Two rescue flights from Tokyo to India not enough as more Indians stranded in Japan
The first lot of Indians reached Mumbai from Tokyo on Thursday under Vande Bharat Mission. Second Air India flight from Tokyo to Delhi will reach on Monday, June 1. Many from the south Indian states would miss this flight.
NEW DELHI: Sanjay Kumar Verma, Indian ambassador in Tokyo along with other staffers reached the Narita airport in Tokyo on Thursday to see the 223 Indians off who were boarding the Air India flight to Mumbai under Vande Bharat Mission.
Verma not only interacted with the happy departing Indians, but he also offered a bouquet of suggestions to them and told them to be careful after landing at the airport in Mumbai as coronavirus situation there was worrisome. Maharashtra state has reported the maximum number of COVID-10 patients in India.
These Indians from 11 states of Indian were stuck in Japan since March when the Indian government had announced lockdown in India due to the COVID-19 outbreak, canceled all visas, and canceled all international flights.
They will have to serve the mandatory 14-days quarantine period in various facilities in Mumbai before heading for their respective states.
Indian embassy received accolades from the returning Indians from Japan.
Jinshu, a stranded Indian wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter, “Great efforts. It feels very good to see Ambassador at the airport and coordinating and interacting with the passengers. Great gesture from a humble person.”
However, still, there is a faction of Indians stranded in Japan whose names have not appeared in the list of fortunate passengers who would be boarding second Air India flight from Narita to New Delhi on June 1.
The Indian aviation ministry had announced three flights between Japan and India, one each from Tokyo to Mumbai and New Delhi on May 28 and June 1, and from New Delhi to Tokyo on May 30 for the Japan-based Indians stranded in India since lockdown.
According to an estimate, about 1000 Indians await their turn for returning to India. They expect the Indian government to announce more flights from Japan fro India.
Vijeta wrote on the officials was of officials Twitter account of the Indian Embassy in Tokyo, “It’s really very helpful, all you guys are doing a great job. But still, there are so many people in Japan who are waiting for your help to come back to their family. Which is itself a great emergency if anyone understands. What u feel when ur little baby asks papa when will u come.”
Manju Natha S was surprised not to find flights for South Indian states. Manju wrote, “thank you and much appreciated.. but why there are no flights towards south India, especially for Bangalore?”
In its reply, the Indian embassy has asked the remaining Indians to share their details at sscons.tokyo@mea.gov.in with a copy to fscons.tokyo@mea.gov.in
