Six-year-old Karan broke into a jig when he saw his grandparents at the Jaipur airport’s terminal-2 on Monday.
His grandparents were among the 162 rescued pilgrims who were brought to the city by a special aircraft arranged by the state government.
Like Karan, for the families and relatives of the survivors it was a moment of relief and celebration when the flight landed at 6pm. Many burst into tears on seeing their family members after weeks. Some thanked God for answering their prayers.
Rupesh Kedawat, a businessman, was in tears when he saw his parents — Om Prakash (64) and Ratan (59) — coming out of the airport.
“We spent sleepless nights after reports of devastation started coming from Uttarakhand. Everyday, I prayed for their safe return,” Rupesh said wiping off his tears.
His sister, also teary eyed, hugged her mother. “I will not let my mother go anywhere now,” she said with the mother responding in affirmative.
Twenty two-year-old Ashok Agarwal touched his mother Meena’s feet and then hugged her. “Except the Army personnel, nobody in Badrinath cared for us. It was the love and affection of our family that we could return,” Meena said, unable to check her tears.
The sight of death and devastation has left the survivors shocked. Most refused to say anything on the tragedy fearing it would bring back the haunting images of devastation.
“Don’t ask anything. Let me go home, my son and grandson are waiting,” said Badrinath Sharma, a resident of Uchain in Bharatpur.
Sisters Mitali and Urvashi along with their brother Pawan welcomed their parents with sweets.
“We could not sleep and eat well and were shattered. We were unable to speak with our parents. This morning they told us that they are coming to Jaipur in a special aircraft. It was the happiest moment of our lives,” said Mitali.
Passengers of other flights too were moved by the emotional homecoming of the survivors and some of them greeted and touched their feet.
“I have not seen anything like this at an airport. I was overwhelmed to see people crying and hugging each other, garlanding their relatives,” said Nikita Agarwal, an IT professional who had reached the airport to catch a Mumbai flight.
Earlier on Sunday, a batch of 91 pilgrims was brought back from Uttarakhand.
src: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Emotional-homecoming-for-162-Uttarakhand-survivors-at-Jaipur-airport/articleshow/20867925.cms