‘God show mercy’: 88-year-old mother of Indian Navy veteran awaits detained son’s return from Qatar

For 88-year-old Pramodini Tiwary, the only wish remaining is to see her son, former Indian Navy officer Commander Purnendu Tiwary, return home after years of detention in Qatar. Purnendu, now 67, has remained in Doha following a series of detentions and uncertain circumstances. Pramodini expressed her anguish in a written interview with LiveMint, recounting the heartbreak of learning in February 2024 that her son was the sole Navy veteran still held in Doha while seven others had returned to India.

The family had been repeatedly informed that only minor formalities remained before Purnendu's return home, but these assurances have yet to materialize. In her interview, Pramodini lamented that her son suffers from serious health issues, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which she believes has been exacerbated by prolonged solitary confinement.

She emphasized the severe toll each day of his imprisonment continues to take on his physical and mental well-being. Pramodini's sister, Meetu Bhargav, also criticized embassy officials for failing to provide meaningful communication with the family and not responding to repeated inquiries. The lack of interaction has only intensified the family's distress.

Bhargav has appealed to the Indian Navy and broader defense community to support Commander Tiwary and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene and expedite his return to India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the Indian Embassy in Qatar is offering consular assistance to Purnendu and maintaining regular contact with his family while addressing media inquiries.

The MEA spokesperson confirmed that Indian officials have met with Commander Tiwary in prison and are in constant communication with his family.