MEA speaks to dead emigrants

The Ministry of External Affairs is often criticised for not responding adequately to the complaints of overseas Indians, but it has found a way of communicating with an emigrant who is dead!

Nakka Gangadhar, who died of a heart attack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 9, 2017, was personally greeted in a mail from the Ministry of External Affairs on March 26, after a grievance was registered on behalf of his family on the MADAD portal (an online grievances monitoring system of the MEA) on March 26, 2017.

The MEA mail said, 'Dear Nakka Gangadhar, Greetings! A grievance has been registered by M. Bheem Reddy on your behalf on March 26 as per the following description; Nakka Gangadhar son of Nakka Gangaram, Passport No. K6888289 Iqama No. 2344491176 died of a heart attack at Al Sulayyil, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 9th March 2017. He belongs to Metla Chittapoor, Metpally, Jagtial, Telangana. Repatriate mortal remains at the earliest.'

The family of the deceased is eagerly waiting to receive his mortal remains and a grievance was registered on their behalf by Bheem Reddy, president of the Coalition of Overseas Telangana Association.

The Ministry of External Affairs responded, but in doing so addressed the mail to Nakka Gangadhar even though it was clearly written below that he had died on March 9, 2017.

M. Bheem Reddy, is also included. When asked about this M. Bheem Reddy, the vice president of Migrants Rights Council, said, “The MADAD Consular Services Management System is the best way to reach Indian Missions abroad. India's Ministry of External Affairs is able to communicate via email with dead emigrants’ souls. We have seen seven such mails in the last two months. It is insulting the dead. How can MEA address the dead emigrants in its emails?”

The Ministry of External Affairs is able to communicate via e-mail with dead emigrants’ souls. We have seen seven such mails in the last two months. This is insulting the dead. How can MEA address the dead emigrants in its e-mails?”

— M. BHEEM REDDY, Migrant Rights Council