Four Indians scammed into joining Russian army return home
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New Delhi: Four Indian citizens, who were fraudulently recruited into a private Russian army and forced to fight in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, have returned home with distressing accounts of their time in Russia. The Times of India reported that the men arrived back in India on Friday.
The four men, including Mohammad Sufiyan from Telangana and three others from Karnataka, were among approximately 60 young Indians who fell victim to a job scam. They had been lured to Russia with promises of work as security personnel or helpers, only to find themselves drafted into the Russian armed forces upon their arrival in December 2023.
Sufiyan, who had released a video seven months ago pleading for help, described the brutal conditions they faced. "We were treated like slaves," he told TOI. "We were woken up at 6 a.m. every day and forced to work for 15 hours straight, with little to no rest. The conditions were inhuman, and we had to survive on meagre rations." The men were tasked with digging trenches and operating military equipment, including assault rifles and explosives, with minimal training.
Syed Ilias Hussaini from Karnataka, another of the rescued men, said that fear and uncertainty dominated their lives in Russia, where they were cut off from their families and unsure if they would survive. "Our phones were confiscated, and we didn’t know when we’d return or when we could speak to our families again," he said. Hussaini added that despite returning home, the trauma of their experiences continues to haunt them.
The ordeal took a deadly turn for one of their friends, Hamil, from Gujarat, who was killed in a drone attack. His death, Sufiyan said, was a turning point that prompted the men to alert their families about their dire situation. The families reached out to India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who facilitated the men's rescue.
Many others remain stranded in Russia, awaiting help to return home while still being forced to serve in the war.
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Indian couple's ₹5.5 lakh per night stay at Maasai Mara resort stuns internet
New Delhi: An Indian couple has captured the attention of social media with their extraordinary stay at the JW Marriott Masai Mara, a luxury resort in Kenya. Anirban Chowdhury, a credit card enthusiast, shared details of their experience in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that the cost of their stay amounted to an eye-watering ₹5.5 lakh per night, including taxes.
Just ticked off a bucket list experience at one of Marriott's most exclusive and expensive properties—JW Marriott Masai Mara! 🌍💎 If you're dreaming of luxury safaris, this is the place. Stunning tented suites, epic game drives, and personalized service in the heart of the Mara!… pic.twitter.com/rwWv5sk77b
— Anirban chowdhury (@VoyageBliss) September 15, 2024
Chowdhury documented their trip, which featured an all-inclusive package that covered accommodation, meals, selected beverages, bush meals, sundowners, and daily game drives. Additional activities such as horse riding, hot air balloon rides, and Maasai village tours were available at extra cost.
Despite the high cost, Chowdhury secured the stay using Marriott Bonvoy points, disclosing that he used 106,000 points per night for two. He praised the value of the experience, noting that it was worth even more points and that out-of-pocket expenses were minimal unless opting for additional paid activities.
Chalo, it's time for some myth-busting:
— Anirban chowdhury (@VoyageBliss) September 17, 2024
1. The price per night for two isn’t 3.5L, it's actually 5.5L INR with taxes. For 5 nights, that totals 27.5L INR.
2. I offset that cost by using 424,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Marriott has a 5th night free program on award bookings. So,… https://t.co/2ZEPTNDkSd
The post has garnered over 1.5 million views and numerous reactions. Many users expressed amazement at the luxury and expense, with comments ranging from astonishment at the cost to admiration for the luxurious details.
Chowdhury clarified that the total cost for five nights was ₹27.5 lakh, offset by using 424,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, thanks to Marriott's 5th-night-free program. His posts have sparked significant interest and discussion about luxury travel and the use of reward points for high-end experiences.
Some users admired the luxurious details. "This is next-level luxury. The attention to detail sounds incredible!" wrote one user. "I'm saving up my Marriott points just for this-hoping to experience it someday," said another.
