Covid in India: Expats in UAE ask how they can help as cases surge dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com Filed on April 27, 2021
The Burj Khalifa lights up in support of India s fight against Covid-19. File photo
Several Indian businessmen and expats said that at the moment, they consider any individual support as ‘a drop in the ocean’.
Heartbroken over the Covid-19 situation back home, Indian expats are ready to help but they are not sure how to do so. Considering that the urgent need is oxygen supply, many are clueless about where to get it and how to send it home.
India is facing a massive surge in cases, with many of its hospitals reporting shortage of oxygen. The country recorded 320,000 new infections on Tuesday, and total deaths are nearing 200,000. Expats have expressed their gratitude towards the government of the UAE for supplying oxygen containers during this time of need.
Youth volunteers reach out to families hit by pandemic in Kozhikode
A spike in the number of critical COVID-19 cases and unexpected deaths have prompted many political and religious organisations in the district to voluntarily form their own youth task forces to ensure dignified last rites for victims of the pandemic.
Complying with the safety protocol, they have reached out to many needy families that were going through a painful situation with the death of their dear and near ones.
White Guards, COVID-19 Prevention Armym and Millat Brigade are some of such volunteer units supported by political parties like the Indian Union Muslim League, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Indian National League. Many similar volunteer groups supported by organisations like Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM), Seva Bharati, Muslim Youth League, and Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre are also functional in the district to lend a hand to their fellow beings in need.
Dubai: Despite several unfavourable situations, hundreds of Indian expats from the UAE have managed to cast their votes in state elections and proudly displayed their inked fingers on social media to show their participation in the democratic process back home.
Though assembly elections are happening in four states Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry, the election fever is generally higher among Keralites in the UAE, who form the largest group of the more than 3.4 million Indian expatriates here.
Politically agile Keralites are traditionally known for flying home in thousands to cast their votes. However, their numbers have drastically diminished this time, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related travel hassles and safety concerns. Most of the people, who cast their ballots, are either active supporters of political parties in the state or are on vacation back home.