Bedi's open house helps 'exploited' maid to return from Kuwait

'People's Nivas' is how Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi wishes 'Raj Nivas' to be also known.

It lived up to the expectation as a domestic help from here allegedly facing exploitation in Kuwait returned home after Bedi acted on a petition by her son in May last.

The woman and her son, hailing from nearby Karikalambakkam village, called on Bedi during the 'open house' yesterday and thanked her.

She also expressed her gratitude to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, whom Bedi had approached, for the assistance extended, an official release said.

"It was a moment of joy for us at Rajnivs. This is another touching success story of our open house programme," Bedi said in the release.

The woman had got the job as domestic help in a house in Kuwait in December last with the help of some agents.

However, she found that the work was tedious as she had to work for several hours at a stretch without rest and informed her son about her plight.

Her son made a representation during the daily 'open house' meeting at the Raj Nivas, seeking Bedi's help in arranging his mother's return.

Bedi raised the issue with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the latter saw to it that the domestic help returned home last month.