to NRI Punjabis
Asks MEA to seek cooperation from Punjab community leaders for help to NRIs
“KEEP ME INFORMED ROUND THE CLOCK FOR ANY HELP TO AFFECTED PUNJABIS”
SUKHBIR TELLS PARTY HQ
Directs party workers to “specially help NRIs currently visiting Punjab
Chandigarh March 20 ( Wishavwarta)– Shiromani Akali Dal president Sardar Sukhbir
Singh Badal today announced a number of steps to help NRIs or other
Punjabis trapped abroad and requiring assistance in the wake of the
Corona pandemic.
Mr Badal today asked the Government of India to set up special cells
with helpline numbers devoted to Punjabi NRIs in all Indian missions
abroad, especially in countries like Canada, the USA, the UK, Italy,
Spain, France, Germany and the Middle East where Punjabis, especially
the Sikhs reside in significantly large numbers.
Mr Badal has specially requested the Prime Minister Shr Narender Modi
and the Minister of External Affairs Mr Subramayam Jaishankar
to step up efforts to ensure that the NRIs, especially Punjabis feel that their
government and the country of their origin is standing by them fully in this hour of need.
Mr Badal requested the Govt of India to direct all Indian missions
abroad to contact political and community leaders as well as others ,
including, NGOs and Voluntary Aid Organisations and facilitate timely
assistance to people of Indian origin through governments of the
host countries.
Mr Badal has also directed the Party headquarter in Chandigarh to remain
vigilante and to keep him informed round the clock about any intervention
required at his level to extendany help of any kind to any Punjabi overseas.
“We must remain and ready forprompt response to any eventuality through
coordination with the Government of India and also, through them, to work through Indian missions abroad.
The SAD President said that there are a large number of Punjabis
currently on a visit to their home state.He asked party leaders and
workers to immediately spring into action and to offer whatever
assistance is needed by the visiting NRI Punjabis. “Our leaders and
workers must remain in touch with the families of all NRIs especially
those currently visiting Punjab. Our leaders and workers must ensure
that no NRI is put through any inconvenience in the ongoing atmosphere
where needless panic can sometimes lead to avoidable problems ” The
SAD leaders and workers will remain available for help whenever any
NRI needs it.”
Mr Badal said that the SAD belongs to all Punjabis, no matter where
they may be and whatever their beliefs. “We will be there for each one
of them not just in the unfortunate event of anyone among them being
affected by the epidemic but also to fight other hardships created by
the general social atmosphere following the epidemic.”