Long-time West Asia resident Odias lead tense life amid conflict

Bhubaneswar: Uncertainty and unpredictability surround the lives of Odias, who had once gone to West Asia to work and earn, and have been living peacefully till the US-Iran war broke out on Feb 28. Now, fear rules their lives with every siren forcing them to duck for cover and follow safety guidelines.

“Personally, I have become more alert to our surroundings and take shelter in a safe place as soon as we get an official alert on the mobile phone and resume normal activities after getting an ‘all clear’ alert, again from the govt,” said Dubai-based Priyadarshee Panigrahi, who heads MENA operations of an Indian FMCG.

In Bahrain, offices are functioning restrictively, exams have been cancelled, airspace closed and people who have never faced such a situation have been left traumatised. “Bahrain has been a very peaceful country. But now, we are worried. Being the head of a company, I must keep my people motivated and I do so,” said Arun Praharaj, the founder of Bahrain Odia Samaj, who has lived in the West Asia country for 28 years.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Sudhashree, also from Dubai. “The current war situation has made many of us more conscious of the fragility of peace. On a personal level, it brings a sense of concern for friends, colleagues, and families across different countries who may be directly or indirectly affected. It also means staying constantly alert,” she said Sudhashree.

They feel if the war is long drawn, then it will affect the economy and with it, livelihood and living conditions. “It is very unfortunate that we will be leaving behind a strife-torn world for our next generation. Hope this issue is resolved soon,” said Praharaj, adding that people from Karnataka and Kerala have hired private jets to go back to India.

Currently, the only way to get out of Bahrain is going to Damman in Saudi Arabia.