Under the leadership of Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg, a high-level review meeting was held today at the Lokseva Bhawan Conference Hall to assess the safety and well-being of Odia nationals residing in the Middle East amid ongoing instability in the region.

The meeting included key officials joining virtually from New Delhi, including Vishal Gagan, Chief Resident Commissioner, and Sucharita Shadanghi Alasi, Additional Resident Commissioner. State officials present included Dr. Vijay Ketan Upadhyay, Secretary of the Department of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, and Pritish Panda, Nodal Officer appointed to oversee rescue operations from the Middle East.

Focus on Safe Air Travel and Rescue Operations

During the meeting, Chief Resident Commissioner Jagannath highlighted the importance of safe air travel for Odia nationals in the Middle East. He shared that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued directions to airlines to ensure secure transportation of citizens.

As per data received till March 9, approximately 65,000 Indian nationals were safely repatriated from the region. This includes 35 Odia tourists who were stranded in Dubai due to airline disruptions. On March 7, nine tourists arrived at Bhubaneswar Airport via the Kodai flight route, while the remaining 24 returned on March 8 through Air India Express.

Nodal Officers Appointed for Coordination

Dr. Upadhyay informed that nearly 200 calls were received from Odia nationals in the Middle East. These citizens were connected to a toll-free helpline (1800-118-118-797) and the contact numbers of Indian embassies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain.

Three contact officers were appointed to coordinate the safety and welfare of Odia nationals:

• Dr. Vijay Ketan Upadhyay, Odisha Secretariat

• Sucharita Shadanghi, Additional Resident Commissioner, New Delhi

• Pritish Panda, Nodal Officer

A nodal office has also been established in New Delhi to maintain communication with the MEA and provide regular updates to the Odisha Government.

Collaboration with Central Agencies

The meeting emphasized collaboration with central agencies like the Protector of Emigrants to support Odia citizens in the Middle East. Local district officials and state authorities have been instructed to remain vigilant and ensure prompt action in case of emergencies.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg directed that all districts maintain readiness to provide assistance and safeguard the lives of Odia nationals. The state government reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare, rescue, and security of citizens abroad, stressing the importance of proactive coordination and effective communication channels.

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