Coronavirus: UAE expat who lost mother books last-minute seat on India flight to perform her last rites

The only son of his mother, a Keralite will be able to perform her last rites thanks to a sheer luck that got him a last-minute seat on the first repatriation fight from Dubai.
Dubai resident Ajith Pullanikottil's mother passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged fight with cancer, and he was desperately waiting to fly back home after India announced 'Vande Bharat Mission' - to fly back home distressed Indians from the UAE and other countries.
Also read: First two repatriation flights from UAE land in India
"I have been trying to go since weeks so that I could be by mother's side. Unfortunately, she breathed her last without me next to her.
"I am so happy that I can be home," Ajith, an IT professional in Dubai told Khaleej Times.
Ajith, who was on the waiting list, could be accommodated at the last minute after a passenger was unable to fly due to immigration reasons, said the Indian Consulate in Dubai.
"My father is alone and I want to be with him during this tough time," Ajith said.
The first Air India Express flight took to the skies on Thursday 5pm carrying 177 Indian expats from Dubai International Airport's terminal 2.
But not all passengers who were on the waiting list were as lucky as Ajith.
Dubai brothers, Regu Kamalon and Jayan Kunnimmel, could not contain their tears when they were informed that they will not make it to the first flight. Their mother Narayani,74, died on Sunday after suffering serious head injuries from a fall.
"We could not be there for our mother's funeral. We were praying we will be able to fly and attend the last rites on Friday. Now, we have to wait for another three to four days,' said a teary-eyed Regu who works as an accountant in Dubai.
Jayan is a designer and lost his job one month ago.
Arun Babu was another passenger who was on the waiting list and turned up at the airport in the hope that he too will be allowed to board.
He lost his mother recently, and his father is critically ill.  
"She died due to a heart attack, and my father is also ill. He's in the hospital with breathing problems. He does not have Covid-19, but I want to be by his side," said Babu, who was informed by the Consulate that in case there are cancellations, he can travel.
Unfortunately, he could not board the flight on Thursday, and still awaits a repatriation flight home.

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai
• India