Seema Goyal can't stop hugging her three children since she heard that her husband Captain Prabhat Kumar Goyal and 17 sailors aboard hijacked ship M T Stolt Valor have been released by Somali pirates, ending the agonising two-month wait of their families.
Somali pirates release Stolt Valor
"I don't know what to say. This is happiest news of my life," said Seema as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Celebrations erupted at the Goyal household as neighbours joined Prabhat's parents, spouse and children after they heard the news of his release. The family distributed sweets.
"We are very happy," an emotional R K Goyal, a retired college teacher, said on the release of his son as Prabhat's mother Vimlesh received relatives.
For the past one month, there has been no contact between Goyal and his family, which resides at Dehra Dun's posh Teg Bahadur Road locality. Goyal had last called them on October 15.
However, the Goyal family refused to speak on whether any ransom was paid.
"We are just hoping to travel to Mumbai to receive him soon," Seema said, adding, "They will be reaching India in another four-five days."
Like Seema, who ran from pillar to post to secure the release of her husband, the ordeal for Mumbai-based Rosary Fernando, whose brother-in-law Panirayan Lobo was on the ship, has finally ended.
While Seema travelled to Delhi and Mumbai umpteen times and met several union ministers including Shipping Minister T R Balu, Rosary regularly visited the offices of the Directorate General of Shipping and the National Union of Seafarers of India for any information.
"There will be a celebration after he returns," Rosary said.
Wiper Dipak Kumar Tandel's family, which lives in Valsad in Gujarat, has already made plans to get him married.
"We were going to find a bride for him when he returns," said a relieved family member.
"We last spoke to Dipak when the ship was in the Suez Canal. After that, we haven't heard his voice," he said.
The Goyal family thanked relatives, friends and media for the support.
"They were all with us in difficult times. I thank everyone," said Seema with her two daughters and a son on her side.
Image: An elated Seema Goyal, wife of Capt Prabhat Kumar Goyal, hugs her daughter after hearing the news of Prabhat's release by Somalian pirates, in Dehra Dun on Sunday.
Photograph: PTI Photo
