Help for the stranded and the distressed
Tom Aditya In view of the relentless telephone-calls and emails we receive especially from the Indian community members stranded in the UK, let me pen a few lines. Several flights had already flown from the UK to India with numerous such stranded passengers. Incidentally, I was able to help many community members to reunite with their families and many had conveyed their thankful greetings after reaching back to India. But still, there are a large number of students and visitors stranded in the UK. I am very much eager to help people who are in distress and in need.
Nevertheless, I feel that the following categories of people need to be given the order of priority in these repatriation flights: a) Pregnant women who completed six months of pregnancy b) People who are sick requiring urgent surgery and post-operational procedures c) Cancer patients who require chemotherapy/ radiation treatment d) Kidney dialysis patients. e) People aged above 60 and children below 15 who are on a tourist visa f) People whose tourist visa has expired or will be expiring over the next month ) Students whose visa has expired or will be expiring over the next month) Those who have lost their jobs and have no means of supporting themselves.
There is a huge waiting list of these stranded people at the HCI. To resolve the situation, India should open its air traffic and more flights are urgently required for all places where there are passengers. Currently, these repatriation flights are only for Indian citizens. There have been some difficulties regarding allowing family members of Indian citizens, who are not Indian citizens on these flights. Therefore, I requested the Government of India to consider OCI cardholders also in these repatriation flights. Thankfully, there has been a positive response to my request from New Delhi and I look forward to that policy implementation soon. We all need to avoid all sorts of transits and journeys during this pandemic time unless it is extremely indispensable. However, it is quite natural for most people to be with their loved ones during times of distress. If any of your Indian friends or relatives are stranded in the UK and haven’t yet registered with the High Commission of India for the repatriation flights, please register through the google sheet available at https://forms.gle/nnWCw2arfpNxguhM7.
The Indian High Commission at London is doing a virtuous work in midst of its limitations. I appreciate all those who are working behind this repatriation mission. Their goodwill and support had consoled many lives. I had talks with the India High Commission to arrange a hardship fund from the Indian Community Welfare Fund to help those who are in distress on a case by case basis. Let’s work together in harmony. Stay safe.
