Passport lost in 2006, child becomes father: Indian stranded in Lebanon for 18 years returns

A man from Ludhiana, Punjab, has returned home after spending 23 years in Lebanon, with 18 of those years spent stranded in the conflict-ridden country.

Gurtej Singh, from Mattewara village, lost his passport in Lebanon in 2006 and faced numerous unsuccessful attempts to come back to India.By the time Gurtej returned, his older son had become a father. His return was facilitated by Rajya Sabha member Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, who approached the Ministry of External Affairs on his behalf, enabling his homecoming.

Gurtej, a member of the Mazhabi Sikh community, left India in 2001. The entire village celebrated his return on September 6. During his absence, he lost his father and brother.Gurtej explained that he initially worked in a factory in Ludhiana but decided to move abroad due to financial difficulties.


He paid Rs 1 lakh to a travel agent, which led him on a journey through Jordan and Syria before reaching Lebanon. In 2006, he lost his passport, rendering all attempts to return home futile.

"I was working there in the fields, and it was frightening due to the long conflict in the region," Gurtej recalled.Baba Seechewal informed the Times of India (TOI) that Gurtej had repeatedly visited the Indian embassy in Lebanon, but officials always asked for proof of identity.

(with ToI inputs)