The government of India has added 141 more flights to West Asian countries for the second phase of Vande Bharat Mission, its massive repatriation programme for citizens stranded overseas because of Covid-19-related travel restrictions.
The second phase was to end on May 22. However, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the ongoing phase will last till June 13 and that India is looking at making Frankfurt a hub for the mission.
With these new flights, more than half of them to the United Arab Emirates, the total number of flights in the second phase of the programme have gone up to more than 400, people familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity.
The flights were added due to increased demand from citizens stranded in West Asian countries and the availability of adequate quarantine facilities in states for the returning Indians, the people said. As with all the flights operated so far under Vande Bharat Mission, priority will be given in the second phase to Indian nationals with compelling reasons for returning to the country, they added.
The additional flights are from the UAE (81 flights), Oman and Saudi Arabia (15 flights each), Kuwait (14 flights), Qatar (11 flights) and Bahrain (five flights).
A majority of the flights are bound for Kerala (84 flights), while the other destinations are Delhi (10 flights), Tamil Nadu (nine flights), Telangana (six flights) Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir (five flights each), Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh (four flights each), Punjab (three flights), Odisha and West Bengal (two flights each), Chandigarh, Karnataka and Goa (one flight each).
The other 260-odd flights being operated during the second phase of Vande Bharat Mission are from Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tajikistan, the UK, Ukraine and the US.
The second phase of the repatriation programme began on May 16 and will continue till June 13, with all the flights being operated by state-run Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express. Private airlines are likely to be included in the third phase.
As of Thursday, a total of 23,475 Indians have been repatriated under Vande Bharat Mission. The second phase had included new destinations such as Istanbul, Ho Chi Minh City and Lagos, and had increased flights to the US and Europe.
More than 259,000 Indians in 98 countries across the world have registered to return under Vande Bharat Mission. Most of them are workers (28%), students (25%), professionals (14.5%), and short-term visa holders such as tourists (7.6%). Fishermen, deportees and Indian nationals who benefited from visa amnesties have also registered.
The protesters, who gathered near the Sanskrit College Circle here, raised slogans glorifying Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt and slammed the Dalit leaders, who raised voice against him.
Comments
Why is Pejawar seer, BJP and RSS hiding behind these sold out , so-called Muslims. why can't they come out on their own?
This is amusing. First ask pejawar seer why he keeps endorsing all the abuses and threats against the Muslims community during the \Hindu samajotsavas\" where he's the main organiser. Pejawar seer is the leading light of the VHP and Bajrang Dal. Please ask him to tell his group the VHP and Bajrang Dal to stop killing and raping Muslims (nowadays in the name of beef as well), then he can ask for their support. Thank you"
These are Muslims just in name. We need to know how much BJP & RSS has promised to give them for this publicity stunt. pejawar is behind the growth of the RSS and BD in the region, that has made life of Muslims miserable, and think they are 2nd class citizens. He was a leading light of the Babri demolition, and also behind the gau rakshaks who beat up and kill muslim traders . Instead of hiding behind these 'Muslims for rent', BJP and RSS should \protect\" Pejawar themselves, if they have any shame"
oh
Abdullah told good answer
Members of Udupi District Muslim Souharda Vedike (Bunch of Jokers in Udupi) , first of all you people protect yourself then talk about protecting the temple.
One of your hardcore Member (ANSAR) he himself is a THIEF, he had stolen gold at his own home in 2003, his father registered complaint in Udupi town police station. after investigation police arrested him.
Who is this Arif. Is he representative of Muslim community. I think such people led the protesters of sangh parivar to pelt stones to Masjids and shops/houses belongs to Muslims. I hope these ppl gave information to sangh parivars aboutthe Muslims who sacrifice animals. Is he really Arif and only a name given by sangh parivar to divide muslim community.
Muslims got high respect on Shri Krishna Matt . One should not cause any harm to mutt. Shri Pejawar Swamiji had gone all along from Udupi to Ayodhya to destroy the Babri Masjid.
Please dont call Muslims ... Call MRM sold outs... to cheddis
This Swamiji motivated the terrorist goons to demolish 5 century old Babri Masjid. thereby destroyed secularism in India. now needs the support of bone-licking munafiks
Let those mutt swamis chelas protect it....why muslims....go and protect yourself...from hell fire.....
Pejawar seer is known as as a hardcore advocate of RSS
well done. Thank you for staging protest and showing solidarity.. let's unite for good cause.
Dear Muslim Brother's.
First protect yourself from Hell fire.Later you can think of protecting other's. First learn about Islam then advise your Pejawar Sree about Islam and life after death.
Fear ALLAH,Obey Prophet Muhammed(pbuh).
It is a plan of pejawara.
his mutt has given some money to non practicing muslims (only name is muslim).
He want to devide dalits and muslims.
Mr. Arif how can say muslim community would be there to protect the thieves!!!???
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