A group of 61 Indian citizens, mostly Chartered Accountants from Rajasthan, remain stuck in Georgia after regional flight suspensions left them unable to return home.
They went for a professional event. They expected a week of learning, networking, and maybe even a little sightseeing. But now, 61 Indians—accountants, spouses, and children—are stuck in a Georgian hotel, staring at flight trackers and news headlines, hoping for a way out.
A Planned Trip Turns Into An Unplanned Stay
What was supposed to be a seven-day professional trip turned into a stranded experience no one saw coming.
The group left Jaipur on June 8. The plan was to attend a residential refresher course in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital. That part went off without a hitch. Everyone got there safely, settled into the hotel, and participated in the scheduled sessions.
But the return leg—booked via Sharjah for June 13—collapsed when international flights across the region were suspended following the escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel. Suddenly, the group had nowhere to go.
Bhavik Bhatia, a Chartered Accountant from Jaisalmer, is one of the stranded. He’s there with his wife and child. In a video now circulating online, he made a public appeal to the Indian government: “The situation in Georgia is calm, and we’re safe in the hotel. But everyone’s anxious. We just want to get home.”
No Exit in Sight as Tensions Simmer
While Georgia itself remains stable, it’s the chaos in the skies above the broader Middle East that has triggered the crisis.
The group had routed their return through Sharjah—one of the many hubs now impacted by regional restrictions. Direct flights aren’t an option either, as commercial routes to India from Georgia typically connect through the Gulf.
Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear standoff continues to simmer, and Oman—mediating talks between Tehran and Washington—confirmed that no nuclear negotiations were scheduled for June 15.
That puts any immediate resolution, and by extension any resumption of normal flight paths, out of reach for now.
One sentence, but heavy: these families are stuck in limbo.
Calls for Government Help Grow Louder
Back in Rajasthan, family members have started to speak up. Some are worried, some are angry, and all of them are desperate for answers.
Ratan Goyal, General Secretary of the Rajasthan Tax Consultants’ Association and one of the event sponsors, has formally appealed to both state and central authorities. His request? Help the group get back as soon as possible.
To put it plainly, they’re not asking for luxury. They’re asking for logistics.
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Safe passage via alternate air corridors
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Assistance from Indian consulates in Tbilisi and nearby nations
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Possible charter flights if commercial ones remain off-limits
Many of the stranded participants are professionals who had planned short leaves. Now, with extended hotel bills, limited Indian embassy support in Georgia, and growing stress, things are beginning to weigh down heavily.
A Breakdown of Who’s Stuck and How They Got There
Here’s a quick breakdown of the group’s composition and their original itinerary:
| Category | Number of People | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chartered Accountants | 29 | Mostly from Rajasthan |
| Family Members (spouses, kids) | 32 | Includes children under 10 |
| Departure | June 8 | From Jaipur |
| Event Location | Tbilisi, Georgia | Residential refresher course |
| Planned Return | June 13 | Via Sharjah (now suspended) |
The group’s travel was coordinated through a local organizer and partially sponsored by professional associations in Rajasthan. Unfortunately, contingency plans for regional unrest were not part of the itinerary.
Anxiety Rising, But Tempers Still Held
Interestingly, no chaos has broken out among the group. There’s no panic, no reported disputes, no protests. Not yet.
Most members are keeping themselves calm. Some are extending their hotel bookings on their own expense. A few are calling every airline hotline they can think of. Others are simply glued to TV news in the lobby.
“We’re trying to stay positive,” said one participant, who didn’t wish to be named. “But how long can we really hold out?”
The hotel is doing its part. Food is being served on time. Rooms are still available. And the weather in Tbilisi, at least, isn’t giving anyone extra trouble.
Still, you can feel it in the air—nerves are beginning to fray.
Not the First Time, Not the Last?
This isn’t the first time Indians abroad have been left stranded due to geopolitical turmoil. Back in 2020, thousands were stuck during the pandemic lockdowns. In 2022, India conducted “Operation Ganga” to evacuate citizens from war-torn Ukraine.
So the precedent is there. And the machinery exists. Which raises a natural question: what’s the holdup?
Another short paragraph here just feels natural.
Some in the group wonder if their relatively small number is why there’s been no concrete response yet. Others think the government is just waiting to see if the airspace reopens.
But waiting costs time. And in a foreign country, it costs peace of mind too.
