Coronavirus: 354 Indians go home on day one of evacuation mission

After weeks of anxious waiting, a large group of Indian citizens, desperate to return home, finally had their prayers answered, thanks to authorities in the UAE and the Government of India.

India's biggest repatriation effort 'Vande Bharat Mission' officially began on Thursday as 354 distressed citizens left for their homes on two separate Air India Express flights.

The flights flew from Abu Dhabi to Kochi and from Dubai to Kozhikode at 4.55pm and 5.47pm, respectively. Two flights will depart today from Dubai to Chennai. These too will be Air India Express flights with 177 passengers each.
All passengers tested
Commenting on the flight to Kozhikode, which departed from Dubai, Consul-General of India to Dubai Vipul said: "The day has definitely been good. We had a total of 177 passengers and all have undergone the IGG/IGM tests. All tests were negative. The UAE Government has graciously offered to do these tests and we thank them for their support. There were 27 people who performed the tests on the passengers."

Vipul said selecting passengers to fly on these special flights were a crucial exercise for the missions and Air India. "There were several workers who lost their jobs, distressed small business owners, 12 senior citizens and passengers who accompanied them."

Several of the travellers were over the age of 70. There were at least 20 medical cases and their accompanying passengers. "Three out of the 19 Indian citizens who have been stranded at Dubai airport since March was also in the flight," said Vipul. A few visit and tourist visa cases were also repatriated. However, one of the biggest challenges for the mission was the repatriation of pregnant women and those accompanying them.
Cost of tickets
Vipul said except for the three passengers who were stranded at the airport, the ticket cost was paid by those travelling.

He added: "We all have to understand this is a pandemic situation and airlines have to operate. These are not market prices and the tickets are fairly affordable. If there are people who are genuinely in need, especially destitute workers, we can arrange tickets from the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)."

Several community leaders and social workers were also active on site at the airport, assisting the consulate.
Impressed by UAE's efficiency: Indian envoy
Indian ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor said he was impressed by the efficiency in which the whole process was handled at the airport. "The process went smooth. It was a well-coordinated effort by airport officials, police, health authorities and the embassy."
The ambassador said the passengers tested negative for the CGI/CGG test and got the 'fit to fly' stamp on their passport. "They are boarding now. we are happy to see many distressed Indian being able to fly back home."
The envoy said, "This is the place where we have the largest Indian diaspora. Hence it is quite appropriate that we start from here. We are very lucky to have the support of the UAE government, the ministry of foreign affairs, civil aviation authorities and of course the department of health which is conducting tests here today for the passengers."
He added, "We hope that this process carries on smoothly both at the departure points and arrival in India. We will be able to carry this on adding on new destinations and places carrying people who need to go back urgently."

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com , anjana@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai
• India

Dhanusha Gokulan

• dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com