, despite the geopolitical uncertainties.
UAE Government Reassurance and Daily Life
Despite initial fears, many of these women report that the UAE government has effectively managed the crisis, intercepting most missiles and maintaining normalcy. One woman shared her experience of flying to Kolkata before reaching Balasore, noting that her Emirates flight was fully booked even during the conflict. After a previous cancellation, she had to rebook tickets to reach Odisha. "Offices are functioning as usual, and people are going to work," she said, adding that government alerts during missile strikes have helped ease tensions.
The women also mentioned celebrating Holi and International Women's Day in Dubai this year, indicating that social and cultural life continues amidst the conflict. This normalcy has reinforced their confidence in returning to their daily routines in the UAE.
Family Concerns and Economic Worries
Suranjana Tripathy, who recently arrived in Jajpur for her brother's wedding, expressed that her parents in Odisha were extremely worried about her safety in Dubai. "We used to speak to them over video calls to calm them," Tripathy explained. However, her primary concern now shifts to the potential economic fallout from the conflict. "The turmoil might hit the economy, and everything could become costlier," she noted, reflecting broader anxieties about inflation and financial stability in the region.
These Odia women's stories highlight a complex dynamic where personal commitments and professional lives in Dubai outweigh the perceived risks of the Israel-Iran conflict, thanks in part to the UAE's robust safety measures and their own resilient adaptations to living abroad.
