Much to the relief of his wife Seema, who led a valiant campaign for the release of her husband Captain Prabhat Goyal and rest of the crew members aboard the hijacked Japanese cargo vessel Stolt Valor, arrived at the IGI Airport from Muscat at 0400 hours Tuesday.
Celebrations, hugs, tears and smiles marked occasion that culminated an almost two month long ordeal at the hands of Somali pirates that held the crew hostage for two months.
"The experience was very bad. They tortured us mentally. But in the end, we are happy to be back safe," an emotional and tired-looking Goyal told the waiting media at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi.
All the 18 crew members on board the Japanese ship have now returned to India after their two-month ordeal. While Goyal and rest of the crew arrived today, five others had landed at Mumbai on Monday.
Recalling the ordeal, crew member Rajinder Malik from Haryana, said. "The pirates tortured us mentally and physically. They often fired in the air to terrify us. communication was another problem. The only words they uttered were 'go', 'sit' and 'ok'."
The crew survived on 'dal' and fishes, he said, adding the arrogant pirates, numbering around 30 to 35, often fought with eachother.
The ship was hijacked by Somali pirates on September 15 and the 22-member crew was kept hostage at the port of Eyl in Somalia for nearly two months until an undisclosed ransom was paid by the owners of the vessel.
Asked about the ransom, Goyal refused to comment saying, "it is confidential and a secret kept between me, ship owners and the pirates.
"We would like to thank the media, the Indian government and the ship owner for their efforts and concerns in our safe release. I'm happy to be back," he said.
The crew members broke down when they were given a warm welcome by their relatives and friends.
Seema Goyal, wife of the ship's captain, said her husband is in good health and that the family plans to celebrate his safe return in a big way.
"Definitely we will celebrate. But first let them relax for a day. After that a big party will be hosted at our home in Dehradun," a beaming Seema, accompanied by her three children and other family members, said.
She had earlier relentlessly worked for the ship's release and sought the Indian government's mediation in the matter. "We thank God, the ship company and all people of India who stood with us in the difficult times.
Celebrations, hugs, tears and smiles marked occasion that culminated an almost two month long ordeal at the hands of Somali pirates that held the crew hostage for two months.
"The experience was very bad. They tortured us mentally. But in the end, we are happy to be back safe," an emotional and tired-looking Goyal told the waiting media at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi.
All the 18 crew members on board the Japanese ship have now returned to India after their two-month ordeal. While Goyal and rest of the crew arrived today, five others had landed at Mumbai on Monday.
Recalling the ordeal, crew member Rajinder Malik from Haryana, said. "The pirates tortured us mentally and physically. They often fired in the air to terrify us. communication was another problem. The only words they uttered were 'go', 'sit' and 'ok'."
The crew survived on 'dal' and fishes, he said, adding the arrogant pirates, numbering around 30 to 35, often fought with eachother.
The ship was hijacked by Somali pirates on September 15 and the 22-member crew was kept hostage at the port of Eyl in Somalia for nearly two months until an undisclosed ransom was paid by the owners of the vessel.
Asked about the ransom, Goyal refused to comment saying, "it is confidential and a secret kept between me, ship owners and the pirates.
"We would like to thank the media, the Indian government and the ship owner for their efforts and concerns in our safe release. I'm happy to be back," he said.
The crew members broke down when they were given a warm welcome by their relatives and friends.
Seema Goyal, wife of the ship's captain, said her husband is in good health and that the family plans to celebrate his safe return in a big way.
"Definitely we will celebrate. But first let them relax for a day. After that a big party will be hosted at our home in Dehradun," a beaming Seema, accompanied by her three children and other family members, said.
She had earlier relentlessly worked for the ship's release and sought the Indian government's mediation in the matter. "We thank God, the ship company and all people of India who stood with us in the difficult times.
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