Finally, passports to a new life for Indian family living illegally in UAE for 30 years

BIG DAY: Madhusudhanan receiving the passports

An Indian family that had been staying illegally in the UAE for 30 years can now start a new life with four of their five adult children receiving new passports on Monday.
Indian expat Madhusudhanan, 60, told Khaleej Times that his children - Sangeetha, 25; Shanthi, 23; Gauri, 22; and Mithun, 21, - "can now breathe freely". The four youngsters' passports expired in 2012, and they had been living in the country without a residence visa all their lives.
"They don't have to live in fear anymore. For almost three decades, my children lived as prisoners inside their own house. Now, they can live freely and pursue their dream of getting a job in the UAE. It is like a rebirth for them."
Prem Chand, consul, passport and community affairs at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, confirmed that the four children's passports were handed over to Madhusudhanan.
"Now, they can apply for a work permit without any legal impediments," said Chand.
Madhusudhanan, who hails from Kerala, and his Sri Lankan wife, Rohini, 55, have five children. Their eldest daughter, Ashwathy, 29, is yet to get her passport. "That is the next struggle. But I will not give up till my wife and all my children can live as legal residents in the UAE," said Madhusudhanan.
According to Chand, since Ashwathy was born in Al Ain, the family will have to register the birth in Abu Dhabi and apply for her passport in the same emirate.
Madhusudhanan said his wife's passport application is under process at the Sri Lankan consulate. "We have been told that she will receive it on October 29."
In July, Khaleej Times had reported about the family living in Sharjah without valid documents for almost 30 years, and their long struggle to legalise their status in the UAE. The five children, all born in the UAE, have never been to school or travelled outside of the emirates due to their undocumented status.
According to Madhusudhanan, he came to the UAE in 1979 as a blue-collar worker, and got married to Rohini in Al Ain in 1988. "We had our first child in 1989. I lost my job in the same year and hence could not apply for her passport. In 1992, when we had our second child, my wife lost her job, and because of the mother's illegal status, it was not possible to apply for our child's passport."
Even as his family was living in hiding fearing arrest and deportation, Madhusudhanan claimed he was working as a heavy vehicle operator till 2017, and earned enough to feed his family. "My health is deteriorating. But we have new hope. Following the media reports about our situation, many people had come forward and offered jobs to my children. Though they do not have formal education, all of them can read, write and speak English."
The father said he is planning to apply for the six-month temporary visa for the children under the current amnesty scheme that ends on October 31. "The timing is just perfect for them. Now, my worry is about Ashwathy. Her application is still pending with the consulate."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com