GAYA, March 23 -- The ceremonial turban for Minhaz is ready. Invitation cards have been sent out, vehicles booked, and the Qazi is prepared to solemnise the marriage. The house in Khandail village of Gaya district is filled with anticipation, yet the groom is missing. At the last moment, the family received word that Minhaz would not be able to travel from Kuwait due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf. "I have apologised to the bride's family and requested them to fix another date after the situation eases," said his father, Rafi Khan. Khandail village in Sherghati block is not alone. Dozens of families across nearby villages such as Imlithan, Jaipur, Ratanpur and Pandaul, under Cherki panchayat, are facing similar uncertainty as grooms remain stranded in Gulf countries amid escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran. With flights being cancelled and fares surging, travel has become both uncertain and exorbitantly high. More than 400 young men from these villages are employed in Gulf nations, with almost every household having a member working abroad. It has long been a tradition for them to return home during the festivals of Eid and Bakrid. However, this time, the ongoing conflict has thrown everything into disarray. The weddings of several young men are scheduled for March. Their families are now facing a crisis, uncertain whether the weddings will proceed as planned or have to be postponed. Jalil Shah's family is among those anxiously waiting. His son, currently in Qatar, was scheduled to arrive on March 26 for a March 30 wedding in Jehanabad. "His flight has already been cancelled twice. We are ready with all arrangements. If he arrives, the wedding will go ahead. We are still hopeful," Shah said. Families are also grappling with logistical challenges. An LPG shortage has forced some to fall back on traditional wood-fired stoves. "If needed, we are even ready to drop the hotel venue," Shah added....