One such incident which serves as an ideal testament of unity and empathy rendered by Indians to an international citizen amid the Covid-19 pandemic is that of Randy Juan Muller, a 23-year-old Ghanaian footballer who eventually headed back home after being left stranded in Mumbai for 74 long days amid the Covid-19 lockdown.
Muller headed back to his motherland on August 21 but not before giving out a loud cheer to Maharashtra government and the Mumbaikers for all their unconditional love, support and care rendered to him during those five testing months.
The Ghanaian embassy finally managed to arrange a rescue flight for around 200 of its citizens stuck in India and Muller was lucky to board the plane back home. It is notable that Yuva Sena bore the entire cost and sent him home.
Muller's ordeal only came into the public eye once he expressed his grief through Twitter stating that he was severely hit by the Covid-19 induced lockdown. Yuva Sena immediately took notice of the Ghanaian footballer's turmoil and offered him a helping hand.
On his return, Mueller thanked Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray and Yuvasena executive member Rahul Kanal. He posted a video on Twitter and said 'Jai Maharashtra' to express his sincere gratitude towards the Maharashtra government for all its help.
WATCH VIDEO | 'Jai Maharashtra': Ghanaian Footballer Thanks Maha Govt Over Help And Support During 74-Day Ordeal In Mumbai Due To Covid-19
“Thank you Aaditya Thackeray, Rahul Kanal. Thank you very very so much. I appreciate what you have done. Salute,” Muller said. Kanal in a tweet said when he met Muller at the airport, the latter cried with happiness. “Have no words to salute his willpower and fight for survival in such circumstances at this age,” Kanal said.
23-year-old Ghanaian footballer found shelter in Mumbai airport for a 74-day long period after he was left stranded on account of his home-bound flight getting cancelled amid the Covid-19 induced pandemic.
The Yuva Sena helped Muller to shift into a hotel at Mumbai's Bandra area, which served as a home of sorts for a 23-year-old Ghanaian footballer after he got stranded due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown that led to the Indian government cancelling international flights.
Amidst testing times and away from his family, the footballer used to spend time with the staff at the airport, who in turn put their best foot forward to make him as comfortable as possible.
“He would spend his time at the airport’s fancy artificial gardens and somehow buy food from stalls and pass his time with the airport staff. Muller told me the airport staff was very helpful,” Yuva Sena office-bearer Rahul Kanal said. A security officer at the airport gave him mobile phone to call his family back home.
An official at the Mumbai International Airport Ltd said the footballer was provided all help. “All personnel at the airport, including from MIAL and CISF, gave him every possible help during his stay at the airport. Besides food, he was also allowed to use the airport WiFi network to make calls. Airport staff would recharge his phone at their own expense,” the official said.