New Delhi: For many Indian families whose loved ones died in foreign shores, transporting the mortal remains was a harrowing experience — not only did it take time, it was also very expensive.
The challenge was acute in the Middle East, where the Indian population has grown to almost 80 lakh, with a majority being blue-collared workers. Official estimates show about 10 Indians die in this region on an average every day, mostly due to natural causes and in road accidents.
But with Indian community leaders raising the issue over the years, and after many rounds of discussions between the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India, a solution has finally been arrived at.
The government has reached an understanding with Air India that a “flat rate” will be charged from families of the deceased.
To begin with, it has negotiated the rate for the six Gulf countries (see box), where the estimated Indian population is significant: UAE (33 lakh Indians), Saudi Arabia (27 lakh), Kuwait (9 lakh), Oman (8 lakh), Qatar (6.5 lakh) and Bahrain (3.5 lakh).
Officials said the “flat rate” — for Air India direct flights from earlier this month — is almost 40 per cent lower than the average cost of transfer of bodies from these countries. The transport of bodies of children — less than 12 years old — will cost half the flat rate, officials said.
28/01/19 Shubhajit Roy/Indian Express
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The challenge was acute in the Middle East, where the Indian population has grown to almost 80 lakh, with a majority being blue-collared workers. Official estimates show about 10 Indians die in this region on an average every day, mostly due to natural causes and in road accidents.
But with Indian community leaders raising the issue over the years, and after many rounds of discussions between the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air India, a solution has finally been arrived at.
The government has reached an understanding with Air India that a “flat rate” will be charged from families of the deceased.
To begin with, it has negotiated the rate for the six Gulf countries (see box), where the estimated Indian population is significant: UAE (33 lakh Indians), Saudi Arabia (27 lakh), Kuwait (9 lakh), Oman (8 lakh), Qatar (6.5 lakh) and Bahrain (3.5 lakh).
Officials said the “flat rate” — for Air India direct flights from earlier this month — is almost 40 per cent lower than the average cost of transfer of bodies from these countries. The transport of bodies of children — less than 12 years old — will cost half the flat rate, officials said.
28/01/19 Shubhajit Roy/Indian Express
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