Many Kiwis still stranded in India after missing out on the three government charter flights are asking exasperatingly, “Why can't the government arrange for more charter flights to take us home.”
Recently the government has organized three charter flights that brought home hundreds of Kiwis stranded in India with each passenger picking up the partial cost of arranging a charter flight at $5500 per seat.
Recently the government has arranged three charter flights from India
While the government’s action has brought smiles and happiness on the faces of many who managed to return back on the flights, however, those who believed they met the eligibility criteria and still not accepted for the flight are feeling frustrated and calling for more compassionate action from the government.
The Indian Weekender is in touch with a large number of stranded Kiwis who are largely citizens and residents who say they met the eligibility criteria and also located in the proximity of main airports (New Delhi) and still were not selected for a seat in charter flights back home.
Shikha Sharma, one such Kiwi stranded in the Punjab region from where many people were selected and transferred to New Delhi, is coordinating with a group of more than hundred hopefuls who are not only eligible but also ready to bear the high cost of returning home.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender Shikha said, “We are around 150 people, mostly citizens and residents and some work visa holders who have secured an exception for entering into NZ borders by Immigration New Zealand, who are desperately waiting for another charter flight to take us home.”
“Earlier we understood the fact that the MFAT was sending provisional acceptance to citizens and priority- passengers, such as those with kids and elders.”
“However we were also hopeful that we will be getting a fair chance as well to return home,” Ms Shikha said.
Gunjan Gera, a resident, who works as Horticulture-biological control scientist and production team leader in Auckland currently stranded in India along with her husband, asked frustratingly why the government cannot send another flight.
Dr Gunjan Gera (Image supplied)
“We appreciate the efforts done by the government. so far, but very disappointed and disheartened that they decided to leave us behind for no valid reason. When we submitted our EOI for repatriation, it was accepted. We patiently waited for our turn as they were prioritising people with young children and elderlies first. But now they (MFAT) have started telling some of us that there won't be any more flights and advised them to wait for the commercial flights,” Dr Gera said.
“We want to request the government. If you are capable of running 3 flights, you can certainly do one more and rescue all your citizens and residents. All we want is to get back to our homes and our jobs,” Dr Gera asked exasperatingly.
Harpreet Singh, another permanent resident appealed to the government to send more flights and take them home.
“I appreciate the fact that the NZ government and MFAT are working hard to bring Citizens and permanent residents back.
But we request them to send more planes and take us home as well. We are not complaining about the price, as our rents, mortgages, bills, work and businesses in NZ are suffering,” Mr Singh said.
Ritu Dhaiya is one of the many work visa holders who have managed to obtain an exception from the Immigration NZ to enter the country as their professions have been deemed as essential for immigration purposes, told the Indian Weekender that she was currently stranded (at Sonepat, Haryana) within 100-kilometre distance from New Delhi airport.
“It's not that I am stranded in some faraway region from the New Delhi airport, and so are many in this part of the country.
“One more government charter flight can get us back to New Zealand and we can continue with our essential work and businesses and contribute in NZ’s post-Covid-19 economic activities,” Ms Dhaiya said.
The Indian Weekender had approached the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and a response was awaited at the time of publishing of this story.
ISSUE
Leave a Comment