Spanner in foreign jobs

Scared by the swine flu, many professionals are delaying flying abroad for work

Spanner in foreign jobs

Scared by the swine flu, many professionals are delaying flying abroad for work

The swine flu scare is spreading. Now, it has hit the travel plans of many young professionals planning work trips abroad. With the Indian government issuing a travel advisory to suspend trips to foreign countries, many youngsters are caught in a dilemma, finding it difficult to choose between lucrative jobs and the health scare.

Twenty-seven-year-old Tarun Prakash Singh, who had come to India on May 2, was packing his bags to return to New Jersey where he lives and works. But his family wants him to stay back as they fear he could fall prey to the deadly virus. A computer software professional, Tarun is finding it difficult to choose between his family and the dream job.

Tarun is not alone. There are many Indians who have postponed their plans to travel abroad for work. Gufran Khan, who just completed his MBA from New York, is in a dilemma too. "I have already postponed my trip once and am not sure when the situation will become normal. I am trying to convince my family that New York has excellent medical facilities," said Khan.

Not scared of the flu

But there are others who are not letting the flu affect their plans. Mayank Singh, who works with an international cruise liner is planning to leave the country soon. "We go through various medical tests before boarding the liner, now we are taking extra care. But there is no need to panic. I cannot leave my job for a flu scare. I'll make sure I take all the required precautions," said Singh.

More fall ill
Two more cases in Punjab and one in Shimla have taken the number of suspected swine flu cases in India to 34. Hyderabad also reported one more case, hiking its tally to 13.

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