Body of Nandail youth Saurav returns home 27 days after death in Saudi Arabia

Md Mridul Hasan Saurav, a young man from Nandail in Mymensingh, had gone to Saudi Arabia to bring prosperity to his family. But just 16 months into his life as a migrant worker, he died of jaundice on 10 October. His body returned home 27 days after his death.

Saurav was the son of Sohrab Hossain of Deuldangra village in Jahangirpur union, Nandail upazila. The family was at a loss over how to bring back the body of their only migrant son.

In this situation, Yaser Khan Chowdhury, member of parliament for Mymensingh-9 (Nandail) and state minister for information and broadcasting, took the initiative to bring the body home.

Saurav's body arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from Saudi Arabia at around midnight on Friday. State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury rushed to the airport to receive the body.

After the body arrived at the airport, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment handed a cheque of 35,000 taka to Saurav's family as part of government assistance.

State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury said migrant workers are the main driving force of the economy, and the untimely death of a remittance fighter is deeply heartbreaking. The government always stands beside expatriate brothers and their families, he said.

Saurav's father Sohrab Hossain said he did not know what to do after the death of his only son, nor how to bring the body home. He said he was able to bring his son's body home through the state minister's efforts.

Saurav's body reached his home in Deuldangra village, Nandail, on Friday night itself. He was to be buried in the family graveyard after janaza prayers on Saturday.

At just 23, Saurav had gone to Saudi Arabia dreaming of a better life for his family. Jaundice cut short his life after only 16 months abroad.

With the body returning 27 days after his death, the family can at least bid him a final farewell. A shadow of grief now hangs over Deuldangra village in Nandail.