Indian Embassies Undertake Herculean Task of Community Outreach

NEW DELHI: Indian envoys and diplomats across the globe are doing everything possible to assist Indian nationals in places as far apart as Washington, Singapore, Moscow, Tokyo, Rome and Riyadh, providing them food and arranging for shelters, as countries fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Embassies in the Gulf, which has millions of Indian expatriates, have been at forefront in assisting the community.

In the UAE, the embassy is supplying food to Indians in need during the lockdown, Ambassador Pawan Kapoor told ET.

In Oman, which also houses a big Indian community, the embassy in Muscat has established 24/7 helplines and a network involving social workers and hypermarket chains to provide food to needy Indian nationals all over the country. It has already reached out to more than 2,000 Indian nationals, according to Ambassador Manu Mahawar. Arrangements have also been made to take care of the medical needs of destitute Indians, Mahawar said.

Similar efforts by Indian embassies are also under way in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

In Europe, Indian missions have been proactive in attending to the requirements of Indian nationals.

In the Netherlands, Ambassador Venu Rajamony has taken the lead in assisting Indian expats stranded in Schiphol Airport in capital Amsterdam.

“These passengers on short validity visas said that they were travelling on a limited budget and would not be able to sustain themselves for a longer/indefinite period…due to high costs of living and accommodation. They requested the Embassy for help…as the country was already in a semi lock-down situation with the hospitality industry, including budget restaurants and cafeterias, closed…,” Rajamony told ET.

“The Mission made arrangements at a hotel near Schiphol Airport for lodging the passengers in distress. Their lunch and dinner are also being provided through an Indian caterer,” he added. Rajamony has also had online interactions with Indian students from various universities across the Netherlands.

In France, two 24/7 emergency helplines are operational where Indian nationals can seek clarifications and inform the embassy of their condition. An embassy team interacts with Indians who are unwell, according to informed sources.

The Embassy is also assisting Indians who had come to France on short-term visas, to get their visas extended, besides working closely with Indian community associations to organise accommodation and rations for needy Indian students who are unable to pay rent, the sources added.

Meanwhile, in Berlin the Mission has been regularly reaching out to Indian students and community organisations through various platforms, including via a dedicated Covid-19 helpline, emails, weekly video messages and webinars and an interview with a community-run radio channel, explained Indian envoy Mukta Tomar.

Similar assistance has also been rendered by Indian missions in Italy and Portugal, led by Ambassadors Reenat Sandhu and Nandini Singla, respectively.

In the United States, the Indian Embassy and consulates led by Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu have launched proactive outreach on all platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website. It has also set up 24/7 helplines in all 5 consulates; a Peer Support Line for Students (from 11 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week), with outreach to 50,000 students through 8,000 links); Instagram Live Interaction with student outreach to over 25,000 students and detailed advisories (around 20 such).

In Moscow, Ambassador Bala Venkatesh Varma has been at the forefront of assisting the Indian community and 15,000 Indian students across Russia and Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

In Southeast Asia’s biggest country, Indonesia, nearly 2,400 Indians have registered with the Indian Embassy for urgent return to the country. This broadly includes stranded tourists, laid off workers and visiting families, according to diplomatic sources. The Indian Embassy is facilitating their stay, food and medicines.

In Singapore the High Commission has set up three helplines available all the time, including one with Tamil language speaker. In addition, senior consular officers are also available all the time on phone. “Indians stranded here are being provided with assistance in extending visas/stay permits; accommodation and food, wherever needed. As the stay gets extended, the Mission also making arrangements for dry ration to be supplied. For those needing to see a doctor and get medicine, we have made arrangements with our panel doctors. We have also made arrangements for a consignment of medicines to be brought from India for those were here on short visit and are stuck and take medicine for diabetes, hyper tension, heart conditions and other ailments,” a diplomatic source said.

“For Indian workers in Singapore, mostly living in dormitories for foreign workers, Singapore Government is providing all support, including ensuring full payment of salaries, three meals a day, free medical support and provision of masks and sanitizers. The Indian community is also mobilising support through local NGOs working with migrant workers,” the source added.

The Embassy in Bangkok has launched two 24/7 helpline numbers which have been widely publicised through social media and community groups so that Indian nationals affected by the Covid-19 situation can contact it for assistance.

The affected Indian nationals include those who had come as tourists or on business and were stranded due to travel ban/lockdown in India and Thailand, and suspension of international flights.

The Mission has been effectively handling the issue of extension of visas for the stranded Indian nationals and making arrangements for accommodation and daily meals, etc.

Assistance is being provided to the affected people through various Indian diaspora associations, ensuring that the basic needs like food and accommodation are being taken care of, diplomatic sources told ET.

The Indian High Commission in Malaysia has also taken proactive steps to assist stranded Indians transiting through Malaysia.

Besides, accommodation, food and medicines are also being provided to around 300 Indian nationals, who were stranded in different parts of Malaysia.

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Source: ET

image Courtesy: Deccan Herald

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