With the motive to mitigate the problems of Punjabi Diaspora including students throughout the world, the Punjab Government has decided to connect with them by the appointment of various co-ordinators for different countries.Disclosing this here today, NRIs Affairs, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi said that amidst the corona crisis, many NRIs are either stuck abroad or in India because of the travel restrictions due to the lockdown. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also held meetings in this regard with nine states to discuss measures to support and to offer any guidance necessary to these NRIs. MEA is also aware that NRIs might face economic hardships post their return to India once the lockdown is over. The Punjab Government led by Captain Amarinder Singh has taken the initiative to connect Punjabi Diaspora with the appointment of honorary coordinators to facilitate them. These coordinators have been given the task to work towards resolving NRI issues/problems via NRI Commission.Divulging about the working of these coordinators, the Minister said that the coordinators are in touch with nodal officers in various missions abroad and are taking up issues/problems faced by NRIs. These coordinators are the local point of contact. He informed that any NRI facing any problem can directly contact him on the mail id [email protected]. He further informed that Secretary of the Department Rahul Bhandari, IAS can also be contacted on [email protected] for any matter pertaining to the NRIs.
Reiterating the commitment of well being of Punjabis throughout the world, Rana Sodhi appealed to Punjabi students studying in abroad that they can also be contact with these coordinators and Indian Missions so we can be able to take arrangements for their safe return. He also called upon parents of these students residing in Punjab to contact with concerned District Administration with the particulars of their loved ones.The Minister further requested NRIs to desist from misinformation and mass hysteria as Govt is fully seized of the matter and is trying to best to resolve all the issues. He announced that the names of the coordinator, which are as following Manjit Singh Nijjar UK Admin (447956455388), Harsimran Ahluwalia Australia, Avtar Singh Chimna London UK (447738380750), Dr. Jason Wouhra Midland UK (447795037126), Sarabjit Singh California USA (19098157412), Rajbir Singh Randhawa USA (13235332733), Rajan Sidhu New York USA, Pal Dandona Chicago USA (18155055767), Meena Dhesi Sanghera USA (16619786310), Davinder Garcha Canada (2504878966), Sukhminder Singh Khaira Canada (6045182100), Nachhattar Singh Kooner Canada (6048253623 or 6045130073), Arvinder Singh Khosa Canada, Govinder Singh Purewal Spain (34677139132), Surinder Singh Rana Holland (31642718171), Parmod Kumar Germany, Surjit Singh Abu Dhabi (971506129811), Pavneesh Sabarwal Dubai, Lavanya Mathur Dubai (971551066874), Sukhdev Singh Indonesia (62818148498), Avtar Singh New Zealand and Davinder Singh Thailand.