After 42 long years of living undocumented in Bahrain, Chandran Gopalan, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, has finally returned home. The 64-year-old, who left Kerala in 1983 with dreams of a Gulf-Malayali success story, was forced to live as an undocumented immigrant after losing his passport and travel documents following the death of his employer in Bahrain.
Chandran’s ordeal began in the mid-1980s when he lost all his legal documents after his employer passed away. His situation remained unknown until 2020, when he was detained by Bahrain police following a dispute with another expatriate from Kerala. His story made headlines in Kerala when the Pravasi Legal Cell and the Indian Embassy, with the support of Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior, intervened to help him return to India.
“I have returned empty-handed. Even the air ticket was arranged by the embassy,” said Chandran, sharing his emotions as he returned home. His only relief was meeting his 95-year-old mother, Sanchalakshi, whom he had not seen in over four decades. His father, Gopalan, had passed away in 1985, just two years after Chandran left for Bahrain to work as a mason.
Despite returning to his homeland, Chandran expressed a sense of loss. “The world I had left behind in Kerala has changed. If I go out, I will get lost,” he said. The future looks uncertain for him, as he is now dealing with health issues and the challenge of reconnecting with his relatives and friends. “Two generations have been born in my family, and I remain a bachelor,” he added.
Chandran’s case came to the attention of the Pravasi Legal Cell in 2020, when his plight was broadcast on the Malayalam television channel Kairali TV’s popular program Pravasalokam. After watching the program, Chandran learned that his mother was still alive, prompting his desire to return home. The legal cell and well-wishers worked tirelessly to gather the necessary documents, enabling him to navigate the complicated legal procedures and return to India.
Sudheer Thirunilath, president of the Pravasi Legal Cell’s Bahrain chapter, praised the collective efforts in securing Chandran’s return. “His journey from despair to dignity is a testament to the power of community support, dedicated humanitarian effort, and the benevolence of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s authorities,” said Sudheer.
Chandran had spent most of his time in Bahrain working as a painter after his job as a mason ended. For years, he lived on the outskirts of Manama, without any fixed address or legal documentation. He had stopped writing to his family after a few years, as there was no way to communicate with them.
Now back in Kerala, Chandran lives with his elder brother Mohanan’s family, but the emotional and physical toll of 42 years of separation remains evident. Despite the challenges, he is finally home, where he hopes to find some peace and connection in a world that has long moved on without him.