Tirumala: A mother-daughter duo of Russian origin who got stuck in Tirumala amid coronavirus induced lockdown received financial aid from locals after ETV Bharat came to their rescue. In an exclusive interaction with ETV Bharat, Ester Bagratuni narrated her ordeal of how she and her mother Olivia got separated and they eventually faced a financial crunch.
Olivia and Esther landed to India on February 6 to visited various ISKCON temples across the nation. After the imposition of lockdown during initial days they were struck in West Bengal.
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During the lockdown unlock process, they managed to reach Tirumala with only a handful of money but as per the unlock guidelines foreigners were not allowed for 'darshan'.
Later, Olivia moved to Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh leaving Ester back in Tirumala. Owing to lack of money she left standing there and the mother-daughter duo got separated in an entirely unknown country.
On seeing Ester in isolation without money, a hostel manager sheltered her at Kapila Theertham.
Being skilled in physiotherapy, make-up art and painting under temple restoration work, Ester started seeking suitable work so that she could earn some money.
Amid the COVID-19 fears and language barrier, Ester was unable to get any work until she interacted with ETV Bharat.
Following the move, people came forward to help her with Dot Travels sponsoring her air travel to Russia. Maram Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. has announced a grant of Rs. 25,000 meanwhile, a local MLA provided her with Rs. 10,000 as immediate help. An officer in the Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) provided necessities and another government official announced Rs 10,000 aid to her.
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