After two years stranded in India, this Australian toddler is finally back in his mother's arms

Nevaan Patel

Nevaan has been reunited with his mum after two years apart Source: Zoran Gajic/SBS News

Sydney mother Rajshree Patel has been reunited with her four-year-old son after he spent two years stranded in India. But with her father still, overseas, she wants the government to do more to reunite separated families.


Highlights

  • Nevaan went to India in July 2019 with his grandparents for what was meant to be a short visit but COVID-19 and Australia's travel ban made his return impossible. 
  • Nevaan wasn't old enough to fly alone and only the 'immediate family' of an Australian citizen or permanent resident is legally allowed to enter the country.
  • After several applications for travel exemptions were knocked back, Nevaan was eventually allowed to travel with his grandmother two weeks ago. The pair completed a hotel quarantine in Darwin before flying to Sydney.

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