Actor Esha Gupta has returned safely to India after being stranded in Abu Dhabi during the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The actor, who was in the UAE when missile attacks led to widespread airspace disruptions, took to Instagram to recount her experience and thank those who helped her during the crisis.On March 1, she first reassured her followers through her Instagram Stories, writing, “To everyone checking in and messaging, I’m sorry for not replying. We are ok, we are safe! Times are scary, very tough. God is there to protect us.”After reaching home, Esha shared a detailed and emotional note describing what unfolded at Abu Dhabi airport. “Back home. Thank you all for your prayers and wishes. It was very tough to be in the situation that we all were. Truly god’s blessing to be safe!It started when I was at the airport on the 28th (Sunday). By 1 pm, the airport was closed, chaos all around as none of us knew what happened. Then the news started coming of the missile attack, and no one knew what the next minute held for us. Strangers consoling each other, all calling their families back home. Here, I would like to mention that what I saw was strength of a country which is UAE. We were at the Abu Dhabi airport. The ground staff and airport security immediately lunged to action and stayed calm throughout even though we were all in this situation together. I hadn’t checked in myself by then so I took a turn and left back to my hotel in Abu Dhabi. Following are the stories that we heard first hand from the people we met later in our hotel that night..”She went on to describe how authorities managed the situation on the ground as missiles reportedly lit up the sky. “First, they gave all the passengers possible cash for food at the airport. Of course, everyone had to wait to get their luggage and for the authorities to sort things. But after a few hours, each and every passenger had to be in a queue and they were all given accommodation at all the available hotels in Abu Dhabi. By 9 pm that night, they had buses ready for transfers to different hotels across the city and island. The government before it was out in media had ordered all the hotels to provide for stay and food to the stranded passengers. Again, this did not mean that they had strangers stuck in rooms, but they made sure only families or friends were together. We all were getting notifications alarms on our phones by the MOI of UAE to seek shelter. We also were getting reassurance alerts when situation seemed calm to them. We also were getting reassurance alerts when situation seemed calm to them.”Esha also praised hotel staff and essential service workers who continued working despite the tense circumstances. “The hotels management I saw, in the same clothes as last night, still working still active and taking care of everything, answering to the questions what they were unaware of as well to the best of their ability. The delivery men (Careem) were still out there delivering. There was no shortage of any service anywhere. The lobby was full of people, including us due to the security alert, scared, but no chaos. The hotel security kept reassuring everyone. Not once did we see the people, all scared internally but no one created stress, we all were in this together. Etihad had sent us all mail/messages for rebooking or refunds.”Determined to return home at the earliest opportunity, she added, “We kept calling the airline in the hope to be on the next flight home, did not matter the city till we can land back in our own country. The ground staff on calls of the said airline were the most helpful and again, very calm, we had reached the airport much before so were lucky enough to be on the first commercial flight of Etihad which flew to Delhi yesterday afternoon. The airport was not fully functional, yet, the staff was ready to help in every way, with answers even they did not know yet. All this shows just the backbone of a country and its strength, they took action when needed, no blaming anyone, just strong decisions. Thank you to everyone who helped and are helping people of the world to get back to their home. Your country is truly special.”Concluding her note with gratitude for both nations, she wrote, “Thank you for our government for providing its citizens with reassurance and working towards getting us all back. Thank you to UAE government in working in solidarity with every country for the citizens of the world! Radhe Radhe.”
