NE NEWS SERVICE
GANDHINAGAR, JULY 24
The safety of Gujaratis studying and working abroad has always been a priority for the Gujarat government led by Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel in close cooperation with the Central government.
The recent surge of anti-reservation protest in Bangladesh has tragically led to violence and loss of lives. Amid the turmoil, 14 Gujarati students caught in the conflict have been safely repatriated to Gujarat, thanks to the decisive action taken by Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel. Under his guidance, the Gujarat Government swiftly coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs, ensuring that the students, who had traveled to Bangladesh for the MBBS studies, returned to their families safe and unharmed.
Update on return of Indian Nationals in Bangladesh (July 21, 2024):https://t.co/xH7pgQ2NU0 pic.twitter.com/awOXrUnJT8
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2024
- Amid the turmoil in Bangladesh, 14 Gujarati students caught in the conflict have been safely repatriated to Gujarat
- During COVID-19, ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ was initiated to repatriate Gujaratis stranded abroad
- 1,386 Gujarati students safely rescued from war-torn Ukraine through ‘Operation Ganga’
- ‘Operation Kaveri’ and ‘Operation Ajay’ repatriated Gujaratis trapped in Sudan and Israel , respectively
Beyond the current crisis in Bangladesh, the Government of India has conducted numerous rescue operations to bring back citizens stranded due to various natural and man-made disasters across different parts of the world. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 4,92,701 Gujaratis have been safely evacuated from the distress situation worldwide.
Over 4.90 lakh Gujaratis repatriated to homeland during COVID-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, lakhs of Indians got stranded in various countries. In response, the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launched the ‘Vande Bharat Mission.’ Under the operation special evacuation flights were operated to safely repatriate Indians stranded across the globe.
Under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission,’ the Gujarat government also played its part swiftly coordinating with the central government and taking decisive action to repatriate Gujaratis stranded abroad. Key agencies, including the Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujarati Pratisthan, Gujarat Tourism Corporation Limited, Gujarat Airport Police, Gujarat State Transport Corporation, District Panchayat Ahmedabad, and various district administrations collaborated to execute this extensive operation in a prompt manner. As a result, 4,90,701 Gujaratis were brought back to Gujarat during the COVID-19 period.
Additionally, on June 11, 2020, 233 Gujarati fish farmers were repatriated safely aboard the INS Shardul ship and quarantined on the Porbandar port. Besides, 42 Gujaratis were also safely brought back from Pakistan via the Wagah Border during the pandemic.
1,386 Non-Resident Gujaratis repatriated from Ukraine under ‘Operation Ganga’
The escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine has increased the risks faced by Gujarati students studying in Ukraine. In these challenging times, the Gujarat government has shown unwavering support. The Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujarati Pratisthan, operating under the NRI Division of the Government of Gujarat, has established a dedicated helpline to help Gujaratis stranded in Ukraine. Additionally, details of these people have been promptly relayed to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Ukraine for further help and coordination.
Additionally, the Government of India has launched ‘Operation Ganga’ to bring back Indians stranded in Ukraine. Under this mission, 1,386 non-resident Gujaratis who went to Ukraine for their studies have been safely brought back to Gujarat. Besides, Class-I officers working under the Gujarat Government are personally meeting the families of these students across all districts, providing updates on the comprehensive efforts being made by both the Central and Gujarat Governments.
‘Operation Kaveri’ helped Gujaratis stranded in Sudan, ‘Operation Ajay’ safely repatriated Gujaratis trapped in Israel
Amid the ongoing civil war in Sudan, many Indians got stranded in Sudan. In response, under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs, launched ‘Operation Kaveri’ to repatriate those trapped in Sudan. Coordinated promptly by CM Bhupendra Patel and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi, efforts are in full swing to ensure a safe return of Gujaratis stranded in Sudan. To date, 569 non-resident Gujaratis have been successfully brought back to Gujarat through this operation.
Similarly, the Israel-Palestine conflict has left many Indian citizens stranded in Israel. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs has initiated ‘Operation Ajay’ to facilitate their return. So far, 30 non-resident Gujaratis have been repatriated under this mission.
