Noida: Nights in Al Ahmadi have become a test of nerves for this Ghaziabad family — the faint, frightening rush of missiles across the sky, a toddler jolting awake in tears, and a phone screen refreshed again and again for any sign that flights have resumed.
The 32-year-old husband, a consultant with a logistics firm in Kuwait for the past year, asked not to be named, saying he fears losing his job if identified. His wife Richa and their two-year-old son, Aryaveer, joined him around four months ago for what was meant to be a six-month stay. But since Sunday, the atmosphere has turned tense as Iran attacked US bases in the region, including in Kuwait, and commercial flights were suspended.
"We sometimes hear missiles being fired at a distance. It's unsettling, especially at night," Richa told TOI over phone from Kuwait. "My son wakes up startled and starts crying. We comfort him and try to stay calm. The authorities have been issuing regular advisories and maintaining order, which reassures us. We keep checking for updates on flights and hope there is clarity soon. Above all, we're grateful safety measures are in place, and we just want to return to India safely when the situation eases."
Her husband said work had not been suspended by Kuwait govt. So, he continues to report to office even as his focus stays at home. "I step out for work, but my thoughts are at home. My only concern is my wife and child. If any evacuation is arranged, I want them sent back immediately. Uncertainty over air travel has intensified stress," he added.
Back in Vasundhara in Ghaziabad, his parents said they had barely slept since the attacks began. "We've been watching news all day and late into the night. Every time we hear about fresh strikes or rising tensions, our hearts sink. We keep calling to check they are safe. As parents, we feel helpless sitting here while our children are hearing missiles overhead," said his 65-year-old father, Ashok Malik.
Ashok said the family never imagined their grandson would be exposed to such scenes. "He is only two. This is not something a child should experience. We are praying the situation stabilises and the govt facilitates their safe return."
Officials in the Ghaziabad administration said they had collected details of 19 people stuck across Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. "Among the 19, there are 11 persons from three families living in Bahrain and Kuwait for jobs, two tourists stuck in Bahrain, while the rest are also working," an official said.
In Noida, the administration has gathered details of 24 people, all in Sharjah in UAE. "Among them, there are four families — 15 people — there for jobs, five tourists, while the rest are students studying there," a senior official said.
In Dadri's Cholas village, families are on edge after hearing from youths studying in Iran's Qom — a hub where Indian Muslim students pursue Shia theology and jurisprudence at Hawza seminaries. Guddu's son Kambar Ali, who left India on Feb 13, called home as tensions spiked, crying and describing missile fire streaking across the sky and a frightening atmosphere. The call rattled his family. Days later, Guddu finally reached him again. "Kambar said he was safe and intended to continue his studies. He urged us not to panic," Guddu said.
Another villager, Mudassir Raza, spoke to his brothers Asad and Askari Raza, who have been in Iran for eight months. They, too, insisted that Qom was calm enough to study, and asked their family to stop worrying.
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