Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been restrictions when it comes to all public gatherings, business and travel. There are around 30,000 students alone in the Houston Consular region who are waiting to go back home to India but are unable to because of the travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.
Thousands of Indians, including students are still stranded in the United States since weeks. There have been multiple requests to the government to send flights to evacuate them back home. Students and people who have travelled to America for medical treatment are declaring that they need to evacuate the country (USA) urgently due to increasing financial strain.
There area around 30,000 students alone in Houston, comprising 8 states who come from top universities.
Alia, an Indian in New York, who is an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holder has lost her father and has still not found the chance to go back home and help her family who are midst a crisis.
“My father passed away in Mumbai on April 26 and the elderly mother is helpless and in need of medical care. Please help me get to Mumbai urgently. There is no reply from the Indian Embassy in the US. Please help,” she said.
There are complaints about red-tapism getting in the way of the evacuation as week,
Government officials declared that the Indian Embassy and consulates are working together round the clock despite several challenges and risks they might have to face The Indian embassy is catering to all emergencies and prioritizing them giving the highest priority to cancer patients, pregnant women, students, stranded tourists, laid off workers and those whose family is recently deceased.
Consulate officials also stated that they are not only helping with flights but accommodation for all the students who have no place to stay as colleges and universities are shut down.
India has been operating flights from may 9 to may 15 to facilitate the stranded Indians charging 1 lakh for a one way flight. This was the first phase of evacuation. The second phase is yet to commence.
All passenger who are boarding flights to India will be medically screened and would have to undergo a 14 day mandatory quarantine on their arrival to India as per protocols of the government.
By Meena Atmakuri
