A wheel-chair bound unwell and bankrupt Indian expat has moved out of his accommodation after his roommates complained he was causing inconvenience to them.
Mayank Rathore’s self-respect didn’t allow him to continue at the sharing accommodation after his roommates complained that he occupied more space and spent more time in the washroom. So, for the past two months, the 50-year-old has been living at the Bur Dubai Creek.
Two months ago, he sent his family to India as he could not pay his son’s pending school fees. He now lives in a make-shift shelter and goes into adjacent building when the temperature soars and survives at the mercy of creek-goers and social workers.
Speaking to Emirates24|7, Rathore said, “My roommates complained that I am spending more time in the washroom. Because I am unable to walk, I use a wheel chair and cannot do things quickly.”
“I have been in the UAE for the last 25 years. My advertising and marketing company was shut down after customers defaulted on their payment. I lost around Dh450,000 and I have a couple of bounced cheques, as well,” he explained.
Rathore said, “I could not pay my son’s school fees after my business failed. I took loans and had many credit cards. But I could not get out of the debt trap. My credit card cases are over, but now I have to pay at least Dh6,000 in fines in three cases to get my passport back from Dubai court.”
“I requested the school management to help me by either by waiving the pending fee of six months - Dh12,500 - or by giving a concession, but they did not agree. They insisted I pay the full amount if I needed a Transfer Certificate (TC). My son cannot appear for his final year examination in India without producing the TC from here,” Rathore added.
Meanwhile, Haris Arikkulam, who is associated with Youth India, said, some of his friends give the homeless man food, medicines and help him move around. “He needs urgent help.”
He became chronically ill due to low blood pressure and high blood sugar. “I go to Al Rashid Hospital for treatment. Then I have to attend the court proceedings. But my biggest worry is my son, Jash Mayank Rathore, who has returned to India.”