HYDERABAD: Caught in the crossfire, many from Telangana working in Israel are at a crossroads – leave for home for dear life or stay back for a living.
As Hamas and Israeli forces rain missiles on each other, for 42-year-old Rajesh Medichalmala Rajesh from Bonkoor in Jagtial it is his daughter’s dream to be a doctor that keeps him going.
“I have to keep my daughter’s dream alive. I cannot panic and return to India,” Rajesh told TOI over telephone from Tel Aviv.
His daughter, Sai Harika (14), who has been following the developments in Israel, constantly asks Rajesh when he will return home. His younger daughter, who is in class 6, and wife are also equally concerned. But between earning a living and running to the bunker, Rajesh said that it was not so dangerous for them in Tel Aviv.
For now, Rajesh has decided to stay back.
I have to earn enough for my daughter. I will work here as long as I can stay,” said Rajesh, who had earlier worked in Iraq in similar conditions. There are nearly 600 workers from Telangana in Israel. Several of them are in different areas of Tel Aviv. They work as caregivers, in malls, hospitals and shops. Most hail from Nizamabad, Adilabad and Karimnagar.
The Telangana Association in Israel, which has more than 500 members, has been discussing the issue and said that workers should not immediately rush back to India.Though one special flight was operated by India to ferry home Indians from Israel under ‘Operation Ajay’, they chose not to leave.
As Hamas and Israeli forces rain missiles on each other, for 42-year-old Rajesh Medichalmala Rajesh from Bonkoor in Jagtial it is his daughter’s dream to be a doctor that keeps him going.
“I have to keep my daughter’s dream alive. I cannot panic and return to India,” Rajesh told TOI over telephone from Tel Aviv.
His daughter, Sai Harika (14), who has been following the developments in Israel, constantly asks Rajesh when he will return home. His younger daughter, who is in class 6, and wife are also equally concerned. But between earning a living and running to the bunker, Rajesh said that it was not so dangerous for them in Tel Aviv.
For now, Rajesh has decided to stay back.
I have to earn enough for my daughter. I will work here as long as I can stay,” said Rajesh, who had earlier worked in Iraq in similar conditions. There are nearly 600 workers from Telangana in Israel. Several of them are in different areas of Tel Aviv. They work as caregivers, in malls, hospitals and shops. Most hail from Nizamabad, Adilabad and Karimnagar.
The Telangana Association in Israel, which has more than 500 members, has been discussing the issue and said that workers should not immediately rush back to India.Though one special flight was operated by India to ferry home Indians from Israel under ‘Operation Ajay’, they chose not to leave.