Ujjain air hostess returns safely amid Iran-Israel tensions

Ujjain

Ujjain resident Manisha Bhatnagar, a senior cabin crew member with Qatar Airways, has safely returned to India after briefly being caught in the fallout of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Her evacuation has been attributed to swift coordination between local, state, and central authorities, following distress calls from her family.

Bhatnagar, who has been stationed in Doha for the past three years, found herself in a tense situation after reports emerged of missile strikes targeting US military installations in Qatar. On the night of the incident, she reportedly contacted her husband, Rajat Bhatnagar, expressing fear over loud explosions near her residence. Soon after, communication was lost, deepening concerns among her family in Ujjain.

Disturbed by the silence and the volatile situation, Rajat reached out to local contacts. The issue soon reached the attention of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who hails from Ujjain. Responding swiftly, CM Yadav contacted Union Home Minister Amit Shah and directed state officials to work in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Doha.

A public appeal by the Chief Minister, posted on social media, garnered support and helped accelerate diplomatic efforts. With timely intervention, Bhatnagar was located and arrangements were made for her return to India.

After her arrival, CM Yadav interacted with her via video call, expressing relief and praising her composure during the ordeal. He also lauded the quick response by government agencies. In a post on X, Yadav thanked the Union government for 'Operation Sindhu' and said the incident showcased Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dedication to ensuring the safety of Indians abroad during international crises.