Bihar: Hungarian stranded in Saran hospital for 57 days

PATNA: A day after the video of adventure cyclist Viktor Zicho from Hungary went viral on social media expressing his woes of staying at Saran Sadar hospital for the last 57 days due to nationwide lockdown, leader of opposition in Bihar assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav assured him to provide shelter, quality food and other facilities. Viktor told Tejashwi he would get back to him about his offer.
In a five minutes video call, Tejashwi expressed his dismay over the poor treatment to stranded Hungarian citizen in Saran since lockdown.
He also asked Viktor if he was willing to go back to his country or to Delhi for better accommodation. Viktor, however, refused and said he wanted to continue his expedition started 10 months ago from Hungary.
Viktor accused the Saran district administration of failure to implement the lockdown properly in the district. "When I escaped from the hospital on Sunday, I saw people moving on the streets without maintaining any social distance. Vehicles were on the street and all the shops and dhabas were open, but I had been kept here for the last 57 days. I'm on a pilgrimage and have to complete my journey. I'm not going to leave the country," he said.
Tejashwi attacked the state government for not taking care of foreigners. "Listen to the ordeal of a Hungarian national ... In spirit of our 'Atithi Devo Bhava' he should've been given warmest hospitality not traumatized in hospital. He is our guest and should have a memorable experience in our state (sic)," he tweeted.
Viktor, on Sunday, escaped on his cycle from the Saran hospital towards Darjeeling to continue his 'Alexander Csoma expedition'. However, the district administration and police personnel caught him at Darbhanga border the same day.Saran DM Subrat Kumar Sen said on Tuesday that Viktor entered Makda village in Saran's Revelganj block on March 24. "The villagers held him hostage. When the police informed us about the suspicious movement of a foreigner, we rushed to Revelganj and got him released from villagers' clutches," he said and added: "Viktor was kept at Sadar hospital due to Covid-19 outbreak. His sample tested negative on April 1. The administration has given him a separate cottage and providing quality food as per his taste. He is satisfied."
The DM said the Centre has not given any relaxation for movement of foreigners on a cycle. "We are ready to send him back to his country by the special flight, but he refused. " he said.