Indians mark Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
dubai — School students, distressed NRI women and housemaids were among the top beneficiaries of several welfare programmes launched by the Consulate-General of India in Dubai last year, said Vipul, Consul-General of India in Dubai, on Thursday.
He was speaking to a 200-strong crowd of Indian community members on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Wednesday about the outcome of various welfare programmes launched by the mission in 2018.
Vipul announced that the consulate received a total of 800 queries throughout the 12 monthly open house events, which was launched a year ago. Senior members of the community, including Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardee Bharatbhai Shah, spoke during the event. The consul-general also said that the community volunteer organisations, which were formed in 2018, have been very proactive in helping in communities’ issues.
He said: “Nine organisations were formed and some member groups have been more proactive than the others. From education issues to abandoned sailors, several issues faced by distressed members of the Indian diaspora were resolved, thanks to these community groups.” However, Vipul appealed to the remaining community members to try to be more active.
Students’ issues resolved
A total of eight students facing difficulties in paying their school fees were helped by the consulate. Vipul said: “The consulate spoke to the schools and fees of these students were waived off. One student’s fees were cleared, thanks to a community member’s generosity.”
Given that the scope of the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has been expanded, the outreach of the consulate has been much better, he said, adding that the cultural committee has been very active. “Several cultural programmes were organised during Diwali and over 10,000 people visited Al Seef during the Diwali celebrations. A Suhoor was organised during Ramadan and the Republic Day celebrations were organised in great pomp too,” he added.
For amnesty-seekers, a total of 4, 500 emergency certificates and 2,800 passports were issued. In the case of death-related issues, volunteers from different Northern Emirates were proactive towards the repatriation of mortal remains.
The highlight of the event was the felicitation of student achievers. Winners of the Know India
(Bharat Ko Janiye) quiz competition, held as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, were felicitated and top-ranking students for academics and co-curricular activities were also given awards.
Pulkit Chopra, a student with cerebral palsy who scored 83 per cent aggregate in CBSE Grade 10 exams; Aadithyan Rajesh; Tanisha Crasto; Arisma Arora; Kevin Thomas Plamootil; and Abhiraj Gupta were the students’ felicitated.