In this unforeseen situation of a pandemic, India is leaving no stone unturned in fighting with the novel coronavirus. The Indian government is endeavouring in every possible way to curb this contagious disease from wreaking havoc in the nation and to guard Indians against the grip of this deadly virus.
On this note, India has recently launched an airlifting plan named Vande Bharat Mission, which has become a highlighted affair for all the right reasons.
What Is Vande Bharat Mission?
Vande Bharat Mission is going to be the country’s biggest-ever repatriation exercise. Under this mission, the Indian nationals who are stranded overseas will be brought back and the foreigners and NRIs who are stuck in India will be repatriated to their countries. The Vande Bharat Mission is scheduled to go on for a week, starting from May 7, 2020, till May 13, 2020.
The ferry services under this mission will be conducted by the two Indian airlines, Air India and its subsidiary, Air India Express. In this mega airlift operation, around 1,90,000 Indian nationals are expected to be brought back home from different countries.
External Affairs Minister of India, Dr S. Jaishankar communicated regarding the preparations for the mission through his tweet on May 5, 2020.
Commenced preparations for Vande Bharat Mission. Planning underway for stranded Indian nationals to return home starting 7th May. Urge them to keep in regular touch with their Embassies. pic.twitter.com/uFtNijO3DO
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 5, 2020
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How Will It Be Carried Out?
To carry out the airlifting mission, Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express will operate 64 flights in seven days to bring back home 14,800 stranded Indian nationals from 12 countries.
During this phased repatriation exercise, 10 flights for UAE, 5 for Saudi Arabia, 2 for Qatar, 2 for Bahrain, 5 for Kuwait, 5 for the Philippines, 5 for Singapore, 7 for the UK, 7 for Bangladesh, 7 for USA and 2 for Oman are scheduled to take off on different days. Indians who are stranded abroad have been asked to register themselves with the Indian embassy in their respective country.
On May 5, 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs released standard operating procedure (SOP) which includes a list of protocols, required to be followed before every flight. As per the SOP, the cost of one-way travel, as well as that of staying in the government quarantine centres for 14 days, will be borne by the travellers only.
MHA issues SOPs for movement of Indian Nationals stranded outside the country, as well as, for those persons stranded in India who are desirous to travel abroad for urgent reasons.#COVIDー19 #lockdown #Corona Update pic.twitter.com/CTg6ZNSHIO
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) May 5, 2020
Air India’s flight from Delhi to Singapore which was scheduled to take off at 11 P.M. on May 7, 2020, from IGI Airport was the first among the 64 ferry services scheduled under the evacuation mission.
Some Highlights of the Standard Operating Procedure
- The two airlines which are responsible for carrying out the operations have to get all of their pilots and crew members tested for COVID-19 before allowing them to get on their duty.
- Even the passengers will be allowed to board the flight only if they are found to be asymptomatic at the time of thermal screening.
- Strict adherence to the preventive measures of COVID-19 such as wearing of masks will be monitored in the flight.
- All the travelers are required to download the Arogya Setu App on their mobile phones before boarding the flight.
India’s Previous Mega Airlift Operation
In the year 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait, Air India led a group of other Indian airlines, the Russian airline, Aeroflot and Indian Air Force to evacuate 1,11,711 Indians from the Gulf under a massive airlifting operation.
This time, the nation is going to embark on an even larger evacuation mission.
Besides the Vande Bharat Mission, the Navy has also deployed three of its ships under the operation Samudra Setu to get back stranded citizens from Maldives and UAE. INS Jalashwa and INS Magar will get back Indians from the Maldives while INS Shardul has been sent to Dubai for the same.
In the wake of all such efforts amid coronavirus pandemic, the Indian airlines and air forces deserve to be applauded by the nation.
Image Credits: Google Images, Republic World
Sources: Livemint, Outlook India, Money Control
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This post is tagged under: world’s largest evacuation mission, repatriation exercise, bring Indians back, countries, flights, Air India, pilots crew, standard operating procedure, schedule of flights, cost borne by passengers, quarantine, government of India, MHA, Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar, covid-19, coronavirus, stuck
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