Kutch (Gujarat), June 17 (PTI) The Gujarat government on Wednesday said it has facilitated the return of a professor from the state who had been stranded in Ebola-hit Democratic Republic of Congo for a month through coordinated efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian diplomatic missions.
“The swift intervention by the Gujarat Government has successfully facilitated the safe return of Dr Amin Sama, a Bhuj (Kutch)-based academic who had been stranded for nearly a month in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, following border restrictions imposed amid Ebola-related concerns,” an official release stated.
Dr Sama, an Indian citizen and Assistant Professor at Shri R. R. Lalan College in Bhuj, travelled to Congo via Kigali International Airport in Rwanda on May 15, 2026, to meet a childhood friend.
However, just two days later, the Government of Rwanda reportedly closed its border with Congo due to concerns related to an Ebola outbreak, leaving him unable to return to Kigali.
“The sudden border closure disrupted Dr Sama’s travel plans and caused him to miss his scheduled return flight to India on May 31. Stranded in Gomawith no immediate route home, he incurred additional expenses and faced prolonged uncertainty while seeking assistance from various authorities and diplomatic channels,” the release said.
Dr Sama then approached the office of Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, after which the Non-Resident Gujaratis Foundation (NRGF), functioning under the NRI Division of the Gujarat government’s General Administration Department, promptly took up the matter.
NRGF coordinated efforts with the Ministry of External Affairs and the concerned Indian diplomatic missions.
“On June 10, representations were sent to officials in New Delhi as well as to Indian embassies handling matters related to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Continuous communication was also established with embassy officials to explore possible avenues for Dr Sama’s safe passage,” the release noted.
Officials of the NRGF remained in constant touch with Dr Sama throughout the ordeal.
Dr Sama informed authorities that he had not visited any Ebola-affected area and remained healthy and symptom-free. He also expressed his willingness to undergo any medical screening, quarantine protocols, Ebola testing, immigration checks or other procedures deemed necessary by authorities in Rwanda, Congo, or India.
On Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in Rwanda handled the case, and procedures were progressing ahead of Sama’s rescheduled return flight on June 18.
On Wednesday, Dr Sama received all the required legal clearances and permissions for his transit and journey to India on June 18.
“I have just received permission to travel. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your kind support and assistance throughout this process. Your help during this difficult time means a great deal to me, and I will always remember your generosity and efforts with deep appreciation,” Dr Sama quoted as saying in the state government release.
Sanghavi said the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is committed to extending every possible assistance to Gujaratis and Indian citizens facing difficulties anywhere in the world.
“Through coordinated efforts involving the NRGF, the Ministry of External Affairs, and Indian diplomatic missions, we ensured that a citizen stranded in a challenging international situation received timely support and assistance,” he added. PTI KVM PD NSK
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