Dang, April 4 -- Khushiram Chaudhary of Mahadeva in Gadhawa Rural Municipality-2 left for Kuwait 22 years ago. Immersed in his life abroad, he married Mitsi Samson, a Philippine national and colleague, 14 years ago. Since then, his stay in Kuwait had been extended.

Though he visited Nepal occasionally-most recently two years ago-he had planned to return this March. However, the escalating conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran disrupted travel, forcing him to reschedule his return for September to celebrate Dashain. During phone calls home, he frequently spoke of his desire to settle permanently in Nepal.

"I have spent enough of my life abroad; now I will stay in Nepal. I'm coming back soon to settle down," he would tell his parents...