61 Rajasthanis, including Mangalam Group Chairman N.K. Gupta, are stranded in Georgia due to flight suspensions amid the Iran-Israel conflict. The group, attending a Chartered Accountants’ event, has appealed to the Indian government for urgent evacuation.
The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel has begun to ripple across borders, disrupting international travel and stranding hundreds of travelers worldwide. Among those affected are 61 people from Rajasthan, India — including prominent industrialist and Mangalam Group Chairman CA N.K. Gupta and his wife — currently stuck in Tbilisi, Georgia.
These individuals were part of a 65-member delegation from the Rajasthan Tax Consultants Association (RTCA), which had traveled to Georgia for a professional gathering. The group was attending a Residential Refresher Course organized for Chartered Accountants (CAs) and their families. The event was intended to be a platform for professional development and networking, but the geopolitical situation has taken a sharp turn, stranding them far from home.
The delegation departed from Jaipur on June 8, with plans to return via Sharjah on June 13. Their flight was expected to land back in Jaipur at 4:45 AM on June 14. However, due to growing security concerns stemming from the Iran-Israel conflict, several countries, including those on their return route, suspended international flight operations. As a result, the group remains stranded in Georgia with no immediate return in sight.
Of the 65 delegates, 60 are from Jaipur, one is from Jaisalmer, and one from Kota. They are accompanied by their spouses and children, making this a family-focused professional tour. One such family is that of CA Bhavik Bhatia from Jaisalmer, who is currently stranded with his wife and child. Bhavik has taken to social media and issued a heartfelt video message to the Indian government, requesting immediate intervention for their evacuation.
In his public plea, Bhavik appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar through a tweet. “While Georgia is presently not a war zone, the anxiety among us is real due to the uncertainty of flight operations and the proximity of the conflict,” he stated.
RTCA President Ratan Goyal confirmed the situation while speaking to media outlets. He assured that all members of the delegation are safe and have been accommodated in a hotel in Tbilisi. “We are thankful that everyone is currently safe, but the group is understandably worried. We appeal to both the Indian government and the Rajasthan state administration to take immediate action to bring our members back home,” Goyal said.
The stranded group includes several respected professionals and community leaders, notably Mangalam Group Chairman CA N.K. Gupta. His presence among those stuck abroad has further highlighted the seriousness of the issue and amplified calls for swift diplomatic engagement.
Meanwhile, Bhavik’s father, Pramod Bhatia, voiced his concern from Jaisalmer. “We are deeply worried about the safety of our family. We urge the government to ensure the safe return of our children and grandchildren,” he said in an emotional appeal.
Despite the absence of direct hostilities in Georgia, the suspension of air travel has led to widespread disruption, leaving thousands of travelers, including this group from Rajasthan, in limbo. The crisis underscores the far-reaching impact of the Iran-Israel conflict and the importance of timely government response in ensuring the safety of Indian citizens abroad.
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As international tensions continue to escalate, the Rajasthanis in Georgia wait with growing apprehension. Their fate now hinges on rapid diplomatic efforts and potential evacuation strategies by the Indian government.
For now, the stranded delegates — professionals and families who had only set out on a routine professional tour — can only hope for safe passage home and a swift end to the travel crisis brought on by distant but deeply impactful conflict.
