Ire over NZ High Commission’s oxygen plea

WELLINGTON: Insulting and inappropriate — that was the response to the tweet by the New Zealand High Commission in India for oxygen cylinders to treat a seriously sick Covidinfected staff member.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed yesterday that several locally employed personnel at the commission had contracted the virus, one having fallen seriously ill.

The Hindu newspaper is reporting a number of foreign embassies’ staff have become infected with the virus.

The Covid19 situation in India is grim. Almost 3500 deaths were reported yesterday — a record — and daily cases have topped 300,000 for 12 successive days.

Hospitals are overwhelmed and there is a dire shortage of oxygen and other medical supplies.

During the weekend a plea was made on the New Zealand High Commission’s social media asking for oxygen canisters.

It was directed not at the Indian Government but at the youth wing of the main opposition party, the Indian Youth Congress.

Former National Party MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi said, for many Indians, this was insulting.

The High Commission quickly deleted the tweet, saying it was sent in error, and apologised to the Indian Government.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern acknowledged there were more appropriate ways to request medical assistance.

Auckland Indian Association president Dhansukh Lal said it was totally inappropriate to go to the opposition political party to get medical help. — RNZ