Highlights:
- Dubai restaurant offers free meals to stranded Indians.
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Initiative launched amid Middle East travel disruptions.
- Maharashtra BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha praised the effort.
- Organizers say the goal is to ensure no Indian goes hungry.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East that have left thousands stranded, a Dubai-based Indian restaurant has stepped up to provide free meals to Indian nationals unable to return home.
The initiative comes as travel disruptions linked to the ongoing regional conflict have caused flight cancellations and airport closures, including at Dubai International Airport. Many Indian workers and tourists have found themselves stuck in the emirate with limited resources.
A Mumbai-style eatery in Dubai’s Karama neighborhood, Mumbai Express Restaurant & Cafe, has announced that it will serve free breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. for stranded Indians.
A notice outside the restaurant reads, “Stranded in Dubai? We’re here for you.” The free meals include idli and sambar for breakfast, pulao for lunch, and fried rice for dinner. The restaurant is located at B-10, Shop No. 5 & 6, Shaikh Hamadan Colony, Karama, and has encouraged those in need to approach the premises directly or call ahead for assistance.
The move has been widely praised as an example of community solidarity during a crisis.
Mihir Kotecha, a BJP legislator from Maharashtra, lauded the initiative and said it reflects the spirit of service inspired by Narendra Modi.
“This is about service, compassion, and ensuring dignity for our people during a crisis,” Kotecha said. “In such difficult times, it is our collective responsibility to stand by every Indian, no matter where they are. We want to ensure that no Maharashtrian or Indian stranded in Dubai goes hungry.”
The effort comes as many countries are coordinating repatriation efforts for citizens caught in the crisis. For those still awaiting flights or travel clarity, community-led initiatives like this have become a crucial support system.
Volunteers and staff at the restaurant have reportedly been working extended hours to accommodate the surge in demand. With uncertainty continuing around flight schedules and evacuation plans, the eatery’s message remains simple: no Indian in Dubai should have to worry about their next meal.
