Balangir: Allegedly Hasta Mahanand, a resident of Jagua village in Titilagarh block of Balangir district, who was sold by her husband to a UAE national in Mumbai, finally returned to India from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after seven years of suffering and separation from her loved ones.Their return home was made possible through the coordinated intervention of the Indian Consulate in Dubai and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with financial assistance from the Indian Community Welfare Fund.According to reports, Hasta was married to a man named Premanand Mahanand, after which he came to Mumbai in search of work in 2019. While living in Mumbai, Mahanand allegedly sold his wife to a UAE national to work as a domestic help.Hasta came to India briefly in 2022 with her employer, but after moving back to the Gulf, her family gradually lost all contact with her. Her passport was reportedly held illegally by her sponsor, and her ability to travel or communicate freely was significantly hampered.As months passed and no news was heard about him, the family’s worries deepened. In desperation, he contacted the local authorities as well as some social workers. A social worker brought the case to the Odisha High Court for help.The case gained new momentum when a video showing Hasta pleading for help started circulating on social media. In response, authorities intensified efforts to locate him and re-establish communications.Officials at the Indian Consulate in Dubai got in touch with the Emirati authorities and started verifying his identity through official records. Once she was found, the Consulate learned that she was struggling financially and had no means to return to India.According to reports, the Consulate arranged temporary accommodation and other necessary things for them. His return flight home was organized with the assistance of the Indian Community Welfare Fund, which also covered the cost of his ticket.After all the necessary paperwork, he was allowed to return to India.Hasta’s return is a great relief to her family, especially her three daughters, who spent many years with their grandparents anxiously waiting for any news of their mother.